Osamu Tezuka’s Phoenix: Future is set to make its way to the stage in a new production titled Phoenix: Future ZEROMDISTANCE. The play will run from February 6 to 8, 2027, at Sakura Hall, located inside Shibuya Cultural Center Owada in Tokyo.
The production will bring Tezuka’s vision of humanity’s future to the stage through a combination of video, live music, contemporary dance and elements of traditional Noh theatre. Its themes are particularly relevant at a time when questions about artificial intelligence and the consequences of allowing technology to make important decisions are attracting growing attention.
Phoenix: Future ZEROMDISTANCE Stage Play and Cast
The upcoming production features a cast led by Jutta Yuki as Masato. Narumi Yasuda will provide the voice of the Phoenix and also serve as the narrator.
The remaining cast includes Moro Morooka as Dr. Saruta, while Adone Kudo and Shiina Yuzuki will share the role of Tamami through a double-casting arrangement. Kaiki Ohara will portray government official Rock, and Shoma Fukui will play Robita.
The performances are scheduled across three days in February 2027, giving audiences an opportunity to experience Tezuka’s work in a live theatrical format.
Production Combines Video, Music, Dance and Noh
Scriptwriter, director and executive producer Tatsuo Kudo is leading the stage adaptation. The production is planned to feature 39 performers, with music composed by Nao’ymt and a script developed with the cooperation of Naoki Yahagi.
Rather than relying solely on conventional theatre, the team will combine video sequences, live performance, contemporary dance and a new style of expression incorporating elements of Noh.
Kudo has said that he hopes to convey the moment when Masato, who bears the burden of humanity, is finally released after a long passage of time. The staging aims to bring the story’s emotional and philosophical themes to life through multiple forms of performance.
Cast and Producer Share Their Views on the Story
Jutta Yuki has expressed his enthusiasm about playing Masato, saying he hopes the production will encourage audiences to reflect on the meaning of being human, the value of life and the future.
Producer Ryo Oguri described the work as a story that explores artificial intelligence, life, war, civilisation and humanity’s future. He emphasised that the production is intended to offer more than a straightforward recreation of a classic.
Narumi Yasuda hopes viewers will leave the theatre with their own thoughts about what life and the future mean to them. Moro Morooka, meanwhile, said that revisiting Phoenix: Future made him feel that the story is not only about a distant future but also about people living in the present.
Through these perspectives, the production seeks to connect Tezuka’s enduring questions about humanity with concerns relevant to contemporary audiences.
Phoenix: Future ZEROMDISTANCE Release and Performance Details
The stage adaptation will be performed at Sakura Hall, Shibuya Cultural Center Owada, Tokyo, from February 6 to 8, 2027. Narumi Yasuda will voice the Phoenix and narrate, while Jutta Yuki will take the lead role of Masato.
The production’s combination of live music, video, dance and Noh-inspired elements will form the central approach to presenting Tezuka’s story on stage.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the production details provided. Cast assignments, performance dates and other arrangements may be subject to change. Readers should check official announcements from the production team or venue for the latest information before making plans to attend.
