TV-Series
Description
Albert Heinrich, designated Cyborg 004, is a character from the Cold War era of a divided Germany. Originally a young man from East Berlin, he planned a desperate escape to the West with his fiancée, Hilda. Their attempt ended in tragedy when their vehicle came under fire from border guards; Hilda was killed, and Albert was left gravely injured. Exploiting his vulnerability, agents from the secretive arms dealing organization Black Ghost took him in, falsely promising medical aid. Instead, they rebuilt him as a cyborg soldier.
Of all the 00 Cyborgs, Albert underwent the most extensive cybernetic modification. His human body was almost entirely replaced, leaving only his brain and spinal cord relatively organic. This transformation turned him into a literal living weapon. His right hand houses a built-in machine gun, with the fingers serving as the barrels. His left hand contains a powerful retractable electromagnetic knife capable of cutting through almost any material. Furthermore, his legs contain hidden missile launchers that deploy when he bends his knees. In some storylines, his body also contains a nuclear device as a last resort, though this is rarely, if ever, used.
Albert's personality is defined by the trauma of his past. He is typically portrayed as a solemn, cynical, and grim individual, deeply affected by the death of Hilda and the loss of his humanity. In the immediate aftermath of his transformation, the combination of grief, physical pain from his new weapons, and despair over his condition led to severe psychological distress and suicidal tendencies. This instability caused Black Ghost to place him into cryogenic stasis alongside other early prototypes, where he remained frozen for decades until technology advanced enough to stabilize his systems.
Upon being awakened and joining the other cyborgs who escaped Black Ghost, Albert's character begins to develop. He finds a new sense of purpose in fighting against the organization that created him and protecting his new companions. He becomes a grounded, tactical strategist for the group, often acting as an older brother figure, particularly to the younger and more impulsive members like Joe Shimamura, Cyborg 009. His relationship with Jet Link, Cyborg 002, is frequently contentious due to their opposing personalities—Albert's mature pragmatism clashing with Jet's hot-headedness—yet they share a deep, unspoken mutual loyalty on the battlefield. He also provides comfort and support to other members, such as Françoise Arnoul, Cyborg 003, during her moments of emotional crisis.
Despite his hardened exterior and his identity as a "walking arsenal," Albert's story is one of regaining his humanity. His actions often reveal a disgust for war and a deep-seated desire to protect life. A pivotal example occurs during a battle with a robotic duplicate of himself; the robot predicts his movements based on pure logic, but Albert wins by performing an irrational, compassionate act—saving a nest of birds—which confuses his opponent and underscores that his human heart remains intact. Over time, he transitions from a man haunted by suicidal despair to a committed protector, viewing his fellow cyborgs as a surrogate family and fighting to ensure no one else suffers the same fate as Hilda. In later storylines, his abilities are further enhanced, such as gaining telekinetic control over his bullets, making them homing projectiles.
Of all the 00 Cyborgs, Albert underwent the most extensive cybernetic modification. His human body was almost entirely replaced, leaving only his brain and spinal cord relatively organic. This transformation turned him into a literal living weapon. His right hand houses a built-in machine gun, with the fingers serving as the barrels. His left hand contains a powerful retractable electromagnetic knife capable of cutting through almost any material. Furthermore, his legs contain hidden missile launchers that deploy when he bends his knees. In some storylines, his body also contains a nuclear device as a last resort, though this is rarely, if ever, used.
Albert's personality is defined by the trauma of his past. He is typically portrayed as a solemn, cynical, and grim individual, deeply affected by the death of Hilda and the loss of his humanity. In the immediate aftermath of his transformation, the combination of grief, physical pain from his new weapons, and despair over his condition led to severe psychological distress and suicidal tendencies. This instability caused Black Ghost to place him into cryogenic stasis alongside other early prototypes, where he remained frozen for decades until technology advanced enough to stabilize his systems.
Upon being awakened and joining the other cyborgs who escaped Black Ghost, Albert's character begins to develop. He finds a new sense of purpose in fighting against the organization that created him and protecting his new companions. He becomes a grounded, tactical strategist for the group, often acting as an older brother figure, particularly to the younger and more impulsive members like Joe Shimamura, Cyborg 009. His relationship with Jet Link, Cyborg 002, is frequently contentious due to their opposing personalities—Albert's mature pragmatism clashing with Jet's hot-headedness—yet they share a deep, unspoken mutual loyalty on the battlefield. He also provides comfort and support to other members, such as Françoise Arnoul, Cyborg 003, during her moments of emotional crisis.
Despite his hardened exterior and his identity as a "walking arsenal," Albert's story is one of regaining his humanity. His actions often reveal a disgust for war and a deep-seated desire to protect life. A pivotal example occurs during a battle with a robotic duplicate of himself; the robot predicts his movements based on pure logic, but Albert wins by performing an irrational, compassionate act—saving a nest of birds—which confuses his opponent and underscores that his human heart remains intact. Over time, he transitions from a man haunted by suicidal despair to a committed protector, viewing his fellow cyborgs as a surrogate family and fighting to ensure no one else suffers the same fate as Hilda. In later storylines, his abilities are further enhanced, such as gaining telekinetic control over his bullets, making them homing projectiles.