Beyond the limitations of time...
...there exists a fantastic bird that burns with eternal life.
It shines in paradise...
...and blazes in hell.
Its beautiful flames entrance all those that behold it...
...bringing forth the illusions that they wish to see.
All things living and dead fall under the protection of its wings.
This legendary bird...
...is known to us as the Phoenix.
Hi no Tori:
Houou Hen
Phoenix:
Houou Chapter
He's a killer!
Stop!
Murderer!
I am Akanemaru of Yamato, a woodcarver.
Have you heard of the Phoenix that is said to live in the country of Tou?
[Note: The Houou (鳳凰, read Fenghuang in Chinese) is a mythological Chinese bird parallel to the Phoenix of Egyptian myth, generally personified as female.]
This bird that lives in the Hourai islands...
...it feeds on senboku seeds, and has lived for tens of thousands of years.
It is said that those who drink its blood become immortal.
It's truly a fantastic bird.
After I heard about this bird...
...it was all I could think of, night and day.
I wanted to find out more about this bird.
I researched in many places. But I couldn't find anything about it.
But as it turns out, I eventually found a temple that had a 400 year old manuscript.
An old priest from Kumato named Kawakami Takeru had written it.
It described the Phoenix as a bird of fire...
...and told how it could be found in the country of Tsukushi.
I want to find that bird...
...and then, with these hands, I'll carve a statue of the Phoenix.
Take them off.
W-what?
Hurry up and take them off!
I can't stand seeing someone with two good arms.
What...
What do you have against me?
I don't have anything against you.
It's your fault for drawing me to this clearing.
If you need to blame something, blame the fire.
My name is Gaou.
Gaou?
It's the name of a demon that lives in the country of Tou.
Demon?
That's right. I'm a demon.
Women, children, old people...
I've killed more of them than I can count.
Why have you killed so many people?
Don't you think it's wrong to kill people?
Why should I think it's wrong?
If I don't kill them...
...then I'm the one that gets killed!
It's either kill or be killed -- That's the way this world works!
That's all there is to it!
Well, come on.
What's your name?
I'm Hayame.
How did it go?
Yeah, we got plenty.
Great!
Hide it in the usual place.
Sure.
Well then, tomorrow night, same place.
Jeez, he's in a good mood.
I'm back, Hayame.
You're always look beautiful, no matter how much I look at you.
Him... and him... then her...
Hey, I killed thirteen today.
I love seeing that look on your face.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot.
I got this for you.
This mirror is from Miyako -- The rich girls of Mibun use them.
Gimme that.
Hey, why doesn't your face show up on this?
I shouldn't be suprised, since you don't know a whole lot about Miyako.
The nobles have separate mirrors for men and women.
That mirror is probably one that's just for men to use.
Why would I want to look at my face?
What's wrong?
I-It's nothing. But...
But...?
Stay away! I'm fine.
My nose - It hurts...
Your nose hurts?
Yeah.
Don't worry about it.
Don't move.
It hurts even more now!
It wouldn't work if it didn't hurt.
Ow -- Ouch...
It hurts!
I can't take it anymore!
Boss!
Sh-- Shit!
This nose is really annoying me!
I'd like to carve it up like I would a person!
Hey.
Yeah?
Put this medicine on for me.
Hayame always puts it on for me.
What's wrong?
Boss!
Have you been using this stuff?
Yeah.
I think it's poison.
Wh- What?
That woman's been trying to kill you.
She's pretending to take care of you, and putting that poison on instead.
Gaou!
Why?
Shut up!
You were trying to kill me, weren't you?
Look at my nose!
This happened because you've put that medicine on everyday.
That poisonous medicine...
That medicine was made from pollen that I ground from flowers.
I did it all for you.
You lie!
You must have had some connection with someone I've killed.
And you wanted to get revenge against me.
So who was it?
Just who are you, and where are you from?
I am someone whose life you saved, some time ago.
Saved your life?
Don't be ridiculous!
I am the murderous Gaou!
Leader of bandits!
I wanted to live happily with you forever...
Hayame!
Hayame disappeared.
Wait!
Murderer!
Stay where you are!
Dammit, where did he go?
I'm gonna break his neck if I find him.
He might have gone into the woods.
Alright, check it out.
Got it.
Hayame.
Hayame!
Hey, cut it out already!
What the hell are you trying to do?
Well, you seem like a nice guy.
And unlike the other guys around here, you look pretty good, too.
Go away!
I don't have time to be messing around with you right now.
I have to find the Phoenix as soon as I can.
Phoe-nix? What's that?
The Phoenix is...
My name's Sachibuchi.
What's yours?
Hey, your name!
Akanemaru.
Where are you going?
Hey!
The country of Tsukushi.
Hey!
Hayame...
You're Akanemaru of Yamato, right?
That's true.
We have been searching for you by order of Lord Makibi Udaiji Ikibi.
