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Japan is very well known for its unique ideas and invention when it comes to technology, this includes electronic gadgets, cars, androids, and yes of course cyborgs. Anime has since improved the concepts and designs behind these human like robots. It has even inspired the westerns to create their own shows and movies revolving cyborgs. An example of these is The Matrix series and the well-known Terminator series.
Cyborgs are often confused with androids but they are totally different from each other. Cyborgs are an organism preferably a human whose body is made by both mechanical and natural components. Androids on the hand are fully machine driven and programmed to act and sometimes think like a human. But there is one thing they are both in common, they are highly advanced in their capabilities compared to a normal human.
For now though, here at Honey’s Anime, we will focus more about memorable amazing Cyborgs in anime. Let’s now explore the list!
10. Rudol von Stroheim from JoJo Bizarre Adventure (JoJo no Kimyou na Bouken (2012))
- Episodes: 26
- Aired: Oct. 2012-Apr. 2013
Let’s start with our list with something Bizarre. I say bizarre because this guy somehow winds up being alive every time when he is supposed to be dead. When everyone assumes he is dead, he just shows up again more improved and more mechanical implants attached to him. Stroheim is a minor antagonist who became an ally eventually. He is a Nazi Major turned Colonel who is proud of his country and his cybernetic state. Impulsive at times, he never forgets to do his duties and responsibilities bravely.
Most of his body is already made out of mechanical prosthetics and each of it has its special uses. In Stroheim’s cybernetic state, he has an abdominal machine gun, ultraviolet shoulder cannons and can create radiation beam from his eye which he can also use to zoom in and out while looking at an object. He is also more durable and has a strength of tenfold.
9. Jeremiah Gottwald from Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion (Code Geass: Hangyaku no Lelouch)
- Episodes: 25
- Aired: Oct. 2006-Jul. 2007
Code Geass is one of those revenge animes but with Mechas mixed on it. The story is compelling and interesting like one of its characters Jeremiah known in the meme world Orange man. Gottwald, Jeremiah is an elite Knightmare Frame pilot who is intense, spontaneous and arrogant. He is from the Purist fraction and views loyalty at high regard. All went down for him though due to the popular Orange Incident that made him fall in disgrace. It is in season 2 when he finally attained his cyborg body.
Even through him being a cyborg, the anime has not really touched upon this topic. But it is hinted that his robotic implants help him to gain the upper hand when it comes to fighting. One such mechanical modification that is important is his Geass Canceler. True to its name, it nullifies geass near him.
8. Loser from Dimention W
- Episodes: 13
- Aired: Oct. 2015-Dec. 2015
Adapted from the manga of the same name, Dimension W offers a futuristic sci-fi adventure. Meet Loser who dons a golden mask. Known to people as an art thief, he likes to announce his upcoming heist for the popularity of it. This guy however is not well known for his amazing stealing techniques as he always fail to do his criminal deeds hence the name Loser. But there is more to it than meets the eye, for all of these are purely a facade in order to achieve something.
Before the start of the series, Loser was known as Julian Tyler Smith who is famous for being one of the top researchers of New Tesla. He was the one who studied and invented the well-known energy fields. Due to the unfortunate events that happened to Haruka Seameyer, Loser was caught up in Seameyer’s evil plot that caused him his face, arms, limbs and his wife. With the gruesome way his body has become, he covered his deformed face with a golden mask and replaced his arms and limbs with robotic machinery. Vowing for revenge he seeks numbers to attain his justice. He may be called a loser but everything he does and his intentions are just cool.
7. Max "The Major" Montana from Hellsing Ultimate (Hellsing OVA)
- Episodes: 10
- Aired: Feb. 2006-Dec. 2012
If you are thinking that Hellsing Ultimate may just be another vampire anime like many others then you are greatly mistaken. It may not be for the faint-hearted but to those who like something dark then this show is for you. Hellsing Ultimate delivers us gory action packed scenes, interesting story lines, and of course intriguing characters like Max, Montana aka “The Major”.
The Major is a sadistic, psychopathic, and ruthless character. Being the supreme commander of the Millennium Organization, he wants nothing but to kill Alucard, to create wars for destruction and wishes more than nothing for the extinction of humanity. He will stop to nothing until he gets what he wants even if i means modifying himself as a cyborg. That right, The Major is a cyborg, the only known one in Hellsing Ultimate in fact.
When he was at death’s door, the Doctor saved his life by making him into a cyborg, gaining his immortality with the use of mechanical prosthetics. Although a cyborg, his entire being is already consisted of mechanical parts and has almost nothing resembling of a humans’ even in the inside. Just as The Major said, the only human part about him now is his will and his capability to have emotions (if he even has one).
6. Jinnosuke "Kuma" from Afro Samurai
- Episodes: 5
- Aired: Jan. 2007-Feb. 2007
Don’t let the cute bear face fool you, as he actually gained his teddy bear appearance after committing suicide. Like many other characters in animes, Jinno seeks out revenge for the death of his master.
Jinno started as an orphan taken in by Sword Master. He along with other orphans saw a beaten up Afro who later joined in the orphanage dojo. He regarded Afro as his brother until the battle at the bodhi tree took place where in the dojo was attacked by assassins and with Afro killing Sword Master. Badly wounded and stricken with grief, he jumped on a cliff hoping to die. He was eventually found by one of the Empty Seven and made him into a cyborg.
