Imagine you can eat anything you want. Literally anything. Without the fear of putting on any weight and the risk of dying from what you consume. Yeah. That. It might not be the most sophisticated and classy moniker ever and the name isn’t really a superhero one either. Because I didn’t know what to make of when I first heard of the 1997 retro anime, Eat-Man. So yeah, we have this dude here who can eat anything and at the same time produce exactly the same thing he eats from the palm of his hand. Isn’t that ever so convenient? So uhm, why the heck must he eat and reproduce it? Why can’t he just f*cking use that item or weapon as it is before he devours it?! Will the reproduced item have some sort of upgrade or something?! Oh well, looks like I’m gonna have to chew on this one…
Episode 1
In a bar out of town, Culenne arrives late to meet Mitchell. It seems he wants her to kill this mafia boss of Darjan town. He will pay her handsomely. However she strongly rejects this because she is a mercenary and not an assassin. They are interrupted by the janitor cleaning about. He accidentally undresses her with his stick so she slaps him. He slaps her back! Mistakes happen once in a while. Was that a mistake? Mitchell points a gun at his head and warns him that he has seen and heard nothing. Even bribing him. However the janitor who identifies himself as Bolt Crank, eats his gun! As Bolt buys a drink, Culenne is going to leave but Mitchell promises to pay her double. Noticing he brought that thing he stole from the mafia boss, Mitchell regrets had he not know who he was, he would have never traded with him. Now he has been cheated and a bounty on his head. The police can’t do anything. Since he will pay in advance, Culenne books a room here and needs a night to think things out. As Mitchell retires to his room, Culenne tries to strike up a conversation with Bolt. In short, she tries to hire him as her assistant to kill the mafia boss and will give half of her earnings. Bolt notes if it is killing, everyone can do it. As Culenne retires to her room, Bolt talks to the barkeeper about the strange cages outside whom people are not supposed to go near. He is unsure about it because people long ago decided things that they now don’t know. Bolt retires to his room. Culenne seen waiting. Bathing. Trying to flirt but he tells her not to waste her talent. Once again, trying to convince him to be her assistant and she knew it from her hunch the first time they met. When he says everyone says the same thing, she slaps him! He slaps her back! WTF this slapping custom?! Thinking he is an assassin or a swindler, Bolt claims he isn’t both. In that case, he isn’t good enough to be her assistant. Suddenly he shields her as shots are fired across the room. Mafia boss and his goons just gunned down Mitchell. The one who ratted him out is the barkeeper. All for money. Flashback shows mafia boss tried to hire Bolt to kill Mitchell who swindled his money and on the run. But Bolt refused. Mafia boss sees Bolt and thinks he is going against him. Bolt claims he doesn’t make the same mistake twice as he materializes a gun and guns them all down! He is not a jack of all trades as claimed but a mercenary. Bolt then rides his car, drives to the cages and blows them all down with his bazooka! WTF?! Who the f*ck is driving if he is standing on top?! He eats whatever gets left behind.
Episode 2
Dr Alisa rides along on a military ship to sail to a forbidden island. The previous military unit went here but never came back and that’s why they are on a crucial mission. So crucial that the general hired Bolt to help them. Alisa is amused to see Bolt drink gasoline! Bolt will head to the island first with Alisa and reminds the general that as per contract, he is to do whatever he pleases and not follow any military orders or protocol. As the duo ride to the island, Alisa explains a long time ago, scientists tried to research creating a new life on this island. Whatever they dreamt of were created until a treaty banned them. While some extermination genes have been implanted, she believes some may have survived and that’s why she is here to check for their existence. Night falls as the military also make land. The general believes whatever was powerful enough to wipe out the previous unit, if they have it, they can conquer the world! What a f*cking simpleton! I don’t know what Alisa is tinkering in the dark but she spooked herself. Then they find a huge empty chamber. Want to guess what creature they created here? As they camp out, Alisa asks why he became a mercenary. It’s the only thing he is good at. Soon they hear gunshots. The military engaging whatever creature attacking and getting their asses whooped. When Bolt and Alisa see a dead creature still with its flesh intact, Bolt realizes the hunter eats metal and she should take off any such accessories lest she wants to be eaten. Then they stumble into the general who has gone crazy thinking he has found the most powerful weapon. He is willing to risk his life to give her enough sample to research the highest form of life. However Alisa realizes the whole thing is out of control and claims the mission is over and wants him to return with them. My bet is he refused and will pay the ultimate price. Bolt says his job is to bring Alisa back safely. She believes what the military wants isn’t her but the results of the research. However if she doesn’t come back here, the life on this island will carry on peacefully. But there may be others who will come back here. There is no need to suffer inside the experiment room as this last specimen who overcame the extermination gene may be the perfect one. With the military ship taken down, Bolt and Alisa try to leave via raft. But the creature approaches. Bolt a huge mean weapon to vaporize it as Alisa watches in disbelief. Is she trying to stop him? Oh well, in the end both leave the island. And we didn’t even get to see what creature it was. I’m assuming a dinosaur because of its T-Rex legs…
Episode 3
Bolt has been hired by Ramon d’Soriet to retrieve some painting. He isn’t interested but Ramon says that he already sent 12 mercenaries for the job and they all failed. As Bolt walks into Hotel Promise, he is greeted by Anina as she introduces him to this Picasso-like painting of her grandma. She knows Ramon sent him to get this painting but she cannot hand it over as it was bequeathed by her grandpa. She believes Ramon is jealous of her fortune and wants to take it from her. She allows Bolt to stay as long as he wants and has her butler, Valmos tend to his needs. She shows him around the grand hotel and talks about her life, family and inheritance. It doesn’t take long as Anina starts to fall for Bolt and before you know it, they’re sleeping with each other! Then some weird flashback on her grandpa and his grave. Sad. Valmos is stumped that Bolt wants to eat nuts and screws as opposed to normal food. Add gunpowder for seasoning? Anina tells him to prepare it. They frolic with each other. Wow, fun times. When Bolt is about to enter a prohibited area, Valmos stops him. Only for authorized family members. That night, gunshots are heard and it seems the guards have stave off an attempt by a thief to steal the painting. Anina is relieved that the painting is still here because it means Bolt is still with her. Bolt asks her about that family condition she needs to inherit the fortune. She tells him to marry him because that condition is to marry a real mercenary. Something about her grandpa worried about her after his death. Grandpa made his fortune when he was young and his life once saved by a mercenary. That’s why he thought she would be safe marrying one. But she knows no mercenary would be tied down by marriage but she notes that once he has her family’s fortune, he can have anything he wants including adventures. But Bolt is not impressed and leaves. She threatens him with a shotgun but he doesn’t give a f*ck. Then she points the gun at herself to prove she is truly in love with him. Not sure what happened because she drops it and looks happy. Bolt hands the painting to Ramon who is glad to experiment on it to study its curse. You see, all the previous failed mercenaries are the hotel staffs! They have been cursed by the painting. But Bolt soon causes some havoc. Anina disappears? He returns to the hotel which is now in ruins. He uses his bazooka to destroy the painting and leaves. Anina’s voice noting she’ll wait for him to come back to her.
