009-1 Volume 1 (DVD)

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Set in a world where the Cold War is in full swing, "009-1" follows the adventures of Mylene Hoffman, a cyborg secret agent working for the Nine Number Group. The Nine Number Group is a mysterious espionage organization in the Western Bloc, one of two worldwide factions currently existing in a state of fragile peace. Mylene, also known as codename 009-1, is one of 12 agents in her particular group, all cyborgs with enhanced abilities. Every episode features Mylene in action, fighting Eastern Bloc spies and helping to maintain the delicate balance of power between the two sides.

Sexy and confident, Mylene is the best agent the Nine Number Group has, and she uses her talents to the fullest extent. She is a female cyborg version of James Bond. In action, Mylene is unflappable, always calm, confident, and in control. She is shamelessly willing to use whatever means to further her mission, including sleeping with the enemy -male or female- if necessary. Yet, she also knows how to have fun, engaging in suggestive or light-hearted banter with her companions in the face of extreme danger.

Mylene's cyborg abilities help her in her missions. She doesn't need a weapons expert to equip her with all her gadgets before each adventure, she already has an amazing arsenal of spy gear built right in. From extra-sensitive hearing, to enhanced agility and strength, she has everything she needs to get the job done. You have to be amazed by the level of technology involved in Mylene's construction when, even after sleeping with a guy, he doesn't realize that her breasts are, quite literally, cannons.

"009-1" volume 1 contains the first 4 episodes of this 12 episode series. Each episode is self-contained, but they all provide a good introduction to Mylene's world and personality. Because of all the action, they don't spend a lot of time on straightforward exposition to explain Mylene's character. Instead, we learn about her through her actions, and how she reacts in all manner of situations. In this volume alone, she encounters mad scientists, kidnapped scientists, mutant children, robot ghosts, an obsessive-compulsive hit man, and a handsome Eastern Bloc rival.

"009-1" is based on an original comic by Shotaro Ishinomori. He is best known for some of his male heroes, namely "Kamen Rider" (Masked Rider), and "Kikaider," as well as for creating "Himitsu Sentai Go-Ranger" the first of the "Super Sentai" genre of live-action series in Japan. Many Super Sentai shows have been adapted in the US as assorted incarnations of "Power Rangers." Most of Ishinomori's work is aimed at children. However, with "009-1," he was able to take his action formula of crazy characters and incredible plots and transfer them to an adult format. This resulted in an over-the-top series where he could indulge in plotting all kinds of fun adult adventures that he was unable to do in a children's show. Because the original comic ran in the late 60's and early 70's, this new anime version had to be updated somewhat to fit our times, yet it still retains a fabulous retro flavor in the character, fashion, and weapon designs.