Black Jack

A quote from my review: "The best way for me to explain the series to someone totally in the dark is to use Mushishi; a very popular, totally episodic title, with very little development for its lead and few recurring characters. Like the lead of Mushishi, Black Jack is always on the move, attempting solve mysteries in order to save the lives of his patients. Each episode focuses on a different problem, and Black Jack often finds himself in a race against time to save lives. There's isn't much in the way of greenery, the stories mostly taking place inside towns, and there isn't any relaxing music that soothes the soul, but the basic premise of both titles are very, very similar. There are even a number of supernatural cases included, meaning there's no realism/supernatural divide separating the two. Black Jack does try to stick closer to reality, with its lead using the power of science rather than information about supernatural life-forms, though." read more 

Both series have very similar subjects and characters. Both involve doctors that get caught in the middle of serious humanitarian situations. "Monster" has an overarching storyline, where "Black Jack" is episodic (unless you watch Black Jack 21). 

Both have the same kind of moral ambiguity in the characters. Both ask philosophical questions(Fullmetal Alchemist: What is life? Should mankind imitate God? Black Jack: Is it right to give up on life for the sake of ending pain? Is it right to operate above the law?). Both can be very sad at times. 

A three-words review for both: screw the system. The dark, handsome and stoic titular anti-heroes have scarred faces, strong morals and no bounds in acting illegally to halt big powers' greed and corruption: Harlock as a space pirate, Hazama as an unlicensed doctor. Many individuals who meet or join them end up admiring and following their revolutionary mindset and visionary charme, while inside their (very hard to break) shell lies actual heart and compassion - especially with their crewmates/clients and little adoptive daughters-sidekicks. (Un)arguably the most based and iconic characters/works of their famed authors, they are the best possible start to get familiar with Tezuka and Matsumoto. 

Episodical shows about masters of their craft with great reputation being hired to to they work for ridiculously huge amount of money. While technically both of these protagonists do illegal work, one is saving lives while the other one is ending them. 

Both are episodic TV series that are very meandering and slow. They both also have a dark view of the world, yet aren't afraid to display its more upbeat moments either. The main character in both series is a serious person who has dedicated their life to one purpose, and they have a more lighthearted sidekick with them. Both series also feature the main character travelling to a different place each episode. 

Both make great dramatical use of moral ambiguity, philosophical questions about life, death and the power of men over it. Also, great character development and drama, with a healthy dose of mystery and investigation. 

Episodical tales of a charismatic doctor as he encounters curious and unusual cases and how he tries to solve them and cure the pacients. 

These OVA feature the need of a doctor in a society filled with corruption and evil. 

Plagues that alters the human body. 

Both series are episodic mature dramas with a very cool main character who goes around solving other people's problems. Black Jack is a doctor, while Taichi Hiraga-Keaton is an insurance investigator (although he also is a "jack of all trades" being highly skilled as a negotiator, archaeologist, former survival instructor, historian, and traveler). Anyway both men are very unorthodox, and yet looked highly apon by others in their respected feilds (most of the time). Yet society as a whole does not respect either of them (Black Jack in particular as he is an unlicensed doctor). Both men have amazing abilities, they are almost super-human, yet still some-how relatable and understandable. In both series there are almost no recurring characters, minus the main character and one or two side characters (that are not always in every episode). Both series are oddities in anime. Instead of being action packed, or filled with giant robots, or vampires, or riveting political intrigue, they instead go for something else entirely. Sadly since both series are episodic, they tend to follow a pattern (there's a problem, Black Jack/Keaton shows up, they investigate the problem and look at it from all angles, they fix problem, etc etc), but it doesn't harm either series too much. Anyway these series are so alike it's scary. Even their artwork and animation look a little alike. If you like one of these, I bet you'd like the other one. Give em a try. Both are very refreshing! read more 

Both series are episodic mature dramas with a very cool main character who goes around solving other people's problems. Black Jack is a doctor, while Taichi Hiraga-Keaton is an insurance investigator (although he also is a "jack of all trades" being highly skilled as a negotiator, archaeologist, former survival instructor, historian, and traveler). Anyway both men are very unorthodox, and yet looked highly apon by others in their respected feilds (most of the time). Yet society as a whole does not respect either of them (Black Jack in particular as he is an unlicensed doctor). Both men have amazing abilities, they are almost super-human, yet still some-how relatable and understandable. In both series there are almost no recurring characters, minus the main character and one or two side characters (that are not always in every episode). Both series are oddities in anime. Instead of being action packed, or filled with giant robots, or vampires, or riveting political intrigue, they instead go for something else entirely. Sadly since both series are episodic, they tend to follow a pattern (there's a problem, Black Jack/Keaton shows up, they investigate the problem and look at it from all angles, they fix problem, etc etc), but it doesn't harm either series too much. Anyway these series are so alike it's scary. Even their artwork and animation look a little alike. If you like one of these, I bet you'd like the other one. Give em a try. Both are very refreshing! read more 

Black Jack tells the story of the perfect doctor. There is quite a similar story with conspiracies, amnesia and other joys of life. 

Both are cerebral shonen that have little to no fighting in them. Both have a stylistic darkness in the art style. Both involve excellently executed melodrama.