Phoenix 1: Dawn (4 Points)

 Phoenix 1: Dawn is made by Osamu Tezuka who is considered the godfather/god of manga. This is the first time I had the opportunity to read something by the prestigious author, and I am fairly surprised! I wasn't sure what to expect. but it certainly was not what this piece was. The story followed a group of characters and their journey through life, with an ever-present Phoenix that is a cause for some of the events. Many of the characters featured actually came from Japanese history and Folklore, with its plot being carried by the historical time period. Other things that surprised me was the style and humor of the Manga. Tezuka's style is definitely iconic, especially to anyone who had watched or read Astro Boy, one of Tezuka's better-known works. His artwork is very simplified and round,  and very cutesy. As someone who has read many modern Manga, this one certainly threw me through a loop, as Tezuka's style and form of comedy strongly differs to what you would see in today's manga. The comics themselves felt like a strange combination of serious storytelling combined with the charming and often silly slapstick comedy of the west, from Disney and Fleischer Studios.  I am now genuinely interested in reading a few more of the Phoenix volumes, as it seems like the only thing that is a mainstay in this story is the Phoenix, as everyone is either dead or really old by the end of the first book. Although not what I expected from the mangaka who helped strongly influence modern manga sphere, but Tezuka is truly talented in his artistic skills and writing.


(275 Words)

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