Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix transcends the boundaries of mere manga to become a grand epic that poses profound questions about life, time, and existence itself. With the immortal phoenix as a common motif, each arc—set across different eras and settings from ancient times to the distant future—brings into sharp relief universal themes: human ego, desire, foolishness, and the dignity and compassion that endure even in the most difficult circumstances.What the Phoenix SymbolizesIt's no exaggeration to say that tracing the roots of Japan's world-renowned cultural content leads us to Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix. This grand epic, which Tezuka devoted his entire life to creating, goes beyond the framework of science fiction manga to pose profound questions about life, time, and existence itself.The phoenix that appears in Phoenix is fundamental to the story. According to legend, drinking its blood grants eternal life, leading humanity to pursue, fight over, and slaughter for the phoenix. However, what the phoenix truly offers is not immortality but rather the providence of life, death, and reincarnation. Each arc, depicted across different eras and settings from ancient times to the future, exists as an independent story while being organically connected through the common motif of the phoenix. For example, the Dawn arc depicts power struggles in ancient Japan, while the Future arc shows the collapse of a highly advanced civilization. The Space arc presents the anguish of a solitary astronaut, and the Life arc addresses the ethical issues of cloning technology. Through these stories, Tezuka mercilessly portrayed human ego, desire, and foolishness. At the same time, he highlighted universal themes such as human dignity that persists even in difficult circumstances and compassion for others.The Grand Time Scale and PhilosophyOne of the most remarkable aspects of Phoenix is the vastness of its time scale. The story unfolds across an incomprehensible span of hundreds of millions of years, from the distant primitive past through unimaginable futures to the ends of the universe. This grand scale makes readers think deeply about the very concept of time itself. It presents the fact that individual human lives are fleeting moments when viewed from the perspective of the entire universe, yet simultaneously, the accumulation of those moments forms history.The dramas woven by people of each era around the phoenix pose philosophical questions to readers about the meaning of life, the inevitability of death, and what constitutes happiness. Rather than providing clear answers, Tezuka takes a stance that encourages readers to contemplate for themselves. For example, paradoxical suggestions are scattered throughout that eternal life does not necessarily bring happiness, and that finite life can shine precisely because it is limited.The Dawn arc opens the story, set in ancient Japan, depicting power struggles over the phoenix and humanity's fundamental desires. Queen Himiko's attempt to capture the phoenix to achieve immortality symbolizes how those in power become obsessed with eternal life. However, what results is endless conflict and sacrifice. This arc suggests how humanity, from the dawn of history, has tried to resist the inevitable providence of "death" and consequently repeated conflicts. It depicts the arrogance of humans trying to go against the "cycle of life" symbolized by the phoenix and the tragedies that result, questioning readers about the dignity of life and reverence for nature's providence.The Phoenix arc, set in the Nara period, deeply explores the themes of human "karma" and "salvation." The ugly, one-armed bandit Gao, feared by people yet passionate about sculpting as a Buddhist sculptor, eventually carves the form of the phoenix and attempts to overcome his karma. The crimes Gao committed and the suffering he bears strongly reflect Buddhist concepts of cause and effect. Meanwhile, the other protagonist, Akanemaru, though initially a good person, gradually deepens his karma through jealousy and hatred. This story portrays the duality of human good and evil, light and shadow, posing the question of how humans burdened with suffering and sin can achieve salvation for their souls. The phoenix is depicted not merely as a being that grants immortality but rather as one that observes the karma within human hearts and provides "opportunities" or "trials" to overcome it.The Resurrection arc, set in the future, tells the story of Reo, a boy who died in a traffic accident and is resurrected as a cyborg through scientific means. However, his eyes come to see humans as machines and machines as humans. The only being Reo can recognize as human is Robita, a beautiful robot. This arc poses fundamental questions about "What is life?" "What is death?" and "What is humanity?" as these concepts become ambiguous with scientific progress. Can science recreate the body but also reproduce the soul or heart? The pure love that develops between Reo and Robita transcends the boundary between machine and human, highlighting the essential preciousness