Young Black Jack

In the 1960s, a gifted young medical student tries to make a name for himself. Kuroo Hazama is a reserved young man with unusual black-and-white hair, a body covered with scars, and a dark past. Despite only being a medical student, his surgical brilliance starts to attract attention after he completes a seemingly impossible operation. Together with the spirited and honest intern Maiko Okamoto and Yabu, a close friend with a troubled life, Hazama devotes himself to the world of medicine.

However, his path to becoming a respectable surgeon is a difficult one as student riots, war, and corruption are consuming Japan. Hazama quickly finds himself caught up in a series of nefarious circumstances that challenge his integrity as a person and his path towards becoming a surgeon. Young Black Jack chronicles the story of a man capable of performing unthinkable feats of medicine, and the journey that leads him to become the legend known as Black Jack.

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Adaptation:	Young Black Jack
Sequel:	Black Jack

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Characters & Voice Actors

Hazama, Kuroo

Main

Umehara, Yuuichirou
Japanese

Okamoto, Maiko

Main

Itou, Shizuka
Japanese

Yabu

Main

Yusa, Kouji
Japanese

Doctor Kiriko

Supporting

Suwabe, Junichi
Japanese

Hige Oyaji

Supporting

Tomita, Kousei
Japanese

Hyakki, Maruo

Supporting

Miyano, Mamoru
Japanese

Octane

Supporting

Oosaka, Ryouta
Japanese

Hugo

Supporting

Takeuchi, Shunsuke
Japanese

Lisenberg

Supporting

Yamanoi, Jin
Japanese

Tawashi

Supporting

Shioya, Yoku
Japanese

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Staff

Kase, Mitsuko

Director

Kameyama, Toshiki

Sound Director

Takahashi, Ryousuke

Script, Series Composition

Morita, Mayumi

Script

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Opening Theme

"I am Just Feeling Alive" by UMI☆KUUN

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Ending Theme

"All Categorize (オールカテゴライズ)" by Takuto (焚吐)

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Reviews

Dec 19, 2015

12 of 12 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 9

Vehemor (All reviews)

39 people found this review helpful

It's hard to make a prequel about one of the most iconic characters in anime and don't ruin the story, but luckily, that didn't happen with YBJ.

An adult medical drama is a breath of frsh air amidst so many highschool harems, ecchi or overpowered characters.

Story: 10/10

Being a sequel there are some limitations, you must tie this to the original, but as an origin story YBJ is really great. Set in the Vietnam war, in a convulsed Japan, Hazama goes through a lot in order to become the dark character we know. Maybe a 24 episode anime would have been better, but in 12 episodes they read more

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Dec 18, 2015

12 of 12 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 6

Nervin (All reviews)

28 people found this review helpful

Anime is certainly a medium that can portray any type of theme, be it cooking, swimming or even the profession of doctor, which is the case for Young Black Jack. It is an anime that is adapted from one of Tezuka Osamu's numerous works, including genres such as drama, thriller and psychological ones, which was in some cases well done. Although the concept may seem uninteresting for some viewers, it is surprisingly alluring, yet it is apparent that it has some major flaws, being the inconsistent and episodic story throughout the series the major issue, as these seem to have no real connection with each read more

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Dec 17, 2015

12 of 12 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 7

Stark700 (All reviews)

24 people found this review helpful

A medical drama like Young Black Jack isn’t something we see often these days. Having a very small of series related to the medical field, the show is essentially a rare breed. As such, Young Black Jack is something that you won’t find these days easily. Branded as a prequel, it isn’t entirely necessary to watch the sequel. In fact, I came into this series as a newbie with little experience about the character or its story. What I got in the end though is more than what was expected.

Based on the manga of the same name, the series takes place in 1968 where the story also focuses on Hazama, a medical student with some unique and fascinating skills. It’s interesting to note that the show also focuses a bit on the war and political struggles as the time setting takes place roughly around the Vietnam War. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, then the show might also be a bit of extra treat for you.

Hazama is the central character. His medical and surgical skills are invaluable as we see his capability of saving lives. The tasks he undertakes defines his skills especially during crude operations. It’s also intriguing to see a fusion of metaphoric imagery through imaginative and realism during these medical procedures. What the show succeeds about Hazama’s character is his brilliant mind. Every episode, he gets into some complicated affair where his medical skills plays some important role. The show also establishes Hazama’s personality as a mysterious individual. His actions aren’t usually heroic either as he doesn’t use his skills out of the kindness of his heart. In fact, he charges a fee (and a heavy one) for his skills. So in a way, Hazama is more of a mercenary hired to sell his abilities. Despite this, there are times when he risks his life to save others; most noticeably during his time at the heart of the Vietnam War.

