It's not every day that we run into a series that has a back story of Cold War espionage, but with 009-1 the intelligence business is at an all time high.

The opening sequence of the series is where the first shot is made: in an alternate reality where the world is still divided into an Eastern and Western Bloc. The first few lines uttered establish right away that a cold war exists, and spies reign supreme in the game of cat and mouse where the cold war has existed for nearly 140 years.

Mylene Hoffman (009-1), the female protagonist, is a member of the Zero-Zero Organization. However, she is not your ordinary spy as she  can dodge bullets and has a body that is fully-equipped for spy activities. Nevertheless, her most recognizable trait, other than her wits and beauty, is her 9mm bust machine guns that fire bio-bullets and are augmented to her cybernetized body. 009-1 will go to any lengths and do whatever it takes to complete her mission, making her the most exceptional agent in the Western Bloc.

Based on the 009-1 manga by Shataro Ishonomori, the first volume of this 13 episode series (one extra episode for DVD release) is composed of stand-alone missions. In the first episode, Mylene and a few of the Zero-Zero Organization goes on a mission to rescue a scientist that's planning to defect to the west  with new energy research data that, if it falls into the wrong hands, could trigger another war. Then 009-1 becomes an observer in a mission to chase down and kill a powerful mutant psychic girl. 009-1 then goes toe-to-toe, wits against wits, and skills against skills with a professional sniper from the Eastern Bloc in a view to a kill Vacation Island. And finally, a game to retrieve artificial intelligence data from a famous scientist turns out to be a deadly charade.

It took 36 years for the anime to catch up with manga when the original series was last published in 1970, but the show gives a nostalgic feeling even when the environment seems to be in the future. To accomplish the  illusion of this alternate world, the wardrobe worn by 009-1 and other characters in the entire series is based on late 60's and 70's fashion with a hint of European style. The ray gun that 009-1 uses resemble the ones used  in science-fiction movies in the 1950's and 60's, and some of the character design seem "dated", but it was all designed to keep the art of Shotaro Ishinomori intact.

Now to give the show its espionage feel, the series borrows some aspects from James Bond films. The first episode comes with an opening gambit just like any Bond films. The opening theme utilizes shadowy characters - bearing resemblance to every Bond movie opening credits. In  addition, to make the music sound "Bondish" in every scene, the best in the business on making those rhythms, Taku Iwasaki (ROD the TV, Read Or Die OVA, Getbackers, Samurai X OVAs) composes the soundtrack in the series.

Yumiko Shaku, the Japanese Idol that voice Mylene Hoffman, was a perfect match for her character by giving her a stern sound. Her English counterpart, Alice Fulks (Gilgamesh), gives her character the necessary depth as she once again gives life to another strong female character with her strong, commanding and sexy voice. Fulks' voice is perfectly utilized by great ADR script writing and by ADR Director Charles Campbell. In addition, the utilization of her voice is very apparent in the entire volume, especially in the third episode, when 009-1 is having dinner with her killer.

009-1 is a sexy spy hit for ADV, and it could easily shake and stir any other spy and detective series.

EXTRAS:
The extras that are included in this volume come with the Japanese Director and staff, which basically is the making of 009-1 project. Director Naoyuki Konno, who is known for bringing the world of Ishinomori starts of this part  of the disc, and accompanying him in the extra are Yumiko Shaku and Tatsuo Kawano, member of the board of Ishimori Entertainment.

A short on-screen read about the history of the manga series in "How the manga became an anime," another on screen read with the weapons and gadgets used in the first volume, and the usual "Clean Opening and Closing animation", ADV Previews and DVD Credits closes this part of the disc.

IN SUMMARY:
It's everything you expect from a James Bond style of a show, but with elegance, beauty and balls! It is licensed to thrill.