of life and the meaning of the emotion called love.The Future arc, set in Earth in the year 3404, depicts a world devastated by nuclear war and a highly advanced civilization built underground. The protagonist Masato questions the current state where future humans have obtained immortal bodies but have fallen into spiritual decadence and stagnation. He struggles to cultivate life on the devastated surface, seeking the diversity of life and the brilliance that comes from having death. However, ultimately he too comes to live alone for nearly infinite time. This Future arc condenses the ultimate questions Tezuka likely wanted to explore. Is eternal life truly happiness? The image of humanity, having obtained immortality, tormented by boredom and emptiness suggests that the finitude of life is essential for nurturing creativity, effort, empathy for others, and other aspects of humanity.Why Do People Live, and Why Do They Die?Throughout Phoenix, religious themes and views on life and death are deeply explored. Although Osamu Tezuka himself did not adhere to any specific religion, universal concepts such as Buddhist reincarnation, mythological elements, and the dignity of life strongly exist as the foundation of the story.The concept of the phoenix's "immortality" at the core of the story suggests not merely physical immortality but rather the transmigration of souls—the Buddhist concept of reincarnation. Characters appear repeatedly in various eras and forms, and the Buddhist idea of cause and effect—that past karma influences the future—can be seen throughout. For example, characters who commit evil deeds in one arc may appear experiencing hardships in another. This conveys a profound message that the sins and mistakes inevitable in human life are etched into the soul across time and connect to the next life.Running through the entire work is the fundamental question about life and death: "Why do people live, and why do they die?" Those who pursue the phoenix seeking eternal life ultimately realize that eternal life does not necessarily bring happiness. Rather, the paradoxical truth is depicted that life shines because of death, and it is within finite time that people can find compassion and dignity. The Future arc depicts humanity's extinction and the birth of new life, suggesting that individual life's end is part of a larger cycle of life. This relates to universal questions that resonate with contemporary ethical debates about the value of life, the meaning of death, and issues like euthanasia.Phoenix also depicts how specific religions and beliefs affect people. While sometimes providing salvation, they can also become causes of exclusive violence and conflict. The tension between new ethical problems brought by scientific progress and traditional religious values is also depicted throughout. Tezuka does not judge the good or evil of religion or faith itself but objectively yet deeply examines how they affect the human heart and move society.The Philosophical Thinking at the Root of PhoenixIt may be difficult to name specific philosophers who directly influenced Osamu Tezuka in conceiving Phoenix. Since Tezuka had deep interests in various fields and absorbed knowledge through extensive reading, it's natural to think he constructed his own unique philosophy by integrating diverse thoughts without being bound to any specific ideology. However, from the themes and ideas embedded in the work, we can identify commonalities with several philosophical currents and thinkers.The most prominent influence is Buddhist concepts of reincarnation, cause and effect, and impermanence. The phoenix's immortality is depicted not as individual physical immortality but as the transmigration of souls and the cycle of all life. Characters are reborn in different eras, with actions from past lives affecting the present—the concept of karma pervades the work. The Buddhist concept of impermanence—that all things change and nothing is eternal—is expressed through the rise and fall of civilizations and life cycles. These elements indicate that Buddhist philosophy flows deeply at the work's foundation. Tezuka is said to have been familiar with Buddhism from childhood, and this philosophy naturally reflected in his work.At the same time, individual characters' experiences of loneliness, despair, and searching for meaning in their existence show aspects that resonate with existentialism. The anguish of the lonely astronaut wandering through space in the Space arc and the emptiness Masato feels in infinite time in the Future arc echo the questions posed by existentialists like Sartre and Camus: "Why do humans exist and how should they live?" Themes of freedom and responsibility within finite life, and the importance of self-choice, are crucial elements of existentialism.While it's unclear whether Tezuka encountered Nietzsche's philosophy, one can feel something like "eternal recurrence" running through the work. Nietzsche presented the concept that all events in the universe repeat infinitely and questioned how to face this. In Phoenix, humanity's cycle of building and destroying civilizations presents the