"BLACK CAT" review: A fusion of dark charm and action

"BLACK CAT" - The appeal of this action anime depicting a journey to freedom

"BLACK CAT" is a TV anime series based on the popular manga by Kentaro Yabuki, which aired on TBS from October 6, 2005 to March 30, 2006. The 24-episode series is an action-packed tale of Train Heartnet, a former assassin for the secret society "Chronos," and his journey to freedom. Below, we'll introduce the appeal and details of this series, and explain why it's so popular with fans.

■ Story

Train Heartnet was the XIIIth Eraser of the "Guardians of Time" (Chrono Numbers), a special unit of the secret society "Chronos" that controls the world economy. He wields a decorative gun called Hardis, made from a special metal called Orichalcum, and is feared in the underworld as the "Black Cat". However, after meeting Saya, a young cleaning girl, he leaves Chronos and sets off on a journey to find a "free way of life" and achieve a new goal.

During his journey, Train meets former international investigator Sven, Eve, who has the ability to use nanotechnology to gain trance powers, and the female thief Rinslet, and as he travels with them, a change comes over Train's heart. Meanwhile, he is also at odds with Creed, a former member of Chronos who believes him to be his best friend and is relentlessly pursuing him. As the motives of Chronos, the Apostles of the Stars, and the Cleaners all intersect, a fierce battle unfolds. Where will Train's path to freedom lead him as he feels friends, trust, and love?

■Explanation

"BLACK CAT" is based on a popular manga that was serialized in Shueisha's "Weekly Shonen Jump" for about four years. The anime adaptation includes original episodes in addition to the original story, focusing on Train's emotional line and depicting his desire for freedom and his growth. In addition, characters designed specifically for the anime are also introduced, adding depth to the story. It was also a hot topic that the original author, Yabuki Kentaro, provided the original ideas for new characters for the anime.

■Cast

A stellar cast of voice actors has been assembled, including Kondo Takashi as Train Heartnet, Fujiwara Keiji as Sven Borfied, Fukuen Misato as Eve, Yukana as Rinslet Walker, Toyoguchi Megumi as Minatsuki Saya, Miki Shinichiro as Creed Diskens, Inoue Kikuko as Sephiria Arks, Sakurai Takahiro as Genos Hazard, Hori Hideyuki as Belze Rochefort, Egawa Hisao as Nizer Bruckheimer, Ishii Koji as Beluga J. Hard, and Tanaka Atsuko as Echidna Pallas. Their performances bring out the charm of the characters and add depth to the story.

■ Main staff

The original work was written by Yabuki Kentaro, the director was Itagaki Shin, the series composition was Kamiyama Shuichi, the character design was Akiyama Yukiko, the chief animation directors were Akiyama Yukiko and Sue Yuko, the product design was Moriyama Hiroshi, the art director was Ikeda Shigemi, the color design was Murata Eriko and Suzuki Toshie, the director of photography was Kitaoka Tadashi, the editors were Mishima Akinori and Horiuchi Takashi, the music was Iwasaki Taku, the sound director was Mima Masafumi, the producers were Takano Takashi, Watanabe Naoki, Okiura Yasuto, Shinozaki Shinya, and Daitoku Tetsuo, the animation was produced by GONZO, the production cooperation was Shueisha and GDH, and the production was handled by TBS and the BLACK CAT Production Committee. These staff members came together to create an anime that would bring out the best of the original work.

■ Main Characters

Cleaner

• Train Heartnet: A member of the secret society "Chronos," he was active as No. 13 in the elite military unit "Guardians of Time" (Chrono Numbers). His nickname at the time was Black Cat. After leaving the organization, he became a carefree stray cat who worked as a "cleaner" catching criminals.
• Sven Borfied: A cleaner and Train's partner. While he is at the mercy of Train, who enjoys his days freely, Sven comes to understand him well. He is a grown man who adheres to his own code of honor. He is a former agent of the International Bureau of Investigation. He has a special ability hidden in his right eye, which he hides with an eye patch.
• Eve: A girl created as a biological weapon by nanotechnology. She was raised as a murderer, but was rescued by Sven and learned to smile. She has a competitive spirit against Train, and often ends up causing Sven a headache.
• Saya Minatsuki: The cleaner who changed Train's fate. She was a very capable cleaner, but was killed by Train's partner at the time, Creed.
• River Zastry: A cleaner. He fights with his fists and is a user of the Garbel Commando.
• Sylphy Dearcroft: Cleaner. Skilled in guns and martial arts.