Episode 4
Bolt arrives in an impoverished town in the outskirts. He is taken to see some revolutionary leader, Lex who has just finished giving his orders to his men on their next mission. He tells Bolt a brief history how Krotaria invaded their neighbouring country, Dwide so their guerillas have continued to fight for freedom. Bolt isn’t interested in this as he continues to point out this town has no men. Only women, children and the elderly due the Krotaria’s president, Zormin the dictator’s policies to bring them to the capital as slaves. Bolt quips he also hides behind the women and children. Lex wants Bolt to rescue a mercenary named Sto whom they’ve hired to kill Zormin. They want him back before he talks. Bolt is not interested until they bring in this young lady, Justine. Bolt’s reward is this woman’s life. Bolt sneaks into the base and if you think he is this dumb to get himself caught, well, it is so that the dumb guards can bring him to Sto’s cell in which, you’ve guessed it, they break out. I don’t know how these guards are even trained as all die at their hands! Sto thinks Lex sent Bolt and helped him out of pure professional courtesy. He assures he hasn’t told them anything. As Sto still thinks he can kill Zormin, Bolt quips he doesn’t work with a clown who can’t achieve his mission. The duo ambush Zormin and kill all his entourage as he is about to escape. Zormin arguing it is the will of the people who turned him into a dictator! WTF?! The man who hired them would do the same. Zormin resigns to his fate and gets killed. After all, all he wants is a good night sleep. Now he can sleep forever. Sto returns to Lex as they both talk proudly how they’ll be heroes. With Justine skimpily dressed, Sto notes they had fun while he was away. But because they continue to treat this lightly, Justine steals a gun and guns them all down save for Bolt and Sto! HOW THE HELL?! Justine views them all the same, not letting them live in peace. Sto, furious he is not getting paid, thinks of teaming up with Bolt. However he shoots him dead! With a smile, he notes this is pure professional courtesy! I don’t know if this is supposed to be a joke.
Episode 5
Donna is an exotic dancer and the lighting man, Bart probably has a crush on her. Like other dancers in the establishment, the boss drives her hard just so as to satisfy customers. As she always notices Bolt waiting outside to take shelter from the rain, she invites her to her home. She has him help himself to any food but she didn’t count on him chomping part of her furniture! Donna talks about her late mom who was a big star and a great dancer. She wants to be like her. Since he isn’t on any job at the moment, Donna brings him to her workplace and all the girls love this handsome hunk! Until of course the boss tells them to get back to work. He even makes Bolt become the janitor while Bart is jealous thinking Bolt is Donna’s boyfriend. But he is madder at the boss who thinks he can throw his weight around Donna. While Donna dances and Bart handles the lighting, Bolt pops up as Bart is eager to find out more about their relationship. Bolt says Donna simply found him on the streets. Donna continues to let Bolt stay with her. She asks if he has a family and why he became a mercenary. No answers. She huddles close to him, believing one day she will make it big like her mom. One day, Bart sees a scout outside and tells Donna the good news. This is her big break. Donna goes to see him but soon Bart is shocked to learn she turned him down. Was she not going to fulfil her dream? He thinks the boss pressured her to stay and will go give him a piece of his mind. But the last straw came when the boss lashes out at Donna about her stupid dance and that she must undress more. She is just like her mother, no sense of reality. Donna has had it as she takes out her knife and claims to her father (?!) that she wants to be free! If not for Bolt stopping her, somebody would’ve died. Only a broken mirror. Look at yourself. Distorted reality. In the aftermath, Bolt leaves as Donna vows to do her best
Episode 6
WTF?! 1.5 minutes seeing a silhouette of a young girl running and laughing?! Is this supposed to be creepy?! An armed Lily Swanson is escaping her pursuers as she enters Bolt’s room for refuge. He immediately eats her gun. While she rues her expensive gun gone, she knows who he is and is his client. She will pay him to help her. Depends on the job. Bolt claims they have the same smell although she claims she is not a mercenary. She wants him to help him find a lost object belonging to her father. As they scour the garbage wastelands, they also have to evade persistent pursuers. Why Bolt just standing there and only run when he is told to?! Eventually she blows up a huge section to make the wall cave in. This blocks her pursuers but they are also trapped. Bolt then finds one of the pursuer’s dropped mini PC that displays info on Lily. He wants to know her true motive because it seems she is a demolisher and has destroyed a few buildings. While that is true, it is also true that she is trying to find her father’s object. Those sad eyes, do you believe her? Eventually they arrive at an abandoned lab. Wow, electricity still running. Even though Lily is not Jessica Prochnoff as the authorization required, she manages to gain entry. Inside this room is a woman in a chamber. This is her father’s object. His last creation. Lily fires all she has to destroy the chamber. Feeling better? She relates the first time she saw a girl in an accident, she was shocked she resembled her. She thought she was her lost relative or a twin but nope. Later she found out they were both clones of Jessica. This means all her memories were lies. With this, Lily is the last clone left. Lily has more memories of Jessica like the orgel her father played, her wedding day and that accident. Beam falling on her?! Lily intends to blow herself up as she believes people like her shouldn’t exist. Uhm, how can Bolt escape if she blasted the only exit? She is sure he will find a way. Huh?! Then he asks her to take off her clothes. Everything! Then boom! 3 years later, her body and clothes were found. So what?! Oh no! Repeating that 1.5 minutes of a silhouette of a young girl running and laughing?! WHY?! But the young girl asking mom what is a father and her reply is that she will understand it one day. I DON’T FREAKING UNDERSTAND ANYTHING!!!
Episode 7
Sister Cyril preaching to her followers about God as Bolt listens. Then she turns her attention to Bolt and is glad he came. Flashback shows she went through a rowdy nightclub in search of him. Yeah, those nonbelievers don’t give a f*ck about your God as they start harassing her! Until of course Bolt saves the day. Cyril brings Bolt to her monastery to see her God. She also brings him to the holy cemetery grounds where their ancestors are resting. As he recognizes a grafted tree, a fellow sister needs Cyril to follow her because a madman is looking for her. This dude is furious if Cyril remembers him because they talked so much about salvation together. She remembers about speaking with her own words and that people are inferior because they don’t transform. Well, this dude believed it and went on a killing spree on pretence he was saving them. Yeah, too many worthless people in the world! By granting them death, he saved them. Thus he is God! WTF?! He notes the only difference between them is that he gives salvation by his own hands while Cyril only entrusted everything to God. Suddenly Bolt crashes through the window! Uhm, God rejected him?! Madman further rants those people he killed didn’t transform and that his salvation was just terror. Now he is having doubts. Cyril doesn’t blame him although he should’ve realized his actions were wrong. She then has him eat a flower as she prays to save his soul. So uhm, he dies? And then he gets sacrificed at the altar as she stabs him with a knife? A graft tree sprouts from him as Bolt notes she has lost her way like that madman. She adds had she not met Bolt, her faith would not have shaken. So uhm, she saw Bolt facing off with a fighter jet in the desert?! Her belief was destroyed when she saw his metamorphosis. Huh? But Bolt tells her he isn’t the one who will guide her. Nor her God. She wants him to show her so he takes out his gun and fires at this spirit from the graft tree?! HUH?! Did he just killed God or something?! In the aftermath, Cyril realizes it is meaningless to stay here and that she should speak her own words and not God’s. Good for her. Godspeed.