You are to return to Miyako at once.
For what reason?
It has been decided that a grand ceremonial statue is to be built at Eijyoukyou.
You have been assigned this duty.
I refuse.
What?
There are many other things that I still wish to do.
I would appreciate it if you didn't say you found me.
That won't do!
Let's run away!
You fools.
Did you think that you would be able to escape us?
No!
Get out of the way!
What do you think you're doing?
Silence!
Now, come with us.
No!
Why you...
Buchi!
We're going now.
No, don't take him away!
You little -- Dammit, ouch!
That really hurts!
You're in the way!
Buchi!
Move it!
Akanemaru...
Buchi!
BUCHI!
Akanemaru...
The 15th year of Tempyou.
The political situation in this era was highly unstable.
The entire country was overcome with droughts and plagues.
Criminal elements were known to be moving in a dangerous direction.
On the peninsula across the sea, Shiragi was anxiously looking for an opportunity to invade Japan.
Beset by trouble both within and outside the country, the goverment began building a providential temple.
It's purpose was to protect the nation using the power of Buddhism.
As the final step of that project...
...the construction of a colossal Buddha was initiated on the order of the Emperor Shyou.
299,973...
This was the astronomical number of laborers on the project.
It was indeed a great project the very destiny of the nation depended on.
What?
Lord Kibi no Makibi wants to see me?
It seems you have made excellent progress.
Yes, thank you.
Very well.
I leave it in your hands.
Yes.
Even so, I think all the faces are frightening.
I agree, even with the gentle face he has, all his carvings are horrific.
He puts his life and soul into his work.
This is terrible!
What's wrong?
The colossal Buddha is crying!
What?
This is terrible.
People are collapsing from working in these conditions.
Even today, more collapsed at Utsuzako Ouji.
All the crops in Yamachi and Kawachi...
And I heard Kokubutsu was wiped out.
Another horrible plague might strike.
No, it's a sign of greater natural disasters to come.
I can't figure it out.
It's been a month since the colossal Buddha started crying.
The workers are so afraid that they can barely work.
If it would at least rain...
Who's there?
Buchi!
You survived!
I'm so glad!
What about the Phoenix?
Have you forgotten about the Phoenix?
Where did the Akanemaru that was searching for the Phoenix go?
I haven't forgotten. Not for a second!
It's just that, since I started making the colossal Buddha...
...I've started thinking that this could also be my fate.
If I complete this, the whole world will hear of me.
I will be able to attach honor and status to my name.
What's wrong with that?
Buchi, wait!
Buchi!
Buchi.
Buchi!
Phoenix!
It's the Phoenix!
After all that searching I've done.
This is incredible.
Alright.
Now my name WILL live on for all eternity.
So, you finally completed it, Akanemaru.
Yes.
The Emperor is very pleased.
Thank you.
There is an additional matter regarding a carving.
Akanemaru.
Huh... Y-yes?
L-leave it to me.
I will surely make something that will please him.
In regards to that...
There is an impertinent upstart of a nobleman who is bringing his own woodcarver.
What is this?
Is it thought that this carver produces better work than I can?
No, however -- some people are not happy with the forceful methods I used to make you the carver.
And his name?
Gaou.
It seems he is a lesser priest that wanders about the mountains.
The statues of Buddha he makes are supposed to have mysterious powers.
He is supposed to arrive in Miyako today.
I understand. I, Akanemaru of Yamato, accept this challenge.
Very well.
Be sure you produce something worthy to celebrate the completion of the colossal Buddha.
Show those upstarts that there was nothing wrong with my judgment.
Do you understand?
Yes.
I can't stand seeing someone with two good arms.
Wh-- What do you have against me?
I don't have anything against you.
It's your fault for drawing me into this clearing.
If you need to blame something, blame the fire.
Akanemaru of Yamato.
Gaou of Oatte.
In the matter of completion of the statue of the Colossal Buddha...
...the Emperor has ordered that both of you are to carve a statue commemorating the celebration.
Furthermore, the two carvings are to be judged in order to determine which represents the true spirit of Buddha.
Akanemaru of Yamato --
You have seven days in which to prepare your offering.
Gaou of Oatte --
You must prepare your offering within the same period.
Damn.
It's no use.
Akanemaru.
Don't give up.
You have focused yourself on things like honor and status.
Forget about things like that, then you will...
S-shut up!
Gaou.
Come -- begin your carving.
The sadness, suffering and anger that you hold in your heart...
These are things that, until the day the universe ends...
...when all things living and dead will cease to be...
...will continue beyond the limits of time.
These things will be carried into the future through your descendants.
That is what your destiny is.
So, Gaou --
While your soul is still so full, begin carving.
While you live out your current life, that is your purpose.
The present ceremony will determine that which best represents Buddha.
Display Akanemaru of Yamato's!
How impressive of Akanemaru of Yamato!
It's wonderful!
It's hard to believe it's of this world.
