Tezuka In English Discussion Forums

I think my most favorite statement was the "order of operations" one where he operated first on the Iriomote cat and only afterwards on the human patients and where he mentions that he sees animals and humans as "equal" or something like that ^^

I love all Black Jack stories with animals, even though most of them end rather sad ;_;

I can't really see much connection with the story of volume 10 and the cove though. Except that there is a dolphin in it. o.o What do you mean David?

The Cove is about the hunting and killing of dolphin for meat, as well as capture of dolphins for ocean parks like Sea World. The movie is also about the poisonous nature of the meat due to mercury, and perhaps a cover up or broad disinterest in that aspect.

Before the Academy Award win for Best Documentary, the film was ignored in Japan. Now after winning, and getting national attention, the media is instead focusing on how it is an ordinary and even traditional activity to eat dolphin, as well as whale.

SPOILER

In the Black Jack story, the stupid-er bad guy longs to see fish that he can catch and eat but all he sees is dolphin. After his intense hunger continues, he decides he'll shoot a dolphin anyway and make do. Then the smarter bad guy, says something like "you can't do that - it will make you sick. Oh, well. If you die that is more loot for me."

Black Jack then attempts to save the dolphin, then the dolphin saves them.

The story leads you to believe that it is common knowledge as of its writing (early 80's?), that we don't eat dolphin, it will even make you sick. I don't know why from the story.

With the further anthropomorphizing of the dolphin, it is made to look even cruel and inhumane to eat them, though fish - no big deal..

David