Black Jack Internet Edition: New Appeal and Evaluation of the Classic

The appeal and reputation of Black Jack (Internet version)

Tezuka Osamu's masterpiece "Black Jack" has been made into not only a manga but also an anime, of which the Internet version is particularly noteworthy. This Internet version began streaming on March 1, 2000, and entertained viewers with 12 episodes, each 20 minutes long. The original work is of course by Tezuka Osamu, and the copyright is held by Tezuka Productions.

Distribution media and viewing methods

This Internet version was distributed on a website called "TezukaOsamu＠Cinema." This site was a platform for enjoying Tezuka Osamu's works on the Internet, and was provided as broadband content. This was a new form of Internet animation, and viewers could easily watch it from their home computers.

Characteristics of audience participation

The biggest feature of this Internet version is the introduction of a viewer-participation system. Specifically, it employs a "zapping system" and an "action system." The "zapping system" allows the camera's viewpoint and scene to change by clicking on specific points on the screen. This allows the viewer to control the progression of the story themselves, allowing them to become more immersed in the work. On the other hand, the "action system" means that something happens when you click on a character on the screen, and the story can change depending on the viewer's actions. These systems allowed the viewer to actively engage with the work, rather than just watching passively.

Cast and voice actors

This Internet version has a stellar cast. The protagonist Black Jack is played by Otsuka Akio, whose hard-boiled voice is a perfect fit for the character. The role of Pinoko is played by popular artist Utada Hikaru. Utada's casting caused quite a stir, as her voice perfectly expressed Pinoko's cuteness and tomboyish personality. In addition, each episode features a unique character, and the cast includes talented voice actors such as Watashi Atsushi, Nojima Kenji, Kakegawa Hirohiko, Kanda Akemi, Endo Moriya, Tanaka Hideyuki, Inada Toru, Gori Daisuke, Sato Masaharu, Shioya Kozo, Kanna Nobutoshi, Aono Takeshi, Tatsuno Kanako, and Fukumaki Koji. The performances of these voice actors add even more color to the story.

Main Staff

Many staff members were involved in the production of this Internet version. The director was Honda Chisato, the executive producers were Mizoguchi Tatsuji and Shimizu Yoshihiro, the producer was Kibuchi Masayuki, the animation director was Tamaki Chinatsu, the designer was Ishibashi Chiyo, the storyboards were Miyahara Naoko, Yamanaka Kyoko, and Oka Toshio, the color designer was Iwamoto Akiko, the background art was Ohara Satoshi and Ohashi Manabu, the medical supervision and cooperation was provided by Jinnai Susumu and Furukawa Takeyuki, and the music was provided by Nash Studio. These staff members worked together to faithfully reproduce the worldview of the original work while bringing out the appeal of a new Internet anime.

Main Characters

Black Jack is the protagonist of the Black Jack series and a hard-boiled surgeon. He is the alter-ego of Tezuka Osamu, who is also a doctor, and his stories question medical ethics and the preciousness of human life. Pinoko is a teratoma that had been living in her twin sister's stomach for 18 years, but was removed by Black Jack and given an artificial body. Since then, she has been Black Jack's octane (wife), doing the housework and assisting in treatment. Pinoko is a precocious and tomboyish girl who is an indispensable part of Black Jack's life.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme of this Internet version is "digitization" and the ending theme is "A House with a View of the Sea". These songs are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the ending theme "A House with a View of the Sea" is sung by Utada Hikaru, and her beautiful voice touched the hearts of viewers.

Evaluation and Impressions

This Internet version of Black Jack introduced a viewer-participation system, providing a new experience that distinguished it from conventional anime. The fact that the viewer can control the progression of the story shows the potential of Internet anime. In addition, the assembly of a stellar cast and staff has faithfully reproduced the worldview of the original work while bringing out new appeal. In particular, Utada Hikaru's role as Pinoko was highly praised not only for its buzz but also for her acting ability.

However, because Internet animation is a new format, problems with the viewing environment and technology sometimes occurred. For example, slow Internet connection speeds made it difficult to watch. Also, while the viewer-participation system was fresh and interesting, some people said that the operation was complicated and difficult to understand. These points can be said to be issues that need to be improved in order to further the development of Internet animation in the future.

Recommendations and related works

If you enjoyed this Internet version of Black Jack, we also recommend the original manga and other anime versions. In particular, the TV anime version that aired from 1993 to 1994 faithfully reproduced the episodes of the original and is ideal for gaining a deeper understanding of the world of Black Jack. The new anime version that aired from 2004 to 2011 also depicts the story of Black Jack from a modern perspective, making it an interesting read.

In addition, I recommend other works by Tezuka Osamu. For example, all of his works, such as "Astro Boy" and "Jungle Emperor", are characterized by deep themes and fascinating characters. Through these works, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Tezuka Osamu's worldview and ideas.

summary

The Internet version of Black Jack introduced a viewer-participation system, providing a new anime experience. A luxurious cast and staff came together to faithfully reproduce the worldview of the original work while bringing out new charms. In particular, Hikaru Utada's role as Pinoko was highly praised not only for its popularity but also for her acting ability. However, due to the new format of Internet animation, there were also problems with the viewing environment and technical issues. These points can be said to be issues that need to be improved in order to develop Internet animation in the future. If you enjoyed this work, we recommend the original manga, other anime versions, and other works by Tezuka Osamu. Through these works, you will be able to gain a deeper understanding of Tezuka Osamu's worldview and ideas.