Synopsis
Akanemaru, a master sculptor, sets out in search of the inspiration for his magnum opus: the legendary immortal bird, the Phoenix. During his travels, he stumbles into trouble when he encounters Gaou, a one-eyed, one-armed bandit. Though Akanemaru approaches with a friendly attitude, Gaou—a man filled with bitterness toward the world—attacks him and steals his belongings. They go their separate ways, and the unfortunate incident gradually fades from memory. Years later, Akanemaru is forced to take on a new assignment and abandon his dream, while Gaou is struck by sudden misfortune—a twist of fate that will transform both their lives. Unbeknownst to them, these new circumstances will eventually cause their paths to cross once again, this time as rivals. Set in Japan's Nara period, Hi no Tori: Houou-hen examines the fragile balance between action and consequence, following two men who must inevitably confront the responsibilities of the choices they made.
Background
Released in 1986, Hi no Tori: Houou-hen is an anime adaptation of the fifth volume of the Hi no Tori manga series, written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka. The fifth volume is widely considered the masterpiece of the manga series. The anime is not officially available in the U.S. It was shown as part of a double bill with Toki no Tabibito: Time_Stranger, also produced by Madhouse.