Silver Magnusson (1997 Anime)

This article is about the 1997 OVA series, for the 2012 reboot see: Silver Magnusson (2012 Anime)

Silver Magnusson, or Silver Magnus in the European release, is a 1997 OVA series consisting of 9 independent episodes, each 30 minutes long, and one feature length episode, clocking in at one hour, 13 minutes long.

Plot and Premise
The story of Silver Magnusson follows the exploits of Unit 403 "Magnusson", an android detective in New York, in the future year of 2293, who is attempting to capture "Black Canvas" a serial killer who rapes and then mutilates young women, signing each of his killings with a distinctive symbol. Each episode exhibits Magnusson examining a different case, and gathering more evidence for tracking down black canvas, with the final episode being Magnusson finally hunting down Black Canvas, killing Canvas in the ensuing gunfight, at the cost of his own life. The show goes in depth to examine character motives, character psychology, trans-humanist themes, artificial intelligence, and psycho-traumatic horror.

Production
Silver Magnusson originally began as a Manga, serialized in Monthly Comic Ryu lasting from 1983-1986, illustrated by Kazumi Iato, with character designs by Kenichi Sonoda.

The OVA adaptation of the Manga was originally going to be a single feature length film, however, it was instead split into 9 OVA's and a feature length film. The adaptation was directed by Yasuomi Umetsu, and produced by A.P.P.P. Co.,

Episode List

 * 1) Case 1: Smoking Gun
 * 2) Case 2: Cocaine and Lipstick
 * 3) Case 3: Missing in Action
 * 4) Case 4: Red Herring
 * 5) Case 5: Black Wedding
 * 6) Case 6: Gossip
 * 7) Case 7: Unworthy
 * 8) Case 8: Stoning On The Pole
 * 9) Case 9: Remnants of a Dead Star
 * 10) Silver Magnusson: Case Closed

Reception
Though well received and critically acclaimed, Silver Magnusson only barely made back its budget, and was written off as a financial failure by A.P.P.P. With the rights sold off to J.C. Staff the following year. Despite this, it has gained a cult following, which eventually lead to a more successful reboot in 2012.