The Metal Hero Manual, Version 1.2, Part 1: The Space Sheriff Series (95.10.15.23:35/11.3.17:45/11.18.14:50/12.19.15:07) (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this Manual and not to the Metal Heroes and/or any other properties of Toei, TV Asahi, or Asahi Tsushinsha (ASATSU). This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved. What's new in this edition: Credits and episode titles Thanks to Robert Rosenberg for some of the VRT equivalents. Contents Part 1: The Space Sheriff Series 0. Introduction 1. Space Sheriff Gavan (1982-83) 2. Space Sheriff Sharivan (1983-84) 3. Space Sheriff Shaider (1984-85) Part 2: Alien Metal Heroes 4. Megabeast Special Investigation Juspion (1985-86) 5. Dimensional Warrior Spielban (1986-87) Part 3: Robot Metal Heroes 6. Super Man Machine Metalder (1987-88) 7. Mobile Detective Jiban (1989-90) Part 4: Rescue Metal Heroes (coming December 1995?) 8. Special Police Winspector (1990-91; a.k.a. Special Rescue Police...) 9. Special Rescue Command Solbrain (1991-92; a.k.a. Super Rescue...) 10. Special Investigation Exceedraft (1992-93; a.k.a. Special Rescue...) Part 5: Miscellaneous Metal Heroes (coming December 1995?) 11. Special Investigation Robo Janperson (1993-94) 12. Blue SWAT (1994-95) 13. Heavy Armor Beetle Fighter (1995-96; a.k.a. Beefighter) Much of the folowing is based on (but not a direct translation of) Keibunsha's _Zen kaijuu kaijin_ (1990 ed. 2 vols.), Shogakkan's Winspector and Solbrain _Chouzenshuu_, etc. Consult the original sources for more information. The purpose of this Manual is to give essential information in English, not to replicate these works. Only Toei shows in the orthodox Metal Hero lineage are covered; I plan to cover other robot and armor shows such as Kikaider, Robot Detective K, Zaboga, Kyoudain, Cybercops, etc. in future Manuals. 0. Introduction Until 1982, tokusatsu heroes came in basically three strains. First, the giant heroes, second, the Kamen Riders and other solo heroes (see my Kamen Rider Manual), and third but not last, the sentai (see my Sentai Series Manual). A fourth genre, the Metal Hero genre, emerged in 1982 with the debut of Toei's Space Sheriff Gavan. (That is, if you don't consider this genre to be a branch of the 'solo hero' genre. One might consider the Metal Heroes to be the Kamen Rider solo heroes of the 80s--but not the 90s, which have come to be dominanted by metal hero groups from Winspector onward.) The key idea that distinguished the Metal Heroes from previous tokusatsu heroes was that of the armored suit. Although the idea of costumes giving their wearers superhuman abilities did not start with the Metal Heroes--an early example is Light Speed Esper (1967)--the idea of such a suit actually looking like armor did. Some might think that Robocop inspired the Metal Heroes, but in reality, it may have been the other way around. Robocop (1987) appeared five years after Space Sheriff Gavan, the first of the Metal Heroes. (Can anyone confirm or deny this claim?) A secondary innovation distinguishing the early Metal Heroes from their predecessors was the use of alternate dimensions and teleportation. As Keibunsha's _Zen Kaijuu Kaijin Vol. 2_ puts it, "...One more question that pestered henshin [series] up until now--why would a monster that was kicked among the buildings of Shinjuku explode at a site of nothing but rocks?" finally received a clear answer in [Gavan]." In Gavan, the concept of the "Makuu Space" appeared, allowing Gavan to continue battles started in Tokyo in an otherdimensional realm. But until recently, Metal Heroes have turned away from otherdimensional battle, focusing instead on more earthly concerns--rampaging Earth androids in Metalder, biotech crime in Jiban, emergencies in Winspector, Solbrain, and Exceedraft, and technocrime in Janperson. Only within the last two years have the Metal Heroes begun to look spaceward, with the anti-alien Blue SWAT and Beetle Fighter. 1.-3. The Space Sheriff (Uchuu Keiji) series (1982-85) (Note that 'Uchuu Keiji' literally means 'Space Detective.' The term 'Space Sheriff' is apparently Toei's unofficial translation.) 1. Space Sheriff Gavan (Uchuu Keiji Gyaban) 82.3.5-83.2.25 Network: TV Asahi 44 episodes, color Fridays, 19:30-20:00 Creator: Hatte Saburou (Toei house pseudonym) Producers: Yoshikawa Susumu, Orita Itaru, Usui Yuuyake Directors: Kobayashi Yoshiaki, Okunaka Atsuo, Tanaka Hideo, Ogasawara Takeshi, Hattori Kazuyasu Writers: Uehara Shouzou, Takaku Susumu, Matsushita Mikio, Abe Kazue, Nagai Tatsurou, Tsutsui Tomomi, Hayashi Tsuyoo, others SFX: Yajima Nobuo Music: Watanabe Michiaki Cast: Ichijou Retsu/Gavan: Ooba Kenji (also a stuntman in Kikaider, guest in JAKQ, Battle Kenya in Battle Fever J, and Denziblue in Denziman. Member of JAC [Japan Action Club, a stuntmen's association founded by Chiba Shin'ichi].) Mimi: Kanou Wakiko Mareen: Nashiro Kyouko Commander Com: Nishizawa Toshiaki Voicer: Chiba 'Sonny' Shin'ichi (of Streetfighter fame) Summary The Galactic Union Police, based on Bird Star, dispatches Space Sheriffs to planets throughout the universe. (Cf. the Guardians of Oa and the Green Lanterns of the DC Universe.) Many years ago, Voicer was Earth's Space Sheriff. He married an Earth woman, Ichijouji Tamiko, and had a son, Gavan. Voicer, intending to make Gavan a Space Sheriff, took him to Bird. Soon after, Tamiko died of illness. (Seems pretty heartless to me to leave the wife behind...) Thereafter, Voicer was betrayed by his fellow Space Sheriff Hunter Killer (that's his name, 'Hantaa Kiraa') and captured by the space crime organization Makuu. (Had Voicer known English, he'd have known better than to hang out with someone named 'Hunter Killer.') Gavan grew up on Bird, training to be the Space Sheriff that his now-lost father had intended him to be. Sent to Earth as its Space Sheriff, Gavan took the name Ichijouji Retsu. Accompanied by his assistant, Mimi, he fought Makuu while searching for his father. In the end, he