[The Black Jack Thread] - New Movie!

The Baker St. Irregular 05-08-2004 10:14 PM
Oh, please tell me there are others amongst us who enjoy the pleasures of the Black Jack anime and/or manga! Others who, along with me, appreciate the very Tezuka-ness of it? And it is very Tezuka, indeed. Who else could have produced something so very unique and very intriguing? Ahh... That is the wonder of the "God of Manga" (and anime as we know it, too).

I really recommend checking out Black Jack in either of its forms, but the manga would prolly be best first. But since it is about a renegade surgeon who possesses the greatest medical skills, unequaled by any other in the entire world *pant, pant, pant (out of breath)*, there is all sorts of crazy surgical stuff, so it gets pretty graphic at some times. Not to mention really, really odd stories. However, I don't consider Black Jack too much of an aquired taste. Anyone here could like it if they wanted to.

^___^ Amy mustn't rant. No, no. She mustn't. Let the kind Paradigm City people speak if they wish. (Okay, okay.)
Shredder 05-21-2004 12:44 AM
Hey, how'd this topic get way down here? Black Jack is a great show! I've seen eps 1-4 and the movie and have the next DVD (eps 5-6) on pre-order- www.deepdiscountdvd.com had it for only $15. Big Grin
Wazpy 05-21-2004 08:00 AM
So is the manga like a bunch of self contained stories? It actually sounds interesting and might be something I wanna get into. I've been looking for a new manga to get into, but everything I see in Barns and Nobel and Borders looks very stereotypical anime or has too much fantasy for me. Do they sell this in the regular stores and such
The Baker St. Irregular 05-21-2004 04:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Wazpy
So is the manga like a bunch of self contained stories? It actually sounds interesting and might be something I wanna get into. I've been looking for a new manga to get into, but everything I see in Barns and Nobel and Borders looks very stereotypical anime or has too much fantasy for me. Do they sell this in the regular stores and such


Unfortunately, no. It's not in most stores, not because its far more obscure in story type than other mangas, but because #1. it is a fairly old publication, so newer things take its place on the shelf (prehistoric Viz or brand-spanking new Tokyopop anyone?) and #2. because it did so abyssmally in its sales that Viz stopped its publication indefinitely.

And that makes me MAD.

Really, really mad.

What makes Black Jack so awesome is that it was done by Osamu Tezuka. Therefore, it was naturally bound to be strange and wonderful, with intriguing characters in even more intriguing situations, and deep, meaningful messages about human pathos and ethos.

Tezuka, as you may or may not know, had studied to become a doctor and had actually recieved his medical license once he decided to be a manga artist instead (which is kinda ironic, since Black Jack himself does not have a medical license). So that means Tezuka knew what he was doing when he put together Black Jack.

That matter; the medical accuracies within Black Jack; though it may be one of its strongest points, can also be viewed as a severe hinderment. If it were not for all of the complicated medical terms (that are hard enough in English, but can you imagine them in Japanese?), fan translations would be able to keep Black Jack alive, even if illiegally.

-____-;;;; Sigh. It's a darn shame. It really is. Something so utterly good as Black Jack is being replaced by cookie-cutter crap that doesn't even deserve to be on bookstore shelves in the first place. We must honor Tezuka's memory. He is, after all, the "God of Manga".

Bring back our doctor... Bring back our doctor...
Darkside 05-21-2004 04:53 PM
I remeber watching a movie on Dr. Blackjack.
He's pretty cool especially his hair and name (parents must have been gamblers)
Yeah Blackjack is cool
Ano Hito 05-21-2004 04:59 PM
Yeah, sounds great. I need to get my hands on it some time.

From the title at first I thought you were talking about Jack Black. How scary is that? A Jack Black manga? Whoo...shudders.
Wazpy 05-21-2004 05:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ano Hito
From the title at first I thought you were talking about Jack Black. How scary is that? A Jack Black manga? Whoo...shudders.


I thought the same thing actually. I came here prepared with a story about when I saw the trailer to School of Rock...
Ano Hito 05-21-2004 06:39 PM
If there was an anime on anything real life related, I'd want it to be a lLord of the Rings or Star Wars anime. But atmittedly, a Jack Black anime wouldn't be so bad.

Back on topic: Viz is really flaky with their translations. There are a lot that are downright bad. The thing with Tokyopop is that a lot are excellent, but there are some glaring errors that are even worse than the usual terrible dumbing down that Viz does.

Oh how I hate dumbing down...

So anyway, I've been really dissapointed with Viz many times.
CoCoaPuFF CatX 05-21-2004 07:00 PM
I've never seen it where can i obtain a sample of it or better yet where can i buy the manga or what is it about it looks so cool! just buy the pictures....! Tongue
The Baker St. Irregular 05-21-2004 09:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by CoCoaPuFF CatX
I've never seen it where can i obtain a sample of it or better yet where can i buy the manga or what is it about it looks so cool! just buy the pictures....! Tongue


All I can do is tell you to trust me that this is a great manga. If you can, try to look for it at all the bookstores you can, or even the library (the first copy of Black Jack I ever read was from my public library). My copies were bought off of the internet.

