Phoenix, Vol. 11 (Phoenix (Viz)) [Paperback]

Osamu Tezuka (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Phoenix (Viz) | Publication Date: September 18, 2007

The wolf-faced Harima fights on behalf of the once deified Ku tribe, who are perceived as demonic after the introduction of Buddhism to Japan. This conflict is mirrored in the 21st century, where Harima's counterpart, Bando Suguri, fights against a Phoenix-worshipping group known as "Hikari."

Sun is the longest chapter in the Phoenix series, and its structure is threefold. Harima's story in 7th century Japan interweaves with that taking place in the 21st century, while another tale of a spiritual battle bridges both past and future.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Regarded by many as the "God of Manga" Osamu Tezuka was born in 1928 in Toyonoka, in Osaka, Japan. A prolific author and artist, Tezuka is generally regarded as the single figure responsible for developing Japan's massive manga and anime industries. His cinematic art style and novelistic narratives have made his work as universally accessible and relevant now as when first published in Japan. A list of his well-known and universally loved work includes the classic JUNGLE EMPEROR LEO (also known as Kimba the White Lion), BLACK JACK, ADOLF, MIGHTY ATOM (known as ASTRO BOY in the U.S.) and METROPOLIS (recently made into a hit anime film). Tezuka continued creating comics until his death in 1989.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: VIZ Media LLC; 1 edition (September 18, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1421509733
• ISBN-13: 978-1421509730
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #824,784 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Osamu Tezuka (1928-89) is the godfather of Japanese manga comics. He originally intended to become a doctor and earned his degree before turning to what was then a medium for children. His many early masterpieces include the series known in the U.S. as Astro Boy. With his sweeping vision, deftly interwined plots, feel for the workings of power, and indefatigable commitment to human dignity, Tezuka elevated manga to an art form. The later Tezuka, who authored Buddha, often had in mind the mature readership that manga gained in the sixties and that had only grown ever since. The Kurosawa of Japanese pop culture, Osamu Tezuka is a twentieth century classic.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fitting End to Career Epic, September 30, 2007

By 

Thomas Maluck (Columbia, SC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Phoenix, Vol. 11 (Phoenix (Viz)) (Paperback)

Accounts of Tezuka's life serve as "if only..." reminders that he never officially completed the Phoenix series. However, books 10 and 11 ("Sun" parts 1 and 2, respectively) serve as a fitting thematic finale to the series. Tezuka's ability to hop between supposedly unrelated stories while actually building foils and ideas for them to share makes this a many-layered cake. I count this series as one of my favorite manga ever, matched in scope only by the "Akira" manga and "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind." Thankfully, Tezuka constructed numerous other sagas like "Buddha" to follow, so here's to more grand endings!