Cybernetics Guardian

Original Title: 聖獣機サイガード
Romanized: Seijuki Cyguard
Literal: Saint Beast Loom Cyguard

Plot Synopsis

The first years of the 21st century saw revolutionary advancements in cybernetic medicine, but the year is now 2019 and the world's cities have not fared well. One example is the metropolis of Cyber-Wood, blighted by a vast lawless slum known as Cancer, filled with the poorest and most violent of the city's inhabitants. A new project, however, aims to bring justice to Cancer: an experimental suit of armor that will tap into it's operator's spiritual energy and allow him to peacefully apprehend the city's criminals. Piloted by John Stalker, the initial test should have gone smoothly. Unfortunately, there is a certain cult (based in Cancer, of course) that intends to bring about the resurrection of the god of darkness, and what better conduit than poor John. When the test goes wrong and John is kidnapped shortly afterward, his girlfriend and a hardened cop are on the trail, but what will they think when they find that their quarry has become an evil god?

Quick Review

Rating: 0.5 / 5
Reviewer: Marc
Review Date: 2005-01-30

Cybernetics Guardian may look a bit like the "classic" M.D. Geist, but this awful action flick fails to live up to that low standard. Squeezing a lot of story into 45 minutes was a bad idea from the start, and the inadequate writing does nothing to help. The terrible pacing manages to be slow moving and hurried at the same time, the confusing plot leaves you wishing for more action to break up the monotony, and there isn't near enough time to get attached to any of the characters. Almost disappointingly, it does pull off some dark, moody settings (though the animation is choppy and the action lackluster) and features a good heavy metal soundtrack, but neither are enough to save it from itself.

Not enough action for action fans, not enough gore for splatterfest fans, and nowhere near enough quality for dark cyber-fantasy fans, the only reason that you might find sitting through Cybernetics Guardian a worthwhile waste of 45 minutes is the cool art. Personally, I'd stay away.

US DVD Review

USM's DVD, aside from Japanese and English stereo audio and English subtitles, features the standard set of extras for their newer discs: character galleries, "meet the creator", as well as a bunch of DVD-ROM features if you pop it in a computer: storyboards, character designs, concept sketches, the complete script, and the voice credits for both languages.

Content Guide

Not really awful, but probably qualifies for a 16-up on account of some graphic violence.

Violence: 3 - Plenty bloody when it gets around to it, but that isn't very often.

Nudity: 1 - Not significant.

Sex/Mature Themes: 1 - Nothing worth mentioning.

Language: 2 - Some crude language.

Notes and Trivia

None.

Availability

Available in the US from US Manga Corps on hybrid DVD. Was originally available on subtitled and dubbed VHS.

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