Black Jack (Vertical Inc.)
English Title: Black Jack
Japanese Title: ブラック・ジャック
Publication Date: 2008-2011
Publisher: Vertical, Inc.
No. of Volumes: 17
In Print: ✘
Digital: ✔
From the Publisher
Among adult readers in Japan Black Jack is Osamu Tezuka’s most popular achievement, and perhaps the most close to the creator’s heart, as Tezuka considered entering the medical field—majoring in medicine in college—before devoting his life to comics. Black Jack is a genius surgeon who never acquired his license due to his clashes with the medical establishment. He is hired out by anyone willing to pay his exorbitant rates and is perceived as a heartless rogue because of his enigmatic nature and antisocial manner. But as readers will soon discover, that is not the whole story.
Scalpel for hire”
Limited Edition HC
What you should know
Originally published from 2008 to 2011, Vertical‘s long-awaited 17-volume trade paperback release of Black Jack duplicates the Akita Bunkoban edition – the deluxe collection Tezuka himself arranged and edited. This “nearly complete” set is only missing the sealed, semi-sealed and some of the excluded chapters. Published mainly in soft-cover, 6″ x 8″ format, each volume is roughly 275 to 300 pages in length. Black Jack is also one of the only series Vertical released in the original “unflipped” format.
It is worth noting that the first three volumes were also released as special “exclusive” hardcovers with different cover artwork and design. Each exclusive volume contains one special chapter not included in the standard Akita release. These three special chapters are ones that Tezuka himself removed from the collection, however Vertical received special permission from Tezuka Productions to include them.
Although Black Jack is now out of print, in 2014, Vertical Inc. began releasing digital editions of their Tezuka editions, primarily available in Amazon’s popular Kindle format.
Special note: The third “exclusive” hardcover volume also contains an essay by Tezuka in English‘s own Ada Palmer discussing Tezuka’s Star System and the publication history of the excluded issues.
Story List by Volume
Since the chapters published in Vertical Inc.‘s editions of Black Jack are out of the original publication order, please refer to the hand list below to track down each of the stories by volume.
Volume 1
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 001 |
Is there a Doctor? |
医者はどこだ! |
| 167 |
The First Storm of Spring |
春一番 |
| 012 |
Teratoid Cystoma |
畸形嚢腫 |
| 052 |
The Face Sore |
人面瘡 |
| 029 |
Sometimes Like Pearls |
ときには真珠のように |
| 050 |
Confluence |
めぐり会い |
| 086 |
The Painting is Dead! |
絵が死んでいる! |
| 185 |
Star, Magnitude Six |
六等星 |
| 057 |
Black Queen |
ブラック·クイーン |
| — |
U-18 Knew |
U-18は知っていた |
| 054 |
The Legs of an Ant |
アリの足 |
| 049 |
Two Loves |
二つの愛 |
| 037 |
The Two Jans* |
２人のジャン |
* Note: only in limited edition HC
Volume 2
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 061 |
Needle |
針 |
| 089 |
Granny |
おばあちゃん |
| 090 |