Also... I don't know if you now this, but I made a Black Jack & Pinoco Otaku Mascot last summer! Here's the page on my site. You know what an Otaku Mascot is, right? It's the little character that sits on top of your window and does things when you click on it.

Here's a picture of it!
    Krang 08-15-2004 02:22 AM
    Good news for us Black Jack fans: more details on the upcoming TV series!

    quote:
    Back in May, Tezuka productions announced that a new Black Jack anime TV series, produced by Yomiuri TV, would be released this fall.

    On August 16th it was announced that the new series would air on Nihon TV starting on October 11th, and that Makoto Tezuka, Osamu's son, will direct. New episodes will air every Monday night at 7pm.

    The original Black Jack manga first appeared in Weekly Shonen Champion in 1973 and ran for 230 chapters until January 1979, between 1979 and 1984 13 additional chapters were published. Numerous OAV and live action adaptations of Black Jack have followed since, and a recent manga adaptation, Say Hello to Black Jack, by Shuho Sato. Say Hello to Black Jack shared the grand prize at this year's Manga Artist Society Awards.

    Makoto Tezuka already has directing credits to his name for several live action movies, including Hakuchi, which shares some themes with his father's Metropolis.

    Makoto Tezuka's wife, Okano Reiko, is also the award winning manga artist for Onmyo-Ji.

    Source: ANN
    R.Smith 08-15-2004 02:33 AM
    Hobodoken 08-15-2004 01:17 PM
    The movie=awesome.
    Truth be told, I bought it a while ago after reading your raves about it.
    I was at Boarders, had a gift card, enough for another DVD, and there it was.
    The Baker St. Irregular 08-16-2004 10:46 AM
    quote:
    Originally posted by Hobodoken
    The movie=awesome.
    Truth be told, I bought it a while ago after reading your raves about it.
    I was at Boarders, had a gift card, enough for another DVD, and there it was.


    Awesome work, comrade! You have done the world of Black Jack some good. Soon, we shall rule the world with our strange medical dramas! amd we're on our way...

    quote:
    Originally posted by Krang
    Good news for us Black Jack fans: more details on the upcoming TV series!

    quote:
    Back in May, Tezuka productions announced that a new Black Jack anime TV series, produced by Yomiuri TV, would be released this fall.

    On August 16th it was announced that the new series would air on Nihon TV starting on October 11th, and that Makoto Tezuka, Osamu's son, will direct. New episodes will air every Monday night at 7pm.

    The original Black Jack manga first appeared in Weekly Shonen Champion in 1973 and ran for 230 chapters until January 1979, between 1979 and 1984 13 additional chapters were published. Numerous OAV and live action adaptations of Black Jack have followed since, and a recent manga adaptation, Say Hello to Black Jack, by Shuho Sato. Say Hello to Black Jack shared the grand prize at this year's Manga Artist Society Awards.

    Makoto Tezuka already has directing credits to his name for several live action movies, including Hakuchi, which shares some themes with his father's Metropolis.

    Makoto Tezuka's wife, Okano Reiko, is also the award winning manga artist for Onmyo-Ji.

    Source: ANN


    My British friend sent screencaps from a preview of the new BJ anime from an Italian anime magazine's DVD.





    Asirt 10-09-2004 01:53 AM
    Recently, I just saw the very first episode of Black Jack on Anime Selects (from Comcast On Demand). It was a very good start. I guess you can say I'm not use to seeing this kind of series.

    Black Jack is really cool. There can be impossible things he needs to do, but he keeps his cool, and does what a doctor has to do. The only wierd thing about it is his sidekick. I don't think she's 18 years old at all. That's just me, though.

    Overall, it's really neat, and I look forward to seeing more episodes of it.
    The Baker St. Irregular 10-09-2004 09:55 AM
    quote:
    Originally posted by Trisa

    Black Jack is really cool. There can be impossible things he needs to do, but he keeps his cool, and does what a doctor has to do. The only wierd thing about it is his sidekick. I don't think she's 18 years old at all. That's just me, though. Big Grin


    Pinoko's story is one of the strangest things I've ever read (as far I know, it's only in the manga). Whoa! And yes, Black Jack is a smooth operator. Or surgeon. Whichever way, he is definitely a gem of a character, and I'm sure more people would like him if they only knew about him.

    On another note, or message, as it were, I PM-ed Shredder about his sporting new Pinoko avatar, and he wrote back to me about the fansubbed preview episodes of Black Jack that aired in Japan some while ago. They're located at froth-bite.com. I can't say I've watched any of them yet because I'm still downloading as I speak type. My poor, old DSL ain't what she used to be...
    Asirt 10-09-2004 11:24 AM
    quote:
    Originally posted by Mistress-Samwise

    Pinoko's story is one of the strangest things I've ever read (as far I know, it's only in the manga). Whoa! And yes, Black Jack is a smooth operator. Or surgeon. Whichever way, he is definitely a gem of a character, and I'm sure more people would like him if they only knew about him.

