MANGALOGUE: Phoenix" Opens! Manga-logger Naoki Matayoshi's Passionate Performance, Joined by Mari Natsuki, Arata Furuta, and More for a Star-Studded Event!

The new landmark directly connected to JR Takanawa Gateway Station, "MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives," will host "MANGALOGUE: Phoenix" starting today.

Yesterday's public dress rehearsal featured a star-studded cast of voice actors and navigators, known as "Manga-loggers." "MANGALOGUE: Phoenix" is a new type of theatrical manga live immersive stage where the audience collectively reads and becomes immersed in the world of Osamu Tezuka's original "Phoenix," starting from the pictures and words depicted in the manga.

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First, the robot arm "Tetsuwan Arm" equipped with a camera at its tip introduced itself. Then, Naoki Matayoshi appeared as a "Manga-logger." Manga panels were projected onto giant LED screens directly in front and on both sides, accompanied by the voice actors' lines and background music. The lively chatter of "Tetsuwan Arm" (voice: Kouichi Yamadera) and the performance of "Mr. Takahashi," who turns the pages, along with "Manga-logger" Naoki Matayoshi reading stage directions, interjecting comments, and sharing his impressions, gradually drew the live audience into the story.

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After the performance, when asked for his impressions, Matayoshi, who said, "This is my first time performing as a Manga-logger in front of everyone, and when I went backstage, no one gave me any feedback, so I'm feeling anxious. Anyway, there's another performance tomorrow, so I'll go to bed early tonight," was met with, "Matayoshi-kun, you have it tough. We're relieved because our roles are over!" by Arata Furuta, who plays Dr. Saruta. Furuta then joked, "Even in this work, the world is ending because computers are taking over, but I've always thought AI was bad. Still, 'Phoenix' is a bit difficult for kids. When I was a kid, I used to look at heroines like Tamami, Melmo, and Sapphire with lustful eyes." Hayato Komori (GENERATIONS), also a Manga-logger, commented, "This work was handcrafted by the staff. I think the ad-lib parts will make it even more live." Mai Shinuchi also said, "Watching Matayoshi-san as a Manga-logger, I felt he was different from me. I'm looking forward to my first day." Mari Hanafusa also stated, "It's more difficult than I thought, so I'm nervous, but I want to enjoy it with the audience." Kazuma Chiba, another Manga-logger, expressed his determination, "I want to run through to the end." Mari Natsuki, who plays the Phoenix, also said, "I've loved Tezuka's works since the Astro Boy era. I read 'Phoenix' as a child, but perhaps it's become even more difficult thanks to Matayoshi-san and the robot arm. But I really want people to experience this new world at the venue."

Finally, Rumiko Tezuka, Osamu Tezuka's eldest daughter, expressed her gratitude to the production staff, stating that they had gone through trial and error for a year and a half to reach this day. She added, "I am deeply moved to see my father's work on such a large screen and in such beautiful colors. Although it uses cutting-edge technology, thanks to the somewhat clumsy 'Tetsuwan Arm,' Mr. Takahashi, and the Manga-loggers, it has become a stage where human hearts can connect. I hope this work will provide an opportunity for each person to think about the questions Phoenix posed to humanity."

"MANGALOGUE: Phoenix," a special inaugural performance at "MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives," will run from April 22 to May 16.

What is "MANGALOGUE: Phoenix"?

50 years ago, Osamu Tezuka, the God of Manga, prophesied and created the world of "Phoenix: Future Chapter." In 2026, this world is revived as the latest immersive narrative experience at the cutting-edge live space MoN Takanawa, with newly colored manuscripts and an all-star cast.

[Dates] Wednesday, April 22, 2026 – Saturday, May 16, 2026

[Venue] MoN Takanawa Box1000 (Directly connected to JR Yamanote Line/Keihin-Tohoku Line "Takanawa Gateway" Station)

[Organizers] MoN Takanawa: The Museum of Narratives, TBS

[Original Work] Osamu Tezuka "Phoenix: Future Chapter"

[Production Cooperation] Tezuka Productions

*Regarding the character "塚" in Osamu Tezuka/Tezuka Productions, the correct notation is the old character.

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<VOICE CAST>

Tetsuwan Arm: Kouichi Yamadera

Phoenix: Mari Natsuki

Masato: Yuuki Kaji

Rock: Kanata Hongo

Dr. Saruta: Arata Furuta

Tamami: Ano

Hallelujah / Danuber: Yumi AraI

<STAGE CAST>

MANGALOGUER

Naoki Matayoshi

Yasufumi Terawaki

Mari Hanafusa

Yudai Furukawa

Hayato Komori (GENERATIONS)

Mai Shinuchi (Former Nogizaka46)

Kazuma Chiba (Cedric Diggory in "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" stage play)

◾️Performance Schedule