This post is courtesy of Guest Writer Carey Anderson.
This is your unlucky day folks cause the Black Cat manga has been licensed in America.
Train Heartnet is a sweeper. It’s a job that gets all kinds of work, from gathering bounty heads to body guarding an important diplomat. Train, however is different. Train is the infamously known Black Cat who once worked for the syndicate Chronos. During his tenure with Chronos, he served as number XIII among the other numbered members who served the high council of Chronos.
Now retired, Train and his partner Sven are going to have a lot of fun as they take down evil crime bosses to save a genetically manipulated little girl named Eve.
The illustrations by Kentaro Yabuki, the author, is a traditional anime style but, it’s so boring. There is no redeeming quality to how this man can draw his characters. The worst thing is probably his sense of fashion as Train’s vest looks like it comes equipped with freakin’ donuts!
The story is probably the most unoriginal thing I’ve read since a yoai doujin of Sasuke and Naruto. All of his characters feel like a rip off of one or two characters from other series like Cowboy Bebop, Naruto, and Lupin III. I hope this series finds some ounce of originality in the near future otherwise it will just end up in the bottom of the bargain bin.
Hasn’t black cat been licensed like…a while ago?
That’s what I thought too, Hinano, because they’re like on volume.. *checks Viz web* 8 now. The only thing I enjoy in teh series is Eve’s transformations and Train’s drawings of cats
I thought what i would do was start from the very beginning so everyone wouldn’t be left behind. my next review will be a little more current.
Already reach vol.10, if i’m not mistaken. Still looks like a rip-off from many manga. I wonder nobody mentioned…
Rurouni Kenshin?!
I actually loved the series black cat, anime and manga. You are being wayyyyy to harsh, I doubt that any series are ever truly original. Dozens of anime/manga have demons that basically are the same thing, but everyone still loves them. I also liked the different relationship vibe this show gave off. It was never about the relationship between Train and whoever. That was refreshingly new. Also the storyline to me, was fairly decent and although I do agree it took some things from other manga and anime, I thought there was some originality. It is wonderfully drawn and animated.
And to me, Ruroni Kenshin felt like a rip off of Samurai X. lol I have been told i was wrong but…
to who even knows
we are talking about the manga not the anime so why would you say it’s wonderfully animated is beyond me.
also some manga like kenshin that steal certain key characteristics from other titles feel more like an homage to them but black cat felt like a blatant rip off of every manga I’ve seen.
black cat is funny and sometimes ridiculous. train heartnett is cool !
where do we download free black cat anime?
POP01 – We don’t provide nor know of any free site which would allow you to download BlackCat. Also, please be aware that downloading free Black Cat anime is illegal and is susceptible to government enforcement.
@pop01
In additon to what Carey has said, Black Cat was licensed by Funimation in
Dec. 2006. They have released volumes 1 & 2 (4 episodes each) and will be
releasing volumes 3 & 4 in May and volume 5 in June (all 4 episodes each).
Here is Funimation’s Black Cat web site:
http://www.blackcat-tv.com/
I would recommend buying the anime. It is legal and it supports the licensor,
which means that they will continue to license anime and thus makes it
available to us. Also, it supports the studio (in this case Gonzo), which means
they will continue to produce anime that the licensor(s) will license and make
available to us. Finally, the DVDs you purchase usually come with extras that
are not available in “free” downloads.
If you cannot afford to purchase, then consider renting. I don’t know about
Netflix, but Rentanime has the first two volumes in stock and already has a
listing for volume three when it becomes available. Their web address is:
http://www.rentanime.com/
They have a plan which is similar to Netflix. Pay about $20 (US) and get up
to 3 DVDs. When you return them, you can get 3 more. I believe the fee is
monthly. If you are a heavy viewer, then you can go through a fair number
of discs in a month.
@pop01 and anyone else interested in “free” anime…
There is one resource I completely forgot about. Maggie on another thread
http://theanimeblog.com/2006/12/30/return-to-labyrinth-manga-review/
mentioned that she got the manga from her public library. I don’t know
about other countries, but the libraries in the US offer more than books
to check out…this includes CDs, DVDs, manga, etc. Additionally, most
libraries use a shared database which allows them to lend materials to any
other library which does not own a copy of a particular book, DVD, etc.
There may be some waiting involved, but people with little free cash may find
this a good source of anime and manga.
@mochi, thank you so much for giving alternatives to downloads. The local library is a great place to look for anime and manga. Most places will place a request outside their library system if they don’t have what you’re looking for if you have the ISBN (which you can find at at places like Amazon.com) numbers. Whenever I move, before I get my plates, my DL, or change my checks, I get my library card ^^.
@rachel
A big thank you should go out to maggie for pointing out the library option,
as well.
I use the library as well…though mostly for books. The last time I checked
out something other than books was about 3-4 years ago. I checked out a
couple of blues records (yes, LPs) and a VHS about Richard Feynman.
Recently, my wife checked out a DVD of the film After Life (aka Wandafuru Raifu
or Wonderful Life) directed by Koreeda Hirokazu. If you haven’t seen it, I
definitely recommend viewing it. It is a low-key, engrossing film about a way
station for the recently deceased and their preparations to enter the after life.
It is enhanced by the fact that many of the interview segments were done with
regular people (not actors) without a script. If you can suspend disbelief about
the plot device used to move people to the after life, I think you would enjoy
the film.
Sorry for the off-topic nature of the post.
I Love the manga black at Train is so funny. But when he gets serious he means buissnes. Eve also is my other fave character she wanted freedom to do what she pleased. I always loved this manga series i havetn read many yet but I LOVE TRAIN HE IS MINE !!!!! I understand what they go through i think i have a little eve train adn sven in me. Well Some rinslet tooo. I think everyone should check this manga and tv show out you we love it and have a good time reading and watching it.