Phoenix 2772

Synopsis

In a distant future where Earth is fading, artificial intelligence creates humans tailored for specific societal functions. Among them is Godo Shingo, a sincere cadet notable for his rare compassion toward both living beings and machines. Despite being ridiculed by his superiors for his close bond with his nursemaid robot, Olga, Godo proves himself an exceptional sharpshooter and is assigned a critical mission: to capture the mythical Phoenix, held responsible for the destruction of numerous spacecraft. His life shifts dramatically when he falls for Rena, the president's daughter, who is engaged to Rock Holmes, head of the Science Department. After their failed elopement, the couple is separated, and Godo is condemned to labor in a penal colony. Fortunately, Olga and Pincho, Rena's alien companion, evade detection and come to his aid. "Hi no Tori 2772: Ai no CosmoZone" delves into the power of selfless love through this interstellar adventure.

Background

Hi no Tori 2772: Ai no CosmoZone, the first anime adaptation of Osamu Tezuka's Hi no Tori manga series, is based very loosely on the themes and elements of primarily the "Future" and "Resurrection" volumes. The movie features iconic characters of Tezuka's various works, with certain designs such as the Phoenix's having at least three renditions. The methods employed for special effects in the movie include scan camera shots, CGI, live-action filming, "2-frame photography," 3D manipulation, rotoscoping, and more. Re-titled Space Firebird, the anime was one of the most widely distributed of the videos that have found their way into the Bargain Bin. The English version was first seen on US television in 1982, but was cut down by 20 minutes. A few months later, it was released in the UK on VHS & Betamax by Mountain Video in the same format and widely publicized. However, the video disappeared from store shelves two years later and was never re-released by another distributor. In the US, it was issued as VHS only in 1987 from the popular Celebrity Just For Kids. While the dub was the same, the movie was 10 minutes shorter, omitting some sundry scenes and the end credits. In 1980, Hi no Tori 2772: Ai no CosmoZone won the Inkpot Award at the San Diego Comic Convention and the Animation Award at the first Las Vegas Film Festival. It was also nominated at the Saturn Awards for the best animated movie category in 1983.