Episode 8
Bolt sees Tatiana Kozuirev in prison and she will be executed in 2 days. However it seems she is willing to die and will obey what the law has handed her. Bolt then returns to the prison director, Alexei Griffeld to tell him about Tatiana’s uncooperativeness. Griffeld is devastated because she is put to death and yet she doesn’t say the truth. It seems he doesn’t want to wrongly execute innocent people and pleads to Bolt to further prod her for the truth. Flashback shows Tatiana was tried in a military tribunal and found guilty of treason. She was to be sentenced to death. We see a few interviews of those who know her. Her comrades call her a good agent but some like the mother of Sergei Riefen (one of Tatiania’s men) is happy for her to die because she betrayed her son and left him to die in a foreign land. Bolt further investigates and learns she is the last of her lineage and she is more than happy that way. She still won’t tell him the truth until he shows her something that made her turn pale. Griffeld wants to know what it was and it seems it is a dog tag of Riefen. He was supposed to have died on duty but Bolt says he found it in Estangia. Griffeld begs Tatiana for the truth and she remains silent again so he wants Bolt to tell him everything he said. Apparently Bolt met Riefen and he was living the best life at Estangia. Clear blue skies, paradise beach, tropical climate. This is the reason why he and the rest of his comrades betrayed their country to come here. Because their homeland in Zagard is so gloomy. Although they respected Tatiana, eventually they are not crazy enough to die for their country. Knowing they can live in peace if she is alive and in fear she might rat out the truth, he can’t wait for her execution and wants Bolt to finish. Of course he refused. When Bolt leaves, he finds Riefen’s dog tag in the dustbin. Griffeld wants to make an appeal with this info but Tatiana is adamant to die. Griffeld goes to talk to the general but is told the harsh truth that justice isn’t all that matters. All that matters is to win. Win by minimizing your losses. A commander won’t think what will happen but what can be saved. The general will relieve him of his duties after the execution. As Tatiana is strapped on the electric chair, Bolt shoots the electric circuit board. If you think he is going to save her, think again because he shoots at her head, in which she accepts with a smile!
Episode 9
The crowd watches and cheers as local demolisher boy, Lucas successfully demolishes a mansion without destroying its surroundings. Among the crowd as Bolt as Lucas calls out to him and needs him for job. However because Lucas is late on this meeting, Bolt refuses to work with one who cannot keep his commitments. Bolt only relents because Lucas’ fiancée, Sherry hopes he would listen. Taking Bolt to the highest point in the town, he shows Bolt an abandoned an unmanned aircraft drifting in the sky. His goal is to demolish it. Bolt reminds him that he is a mercenary and not a demolisher. Lucas assures him that he will do the demolition. All Bolt has to do is to take him up there. Bolt’s answer: Then don’t go! Lucas adds that the aircraft cannot drift forever and will eventually crash down. Calculations say that it will crash in this town in 2 days. Lucas goes talk to the mayor about this. He leaves it to them but will evacuate the town. It would be a shame if the aircraft destroys these homes. Lucas assures he will be successful. The mayor pays them in advance but Bolt refuses to take his share. As Lucas is his employer, his payment is entirely up to him. Lucas and Bolt plan on how to go about this mission. Lucas prepares his tools while Bolt just, well, lazes around. I guess he is very well prepared. The night before, Lucas and Sherry sleeping with each other should boost his morale. Hopefully. On the day of the mission, Sherry thanks Bolt for accepting this mission as this helps fulfils Lucas’ dream. Bolt refuses to accept it as he works for Lucas. As the duo wait for the timing, Lucas talks about his dreams to demolish an aircraft named Lavion. Nobody knows where it came from and it has been floating in the sky since forever. Many demolishers tried to bring it down but all have failed. Lucas vows to do it as Bolt believes in him. As the aircraft flies low, Bolt materializes a hook gun for them to climb aboard. I am not sure about this part because it looks like Lucas cuts Bolt loose. The aircraft then crashes into the lake. Everyone cheers. The aircraft in pieces. Bolt survives. But Sherry doesn’t look happy. Well, I guess it is safe to assume the worst.
Episode 10
Bolt is hired by Commander Mardi Gertz to accompany her to some award ceremony. A jester leads them into a building amidst the ruins and suddenly a surprise party?! Governor Alexander awards Gertz a medal for her contributions to the nation of Ibronyu. Many applaud her achievements but some like Sadler and Boyd are not happy because they think Alexander is only doing this for his own re-election. But Boyd has some interesting news that may turn the tide in their favour. Alexander gets the party going as she allows Gertz to sleep with any men she likes but she refuses. As she retires to a room, Boyd soon knocks on her door about some orders she received 2 weeks ago. However Gertz did not receive any such secret orders about Alexander ordering her to leave the front. This is a serious treasonous crime and she can be put to death. But if she cooperates and testifies in the military tribunal to get rid of Alexander and those against them, he’ll let this slide. As Gertz still refuses, Boyd threatens to kill her and her entire unit. Luckily Bolt is here to escort her away. Outside, Gertz tells Bolt about all the usual crap about protecting one’s nation and families, blah, blah, blah. She envies Bolt who comes from nowhere. As enemy tanks soon approach the place and start firing, Sadler confronts Alexander and accuses him of attacking the enemy first so they are here for revenge. He must die for treason. But Alexander is unmoved, firmly claiming he is unaware of this and blaming Sadler for scheming Sadler for scheming everything. In fact, Boyd is his spy and tells him to finish off the traitors in which he shows no hesitation to gun down Sadler. When Gertz meets up with one of her men to prepare to fight, however he is drunk and have misheard that she betrayed the nation and shoots her dead. She dies in Bolt’s arms. As the enemy lay waste to the place, Bolt walks out screaming in anger and starts firing back. This missile aimed at him? He stops it with his palm and I don’t know how he absorbs it and releases back into space! Everything else destroyed. You happy?
Episode 11
Looks like something happened between Bolt and Lavion. Before he knows it, he is in coma for a week and wakes up in a hospital. Tending to him is the island’s only doctor, Jessica Wobart. As Bolt has no recollection of what happened, Jessica tells him to rest. It is thanks to a small girl, Milly who found Bolt lying in the Black Forest, a place where nobody should go because none has ever returned alive. Then what do you make of Bolt and Milly?! Bolt and Jessica hang out with each other and you can tell that they are starting to like each other even if Bolt puts on the same ol’ face. As Bolt ponders about Black Forest and some cloaked woman, he wakes up screaming in bed. Jessica calms him down as he remembers he is a mercenary. Bolt continues to spend his time on the island and with Jessica and Milly. Even Jessica hopes he won’t leave. She thinks they are alike. He is sensitive and always alone. Even when others around him love him, he is always lonely. It seems Bolt hints that he doesn’t want to be a mercenary anymore and has found what he is looking for. Can I say it is love?! One day as Milly and Bolt pick flowers in Black Forest, Bolt is shocked to see that cloaked woman next to Milly. He thinks she is following him around and is like a grim reaper. She disappears and Bolt wakes up from another screaming nightmare. This time sh*t is real because Jessica claims Milly is gone. Both rush into Black Forest to chase after grim reaper who has taken Milly who seems to be happy to go with her. Grim reaper claims she will get Bolt next and disappears along with Milly. Back in his room, Bolt vows to not let grim reaper get him and will go into Black Forest, perhaps to know his identity. Jessica refuses to let him do something dangerous and drugs him out. I don’t think locking the door is useful because grim reaper can just pop up and steal him! Now Jessica chases after them as grim reaper reminds her that destiny cannot be changed. Jessica fails to save Bolt as she pleads not to send him back to the cruel reality. Bolt wakes up on a lab table. Latticia claims he is a very famous mercenary and managed to resurrect him back to life. Jessica is the AI machine? Asking about Milly, it seems she died many hours ago. Latticia has an important mission for him but Bolt says she has wasted her time. Because he is no longer a mercenary anymore.
Episode 12
Latticia explains about how many people tried to bring down Lavion but failed. As she is an aircraft constructor, it serves as a model. Because it is the greatest aircraft that never crashes. Thus it is her goal to find out what makes it defy the laws of gravity as it continues to fly. She wants to bring it down to copy its model so that the future can create aircrafts resistant to any ordeal. Unfortunately, Bolt is disinterested in being a mercenary so he goes to do odd jobs and even sleeps in the streets. Despite Latticia’s attempts to persuade him money and all, he still refuses. Yeah, she wasted her money too. As she talks about her dreams of wanting to create the first infallible aircraft, all Bolt wants is a normal life. So when Latticia is about to go on a solo mission, why is Bolt waiting on her aircraft? He got fired? So what?! I thought he had given up? Apparently not. As they fly there, Bolt asks why she is so bent on doing this. Uhm, did she not say it was her dream? He thinks she wants to die because by bringing Lavion down and making the first infallible aircraft will not return what she has lost. She claims many people in this world are empty and she cannot be like them. When they reach Lavion, Bolt reminds her that he has not accepted her mission. So is he doing this on his own free will? He says not to wait for him.