did reunite with his father, whom Makuu killed by torture, and defeat Makuu. Rewarded with the position of Captain of the Galactic Patrol (not the whole Galactic Union Police), Gavan returned to Bird. Iga Den took his place as Earth's Space Sheriff--Sharivan. (See section 2 for details.) Characters and mecha The Galactic Union Patrol (only those members appearing in Gavan are listed; see sections 2 and 3 for later additions): Commander Com Commander of the GUP. Mareen Com's secretary; later Gavan's second partner. Mimi Com's daughter who fell for Gavan and became his first partner; later returned to Bird. Alan Space Sheriff of Beeze. Guest in episodes 31 and 32. Voicer Earth's Space Sheriff in the past. Gavan's father. Held the key to the superweapon called the 'Hoshino Super Cannon.' Died during torture by Makuu. (All of the above had no Combat Suits.) Gavan/Ichijouji Retsu Earth's (then-current) Space Sheriff. Half-human, half-Bird. His two goals: defeat Makuu and find his father Voicer. His arsenal (setting the pattern for future Metal Heroes): Combat Suit A silver suit of armor (actually a wet suit with plating varying in metallicity and detail depending on the type of shot and scene--stunt, close-up, etc.) When Gavan shouts, 'Jouchaku!' (literally, 'steam-wear'; a technical term used to refer to plating something with metal) particles of Granium rain from the Dolgiran, fusing around his body to form the Combat Suit in 0.05 seconds. Weapons include the Laser Z Beam fired from the Combat Suit's right index and middle fingers (the name is a remnant of Gavan's original proposed title, 'Uchuu Keiji Z') and the Laser Blade sword, with which he performs the Gavan Dynamic technique. Cyberian Gavan's red motorcycle with vestigial seatless sidecar. Capable of flight and entry into Makuu Space. (Like all true outer space vehicles in the Toei universe, it has 'Suzuki' proudly written on its fuel tank.) Gavion Gavan's tank, which splits into an extremely unaerodynamic flying platform and a base with treads. Scooper Gavan's double-drilled minitank, stored in Gavion's bottom half. Dollgiran Gavan's flying fortress, capable of space flight and Makuu Space entry. Consists of the Giran, a silver flying saucer 220 meters in diameter, and the Doll, a blue spacecraft that transforms into the gigantic mechanical dragon, the Electronic Star Beast Doll. Gavan pilots the fire-breathing Electronic Star Beast by standing on its head. (Actually, a way-out-of-scale, highly unconvicing figure of Gavan stood on Doll's nose and at the Gavion.) The Space Crime Organization Makuu (lit. 'Demon Space') Manipulates evildoings throughout the universe. Makuu's goal is nothing short of universal domination. It takes over planets and uses its inhabitants as weapons in the form of 'BEM Monsters,' 'Doublemen,' etc. (Cf. Gozma in Changeman or Zone in Fiveman.) For this reason, it is also known as the 'Beast Star Empire.' Its headquarters is the Makuu Castle, located in the dimension of Makuu Space (lit. 'Demon Space Space'!). Don Horror (yes, 'Don' as in 'Mafia don') Head of Makuu. Hunter Killer ('Hantaa Kiraa'; 1-30, 42) Makuu's field commander. Once a Space Sheriff, he betrayed Voicer to Makuu. Tempted by Don Horror, he turned to evil. Horror Girl Don Horror's secretary. BEM Monsters (BEM = 'Bug Eyed Monster'; 1-13) Bestial monsters of the week. Name formula: XXX Monster. 1. Shako Monster (partridge) 2. Gamara Monster (toad) 3. Condor Monster 4. Sasori Monster (scorpion) 5. Dokuja Monster (poisonous snake) 6. Oomadako Monster (octopus) 7. Samurai Ari Monster (ant) 8. Kaenzaru Monster (fire monkey) 10. Nijichou Monster (rainbow butterfly) 11. Armadillo Monster 12. Goat Monster 13. Sai Monster (Rhino) Doublemen and Doublegirls (no, not 'Doublewomen'; 1-13) Humanoid monsters of the week. Nameless (?) Double Monsters (14-42) Crosses between Doublemen and BEM Monsters. Name formula: XXX Doubler. Most notable of all are Rhino Doubler (the first Double Monster) and Buffalo Doubler (the last; see section 2 for details). 14. Sai Doubler (rhino) 15. Shamo Doubler (gamecock) 16. Kama Doubler (scythe) 17. Hyou Doubler (panther) 18. Aogame Doubler (blue turtle) 19. Kyouryuu Doubler (dinosaur) 20. Kera Doubler (cricket) 21. Mitsubachi Doubler (honeybee) 22. Kurage Doubler (jellyfish) 23. Kumo Doubler (spider) 24. Sabre Doubler 25. Goshiki Doubler (five colored?) 26. Gas Doubler 27. Jaaku Doubler (evil) 28. Hakkotsu Doubler (bleached bones) 29. Magic Doubler 30. Keibi Doubler (defense) 31. Saimin Doubler (hypnosis) 32. Totsugeki Doubler (sudden attack) 33. Kaibutsu Doubler (monster) 34. Doctor Doubler 35. Guts Doubler 36. Urami Doubler (malice) 37. Anahori Doubler (hole-digging) 38. Gang Doubler 39. Nottori Doubler (capture) 40. Youkai Doubler (supernatural creature) 41. Jigoku Doubler (hell) 42. Buffalo Doubler Sondorva (Sandoruba; 30-44) Don Horror's son; field commande replacing Hunter Killer. Witch Fang (Kiba; 30-44) Sondorva's mother and assistant. Crushers Grunts in black leather and tights. Episode titles 1. The Strange Fortress Beneath Tokyo (82.3.5) 2. The Stolen Japanese Archipelago (82.3.12) 3. Oh No! Stop Dr. Kuroboshi's BEM Project (82.3.19) 4. The Demon Helmet That Calls for Death (82.3.26) 5. Mimi Cries; The Poison Cobra Projectile Hits Retsu (82.4.9) 6. Geniuses of the Demonspace School (82.4.16) 7. A Girl Kissed the Petals of the Flower Where a Monster Hides (82.4.30) 8. Justice or Devil? The Silver-Masked Great Hero (82.5.7) 9. The Beautiful Puppet Spy (82.5.14) 10. Destroy the Human Crusher Corps! (82.5.28) 11. Is Father Alive? The Mysterious SOS Signal (82.6.4) 12. Hurry to the Park! UFO Boys in a Pinch (82.6.11) 13. Retsu in Danger! The Great Reversal (82.6.18) 14. A Parting of Love and Sadness: The Final Attack (82.6.25) 15. Phantom? The Demonspace City (82.7.2) 16. My First Love is the Shining of a Jewel: Farewell Galactic Express (82.7.9) 17. The Running Time Bomb: Assassin on a Patrol Bike (82.7.16) 18. The