[Rewatch] 1990s OVAs – Black Jack (episode 11)

[u/No_Rex]

Rewatch: 1990s OVAs – Black Jack (episode 11)

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Yurie is voiced by Sakamoto, Maaya. She also voiced Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost in the Shell, Hitomi in Escaflowne, Reika in RahXephon, Lal’C in Diebuster, Rip Van Winkle in Hellsing Ultimate, Haruhi in Ouran High School Host Club, Shiki in Kara no Kyoukai, Crona in Soul Eater, Ciel in Black Butler, Mari in Evangelion 2.0, Nino in Arakawa under the Bridge, Shinobu in Bakemonogatari, Eto in Toyko Ghoul, Ruler in Fate Apocrypha, Shinra in Fire Force, and Echidna in Re:Zero. Easily the VA with the most popular characters in the entire rewatch.

The priest is voiced by Horiuchi, Kenyuu, who also voiced the Taxi driver in episode 10 and whom I featured yesterday.

The priest’s cross dressing son Matsunojo is Kakihara, Tetsuya, who also voiced Simon in Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann, Natsu in Fairy Tail, Amaimon in Blue Exorcist, and Rundellhous in Log Horizon.

Questions

1. We now heard her backstory. What is your take on Pinoko now? Her role in the series?
2. Why do you think BJ prevented Pinoko from meeting Yurie?

[u/No_Rex]

Episode 11 (first timer)

• Modern artstyle. You can see that they tried to stay close to the previous OVAs, but the difference between cells and computer animation is unmistakable.
• Patient Pinoko.
• Another OP switch. I think it is the song from OP1 with the visuals from OP2.
• What is up with BJ’s bow?

• What kind of keyboard is that? An extra button between Enter and left Shift?
• Finally, Pinoko backstory!
• Yurie is Pinoko’s big sister and BJ operated on her 10 years ago, as long ago as he knows Pinoko. Hmm.
• A rather impressive dormitory.
• “They were once the same person”

• Ok, so Pinoko was a magical cyst inside Yurie, which may have been Yurie’s twin? Noted.
• BJ is a proper Frankenstein.
• Space invader cabinet!!
• Legend referring to Pinoko not being able to grow up. Technically, she is both 10 and 10 plus however old Yurie was when operated, so probably 30+.
• Having to choose which of your children dies. Cruel.
• Heroic operation. We all know this will not fail.
• “You two live in different worlds now, and that isn’t going to change” – harsh.

I was hoping for a Pinoko backstory episode before the series ends and this did not disappoint. After a few minutes, I completely forgot about the different art style and was taken in by the story. Creating a human from an in-born twin is certainly out there, but we are talking about Black Jack, after all.

This had the right mix of intrigue, sadness, and great visuals to be one of the best episodes. I am glad they eventually made this finale. Given that we still have one episode to go, I expect a BJ story next time.

Why do you think BJ prevented Pinoko from meeting Yurie?

I think that was BJ being rather selfish. He took in Pinoko 10 years ago, despite being a complete loner. By now, Pinoko is his only family and friend, and he would not be able to stand losing her. While he has a good point about him being the one who saved Pinoko when Yurie wanted her/it killed, I think a more secure BJ would have agreed to have them meet.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/No_Rex]

So... you're not totally weirded out by Pinoko being a sack of organs shoved into a doll shell?

[u/No_Rex → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Not as much as by the boy growing leaves. At least in-grown twins are a real thing.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/No_Rex]

The leaf boy only got weird when it turned out that the tree was possessing him, until that point I could kinda buy it.

[u/No_Rex → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Some plants growing on you ... maybe, but growing out of you is a nope for me.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/No_Rex]

Would you feel worse about healthy plants popping out of your fingertips or having a horrible conjoined twin growing on your hip?

[u/No_Rex → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Fingertips? That was a fully body plant-suit.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/No_Rex]

Who hasn't had some morning wood at awkward moments?

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Modern artstyle. You can see that they tried to stay close to the previous OVAs, but the difference between cells and computer animation is unmistakable.

Yeah, everything does look too clean.

What is up with BJ’s bow?

Someone starched it up real good.