He walks deeper into Lavion and sees life? There are people and music in the ballroom. He is brought to see Captain Howell. He talks about how Lavion when first built, everyone admired it. But look at how it turned out and in a world where results counts, this is what it will be remembered as. Howell has been waiting for him and after asking if Bolt knows who his parents are (of course not), he will take him to the heart of Lavion. Meanwhile, Latticia also tries to make her way deep into Lavion. Howell shows Bolt this psychocrystal, the thing that keeps this aircraft floating. All he needs to do is break it and Lavion will fall. Howell laments he tried to tell others but they were either too impatient or did not have the talent. But why Bolt? Because he is the last of his kind. He holds the same fate as this psychocrystal. He knows Bolt can fix Lavion. That is why he came. It is his job after all. Soon Lavion starts to tremble and we see spirits of the dead? Latticia finds Bolt and calls out to him but he goes his own way. As Bolt wishes to be normal, Latticia believes he can do it. Howell calls him the last Eat-Man. Roll credits! I don’t know what kind of philosophy is this: Only someone who has eaten metal while crying can know what adventure tastes like. HUH?! WHAT?! Bolt jumps to grab the psychocrystal. OMFG HE MADE THE CRINGEST HPPY SOUND AFTER GETTING HIS HANDS ON IT!!! YAAAYYYY!!! WTF???!!! LAAAAAAME!!!! He eats it. Next thing we know, we see Bolt limping through the desert. Latticia looking for him but sees a revived Lavion flying through the skies.
Eat-Man’98
I guess this is what happens when you are not faithful to the manga. With fans complaining, you bet they are forced to make another entry a year later to stay more faithful to the source material. Hopefully.
Episode 1
Why is this killer being a dick? Some old professor is sleeping and he shoots to wake him up. All scared and frightened, he is then shot dead! Why can’t he just kill the old guy and let him die while sleeping?! As Captain and his aide, Axe investigate the scene, it seems this is the 5th victim who died in similar fashion. A shot to the head and heart. All others were also scientists in biotechnology. Detective Aimie is also tasked to handle this case. She heads down to the bar to confront Bolt. She is not amused he has returned because now he is a murder suspect. She tells him to leave as she doesn’t want to arrest him but he refuses. OMFG she fires a few shots and destroys a few liquor?! Who gonna compensate?! I don’t know, is ordering some calling it even?! As Bolt notes her dedication, she remains adamant she won’t arrest him. Just get out of town. He takes a sword and threatens her to arrest him or he’ll kill someone. She claims he cannot kill her. When police reinforcements arrive, Bolt eats the sword and surrenders. Brought before Captain as he reads why he is guilty, Bolt remains silent so he is thrown into prison. Aimie goes home but there’s another trouble as her roommate, Naomi is having some sort of pain. Weird stuffs on her skin. They make out but she notes Aimie smells like Bolt. Axe has figured out all the scientists worked at the same lab before and were researching something that were all classified as state secrets. The lab was shut down 10 years ago. Great timing, because a professor called emergency for help but the perpetrator got to him. Aimie is despatched to the scene but finds him already dead as the police make haste. Worse, Bolt has broken out of his cell. Captain warns her that Bolt might still be at the scene. Aimie thinks somebody is around but to her shock, it is Naomi. She flees and is happy to reunite with Bolt. Aimie tells Naomi to come back to her but she refuses and wants to stay with Bolt. Is this some love triangle going on? Suddenly Naomi feels pain as her body transforms into a monster.
Episode 2
Naomi trying to take down the police helicopters to tell them Bolt is not a criminal! Is that how you vouch for someone’s innocence?! Captain has an aide to hack into some system for more data and plot convenience will enlighten us a bit more. Seems these professors were engineered human beings. Many were children with no relatives. 98% of test subjects died or didn’t recover. Yeah, Naomi was one of them. As the police believe she is the criminal, they target her but Bolt protects her. Eventually a sniper gets her, much to Aimie’s dismay. Sadly, Naomi dies. In the aftermath, the police deliberates that Naomi endured all the suffering and wanted revenge. But she waited for 10 years?! However Captain senses something amiss. All professors died with a gunshot. Naomi did not have a gun. Oh dear. As Axe escorts Bolt to his cell (why is he being imprisoned?! What is his crime?!), no decent security because Bolt uses this chance to break out. What a mess! Dumb police! Meanwhile, some old dude, Samuel Auldman is being spooked as he feels a murderer in his home and after his life. No surprise, it is Aimie. She hunts him down as the discount overlord fears for his life and tries to run. The police make their way as they receive more info because plot convenience. More data reveal shows that Aimie was also a test subject and Auldman is the last of the professors. You see, Aimie was the only complete and perfect specimen but she has been going around killing these old dudes because all her friends are dead. Naomi was the last one and she’s dead too. She never wanted this life. Some snippets of the lab life. It wasn’t fantastic. Before Captain gives the orders to shoot Aimie, Bolt is standing behind her. She believes he came back here to stop her. Asking about Naomi at the crime scene, she so happened to follow Aimie. So yeah, there you have your killer. Aimie shoots Auldman as Bolt uses his sword to stab through her. Convenient explosion covers their escape because only Auldman’s body was found. Captain considers this case as closed and will not pursue Bolt and Aimie. As Bolt carries Aimie out of town, she is still alive. Her regeneration means she cannot die and is forced to live this way. Bolt notes she has also died. Aimie asks about Bolt back at the lab, always watching them with sad eyes. She thinks he is also a test subject but he replies it is her choice to believe or not. He parts ways with her.
Episode 3
Bolt enters Mavid Village and the people think he is the enemy and want to kill him. But it seems he has been called for a job. Taken to the village chief and showing the note he got for the job, the chief notes how the company called Konzeln is trying to use their money to drive them off their tribal land and build their own company here. That company contracts out to mercenaries including the world’s best mercenary named Hard Wolfstar. As none knows who hired Bolt, the only hint in the note says it is the one with inis flower, the only kind of flower sold here. All are confused as the chief calls out to the old woman selling the flowers. However she keeps talking about the need to pay for her flowers. Is everyone here senile? Bolt then goes off to Konzeln and meets the CEO. He attacks all but is eventually overwhelmed by Hard. Really? He went down that easily? CEO finds it hard Mavid hired him as Hard calls him the greatest mercenary in the world. CEO wants to kill Bolt but that would be a waste of his talents. He is given some money as bribe so Bolt eats a machine? CEO wants Hard to dispose of Bolt once they’re done with Mavid so Hard tells Bolt his life is in his hands. Next day as Konzeln rolls out its army and machinery, the Mavid people are shocked to see Bolt among them. Guess he switched sides. Hard offers Bolt to work under him after this is over but Bolt won’t work with someone lacking power. He can pay too but it’s not the money. Hard claims he will become the greatest because he bought Bolt as his tool. When it is time for Bolt to do his job, Bolt materializes a huge gun but points back at Konzeln. So, he claims Mavid hired him first? Hard then points his gun at him and mentions about luck being a kind of power. Noting Bolt as the world’s greatest mercenary, Hard shows the inis flower in his shirt. He then turns on Konzeln as they both destroy the company. CEO shot dead. In the aftermath, Hard reveals he was the one who hired Bolt for the job. Bolt notes to have his payment ready for the next job. The old woman pesters Hard for money for the flower. They’re not free!
