All-Time Classic Sci-Fi Anime Confirms Return to Celebrate 61st Anniversary

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Ishimori Productions has declared a fresh anime version of Shotaro Ishinomori’s influential comic book series, “Cyborg 009,” titled “Cyborg 009: Nemesis.” Originating from the 1960s to the 1980s, this iconic comic was created and illustrated by Ishinomori. Notably, he also contributed to the creation and design for Super Sentai (the original Japanese Power Rangers) and Kamen Rider. His work played a crucial role in shaping the manga and anime industries, inspiring numerous sci-fi adventure series with aesthetics similar to his that were a key part of Japanese media during the 1960s and 1970s. Ishimori Productions, which manages most of Ishinomori’s works, has been involved in several adaptations of “Cyborg 009.

In addition to managing the majority of live-action shows for the Kamen Rider series and early Super Sentai seasons, Ishimori Productions often teamed up with various anime studios to bring their creations to life on screen. For instance, they worked jointly with Production I.G. to produce the 2012 movie “009 Re:Cyborg.” However, Ishimori Production has yet to reveal which studio will be responsible for animating the upcoming Cyborg: Nemesis series. This new anime is being produced to mark the franchise’s 61st anniversary, as the first chapter of its original manga was initially published in Weekly King magazine back in 1964.

Why Cyborg 009 is Important and Great

In my perspective, I once stumbled upon an intriguing manga titled “Cyborg 009.” Nine individuals, initially against their will, were transformed into cyborgs by a malevolent organization named Black Ghost. Escaping this oppressive regime, these nine became superheroes, with Joe Shimamura, the titular Cyborg 009, serving as our main protagonist throughout the series. They battled an array of sci-fi and mythological adversaries, ranging from Black Ghost’s leader to fellow cyborgs and even the Greek gods themselves. The original manga was notorious for its inconsistent conclusion, with the creator, Ishinomori, never truly content with how he wrapped up the story and frequently altering it. This ambiguity led to numerous different endings within the franchise, with Ishinomori passing away in 1998 before he could solidify his final version. However, a follow-up manga titled “Cyborg 009 Conclusion: God’s War” was published posthumously in 2012, offering the closest approximation to a definitive ending for this captivating series.

Initially, the original manga became extremely popular, prompting Toei Animation to produce a movie and TV series in the late 1960s. Later, in 1979, both Toei and Nippon Sunrise reworked the series into another anime adaptation. However, it was the 2001-2002 Cyborg 009: The Cyborg Soldier anime that gained significant recognition among Western viewers. In the U.S., it was known as Cyborg 009 and often simply referred to as The Cyborg Soldier. This contemporary adaptation of the classic manga, focusing on deeper, darker themes while preserving its ’60s sci-fi charm, aired on Cartoon Network’s Toonami block, eventually becoming the most beloved version for English-speaking audiences.

After “The Cyborg Soldier”, additional movie and OVA adaptations for the series Cyborg 009 were produced. Notable among these is the film 009 Re:Cyborg by Production I.G., helmed by Kenji Kamiyama, who directed “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex”. The franchise also collaborated with another classic anime series, Devilman, in the 2015 OVA “Cyborg 009 VS Devilman”. Manga spin-offs have been published within the franchise, such as “Cyborg 009 Bgooparts Delete” and “Cyborg 009: Ghost of the Pacific”. It remains unclear whether “Cyborg 009: Nemesis” will be a new full-length anime series or a shorter work like a film or OVA.

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2025-07-21 23:09