For years I heard a major buzz around the series Black Jack, yet for some reason I always found an excuse to keep me from checking it out. Whether it being to dry, boring, or technical, I just chose to abstain. But then I finally succumbed, and now I am proud to admit that I was completely incorrect and glad I took the opportunity to be wrong.

     Black Jack a.k.a Kuroh Hazama, is about a non-licensed doctor who takes on the cases that regular doctors are afraid too. Infection features the first two episodes of the nine-part Original Animated Video (OAV) that began in 1996. In the first episode contained on this volume, Black Jack is called upon to help a very rich and powerful socialite, Mr. Crossword, who has fallen ill from a mysterious illness that doesn’t appear to have a cause, only a cure drinking large quantities of water that comes from a well he created.

     Black Jack does not have an answer- for the first time-and he finds himself at a loss. Black Jack turns to a nearby town for answers and discovers that the inhabitants have been stricken with the same illness, but do not have the proper amounts of water to treat people due to Crossword’s massive well. With the town dying out, the residents decide to turn their anger toward the socialite, who unknowingly is stealing water from those equally in need. Yet, despite their anger, Crossword may be the only answer to their problems. Will he help them? Can he help them before the town comes after him? Can Black Jack find the cure to the disease? That’s where all the excitement lies.

     The second story involves a young girl who happens to come across Black Jack after injuring herself in a freak ice skating accident while hanging out with her friends. He stitches her up and some time later, Black Jack runs into her once more, but under a grimmer situation. Two of her friends have died in horrific incidents within a short span of time and a third friend’s life hangs in the balance. Only Black Jack can save the comatose girl through a risky operation that leads him to a drug ring that puts his own life in jeopardy. He must also deal with an investigator who wants information about the girl and a doctor who may or may not be in the business of saving lives.

     Both stories featured on the volume were exceptionally well done. There is not much in the way of action, but this volume is carried by one of the plots I have seen in some time. Golgo 13 director Osamu Dezaki, Kuniaki Yamashita and Eto Mori weave together an intricate story that brings together ER with CSI and adds that touch of what made Golgo 13 a success-great animation, angles and manga art style freeze frames without the sex, violence and murder. There are scenes of gore, but only on the medical table and those are excellently animated. The mystery in each story, also keeps the viewer glued to the screen, as nothing is done to be over the top and actually looks very plausible. The character Black Jack is what sells this series. He is calm, cool and collected and despite his scars and skunk-like hair.

     Black Jack is something different for the anime fan that has been overlooked. This medical drama takes anime to another level and is the cure for what has become too common. Let Black Jack make a house call. You’ll never want him to leave.

     Send your comments and or questions about this article to jminners@ybfree.com.

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