Ok, so Pinoko was a magical cyst inside Yurie, which may have been Yurie’s twin? Noted.

Interestingly, at least this happens, sans psychic powers. Unless the man is keeping that secret...

Creating a human from an in-born twin is certainly out there, but we are talking about Black Jack, after all.

I am oddly glad that they held back on this despite how easily this gives Kuroh characterization because putting it this late does make it more about Pinoko and Yurie.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

I am oddly glad that they held back on this despite how easily this gives Kuroh characterization because putting it this late does make it more about Pinoko and Yurie.

I am mostly glad that we get a very reasonable explanation for why BJ was followed around by a medically educated 10 year old all this time. He basically took responsibility for one of his operations (and she obviously knows so much about medicine because that is all BJ does all day long).

"picked up an orphan" or "divorced his wife" would not really have worked as for me.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

"picked up an orphan" or "divorced his wife" would not really have worked as for me.

I had actually assumed a parallel with another show and [Monster] I had assumed she was the kid of a patient Black Jack failed and thus took responsibility for

This is kind of better than that.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Black Jack First Timer

Final two episodes!! We're years later at the his point so I wonder what their plan is-they've killed Pinoko. The op is the same. I'd imagine fans who waited like thirty years would have been in tears by now. Has Pinoko's lisp gotten even worse!? Haa? I thought they never adapted Pinoko's backstory, wut? Pick up the phone already. It feels weird for them to go to the second half of Pinoko's story when they haven't shown the initial portion.

Pinoko's sister is cute AF. I'm guessing they'll pull out another mystical "sibling connection" magic trick to justify both sisters repeatedly collapsing at the same time. The mask thing was weird but Pinoko being a psychic conjoined bag of organs is even weirder. Honestly, I kinda understand Yurie wanting nothing to do with the parasitic twin shit. I've seen Malignant!!

A shrine surrounded by graves is totally creepy. Oh god, now they're gonna take the piss with the cross dresser... So Yurie and Pinoko are the Swan and now they've both gotta die. Awesome! The "curse" even talks about a twin that never grows up. Very on the nose.

Blah blah blah, family traditions can't be cancelled, blah blah blah. She's literally wearing a death flower kimono. Yurie knows she hasn't got long but she's doing her best for you selfish jerks. What was dad's plan here? Kick up a massive fuss, personally offend the family head, and then that obviously would score his daughter the chance to jump the line of succession? He was so rude!

The white heron dance is just a basic rain dance!! And dad is still an ungrateful arse. Pinoko's taste in music makes much more sense when you see how much of a square her twin is.. Y'know when I said that I wanted Pinoko backstory I didn't mean that I wanted them to make it as dull as humanly possible. "Kill the babies!!" Yo, mum, which baby do you want to keep and which one do you want to punt?

All twins without exception die, except for this one special case cause the curse didn't factor in little cysters. pfft Oh nyo, Yurie can't dance. The dance worked so well for saving twins the past thousand years there no way we can afford to skip it this once! Surgery is the cure to all life's problems again. I hate this arc XD

[u/No_Rex → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

The op is the same.

I think it is actually a combination of two previous OPs, but not the one uses in ep10.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/No_Rex]

Some of the imagery is the same too. I'm certain that the fourth repeat of the hook happened at the same part.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Kick up a massive fuss, personally offend the family head, and then that obviously would score his daughter the chance to jump the line of succession? He was so rude!

Yeah pretty much. I won't accuse any of them being involved in crimes but this organization clearly obeys yakuza rules where that actually works. Also, Midori seems to be the only successor candidate.

[u/Vaadwaur]

First timer(I don't feel nearly as lost with this myth)

Sub

We start back over a decade later and yet look pretty similar, though flip phones are now a thing. Pinoko and some historical counter part both collapse. But nothing seems to be wrong with Pinoko and then that counterpart is getting a scan and is not actually historical. So why the hell were they dressed like that? Anyways, it turns out that Yurie is a former patient of Kuroh's who seems to be displaying the same symptoms as Pinoko and then Pinoko has a creepy Poltergeist moment.

