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Black Jack is not like your normal anime. There are no giant robots. There are no space battles. There are no samurais or epic quests. 
Black Jack could easily be a live action drama like ER or House. It is just a regular medical drama that just so happens to be animated. So far, its series of DVDs has yet to disappoint the average anime fan and its latest quality of work, simply entitled Trauma, is certainly not traumatic to watch.
Created by Osamu Tezuka, the anime mastermind who brought viewers Astroboy, Kimba the White Lion and Metropolis, the latest title focuses on a war zone devastated by minefields and strife. Within this tragic land lies a dying child, who has not been hurt by the terrorists ravaging the land, but by an illness ravaging her heart. Through the explosions, death and carnage all around him, the uncertified doctor, Black Jack, is called on the scene to do the impossible, and save a young girl's life from certain death.
Black Jack continues to amaze. The anime comes off as very realistic and knowledgeable of the medical field. It continues to come up with new ideas that are intriguing for the viewer. This specific title is no exception. The medical scenes are very graphic and rival those seen on live action television. The characters are interesting and enjoyable, but it is Black Jack who steals the show. Despite the scars on his face, his cool and calm demeanor makes him seem confident and strong, while a threat to men. He is often admired for his ingenious, but shunned for his inability to follow the rules. Black Jack is one of the best characters created in the anime. He becomes very real with each passing episode.
In this title, we see Black Jack fight a battle to save one youngster's life, show his human side when others without money need his help and see his true character when he attempts to save the life of the friend who hired him to save his young granddaughter. At the same time, a battle is waged, not in the war-torn country, but in the medical field, as doctors argue whether Black Jack should receive his International Medical License, so that they no longer have to use his services in secret. There is even a back story involving another rising surgeon, in love with a young doctor, bitter over her fondness for Black Jack, and angry over the title character's free will.
However, what makes this title so good, besides the great animation and awesome still shots interwoven into the action, is the genuineness of the title. There are no villains. These are real people brought together by medical crisis. In a world where cute characters, over the top antagonists and hard to believe stories dominate our society, Black Jack is a breath of fresh air.
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