●Secret Society Chronos

• Sephiria Arks: The young female captain of the elite assassination unit "Chrono Numbers" (guardians of time) of the secret society "Chronos".
• Belze Rochefort: Equipped with Gungnir, he is the No. 2 of the "Chrono Numbers" (Guardians of Time) and excels in both the arts and martial arts. His hobby is bonsai.
• Kranz-Maduke: "Chrono Numbers" (Guardian of Time) No. IV. Can see through all attacks by sound and air flow.
• Nizer Bruckheimer: NO.V of the "Chrono Numbers" (Guardians of Time), equipped with Dioscuri (Tonfa). Leader of the Cerberus Corps, his hobby is driving his favorite car.
• Genos Hazard: The Guardian of Time (Chrono Numbers) No. VII who uses thread. Picking up girls is his hobby, but his success rate is low.
• David Pepper: One of the "Chrono Numbers" (guardians of time). He fights using playing cards as his weapon.
• Baldrias S. Fanghini: "Chrono Number" (Guardian of Time) No. VIII. A man who was raised by Chronos as a fighter from birth. He has a very strong loyalty to Chronos.
• Ash: No.X of the "Chrono Numbers" (guardians of time) who worked with Nizer to eliminate Creed. He is No.V Nizer's best friend and has a number on his chin. (This character was newly drawn by the original author, Kentaro Yabuki, for the anime adaptation!)
• Ling Xiaoli: A member of the Chrono Numbers (Guardian of Time) who replaced No.X Ash. A master of high-speed disguise techniques.
• Mason Ordorosso: An old man of the Chrono Numbers (Guardians of Time) No. XII. He has a philosophical and nonchalant demeanor, but he is a leading figure among the Numbers who has survived many fierce battles.
• Emilio Law: One of the "Chrono Numbers" (guardians of time). He has a calm demeanor, but is also ambitious. His weapon is a bow and arrow. (This character was newly drawn by the original author, Kentaro Yabuki, for the anime adaptation!)
• Elders: The people known as the Elders who run the secret society, Chronos. Wilzark, Shin, and Kin.

Apostle of the Stars

• Creed Diskens: Leader of the "Apostles of the Stars" who is obsessed with Train. He proposes starting a "revolution."
• Shiki: He hails from another continent, the birthplace of Tao. He can create insects with his own energy and control them freely.
• Kyoko Kirisaki: A member of the "Apostles of the Stars" from the island nation of "Zipangu". A high school girl with the ability to raise her body temperature with HEAT.
• Shalden Franberg: A member of the Apostles of the Stars. He has the ability to freely control the evil spirits that come out of his palms and attack his opponents.
• Maro: A member of the Apostles of the Stars. He has the power of GRAVITY, which disrupts the flow of energy on the earth and causes gravity abnormalities. He is from another continent.
• Echidna Pallas: A member of the Apostles of the Stars. She has the ability to connect spaces and warp freely.
• Duram Glaster: A member of the Apostles of the Stars. A former violent criminal. He has the ability to send ki into a gun and fire it as a bullet.
• Leon Elliot: A member of the Apostles of the Stars. He has the ability to manipulate air flow with "chi". His favorite air board is a custom-made item.
• Doctor: A member of the Apostles of the Stars. A researcher who is trying to apply nanomachines to revolutionary activities. Few know his real name, Kosuke Kanzaki.
• Pret-a-Ghoul: A murderer with the ability to release corrosive fluid from his hands who only targets women.

