Deservedly known as the ‘God of Manga’, Osamu Tezuka continues to loom large over Japanese pop culture more than 35 years after his passing. A visionary whose artistic and philosophical contribution to the medium of comics is without equal, the Osaka native created a wealth of works now considered masterpieces. Phoenix (Hinotori; 1967–1988), however, stands apart as Tezuka’s self-proclaimed ‘life’s work’: a sprawling epic that weaves together past and future, delving into profound questions about life, death, and humanity’s eternal struggle for meaning.
Tokyo City View at Roppongi Hills now presents the first large-scale exhibition dedicated to this epic saga. Running from March 7 to May 19 2025, ‘Osamu Tezuka’s “Hinotori” Exhibition’ offers an unprecedented look into the artist’s most monumental undertaking. It’s a display worth making the trip for, whether you’re a hardcore Tezuka acolyte or a complete newcomer to the manga form.
The god of manga
Over the course of a career that spanned more than four decades – from the immediate post-World War II period to the dawn of the Heisei era – Osamu Tezuka revolutionised the medium of comics, shaping its narrative and artistic conventions. With more than 700 titles and 150,000 pages, his extensive body of work laid the foundation for modern manga and anime.
Born in 1928, Tezuka’s artistic vision was shaped by Western cinema, early Disney animation, and Japanese storytelling traditions. His breakthrough work, New Treasure Island (1947), introduced cinematic panelling and complex narration to the genre. His most popular work to date revolutionised both the manga and animation industries: Astro Boy (1952) became Japan’s first televised anime, pioneering industry standards.
Tezuka never shied away from exploring profound themes, grappling with medical ethics in Black Jack, spirituality in Buddha, and existential questions in Phoenix. After the artist’s passing in 1989, his works have continued to be studied, adapted and revered worldwide. His legacy, like the Phoenix he depicted, appears to be reborn with each new generation of readers and creators, ensuring lasting influence.
Reaching for the stars with Phoenix
No description of Tezuka’s career or impact could be complete without the subject of this spring’s exhibition. The 12-volume Phoenix – left incomplete upon its creator’s passing – is considered one of the most ambitious and reflective works in the history of manga. Its narrative spans millennia, oscillating between mythic pasts and speculative futures, all bound together by a central motif: the mythical Phoenix, whose blood grants eternal life.
Tezuka presents immortality not as a blessing but as a burden, challenging humanity’s relentless pursuit of longevity and enlightenment. The artist dedicated decades to Phoenix, structuring it in an unconventional manner: alternating volumes move between past and future, emphasising the inescapable nature of time. Each arc is self-contained, but collectively they form a grand meditation on existence, mirroring the eternal cycle of death and rebirth embodied by the Phoenix itself.
The series explores a vast spectrum of human experiences. Dawn recounts the futility of power struggles in ancient times, while Future presents a dystopian world ravaged by technological excess. Between these extremes, the story traverses themes of war, love, ambition and despair, constantly returning to one question: What does it mean to live?
Stylistically, Phoenix showcases Tezuka’s mastery of visual storytelling. Inspired by cinematic techniques, his dynamic panelling guides the reader seamlessly through time and space. Balancing humour with gravitas and simplicity with intricate detail, the manga is both universally accessible and deeply philosophical.
Exploring the exhibition: a cycle of destruction and renewal
‘Osamu Tezuka’s “Hinotori” Exhibition’ presents over 800 original artworks spanning Phoenix’s 12 arcs, offering new interpretations of the work’s narrative structure. Curated by biologist Shin-Ichi Fukuoka, the exhibition explores Phoenix through the lens of bioscience, particularly the concept of ‘dynamic equilibrium’, the idea that life resists entropy through an endless cycle of destruction and renewal.
The exhibition is divided into a prologue and three key chapters – an immersive journey that begins with large screens projecting pages from the manga. The Phoenix, symbolising the cycle of life beyond time and space, is juxtaposed with Fukuoka’s concept of dynamic equilibrium. This breathtaking visual presentation is amplified by Tokyo City View’s panoramic vista of the city skyline, riffing on the work’s cosmic themes.
The first chapter does its best to clarify the story’s complex structure, presenting it in chronological order and placing it in a historical and cultural context. There’s plenty to take in here: first conceived in 1954, Phoenix spans a time period from prehistory to the distant future.
The second chapter delves into the interconnectedness of Phoenix’s arcs, revealing Tezuka’s intricate narrative design. Rare sketches, unpublished notes and conceptual drafts showcase his evolving vision. At the heart of this chapter is the Phoenix itself, a being that observes humanity’s past and future while toying with those who seek immortality.
Finally, the third chapter invites audiences to speculate on Phoenix’s possible conclusion, drawing from Tezuka’s notes and thematic hints. It also includes a section where Rumi Tezuka, the artist’s daughter, highlights her father’s intimate connection with the work: ‘Phoenix is Osamu Tezuka himself. It was his most personal creation, untouched by external influences, and remains a testament to his boundless creativity.’
‘Osamu Tezuka’s “Hinotori” Exhibition’ invites visitors on a journey into the heart of one of the most profound manga sagas ever created. Blending art, philosophy and science, it tackles complex themes like the eternal cycle of life and the meaning of existence without going overboard on the complexity. As such, the exhibition manages to celebrate Tezuka’s art while encouraging us to reflect on our own place in the cosmos.
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