Ultraviolet: Code 044

Ultraviolet: Code 044 (ウルトラヴァイオレット:コード044, Urutoravaioretto: Kōdo Zero Fōtī Fō) is an anime series loosely based on the 2006 science fiction film Ultraviolet, written and directed by Kurt Wimmer.^[1]

The show was produced by the anime studio Madhouse and was directed by Osamu Dezaki. The series received positive reviews, being praised by the story context, themes, and soundtrack.

Plot

In 2140, 044 becomes the strongest female soldier excelling in combat through gene manipulation using the Hemophage Virus. However, in exchange for her abilities, her days become numbered. Her next mission from the government is to destroy a bloodthirsty group of people, the Phage, and its leader King. In her battle, she encounters a Phage soldier, Luka, and finds herself unable to kill him. She wonders why, but as a result, Daxus II, the leader of the government group, regards her as a traitor. She is targeted by both Phage and the government, as she flees with the injured Luka.

Characters

044 (044, Zero Fō Tī Fō)

Voiced by: Romi Park

044 is the main character of the series, a clone specially engineered as a tool for humans to combat the Phages. At first, she is confused by the unfamiliarity of a life outside being ordered by the Central Government. Eventually, she becomes very contemplative of the fact there exists a world other than her own and escapes. Being a hunter of the Phage and after defying the orders of Daxus II, she becomes targeted by the two powerful forces. After rescuing Luka she is somehow compelled to saving him. Later, together with Luka they return to Neo Tokyo to combat the Central Government's rule.

724 (724, Seven Tū Fō)

Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara

The most elite member of the Central Government's special agents, next to 044. He is also the leader of the SBCU (Special Battle-Clone Unit). Following 044's escape, he is sent by Daxus II to apprehend her. He is a rather cynical clone and hates the fact that 044's abilities had always been valued more his own. After relentlessly pursuing 044 throughout Neo Tokyo, they fight and he is killed.

Daxus II (ダクサス二世, Dakusasu Nisei)

Voiced by: Rikiya Koyama

The eccentric director of the Central Government who sees himself very highly and often berates his subordinates for their incompetence. He has known 044 since she was a little girl and at first, does not believe she could betray him. Soon after, enraged by her inconsideration of the care he had always administered to her, he ruthlessly tracks and pursues 044 throughout the galaxies. Later, it is revealed by King, that he too is a clone, for his father had contracted the Hemophage Virus and thus could not have sired him.

Garcia (ガルシア, Garushia)

Voiced by: Kenyu Horiuchi

A doctor working for the Central Government as well as the guardian of 044. Giving up his position as a doctor, he accompanies her in her escape from the Central Government suggesting that he cares deeply for 044.

King (キング, Kingu)

Voiced by: Michio Hazama

The towering, aging leader of the Phage whose head is highly sought by the Central Government. He preaches to his fellow Phages of a world where they too, are not burdened by their disease and are able to live freely. He was one of the pioneers in establishing the Phage society along with Luka's father. He later dies at the hands of Daxus II but not without taking his life as well.

Luka Bloom (ルカ·ブルーム, Ruka Burūmu)

Voiced by: Tomokazu Seki

The son of a high-ranking member of the Phage society who, following his death, replaces his father as the deputy leader of the Neo Tokyo Phage forum. He is dedicated to fulfilling his father's role and has the utmost respect for King. He fights with and is rescued by 044; eventually he becomes inevitably involved with her.

Matilda (マチルダ, Machiruda)

Voiced by: Kaori Yamagata

A kind doctor and a friend of Garcia from medical school. She owns a clinic in Neo Tokyo, which takes care of both human and Phage kind. She helps 044 and Luka by allowing them shelter at her clinic knowing that they were both being pursued by the government.

Police Inspector Burke (バーク警部, Bāku Keibu)

Voiced by: Yoshito Yasuhara

An inspector of Neo Tokyo's public safety who is the first to encounter 044 following her escape with Luka. He is someone who is deeply concerned with the pride of his division and thus dies at the hands of the Central Government's elite agents for not complying with their demands.

Sakuza (サクザ)

Voiced by: Akio Ohtsuka

Sakuza, also later revealed as clone 6030 is an enigmatic mine foreman in one of many Magnadite mines on the planet named the Coffin of Despair. Though appearing to be a very outgoing man, in the past he was one of the Central Government's forces during Bermuda's war of independence in the year 2122. Outraged by the government's orders which resulted in the vain deaths of his fellow clone soldiers, he single-handedly killed his commanding officers and fled. He is the last of his comrades from this war.

Episode list

Music

Opening theme

"Guilty Pleasure" by BECCA

Ending theme

"Falling Down" by BECCA

Also, most of the score that Klaus Badelt composed for the film were used as the score of the show.

References

External links

• Ultraviolet: Code 044 (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Ultraviolet: Code 044 at the Internet Movie Database