TV-Series
Description
Cyborg 0013 is the final model in Black Ghost's line of 00 cyborgs, appearing as a minor antagonist near the end of the Assassins arc. His real name is never revealed. In his initial appearance, he seems to be nothing more than a simple-minded and pudgy teenager, but his role in the story is far more tragic. He was originally a childhood friend of Joe Shimamura, the protagonist who would become Cyborg 009, as they both grew up in the same orphanage. Like Joe, he was not genuinely adopted but was instead kidnapped by the evil organization Black Ghost and forcibly converted into a cyborg weapon. Unlike most of the other 00 cyborgs, 0013 is not equipped with a unique power within his own body. Instead, his mind is telepathically linked to a colossal, invisible robot designated as 13 Robo, which effectively acts as his body and voice on the battlefield.
Despite being created as an assassin sent to eliminate the rogue cyborgs, 0013 possesses a gentle and kind-hearted personality. He appears slow and unintelligent to his allies due to his inability to speak coherently without his robot, but his actions reveal a strong moral compass. He is protective of children and the innocent, once breaking the arm of a fellow Black Ghost agent for threatening a little girl and later cheering her up with candy. His primary motivation is not malice but a desperate, confused desire to break free from Black Ghost's control. He is reluctant to follow orders to kill, and after receiving kindness from Cyborg 009, he becomes unable to harm his old friend.
His role in the story is that of a tragic antagonist forced into conflict with the heroes. After rampaging through Tokyo as a demonstration of Black Ghost's power, 0013 repeatedly refuses to kill hostages or harm civilians. He ultimately betrays his masters, saving 009 and eliminating the other assassins. His key relationship is with Cyborg 009, who recognizes the boy from their shared childhood. Grateful for the kindness shown to him, 0013 sacrifices himself to escape Black Ghost's control, piloting his robot into the ocean while his own body falls to the ground. In his final moments, lying mortally wounded, 0013 asks 009 his real name. Upon learning it is Joe, he dies before he can reveal his own name, having scrawled a final message expressing a desire to have been friends. Dr. Gilmore viewed him as a potential candidate to join the team before his tragic death.
In terms of abilities, 0013 relies entirely on his connection to 13 Robo. This robot is massive, strong enough to burrow underground and create earthquakes, and can become invisible. The robot is equipped with an accelerator similar to Cyborg 009, though it is slower due to its immense size. 0013 uses his psychic telepathy to project his thoughts through the robot, giving it the ability to speak. His own human body possesses some durability, such as invulnerability to standard bullets, but is not immune to bladed weapons. Furthermore, Black Ghost rigged his system so that 13 Robo will explode if his mind registers any sense of betrayal, a fail-safe that ultimately leads to his demise.
Despite being created as an assassin sent to eliminate the rogue cyborgs, 0013 possesses a gentle and kind-hearted personality. He appears slow and unintelligent to his allies due to his inability to speak coherently without his robot, but his actions reveal a strong moral compass. He is protective of children and the innocent, once breaking the arm of a fellow Black Ghost agent for threatening a little girl and later cheering her up with candy. His primary motivation is not malice but a desperate, confused desire to break free from Black Ghost's control. He is reluctant to follow orders to kill, and after receiving kindness from Cyborg 009, he becomes unable to harm his old friend.
His role in the story is that of a tragic antagonist forced into conflict with the heroes. After rampaging through Tokyo as a demonstration of Black Ghost's power, 0013 repeatedly refuses to kill hostages or harm civilians. He ultimately betrays his masters, saving 009 and eliminating the other assassins. His key relationship is with Cyborg 009, who recognizes the boy from their shared childhood. Grateful for the kindness shown to him, 0013 sacrifices himself to escape Black Ghost's control, piloting his robot into the ocean while his own body falls to the ground. In his final moments, lying mortally wounded, 0013 asks 009 his real name. Upon learning it is Joe, he dies before he can reveal his own name, having scrawled a final message expressing a desire to have been friends. Dr. Gilmore viewed him as a potential candidate to join the team before his tragic death.
In terms of abilities, 0013 relies entirely on his connection to 13 Robo. This robot is massive, strong enough to burrow underground and create earthquakes, and can become invisible. The robot is equipped with an accelerator similar to Cyborg 009, though it is slower due to its immense size. 0013 uses his psychic telepathy to project his thoughts through the robot, giving it the ability to speak. His own human body possesses some durability, such as invulnerability to standard bullets, but is not immune to bladed weapons. Furthermore, Black Ghost rigged his system so that 13 Robo will explode if his mind registers any sense of betrayal, a fail-safe that ultimately leads to his demise.