Princess Contest: Mess at Dragon Castle (82.7.23) 19. Steamwear at 6 AM! Z Beam Charge Complete (82.7.30) 20. The Mysterious Emergency Hospital! Mankind's Annihilation Approaches (82.8.6) 21. The Dancing, Prickly Great Pinch: Operation Honey! (82.8.20) 22. Gold Mask and Younger Sister: The Yacht Going to the Sun (82.9.3) 23. The Beauty's Cries That Cut through the Night! Ghost Carriage in the Fog (82.9.10) 24. Mimi's Nightmare!? The Howling Cut-up Demonbeast (82.9.17) 25. The Strangely Flickering Flowers in the Water: Young Leaves in Danger (82.10.1) 26. I Saw the Dolls! True Identity of the Poison Gas Killer Corps (82.10.8) 27. The Teachers Are Weird! School's Full of Weirdness (82.10.15) 28. Monica, the Witch Who Wanders the Dark Sea of Space (82.10.22) 29. Blitzkrieg Magic Battle! Program of Darkness (82.10.29) 30. Don Horror's Son Returns to Demonspace Castle (82.11.5) 31. The Princess Who Became a Doll Listening to the Angel's Song (82.11.12) 32. The Mysterious Underground Maze Target Is WX1 (82.11.19) 33. A New Monster Is Born: The Boy Who Picked up an Alien (82.11.26) 34. A Memory of Star Tears: The Child without a Father or Mother (82.12.3) 35. The Young Lion of Makuu: Sandolva's Opposition (82.12.10) 36. Roadshow of Malice: The Filming Location Is Demonspace (82.12.17) 37. The Funny Tomboy Princess' Earth Adventure Trip (82.12.24) 38. The Surrounded Transport Corps: Sun Sword of Justice (83.1.14) 39. When I Returned from School, My House Was a Makuu Base (83.1.21) 40. Makuu's Great Decisive Battle at the Valley: I'm a Space Sheriff Too (83.1.28) 41. The New Demonspace City: The Red Hourglass of Life (83.2.4) 42. Retsu! Hurry! Father! (83.2.11) 43. Reunion (83.2.18) 44. The Head of Don Horror (83.2.25) 2. Space Sheriff Sharivan (Uchuu Keiji Shariban; 1983-84) 83.3.4-84.2.24 Network: TV Asahi 51 episodes, color Fridays, 19:30-20:00 Creator: Hatte Saburou (Toei house pseudonym) Producers: Yoshikawa Susumu, Orita Itaru, Usui Yuuyake Directors: Kobayashi Yoshiaki, Tanaka Hideo, Ogasawara Takeshi, Tsuji Osamu, Konishi Michio Writers: Uehara Shouzou, Takaku Susumu, Kubota Keiji, Yuyama Akiyuki SFX: Yajima Nobuo Music: Watanabe Michiaki Cast: Iga Den/Sharivan: Wataru Hiroshi (also Spielban; see Section 5) Lily: Furuya Yumiko Ichijou Retsu/Gavan: Ooba Kenji Reider: Andou Mitsuo (also Professor Gill in Kikaider and Professor Monster in Toei's Spider-Man) Summary The Igas, whose homeword was destroyed by the space crime organization Madou, escaped to Inner Iga Island on Earth. (Yes, 'Iga' as in Iga ninjas.) Iga Den, a descendant of the Iga refugees, was a forest patroller. One day, he was fatally injured by the Makuu Double Monster Buffalo Doubler (Gavan episode 42), the guardian of Makuu's base. Saved by Space Sheriff Gavan, Den was sent to Bird, where he underwent surgery, recovered, and trained to become Earth's next Space Sheriff, taking the place of the promoted Gavan. Over the course of his duties, he learned of his true Iga heritage and defended the Iga Crystal (see below) from Madou, teaming up with Gavan in the series finale. Characters and mecha Galactic Union Patrol Captain Gavan A frequent guest star. Teamed with Sharivan for the series finale against Psycho. (This reminded me of the Double Riders vs. Gelshocker leader episode, some 11 years earlier.) Lily Sharivan's assistant. Sharivan/Iga Den Earth's second Space Sheriff in recent years. Originally from Inner Iga Island. Served as forest patroller until fatally wounded by Makuu's Buffalo Doubler and saved by Gavan. His arsenal: Combat Suit A red suit of 'Solar Metal' armor. When Den shouts, 'Sekisha!' (lit. 'red discharge'), the Grand Birth (see below) absorbs solar energy, converts it into Solar Metal particles, and fires said particles at Den, around whom they fuse to form the Combat Suit in .001 seconds. The Suit comes with the Crimebuster handgun and the standard-issue Laser Blade, which he performs the spectacular Sharivan Crash--one of my all-time favorite tokusatsu SFX sequences, next to the jouchaku and sekisha scenes, with the black silhouette of Sharivan swinging a sword in front of the huge golden disk of the sun. Motosharian Sharivan's motorcycle, capable of entry into the Phantom Dream World. Sharinger Tank Sharivan's tank, which splits into a flying upper half and treaded lower half. Moguriran (mogura = mole) Sharivan's drill-headed vehicle. Grand Birth Sharivan's flying fortress, which has two modes, the self-explanatory Battle Mothership and the vaguely humanoid Battle Birth Formation (with the hugest lap or stomach I've ever seen). The Organizers (27, 50) The anti-Madou resistance, represented by Moore, Keith, and Rita. Aided Sharivan. The Descendants of Iga These include: The Holy One (34, 47, 51) The guardian god of the Igas. Jii/Masked Monster (19) The aged chief of Inner Iga Island. Has the map to the whereabouts of the Iga Crystal, which he defends in the armored guise of the Masked Monster. The Girls of Inner Iga Island (19, 20, 31, 49-51) Sailor-suited schoolgirl defenders of the Iga Crystal, a 2,000-year-old artificial sun hidden on the island. Led by Miyuki. Bell Billy (36) and Bell Helen (36, 38, 39, 42) A pair of Iga youths--a older sister and younger brother--whose parents were slain by Madou while they travelled through space. General Gyrer of Madou slew Billy. Iga Warriors (51) Jack, Henry, Maria, and Kirk. Four descendants of Iga who came to Earth to help Sharivan at Organizer Rita's request. (Isn't it funny how the Organizers and the peoples of Iga, all from outer space, all have Western names?) The Space Criminal Society Madou (lit. 