SUSPENDED ANIMATION: CYBORG 009 VS DEVILMAN (2015)

One of Japan's seminal manga creators is none other than GO NAGAI. He has created some of Japan's most influential works in the medium like Mazinger Z (essentially creating the "super-hero giant robot" series), Cutie Honey, Violence Jack, and Devilman along with many others. His artistic style too has been emulated and borrowed by many other Japanese creators in both the comic form and animation. And then there is the longtime enduring character Cyborg 009, another beloved Japanese manga created by Shotaro Ishinomori. Cyborg 009 and Devilman have become icons in their own right and have continued to endure for decades.

I'll admit I don't know as much about CYBORG 009 as I'd like, whether it's the anime or the manga. I remember watching Cyborg 009 when it was in syndication, making its American television debut on Cartoon Network but the stay was brief. On the flip side I am a fan of the Go Nagai character DEVILMAN and have been for quite some time. At some point last year I came across news that both characters would be crossing over in a short anime series amounting to basically a movie in length. This show is now up on NETFLIX and I couldn't resist. I used to be much heavier into anime than I am now but with a show like this I could dive in deep again.

This show is bloody, armed to the teeth with action, and 100% awesome.

THE PLOT

Cyborg 009 and the other prototype cyborgs have just defeated the Mythos Cyborgs in an epic and earth-shattering battle. Upon returning home they discover that their arch enemy Black Ghost may be planning at new attack, melding demons with cyborgs. Meanwhile Akira Fudo a.k.a. Devilman has just defeated the vile demon Jinmen freeing the spirits of the victims on Jinmen's shell. Later while tracking another demon into the remote wilderness outside the city Devilman encounters Cyborg 009 in his own pursuit of a demon. The two heroes clash only to discover an even larger vile plan approaching fruition. Can they join forces to stop these evil machinations or will they destroy one another first?

THE GOOD

Nostalgia. Tapping into old memories is becoming quite the lucrative business. Jurassic World and Star Wars: The Force Awakens have made a killing on essentially giving audiences a flash from the past. Cyborg 009 Vs Devilman has a similar experience too as it feels like one has just stepped back to the early 1970's and rediscovered a long lost love. The animation is of course updated and gorgeous with a few character design updates as well, most notably to the demons and Devilman although Devilman retains his classic 70's color pallet. The Cyborgs for the most part look like the spitting image of their old anime selves as well as Akira and Miki. The story and dialog even possess an old-fashioned chauvinistic quality to them as if it were a product of the 70's. Director Jun Kawagoe and writer Tadashi Hayakawa succeed in capturing the feeling and presence of these classic characters.

Something old and something new. If you know your Cyborg 009 and Devilman history you are in store for a treat as the anime legitimately finds a spot within both character histories to interject the crossover. Writer Tadashi Hayakawa really did his research and appears to be a fan of the characters. The Cyborgs have the majority of screen time between the two but both sets of characters are treated well and given new adversaries to battle in addition to fighting among themselves. And in the final act a new enemy emerges that combines elements of both stories forcing 009 and Akira to join forces in a sprawling action packed finale.

THE BAD

It's short! This is actually a strength of the anime which in turn has become a fault. It left me wanting more. Compared to Cyborg 009, Devilman has had relatively few animation features. Even if one were to include the full anime series of Devil Lady and Demon Lord Dante it still wouldn't match the catalog of Cyborg 009. I want more Devilman. This series did a wonderful job of resurrecting the character, combining Yu Kinutani's amazing millennial redesigns with the classic 70's anime depiction. The result is sheer genius and it is over and done with in under 90 minutes. Like I said, maybe this is a testament to how well done the anime is. But seriously, I want more. I demand more!

THE VERDICT

Two classic manga/anime franchises collide in the most epic crossover since Marvel Vs DC or Capcom Vs SNK. Both franchises receive their due justice, perfect for fans of either characters. If you love Devilman you'll love this anime. If you love Cyborg 009 you'll love this anime. If all crossovers were treated with this amount of care and detail everybody would be doing them. The only major drawback to this is the anime is over and done with inside of 90 minutes. Savor the flavor because it doesn't last long. And stay through to the end of the credits. There's an extra couple scenes which I hope will lead into a sequel, hope hope hope. Netflix has this streamable so check it out!

Overall Ranking: 8 out of 10

Nude-O-Meter: 3 out of 10

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Blood-C    
Mobile Suit Gundam 0079
Vampire Hunter D (1985)