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Cybernetics Guardian (often shortened to Cyguard) is a 1989 one-shot cyberpunk OVA, directed by Koichi Ohata, who is known for also directing MD Geist and Genocyber and animated by AIC (who also animated Genocyber). Parts of its soundtrack was produced by the Japanese metal band Trash Gang.

The story involves John Stalker: a research pilot for the Central Guard Company. A series of unfortunate events result in Stalker becoming a pawn of a cult known as the Brethren of Doldo to bringing about the end of the world.

As if he's not already having a crappy time, Adler, a rival of Stalker, hopes to not only murder John but destroy Cancer: a violence plagued slum and the birthplace of John Stalker.

With only an amazingly powerful set of armor imposed upon him by the Brethren of Doldo, John not only has to stop their plans but deal with the machinations of Adler too.

While mostly a Mecha OVA set in a futuristic city. It also has noticeable influences from classic horror films - mainly Frankenstein and King Kong.

It was dubbed into English by Central Park Media, and released under their US Manga Corps label in 1996.


Cybernetics Guardian contains examples of the following tropes:

  • Anime Hair: Adler's big up-swept purple haircut, and the Cyguard itself.
  • Apocalypse Cult: The Brethren of Doldo's goal is a dead giveaway to this fact as they want awaken their god Saldo to destroy what they see as an "impure world."
  • Applied Phlebotinum: Astenite, a mystery element discovered in the year 1995 that allowed significant advances in medical technology, particularly in the field of prosthetics. The application of this material makes powered exoskeletons such as the Cyguard possible. However, later on in the OVA, one of the cultists dramatically reveals that astenite was discovered in the Middle Ages...although this does not directly affect anything in the story.
  • Autobots, Rock Out!: The big climatic battle is almost entirely backed by metal music.
  • Blood from the Mouth: John coughs up a lot of blood at one point during the film's penultimate scene due to the cyborg Adler pummeling hard on him while his armor's depowered.
  • Cyborg: Adler turns himself into one, to get revenge against John
  • Dystopia: The futuristic city of Cyber-wood, host to a enormous violent slum named "Cancer". Subtle.
  • Fun with Acronyms: SGC, which is supposed to stand for Central Guard Company. This error is kept in the English dub.
  • Gorn: Plenty of it.
  • Left Hanging: There are several plot points that are left unresolved and the OVA ends on a pretty blatant Sequel Hook, however a follow-up never materialized leaving the plot unfinished.
  • Nipple and Dimed: In the first minute, we briefly see the boobs of a naked test subject.
  • Powered Armor: The Saldo armor John wears definitely is a textbook example of this trope.
  • Sliding Scaleof Idealism Versus Cynicism: Notably less cynical than Ohata's other works. The protagonist, while transformed into a monster and brainwashed into killing lots of people, eventually regains his own will and manages to return to normal.
  • Tears of Blood: After a brutal and destructive skirmish with police forces, John cries blood after remembering that he joined the Central Guard Company to save others, not destroy them.

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