Tezuka In English Discussion Forums

I remember when I was small in my country Vietnam, we have several publications of Tezuka. There was one story I really like about a male character with a female fox-spirit as his assistant/helper. Setting was most likely feudal Japan but i am not so sure b/c I was 9 at that time. It could be from Tezuka short story collection but I remember reading several episodes on that particular story before I left my country for the U.S ==> couldn't a short story.

If Tezuka experts out there know what I am talking about, please let me know the name b/c I am itching to finish that wonderful tale. Thanks

This is a story from Phoenix, Tezuka's life's work. The man was himself mutilated and fitted with a wolf's face. I believe his story spans several issues. It is covered in volumes 10 & 11. His name is Harima, but after he is fitted with the wolf's face, he goes by another name, Kuchi'Inu ("Useless Idiot," vol. 10, p. 42, note). Actually an old woman heals him, & call him that, despite his protests.

hmm... they definitely split the story b/c I remember reading a few separate unrelated stories in between.. then a week later, they continue that story.. then put a few more stories in b/w... hmm.. so is there an english version (official or fan scanlation) I can read on? I am itching to finish the story..


P.S on further search for "Akuemon" I found this
************
The story is about a fox outwitting a hunter and choosing to live out his life in the temple with a squirrel companion. Source: Wikipedia.com
*************

I don't remember any fox hunting. All I remember is this main character (young guy in his early 20) was on a quest of some sort (maybe to kill an evil demon). He travel around the country side and this female fox spirit follow him around (first because of she was amused). She ended up using her power to help him and fall in love with him).
Does it sound like Akuemon to you? Why does wikipedia have "squirrel companion" in it?

I still think it is the Phoenix story, oops, I forgot to give its title. The title of both volumes 10 & 11 is Sun, & the stories in v 10 do indeed go back and forth between the olden times in which the wolf-faced Harima is the main character & modern times with, as I recall, his reincarnation involved.

Harima, as I recall, was a prince of an overrun & destroyed kingdom who lived in the forrests with a wise woman, who nursed him back to health. He occasionaly has dealings with the wolf-spirit clan. I think he was attempting to restore his kingdom and gather the people who scattered when the kingdom was beseiged, and rebuild it.

I'm quite sure you're talking about "Sun" as well. It's a long story, but really worth it (as is pretty much all of Phoenix).

Thanks guys. I will go to my bookstore and check out Phoenix Vol.10 and 11. If anyone can scan 1 page of Akuemon (i understand there is no english release) and post it up so that I can take a look at the art and be sure. thx

Well, if there was no fox hunting I'm sure you're meaning "Sun" too. I can take a picture of a few pages later tough if you want.

oh my god.. you finally found it sigma87.. I love that story but can't find it anywhere to buy