With just a few weeks left until the Disney+ Hotstar exclusive September 13 debut of Japanese anime Phoenix: Eden17, fans today were given an exciting preview of the series with the release of new key art and a first-look trailer.
Based on the seminal work of Osamu Tezuka, the “God of Manga”, Phoenix: Eden17 will take audiences 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 to discover nothing more than a desolate frontier incapable of supporting human life.
With no way home and Romi discovering she’s pregnant, the couple have no choice but to try and survive – sourcing water and cultivating fields as best they can. However, just as things start looking up for the pair, George is killed in an accident. With Romi and her child Cain now alone, Romi enters a hibernation pod, promising her son she’ll wake up in 13 years to make sure he’s not alone forever. However, the system malfunctions and Romi awakens on Eden17 1,300 years later.
Waking up in a futuristic utopia, Romi is treated like a queen by Eden17’s inhabitants but feels desperately alone. Longing for something more, Romi resolves to return to Earth, despite people believing the planet no longer exists.
Starring the voices of 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, Shintaro Asanuma (Ao no Orchestera, Tsurune: Tsunagari no Issha) as Makimura; Ryohei Kimura (My Happy Marriage, Skip and Loafer) as the older voice of Cain, and Issey Oagata (Picu, Ishiko and Haneo: You’re Suing Me?) as Zudarban, a space merchant, Phoenix: Eden17 is directed by Shojiro Nishimi (Tekkonkinkreet, Mutafukaz), produced by STUDIO4℃, features character design by chief animation director Tatsuzou Nishita, and is art directed by Shinji Kimura with music from popular composer Takatsugu Muramatsu.
Speaking about his role in the upcoming series, Shintaro Asanuma today said: "I was 11 years old the first time I encountered the Phoenix story. I started reading the original manga and was overwhelmed by its magnificent scale. Now, 36 years later, I’m excited to be involved with Osamu Tezuka's work and to be able to stream it all over the world. I can't believe that I am working with such an incredible cast. As a fan I’m also really looking forward to the first animated version of Phoenix: Nostalgia.”
Actor Ryohei Kimura added, “The Phoenix story is a legendary title whose popularity extends outside the world of traditional anime fans. I can’t wait for this Phoenix series to finally soar and captivate audiences across the world.”
Stream Phoenix: Eden17 from September 13, only on Disney+ Hotstar!
