Black Cat (manga)

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Black Cat
20th and final tankōbon volume cover
Genre
Manga
Written by
Jump Comics
MagazineWeekly Shōnen Jump
English magazine
DemographicShōnen
Original runJuly 11, 2000 – June 14, 2004
Volumes20 (List of volumes)
Anime television series
Directed byShin Itagaki
Produced by
  • Masaya Shinozaki
  • Naoki Watanabe
  • Taito Okiura
  • Takashi Takano
  • Tetsuo Daitoku
Written byShūichi Kōyama
Music by
Funimation Channel
  • ZA: Animax
    • Original run October 6, 2005 – March 30, 2006
    Episodes23 + 1 (List of episodes)
    Light novel
    Written byTomohito Ōsaki
    Illustrated byKentaro Yabuki
    Published byShueisha
    ImprintJUMP j BOOKS
    DemographicMale
    Original runMarch 10, 2003 – October 24, 2005
    Volumes3

    Black Cat (stylized in all caps) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Yabuki. It was originally serialized in publisher Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from July 2000 to June 2004, with the chapters later collected into twenty tankōbon (bound volumes) by Shueisha. The story centers on a man named Train Heartnet who withdrew from an elite group of assassins called the Chronos Numbers to become a bounty hunter.

    The series was adapted into a twenty-four episode

    MVM Films
    in the United Kingdom.

    In Japan, the Black Cat manga sold over 12 million copies, while in North America several volumes have been featured in weekly top ten lists of best-selling manga. The anime has also been popular in both Japan and North America. Manga and anime critics had praise for Black Cat's action, differing views on the artwork and characters, and mainly negative comments for its plot which has been criticized for having typical elements of shōnen manga (targeted at boys).

    Plot

    See also: List of Black Cat characters

    Set in a

    Apostles of the Stars
    in order to overthrow Chronos and start a world revolution. The duel ends as a draw, with both Creed and Train injured.

    The Apostles of the Stars launch their first attack on the World Summit, killing the leaders from 20 top nations, causing Chronos to declare war on them. Chronos even notify Train of a new Sweeper bounty on Creed in order to gain his help, though he resists, planning to go after him on his own terms. Chronos assassin

    Eathes
    was able to copy Tearju, gaining all of her knowledge, and Train, Sven and Eve finally decide to put a stop to Creed.

    They team up with a group called the Sweeper Alliance to storm the Apostles of the Stars' island, organized by Chronos assassin

    Sephiria Arks
    faces off against Creed, but loses. Sven, Eve and Chronos then fight bio-warrior weapons fused with nanotechnology, while Train begins his battle with Creed. Creed has obtained immortality, although he reveals to Train his only weakness; his brain cannot be repaired like the rest of his body. Train defeats Creed using one last full-powered railgun shot to destroy his Imagine Blade and Eve uses her own nanomachines to take those that give Creed immortality out of his body. Train and Sephiria allow Creed to walk away, and the survivors of the Apostles of the Stars are shown on the run or hiding.

    Production

    Six months before Black Cat began, Kentaro Yabuki's one-shot version titled Stray Cat was published. While it already included Sweepers and Tao, Train and Sven were Delivery Men instead.[4] With Black Cat he wanted to expand on ideas he used in his previous serial Yamato Gensoki; an assassin betraying an organization, and the use of chi or life energy.[5] His weekly schedule was four days to write the chapter and two to draw it, taking one day off.[6] When the manga ended serialization, Yabuki expressed desire to make a sequel labeling this series as "Part 1". As he was not sure if there could be a sequel, he still remarked that the characters of Train Heartnet and Eve may appear in other titles he will create in the future.[7]

    Media

    Manga

    Main article: List of Black Cat chapters

    Written and illustrated by

    Shueisha Jump Remix series of magazine-style books. Nine volumes were released between March 24, and July 19, 2008.[17][18]

    It was licensed in English in North America by

    Carlsen Comics,[28] and in Italian by Star Comics.[29]

    Anime

    Main article: List of Black Cat episodes

    A 24-episode animated adaptation of the manga was produced by Shueisha, GDH, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), and Gonzo. It is directed by Shin Itagaki, with Shūichi Kōyama handling series composition, Yukiko Akiyama designing the characters and Taku Iwasaki composing the music.[30] The series was broadcast on TBS from October 6, 2005 to March 30, 2006.[31] Episode fifteen was not broadcast by TBS, but only included in the DVD release in Japan.[32] On its airing on Animax all episodes were broadcast.[33] The series was released across twelve Region 2 DVD volumes from December 21, 2005 to November 22, 2006 by GDH. Each volume was also published by Animate and Movic in Premium Edition which included various extras.[32] The DVD volumes were gathered in a limited release DVD box set by Gonzo on April 23, 2008.[30][32]

