is a spy-fi anime series based on a manga series by famous manga artist shotaro ishinomori . it was first broadcast on tbs tv in japan in october 2006 . the original manga was named 009ノ1 -lrb- " zero zero ku-no-ichi " ; a pun on kunoichi and a reference to the main character 's occupation as a spy -rrb- and was serialized in weekly manga action from 1967 to 1970 , then returned briefly in 1974 .
it concerns miléne hoffman -lrb- ミレーヌ ・ ホフマン mirēnu hofuman ; " mylene " in the english translation -rrb- , a female cyborg with machine gun breasts who works as a secret agent .
prior to the anime , it had been adapted into a live-action drama for fuji tv in 1969 entitled " flower action 009ノ1 " .
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the 2006 anime has been licensed for a north american release by a.d. vision .
the first volume was released on june 19 , 2007 , although it was originally scheduled for release in march 2007 .
in 2008 , the show , along with 30 other adv titles were relicensed to funimation entertainment .
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although it was also created by ishinomori , and features similar themes , this seinen manga , despite the " 00 " name and the cybernetized protagonists , has no relation to his previous work cyborg 009 , a shōnen manga -lrb- although in the original manga , the cyborgs from cyborg 009 actually make appearances in some chapters -rrb- .
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characters
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the 9 number group
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mylene hoffman -lrb- 009-1 -rrb-
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an agent of the all-female " nine number group " , one of the ten groups in the " zero zero organization " , a western bloc intelligence organization .
almost her entire body has been cybernetized , and various parts of her body are equipped with special functions which are necessary for spy activity .
besides her standard weapon , which is a ray gun , the wa-p009 -lrb- commonly called a plasma gun -rrb- , she also wears earring communicators , boots with a hidden needle gun , and other agent gear .
her most secret pieces of equipment are her 9 & nbsp ; mm bust machine guns , which have been made into a part of her body and fire bio-bullets .
built into both of her breasts , they have enough power to turn the target into swiss cheese .
various secret equipment has been installed and modifications done , but her physical abilities were high to begin with , and she also has a clear mind .
together , all of this makes her the single most outstanding agent in the zero zero organization .
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judy moore -lrb- 009-2 -rrb- vanessa ibert -lrb- 009-3 -rrb-
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she has been specially modified with a focus on electronic analysis equipment .
just by " looking " at the target , the camera built into her eye can store the target 's data in her brain 's memory .
she is also capable of downloading the information she has gained into a compact device through the connector on the back of her neck .
the character has a motif based on francoise arnoul -lrb- 003 -rrb- from cyborg 009 .
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berta kästner -lrb- 009-4 -rrb-
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her four limbs have been modified .
both elbows and both knees can be equipped with tactical units suited for the particular mission .
among the 9 number agents , she has the most points of cybernetic modification .
her motif is that of albert heinrich -lrb- 004 -rrb- from cyborg 009 , who was equipped with weapons all over his body .
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thelma banderas -lrb- 009-5 -rrb- fei chan -lrb- 009-6 -rrb- mia connery -lrb- 009-7 -rrb-
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her entire skeletal structure , as well as all of her muscles and skin , are composed of a special biological tissue , making it possible for her to make a complete transformation into any person : a transformation that goes beyond a simple disguise .
it would not be expected from her cute baby-face , but she is a cool agent who never shows any sentiment or emotion during a mission .
she has a motif based on g -lrb- reat -rrb- b -lrb- ritain -rrb- -lrb- 007 -rrb- from cyborg 009 .
her name may be a reference to sean connery , who portrayed 007 , much like great britain .
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una berry -lrb- 009-8 -rrb- mio murashima -lrb- 009-9 -rrb- -lrb- her name may be a reference to joe shimamura from cyborg 009 . -rrb-
alyona theremin -lrb- 009-10 -rrb- bella theremin -lrb- 009-11 -rrb- amia riegl -lrb- 009-12 -rrb- number zero
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as commander of the zero zero organization , he is boss of the 9 number group .
his personal history is wrapped completely in mystery , and no one knows his true identity .
his relationship with mylene can be seen as one of a father figure , but during a mission , their exchanges are always businesslike .
on occasion , he has shown emotion when speaking frankly with his subordinates , but he is essentially calm , cool , and collected , allowing him to give his subordinates appropriate orders .
he is the brains of the zero zero organization .
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the western bloc
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double gomez
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squad leader of the western bloc 's genetic mutation disposal squad . he is a boorish , haughty man who behaves like a starving dog . he is very defensive of his turf , so he harbors an excessive amount of distaste toward " outsiders " from other departments . he also has a strong desire to succeed , and he 's the type of character who always orders his subordinates around in a loud voice , trying to get the credit for himself .
he calls mutants " monsters " , and he has a hatred for them that far exceeds that befitting his job .
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mars -lrb- actor -rrb- code number : 020 .
a top agent in the zero zero organization . he is said to be the most quick-tempered in the zero zero organization , and his physical strength is incredible .
his appearance resembles cyborg 002 .
his code name " mars " is the name of the god of war and agriculture in roman mythology .
