Phoenix, Vol. 7: Civil War, Part 1

火の鳥 [Hi no Tori] #7

by Osamu Tezuka

Considered by many the peak of Osamu Tezuka's artistic achievement and called his "life work" by the author, PHOENIX is made up 12 complex stories linked by the presence of the mythical bird, an immortal guarden of the universal life force. Read in order, the separate stories jump across time, alternating between a distant future and a distant past, converging on the present, with characters from one story being reincarnated in another. The 12 stories over 3000 pages.

Genres: Manga, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Japanese Literature

208 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2014

About the author

Dr. Osamu Tezuka (手塚治虫) was a Japanese manga artist, animator, producer and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy and Kimba the White Lion. He is often credited as the "Father of Anime", and is often considered the Japanese equivalent to Walt Disney, who served as a major inspiration during his formative years. His prolific output, pioneering techniques, and innovative redefinitions of genres earned him such titles as "the father of manga" and "the God of Manga."

Reviews

[Drew Canole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set during the Japanese civil war in 1180 known as the Genpei War between the Minamoto clan and the Taira clan. Tezuka spins a story about a poor country living couple that get caught up in the battle. Eventually separated, they both go on wildly different journeys.

The leader of the Taira clan is nearing death and wants to get the Phoenix's blood to live forever.

Like in his story Buddha Tezuka does a great job of creating historical fiction with tons of interesting stories, characters, and some great slap-stick and fourth-wall breaking gags.

[Coke Fernández · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Caos" me parece un arco con poco gancho. Me da un poco de pereza pensar que hay otro tomo más de esta saga, pero bueno, a ver cómo acaba y si mejora.

[Emmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed. I love Tezuka's work, but this was not that great of a book. The storyline was interesting enough, but it dragged on and on. Benta was a frustrating character. If I had to make one complaint about Tezuka's work, it would be the stubborn, dumb characters who rush into things no matter what everyone tells them, when it's obviously the wrong choice. A bit of resistance is good, but characters like Benta border on the asinine. After a point, I almost wanted him to rush back into the Capital because maybe he would be thrown in prison for a while and we wouldn't have to worry about him being such a dope.

Obviously, my frustration with this one book is not going to prevent me from reading the rest of the series. But, I'm disappointed to have to give any Tezuka book less than 3 stars. Shameful.

[二六 侯 · Rating 4 out of 5]

這一集完全沒出現正版鳳凰，只一隻孔雀就鬧得人仰馬翻，這反轉比前幾集有新意。

P.S.除夕當晚十八歲堂妹只一眼就辨識出我在看《火之鳥》，真不愧是新一代阿宅。

[Natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't as interesting as the previous books, maybe because I'm not too interested in historical things that involve wars/politics...I didn't find it as interesting, personally

[Blue Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

竞争的结果是虚无。

[Ilib4kids · Rating 3 out of 5]

ILL

[Emilia P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps there is an extra star for having been missing these books so much and thinking it was such a lovely birthday present to discover that the 2nd half had finally been translated into English. But ahh, the pillow shots, the love stories and the intrigue. It is pretty cool, even when it's not the absolute best of the series, it really sucks you in.

[Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed by the last volume containing a weird incestal sci-fi story but Civil War is again Tezuka sensei at his best. This story from the 12the century is almost as good as the masterpiece of a Buddha.