The Ballad of the Killer Whale |
シャチの詩 |
| 168 |
To Each His Own |
三者三様 |
| 078 |
Emergency Shelter |
地下壕にて |
| 015 |
Dirtjacked |
ダーティ·ジャック |
| 099 |
Where Art Thou, Friend? |
友よいずこ |
| 023 |
Kidnapping |
誘拐 |
| 239 |
Assembly Line Care |
流れ作業 |
| 201 |
Helping Each Other |
助け合い |
| 055 |
Stradivarius |
ストラディバリウス |
| 116 |
Pinoko’s Challenge |
ハッスルピノコ |
| 091 |
Hospital Jack |
病院ジャック |
| 126 |
The Blind Acupuncturist |
座頭医師 |
| 128 |
The One that Remains* |
海のストレンジャー |
* Note: only in limited edition HC
Volume 3
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 164 |
Disowned Son |
勘当息子 |
| 051 |
Shrinking |
ちぢむ!! |
| 123 |
Dingoes |
ディンゴ |
| 124 |
Your Mistake! |
きみのミスだ! |
| 155 |
The Robin and the Boy |
コマドリと少年 |
| 143 |
The Boy Who Came from the Sky |
空からきた子ども |
| 157 |
Black Jack in Hospital |
B·J入院す |
| 212 |
A Woman’s Case |
ある女の場合 |
| 056 |
Two Dark Doctors |
ふたりの黒い医者 |
| 132 |
The Residents |
研修医たち |
| 193 |
Recollections of a Spinster |
ある老婆の思い出 |
| 013 |
Pinoko Loves You |
ピノコ愛してる |
| 127 |
Tenacity |
執念 |
| 102 |
An Odd Relationship |
奇妙な関係 |
| 042 |
Baby Blues |
赤ちゃんのバラード |
| 139 |
Witch Trial* |
海のストレンジャー |
* Note: only in limited edition HC
Volume 4
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 232 |
False Image |
虚像 |
| 120 |
The Scream |
悲鳴 |
| 197 |
Drifter in a Ghost Town |
ゴーストタウンの流れ者 |
| 080 |
Pinoko Love Story |
ピノコ·ラブストーリー |
| 083 |
The Sewer Way |
地下水道 |
| 205 |
The Sea Smells of Romance |
海は恋のかおり |
| 218 |
Tetsu of the Yamanote Line |
山手線の哲 |
| 188 |
Titles |
肩書き |
| 148 |
Lost and Found |
落としもの |
| 040 |
Burned Doll |
焼け焦げた人形 |
| 110 |
The Heart of a Giant |
デカの心臓 |
| 069 |
Gas |
ガス |
| 053 |
From Afar |
はるかなる国から |
| 024 |
Thieving Dog |
万引犬 |
Volume 5
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 151 |
Hospital |
ホスピタル |
| 074 |
Quite a Tongue |
なんという舌 |
| 223 |
Asking for Water |
もらい水 |
| 236 |
Yet False the Days |
されどいつわりの日々 |
| 199 |
The Last Train |
終電車 |
| 079 |
There was a Valve! |
弁があった! |
| 141 |
Two at the Baths |
湯治場の二人 |
| 222 |
Pinoko’s Mystery |
ピノコ·ミステリー |
| 227 |
Imprint |
刻印 |
| 146 |
99% Water |
９９．９パーセントの水 |
| 170 |
The Helper |
助っ人 |
| 100 |
Country Clinic |
古和医院 |
| 063 |
Wolf Girl |
オオカミ少女 |
| 006 |
On a Snowy Night |
雪の夜ばなし |
Volume 6
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 179 – 180 |
Downpour (Surgical Knife) |
土砂降り(メス) |
| 070 |
A Body Turning to Stone |
からだが石に.. |
| 125 |
The Old Man and the Tree |
老人と木 |
| 018 |
Twice Dead |
二度死んだ少年 |
| 033 |
Lion-Face Disease |
獅子面病 |
| 094 |
Con Man, Aspiring |
サギ師志願 |
| 240 |
Brachydactyly |
短指症 |
| 066 |
Amidst Fire and Ashes |
火と灰の中 |
| 088 |
Revenge |
報復 |
| 137 |
Vibration |
振動 |
| 011 |
Nadare |
ナダレ |
| 032 |
Three in a Box |
閉ざされた三人 |
| 230 |
The Substitute |
身代わり |
| 046 |
Terror Virus |
恐怖菌 |
Volume 7
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 214 |
Guys and Birds |
鳥たちと野郎ども |
| 017 |
The Gray Mansion |
灰色の館 |
| 062 |
A Cat and Shozo |
ネコと庄造と |
| 067 |
The Two Pinokos |
ふたりのピノコ |
| 115 |
Unexploded Bomb |
不発弾 |
| 183 |