'Demon Way') A organization of psychic criminals with its headquarters, the Phantom Dream Castle, in the Phantom Dream World dimension, a 'white hole' where all the matter sucked up by black holes ends up. Intends to conquer the universe through chaos created by its members' psionic abilities. Demon King Psycho The immobile (until the finale) ruler of Madou. Fought Gavan and Sharivan in the series finale in a second body, that of the cyborg Psychorror, fully mobile and armed with twin swords. General Gyrer (1-49) Field commander. Doctor Polter Female strategist and Demonster creator. Reider (rei = spirit; 34-50) Mystic from the Death Spirit World who intended to take over Madou for himself. Miss Demon 1 and 2 Polters' female spies. Demonsters (Makaijuu) Monsters of the week, usually with a two-mode gimmick (often two different faces). Name formula: XXX Beast. 1. Gori Beast (gorilla) 2. Ei Beast (stingray) 3. Kiba Beast (fang) 4. Micon Beast (microcomputer) 5. Sound Beast 6. Yamagami Beast (mountain god) 7. Double Beast 8. Doku Beast (poison) 9. Cash Beast 10. UFO Beast 11. Shouri Beast (victory) 12. Ocarina Beast 13. Boxer Beast 14. Killer Beast 15. Shikake Beast (device) 16. Maboroshi Beast (phantom) 17. Magma Beast 18. Same Beast (shark) 19. Kataribe Beast (storyteller) 21. Utsubo Beast (moray) 22. Shinigami Beast (death god) 23. Nimen Beast (two face) 24. Virus Beast 25. Hard Beast 26. Kaiki Beast (weird) 27. Uragiri Beast (betrayal) 28. Campus Beast 29. Heiki Beast (weapon) 30. Henshin Beast (transformation) 31. Kodai Beast (ancient) 32. Jekyll-Hyde Beast 33. Shunkan Beast (moment) 34. Hyakume Beast (hundred-eyed) 35. Washi Beast (eagle) 36. Bunri Beast (separation) 37. Kuma Beast (bear) 38. Ashura Beast (demon) 39. Doll Beast 40. Yogen Beast (prophecy) 41. Anahori Beast (hole-digging) 42. Mukuro Beast (corpse) 43. Reikai Beast (spirit world) 44. Ankou Beast (anglerfish) 45 .Yuukai Beast (kidnap) 46. Present Beast 47. Kenkyaku Beast (walker) Fightlers Grunts in black tights decorated with lightning bolts. Great King Gamagon (gama = toad) Toei's Jabba the Hutt ripoff: a huge bodiless toad head from the future. Not a Madou member but a foe of Sharivan nonetheless. Episode titles 1. Phantom Dream (83.3.4) 2. Demonworld Newtown (83.3.11) 3. A Promise with Kumiko (83.3.18) 4. Wanted: Microcomputer (83.3.25) 5. Youko of the Harbor Does Not Forget the Melody of Love (83.4.1) 6. The Little Life Running through the Forest Battlefield (83.4.8) 7. Who Is the Me Floating in the Mirror? (83.4.15) 8. The Mud River Lives Again: Comeback Salmon (83.4.22) 9. Surprise House Is at Phantom Dream Castle No. 0 (83.4.29) 10. Phantom Dream Castle--Chase the Shadow of the Tokyo Express (83.5.6) 11. The Strongest Evil Fighter from the Dark Nebula (83.5.13) 12. The Alien's Smile: Operation My Friend (83.5.20) 13. Strength Is Love: The Heroes' Journey (83.5.27) 14. The String of Multimillionaires Plagued by Dream Demons (83.6.3) 15. The Device Island of the Sea's Rumbling (83.6.10) 16. The Dangerous Hit Song Sung by the Beauty (83.6.17) 17. The Strange Extradimensional Journey of the New Double-Decker Bus (83.6.24) 18. Summer! Sea! The Herds of Meteo Attacking the Iga Peninsula (83.7.1) 19. The Miraculous Girl Standing Alone at Demon Edge Cape (83.7.8) 20. The Rainbow Crystal Island That Calls Wild Waves (83.7.15) 21. Fangs of the Secret Room: Lily Likes Mysteries (83.7.22) 22. The Temptation to Heaven That Attacks a Tennis Player (83.7.29) 23. Fear of the Age of Copies: Lookalikes Assemble (83.8.5) 24. The Plague of Laziness Brought by a Hurricane of Insects (83.8.19) 25. Tears Even in an Ogre's Eye--Tears of an Angel--Come Save Papa (83.8.26) 26. Trap of Hatred: The Great Makeup War (83.9.2) 27. The Sky of Betrayal: Escapee from the Prison of Darkness (83.9.9) 28. The Campus Has a Violent Storm of Windspeed 80 m (83.9.16) 29. Who Is the Enemy? The Hot-Blooded Boy Eyeing the Plains (83.9.23) 30. The Abandoned Children: Metamorphosing Mother (83.9.30) 31. Miyuki Is Now...? The Wandering Phantom Crystal (83.10.7) 32. The Phantom Dream Device Orange and the Lullaby! (83.10.14) 33. Time Trip! Inside the Phantom Dream Castle, Strange Flowers Are Blooming (83.10.21) 34. All Hair-Raising Ghosts Are Guides to the Phantom Dream World (83.10.28) 35. If You Fall, Stand, Den! Love Is the Glow of Life (83.11.4) 36. In the Rough Seas of Space Rises the Z Flag of the Iga Warriors' Band (83.11.11) 37. Bear-Hunting Uncle Saw the Strange Poison Flowers (83.11.18) 38. Mad Whispers Coup d'Etat: Phantom Dream Castle of the Dark Clouds (83.11.25) 39. The Doll Knows the Wound of the Iga Warrior (83.12.2) 40. The Fiery Car Chase: The Prophet Who Cut the Ties of Love (83.12.9) 41. Phoenix! Fly Back to the Phantom Dream Castle That Erupts in Reverse (83.12.16) 42. The Red Youth of the Woman Warrior Who Runs across the Battlefield (83.12.23) 43. A Mother and Child's Tears of Love Flow on the Road of Heaven (83.12.30) 44. The Midnight Cinderella Full of the Scent of Roses (84.1.6) 45. The Audition Trap: The Big Child Star (84.1.13) 46. The Birthday Promise: The Airplane Cloud Drawing Dreams in the Sky (84.1.20) 47. The Brother and Sister Wishing for Happiness: The Fireworks-Falling Swords of Justice and Evil 48. Mimi 49. Gamagon 50. The Sea Monster 51. Red Discharge/Steamwear 3. Space Sheriff Shaider (Uchuu Keiji Shaidaa) 84.3.2-85.3.1 Network: TV Asahi 48 episodes, color Fridays, 19:30-20:00 Creator: Hatte Saburou (Toei house pseudonym) Producers: Yoshikawa Susumu, Orita Itaru, Usui Yuuyake Directors: Sawai Shin'ichirou, Kobayashi Yoshiaki, Tanaka Hideo, Ogasawara Takeshi, Tsuji Osamu, Konishi Michio, Yamada Michio Writer: Uehara Shouzou SFX: Yajima Nobuo Music: Watanabe Michiaki Cast: Sawamura Dai/Shaider: Tsuburaya Hiroshi (grandson of the late, lamented special effects genius Tsuburaya Eiji of Ultraman fame and son of Tsuburaya Hajime. Previously a mainstream TV drama actor and not a stuntman, unlike Daiba Kenji and Wataru Hiroshi.) Annie: Morinaga Naomi (also Helen in Spielban) Poe: Yoshida Atsushi (who auditioned to be Shaider) Hessler: Kubo Kazuhiko (This is one of the sources for footage in this season's VR Troopers. Ryan Steele's current VR Trooper mode is Shaider. See sections 5 and 6 for JB, Kaitlin, and Ryan's old mode.) Summary In college, Sawamura Dai deciphered the