"009-1" (2006) TV series

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Seasons:

1 | unknown

Release Date:

5 October 2006 (Japan)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Drama | Sci-Fi

Plot:

What would happen if the Cold War was still at large?

Plot Keywords:

Cyborg | Cold War | Nuclear Weapons | Spy | Terrorist

Cast

Yumiko Shaku	...	009-1 / ... (13 episodes, 2006-2007)
Alice Fulks	...	009-1 / ... (13 episodes, 2006-2007)
Josh Grelle	...	Additional Voices / ... (13 episodes, 2006-2007)
Grant James	...	Number Zero (13 episodes, 2006-2007)
Hôchû Ôtsuka	...	Number Zero (13 episodes, 2006-2007)
Charles Campbell	...	Additional Voices / ... (12 episodes, 2006-2007)
John Swasey	...	Additional Voices / ... (8 episodes, 2006-2007)
Rebekah Dahl	...	009-7 / ... (6 episodes, 2006)

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese | English

Color:

Color

Company:

Ishimori Entertainment

Trivia:

Mylene Hoffman and Number Zero are the only characters to appear in every episode.

Shotaro's more mature works.

From the creator of Cyborg 009, comes something more sophisticated. Back in 1967, Shotaro created 009-1 which was published into 6 volumes. Unlike Cyborg 009, this series was made for mature audiences. Back then it was still rare for manga to be made for older viewers. Which made 009-1 and Lupin III to be one of the earliest manga for mature audiences. The manga wasn't made into an anime until 39 years later. And it had great source material to be an anime.

009-1 takes place in an alternate future where the cold war has lasted for a 140 years. As a result of that, the Earth we knew has been divided into 2 factions: The East block and the West block. Agent 009-1 a.k.a. Mylene Hoffman is a cyborg agent for the West Block. Where she follows orders from her superiors. However every decision she makes will effect the outcome of each mission. As it's not an easy life to be a female spy.

This anime was created 8 years after Shotaro's death. And most people would say that he would probably like it as well as the 2001 Cyborg 009. As the stories and character designs are all true to the original content. I never read the manga but I love how the animators and director Naoyuki KONNO(animation director of 2001 Cyborg 009) have worked hard in making this manga come to life. It's almost as if the anime was supervised by Shotaro himself. Which is pretty much what they want people to say when they watch it.

The episodes are partly old school spy movie inspired, but have a good story quality to make it worth watching. The characters are memorable and you'll immediately know it's something Shotaro created.

Overral those who like Cyborg 009 will most likely enjoy this series as well. It's easy to purchase on DVD and should be known by all anime and manga fans alike.