Tezuka, Osamu

From time immemorial to the age of space colonization, there is one legend that has stayed unchanged in every history book—the tale of the immortal bird Phoenix. A being whose blood is said to grant eternal life or wisdom, the radiant figure ensures the continuation of sentient life in the universe as it oversees human civilizations and their development.

Yet, mankind remains a slave to its habits; from happiness and sorrow, to wrath and love, a myriad of emotions continue to play an integral part of human life. Simultaneously, time and time again, certain beliefs and agendas persist over the centuries to disturb the fragile equilibrium of the world's preordained nature and principles. It appears that fate, with its dynamic variables, can manifest itself in many ways—and oftentimes exhibits a bizarre sense of humor.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Note: This is an incomplete series due to Tezuka's death.

Hi no Tori

Phoenix

火の鳥

Tamura, Yumi

At the end of the 21st century, a great catastrophe devastates Japan, leaving its land unrecognizable and halting civilization's progress. In the present day, the emperor and his four sons reign over the country with an iron fist. It is said that only the prophesied "Child of Destiny" can free Japan from the royal family's shackles.

Sarasa is the twin sister of Tatara, the Child of Destiny. Despite having to live in her brother's shadow, Sarasa supports him in any way she can. However, tragedy strikes when the Red King, the emperor's youngest son, and his army attack her village, leading to Tatara's brutal death. To protect the townspeople, Sarasa takes on her brother's name and becomes the Child of Destiny, vowing revenge on the Red King.

With the sudden turn of events taking a toll on her health, Sarasa visits a hot spring to recuperate. During her stay, she meets Shuri, a charming yet mysterious young man. Shuri is fascinated by Sarasa as she treats him differently from other girls; meanwhile, Sarasa is unable to stop thinking about him. This casual encounter between the two seals their fate—destined to be bound by war, hatred, and love.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Basara

BASARA

Hiwatari, Saki

Mystic dreams of a previous life in the moon lead to the bonding of seven students in an attempt to uncover the secrets behind what they have forgotten. As various truths are sought and avoided, Alice must hurry remembering if she is to save the fragile Rin from self-destruction. For only after facing the grave errors of the past, can they all move forward and live fully in the present.

(Source: MangaTraders)

Boku no Chikyuu wo Mamotte

Please Save My Earth

ぼくの地球を守って

Adachi, Mitsuru

The story is set in a place very similar in appearance to Earth in the Edo period. However, Adachi (the mangaka) regularly reminds the reader all throughout the series that the setting is another planet in the distant future which just happens to look like Earth.

After the death of his mother, Shichimi sets out to join his step-brothers and -sister who live together in Karakuri Tenement, a place provided by the father they have never met. He finds out that each of them had different mothers (all of whom have died), but were fathered by the same man. Not long after Shichimi's arrival, the siblings decide to journey to visit the graves of each of their mothers. On this journey, they encounter many dangers.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Nijiiro Tougarashi

虹色とうがらし

A remake of the original Ribbon no Kishi, and the much more well-known version of the story.

Taking place in a medieval fairy-tale setting, Princess Knight is the story of young Princess Sapphire who must pretend to be a male prince so she can inherit the throne (as women are not eligible to do so). This deception begins as soon as she is born, as her father the King announces his baby is a boy instead of a girl. The reason for this is that the next-in-line to the throne, Duke Duralumon, is an evil man who would repress the people if he were to become king, and because of this the King will go to any length to prevent him from taking over.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Ribbon no Kishi (1963)

Princess Knight

リボンの騎士

Hamada, Shoko

Kuwabara, Mizuna

Toujou, Kazumi

Mirage of Blaze is equal parts melodrama, historical romance, and supernatural fantasy. Japanese history predominates a heavily structured plot, which mainly involves the continued aggression between magic using guardians, or "possessors," and the denizens of a "feudal underworld," or the restless souls of long-dead samurai attempting to re-ignite ancient war on the modern plane.

Honoo no Mirage

炎の蜃気楼〈ミラージュ〉

Ashibe, Yuuho

Arianrhod is a young girl from an island called Erin. She is different from all the other kids her age. All the others in the tribe have blond hair while Arian is the only one with black hair and because of this she was bullied many times. One day a traveler in silver clothing came to Erin and “named” Arian. To be named is very important because it reveals one's true self. After that the Master Drisu takes Arian in as his disciple because she was “named” by the stranger. Balor is the evil leader of Death Valley and one night he murdered all the people in Arian's tribe, and she swears to get vengeance on Balor.

(Source: Esthétique)

Crystal☆Dragon

クリスタル☆ドラゴン

Taking place in a medieval fairy-tale setting, Ribbon no Kishi is the story of young Princess Sapphire who must pretend to be a male prince so she can inherit the throne (as women are not eligible to do so). This deception begins as soon as she is born, as her father the King announces his baby is a boy instead of a girl. The reason for this is that the next-in-line to the throne, Duke Duralumon, is an evil man who would repress the people if he were to become king, and because of this the King will go to any length to prevent him from taking over.

(Source: Wikipedia)

Ribbon no Kishi

Hagio, Moto

A collection of very complicated adult sci-fi short stories with difficult concepts about time and destiny.

Gin no Sankaku

銀の三角

Fuyuki, Rurika

Fuyuki's modern adaptation of Greek mythology about the love between Hades the God of the Underworld and Persephone, the daughter of Demeter. The Greek gods and goddesses now assume human forms but still retain all their vast powers. All except for high school student, Arisa who for some reason is unable to remember her past incarnation as Persephone and her life with Hades who in this present day is her classmate, Amano. But the strength of their joint destinies is so strong that even without those memories, Arisa falls in love with Amano just like Persephone with Hades hundreds of years ago. But this time, Amano is determined that he will not lose Arisa like in the tragic past. He will protect her even if it means going against every immortal being and will not yield her to Zeus who wants to unlock the secret and the mysterious power that Persephone had then and Arisa has now.

Aries

アリーズ

Sugimoto, Ami

The third series in the "Animal X" timeline.

Having burned enough bridges in Japan, Yuuji and Minato have moved their new family to a small dinosaur-crazy town in Canada. If there's any place in the world left for Dinosauroids, surely it must be here: a town revived by the discovery of dinosaur bones, with one of the largest paleontology research centers in the world, and a network of "Conservation Centers" set up to cater to the newly-discovered Dinosauroid community. The rest of the world, None-the-wiser for the incident at the Biodome (which was covered up completely) has pretty much forgotten all about Dinosauroids.

Animal X: Genshi Sairai

Animal X―原始再来

Igarashi, Yumiko

Kurimoto, Kaoru

There is a legend in the kingdom of Paro —a legend of the Sword. It is said that if one who is unfit to rule should wield it, it will mean the ruin of the kingdom. As sole heir to the throne of Paros, Princess Erminia must accept the Sword and a husband when she comes of age on her next birthday. But the princess refuses to wed any man who is less of a man than she—which excludes every man in the kingdom! Just when Erminia is ordered by her father the king to wed her foster brother Yurias, she has a fateful encounter with the unfortunate, beautiful maiden Fiona. 

(Source: MU)

Manga Like On Your Knees, Your Highness!