Comment from Makoto Tezuka

• Hyogo Prefecture was Tezuka Osamu’s hometown. He began drawing manga here, which later became anime, and has played a key role in the current exchange between manga and anime. It is a great honor that Japan’s first manga and anime theme park has chosen to feature Tezuka Osamu. As you know, “The Phoenix” is one of Tezuka Osamu’s masterpieces and is said to be his life’s work. It is a magnificent work that depicts Japan from ancient times to the future. Similarly, Awaji Island is home to many legends related to its ancient history, and the Phoenix character was used as a symbol of reconstruction after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, so I feel a strong affinity with the area. For this “Night Walk Phoenix,” I am not using a pre-existing story, but rather combining the legends and nature of Awaji Island with the theme of the Phoenix, to create a unique, never-before-seen Phoenix story. Rather than simply viewing the scenery, I hope to create an attraction that allows visitors to experience the story and theme, leaving something lingering in their hearts after the experience. In the future, we are also considering releasing content such as an anime or novel based on this new story. “Night Walk Phoenix” is not just an attraction, but a base for new developments for Phoenix that will be directed to the world. This time, with the addition of some fantastic direction from Naked’s Muramatsu, we are confident that this will be a one-of-a-kind attraction, so we hope you will enjoy it.

Comment from Ryotaro Muramatsu

• Through my work, I have always valued the creation of a place that conveys its meaning and the unique allure of that space. I have combined a variety of technologies, from new and ancient, digital to analog, to create unique experiences. In “Night Walk: Firebird,” I walk through the lush forests of Awaji Island at night, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the nocturnal landscape while experiencing the mystical essence of Tezuka Osamu’s “Firebird.” Using the power of light, sound, video, and technology, I hope to bring out the inherent charm of Awaji Island’s forests and allow participants to fully enjoy the experience. Another highlight is the fantastical projections of images onto the rocks, trees, bridges, and other natural features of Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park, integrating a variety of technology-controlled devices, including lasers, smoke, wind, and fire. I also hope that this production will convey in a new way the rich natural beauty of Awaji Island, which is representative of Japan, and anime, one of Japan’s world-renowned cultures, and create some new excitement.