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apollo
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code number : 030 . a top agent in the zero zero organization .
like mars , he does not show extremely good results , but in a mission he always puts himself in a position to support from below and completes his work that way . he is an old comrade of mars , and they seem to have worked together as a team often . his code name " apollo " is the name of the god of the sun in roman mythology . in greek mythology , he is one of the twelve olympians . he is the god of prophecy , shepherding , music , and archery .
he strongly resembles jet link from cyborg 009 , with a beard and accent .
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ironheart
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a veteran spy who was once the zero zero organization 's top spy , he is also mylene 's mentor .
his entire body is made of cybernetic equipment .
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the eastern bloc
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lyudmila schindler
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director of the intelligence agency in the eastern bloc 's s area .
a very proud woman who has sworn her allegiance to the east , and unfailingly accomplishes her various missions .
in her private life , she is a lesbian . she is most likely patterned after rosa klebb , from the film version of from russia with love .
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ivan godunov
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deputy director of the intelligence agency in the eastern bloc 's s area .
a military man to the core , he 's a dangerous ideologist whose only wish is to destroy the world 's very balance -lrb- which is maintained by the cold war -rrb- and spark a global war .
he 's a cruel and heartless man who will stop at nothing to achieve his goal .
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doctor green
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head of the eastern bloc 's supernatural power research facility , and known in the east as the foremost researcher into supernatural powers .
in the western bloc , mutants are objects of hatred and thus disposed of , but in the east , in-depth research is being conducted on them , from the viewpoint that the incredible power lying within mutants might be able to be converted to military use .
dr. green calls the mutant boys and girls " experimental materials " , but it is uncertain what he truly feels inside .
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freya
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a female eastern bloc intelligence agent .
in order to become a top agent in the east 's intelligence department , which is a man 's world , she worked even harder than a man , until she was good enough to be sent to the front line .
she is strong-minded and confident .
she is the kind of person who would stop at nothing to achieve her goal ; if she sees the opportunity , she will not even hesitate to one-up her comrades and take the credit for herself .
her code name " freya " comes from the name of the goddess of love in norse mythology .
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odin
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a top agent from the eastern bloc .
he is quick-tempered , and always uses aggressive methods to accomplish his mission .
he is not the smart type , but his stance that his method of taking things through sheer force of will gets definite results appears to be highly valued by the east 's intelligence agency .
his code name " odin " refers to the chief god in norse mythology , the god of wisdom .
it is said he will make whatever sacrifice is necessary to gain wisdom .
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loki
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an eastern bloc agent who was invited to the haunted castle along with odin and freya .
he is always calm , cool , and collected , and is never fazed , no matter what happens right in front of him .
with his sharp mind and uncommonly good physical abilities , you could call him " the 009-1 of the eastern bloc " .
it is reaveled that he is 009-1 's younger brother , paul .
" loki " is the name of a mischief-loving god who is the foster-brother of odin in norse mythology .
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borzov
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a courier who tried to transport secret funds to the east by turning it into a pure gold android .
his identity had been discovered a long time ago , and he ended up being targeted by western bloc agents and the golden bat .
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others
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egg
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a highly skilled professional sniper hired by the eastern bloc .
he is unusually concerned about his killing style , and he never does anything that would ruin it .
when he is contracted for a hit , he only works during the day .
he uses an old rifle -lrb- a remington 700 -rrb- that is already an antique , and he uses only one bullet .
he kills only his target , and he always kills with a shot to the head .
this is the iron-clad style that he has stuck to for his entire life as a sniper .
his skills are top notch , but mylene makes fun of him because he is so concerned with his style .
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the phantom
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the owner of a hunted castle who calls himself a member of the spy group " golden bat " .
having gotten a hold of some groundbreaking research data , which could destroy the balance between the eastern and western armies , he invites mylene and the others to a deadly game with the data as the prize .
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mysterious woman
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a double-agent who faked that she was being stalked and then revealed herself to be an android made of solid gold .
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mutant girl
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a little girl being hunted because , as a recognized mutant , she is in conflict with the " genetic mutation extermination law " .
her parents used their own bodies as a shield to protect her , and died .
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sam
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from the bonus episode " r & b in volume 3 , sam is a jazz musician who leads a double life .
when he meets up with mylene , the two become " friends " .
unfortunately , he 's one jazz man who should n't be trusted .
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episodes
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.
2006-10-05 . .
2006-10-12 . .
2006-10-19 . .
2006-10-26 . .
2006-11-02 . .
2006-11-09 . .
2006-11-16 . .
2006-11-23 . .
2006-11-30 . .
2006-12-07 . .
2006-12-14 . .
2006-12-21 .
extra episode . & # 34 ; r & # 38 ; b & # 34 ; .
dvd-release only -lrb- volume 5 of the japanese dvd release -rrb- .
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references
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external links
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official site -lrb- tbs -rrb-
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funimation 's 009-1 websit
