Ahead of its release this December, Disney+ announced the cast for the upcoming anime PHOENIX: EDEN17, an adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s legendary manga.
For this upcoming anime, Disney+ tapped a wide range of popular anime voice actors to play roles in the show. Fitting given that this anime is based on a manga by the Father of Manga himself.
While Osamu Tezuka is best known for creating Astro Boy (and revolutionizing manga in the process), Tezuka also created lots of popular manga titles. Among these is Phoenix, the ambitious fantasy drama that was never finished as Tezuka passed away before he was able to complete the story.
In case you’re unfamiliar with it, the series’ premise is described as:
“This adaptation of Osamu Tezuka’s seminal series will take viewers on an extraterrestrial adventure with Romi and her partner George as they flee earth for a new start on Eden17. While the promise of a utopia-like future beckons, reality hits hard when the pair arrive on the new planet to discover nothing more than a desolate frontier incapable of supporting human life. Trapped with few options remaining, Romi enters her malfunctioning hibernation pod only to awaken 1,300 years later in a city built by her son Cain’s descendants. Treated like a queen by Eden17’s inhabitants but desperately alone, Romi resolves to return to earth in the hope of finding solace amongst the stars.”
What you are likely familiar with (if you’re a big anime fan) is the voice cast. Specifically, the anime features:
- Rie Miyazawa (The Moon, The 13 Lords of the Shogun) as Romi
- Yosuke Kubozuka (Sin Clock, Long Love Letter) as George
- Honoka Yoshida (Dai Byoin Senkyo) as Com
- Issey Oagata (Picu, Ishiko and Haneo: You’re Suing Me?) as Zudarban
Produced by STUDIO4℃, PHOENIX: EDEN17 is directed by Shojiro Nishimi (Tekkonkinkreet, Mutafukaz) and features character design by chief animation director Tatsuzou Nishita. The show also features the work of art director Shinji Kimura, with music from popular composer Takatsugu Muramatsu.
This new anime will be released on September 13, 2023, worldwide on Disney+.