Jinno’s head is mostly made out of robotic pieces which includes his life support. To cover it up, he uses a bear designed helmet thus gaining him the name “Kuma”. Now as a cyborg, Kuma being skilled as he is, is much more powerful due to the help of his cybernetic state. He has more strength, is very flexible and able to endure pain very well. In Afro Samurai: Resurrection, he even rebuilt his body after being injured badly. Oh, and did I mention he rides a motorcycle?
5. Briareos Hecatonchires from Appleseed
- Episodes: 1
- Aired: Apr. 2004
From the same mangaka of Ghost in the shell comes Appleseed. In a world where technology has greatly advanced, cyberization has become a possibility. During world war, Briareos was caught in an explosion and escaped from death due to cyberization. His partner and also standing as his lover is Deunan Knute whom he meets through her father’s SWAT unit. Both are currently working under ESWAT unit
Briareos’ body is three quarters machine and mostly retains his vital organs excluding his reproductive system. Although most of his body are mechanical, he can still feel, eat and can die thorough aging. He has the capability to control other cyborgs and has the Hecatonchires system that only he has in the world of Appleseed. Having the Hecatonchires system, he is given the ability to control an aircraft entirely.
4. Joe Shimamura from Cyborg 009 (009 The Cyborg Soldier)
- Episodes: 52
- Aired: Oct. 2001-Oct. 2002
A strong sense of justice, selfless and benevolent are the top qualities of Shimamura, Joe. As his father is missing and his mother died, he was then taken in by a priest that became his foster father. But unbeknownst to him, the priest is affiliated with Black Ghost. Everything changed when he was accused of killing his foster father. He was taken in by the police but escaped soon after only to fall at the hands of Black Ghost. Joe since then has been used for experiments, making him into a cyborg.
Joe usually acts as the leader of his group, among all of them, Joe’s ability as a cyborg overpowers them more. Just like the other cyborgs in this list, he is strong and robust. He predominantly can breathe underwater and run fast at the speed of Mach 5.
3. Makoto Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell (Koukaku Kidoutai)
- Episodes: 1
- Aired: Nov. 1995
When thinking about cyborg anime characters, Kusanagi, Makoto usually pops out immediately in our heads. After all, this anime has greatly influenced Hollywood when it comes to cyberpunk genre. Just recently, news of getting a live-action adaptation of Ghost in the Shell bombarded the whole anime community.
Kusanagi, Makoto’s past remains enigmatic. One thing is for sure, she has been modified to be a cyborg during her childhood years, changing it here and there to become how she is today. Same as The Major in this list, Makoto has a full on augmented artificial body prosthesis. She is a highly skilled hacker and an extremely powerful fighter, earning her place as the leader of section 9. Everything this feisty woman does, she does it with ease. She is sexy, intelligent, and kicks ass, only rightful to be on our list.
2. Genos from One Punch Man
- Episodes: 12
- Aired: Oct. 2015-Dec. 2015
ONE PUNCH!!!~ Yes! One Punch Man, but we’re not here to talk about Saitama. Since this is a cyborg character list we’ll talk about Genos instead. Oh Genos the character who is overly protective of his sensei and gives off that ‘senpai notice me” vibes. At the tender age of 15, he was left to die after a cyborg started a wild rampage in their town thereby killing his family. Not wanting to die, he saw Dr. Stench and pleaded with him to transform him into a cyborg.
Genos is a very serious guy who only strives to be best. He is dubbed as the demon cyborg and has been a Class S superhero. Despite this, he is very naive and impetuous as proven by Saitama. Geno’s cybernetic body is well designed for battle as almost every part of his body can turn into weapons. His artificial body helps him to move at great speed, gives him enhanced strength and he is quite durable. He still constantly modifies his body to make it even more powerful more than as it is.
1. Franky from One Piece
- Episodes: 741
- Aired: Oct. 1999- Currently Airing
SUUUUUUPER!!! As for our number 1, did you guess it right? Yup, it’s Franky! Franky is the shipwright for the Straw Hat Pirates and acts as the reliable “Big Brother” of the crew. He is strong-willed, flamboyant, stubborn, and quite an emotional man. He likes to do his wacky poses and of course we shouldn’t forget how funny he can be especially when One piece gets too serious! His cyberization started when he was run down by a train, nearly killing him. He used his high end skills to fix himself to recovery.
Just like Genos, Franky’s body is made for battle. He is very sturdy and has weapons all over his body. But one unique aspect of his cyborg body is the small refrigerator located in his stomach. It carries drinks that he can consume to fuel his abilities. He may have the perks of being cyborg, but all things have their very own Achilles heel. In Franky’s case, his weakness is his back as he cannot reach over to do body modifications. Up until now, Franky still aims to make his body bigger, better and stronger.
Final Thoughts
That’s it for our list! Cyborgs are truly fascinating. With gaining artificial bodies, they can somehow gain partial immortality and can even push their body more to its limit. In fact, in our today’s modern socially, there are already known few humans who have some mechanical parts in their body and has gained to be called a cyborg. We only mentioned ten cyborg anime characters here, but there are out there that didn’t make in this list. So why don’t you give us who deserves more to be in this list and why?
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