    The anime was licensed for an English-language dubbed release by

    MVM Films released it on November 15, 2010 in the United Kingdom.[41]

    An anime soundtrack entitled Black Cat Original Soundtrack Nikukyu was released on March 15, 2006 by EMI Music Japan.[42] It contains the anime's background music that was composed by Taku Iwasaki, and the three pieces of theme music used for the series: the opening theme "Daia no Hana" (ダイアの花, lit. "Diamond Flower") by Yorico, the first ending theme "Namida Boshi" (ナミダボシ, lit. "Tears of Stars") by Puppypet, and the second ending theme "Kutsuzure" (くつずれ, lit. "Blisters") by Ryōji Matsuda.[42][43][44]

    Other media

    Tomohito Ōsaki wrote three light novels based on the series. Simply titled Black Cat and Black Cat 2, the first two were released on March 10, and August 25, 2003.[45][46] Titled Black Cat: Hoshi no Zanshou (BLACK CAT 星の残照, lit. "The Star's Afterglow"), the last one that serves as the sequel to the manga, was released in Japan on October 24, 2005.[47]

    In 2005, there were three

    drama CDs, simply titled Black Cat 1–3, released by Shueisha on February 28, July 1, and October 4, respectively.[48][49][50] An internet radio program was broadcast from March 30, to September 28, 2006, by the Onsen and hosted by Takashi Kondō and Misato Fukuen, the voice of Train and Eve respectively.[51][52] Later, Frontier Works collected in into three CDs and released on October 21, November 18, and December 16, 2006.[53]

    There have been two video games based on the series released in Japan. Black Cat: Kikai Shikake no Tenshi (BLACK CAT 〜機械仕掛けの天使〜, lit. "The Mechanical Angel") was released for the

    trading card game by Movic.[58]

    Reception

    Public response

    Black Cat's twenty volumes have sold over 12 million units in Japan.

    Nielsen BookScan.[62] During 2006, Black Cat was North America's 9th best manga property, according to ICv2.[63] In ICv2's Top 50 Manga, Black Cat was listed as the 15th manga property from North America during the first half of 2008.[64] In ICv2's Top 25 Manga Properties Q1 2009, it was the 22nd best manga property from North America during 2009's first quarter.[65]

    The Black Cat anime premiered in Japan with a 3.4 percent television viewership rating.[59] In 2006, Japanese television network TV Asahi conducted a "Top 100" online web poll, and Black Cat placed 93rd.[66] In the subsequent year, it ranked 17th in a "Top 20" poll conducted by Japanese anime magazine Animage.[67] Navarre Corporation cited the DVD releases of Black Cat as one of the reasons for Funimation's profit increase during the last quarter of 2006.[68] The anime was listed as North America's 22nd anime property in summer 2008.[69]

    Critical response

    The manga has been praised for its fast-paced action, which "epitomizes the action genre", according to Anime News Network's Carlo Santos.[70] Alexander Hoffman from Comics Village praised Yabuki for starting the story off with action rather than having a large amount of "info-dumps" for extensive character introductions.[71] Writing for Manga Life, Michael Aronson commended it for having a restrained pace, layout and action scenes, calling it "more western" than Japanese because of it.[72] Holly Ellingwood of Active Anime commented that Black Cat "knows how to pack the action and the excitement to good effect, visuals and nail-biting suspense."[73] Sheena McNeil stressed that despite its flaws the series' action "makes it all worth reading."[74] Ken Haley of Pop Culture Shock said that "writing and characterization-wise" it is a typical shōnen manga.[75] Santos, Hoffman and McNeil criticized its plot for being "predictable", clichéd, and "not terribly original" respectively.[70][71][74] Leroy Douresseaux of Comic Book Bin called it "an easy going version of Bleach",[76] while Hoffman found it reminiscent of Cowboy Bebop,[71] and McNeil compared it to Dragon Ball Z.[74]

    Santos called its art "plain",[70] while McNeil commented that it "is very nice" but "there's nothing wow-ing about it,"[74] and likewise Haley considered the art sufficient enough to get "the job done", but that none of the characters are "cool or eye-catching".[75] Conversely, Hoffman labeled the art "expressive",[71] and Douresseaux deemed the character designs "imaginative."[77] While Aronson and Hoffman dubbed the characters "likeable" and "memorable,"[71][72] Douresseaux asserted Yabuki "create[d] a joyful jumble of motivations and backstabbing" for them.[76] On the other hand, Santos affirmed they "just don't feel real" as their motivations "aren't emotionally moving in any way; they're just plot points that give the characters motivation."[78]