Episode 4
In a coastal town where Bolt is waiting for the next ship, a group of men approach him and will pay him to protect a girl. Brining him to the top of the tower where Francois is located, he agrees to protect her for an hour. Right after they leave, they see a bloody war going on below. Lots of people dying. Bolt is not interested to hear her story as she tells him he needs to get away from this tower before noon. However he refuses. Stay! I am hired to protect you. And damn, he really sticks to his job. He fires away from the tower and when this young lad, Andy climbs up to the tower and happy to see Francois, Bolt tries to shoot him! Even when Francois claims she knows Andy and he isn’t the enemy, Bolt reminds her that it is his job to protect her! LITERALLY! He shoots Andy off as he falls hard to the ground below, devastating Francois. She tries to tell him how hard her life is but he ignores her and continues shooting the enemies below. More deaths. When the clock strikes noon, her body undergoes a little transformation. She demonstrates by cutting a little wound. Just for 1 hour at noon on the day of a full moon, her blood becomes an eternal elixir of youth. That is why many are after her blood. Those group of men return and are glad Bolt did his job. They now try to get Francois and why the hell they look like perverts! As she tries to resist, Bolt fires a warning shot. Remember, his job is to protect her! Next time, spell out the details of the contract! Bolt materializes a mean machine gun and guns them all down! Well, half the tower is gone. Andy is still alive as he manages to climb back up. Bolt still on the job, huh? Andy assures he is not after her blood and wants to protect her. Well, lucky him. The 1 hour duration is over and his ship has just arrived. Bye.
Episode 5
In this town, there is some legend that some treasured sword must accept someone in order for him to become the king of Ambrosia. If a brave man holds it, it will transform into a huge sword. Then there’s the king who is in misery because the princess got kidnapped by a demon. We see this feisty young girl, Vanessa O’Neil doing odd jobs for a living that includes hunting down a demon in some guy’s attic. Du Marc has been visiting the king a lot lately. It is because of his medicine, he is feeling a lot better. Because of that, he lets Jonathan tour Du Marc to see the kingdom’s treasures and this includes a room containing a sacred sword and it is that legendary sword that will turn big when a brave man holds it. The place also have the finest guards, Notre Cerebis to guard all the sacred scriptures of Sacri. Robert talks to Jonathan how the king is now very dependent on the medicine. It really makes him forget all the sadness. However he thinks Du Marc isn’t doing charity and has ulterior intentions. He hopes he is just overthinking. Ted picks up Bolt back to his place, he soon learns his daughter, Vanessa wants to join the volunteer army with her friends as a demon just popped up. Ted is against this but she claims food and lodging will be taken care of. Bolt follows her as she thinks dad set him up to this. However he too wants to join the volunteer army. Vanessa meets up with her illiterate friends to sign up. When the recruits are given their own room, a guy wants to bunk with Vanessa and starts harassing her. Bolt throws a knife at him so he thinks he wants to get it on. However Bolt quips he is not gay! The others laugh and the embarrassed jerk leaves. Ted talks to the local bartender, Coco that even though he isn’t her real dad, that’s why she joined the volunteer army. Coco claims he is a good father and brought her up a happy girl. He fears she might have been killed by a demon but Bolt assures she is still alive. What is he doing here? Hate the army food. But Vanessa and the boys love it! That night, somebody disables all the Notre Cerebis to steal the sword. Jonathan and Rene Fredericks discuss about the culprit who seems to know this place well and the guards were all knocked out by some electromagnetic weapon. Jonathan believes this must not get out and the king must not know about this or else this threatens his father, Robert’s position. Thus they have to solve this themselves and Rene must head to town to find a witness. For what?! Did anybody else witness this?!
Episode 6
The volunteer army are given their gear. However Bolt is holed up in his room and eating his bolts and screws, much to the chagrin of a recruiter. So he just gave up and let him be? As he complains to Rene about it, looks like this guy got his answer. Ted tries to go to Vanessa but too late, the ship has sailed. Then he gets lost inside the building and trying to hide from the patrolling guards. We see Du Marc having the sword and he is swinging it around just for size but soon gets disappointed when it splutters out. Because of that, he throws it to one of his men and wants him to melt it down. As he also reports there are no news of the sword’s disappearance, Du Marc wonders how long they can keep this a secret. The volunteer army arrive at the valley. See all those dead people? How can you have appetite right now? I don’t know, but they’re going to have their meal but Vanessa and the kids steal the whole lot! AND THEY ALLOW IT?! Oh well, I’m guessing they don’t have the appetite either. The demon shows up. Time for chaos. With many dead, those alive and greedy are looting the treasures in a coffin. Alex (one of Vanessa’s lackeys) got greedy and also do the same. Bolt has finished eating his metal stuffs so he makes a move while Rene tails him. Bolt buys more resources and then tries to rent a ship? The officer tells him off about it even if Bolt offers to pilot it himself. Oh no you can’t. You need a licensed person to fly it. That is when Rene show up to offer his service. As they fly to the valley, Bolt hears someone hiding the back. It is Ted. With the looters fighting each other for treasure, they’ll soon pay for their greed as the monster attacks. Yeah, those dumb f*cks deserve to die. Alex clings on to a jerk as they are being swallowed by the sand. Had not Vanessa throw them a rope, they would’ve been done for. After being saved, the jerk decides to go back down to get his dropped treasure. He paid the price. He had his chance. The kids run. Just in time as the ship lands. Ted rushes to hug Vanessa, relieved she is alive. However she is adamant to slay the demon. That is what she is here for. She won’t listen despite the boys telling her otherwise. Time for Bolt to show what he is made off. Drinking the last of his resources, he materializes a big gun to shoot holes in the demon. Uhm, the bleeding looks so fake… Anyway, demon dead. Everybody can’t believe what they’re seeing. Meanwhile Coco continues to warn her harasser who keeps calling her. Du Marc’s man who instead of melting the sword, sells it for a handsome sum to some junk trader.
Episode 7
Bolt attends the award giving ceremony and gets rewarded for his efforts. He then joins everyone else to go back to the side to salvage parts of the demon. Only, Bolt is relaxing in his tent and doing nothing. I guess he is a hero and deserves some break. Rene remains suspicious of Bolt because of his strength in slaying the demon all by himself. Plus, he eats metal. As Coco notices people outside her bar, it seems her stalker has left some sexy pic of her and this has everyone suspicious of her now. Soon, he calls and reminds her he won’t make her forget about him. She tells him to kill her but he claims that won’t be fun. In fact, he hints about doing something to Vanessa. She goes to town to buy a gun but the owner notes this weapon doesn’t suit her so she leaves. Then she spots a sword on sale at that junk shop. Holy f*ck, did she buy it for a song?! Meanwhile the king is going crazy as he thinks the demon is still attacking. He wants the sword now. It takes Robert some effort to hold back this senile king. Du Marc is shocked to learn somebody singlehandedly slew the demon. The Ambrosia army can’t possibly do it so it must be one of those hired mercenaries. As Rene watches over Bolt, Vanessa too finds him suspicious and gives him her piece of mind that he better watch his ass if he plans to use Bolt for his own gains! Wow, such feisty girl! The stalker returns as he destroys Ted’s shop. Ted and Vanessa go to confront him as Coco tells them not to as she has dealings with him. As she slaps him, the jerk warns everyone not to get involved with this woman because she’ll screw you up. However Vanessa defends her because she doesn’t care what she has done in the past. Coco thanks them for taking care of her because when she first came here, she was a total wreck. She takes out the sword and tries to kill the asshole. She seriously think she can do it? Nah. He overwhelms her and takes her hostage instead. Time for Bolt to step in. He comes close enough to eat the whole sword, shocking everyone. Uhm, if Rene has been watching this the whole time, did he not recognize the sword?! Or is he waiting for something to happen?! As the stalker drives his truck and going to ram Bolt, he materializes the sword. Uhm, why eat a perfectly good sword in the first place?! The sword grows big as he cuts the truck in half effortlessly. Now Rene is certain that is the stolen royal sword and Bolt is that fabled brave man.
