Phoenix is a manga classic receiving a new print release from Kodansha USA in spring 2026, and the title of an anime series, Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix-, whose first episode drew mixed reactions over its 3D animation.
Kodansha USA announced during its Anime Expo panel on July 3, 2026, that it will release a print edition of the classic manga Phoenix as part of its spring 2026 slate. The announcement places Phoenix alongside seven other titles, including the prose collection Witch Hat Atelier: Special Stories and the yuri thriller Fatale Game. No further details about the Phoenix release-such as volume count or format-were provided in the announcement.
The name Phoenix also appears in the anime Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix-, which premiered in late May 2026. The first episode introduces Gengo Matsunaga, a retired fire-slayer known as the Phoenix who is drawn back into service to rebuild a fire brigade in Edo-era Japan. The episode received mixed reactions: Anime Feminist praised its grounded premise and potential for character growth around Gengo's trauma, but criticized the 3D animation as uncanny and hard on the eyes during action sequences. The episode also introduces a mysterious arsonist named Foxfire.
Separately, the name Phoenix appears in two game-related contexts. Phoenix Game Productions, a studio founded by former PlatinumGames developer Daniel Hedjazi, announced the psychological horror adventure Wasabi for PC on June 24, 2026. The studio's second original title, it follows the cyberpunk action game Tokyo Underground Killer released in 2025. Publisher Phoenixx released a demo for the roguelite factory builder Lazy Witch's Factory on June 11, 2026, and launched the dungeon destruction shooter Dungeon Kuzushi on Switch and smartphones on June 18, 2026. These game projects are not connected to the manga or anime series.
Synthesized by Yomimono from the cited Yomimono stories below, each itself sourced, then editorially reviewed. Every fact links the story it came from.
Kodansha USA Publishing announced during its Anime Expo panel on Thursday seven new print releases for spring 2026, including the prose collection Witch Hat Atelier: Special Stories, the yuri thriller Fatale Game, and the historical fantasy The Chronicles of Leënde. Other titles are The Serenade of Spring Thunder, Myther, and the classic Phoenix, along with Historié.
Phoenix Game Productions announced the psychological investigation horror adventure 'Wasabi' on June 24, 2026, opening its Steam store page and releasing a gameplay trailer. The game is set in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture in the 1990s. Players take on the role of detective Ryuhei Kuroshima, investigating a series of bizarre murders. The game features two main axes: crime scene investigation and suspect interrogation. Players collect evidence such as weapons, personal effects, and body condition, and must notice subtle inconsistencies. In interrogations, players read suspects' facial expressions, gestures, and silences, using motion-captured animations. A key mechanic is the mysterious 'wasabi' power, which reveals hidden truths. The game includes eight suspects, six episodes, over 10 hours of playtime, and multiple endings. It uses Unreal Engine 5 for photorealistic visuals. Phoenix Game Productions was founded in 2019 by German developer Daniel Hedjazi, a former PlatinumGames and CyberConnect2 employee who contributed to 'Resident Evil RE:4' and released the cyberpunk action game 'Tokyo Underground Killer' in 2025. 'Wasabi' is the studio's second original title. A playable demo is planned. The release date is to be announced.
Independent developer Surume Manjuu announced that its high-speed mecha action game Omega Phenex has reached 68,000 open beta test participants and 125,000 wishlist registrations. A crowdfunding campaign on CAMPFIRE will begin June 25 to fund voice acting, global operations, and 3D modeling improvements. The open beta has been extended to July 25.
Publisher Phoenixx and developer Meltclock released a demo for the roguelite factory builder Lazy Witch's Factory on Steam on June 11, 2026. The full game is scheduled for summer 2026, with pricing not yet announced. The demo arrives ahead of the Steam Next Fest event running June 16 to 23. In the game, players control Momoko, a lazy witch tricked by a demon into a huge debt that must be repaid within 30 minutes. Players automate a factory by having cute familiars-such as mining goblins and a blacksmith salamander-dig, transport, and craft items to earn funds. Demon contracts provide buffs or skills but can carry dangerous effects like forcing overtime or counterfeiting money. The protagonist Momoko is voiced by Misato Fukuen, known for roles including Himiko Toga in My Hero Academia and Cure Happy in Smile PreCure!. A promotional video featuring her voice was also released alongside the demo.
Phoenixx announced on June 4 that the dungeon destruction shooting game Dungeon Kuzushi will release on Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android on June 18. Developed by Kotaro Yoshida, known for directing Yuusha 30 and Hyakunin Yuusha, the game casts players as a witch who uses destruction magic to break through dungeon walls, taking shortcuts or forcing paths through obstacles. Items and rescued adventurers grant temporary power-ups such as increased bullet damage, faster reloads, and more bullets per shot. The Switch download version costs 980 yen, while the smartphone versions are 380 yen each. A launch sale on the Nintendo eShop discounts the Switch version 30 percent to 686 yen until June 30. Pre-orders for the Switch version began on June 4. The PC version, released on Steam in January 2025, has sold over 40,000 copies and holds a Very Positive user rating. Post-launch updates have added modes including an endless Infinite Dungeon, a Quick Destruction Challenge time attack, and a Hard Dungeon with stronger walls and enemies.
The premiere of Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix- introduces Gengo Matsunaga, a legendary fire-slayer known as the Phoenix who retired after a traumatic fire. He is pulled back into service to rebuild a ragtag fire brigade in Edo-era Japan. The episode follows Gengo as he rescues a princess using an almost psychic ability to detect people inside burning buildings, then flashes forward to his quiet life with his wife before a firefighter begs him to return. The review from Anime Feminist praises the premise as a compelling, grounded action slice-of-life story with potential for heartwarming character growth, particularly around Gengo's trauma and his mentorship of hapless trainees. However, the review criticizes the show's 3D animation, calling it uncanny and hard on the eyes during action sequences, though quieter moments look average. The episode also introduces a mysterious arsonist named Foxfire, adding a villainous element to the historical setting. The reviewer recommends the series for its quiet storytelling and historical fiction appeal, despite the animation flaws.
Anime Feminist's weekly round-up for January 14-20, 2026, covers multiple topics: the first episodes of Oedo Fire Slayer -The Legend of Phoenix-, The Villainess Is Adored by the Prince of the Neighbor Kingdom, Kaya-chan Isn't Scary, and You and I Are Polar Opposites; a review of Hitomi Takano's manga Gene Bride; a Japan Fair Trade Commission report on transactional issues in the anime industry; Japan's probe of Elon Musk's Grok AI service over inappropriate image generation; a Mie Prefecture survey on foreign staff hiring that drew accusations of discrimination; and Prime Minister Ishiba's avoidance of challenging sumo's gendered ring ban. The round-up also includes links to videos on vintage BL OVAs, Lovely Complex, a documentary on Black anime fandom, and Jonathan Clements on the history of anime in the UK. The community section features reader picks for favorite anime of 2025, including You and Idol Precure, Medalist, and Zenshu!