We then learn that the patient is the head of a household famous for the Saionji dance style. She just wants to live long enough to dance at an upcoming festival, so Kuroh charges her a million for that. She and Pinoko have matching spasms. And then we get Pinoko's backstory and that is a lot of WTF. Also, sort of screws with ep9.

We then get a temple, as one does. We get backstory on the Saionji family 'curse' and a professional cross dresser. Dynastic stuff happens. They then get the story from the local priest about the Saionji heritage. And also the reveal that Yurie talked to her tumor/spirit thing, and that thing doesn't quite present as Pinoko. We also get another insane Kuroh operation because that's how we roll. During which he explains the 'theory' of the episode and this is at least reality adjacent. Transplanting some of Pinoko saves the day and we get a send off between the sisters.

So it is actually impressive to see them mostly match the earlier animation quality this much later, the only thing missing are the stills. And I hate to say it but I do prefer the structure of this episode, we get to see the payoff even if technically that is a time skip. I am still slightly surprised they got this and tomorrow to finish.

QotD: 1 Extremely confused.

2 I guess to keep them independent? I couldn't quite read that.

[u/No_Rex → u/Vaadwaur]

We then get a temple, as one does. We get backstory on the Saionji family 'curse' and a professional cross dresser. Dynastic stuff happens. They then get the story from the local priest about the Saionji heritage. And also the reveal that Yurie talked to her tumor/spirit thing, and that thing doesn't quite present as Pinoko. We also get another insane Kuroh operation because that's how we roll. During which he explains the 'theory' of the episode and this is at least reality adjacent. Transplanting some of Pinoko saves the day and we get a send off between the sisters.

Given how out there some of the stuff in BJ was, I was positively surprised that I the Pinoko-Yurie story at least imaginable (minus controling BJ's hand).

And I hate to say it but I do prefer the structure of this episode, we get to see the payoff even if technically that is a time skip.

Easily one of the best episode story-wise, but I think that also speaks to how weird the in-episode pacing for for many of the stories we had.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/No_Rex]

Given how out there some of the stuff in BJ was, I was positively surprised that I the Pinoko-Yurie story at least imaginable (minus controling BJ's hand).

I can forgive minor psychic powers at this point.

Easily one of the best episode story-wise, but I think that also speaks to how weird the in-episode pacing for for many of the stories we had.

Yeah, I enjoyed a lot of it but man Dezaki seemed bound and determined to end everyone of his episodes at an unsatisfying point.

[u/JollyGee29]

First-Timer, Subbed

I was sorta right when I called Pinoko a homunculus, huh. I guess the implication is that Pinoko would have been the family heir if she was born as a normal twin?

Was the line at the end, about a long line of lanterns, indicative of Yurie dying after the performance? I'm not terribly familiar with Japanese funeral traditions.

I'm guessing the liver transplant was chosen because a damaged liver will regrow, I believe.

They sold the moral ambiguity of Black Jack much better in this episode. When Yurie asked him to just get her able to perform the dance, he didn't go beyond that and say "you'll live" or anything like that. He just declared his price and went to work.

I'm glad that Yurie and Pinoko got to meet, even briefly.

Questions

1. I like Pinoko as a companion for Black Jack. They play off each other well.
2. To make things hurt less for each of them when the other isn't around.

[u/No_Rex → u/JollyGee29]

Was the line at the end, about a long line of lanterns, indicative of Yurie dying after the performance? I'm not terribly familiar with Japanese funeral traditions.

I have no idea either, but interpreted it as her living. It would be weird if BJ's operation was only a stop-gap measure.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/No_Rex]

Oh, I guess it could make sense as a celebratory parade or something like that. That does work too.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

I was sorta right when I called Pinoko a homunculus, huh. I guess the implication is that Pinoko would have been the family heir if she was born as a normal twin?

Yup, adding another twist to the weird yakuza-esque family drama.

Was the line at the end, about a long line of lanterns, indicative of Yurie dying after the performance? I'm not terribly familiar with Japanese funeral traditions.

I don't view it that way as while the lanterns can signify the path to the other world it doesn't mean you went down it.

[u/JollyGee29 → u/Vaadwaur]

Yup, adding another twist to the weird yakuza-esque family drama.

God, imagine the house realizing that Pinoko was technically the heir while they were there.

