Ask John: What Happened to Cyborg 009?

Question:
I watched the first volume of the series Cyborg 009. I really enjoyed that show, and I was wondering if you can tell me when the next volume is coming out, and how many episodes does this show have? I also would like to know if there is a manga adaptation to the series and if the creators have any intention of making any new seasons.

Answer:
The Cyborg 009 anime released in America by Sony is part of the 52 episode Cyborg 009 anime TV series from 2001, which is actually the third Cyborg 009 TV series. Shotaro Ishinomori’s Cyborg 009 manga premiered in Japan in 1964. Two anime motion pictures were created and released in 1966 and 1967. A 26 episode television series followed in 1968. In 1979 the franchise was revived with a 50 episode TV series, the first Cyborg 009 anime in color. After another long hiatus, a third Cyborg 009 movie was released in 1980. Then the series went into hiatus for another 20 years before it was revived in 2001.

Most, but not all of the 2001 series was broadcast on the Cartoon Network in 2003. TOKYOPOP began releasing an English translation of the original 1963 manga series in 2003. Columbia began releasing the anime series on American DVD in early 2004. Unfortunately, likely due to disappointing sales, Columbia released only one uncut DVD volume of the anime and seems to have no plans to release any more of the series.

Presently there are no plans in Japan for any new Cyborg 009 anime, but considering the longevity of the franchise, I’d say that there’s definitely a possibility for new Cyborg 009 anime sometime in the future. In November 2005 American company Comic Book Movie, LLC. announced plans to develop multiple live action film adaptations of Shotaro Ishinomori manga. Although nothing concrete has been confirmed, it’s probably safe to assume that Cyborg 009 will be among the first titles turned into an American live action movie if the production project develops.