Younger Brother |
おとうと |
| 161 |
High and Low |
上と下 |
| 136 |
Goribei of Senjogahara |
戦場が原のゴリベエ |
| 221 |
The Kuroshio: A Memoir |
黒潮号メモ |
| 160 |
Black and White |
白い正義 |
| 190 |
A Hill for One |
一ぴきだけの丘 |
| 121 |
Cloudy, Later Fair |
曇りのち晴れ |
| 119 |
Hurricane |
ハリケーン |
| 111 |
Timeout |
タイムアウト |
Volume 8
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 035 |
What Lurks the Mountain |
なにかが山を.. |
| 020 |
Fits |
発作 |
| 043 |
A Wrong Diagnosis |
誤診 |
| 072 |
The Tattooed Man |
イレズミの男 |
| 092 |
Abnormal Pregnancy |
奇胎 |
| 096 |
On the Way |
道すがら |
| 118 |
Cold Disdain |
白い目 |
| 129 |
A Visit from a Killer |
殺しがやってくる |
| 234 |
Accident |
再会 |
| 177 |
One Hour to Death |
死への一時間 |
| 181 |
Random Killer |
通り魔 |
| 104 |
Pinoko Goes West |
ピノコ西へ行く |
| 200 |
Swapped |
すりかえ |
| 207 |
Finish |
しめくくり |
Volume 9
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 034 |
Teacher and Pupil |
ある教師と生徒 |
| 030 |
Pinoko Lives |
ピノコ生きてる |
| 044 |
Eyewitness |
目撃者 |
| 182 |
As He Wills |
ご意見無用 |
| 152 |
The Promise |
約束 |
| 194 |
Thee-Legged Race |
二人三脚 |
| 242 |
A Question of Priorities |
オペの順番 |
| 064 |
You Did It!! |
おまえが犯人だ!! |
| 189 |
Gunshot Wound |
銃創 |
| 027 |
Mistress Shiraha |
白葉さま |
| 117 |
Gift to the Future |
未来への贈りもの |
| 133 |
Sun Dolls |
てるてる坊主 |
| 122 |
Third Time’s the Charm |
三度目の正直 |
| 169 |
Guinea Pig |
モルモット |
Volume 10
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 186 |
Avina’s Isle |
アヴィナの島 |
| 068 |
The Mask Chosen |
えらばれたマスク |
| 231 |
Revenge is my Life |
復讐こそわが命 |
| 149 |
Unfinished House |
やり残しの家 |
| 002 |
Strangers at Sea |
海のストレンジャー |
| 038 |
Pinoko Returns |
ピノコ還る! |
| 220 |
The Man Who Threw up Capsules |
カプセルをはく男 |
| 233 |
Flesh and Blood |
骨肉 |
| 142 |
Burglary |
盗難 Tōnan |
| 025 |
Ashes and Diamonds |
灰とダイヤモンド |
| 173 |
Hot Night |
あつい夜 |
| 174 |
Ransom |
身の代金 |
| 213 |
Mannequin and Officer |
人形と警官 |
| 159 |
Playing Doctor |
お医者さんごっこ |
Volume 11
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 071 |
Spasm |
けいれん |
| 073 |
Smithereens |
こっぱみじん |
| 172 |
Life Bond |
命のきずな |
| 008 |
Sealed Memory |
とざされた記憶 |
| 098 |
The Whispers of a Dog |
犬のささやき |
| 147 |
Showa Shinzan |
昭和新山 |
| 105 |
Visitor in the Snow |
雪の訪問者 |
| 203 |
Grasping Duo |
がめつい同士 |
| 235 |
Talk |
話し合い |
| 226 |
Pocket Monkey |
ポケットモンキー |
| 082 |
Call Sign |
ハローCQ |
| 131 |
Fear in Blue |
青い恐怖 |
| 219 |
The War Never Ends |
戦争はなおも続く |
| 229 |
The SL Called Life |
人生という名のSL |
Volume 12
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 206 |
Wildcat Boy |
山猫少年 |
| 176 |
Signal |
信号 |
| 101 |
Invader |
侵略者(インベーダー) |
| 045 |
White Lion |
白いライオン |
| 084 |
Tatsu the Outie |
デベソの達 |
| 010 |
Son of Hariti |
鬼子母神の息子 |
| 195 |
The Second One |
二人目がいた |
| 224 |
The Boy in the Sealed Room |
密室の少年 |
| 021 |
Save the Baby! |
その子を殺すな! |
| 108 |
The Bear |
クマ |
| 145 |
Operation of the Spirit |
霊のいる風景 |
| 103 |
Looking Good |
帰ってきたあいつ |
| 241 |
Prone to Laughter |
笑い上戸 |
Volume 13
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 093 |
Water and the Badness |
水とあくたれ |
| 007 |