Young Black Jack’s character cast consists of a wide variety from diverse fields of expertise. While most of the main supporting characters have some medical expertise, some others play important roles that determines the fate of life and death. Two easily recognizable characters are Maiko and Yabu as they get involved with Hazama’s medical adventures that takes them to places of unimaginable danger. Such an example is Vietnam, where the war conflict becomes heated in the rough terrains of the jungle. We see what Hazama and his crew has to endure as they get involved with local militia forces. The reality of war can easily be recognizable with the death of soldiers and crude injuries. Luckily, there’s Hazama and this is where his abilities can really make a different between life and death. He isn’t the only one as we later meet another skilled medical expert who directly competes against him. Later on, we’ll also witness the darker side of the medical world after a freak accident leads to a chain of conflicting events. But on most parts, the story explores Hazama’s experience as a medical student. It’s a medical drama about this mysterious guy who does mysterious deeds.

One really interesting concept that is explored in the show is the political and activist affairs. We got workers going on strikes or demanding a better wage for their work. There’s also a strong anti-war flair among the drama especially in Japan. What this brings into the series is a look at the historical drama that is surprisingly realistic. Activities such as student protests and worker strikes portrayed in anime brings realism into the story with their roles. Furthermore, the show approaches itself with antagonists that are mostly driven by corruption or self-greed. Characters with wealth and others who think they can get away with anything because of their social status are branded as an anti-thesis of the main characters. On the other hand, there’s also the soldiers and guerrilla units who plays more of the stereotypical bad guys. If we look at the Vietnam War, there’s also the Viet Cong who physically and mentally torture Hazama’s group. It’s a pretty damn cruel world out there.

The overall adaptation of the artwork is suitable for a series taking place in the 1960s. It capture a modernized setting where technology is less sufficient compared to our today’s world but also functional, or at least enough for a medical student like Hazama to perform his operations. I also like how the show adapts supernatural-like imagery with Hazama’s medical skills. Although it seems gimmicky at first, it’s also quite artistic and makes us realize what is he is capable of. Speaking of which, Hazama’s character design is very noticeable with his well-toned body and facial features. Out of any character in the show, he is the most recognizable with his bishounen design and body that seems to have underwent through experimentation. Others are less impressive although there are a few that stands out from time to time. And finally, be aware of man service that is very noticeable, perhaps even far-fetched. The fan service comes from Hazama himself and you’ll have to see it to believe it.

A lesser noticeable feature about the show is the soundtrack. For starters, it feels very much the same almost each episode that occasionally shifts between melancholic and thrilling. What I do find slightly impressive is the eerie OST they use for scenarios involving medical operations. It can send a thrill down your spine as viewers will have to anticipate if an operation will be a success or failure. Otherwise, the soundtrack is mostly mediocre besides the manly choreography of the OP song. The character voices aren’t so impressive either.

By the end of the day, it’s not hard to see that Young Black Jack isn’t a show for everyone. It’s certainly a rare breed to see such a medical drama as it’s refreshing and explores themes that we don’t see too often in anime these days. It also invites attention to anyone who wants to see how the medical field is like. The idea of transplanting organs and operating on half-dead victims is an engrossing concept that can be fascinating. And thankfully, Young Black Jack gives a bit of such concept each episode. There’s not much comedy overall as in the end, the show is about so much more than just being a medical student. It’s about Hazama’s life as young Black Jack, a name that would later become infamous in the medical world.

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Dec 19, 2015

12 of 12 episodes seen

Overall Rating: 7

THEAnimeHERO (All reviews)

24 people found this review helpful

This review is written by a Black Jack fan.

Young Black Jack is the 4th anime series starring Black Jack, however its quality does differ significantly from the other related anime. Despite the obvious differences in tone and writing the series might serve as a gateway to the much better Black Jack stories and related material.

This anime serves as a “possible” prequel story detailing the events of Black Jack’s origin and career as an underground doctor. The anime is set in Black Jack’s younger days where he went by his real name, Hazama Kuro, and is still in medical school. Upon doing some research, the read more

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