Episode 8
As thanks, Rene allows Vanessa and Ted to witness the sword being placed back to its rightful place. Robert has suspected something amiss from Du Marc’s medicine and has ordered a scientist to study it. As feared, the recovery is only temporary as one’s health would deteriorate in the long run. One more dose and the king is done for. Looks like the king is in absolute pain now. Rene, Vanessa, Ted and Coco talk about Bolt being the next legitimate king but do you think Bolt is the kind of guy who wants to be tied down like this? Then there’s a few moments of Rene and Vanessa together. She thanks him for not ratting on Coco and because of that, she is allowed to keep and stay at this place. When Rene return to Robert, the latter needs him to bring Bolt. However Rene disagrees because Bolt already said he has no interest to become the next king. Robert remains pushy as he warns Du Marc is coming. Speaking of the devil, here he is. The king is glad to see him and desperately takes his medicine. Feeling better already? The king has them show Du Marc the scriptures and then let him have a tour of the valley. Du Marc is shocked the sword is back in its place. Could it be an imitation to fool everyone? As they are about to depart, Vanessa is here to return a pendant Rene dropped at Coco’s place. She learns Robert is his dad and it was a gift given by him. Du Marc invites her to come on this tour too. Ted hears rumours that certain guards were killed and a young girl taken hostage. Realizing Vanessa is not around, he pleads to Bolt to save her. At the valley, Rene shows Vanessa his mother’s grave. He notes Vanessa is kind like her. Du Marc uses the sword to take Robert hostage. Vanessa struggles with him and grabs the sword. It grows big. Then they realize she is the missing princess, Katie. It seems Du Marc’s intention was to find her and discontinue the bloodline. Now that he has found her, he transforms into his monster form to kill them. Robert dies protecting them. Thankfully, Ted and Bolt arrive in time. Du Marc is not happy Bolt destroyed his creation and will make him suffer. Bolt tells him to ask his demon how the suffering was. Bolt creates that demon from his hands. It won’t listen to Du Marc as it devours him before exploding! In the aftermath, Ted is down as Coco notes Vanessa will not be coming back here although she is still his daughter. Bolt leaves town as we see Katie FKA Vanessa engaged to Rene. Embracing her royalty role now, eh? Bolt gives them a ring he found at the grave. It belongs to Rene’ mom. Final parting gift, I suppose.
Episode 9
Bolt rescues Mira who has been held for ransom by an incompetent guard. Then he calls to president of Daixtra Corp to tell him that he has secured his daughter. The president who is encased in some mechanical life support chamber whatever, is happy and will pay Bolt his dues. He can’t wait for Mira to return. His secretary, Marco notes how Mira wanted to run away with her lover 2 years ago but got her memories erased by him. The president needs to do something before she remembers. Marco will go and get her. Because Bolt notes his mercenary job is easy, Mira doesn’t trust him and cries rape. The people surround Bolt and beat him up, allowing Mira to escape. However she is soon attacked by Garieth, a spider-like mecha belonging to Marco. Marco notes father is waiting for her but Mira is adamant not wanting to return. Bolt recognizes Marco although the latter does not. Bolt leaves Marco a message for his boss: This is his job. Bolt takes Mira and run. They hide in an inn. She tries to cry rape again but he won’t fall for the same tricks twice. Mira explains how despicable her father is trying to keep her on a leash. All she wanted was to be with her lover but now she can’t even remember his name or face thanks to him erasing those memories. Garieth returns to attack. Another run of running. At the rooftop, Bolt throws Mira into a storeroom for safety as he goes face Garieth. She finds this scene familiar and suddenly remembers the truth. Oh damn, Bolt is her lover?! When she suggested running away together, Bolt put her on a train as he went to face off with a Garieth-like mecha. And now Mira is desperate to be with Bolt but he locks the door as Garieth grips him in its claw. Bolt materializes a strange weapon to destroy Garieth. Looks like he is turning his back on the president and cites his miserly reward. Meanwhile Marco confronts the president and he too is starting to remember things he had forgotten. Finding Bolt familiar, he thought Mira hired a mercenary to run away with her lover. Then he realizes that he is the mercenary hired by Mira!
Episode 10
Marco blames the president for he has erased his memories too. When Marco tries to shoot him, his machineries grab a hold of him and it’s time to brainwash him back to his secretary. Mira wakes up to find the place wrecked and Bolt still in 1 piece. She cooks him breakfast. Uhm, how do you cook metal screws and bolts?! As she claims her memories haven’t fully returned yet, she hopes he can tell more about them. However Bolt says he doesn’t have memories of being her lover. This shocks her as he says his job is to bring her back to the president. Oh, now he is going to complete his job? Upon arriving, Marco takes them the president. As she is still talking about memories of her lover, Marco will show her the truth as he shoots the president. OMFG now it’s so easy to shoot him?! Where are his security mechanisms now?! Marco claims his memories were never erased in the first place. He tries to make Mira remember. They are the lovers. The president attacks. Marco and Mira fall to their deaths and the shocking twist: They are both robots! The president emerges from his chamber as he mocks them for forgetting about being robots. Further flashback on that train incident shows that when Mira was put on the train, it was to reunite with Marco her lover. The train left as they watch Bolt battle the mecha while noting him as the best mercenary ever. Marco and Mira go offline forever. The president adds the duo hired Bolt to help them escape from him. But now he caught them again and erased their memories. He thinks Bolt is now here to finish the job despite knowing they are robots. Bolt agrees as he materializes Garieth to kill him. The president is in shock. Who ordered a hit on him? Bolt plays a video of the president himself, hiring him to terminate him before he ceased to be himself. And now this mission is completed. Bolt takes the chips of Mira and Marco. In the aftermath, not sure how but both Marco and Mira are alive and living a normal free life. They bump into Bolt and wonder if they have met before. Of course Bolt replies nope and heads off.
Episode 11
Senator Sharif is running for election and during his appearance in a crowd, an assassin attempts to take his life. Obviously the crowd panics. Before Sharif is being ushered into his limo, Hard saves him because damn, a rocket is fired into his car! Elsewhere, Bolt is being hired to protect Grant who is the incumbent in this election. As Bolt notes he can smell gunpowder, the bodyguards start to take action. Eventually a failed attempt on Grant’s life. Because of this situation, both sides theorize that there might be a third party and that they might have hired Raffin. As Sharif recuperates, Bolt talks to his personal bodyguard, Denzel that assassination is no the goal because there were so many chances to do so. And no, Raffin did not screw up and all attempts were a success. Confused? Reporter, Thelma Abigail tries to interview Bolt but he says nothing. Because she thinks he is that rumoured mercenary, there might never be one called Raffin. What if a mercenary got mixed up with both camps and plotted an armed attack? As Thelma tries to follow Bolt to get more info, she receives a call that Sharif has been shot. Hard goes after the perpetrator but then stumbles into Bolt. Are you the assassin? Does Bolt have a reason to fight him? Investigating the scene, looks like the assassin fled as Bolt notes there is another person. As Hard blames himself for the screw up, he hears rumours that Raffin’s contractor is Denzel. Later Thelma talks to Hard about the senator pulling this off to gain public sympathy for his falling popularity. But even if Sharif is behind this, he wouldn’t have wanted this outcome. Thelma suggests both sides joining forces to overcome this. Then they stumble into Denzel as they talk. Hard asks who would benefit from Sharif’s deaths and hints at Denzel about not wanting to get his own hands dirty. Hard points his gun at him and claims Bolt is just a camouflage to make Raffin’s job easier. That is when Raffin attacks them. She exposes the truth and hints that her contract with Denzel is done. When Hard fires back, he accidentally shoots Denzel. This shock allows Raffin to shoot him. Before Raffin finishes him, Bolt throws a bomb at her. She escapes. Bolt eats Denzel’s gun as Hard goes down hard. Pun not intended.
