Armored Police Metal Jack
Cyborg police fight crime in a futuristic Tokyo.
Unknown author · Public domain
Armored Police Metal Jack is a Japanese animated TV series produced by Sunrise, TV Tokyo, and I&S BBDO. It aired weekly from April 7 to December 23, 1991, lasting 36 episodes. The series follows three men who are resurrected as cyborgs to form an armored police force called Metal Jack, fighting crimes orchestrated by the criminal organization Id.
- Episodes
- 36
Lore & Background
The series was originally planned as a sequel to the live-action tokusatsu show Dennou Keisatsu Cybercop, but due to complications it was made into an animated series without official ties to Cybercop. Head writer Hiroyuki Kawasaki later recycled some situations from Metal Jack in Brave Police J-Decker. The show was also the debut of Nobutoshi Canna, acting under his birth name Nobutoshi Hayashi.
The plot is set in a futuristic Tokyo City where crime exceeds police capabilities. Masanao Daigo initiates the Metal Project, reanimating three men—police detective Ken Kanzaki, F1 racer Ryō Aguri, and professional wrestler Gō Gōda—as cyborgs after they are mortally wounded saving Jun Zaizen. They become Red Jack, Silver Jack, and Blue Jack, respectively, and confront crimes always linked to the organization Id.
Characters include Shadow, a former special forces member who intervenes using an old police radio; Ginren Han, a scientist who initiates the Hyper Project; and Id's leaders Megadeth and Troidal, bioroids created by Jun Zaizen. The series was directed by Hiroshi Matsuzono and Kiyoshi Egami, with music by Yasunori Iwasaki.
Reader's Guide
Armored Police Metal Jack occupies a niche in early 1990s anime as a series that blends police procedural, mecha, and cyborg themes. Its production history is notable: originally conceived as a sequel to a live-action show, it became an original animated work after complications. The series was shortened by thirteen episodes due to low viewership, which affected its narrative scope. Despite this, head writer Hiroyuki Kawasaki reused elements in the later Brave Police J-Decker, indicating the concepts had lasting appeal. The show also marked the debut of voice actor Nobutoshi Canna. While not a major commercial success, Metal Jack represents a transitional period in Sunrise's production of police-themed mecha anime and offers insight into the creative recycling common in the industry. Its legacy is primarily as a precursor to more successful series and as a showcase for emerging talent.
Did You Know?
- The show was the debut of Nobutoshi Canna, who acted under his birth name Nobutoshi Hayashi.
- Due to low viewership, the length of the show's run was shortened by thirteen episodes.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Armored Police Metal Jack?
It is a 36-episode Japanese anime series that aired in 1991, following three men rebuilt as cyborgs who serve as an armored police unit in a futuristic Tokyo. The show was produced by Sunrise, TV Tokyo, and I&S BBDO.
Who are the protagonists of Armored Police Metal Jack?
The story centers on three men who are resurrected as cyborgs and assembled into the armored police force known as Metal Jack. Together they patrol a near-future Tokyo, taking down the criminal syndicate called Id.
How many episodes does Armored Police Metal Jack have?
The series ran for 36 weekly episodes, premiering on April 7 and concluding on December 23, 1991.
What is the main villain in Armored Police Metal Jack?
The criminal organization Id is the primary antagonist force throughout the series, orchestrating the crimes that the Metal Jack cyborgs must investigate and stop.
Who produced Armored Police Metal Jack?
The anime was a joint production between Sunrise, TV Tokyo, and I&S BBDO, airing as a weekly broadcast series in 1991.
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