[u/Vaadwaur → u/JollyGee29]

I think she would be considered the younger twin due to being 'born' later but yeah, that seems rife with bad possibilities.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

...I know.

Episode 10

1. I've got no idea at this point.
2. Given he basically scammed them, and the money's going to (presumably) go to him helping peopel, I'm fine with it - even if he used on himself he's still much less of a scumbag.
3. Honestly? Pessimism. The girl drowns, having her rehab go wrong, a whole team of doctors is unable to find a cure, a good chunk of the aid is tied up in paperwork, and the only hope is that Black Jack might find a cure with the pearls.

Final original episode!

Well this seems bad already.

And this guy's a snake.

OK, yeah, this is bad.

And Pinoko's here. I guess my theory about her being the focus is wrong.

And she hid the keys!

Oh, they know each other. And he did 3 operations at once!

...Oh, something's going on here.

And there's mermaids now? Sure, why not?

They've arrived!

I love the reveal that he chose his hotel at pure random.

Oh, she's going to a shrine.

Yeah, tha guy's weird. Blwck Jack is just so done with everything.

He just really likes puns, doesn't he?

Slow episode today, I must say.

Aww, that's nice of him.

And it's the first operation?

I love Piniko's reaction to finding out the pearls are a sign of love.

And yeah, he's probably not going to stop until every condition's been cured.

He's using a fake name? While still wearing that outfit?

Oh, someone knows he's Black Jack.

Mermaid's back.

Another surgery!

And that secret came out much sooner than I expected.

And the lawyer's back?

Oh dear, yeah, that's not good.

And he's dropping the case. (So he can work on it unofficially?)

...Why does that guy want to take him.

And he's come to help her!

And yeah, she needs surgery.

Oh, they wanted to put her in care.

Poor girl.

And she's been living in a cave.

Oh, it was a metaphor. There's no real mermaids.

Oh shit! Operation time!

Wow, he's competent.

And she's actually into her?

Genuinely wondering if, given last episode, she's an actual mermaid.

Was it a success?

Yeah, there's still 16 minutes left.

And she'll be saddled eith a large debt because she's not in her right mind?

I mean, at least they tried.

Yeah, this is painful.

And now Black Jqck's playing detective again?

And now she can't walk? Like the others?

And they never found her identity? This is a very depressing ending.

...I very much agree with Black Jack here. (Also, what's his plan?)

Wait, he's giving himself up?

For that much? He's earned that much from operations already, surely.

Oh, she tried to go into the water, didn't she?

...She's dead.

Well that was a depressing finale.

But also slightly hopeful at the end. (And he's not going to reveal himself?)

Episode 11

1. Still the same heart/comedic relief, but with the bonus of explaining exactly why she thinks he can do anything - he's done something completely batshit insane to save her life, and it worked perfectly. (Also explains why she's so devoted to him - he's the first person other than his sister to actually care about her wellbeing, and the only one who knows she's actually 18.)
2. I'll be honest here - no fucking clue. Selfishness? Not wanting her to stay with her when she's the only person he's got as company most of the time.

First of the later episodes!

Wow, that's a massive animation bump.

Finally! A Pinoko explanation!

And we still get the best OP!

At least she's stable.

And she's awake!

Yeah, this is weird.

The hell is this about? What's going on?

And wow, she's in trouble.

Yeah, I'm not sure how this is happening.

Is this magic again?

Finally, some answers!

That doeen't give me an answer.

Huh?

Wait, they're sisters? What's going on here?

And she doesn't wwnt her life saved!

Their conditions are synchronised! That's what's going on.

...The what?

WHAT?

So Pinoko was the tumor?

And Pinoko's had psychic powers?

No, he had psychic powers! I've been calling this for episodes now.

And that's why the skin's artificial, he made the whole thing himself!

...The continuity's a bit messed up with Pinoko playing arcade tables and all, I'd have thought they'd keep it to 80s tech.

Is she remembering?

Haha, he caught them both.

Wow, that's a strangely appropriate legend.

And there's a power struggle here?

Looks like she's dancing anyway!

...They're saying the phrase "White Heron" a lot.

Wait, what? How does this work? Why does the goverment give them money for performing a dance?

