 Lightning Phoenix 
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 Name
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| Japanese | ライトニングフェニックス |
| Romanized | Raitoningufenikkusu |
| Bestiary
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| Type | Bird |
| Capture Level | 75 |
| Length | 12m |
| Weight | 2.5t |
| Price | 1kg meat / 6,500,000 yen; 1 feather / 380,000 yen |
| Habitat | Thunderclouds |
| Debut Appearance
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| Manga | Chapter 105 |
| Anime | Episode 46 |
| Game | Toriko: Gourmet Survival 2 |
| [v · t · e] | |
The Lightning Phoenix (ライトニングフェニックス, Raitoningufenikkusu) is a legendary snow grouse that is said to be able to live in thunderclouds.
Anatomy[]
It is a gigantic bird beast with a body length of over 12 meters, weighing in at 2.5 tons. It has bright gold feathers all over its body, and wings shaped like lightning bolts that have crimson feathers on its upper wings. It has a long spiky purple tail and a black granivorous beak. It has four eyes and 3 spikes protruding on each side of its neck, and on top of its head, has two spiked crests.
Behavior[]
It is a seemingly peaceful creature so long as it is not provoked and maintains a calm disposition even during a relentless storm. It won't even mind if one of its feathers is taken.[1] However it can be provoked if its nest is approached.[2]
Powers and Abilities[]
Lightning Phoenix's feather reflecting lightning.
It is a strong and fast flyer with great endurance, easily being able to traverse through even the most fierce storms and even live within thunderclouds throughout its life. Its feathers are able to withstand a direct bolt of lightning and can even absorb electrical energy.[3] The reason for its high capture level may be due to it being difficult to locate as its found so high up, along with the extremely dangerous climate it lives in.
In the games, it is shown to be a very strong and fast beast, and when attacking can swoop down at high speeds to attack its opponents and can create shockwaves upon landing. It can also use its feather for offensive techniques as well, throwing them around its opponents and upon hitting solid ground will release stored up electricity in an explosive blast. It can also release lightning from the energy stored in its feathers.[4][5]
Uses[]
Its feathers can be used to deflect lightning and make excellent protective shields for anyone trapped in a harsh storm or on one's way to Vegetable Sky.[6] Clothing made from its down twinkles and it has long been superstition that a wedding dress made from Lightning Phoenix down will grant eternal happiness to the bride who wears it on her wedding day. Just one of its feathers is worth 380,000 yen.
As Food[]
A Lightning Phoenix's meat is as electrifying as its name and is said to enhance a person's Gourmet Cells upon consuming it. One kilogram of its meat can fetch a price of at least 6,500,000 yen, making it a truly expensive food item, especially when considering how rare it is to encounter a Lightning Phoenix.
History[]
Ozone Herb Arc[]
During Toriko and Komatsu's journey up the Sky Plant, they became lost inside a thundercloud and were at risk of getting hit by lightning, just then a Lightning Phoenix appeared before them and lit their surroundings, allowing them to see, Toriko then plucked one of its feathers and used it to shield himself and Komatsu from the lightning. Because of the Lightning Phoenix they were able to survive through the harsh storm and successfully make it all the way to Vegetable Sky.[7]
Anime and Manga Differences[]
Manga - Anime
Lightning Phoenix (Anime)
It looks somewhat different in the anime, being entirely golden in color and with a carnivorous orange beak instead of a granivorous black one and a large flowing tail with lightning bolt-shaped feathers. It also lacked the spikes on its neck that it had in the manga and the crests on its head had a more lightning bolt-like shape. However the games, merchandise and trading cards have featured it with its correct color scheme and design from the manga.
Appearances in Other Media[]
Toriko: Gourmet Survival 2[]
The Lightning Phoenix as seen in Toriko: Gourmet Survival 2.
The Lightning Phoenix appears as a boss in the PSP game Toriko: Gourmet Survival 2, in the Sky Plant area of the Gattsuki Continent. In the game's storyline, Toriko, Komatsu and Melk the Second encounter this beast while traveling with their group up the Sky Plant, and the Lightning Phoenix quickly attacked the trio once they approached its nest.
Toriko: Gourmet Monsters[]
The Lightning Phoenix appears in the 3DS game Toriko: Gourmet Monsters. It appears in the Sky Plant area as an enemy and tamable beast which can be trained for Gourmet Royale beast bouts.
Merchandise[]
The Lightning Phoenix has been featured in some merchandise, such as miniature figures, seals, trading cards and two video games.
Trivia[]
- The Lightning Phoenix was created by Hakase from Kyoto prefecture.
- The Lightning Phoenix's name comes from the legendary fire bird the Phoenix, but unlike the Phoenix, it is a creature of lightning rather than fire.
- It is very similar to, and may have been based on the legendary Native American creature known as the Thunderbird, which was said to be a being that was the spirit of lightning, thunder, and rain in the form of a giant bird whose wings could create thunder. It might have also been based on the Lightning Bird of South African legend, a bird created from wherever lightning hits the earth.