"Apollo's Song" is a manga series by Osamu Tezuka that explores themes of love, punishment, and redemption through a surreal and philosophical narrative. The story centers on Shogo Chikaishi, a young man who harbors a deep hatred for love and intimacy due to a traumatic childhood marked by his mother's promiscuity and neglect. His disdain for love manifests in violent acts against animals and people, leading to his institutionalization.

Shogo is subjected to an experimental treatment by a mysterious doctor, who curses him with an eternal cycle of love and loss. Each time Shogo experiences love, he is doomed to lose it, only to be reborn into a new life where the cycle repeats. This punishment is framed as a divine retribution from Apollo, the Greek god of love, who seeks to teach Shogo the value of love through relentless suffering.

The narrative unfolds across multiple timelines and settings, ranging from World War II-era Germany to a dystopian future. In each iteration, Shogo encounters a woman with whom he forms a deep emotional connection, only to have their relationship end tragically. These encounters force him to confront his own emotions and the consequences of his actions, gradually breaking down his resistance to love.

Key characters include Shogo himself, whose journey from hatred to understanding forms the core of the story, and the various women he meets in his incarnations, each representing different facets of love and sacrifice. The doctor, who orchestrates Shogo's punishment, serves as a symbolic figure, embodying the forces of fate and divine justice.

The plot is driven by Shogo's internal struggle and the recurring motif of love as both a source of pain and redemption. The series blends elements of psychological drama, romance, and science fiction, creating a layered narrative that challenges the protagonist—and the reader—to reconsider the nature of love and its impact on the human condition. Through its episodic structure and thematic depth, "Apollo's Song" presents a thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of human emotion and the transformative power of love.