    The contrast between "Train's seriousness and Sven's comedy" was appreciated by Sandra Scholes of Active Anime.[79] Margaret Viera of the same site hailed its comedy usage as "well done and perfectly placed within the storyline."[80] Its mixture of genres was appreciated by Scholes,[79] as well as by IGN's Jeff Harris who said "it never appears too overdone."[81] Ross Liversidge of UK Anime Network, however, commented that this makes it "a little hard to discern what the series is aiming for."[82] While Stig Høgset, writing for THEM Anime Reviews, said the supernatural powers are "kept at a fairly realistic level",[1] Liversidge felt the anime's ending was "just slightly too fantastical to be taken seriously."[82] Høgset and Harris praised the show's imagery,[81][1] with the latter claiming that it has a "story that in many ways improves on the original manga and fixes some of its problems."[81]

    Notes

    1. ^ It debuted in the magazine's 32nd issue of 2000 (cover date July 24),[8] released on July 11 of that same year.[9][10]

    References

    1. ^ a b c Høgset, Stig (April 21, 2006). "Black Cat". THEM Anime Reviews. Archived from the original on June 4, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
    2. ^ "Black Cat". Funimation. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
    3. ^ a b "The Official Website for Black Cat". Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
    4. ISBN 978-1-4215-1037-8
      .
    5. ISBN 978-1-4215-0607-4
      .
    6. ISBN 978-1-4215-1038-5
      .
    7. ISBN 978-1-4215-2379-8
      .
    8. ^ 週刊少年ジャンプ2000年32. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023.
    9. ^ "Contents". Weekly Shōnen Jump (in Japanese). No. 31. Shueisha. 2000. Table of contents. Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved June 28, 2023. 夏の新迪航第1弹!!矢吹健太朗先生「BLACK CAT」開始!!次号、No.32号は 7月11日火発売!!
    10. ^ Yabuki, Kentaro (July 11, 2000). 黒い猫と呼ばれた男 [The Man Called Black Cat]. Weekly Shōnen Jump. Black Cat (in Japanese) (32). Shueisha.
    11. ^ Yabuki, Kentaro (June 14, 2004). 気ままな明日へ [A Carefree Tomorrow]. Weekly Shōnen Jump. Black Cat (in Japanese) (29). Shueisha.
    12. ^ 週刊少年ジャンプ 2004年 Vol. 29. Pop Web Jump (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
    13. ^ "Black Cat 1 (ジャンプコミックス)" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on May 28, 2001. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
    14. ^ "Black Cat 20" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
    15. ^ "Black Cat 1 (集英社文庫)" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    16. ^ "Black Cat 12" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    17. ^ "【廉価版】Black Cat (1)". BookOffOnline. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    18. ^ "【廉価版】 Black Cat 死闘、終結!! 編 9(9)". BookOffOnline. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    19. ^ Macdonald, Christopher (July 18, 2005). "New Viz Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 15, 2014. Retrieved October 10, 2009.
    20. ^ "Black Cat, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Archived from the original on December 23, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
    21. ^ "Black Cat, Vol. 20". Viz Media. Archived from the original on December 22, 2010. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    22. ^ "Viz Media & Madman Entertainment Join Forces". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009.
    23. ^ "Black Cat (Manga) Vol. 1". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014.
    24. ^ "Black Cat (Manga) Vol. 20". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
    25. ^ 黑貓 (第20集) (in Chinese). Tong Li Publishing. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014.
    26. ^ "Black Cat - Glénat" (in Dutch). Glénat Benelux. Archived from the original on May 25, 2013.
    27. Glénat. Archived
      from the original on September 23, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    28. Carlsen Comics. Archived from the original
      (PDF) on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    29. ^ "Black Cat n. 20" (in Italian). Star Comics. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    30. ^ a b "Black Cat" (in Japanese). Gonzo. Archived from the original on August 4, 2014. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
    31. ^ "TVアニメーションブラックキャットHP - Story" (in Japanese). TBS. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    32. ^ a b c "TVアニメーションブラックキャットHP - DVD" (in Japanese). Tokyo Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    33. ^ "Animax Southeast Asia's official daily schedule for April 2007" (PDF). Animax. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 22, 2007. Retrieved May 13, 2007.
    34. ^ "FUNimation Gets Black Cat". ICv2. June 13, 2006. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
    35. ^ Loo, Egan (March 3, 2008). "Funimation Channel Adds MoonPhase, Peach Girl, Suzuka". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 19, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
    36. ^ "Black Cat, Vol. 1 - The Cat Out of the Bag". Amazon. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
    37. ^ "Black Cat, Vol. 6 - Cat's Nine Lives". Amazon. July 24, 2007. Archived from the original on March 2, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2009.
    38. ^ "Black Cat: The Complete Series". Amazon. Archived from the original on November 21, 2014. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
    39. Funimation Entertainment. Archived
      from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    40. ^ "Black Cat Collection (Slimpack)". Madman Entertainment. Archived from the original on August 24, 2014.
    41. MVM Films. Archived from the original
      on February 21, 2014.
