genre: medical fiction / drama

Black Jack -- no one knows his credentials, nor who he truly is. Pinoco, his assistant, is equally enigmatic -- a girl with a most unique past, in some way tied to Blackjack's. The one thing that everyone agrees is that he is the finest physician in the world -- for a price, and no questions asked.

Created by the legendary Tezuka Osamu ("The Japanese Walt Disney"), Black Jack features some very unique ideas and story-telling techniques, drawing upon Dr. Tezuka's own degree as a medical doctor, even though he was not involved in the production of the anime itself. The video package also includes a biographical look a Dr. Tezuka's prolific history as a manga artist and screenplay producer. Distributed in North America by US Manga Corps.

Parental Guidance Advised - Violence, and adult situations, thought since this is a medical-themed program, a fair number of detailed 'surgery' scenes. No worse that what you might expect on the 'Discovery' channel, but still quite graphic.

• Blackjack: The Movie

• Clinical Chart 1: Iceberg, Man With Kimaira

• Clinical Chart 1: Iceberg, Man With Kimaira encyclopædia entry