Ranked #601

Black Jack 21

The sequel of Black Jack series, the story focuses mainly on Black Jack's real identity & happenings beyond his mother's death. I really love the series because..... Well, just watch it! The story is superb!

I guess my professional bias shows when the medical aspect of the show that bothers me most is the fact that researchers kept seeing viruses under a light microscope, and that these viruses were the same size as--or larger than--red blood cells. Maybe the term that was translated as "virus" can be used for multiple micro-organisms, because the B.O.P. looks more like an ameoboid or other eukaryotic organism, but that is neither here nor there. It's Black Jack, for fuck's sake; while it is more accurate than most medical dramas out there, it's still anime.

Nit-picking aside, I'm a sucker for medical dramas, and I have this long-standing affair with Dr. Black Jack. I was afraid post-Tezuka's death the franchise would start to suck, but this show proved that BJ has not lost his edge, no pun intended. Though I can't help giggling every time somebody calls him "B.J." with a thick Japanese accent. You keep using that word; I do not think it means what you think it means. But I digress.

This is one hell of a fun show. The pacing is tight, the action is good, and the characters are clear without being overbearing. There are equal parts action and science and character development. It is nice to see Black Jack's past further clarified, though I have to wonder what Tezuka would have thought of the way the writers dealt with his accident and his childhood. I, for one, enjoyed it, but I am not the original creator. The storyline is more linear and integrated than the original manga, but the overall effect is not in the least jarring. One could view it as a very long movie or story within Black Jack's saga. You have mysterious organizations, greedy bastards, assassins, deadly viruses, secrets, lies, conflicted characters with dark pasts, and all the good stuff.

Oh, and I love that America's answer to everything in most Japanese shows is "nuke it 'till it glows". Lulz.

I highly recommend this show. It's even a good starting point for those who are just getting into Black Jack, though a *little* background would be helpful. I call it the "Japanese Dr. House" when I'm trying to explain it in under a sentence, though Black Jack is significantly less of an ass than House is, but that is neither here nor there. In both shows you have a doctor of unparalleled brilliance being called upon to save those deemed un-savable. The recommendation strength goes up considerably if you are a sucker for medical mysteries. read more