very aspect of eternal recurrence. Within this, the importance of affirming life and finding meaning without despair may be suggested.Rather than directly quoting from specific philosophical works, Osamu Tezuka absorbed these diverse thoughts and fused them with his own views on humanity and life to create the unique work that is Phoenix. This work poses philosophical questions to readers and encourages deep thinking, providing opportunities for them to form their own philosophies.Influence on Science and MangaPhoenix skillfully incorporated the most cutting-edge scientific knowledge of its time and suggested possibilities for future science and technology. This is not unrelated to the fact that Tezuka held a medical license and had deep insights into the essence of life.Implications for Life SciencesThe depiction of cloned humans and artificial life forms in the Life arc seems to foresee the ethical problems facing modern life sciences and advances in regenerative medicine and gene editing technology. Tezuka not only depicted scientific and technological progress but also deeply explored both the benefits it brings to humanity and the negative aspects it has on society and individuals. For example, he presented delicate questions facing contemporary society—such as the identity issues of cloned humans and changes to humanity brought by life manipulation—nearly half a century ago.Introduction of Physics ConceptsGrand stories transcending space and time, such as the Space and Future arcs, incorporate many concepts from the cutting-edge physics of the time, including relativity and quantum theory. Depictions of warping time and space and suggestions of multidimensional universes pursued realism as science fiction while encouraging readers to think about the profundity of the universe and beyond established concepts. Though Tezuka may not have been a physics expert, through his extraordinary curiosity and thirst for knowledge, he successfully integrated scientific concepts naturally into his narratives.Innovation in Manga ExpressionPhoenix also had a major influence on manga expression itself. Bold expressions unprecedented in manga of the time were employed extensively, including dynamic staging using pages vertically and horizontally, stretching and compressing time, cinematic cutting, and the introduction of philosophical monologues. This demonstrated the possibility of manga evolving from mere entertainment to an art form dealing with profound themes. As discussed in Ichiro Takeuchi's Osamu Tezuka = The Origin of Story Manga, Tezuka's works, especially Phoenix, laid the foundation for modern story manga.What the Unfinished Masterpiece ShowsPhoenix was not completed during Tezuka's lifetime. Precisely because it remains unfinished, its appeal has deepened even further. The message Tezuka tried to convey in this work may have been too vast to express in a single lifetime.The Phoenix volumes published before Tezuka's death totaled twelve, and though intermittent, the serialization spanned approximately 30 years. This was exceptional length even among Tezuka's body of work. The total pages of manga Tezuka drew in his lifetime are said to be about 150,000, but Phoenix occupied a special position among them. Including works that remained unpublished from the conception stage, the grandeur is immeasurable.As pointed out by Toshihide Kunimatsu, author of Osamu Tezuka: Connecting the World Through Manga, through Phoenix, Tezuka may have been trying to express not merely a story but the world itself. Additionally, as analyzed by Nobuyuki Tsugata, author of Osamu Tezuka as an Anime Creator: His Trajectory and Essence, Tezuka's innovation and foresight in anime production greatly expanded his expressive power in handling philosophical themes like those in Phoenix.Influence on Japanese CultureThe influence Phoenix has had on Japanese culture is immeasurable. It continues to inspire creators across various fields—not only manga artists and animators but also novelists, film directors, and musicians. Themes such as the dignity of life, environmental issues, the progress of technology and ethics, and human karma deeply resonate with challenges contemporary society faces across time.As Tetsuo Sakurai states in Osamu Tezuka: An Artist Engaging with the Times, Tezuka always faced his era sincerely and continued questioning society through his expression. Phoenix is the culmination of that questioning. Haruyuki Nakano's Osamu Tezuka and the Manga of Back Alleys and So That's How It Was, Osamu Tezuka: The Genius Who Saw Through the Essence of the Japanese People show how deeply Tezuka observed the lives and emotions of ordinary people, which is strongly reflected in the character portrayals in Phoenix.Tezuka's Phoenix, through its grand narrative and profound themes, transcends mere entertainment to exist as something like a philosophy book or prophetic text, continuing to be read by many people. It may function as a guidepost for confronting universal questions humans face, across time and borders. Its brilliance has not diminished since Tezuka left this world.Works and Authors Inheriting the Philosophy