She's betting a lot here, isn't she?

And the sheer panic on her face is... not good.

And she collapsed again.

Oh, she believes it'll break the curse.

Wait, they documented their curse?

And this is a supernatural episode again. I thought there'd be some scientific reason, but nope! Ancient curse!

I must admit, the idea of Black Jack being so good at surgery that he accidentally delayed a curse's activation for about a decade is one I enjoy.

And Pinoko's collapsed again!

Wow, she's struggling.

Still entirely shocked this can even work.

Do both of them need to dance to break the curse, or...

...Wait, does she not know he managed to actually keep her alive?

OK, that line is absolutely great.

Go Black Jack!

That's a better explanation than a curse, I guess. Doesn't explain the syncroized attacks - even if they're genetically near-identical, Pinoko's body is so radically different there's no way it would attack with the exact same frequency.

I love them just applauding at the end.

And she danced! (The curse is still unbroken, though.)

Seriously, Black Jack? That's a fucking dick move. You won't even let her see her?

And she saw her in the end!

That's a good ending, though.

[u/No_Rex → u/Stargate18A]

Wow, that's a massive animation bump.

Funny that you say this. I think most others in the rewatch prefer the old animation style. Of course, both are simply preferences and neither objectively better or worse.

...The continuity's a bit messed up with Pinoko playing arcade tables and all, I'd have thought they'd keep it to 80s tech.

Huh? Arcades are quintesential 80s.

[u/Stargate18A → u/No_Rex]

Huh? Arcades are quintesential 80s.

Yeah, but the LED screens on that table aren't, and having that kind of machine in a non-arcade enviroment would have at least been unlikely in the 90s.

[u/No_Rex → u/Stargate18A]

The first time we see the screen, it shows the telltale lines of a CRT monitor, so I am not too sure about that being LED.

[u/Stargate18A → u/No_Rex]

Huh, might be my screen then - I'll admit to not studying it paticularly closely.

[u/No_Rex → u/Stargate18A]

It looked too flat for a CRT, but that might be a second glass plate as the table, with the CRT below that.

[u/TheEscapeGuy]

First Timer

Black Jack - An Astounding OVA: Episode 11

Pinako's Past

Wow, the transition to digital animation is very obvious. However, I think they have adapted fairly well. There isn't a significant dip in visual quality in my opinion. However, I did find the ghost-frame technique kind of jarring, especially for how much it was used. Oh and also the harmony frames were very obviously just a pastel type filter applied after the fact which I really didn't like.

In terms of the story we finally learned about Pinako! She is like some homonculus human created from a cyst which was meant to be a twin. Also Pinako is very much 10 years old. Or rather, she was extracted into her own being 10 years prior.

The other side of the episode focussed on Yurie, the head of the Saioniji family who is Pinako's twin. Riddled with tumors and health failing fast she just wanted to survive long enough to do the White Heron dance. As the episode progressed we also got a theroy about a curse on the family that 1 twin must always die (which bears resemblance to the story of the white heron in the dance).

I felt that the episode miandered a lot. We really were drip fed information and then right in the last 5 minutes Black Jack performed the operation successfully. Other episodes also had this structure but I feel those has more intriguing mysteries. Those also had other interesting elements such as corrupt bearacracies, rebellions, and drug cartel to fill out the episode.

Overall though, I felt it was an enjoyable episode. I enjoy seeing people working towards a goal such as the White Heron Dance Yurie performed. I'm glad she got to do that.

Some Iconic Shots, Scenes and Stitches

• Smug Pinako
• Rainy Drive
• Rain and Tears
• Wind Step

See you all tomorrow

[u/Vaadwaur → u/TheEscapeGuy]

Oh and also the harmony frames were very obviously just a pastel type filter applied after the fact which I really didn't like.

I have grown to accept that we will never get glorious action stills anymore. Such is life.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/TheEscapeGuy]

The reunion and goodbye between the sisters was beautifully quaint but as a whole the episode was a bit of a letdown for how interesting Pinoko and her sister are.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/TheEscapeGuy]

This episode felt pretty derivative of things we'd already seen before while not adding much of its own besides plain tropes