    On another note, or message, as it were, I PM-ed Shredder about his sporting new Pinoko avatar, and he wrote back to me about the fansubbed preview episodes of Black Jack that aired in Japan some while ago. They're located at froth-bite.com. I can't say I've watched any of them yet because I'm still downloading as I speak type. My poor, old DSL ain't what she used to be...


    Well, then I guess I'll have to read the manga sometime soon. I didin't know that there was a new Black Jack series out in Japan. Sounds good. I'll have to see it soon.
    The Baker St. Irregular 10-09-2004 04:06 PM
    quote:
    Originally posted by TrisaHeh. So that was the name of Black Jack's sidekick. Smile Well, then I guess I'll have to read the manga sometime soon. I didin't know that there was a new Black Jack out in Japan. Sounds good. I'll have to see it.

    Later,
    Trisa


    Yes, not only does it sound good, it is good! I've viewed the episodes, and I am pleased to say that they have passed my rigorous Black Jack Fan Girl Test with flying colors! Pleased Boo-yah, grandma.

    Anywho... It's back in black for BJ! He's returned to his original Tezuka form, but since his voice actor is the same one from the OAVs, he still has that incredibly sexy Japanese voice (rivaled only by that of Alex Rowe from Last Exile Pleased ).

    However, the similarities end there. This show harkens back to the silliness of Tezuka's manga, complete with Hyotantsugis, visual gags, and all. And I laughed many a time during the show! Even Black Jack himself isn't so dark and brooding, and when paired with Pinoko, there can be some really hilarious stuff. (not to mention that Pinoko herself is so cute that it makes my head a'splode.) There is also a strange absence of the graphic medical scenes, but I guess you can't have it all.

    So I suggest that you go forth and partake upon this new bounty for yourself! The more Black Jack, the better, as I always say. Wink
    Asirt 10-10-2004 10:24 AM
    quote:
    This show harkens back to the silliness of Tezuka's manga, complete with Hyotantsugis, visual gags, and all. And I laughed many a time during the show! Even Black Jack himself isn't so dark and brooding, and when paired with Pinoko, there can be some really hilarious stuff. (not to mention that Pinoko herself is so cute that it makes my head a'splode.) There is also a strange absence of the graphic medical scenes, but I guess you can't have it all.


    Yeah. When I saw Black Jack Special episode 1, that was what I was thinking. When I saw the old version, it seemed more serious, and a bit more graphic that the new one. The new one so far still had some seriousness, but not as much as the old Black Jack series. It had some more comedy, but it worked out in this case. Also, the animation looks a bit different from the old version...

    I'm watching the second episode of Black Jack Special now. Are there only 4 episodes in this new series?
    The Baker St. Irregular 10-10-2004 11:28 PM
    quote:
    Originally posted by Trisa
    quote:
    This show harkens back to the silliness of Tezuka's manga, complete with Hyotantsugis, visual gags, and all. And I laughed many a time during the show! Even Black Jack himself isn't so dark and brooding, and when paired with Pinoko, there can be some really hilarious stuff. (not to mention that Pinoko herself is so cute that it makes my head a'splode.) There is also a strange absence of the graphic medical scenes, but I guess you can't have it all.


    Yeah. When I saw Black Jack Special episode 1, that was what I was thinking. When I saw the old version, it seemed more serious, and a bit more graphic that the new one. The new one so far still had some seriousness, but not as much as the old Black Jack series. It had some more comedy, but it worked out in this case. Also, the animation looks a bit different from the old version...

    spoiler (highlight to read):
    I'm still wondering about Pinoko... Did BJ experiment on her to make her look younger? She looks like she's 6-10 years old.


    I'm watching the second episode of Black Jack Special now. Are there only 4 episodes in this new series?

    Later,
    Trisa

    PS. My 1200th post here! Yay! Big Grin


    Firsts offs, the animation style is that of Osamu Tezuka (though not "his" in the truest sense... he died over a decade ago Crying ). It's great to see Black Jack in his real form!

    As for your question about Pinoko...

    spoiler (highlight to read):
    It's impossible for me to tell you exactly what her story is. That is something you'll have to read in the manga for yourself. However, Pinoko is eighteen or so years old (it fluctuates a bit sometimes), so that's why she acts the way she does around Black Jack. And as for her body, Black Jack built it for her; she didn't have one before hand.


    The four episodes were preview episodes shown in Japan last December. The series is to premier next month, although I don't know exactly how many episodes it's going to have. I'm greatly looking forward to that even, since it may be one step closer to having the series licensed by a North American company!

    And congratualtions on your new post count. Big Grin I hope I can get mine that high someday...