Episode 12
A funeral is held for Denzel. Sharif visits Hard in hospital before leaving. Soon after, Thelma visits and Hard worries about Bolt seeing him in this pathetic condition? Grant blames himself for Denzel’s death. He reliefs Bolt from his contract but the latter says it is not cancelled. Huh? That night, Raffin attacks Hard’s room. He fights back as she escapes again. Meanwhile, a room filled with supposed bigwigs. They are discussing about Raffin’s disobedience and rebellion. If she continues this way, she is useless. It is meaningless if they can’t control her as she is their weapon. And guess who the big boss of this evil party? Oh Sharif, can’t mistake that moustache. Thelma gets a call to meet. This call is bugged by Sharif’s bodyguard who then calls Hard for a mission. I guess no rest for him. With Bolt here, Hard tells him that they have been used but Bolt rejects that. As Thelma and her cameraman wait at the warehouse, Raffin attacks them and kidnaps Thelma. Hard arrives too late as the dying cameraman reveals this was all a trap to lure Hard out. Before he dies, he tells him where Thelma was taken. Hard heads there as he tells Bolt not to intervene. You think he will listen? Inside the warehouse, Raffin uses Thelma as hostage and believes Hard cannot shoot, the reason why their boss hired him. Confusing because Bolt materializes a gun for Hard and then both sides start shooting. Damn Raffin, she’s shooting everywhere and yet can’t hit anything?! She sounds so happy being trigger happy. A few shots from Hard and she gets killed. Then they hear a strange sound. Oh, it’s those bozos trying to fire a rocket into the warehouse and kill them all to cover evidence! Bolt shoots some car for their cover?! I don’t know how but they survive the impact! Thelma goes back to the newsroom to tell everyone Sharif is the culprit behind this. But she receives bad news that Grant has decided to resign and not to run for office. And we see Sharif and the gang celebrating because tomorrow they will make their public appearance. At the hall, Sharif makes his usual politician speech when Hard goes up to point his gun at him. WTF the security is a mockery! Hard fires at his wheelchair to prove Sharif is not paralyzed as he can still stand. But guess what? It is Bolt who shoots Sharif dead! OMFG did he just do this in front of the public and TV?! Not that he gives a damn. In the aftermath, Hard pays Bolt a coin in return for that inis flower case. He eats it and walks away. Thelma wonders if Hard will quit being a mercenary but he says he won’t.
Eat Your Heart Out! Or Gun… Or Whatever!
Well… Uhm… Whatever… I suppose everything is okay as usual? Yeah, at this point I don’t know what I am feeling right now. Perhaps a mix of everything. But mostly negative. Yeah, here I thought that at least a retro anime series would be better compared to contemporary animes I am watching since it is good to take a break once in a while from watching all the current series. But after all that I have seen in this series, looks like I know that I was not very impressed with it. Although I would not go so far as to call this series a big sh*t and absolute disaster failure, it is at least in a way disappointing and confusing. I don’t know, maybe it is because I am not a fan of the series so there might be some stuffs that I was unable to see or connect and that left me unsatisfied and displeased.
Firstly, the way the plot and story plays out here, it is all episodic and standalones. All of the episodes and more accurately, the arcs do not seem to be related to one another so you are safe in watching in any order as you like without losing much info. Such style that lacks any direction of a plot means that you can’t follow fervently the story and at the end of the day, everything doesn’t come together and that is bad if you are here for the story. It is good if you have a bad memory and don’t really remember what happened in the previous episodes. But what makes this even worse is that the episodes and arcs here end on a very strange note. Especially in 1997 Eat-Man. Many stuffs were never explained and everything was so abstract. Most of the time in the end, I would be going, “Huh? So what?”. My guess is that they want to leave it to our interpretation. However with this open ended interpretation, this leaves a lot of room for confusion. You don’t really understand what is going on the entire time and when the plot or twist was revealed to be like that, instead of being marvelled at the surprise, you’ll more than often be confused and disappointed at it. For instance, that Lavion one which I thought was from the manga but from what I found, it was totally original and in the anime only. It was never fully explained what this phenomenon was and all we had in the end was Bolt taking it down. I mean, so what? What was the significance of this? It made no sense. It did not satisfy us.
With the 1997 Eat-Man very loosely based on the manga source and in fact, none of the episodes were from the manga, that prompted lots of angry fans and thus the ‘sequel’ of Eat-Man’98. However, despite following the same episode and standalone format, at least the stories here are not as confusing or abstract although many still end on a somewhat, shall I say, inadequate note. I mean, when it ends, more than often I would go, “Oh, this is it? That’s the end of this story?”. Because nothing says that the story has ended when Bolt just casually walks away like as though he is done fulfilling his contract and can now walk off into the sunset. Or the distance. It still leaves a lot to be desired. Some of the episodes were taken from the manga while the rest were originally animated (like that Ambrosia arc and the final politician assassination farce).
Of course the big main character is Bolt himself who is still a big mystery. You don’t really get to know him any better in the end as you were in the start. From what I read, even the manga doesn’t really delve into his past although there were hints about his origins and his powers. I suppose they really want to keep this guy a big enigma and perhaps that is the charm of the series. Either you love a guy who is totally mysterious or you hate him because you don’t get to know him well after investing your time seeing him on strange adventures and requests. From what I see in both series, the 1997 Eat-Man turned him into a different character from what the fans expected. You see, this 1997 Bolt felt more like a retard because in many cases when you see his mug expecting some sort of reaction, he gives off a stupid grin! I mean, WHAT THE HELL?! Is he trying to be cute or what?! He was also made to hate his mercenary life and wanted to be normal although this was overturned in Eat-Man’98. Honestly, I don’t see much difference because Bolt is still taciturn and mysterious. Talking in riddles that just confuses the hell out of others. Perhaps it gives a lot of leeway for interpretation. You wonder if he is serious or not. Or both. After all, it is you who misinterpreted or assumed it is so but remember, Bolt didn’t say it. So yeah. That. At least Bolt in grey sunglasses Eat-Man’98 was at least more tolerable than his 1997 counterpart who somehow wore red shades. On a trivial note, is Bolt named so note because he eats those little metal nuts but because he is bolted down to his job and that sometimes he can be one cranky fellow? Heh. I dunno…
As his powers were never fully explained either, once again it gives me a lot of freedom to come up with dumb conspiracies of what he has to eat them. I mean, if he can reproduce exactly the same thing that he eats, why eat it in the first place? For example, a fine looking gun, he devours it and then later produces an exact replica. Why? Can he not just keep it in his trench coat if he intends to use it later? Maybe it’s the element of surprise. Because everyone who catches him eating the metal stuffs would be watching in shock. In Eat-Man’98, he is mostly always seen chewing screws and bolts. This means I am guessing that if he wants to create a different weapon, he has to eat bits and parts of the resources? Does he have little gnomes living in his stomach who will put together all the nuts, bolts and screws he has eaten? Just in time for him to create them at the palm of his hands? Because I feel that Bolt doesn’t really live up to the Eat-Man moniker and he only materializes his weapons just for plot convenience. So I take it since Bolt doesn’t eat and drink normal food, this means he doesn’t take a dump or leak either. What a waste if he has a penis and butthole! The most useless organs on him. HAHAHAHA!!!! Sighs…
As for the other characters, due to the nature of this series, I guess you can say that they are mostly forgettable because they don’t come back again in future episodes. Once their case is solved, you’ll never see them again. Proof that they don’t cross paths with Bolt again and are living their own happy life. Dumb for me to point out that Bolt is the only character that appears in every episode. Everybody else is ‘expendable’. Oh right. The second most recurring character is Lavion. HAHAHA! Just kidding. What I want to say that in the 1997 Eat-Man, you see this broken aircraft floating in the sky in every episode and you thought this mystery would bring some sort of significance later. Well, we all know what happened now. Jokes aside, the only other recurring character is Hard. Yeah, I can’t believe my eyes when they actually brought back a character from a previous story. Just kidding. Not. Anyway, we don’t know as much about Hard as we do about Bolt. Sometimes I feel that Hard is some sort of fan boy of Bolt because he admires him to be the best mercenary in the world. But other than that, I think personality wise, Hard also sucks because I don’t see anything great about him. Because if it was, he would’ve easily outshone Bolt. Don’t be fooled by his handsome face. There are a handful of other characters like Aimie that would recur later but that only happens in the manga. Some of those recurring characters didn’t even appear in the anime but I guess that’s not my problem.
