This ’90s Fox Kids Action Gem Still Sparks Debates on What Is or Isn’t Anime

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Fox Kids effectively launched many popular anime series into the North American market for the first time. Shows like “One Piece,” “Escaflowne,” “Digimon,” “Shaman King,” “Monster Rancher,” and even “Kinnikuman” found a home on their programming lineup. However, one show in particular continues to spark debate among viewers about whether it truly qualifies as anime. Despite airing for just one season, this animated series is still considered a wild card in Fox Kids’ collection, and after learning about its unique premise and animation style, you might be intrigued enough to watch it yourself.

In the late 90s, Cybersix made its grand entrance, offering a unique concept for an animated show where a vigilante would safeguard the city under the cover of darkness. Unlike Peter Parker, who opted to teach science at his high school, the lead character of Cybersix assumed the guise of the male teacher Adrian Seidelman during daytime hours, introducing a fresh perspective to the world of superheroes. The show’s protagonist employed an unconventional method compared to Spider-Man, as she disguised herself as a man. During the day, she blended into her role as a teacher, while at night she donned her crime-fighting persona. Cybersix possessed powers similar to some familiar superheroes, such as enhanced strength and speed, and also boasted useful night vision that proved invaluable in her battle against evil forces.

Cybersix’s Anime Origins

The Japanese studio TMS, renowned for its work on iconic anime series such as “Case Closed,” “Sonic X,” “Dr. Stone,” “Blue Box,” and “Sakamoto Days,” was responsible for animating the “Cybersix” series, which was produced in Canada. If you need a reminder about TMS’s impressive body of work, they are also behind shows like these. The animated series first aired on Fox Kids in 2000, although it was initially created in the late 90s. In terms of its approach to censorship, it bore some resemblance to anime like “One Piece.

Similar to shows like Dragon Ball and One Piece, the series Cybersix underwent significant edits when it aired in North America, as Fox aimed to make it more suitable for younger viewers. Regrettably, the saga of this vigilante didn’t last long on Fox Kids, getting removed from the platform the same year it debuted. Fortunately, if you’re interested in watching Cybersix, complete Blu-Ray sets containing all thirteen episodes are available. At present, it can also be streamed on both RetroCrush and Amazon Prime Video.

The Cybersix Comics

Although created by an anime studio, “Cybersix” wasn’t adapted from a manga or light novel; instead, it was based on a European comic book that debuted in 1992. The version of the animated series shown on Fox Kids made some adjustments for a younger audience, but the anime as a whole needed to make significant alterations from its original source material. In the initial comic, created by Carlos Trillo and Carlos Meglia, Cybersix was the result of a World War II experiment conducted by Von Reichter, a high-ranking member of the Nazi regime who wasn’t shy about showcasing his affiliation in the comic book. The comic book series concluded in 1999, but the original story also led to a brief live-action adaptation in 1995.

Interestingly, the makers of Cybersix found themselves at odds with James Cameron, renowned director of Avatar and Aliens, over allegations that his television series Dark Angel borrowed elements from their comic. However, they ultimately failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their lawsuit against Cameron and the production team. Although the case did not proceed further, it remains a point of contention between these two franchises.

Although Cybersix may not stand out as a top pick from Fox Kids’ collection, it’s an unusual animated series that’s definitely worth watching to appreciate its uniqueness. Even though it seems unlikely for Cybersix to return to our screens, revisiting this strange story is still worth your time.

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2025-05-03 22:44