The Pirate’s Arm |
海賊の腕 |
| 134 |
Death of an Actress |
あるスターの死 |
| 140 |
Teratoid Cystoma, Part 2 |
畸形嚢腫パート2 |
| 065 |
The Cursed Operation |
のろわれた手術 |
| 191 |
A Fussy Suicide |
小うるさい自殺者 |
| 014 |
Aftereffects |
後遺症 |
| 215 |
A Night in a Cottage |
山小屋の一夜 |
| 163 |
Honma’s Hematoma |
本間血腫 |
| 211 |
A Challenge of the Third Kind |
未知への挑戦 |
| 162 |
Timid Cyrano |
気が弱いシラノ |
| 225 |
Move, Solomon! |
動けソロモン |
| 210 |
The Day He Picked up a Runaway |
家出を拾った日 |
| 097 |
A Lucky Man |
幸運な男 |
Volume 14
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 060 |
The Corsican Brothers |
コルシカの兄弟 |
| 048 |
The Third Call |
電話が三度なった |
| 085 |
A Transient Love |
かりそめの愛を |
| 087 |
Full-Moon Disease |
満月病 |
| 095 |
Captain Satan |
魔王大尉 |
| 106 |
Urashima |
浦島太郎 |
| 107 |
Little Devil |
小さな悪魔 |
| 114 |
Stop Drawing! |
ペンをすてろ! |
| 150 |
A Rapid Current |
激流 |
| 153 |
There Were Two Films |
フィルムは二つあった |
| 178 |
The Man Swallowed by a Whale |
鯨にのまれた男 |
| 204 |
The Vanished Noise |
消えさった音 |
| 208 |
Black Jack Disease |
ブラック·ジャック病 |
| 237 |
Just Like B. J. |
B·Jそっくり |
Volume 15
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 081 |
Treasure Island |
宝島 |
| 075 |
A Star is Born |
スター誕生 |
| 019 |
Leaf Buds |
木の芽 |
| 077 |
Dedicated To Dracula |
ドラキュラに捧ぐ |
| 109 |
Dialogue With The Dead |
死者との対話 |
| 112 |
Homesickness |
望郷 |
| 130 |
Fog |
霧 |
| 135 |
A Happening at Dawn |
夜明けのできごと |
| 138 |
The Next Chance |
きたるべきチャンス |
| 156 |
A Surgeon Lives for Music |
音楽のある風景 |
| 175 |
A Clock in the Dark |
闇時計 |
| 192 |
An Arrangement of Life |
命を生ける |
| 217 |
A Cholera Scare |
コレラさわぎ |
| 202 |
Suggestion in the 20th Year |
20年目の暗示 |
Volume 16
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 004 |
Anaphylaxis |
アナフィラキシー |
| 003 |
Miyuki and Ben |
ミユキとベン |
| 154 |
Lost Youth |
失われた青春 |
| 059 |
I Want My Brother Back! |
にいちゃんをかえせ!! |
| 113 |
Another J |
もう一人のJ |
| 047 |
Gleaming Eyes |
光る目 |
| 166 |
Lynching |
リンチ |
| 184 |
The Nekogami Clan |
猫上家の人々 |
| 198 |
Bath of the Floating World |
浮世風呂 |
| 196 |
Cancer Hunter |
腫瘍狩り |
| 216 |
Bad Stunt |
裏目 |
| 238 |
A Passed Moment |
過ぎ去りし一瞬 |
Volume 17
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 016 |
Pinoko is Adopted |
ピノコ再び |
| 005 |
A Girl who became a Bird |
人間鳥 |
| 009 |
Two Shujis |
ふたりの修二 |
| 026 |
Captain Park |
パク船長 |
| 031 |
Avatar |
化身 |
| 039 |
Pure Chinese Restaurant |
純華飯店 |
| 144 |
Money! Money! Money! |
金!金!金! |
| 187 |
Test of Courage |
キモダメシ |
| 158 |
The Phoenix |
不死鳥 |
| 165 |
A Visiting Memory |
おとずれた思い出 |
| 228 |
After the Typhoon |
台風一過 |
Excluded Chapters
As with all Black Jack (1973-83) manga releases, the Vertical Inc. series is only “nearly complete”. Please see the list of the missing sealed, semi-sealed and excluded chapters below.
| Chapter No. |
English Title |
Japanese Title |
| 022 |
The Bleeding Won’t Stop |
血がとまらない |
| 028 |
Finger |
指 |
| 036 |
The Sinking Woman |
しずむ女 |
| 041 |
Vegetable |
植物人間 |
| 058 |
Seat of Pleasure |
快楽の座 |
| 076 |
Hydrocephalus |
水頭症 |
| 171 |
The Wall |
壁 |
| 209 |
Falling Object |
落下物 |