    42. ^ a b "Black Cat Original Soundtrack "Nikukyu"" (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on March 5, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    43. ^ "TVアニメーションブラックキャットHP - Staff & Cast" (in Japanese). Tokyo Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on October 20, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    44. ^ Credits from the following episodes:
      • "LOVE猫". Black Cat. Episode 13 (in Japanese). January 19, 2006. Tokyo Broadcasting System.
      • "気ままな猫". Black Cat. Episode 23 (in Japanese). March 30, 2006. Tokyo Broadcasting System.
    45. ^ "Black Cat (Jump J Books)" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    46. ^ "Black Cat 2" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    47. ^ "Black Cat 星の残照" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 25, 2011. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    48. ^ "Black Cat ドラマCD" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on March 9, 2005. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    49. ^ "Black Cat ドラマCD 2" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 14, 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    50. ^ "Black Cat ドラマCD 3" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on June 26, 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    51. ^ "インターネットラジオ「RADIO BLACK CAT」 放送開始!" (in Japanese). J-Blackcat.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2006. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    52. ^ 2006/9/28配信分 (in Japanese). Onsen. Archived from the original on January 28, 2007. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    53. ^ "｢RADIO BLACK CAT｣ラジオCD発売決定!!" (in Japanese). Gonzo. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    54. ^ "BLACK CAT ~機械仕掛けの天使~" (in Japanese). Jp.playstation.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    55. ^ "BLACK CAT 黒猫の協奏曲" (in Japanese). Nintendo. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    56. ^ "Black Cat - キャラクター紹介" (in Japanese). Nintendo. Archived from the original on August 17, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    57. ^ "Jump Ultimate Stars - Black Cat" (in Japanese). Nintendo. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    58. ^ "TVアニメーションブラックキャットHP - Goods" (in Japanese). Tokyo Broadcasting System. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 12, 2014.
    59. ^ a b "GDHDH グループ中間決算説明会" (PDF) (in Japanese). Gonzo. November 21, 2005. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 27, 2010. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    60. ^ Loo, Egan (March 13, 2009). "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, March 1–7". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
    61. ^ Loo, Egan (May 22, 2009). "New York Times Manga Best Seller List, May 10–16". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 7, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
    62. ^ "BookScan's Top 20 Graphic Novels for January 2009". ICv2. February 5, 2009. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
    63. ^ "Manga Releases Up 16% in 2007". ICv2. February 7, 2007. Archived from the original on August 13, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
    64. ^ "ICv2 Top 50 Manga--Summer 2008". ICv2. September 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
    65. ^ "'ICv2 Insider's Guide' #65: Top 25 Manga Properties Q1 2009". ICv2. June 10, 2009. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
    66. ^ Macdonald, Christopher (October 13, 2006). "Japan's Favorite TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
    67. ^ "第28回アニメグランプリ [28th Annual Anime Grand Prix]". Animage. June 2006. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
    68. ^ Mays, Jonathan (February 13, 2007). "Navarre Q4 Report: Profits Up 24.9%". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 22, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
    69. ^ "ICv2 Top 25 Anime--Summer 2008". ICv2. September 8, 2008. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2009.
    70. ^ a b c Santos, Carlo (April 4, 2006). "Cat's Cradle - Right Turn Only!!". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 20, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
    71. ^ a b c d e Hoffman, Alexander. "Black Cat, Volume 1". Comics Village. Archived from the original on November 21, 2010.
    72. ^
      Silver Bullet Comics. Archived from the original
      on October 10, 2008.
    73. ^ "Black Cat Vol, 8 (Advance Review)". Active Anime. April 30, 2007. Archived from the original on July 26, 2014.
    74. ^ a b c d McNeil, Sheena (June 16, 2008). "Black Cat Vol. 15". Sequential Tart. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
    75. ^ a b Haley, Ken (March 30, 2008). "Manga Minis, March 2008". Pop Culture Shock. Archived from the original on July 8, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
    76. ^ a b Douresseaux, Leroy (August 27, 2007). "Black Cat: Volume 10". Comic Book Bin. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
    77. ^ Douresseaux, Leroy (April 26, 2009). "Black Cat: Volume 20". Comic Book Bin. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
    78. ^ Santos, Carlo (June 18, 2007). "Black GN 9 - Review". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on July 13, 2014. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
    79. ^ a b Scholes, Sandra (June 3, 2010). "Black Cat Box Set". Active Anime. Archived from the original on July 29, 2014.
    80. ^ Viera, Margaret (May 18, 2009). "Black Cat Vol. 20". Active Anime. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014.
    81. ^
      Ziff Davis Media. pp. 1–2. Archived
      from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 26, 2014.
    82. ^ a b Liversidge, Ross (November 7, 2008). "Anime Review: Black Cat (Series)". UK Anime Network. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved July 26, 2014.

    External links

    Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Black_Cat_(manga)&oldid=1168852797"