figures on the Nazca Plain. Impressed, the Galactic Union Police recruited the archaeologist and trained him to be Earth's third Space Sheriff in recent years. Named after Shaider, the ancient hero who destroyed the Mu Empire and defeated Fuuma 12,000 years ago, he teamed with Annie to stop Fuuma today. He did so single-handedly; the expected crossover with Gavan and Sharivan never occurred until a special that aired 85.3.8. Characters and Mecha Galactic Union Police Annie Shaider's cowgirlish partner, whose homeworld of Mount was annihilated by Fuuma. Played by a JAC stuntwoman, she engaged in much more action than her non-stuntwoman predecessors, who largely stayed aboard mecha and away from the monsters of the week. Some view Morinaga Naomi as the Shiomi Etsuko ('Sue Shiomi' in 'Sonny Chiba' movies) of the eighties. She gained quite a following when Shaider was on Japanese TV, with the tokusatsu fan magazine Uchusen running 'side stories' spotlighting Annie. Previous Metal Hero series had stuntMAN main characters; this series was usual in that it had a stuntWOMAN main character, but no stuntman (see below). Shaider/Sawamura Dai Archaelogist-turned-Space Sheriff. Named after the ancient hero Shaider, he was fated to repeat his predecessor's destiny by saving Earth from Fuuma. His arsenal: Combat Suit A blue and silver suit of Granium Alpha armor. When Dai shouts, 'Shouketsu!' (lit. 'fry-bind'), beams of Plasma Blue Energy shower from the Babylos to form the Suit around his body in 1 millisecond. The Suit comes with the Video Beam Gun and the standard issue Laser Blade, with which he performs the Shaider Blue Flash technique. Blue Hawk (VRT: VR Nitricycle) Shaider's blue and white motorcycle with wings in the rear that fold open. Capable of flight and entry into the Strange World dimension. Shaian (VRT: VR Combat Module) Shaider's tank, which splits into the flying Skyshaian fighter plane and the Battle Shaian tank, with retractable drill (guess the Scooper and Moguriran toys didn't sell, so Bandai saw no point in designing another separate drill vehicle). Babylos (Vavilos?; Babirosu; VRT: ?) Shaider's blue and white flying fortress. Has three modes: Super Dimensional Battle Mothership (self-explanatory), Battle Formation (humanoid), and Shooting Formation (gun, 'held' by a gigantic hologram of Shaider; VRT: Shoulder Cannon). Strange World Fuuma (lit. 'wind demon') A religion based in the Strange Palace (Grimlord's base) in the Strange World dimension revering Kubilai as its god which intends to conquer the universe through psychological attacks. Attempted to take over Earth 12,000 years ago, only to be stopped by the Shaider of legend; destroyed today by the modern Shaider. Great Emperor Kubilai (a pun on kubi 'head' and Kublai Khan; VRT: Oraclon) Ruler of Fuuma. A giant golden head with three red eyes embedded in the wall of the Fuuma Palace. Later revelaed to have two bodies: a natural one (Hydrabot in VR Troopers' 'Grimlord's Dark Secret Part Two'; Shaider 47) with snakelike limbs that fought the Shaider of legend 12,000 years ago and a mechanical one with which he fought the Shaider of today (Oraclon in VRT 'Into Oraclon's Web'; Shaider 48). God Officer Poe (VRT: Despera) Kubilai's transvestite grandson in white who presides over the Strange Beast birth and Strange Dimension Generation ceremonies. (Cf. Sailor Moon for another case of male-as-female in the US version.) Drinking a elixir made somehow from young girls every 500 years, he lived 15,000 years. Unwilling to have anyone be more beautiful than he, his true face is mummified. Commander Hessler (VRT: Doommaster) Black-garbed field commander covered with red vines. Older brother of Himley (Arachnobot? in VR Troopers), who tried to take over his position. Girls' Army (VRT: Vixens) Five kunoichi (female ninja) spies. Strange Beasts (Fushigijuu) Psychedelic, deceptively comical-looking creatures. Name formula: two syllables, then those two syllable repeated (see below for all the names) List of Strange Beasts by episode (Can anyone familiar with both Shaider and VR Troopers help me match VR Troopers names with these? Descriptions are extremely hard to give, since many do not have any obvious motifs.) 1. Baribari 2. Petopeto 3. Girugiru 4. Meromero 5. Mujimuji 6. Gokugoku 7. Barabara 8. Kerokero 9. Tamtam 10. Pasupasu 11. Getogeto 12. Roborobo 13. Kotokoto 14. Guriguri 15. Gamegame 16. Bokeboke (VRT: Charmidor) 17. Girigiri 18. Muumuu 19. Magumagu 20. Shigishigi 21. Surisuri 22. Umiumi 23. Gasgas 24. Lovelove 25. Saisai 26. Kamikami 27. Deathdeath 29. Itoito 30. Buyobuyo 31. Fumafuma 32. Karikari 33. Merimeri 34. Kagekage 35. Daridari 36. Konkon 37. Guchiguchi 38. Moviemovie 39. Satasata 40. Terroterro 41. Pearpear 42. Hebihebi 43. Tsutatsuta Films: Omega (first; not a Strange Beast but an alien gunman with shoulder cannons), Muchimuchi (second) Miraclers (second-generation Skugs) Grunts with big round eyes and fanged mouths. Episode titles: 1. The Strange World (84.3.2) 2. Dance, Petopeto! (84.3.9) 3. Annie Doesn't Respond (84.3.16) 4. The Children Who Became Dos (84.3.23) 5. Suddenly! Lazybones (84.3.30) 6. The Counterattack of Strange World Cooking (84.4.13) 7. Have You Seen the Girls' Hallucinations (84.4.20) 8. Bad Girl from the Stars (84.4.27) 9. I Really Hate the Blue Boys' Team (84.5.4) 10. House of Twilight (84.5.11) 11. Leave It to Annie (84.5.18) 12. The True Identity of Perfect-Scoring Genta? (84.5.25) 13. The Gold Medal Device Man (84.6.1) 14. Mutant of Love (84.6.8) 15. The Marine Blue of the Seashore (84.6.15) 16. The Surprised Alien Life Form (84.6.22) 17. The Mysterious Writing of the Galactic Police (84.6.29) 18. Who Calls for Mysteries: The Pacific Ocean (84.7.6) 19. Annie in Danger (84.7.13) 20. The Strange Song (84.7.20) 21. I Hate Them! The Little Beasts' Family (84.7.27) 22. The Oddity of the Sea Called by the Mermaid (84.8.3) 23. The Great Escape with Wounds All Over (84.8.10) 24. The Beautiful Mask of