It almost looks alive.
Display Gaou of Oatte's!
H-how?
How could he...
I-I've lost, I've truly lost.
This is not the way it was meant to be.
Your Excellency -- your judgment...?
What will it be?
Come now, what is your judgment?
I will rule for Akanemaru of Yamato's phoenix.
With this, the competition is over.
Please wait!
As anyone can see, Gaou's is far superior.
How can it be that Akanemaru has won?
Is it so that you will save face?
What?
I saw it!
Lord Kibi, when Gaou's statue was unveiled, you gasped in awe!
You acknowledged that Gaou's was superior!
Please wait!
The one who would make the commemorative statue for the completion of the colossal Buddha...
...he must surely be one who has walked along the true path of Buddha.
However! Ten years ago, this beggar named Gaou...
...was a great evil that freely killed people.
And he came upon me and stole my clothes and food.
And cut my right arm as well.
Behold!
I, being a woodcarver, had to endure incredible hardships for a long time.
I see, this is the first I have heard of this.
This man has no right to make the commemorative statue.
So, what would you have us do with this man, Akanemaru?
What would settle his account with you?
I would like to have him have a taste of the hardships that I had to endure.
I would like to have his right arm cut...
...and have him banished from the land.
Very well.
Gaou, you have concealed your past.
You come to us with a spiritually-damaged body.
This is your punishment. Prepare yourself.
Akanemaru, you may place your statue of the Phoenix within the Imperial treasure house.
Thank you.
This is good.
This is the way it should be.
Now the name Akanemaru will live forever.
Forever.
Hurry! Hurry it up!
It's no use! Water isn't going to do anything to it now.
Get some sand on it!
Phoenix!
Where is the Phoenix statue?
The Phoenix statue?
Phoenix!
P-Phoenix! T-the Phoenix is dancing!
It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.
I must make it!
This time for sure.
The finest Phoenix statue in the world!
Akanemaru.
You are already dead.
I'm dead?
I still want to live!
I still have a mountain of things I want to do!
Could it be that you will allow me to be reborn as another woodcarver?
No.
You will be reborn as a small fish...
...and you will be returned to the sea.
A fish?
Not that!
I want to return as a human!
I want a second chance at my life!
That cannot be.
Your destiny is already decided.
So...
...come along.
Akanemaru.
Just... What are you?
The 17th year of Tempyou.
April 9th, 752 AD.
Beginning with a total of 10,000 civil and military officials present...
...and with former Emperor Jyomu and Queen Mother Konmyou presiding...
...the completion ceremony of the colossal Buddha was carried out.
No event grander than this had occurred since the coming of Buddhism to Japan.
This was how it was described in the sequel to the Nihonki.
It was indeed a national ceremony on a scale never seen before.
And thus began an era when religion and politics were inseparable and the nobles enjoyed absolute power.
You carry us on your silver wings to the far reaches of the universe
Ai shitara hi no tori toki o koete meguri au
If you loved the Phoenix, we will meet, transcending time
Sou yo, ai wa eien yo
Yes, love is eternal
Ikite shinde yomigaeru
Once alive, it will revive from death
Kari no sugata wa tatoehorondemo
Even if your temporary form passes away
Mou nakanaiwa ie waraeruwa
Don't cry anymore, smile
Mata aerukara aa anata to
I will meet you again, too
You carry us on your silver wings to the far reaches of the universe
Irodzuita suhada ni
In the colors appearing on your bare skin...
I see a red swaying fire
Akaku yureru hi ga mieru
Subtitled by Lupin Gang Anime
Zutto kako ni ai sareta
Love left a long time ago
Soshite haruka mirai demo
Then, even far away in the future...
If those two persons would truly join
Sonna futari to shinji aetanara
Translated by Howard Kawaii Additional translation by "Cyberknight" Masao Kawata
Come, embrace me tightly and shine again
Saa dakishimete mata hikarasete
Timed and edited by AtelierG Additional editing by Erik "Jigen" Schultz
kono tamashii o aa kanate e
This soul to the faraway
Created by Osamu Tezuka Based on the "Houou" chapter of his epic manga Hi no Tori Produced by Rin Taro
THIS FAN PROJECT IS NOT TO BE SOLD, AUCTIONED, OR RENTED FOR PROFIT!
Original Script: Invader Productions Original Translation: Howard Kawai Final Editing: AtelierG Timing: AtelierG
This video has been made for fans by fans. It should be freely distributed unless a North American commercial release becomes available. It is not to be sold or rented.
You carry us on your silver wings to the far reaches of the universe
Glistening and twinkling
Kirakira to kirameku
Others will wonder whose silhouette that is
Are wa nonno kage kashira
You carry us on your silver wings to the far reaches of the universe
Ai shitara hi no tori toki o koete meguri au
If you loved the Phoenix, we will meet, transcending time
You carry us on your silver wings to the far reaches of the universe