I figured I'd do another one of these out of boredom.

Name: Osamu Tezuka's Black Jack

Release year: 1992 - 1993(Japanese)

2004(American)

Length: Ten Forty-five minute episodes(Released across seven DVD's)

Age rating: 14 and up - Contains large amounts of nudity, violence, and graphic, detailed, surgical scenes. Not for those with a weak stomach.

Originally released as a series of direct-to-video episodes in 1992, Black Jack is certainly one of the finest anime of the past several decades. The series is based around the titular character Black Jack, a disfigured rogue surgeon with the skills of a god, and his "daughter" Pinoko, a Teratogenous Cystoma given human form by Black Jack. Together the two travel the world solving horrific and disturbing medical mysteries, for massive amounts of money, almost a forerunner to House, M.D. if you will. The series features a realistic and beautiful artstyle, as oposed to the cartoony style of the manga version. Other than the opening themes, which are best described as terrible enough to make your ears bleed, there are absolutely no complaints regarding the music. The stories range from disturbing(Episode 1), to bizarre(episodes 5 and 6), yet they remain consistent in their quality throughout the series, always brilliant. As noted in the age rating above though, this series is not for those with weak stomachs. There are copious amounts of nudity(which the series really could've done without, honestly), frequent violence, and very detailed, very graphic, surgical scenes. Still, if you can handle some blood and uncovered mamories then this is deffinitely worth watching at least once. Especially considering that the series is currently available in two inexspensive boxsets.

Extras: The DVD's contain no extras other than art galleries, trailers for other series, and director's commentary for Episode Three and Ten. Dock one point from final score if you like your DVD's with tons of extras.

Final Rating: 5/5