Poe (84.8.31) 25. Esper Queen (84.9.7) 26. Great Crash into the Demonworld Zone (84.9.14) 27. Death Match at Demon Island (84.9.21) 28. Backstabbing Brothers of the Demon Palace (84.9.28) 29. The Woman Cop of a Hundred Faces (84.10.12) 30. The Message of Life Slicing the Sky (84.10.19) 31. The Big Bargain of Canned Wild Monsters (84.10.26) 32. The Melody of Yours and Mine (84.11.2) 33. The Walking Gut-Talk Master (84.11.9) 34. Kubilai's Secret (84.11.16) 35. The Golden Arrow That Shoots Mysteries (84.11.23) 36. It's the Age of Dream Computer Madness (84.11.30) 37. The Roaring Beam Gun (84.12.7) 38. The Demon Girl Cinderella (84.12.14) 39. The Choir of the Dancing Masks (84.12.21) 40. Vavilos SOS (84.12.28) 41. Direct Attack on the Woman Equestrian (85.1.11) 42. The Miracle of Grade 6, Class 0 (85.1.18) 43. Our Fuuma (85.1.25) 44. The Great Invasion Blowing Wildly in (85.2.1) 45. The Fire-Breathing Golden Idol (85.2.8) 46. Phantom Showtime (85.2.15) 47. The Darkness of 12,000 Years (85.2.22) 48. Justice, Friendship, and Love (85.3.1) Films: Space Sheriff Shaider (84.7.14) Chase the Strange Kidnappers! (84.12.22) TV special: Space Sheriff Special: Three Space Sheriffs--Gavan, Sharivan, and Shaider Assemble! (85.3.8) (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this Manual and not to the Metal Heroes and/or any other properties of Toei, TV Asahi, or Asahi Tsushinsha (ASATSU). This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved. --------------------- The Metal Hero Manual, Version 1.2, Part 2: Alien Metal Heroes (95.11/95.15:13) (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this Manual and not to the Metal Heroes and/or any other properties of Toei, TV Asahi, or Asahi Tsushinsha (ASATSU). This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved. What's new in this edition: Credits Juspion monster names Interlude, or why the Space Sheriffs were no more In an interview in Tokuma Shoten's Town Mook Perfect Manual 3: Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion, Toei producer Yoshikawa Susumu stated that the average ratings for the Space Sheriffs were as follows: Gavan (15%), Sharivan (13%), Shaider (12.5%) To face the challenge of downward ratings, for its fourth entry in the Metal Hero series, Toei abandoned the Space Sheriff series and turned to a revival of the kaijuu (giant monster) format in Youjuu Tokusou Deniiro ('Strange Beast Special Investigation DeNiro), which emerged as Juspion. (Kamen Rider J fans, note: the evil organization in DeNiro was to be 'Fog.') 4. Megabeast Special Investigation Juspion (Kyojuu Tokusou Jasupion; 1985-86) 85.3.15-86.3.24 Network: TV Asahi 46 episodes, color Fridays, 19:30-20:00 (1-34), Mondays, 19:00-19:30 (35-46) Creator: Hatte Saburou Producers: Yoshikawa Susumu, Orita Itaru, Usui Yuuyake Directors: Ogasawara Takeshi, Kobayashi Yoshiaki, Konishi Michio, Tsuji Osamu Writers: Uehara Shouzou, Yamazaki Haruya, others SFX: Yajima Nobuo Music: Watanabe Michio Cast: Juspion: Kurozaki Hikaru (JAC stuntman; easily recognizable in early episodes with a hideous Afro) Anri: Tsukada Kiyomi Boomerang: Wataru Hiroshi (a.k.a. Sharivan, Spielban) Ejin: Nakatani Noboru Madgalant: Haruta Jun'ichi (JAC stuntman; Dynablack in Dynaman) Summary The space hermit Ejin discovered a shocking prophecy in the Galactic Bible: When the god Satangorth of the Dark Universe awakens, the galaxy, and even the universe, will cease to exist. When Satangorth appeared, Juspion set off under orders from his mentor Ejin to stop him and his Megabeasts with the android woman Anri and the giant robot Daileon. Characters and mecha Juspion Juspion = 'justice champion.' A wild child brought up by Ejin after losing his parents during a space journey. Can put on a silver Metaltech Suit in 0.03 seconds by sparking energy between his palms. Armed with the Plasma Blazer Sword with which he performs the Cosmic Harlee technique and Beam Scanner Gun. (Originally was going to pose as Earth stuntman Kenjou Yutaka.) Ironwolf Juspion's silver motorcycle, a 'Super Planet Machine' built by Suzuki. Garbin Juspion's silver tank, which splits into the Garbin Tank with twin drills and the Garbin Jet. Daileon Juspion's silver flying fortress and greatest weapon. Normally in self-explanatory Super Planet Battle Mothership mode, it can transform into a 60-meter-tall 'Battle Giant' robot in 5.8 seconds and defeat Megabeasts with the Cosmic Crash technique's double punches. Anri A female android built by Ejin to serve as Juspion's assistant. Boomerang After his older brother, an Interpol investigator, was killed by Satangorth's forces, this medical student vowed revenge and became a 'Federal Nations sheriff' [sic], fighting Satangorth with his twin boomerangs. Real name unknown. Mieya A creature from the jungles of Beezee who saved Juspion from a carnivorous plant. Lost his mother during a battle with Satangorth's forces. Joins the crew of the Daileon. (No, Ferbus in Masked Rider wasn't the only useless cute creature in tokusatsu; the Japanese too have made this mistake.) Ejin The descendant of prophets who defended the Galaxy Bible for tens of millennia. Raised Juspion, the survivor of a space shiprwreck and set him off to defeat Satangorth. The Nambara Family (15-) Receiving a revelation from God, cameraman Nambara Ken'ichirou, his daughter Kanoko and his son Kenta became closely linked with Juspion when Ken'ichirou took a photo of the Golden Bird. Kanoko, along with four other children, Daisaku, Hiroshi, Mika, and Kumiko, were chosen by God to give birth (!) to the Golden Bird from their palms. The Golden Bird Guardian god of the galaxy. A manifestation of the energies of righteousness. (Or a very unconvincing matte painting or bluescrened toy bird.) Became the gigantic golden sword with which Juspion, piloting the Daileon, defeated Satangorth with a giant-scale Cosmic Harlee. Tarzan of the Galaxy The baby referred to in a prophecy in the Galaxy Bible. Landed on Earth, sleeping