"Phoenix: Eden 17" (anime series)

Review by Dennis D. McDonald

Phoenix: Eden 17 is an odd beast, an amalgamation of stories by legendary Osamu Tezuka. It starts with Romi and her partner landing on a planet after escaping the Earth, hoping they can begin a new life. What they find instead is a barren and desolate planet where they can barely eke out a living, despite the aid of a clever and resourceful manservant/robot.

Distraught following a family tragedy and, despite having a young child, Romi decides to escape into the future while leaving her child in the care of the robot. Instead of going into suspended animation for 12 years, by mistake she wakes up over 1000 years later. She finds the planet populated by her descendants that are not entirely human. From that point on the story takes a series of twist and turns as it follows Romi as she encounters civilizations and power structures that are not always friendly.

The series is populated with frequent conflicts and tragedies as it follows red haired Romi on her quest. What I found fascinating was the mix of character styles, the unexpected plot twists, and—to me, at least—weird events that appeared completely out of left field. I've read a lot of science fiction but must admit that some of the events and actions portrayed here are outrageous and weird, while others seem downright silly.

The character design is especially fascinating. Some characters are "cartoony" or based on Tezuka’s illustrations. Others appear almost like normal humans.

On balance, this unique anime series shows that the art form can be used in some very creative ways. If you appreciate the unusual or would like to see a different take on how fictional characters try to manipulate or even escape history, check it out.

Review copyright (c) 2023 by Dennis D. McDonald.