A solitary man sits in a lonely cabin near the sea as a storm rages - suddenly, the phone rings! Ignored by the dour figure, the call is picked up by the machine, which informs the potential client to leave pertinent information - and the price they're willing to pay. Yes, it's the return of the renegade doctor/detective BLACK JACK (Infection review here), who will solve any medical mystery...for a price.

EPISODE 3 - A farmer sings a little ditty while a-driving through the cornfields. Suddenly, a murder of crows swarms the land, followed by a swarm of military helicopters! The mighty country Federal Unites has invaded neighboring nation the Ortega Republic to arrest the republic's leader General Cruz for massive drug trafficking. As the F.U.'s president makes his statement to the press, Cruz suffers a seizure in his cell. Meanwhile, Black Jack meets his newest client, an attractive woman named Maria. She gives Black Jack instructions to rendezvous in a week to perform his services. Soon after, as Cruz is being moved from the F.U. prison to face trial, Ortega rebels ambush the convoy and free their leader. However, one of the rebels - Maria herself, is wounded in the eye. She still manages to contact Black Jack. After treating her injuries, the doctor is told his task. Cruz has been set up by the F.U.; he is not a drug lord, but the larger country needs an excuse to seize the Republic's oil reserves. Black Jack must ensure that Cruz, who is dying from terminal cancer, survives long enough to be returned to his country as a symbol to the people. After examining Cruz at the rebel's forest base, Black Jack realizes the general might not make it, but he tells Maria he'll do whatever he can so Cruz can return to his native soil. However, an angry F.U. president is bound and determined not to have this happen and lose face.

EPISODE 4 - Black Jack drives in the rain to check on an elderly client. At the same time, the client is visited by another rouge doctor. Black Jack's rival, Dr. Kitico, gives the old man a "Kevorkian" treatment, allowing the elder to die peacefully. When Black Jack learns of this, he is upset, because he felt he could have prolonged the man's life. A new case takes Black Jack into the mountains of France, where a small village doctor is baffled by his niece's case of anorexia. He can find no usual cause for Michelle's condition, so Black Jack has been hired to find the solution. Michelle tells Black Jack she is an actress, who just got her first break in movies after a turbulent few years trying to break in to the business. Meanwhile, the film's director and crew search for their missing leading lady. Black Jack can't seem to find anything causing the girl's condition, but orders a battery of tests. Assisted by Michelle's uncle Dr. Armond, Black jack pours through the mountains of data searching for the answer. Michelle's condition worsens - she keeps telling her friend Katina she wants to be with her. Dr. Armond informs Black Jack that Katina was Michelle's childhood friend, who died several years ago. When red splotches appear on her skin, Michelle panics and drives off in the rain! Dr. Armond feels she's going to a nearby village to be at Katina's grave, so he and Black Jack follow. The disease has weakened Michelle so much she loses control of her vehicle and drives off the road! She's rescued by a wanderer who helps her recover from the incident. But Michelle tells the traveler she wants to die. And wouldn't you know it, the Good Samaritan is none other than Dr. Kitico. Will the doctor grant Michelle's wish? Or will Black Jack discover the cause of the actress's condition and find a cure before it's too late?

Like the first volume in this series, BLACK JACK: SEIZURE is more thought provoking than action-packed. Each episode is designed to stand alone, so you don't have to watch the episodes in order. The writers take great care in developing complex mysteries for our poor doctor to overcome, revealing the answers one layer at a time. There is a defiant political slant in episode three about the abuse of power and media manipulation, and a very chilling climax as well. Episode four offers it's own spin on the sins of the military. Agree or not, it's to the producers credit they make a statement and stay true to their beliefs. The characters are very well defined, even if Black Jack's origins remain an enigma. Secondary characters are not ignored - what could have been stock figures like Col. Esteban (Ep. 3) or the film director (Ep. 4) are given the same attention and detail as the main characters. The animation is well done for a TV series, although there is multiple use of the 'freeze frame' technique, where the dialogue continues over a still frame drawing instead of actual animation. But that's just a slight quibble. The picture quality is excellent, as well as the clean and distinct audio.

The DVD of BLACK JACK: SEIZURE offers a few extras for collectors. There are the obligatory trailers and previews of anime titles, as well as an art gallery of the episodes. However, BLACK JACK: SEIZURE included a subtitled commentary by creator Ozuma Tezuka during Episode Three. Quite interesting, as one would expect.

BLACK JACK: SEIZURE continues the tradition of excellence in this series. The stories are complex and compelling, and nothing is exactly as it seems at first. This depth and attention to detail make BLACK JACK: SEIZURE a fine addition to any anime fan's collection.

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