in a life-preserving capsule, as the sole survivor of a spaceship attacked by pirates. Juspion saw himself in the baby and named it the 'Tarzan of the Galaxy.' The Megabeast Empire Satangorth A giant bat-winged creature normally enveloped in black armor. The Great Demon God of Darkness referred to in the Galaxy Bible. A super lifeform born from negative energy spewed out from a black hole. Defeated by the Golden Bird, the avatar of righteousness. Madgalant Satangorth's son, a Metal Villain wearing a suit of black armor. (Cf. Hellvira of Spielban, Topgunder/Darkheart of Metalder/VRT, or Black Beet in Beetle Fighter.) Capable of fighting Juspion with his sword or with his black VTOL six-legged insectoid walker/plane, the Juldbooma, reminiscent of the Beetle Fighter mecha ten years later. Can take human form. The Aliens Mercenaries (?) of various unnamed species who assist Madgalant. Reminiscent of the aliens in Blue SWAT. Gilza (29-35) Alien witch who brought Madgalant back to life when he was killed by Juspion. Gilmarza (39-) Gilza's elder sister. A witch known as the 'Spectre Queen of the Dark Galaxy.' The Four Deva Kings Hirelings of Madgalant. Zampa (13-18) Top bodyguard in the galaxy. Ikki (13-15) Android who once threatened Juspion's parents. Guillauie (Gyooru; 13-44) Female spy and master of disguise. Brima (13-44) Prophet with a crystal ball. The Five Space Ninjas Wear suits of black armor differing only in the color of their forehead plates. Each is named after the element he represents. Ka (Fire; red; 39-43) Sui (Water; blue; 39, 40) Moku (Wood; green; 39-42) Dou (Earth; long vowel irregular; white; 39) Fuu (Wind; yellow; 39-43) Other Madgalant hirelings of lesser note include the Amazones (10), the Gazami Brothers (25, 26), and the Cutey Girls (Cutey Ace, Cutey Heart, Cutey Queen; 27) who can merge into the Three- Faced Beast Warrior. Megabeasts Giant monsters of either Earth or alien origin, averaging 60 meters in height. 1. Marigos 1. Hanedar 2. Tetsugos 3. Namageras 4. Gaios 5. Giga 6. Gelgon 7. Iwagoreela 8. Onideviler 9. Kidamar 10. Pirazahl 11. Gamagoras 13. Kabegonta 14. Umiking 15. Portsanki 17. Headdrimmer 19. Umiblar 20. Hakabarn 21. Magneder 22. Kumorda 23. Shishiorn 24. Moke 25. Donges 26. Borger 27. Sodomon 28. Aiger 29. Gasler 30. Baloom 31. Deathchiras 33. Majin 34. Phordon 36. Jimushi 37. Ebizohl 38. Aquarocky 40. Diagoras 41. Deathdran 44. Badelges The average rating for Juspion was 11.8%, 0.7% less than Shaider, the lowest rated of the Space Sheriffs. Clearly, the Metal Hero- kaijuu mix wasn't working out (despite the excuses of producer Yoshikawa, who blames video games). The next entry in the Metal Hero series eliminated the kaijuu and introduced an entirely new element to bring in higher ratings... 5. Dimensional Warrior Spielban (Spielvan; Jikuu Senshi Supiruban) 86.4.7-87.3.9 Network: TV Asahi 44 episodes, color Mondays, 19:00-19:30 Creator: Hatte Saburou Producers: Yoshikawa Susumu, Orita Itaru, Usui Yuuyake Directors: Ogasawara Takeshi, Kobayashi Yoshiaki, Konishi Michio, Tsuji Osamu Writers: Uehara Shouzou, Kobayashi Yoshiaki, Aikawa Noburu, Takizawa Kazuho SFX: Yajima Nobuo Music: Watanabe Michio Cast: Jou Yousuke/Spielban: Wataru Hiroshi (a.k.a. Sharivan, Boomerang) Diana/Diana Lady: Sumikawa Makoto (a JAC stuntwoman; now Kouyamaki Jun; played Shiratori Reiko, Black RX's girlfriend) Helen/Hellvira/Helen Lady: Morinaga Naomi (also Annie in Shaider) Ben/Doctor Bio: Mizuki Ichirou (sings the theme song and innumerable other tokusatsu songs) Pandora: Soga Machiko (yes, HER, Bandora in Zyuranger and Queen Hedrian in Denziman and Sunvulcan) Emperor Guillotine: Mickey Curtis (a fortysomething? half? who looks much younger than he really is) The basis for the JB and Kaitlin footage in VR Troopers. Summary The Wahrer Empire, always in search of water to sustain the life of its deity Wahrer, destroyed the planet Clin. Two Clin children, Spielban and Diana, escaped to Earth aboard the Super Dimensional Battle Mothership Gran Nazca. Having grown up during the long journey, the two don High Tech Crystal Suits as Spielban and Diana Lady to defeat the Wahrers, who have come to Earth in search of more water. Spielban must avenge his dead mother Anna and homeworld and find his missing father Ben and older sister Helen, captives of Wahrer. The Wahrer Empire transformed Ben and Helen into Doctor Bio and Hellvira. Later in the series, Hellvira switched sides to become Helen once again, donning a High Tech Crystal Suit to become Helen Lady. In the end, the deity Wahrer turned out to be a sham; 'he' had been 'his' shaman Queen Pandora all along. Ben reverted to normal, but was killed by Pandora. Spielban slew Pandora. The explosion of the Wahrer castle Gamedeath caused a timeslip. Spielban, Helen, and Diana awoke on the surface planet Clin, which existed once again. Having defeated the Wahrer Empire in the past (our present), planet Clin existed once again in the future. Clin was actually Earth 10,000 years in the future. Now that the Wahrer Empire no longer existed, Spielban, Helen, and Diana were able to reunite with their parents, alive again on the restored world of Clin. (No, this ending didn't make sense to me or the Japanese fans either. I find it hard to believe that live-action master scribe Uehara Shouzou, whose work consists of the best Tsuburaya and Toei episodes of the 60s through 80s, wrote this.) Characters and mecha Spielban/Jou Yousuke 20. Took the name Jou Yousuke on Earth. Rides in a Mitsubishi 4x4, patrolling for Wahrer activity. Communicates with Diana via the Super Crystal Ceiver headset. His arsenal: High Tech Crystal Suit (worn by JB in VR Troopers) When Spielban shouts, 'Kesshou!' (Crystalize!), the Gran Nazca showers Clin Metal Super Corpuscles upon him, which crystallize to form the silver and red Suit around his body in 10 microseconds. The Suit comes with the self-explanatory Twin Blade, with which he performs the Arc Impulse technique, either