of PhoenixThe profound themes and innovative expression presented by Osamu Tezuka's Phoenix continue to influence numerous subsequent writers and works. Even without direct depiction, the lineage of its philosophy can be found in various contemporary works.First, the influence on science fiction writers is considered enormous. The depictions of space and the future in Phoenix, and the conflict between science and technology and human ethics, established an essential foundation for the development of Japanese science fiction literature and manga. Writers called the "Big Three of SF"—Sakyo Komatsu, Shinichi Hoshi, and Yasutaka Tsutsui—have publicly stated they were greatly influenced by Tezuka's works. The light and shadow brought by scientific and technological progress, warnings about humanity's future, and questions about life and existence commonly seen in their works deeply resonate with the philosophy of Phoenix.In the manga world, Hayao Miyazaki's animated works also show worldviews that resonate with Phoenix, where the conflict between nature and civilization, the mystery of life, and hope and resignation for the future intersect. For example, the circulation of life and nature in Princess Mononoke, the reincarnation of life through the toxic forest in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, and themes of human foolishness and the possibility of coexistence are deeply connected to the philosophy underlying Phoenix.Furthermore, in contemporary times, the influence can be felt in works by Naoki Urasawa. Pluto reconstructs Tezuka's Astro Boy while deeply examining themes such as the boundary between humans and robots, the dignity of life, and discrimination. This can be seen as an attempt to reinterpret from a contemporary perspective the questions Tezuka pursued in Phoenix: What is human? What is life? Additionally, picture book artist Mamoru Suzuki has illustrated Phoenix as a picture book and continues to draw picture books themed on peace and life, greatly influenced by Tezuka's works. Suzuki conveys the phoenix's message that "within your life, many lives are gathered; everyone's lives come together to make you who you are today," playing a role in passing Phoenix's fundamental message to the next generation.Thus, the philosophy of Phoenix is not only through direct influence but deeply engraved in the foundation of Japanese creative expression, inherited by contemporary works and writers in various forms, continuing to pose new questions to us.Life Story and Work EpisodesTo deeply understand the source of Osamu Tezuka's creativity, we must look at his unique upbringing, numerous episodes from his working life, and little-known behind-the-scenes stories.Childhood and Formative YearsOsamu Tezuka was born in Toyonaka, Osaka Prefecture, in 1928. From early childhood, he loved manga, anime, and Takarazuka Revue, and was enthusiastic about insect collecting—a curious boy. Particularly, encountering the insect encyclopedia Illustrated Encyclopedia of One Thousand Insects in Color in fifth grade decisively shaped his interest in insects. By graduation, he had become a full-fledged insect enthusiast, and as a middle school student, he would invite classmates on insect-collecting expeditions. Such rich contact with nature and deep interest in life would later connect to the themes of life's dignity and circulation depicted in many works, including Phoenix.During World War II, he entered the Osaka Imperial University Medical School (now Osaka University School of Medicine) and obtained a medical license. However, his experience witnessing the horrors of war was deeply etched into his works. His near-death experience during the Osaka air raids became the origin of mourning for life and depicting the miracle of living in his subsequent works. While pursuing medicine, he couldn't abandon his passion for manga and continued drawing between classes. The two missions—saving lives as a doctor and conveying the importance of life through stories—brought unique depth and humanity to Tezuka's works.The True Face of the "God of Manga"Tezuka's work ethic was truly worthy of being called the "God of Manga." He debuted as a manga artist in 1946 and gained sudden attention with New Treasure Island the following year. For about 40 years since his debut, he continued challenging himself to create manga and anime across various genres, sacrificing sleep.Numerous incredible episodes are told about Tezuka's workplace. During anime production, he worked regardless of day or night, and when tired, would crawl under his desk for a nap. Anime directors Yoshiyuki Tomino and Ryosuke Takahashi witnessed Tezuka continuing to work alone until morning and taking naps with cushions as pillows at his desk's feet, moved by his obsession with creation.Even amid extreme busyness, he never compromised on his work. Sometimes juggling multiple serializations, he would nearly miss deadlines. One anecdote remains of Tezuka, after finishing a 100-page project for another magazine and at the limit of exhaustion, calling over a staff member saying, "I've thought of three stories." His attitude of finding