Action wise, it is not the best in the world and sometimes I would want to say that it is one kind. No doubt that in some episodes, there are people dying and for a series like this, I guess it is a must not only for shock value. But oh well, these dumb people mostly deserve to die anyway because letting them live would have people like me question what happened to them later on. So it is best just to kill them off and forget about them. Anyway, the action scenes are not really that spectacular either because as mentioned, whenever you see Bolt materializes his weapon from his hand, you know this solves whatever problem or crap in hand. Yeah, nothing like shooting or blowing away the enemy with whatever weapon he created. I mean, Bolt can move like a turtle and sloth but as long as he does this move, you know it’s time to end it. Oh come on, were you expecting Bolt to do Jackie Chan style of acrobatic kung fu moves?! Yeah, maybe I was. But damn. This was what we got. Boring. And not to say that the weapon he created was a super upgrade from the original. In fact, it’s the same thing! Just reproduced again from his hand. Wow. If Bolt was not the best mercenary, he could be the best magician! Just saying.
Art and animation I would say it is quite mediocre quality. Sure, it is back in the late 90’s style of animation and quality but I guess Studio Deen has a reason to be hated by fans back in those days. And even now. Heh. Oh right, I watched the VHS quality version so now you know why the quality also as bad. With the dark dystopian futuristic setting, I think this partly helps in covering up all the mediocre animation quality. That’s why sometimes the action scenes were a disappointment. Even the character designs were plain. I mean, if every episode was going to feature a few new characters, it would be a pain and waste of them just to put in some effort, right? Yeah, even Bolt doesn’t look menacing or enigmatic. Just pretty normal guy walking around in his shades and sometimes eating his bolts. Until of course he starts to give off that stupid grin in the 1997 version. Then there is the CGI part which I noticed in Eat-Man’98 when Bolt materializes his weapon. To be fair, 3D rendering in that time wasn’t really advanced yet. So when Bolt materializes his weapon, the morphing effects looked f*cking strange! I don’t know if he ate the wrong kind of metal for this effect but whatever. Yeah, it all looks so dated watching from this point in time.
Voice acting is just average and nothing special. Masashi Ebara as Bolt (Might Guy in Naruto) in both instalments just felt ordinary. Isn’t it an easy job to voice a taciturn character with just a few lines? I dunno. I never did voice acting work before so don’t ask me. A handful of seiyuus I recognized include Cho as Boyd, Norio Wakamoto as Du Marc, Takehito Koyasu as Marco, Fumihiko Tachiki as Daixtra president and Houchuu Ohtsuka as Denzel. Some others to note include Aya Hisakawa as Culenne, Hiroshi Yanaka as Mitchell, Maya Okamoto as Anina, Ken Narita as Sto, Sakiko Uran as Donna, Mika Doi as Tatiana, Wataru Takagi as Lucas, Kaori Yamagata as Lily, Yuuko Mizutani as Gertz, Mitsuki Yayoi as Jessica, Makoto Tsumura as Milly, Takashi Inagaki as Howell, Yurika Hino as Latticia, Sakiko Tamagawa as Aimie, Ryoko Nagata as Naomi, Hirotaka Suzuoki as Hard, Tomoko Ishimura as Francois, Kazue Ikura as Vanessa, Mitsuaki Madono as Rene, Tomomichi Nishimura as Robert, Sumi Shimamoto as Coco, Ichiro Nagai as Ted, Yuuko Miyamura as Mira, Genda Tesshou as Grant, Ginga Banjou as Sharif, Michiko Neya as Raffin and Minami Takayama as Thelma.
The 1997 Eat-Man’s opening theme is Chiisana Koi No Melody by Kinniku Shoujo Tai. This hardcore rock piece is quite okay but I feel it is misplaced using it as the series’ opener. Yeah, you have hard rock punk screaming and bad ass rock playing but after seeing the pace of each episode, your vibes will be confused. The ending theme is Walk This Way by Fields. Typical retro anime pop. Okay in my books, I guess. For the record, both opening and ending credits animation have the most minimal animation ever. Yeah, just let your credits run over a black screen. Saves time and money. Yeah, all they need to do was animate the psychocrystal at the start of the opener and Bolt’s handgun at the end of it. Everything else all black in between. Yeah. The opening theme for Eat-Man’98 is Burning Blue by Magic. Sounds more like a western cowboy song infused with a bit of rock and the singer’s voice a bit coarse. Sounds okay to me. The same group sings the ending theme, Tabibito. More of a slow rock but once again, western cowboy vibes permeate this piece. There’s an insert song called Black Cats sung by well, Black Cats which is retro style Rock N Roll and sung totally in English. I think I prefer this song to the rest. And I thought Elvis Presley came back to life! Heh.
If there is another thing to note about this series, it is some of the BGMs that are written by Yuki Kajiura. Yes, that famed music composer Yuki Kajiura. It was not obvious at first but soon I started to notice her trademark style in the BGMs played throughout the episodes. But I have to admit that while they are not as catchy as my favourites in Mai-HiME and Tsubasa Chronicle, they are still quite nice to hear in their own right. In fact, Eat-Man was one of her very earliest anime works so perhaps she wasn’t so fine-tuned as those in her subsequent works. Unfortunately these BGMs were only for the 1997 version as Eat-Man’98 did not feature her works. No wonder the BGMs started to sound comical. Yeah. A whole lot of difference there.
Overall, I have to say that I am disappointed with this anime because of all the confusion caused by the lack of continuity in the story as well as all the abstract storytelling. The lack of explanation was also a major factor and I do not expect overly confusing plots and twists just to blow my mind because you know how much I will b*tch about confusing the whole f*cking thing will be. A simple one would do but I guess that was not to be. Heck, this series would be so on par with Ou Dorobou Jing because of the way the standalone episodes and story arcs played out. Only Jing has got a flirty pet crow who tries to hit on hot babes of the episode (and fails but at least he tried). What does Bolt have? He only eats metal bolts, nuts and screws and even if a hot babe likes him, he is likely to push her away! Bummer. Hope he enjoys his metal. You are what you eat anyway. At least he doesn’t get fat from all that munching or worse, metal and rust poisoning. I know we all need some iron in our diet but please don’t follow Bolt’s way. Sadly, everything I eat nowadays turned into stored fats… I have turned from Eat-Man into Fat-Man… Sighs. Sorry, never mind.
