Another retro title, Cyborg 009 was another Toonami entrant I somehow overlooked. Created by Shotaro Ishinomori, who introduced Android Kikaider and the original Kamen Rider, this title was hailed as the first anime dealing with a superpowered hero team made of 9 cybernetic warriors. Oddly enough, despite different creation times, it's often said that Cyborg 009 was based off of Android Kikaider, and the art of his work is similar to that of his mentor's: Osamu Tezuka, who created the iconic Astro Boy, which Ishinomori helped out on.
Cyborg 009 deals with a team of 9 cyborgs that were once human. Against their will, the secret organization Black Ghost kidnapped and converted 9 humans into cybernetic warriors. Their goal: to cause another world war, selling weapons of destruction for profit. To prevent such a conflict, and to securer their freedom, they band together to oppose Black Ghost, while dealing with other threats as well with their unwanted, but very useful modifications.
Cyborg 009 had plenty of animation titles, and the three that appeared in the US was part of it. However, only one of them featured well tolerated English dialogue and voices: that being their third series in 2001, which spanned 51 episodes, seeing daylight in the cartoon block, Toonami licensed under Avex Inc., who are the American branch of Avex Mode. Their first English attempt was the second film Cyborg 009: Legend of the Super Vortex, renamed Defenders of the Vortex, but was a poorly received attempt in English language. Aside from this there are 3 films and two other anime series: the first ran for 26 episodes, and the other ran for 50 episodes. Word is there is another set for 2012, details still unknown in regards to the plot, but Production I.G. and Ishimori Productions are said to be behind this. The title for this, at least for now, is 009: RE-CYBORG. Joe/009 is voiced by Joshua Seth, though Derek Stephen Prince sometimes voices him.
Cyborg 009 is a memorable one, scoring 8 of 10 from me. I never thought it would have such a history, but I see why this is such a big deal.
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