time when other editors weren't present and presenting new ideas shows his abnormal obsession and passion for creation. Even when staff cried out, "Sensei, this is impossible!" Tezuka wouldn't compromise and continued pursuing quality. When taking on anime work, even if staff fled under impossible schedules, he would take on the remainder himself, dedicating all his effort to completing the work.There's also a behind-the-scenes story that when Tezuka debuted as a manga artist at 17, he falsified his age to 19. This may have been consideration to not appear too young at the time. A former Mainichi Shimbun reporter testified that when student Tezuka came to the Osaka head office's arts department with manga manuscripts, he was very afraid of the older reporters. The department head at the time was literary master Yasushi Inoue, and among the reporters was Toyoko Yamasaki, who would later become a writer—he apparently mentioned "there's a scary female reporter." Such unexpected aspects further highlight the human charm of Tezuka, called the "God of Manga."In his final years, even while battling cancer, Tezuka never let go of his pen until the end. While speaking with resignation that "human life, whether you worry about it or not, ends impermanently when it ends," his obsession with work was tremendous. When obituary articles appeared in various newspapers, they initially reported "died at age 62," but articles correcting the age were later published. This is said to be because the birthdate he publicly stated differed from reality.Osamu Tezuka's life was truly devoted to manga and anime. His passion, creativity, and humanity, along with the enormous body of work he created, continue to be passed down and inspire many people even today.What Did Osamu Tezuka Still Want to Draw?Phoenix remains unfinished, and it's presumed that Osamu Tezuka still had many stories he wanted to tell, especially themes within Phoenix. The grand vision he entrusted to Phoenix was so vast it couldn't be told even dedicating his entire life.First, as the Phoenix series, several unpublished chapters are said to have been conceived. For example, the "Primitive Arc" depicting the Jomon period, the "God Arc" set in medieval Europe, or the "Modern Arc" set in contemporary Japan were reportedly in the planning stages. If these chapters had been realized, human foolishness, the dignity of life, and relationships with the phoenix in each era would have been depicted from even more diverse angles. Particularly in the "Modern Arc," problems facing the contemporary society we live in—such as environmental destruction, the rampage of science and technology, and loss of spiritual richness—would have been questioned more directly. Tezuka may have wanted to point out how modern people have diverged from the providence of life symbolized by the phoenix and sound an alarm.Additionally, Osamu Tezuka, along with his activities as a manga artist, also poured passion into anime production. However, he is said to have held frustration that within commercial and time constraints, he couldn't fully pursue his ideal anime expression. He believed in the possibilities of "moving manga" and led Japan's anime industry, but he may have created video expressions and more philosophical anime works he couldn't fully express if he had lived. For example, in animating Phoenix, parts were produced differently from his original conception, and it's possible that a more profound world of Phoenix that could only be expressed through anime existed in Tezuka's mind.Furthermore, Osamu Tezuka was an innovator who constantly challenged new technologies and expressions. If he had lived in the present day, what works would he have created using the latest technology? He never confined himself to existing frameworks and always tried to expand the possibilities of manga and anime. Surely, he would have utilized these new media and technologies as tools to express his philosophical themes and created works that would surprise us even more.What Tezuka truly wanted to depict may not have been the completion of specific stories but rather endless questioning about the existence called humans and the universal theme of life. He wanted to continue questioning readers about the meaning of "living" through his works and continue sending messages about how humans should live toward the future. Phoenix, which he continued drawing throughout his life, precisely because of its incompleteness, leaves room for constantly questioning and making readers think. The inexhaustible source of Osamu Tezuka's creative drive was this insatiable exploratory spirit toward universal questions.ReferencesOsamu Tezuka, PhoenixToshihide Kunimatsu, Osamu Tezuka: Connecting the World Through MangaNobuyuki Tsugata, Osamu Tezuka as an Anime Creator: His Trajectory and EssenceTetsuo Sakurai, Osamu Tezuka: An Artist Engaging with the TimesHaruyuki Nakano, Osamu Tezuka and the Manga of Back AlleysIchiro Takeuchi, Osamu Tezuka = The Origin of Story MangaSoji Ushio, Osamu Tezuka and IHaruyuki Nakano, So That's How It Was, Osamu Tezuka: The Genius Who Saw Through the Essence of the Japanese People