OVA
Description
Joe Shimamura, designated Cyborg 009, is one of the central figures in the crossover anime Cyborg 009 Vs. Devilman. His background is rooted in tragedy, having been abducted by the sinister terrorist organization Black Ghost and forcibly converted into a cybernetic weapon. Before his captors could complete their reprogramming to turn him into a mindless killer, Joe and his fellow cyborgs escaped. They subsequently dedicated themselves to dismantling Black Ghost's operations and thwarting their plans for global domination. The events of this OVA begin directly after the climax of the Mythos Arc from the original Cyborg 009 manga, with Joe already engaged in battle against powerful foes like Achilles and Apollo.
In this incarnation, Joe is portrayed as a cool, sensitive individual with a profoundly kind heart and an unshakable sense of justice. His horrific experiences at the hands of Black Ghost did not embitter him; instead, they forged a powerful resolve to prevent any catastrophe from befalling humanity. Joe possesses a deep and unwavering faith in people, which fuels his belief in his own power. He refuses to back down from any opponent, no matter how strong, and holds a deep disdain for those who view humanity's perceived weaknesses as a justification for despair or destruction. As the field leader of the 00 cyborgs, he is serious, calm, and collected, taking his responsibilities very seriously.
His primary motivation throughout the story is to protect the innocent and stop any threat that could cause widespread suffering. When reports of demonic attacks surface in Tokyo, Joe leads his team to investigate, driven by the need to understand and neutralize this new danger. His role in the plot is that of a proactive hero and a strategic leader, often finding himself on the front lines of the most dangerous conflicts. A key relationship is with his teammate Françoise Arnoul, Cyborg 003, who provides support and medical aid when he is injured. He also develops a crucial, if initially hostile, relationship with Akira Fudo, the human host of Devilman. Their first encounter is a violent misunderstanding, but they eventually find common ground in their shared humanity and fight side-by-side against a common, overwhelming enemy.
The character sees minimal internal development within the OVA itself, as the story largely expects the audience to be familiar with his established heroic persona from the broader franchise. His arc is more about demonstrating his core values and abilities in a new context, particularly his ability to find an ally in a being as fearsome as Devilman, recognizing their mutual struggle against monstrous forces.
Joe Shimamura's most notable abilities stem from his nature as an "all-purpose" cyborg soldier, designed as a prototype that integrates technology based on his teammates' powers. His signature ability is the Accelerator, activated by biting down on a switch in his back molar. This allows him to move at supersonic speeds, and in some instances, even faster, making him a blur to the naked eye. In this OVA, the black lines on his uniform glow blue or yellow when this ability is in use. A significant limitation exclusive to this version is a time limit on his acceleration; his cybernetics begin to overheat after extended use, forcing a safety limiter to deactivate the power until it cools down. Furthermore, the immense friction generated by his speed prevents him from touching or carrying other humans without causing them severe harm.
Beyond acceleration, Joe possesses cybernetic superhuman strength, capable of creating shockwaves with his punches and launching himself into the atmosphere to come down on a target with meteoric force. His enhanced senses, based on Cyborg 003's design, grant him night vision, superhuman hearing, and a heightened sense of smell. An internal respirator, based on Cyborg 008's technology, allows him to breathe underwater and filter out poison gases for up to an hour. His body is also built with removable joints, allowing him to detach a severely damaged limb to prevent a catastrophic system failure.
In this incarnation, Joe is portrayed as a cool, sensitive individual with a profoundly kind heart and an unshakable sense of justice. His horrific experiences at the hands of Black Ghost did not embitter him; instead, they forged a powerful resolve to prevent any catastrophe from befalling humanity. Joe possesses a deep and unwavering faith in people, which fuels his belief in his own power. He refuses to back down from any opponent, no matter how strong, and holds a deep disdain for those who view humanity's perceived weaknesses as a justification for despair or destruction. As the field leader of the 00 cyborgs, he is serious, calm, and collected, taking his responsibilities very seriously.
His primary motivation throughout the story is to protect the innocent and stop any threat that could cause widespread suffering. When reports of demonic attacks surface in Tokyo, Joe leads his team to investigate, driven by the need to understand and neutralize this new danger. His role in the plot is that of a proactive hero and a strategic leader, often finding himself on the front lines of the most dangerous conflicts. A key relationship is with his teammate Françoise Arnoul, Cyborg 003, who provides support and medical aid when he is injured. He also develops a crucial, if initially hostile, relationship with Akira Fudo, the human host of Devilman. Their first encounter is a violent misunderstanding, but they eventually find common ground in their shared humanity and fight side-by-side against a common, overwhelming enemy.
The character sees minimal internal development within the OVA itself, as the story largely expects the audience to be familiar with his established heroic persona from the broader franchise. His arc is more about demonstrating his core values and abilities in a new context, particularly his ability to find an ally in a being as fearsome as Devilman, recognizing their mutual struggle against monstrous forces.
Joe Shimamura's most notable abilities stem from his nature as an "all-purpose" cyborg soldier, designed as a prototype that integrates technology based on his teammates' powers. His signature ability is the Accelerator, activated by biting down on a switch in his back molar. This allows him to move at supersonic speeds, and in some instances, even faster, making him a blur to the naked eye. In this OVA, the black lines on his uniform glow blue or yellow when this ability is in use. A significant limitation exclusive to this version is a time limit on his acceleration; his cybernetics begin to overheat after extended use, forcing a safety limiter to deactivate the power until it cools down. Furthermore, the immense friction generated by his speed prevents him from touching or carrying other humans without causing them severe harm.
Beyond acceleration, Joe possesses cybernetic superhuman strength, capable of creating shockwaves with his punches and launching himself into the atmosphere to come down on a target with meteoric force. His enhanced senses, based on Cyborg 003's design, grant him night vision, superhuman hearing, and a heightened sense of smell. An internal respirator, based on Cyborg 008's technology, allows him to breathe underwater and filter out poison gases for up to an hour. His body is also built with removable joints, allowing him to detach a severely damaged limb to prevent a catastrophic system failure.