●Others

• Rinslet Walker: A thief who receives requests from governments and mafia leaders of various countries to steal top secret information and hard-to-obtain items from other countries. Sometimes he forms an alliance with Train and the others and works together with them.
• Tanya: A waitress at a restaurant who is saved by Sven. (This character was newly drawn by the original author, Kentaro Yabuki, for the anime adaptation!)
• Annette Pierce: The owner of the cafe "Cait Sith" and an acquaintance of Sven, who also works as an informant behind the scenes. She used to be a sweeper.
• Governor Liv-Tyrant and Joanna: Liv-Tyrant and his fiancee Joanna are gangsters who were elected governor of Brachio City.
• Lloyd: Born with the Vision Eye, he is Sven's former partner. He is an agent at the International Bureau of Investigation (IBI).
• Udney: A fake who called himself Black Cat and made a killing.

■Subtitle

The subtitles for each episode use the keyword "cat" to symbolize Train's feelings and actions. Below are the subtitles for all episodes.

• Episode 1: Lonely Cat (2005/10/06)
• Episode 2: Confused Cat (2005/10/13)
• Episode 3: Cat in the Dark (2005/10/20)
• Episode 4: Smiling Cat (2005/10/27)
• Episode 5: The Cat Makes a Decision (2005/11/03)
• Episode 6: The Target Cat (2005/11/10)
• Episode 7: A Cat Covered in Scratches (2005/11/17)
• Episode 8: Traveling Cat (2005/11/24)
• Episode 9: Fascinating Cat (2005/12/01)
• Episode 10: The Out-of-Control Cat (2005/12/08)
• Episode 11: The Fake Cat (2005/12/15)
• Episode 12: Fighting Cats (2006/01/12)
• Episode 13: LOVE Cat (2006/01/19)
• Episode 14: Little Cat (2006/01/26)
• Episode 15: The Cat Goes Away (2006/07/26) *Included in the packaged version
• Episode 16: The Cat Who Hunts the Dragon (2006/02/02)
• Episode 17: Sleepy Cat (2006/02/09)
• Episode 18: The Cat Sets Sail (2006/02/16)
• Episode 19: Running Cat (2006/02/23)
• Episode 20: Cats Fighting (2006/03/02)
• Episode 21: Drowning Cat (2006/03/09)
• Episode 22: A cat sharpening its claws (2006/03/16)
• Episode 23: Cats of Paradise (2006/03/23)
• Episode 24: The Free-spirited Cat (2006/03/30)

■ Related works

There are several related works for "BLACK CAT", such as episodes not aired on TV and FANDISC. By enjoying these works together, you can gain a deeper understanding of the world of the story.

• BLACK CAT TV Unaired Episodes
• BLACKCAT FANDISC Chronos Edition
• BLACKCAT FANDISC Star Apostle Edition
• BLACKCAT FANDISC Cleaner Edition

■ Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes are also important elements that enhance the appeal of the work. Details of the theme songs and songs are introduced below.

・OP1

• Diamond Flower
• Lyricist: Yoriko
• Composer: Yoriko
• Arrangement: DAITA
• Sung by: Yoriko

・ED1

• Tears
• Lyricist: Puppy Pet
• Composer: Puppy Pet
• Arrangement: Puppy Pet, Masahide Sakuma
• Song: Puppy Pet

・ED2

• Breakdown
• Lyricist: Ryoji Matsuda
• Composer: Ryoji Matsuda
• Arrangement: Dive-E Productions
• Vocals: Ryoji Matsuda

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"BLACK CAT" is an appealing work with powerful action scenes and a story that depicts the growth of the characters. In particular, the episodes that depict Train's desire for freedom and the bonds he forms with his friends deeply touch viewers. In addition, by faithfully recreating the worldview of the original work, the anime adds original episodes and characters, making it enjoyable not only for fans of the original work but also for new viewers.

Here are some reasons why I recommend this work:

• Quality of Action Scenes: The action scenes produced by GONZO are of very high quality and are a visual treat.
• The appeal of the characters: The characters, including Train, have rich personalities that draw the audience in. The relationships between Train, Sven, and Eve in particular are heartwarming to watch.
• Depth of story: The story of the journey to freedom is not just action, but also has depth as a human drama. The episodes depicting Train's growth and the bonds with his friends are particularly moving.
• Appealing music: The opening and ending songs enhance the atmosphere of the work and enrich the viewing experience.

"BLACK CAT" is recommended not only for those who like action anime, but also for those who want to enjoy human drama and character growth. Please give it a watch.