Hellhounds: Panzer Cops (Hellhounds)

Rating:
Summary: An Extraordinary Manga that tells of an alternate Japan.
Review: Mamoru Oshii's "Kerberos - Panzer Cops" tells the story of a Japan that has just been completely defeated in war a decade ago. Although they are on the road back to mass industrializtion and prosperity, strong handed economic and political policies have turned many areas into dilapidated slums. Anarchists and anti-government student protesters have taken up arms, stirring up violent social revolution riots. In order to combat this growing threat, the Japanese government has nationalized a division of the police, creating the National Bureau of Public Safety. Armed with Nazi stormtrooper-like (but twice as vicious looking) Protect Gear and heavy firearms, these specialized divisions are justice and order incarnate to the government, and armed thugs to the citizens. This is a VERY smart and well done Graphic Novel. Don't let the Science Fiction-ish Protect Gear fool you, this book's story and character interactions are on par with, if not surpass any contemporary American political thriller.

An animated feature which takes place in the same story line is slated for release in Japan this fall and for general release worldwide early next year.

Sidenote: Mamoru Oshii directed the critically acclaimed "Ghost in the Shell".