on or off the Hovarian. He also has the Laser Sniper handgun, the Search Analyzer built into his visor, and the Hyperslip ability, which teleports him and any opponents in the vicinity to locations where less property and fewer people will be endangered ('Vortex Command' in VR Troopers). He can recharge by touching Diana Lady's hand. Hovarian Spielban's red and white motorcycle, a 'Super Dimensional Machine' that in real life used to be a Suzuki 'future motorcycle' for show. Has wings with rotors which bend outwards for hovering. Gaios Spielban's white and black tank. Its top left side breaks off to form the X-winged Jet Gaios, while the remainder, the Drill Gaios, splits open to reveal a drill. Often in combat against the Skulldon, General Deathzero's (General Ivar's in VR Troopers) tank. Gran Nazca (VR Skybase) Spielban and Diana's flying fortress and home for most of their lives. Transforms into the humanoid Command Formation (VR Troopertron) or the Cannon Formation (a gigantic gun 'fired' by an enormous hologram of Spielban). Diana Spielban's partner. The first female Metal Hero, in her High Tech Crystal Suit guise as Diana Lady (VR Troopers' Kaitlin I). Like Spielban, must shout 'Kesshou!' to don the Suit. Armed with the Lady Sniper. Communicates with Spielban via the Super Crystal Phone. Helen Spielban's older sister. Captured by the Wahrer Empire, she lost her memory and served it as Hellvira in red armor (Red Python in VR Troopers). Later, she broke free of the Wahrer Empire and gained the ability to 'kesshou' into Helen Lady (VR Troopers' Kaitlin II) after receiving training from Teacher. (Although VR Troopers has Kaitlin splitting into two, Diana and Helen are entirely separate characters in Spielban who just happen to wear the same model of High Tech Crystal Suit. I wish that they wore slightly different suits--a minor difference in paint job might have been enough--but oh well...) Armed with the Helen Cutter double scythe, which is all that differentiates her from the gun-toting Diana Lady. Doctor Ben Spielban and Helen's father. Because of his great skills in biology, was captured with Helen 14 years ago by the Wahrer Empire. Served Wahrer as Doctor Bio before reverting to normal and dying, only to live again in the alternate future timeline in which the Wahrer Empire never existed. Anna (a brunette gaijin) Spielban and Helen's mother. Chose Spielban and Diana to survive by escaping in the Gran Nazca shortly before the destruction of the Clin mothership. Died, but was restored to life in the alternate future timeline in which the Wahrer Empire never existed. Marin (a blonde gaijin) Diana's mother. Died when the Clin detonated their own mothership, but restored to life in the alternate future timeline in which the Wahrer Empire never existed. Space Swordsman Teacher (14, 33) A hologram generated by the Gran Nazca's computers to train Spielban in swordsmanship. Koyama Daigorou Owner of the invention shop 'Edison.' Claims to be a genius. Comes up with various gadgets that don't quite work out. Koyama Miwa 19. Daigorou's younger sister. Helps out at Edison, but is sick of his inventions that don't sell. The Wahrer Empire An empire that searches for water throughout the universe to sustain the life of its (nonexistent) deity, Wahrer. Queen Pandora Supposedly receiving orders from the deity Wahrer, she in turn orders the heads of her three armies. Actually, she and Wahrer are one and the same. Has not yet appeared on VR Troopers, probably to avoid confusion with Rita. In the finale (43, 44) transformed into the Pandora Battle Machine (Wo)man, the starfish-like Pandora Lifeform, and the Pandora Life Machine (Wo)man, a composite of the previous two incarnations. With so many incarnations, Spielban didn't find her easy to defeat. Never appeared in VR Troopers; if she did, she'd be mixed up with Rita. Emperor Guillotine (24-) Descendant of Wahrer (and logically Pandora). Summoned from the 23th century to help Pandora in the present. Resembles a refugee from Hokuto no Ken or Mad Max with his studded black leather outfit. Thinks of his subordinates as disposable, but is loyal to his Queen. Fell into a dimensional rift and returned as a ghost, only to be defeated again by Spielban. Has never appeared on VR Troopers. General Deathzero (VR Troopers' General Ivar) Leader of Wahrer's Mechanical Army. Wears black armor. An android programmed with a knowledge of all tactics. Can transform into the Deathzero Torpedo, a black-headed missile that launched from a catapult (24, 42). Skulldon General Deathzero's black tank. Splits into the Skulldon Jet (top half) and the Skulldon Cutter (bottom half), a tank armed with a buzzsaw. Accompanied by numerous lesser black tanks (without names?). Battle Machine Men General Deathzero's monsters of the week. I need help with the VR Troopers name equivalents. I have listed them below by the episode in which they first appeared: 1. Mechashoulder 2. Mechabander 3. Mechajouka 4. Mechaputer 7. Mechanoochira 8. Mechamajin 10. Mecharoboter 11. Mechagunman 12. Mechafreezer 14. Drillhander 16. Bosskong 17. Blocker (VRT: Irradiator) 18. Dorbeller 20. Sharinder 22. Sartan 23. Godolar 25. Puncher (first of the New Battle Machine Men) 26. Medor 27. Karmillar 28. Disk 29. Offside 30. Kuruman 31. Antom 32. Tsutaara 33. Biker 34. Yumepakkun 35. Shishidon 36. Walther 38. Blender 39. Vacuumer 39. Youki Battle Machine Man (as the name suggests, it's Youki's, not Deathzero's) 40. Kumason 41. Moveman 42. Blizzer 43. Pandora Battle Machine (Wo)man (not Deathzero's either) Doctor Bio (VR Troopers' General Icebot) Formerly Spielban's father Doctor Ben. Wears white armor. Leader of Wahrer's Bio Army. Creates Biohumans and Battle Lifeforms with Lifeform Modification Surgery. At one point ended up as a monster, Bioroid Bio. Hellvira (VR Troopers' Red Python) Formerly Spielban's sister Helen. Obeys Wahrer's commands. Wears red armor. Can break her body down into atoms to pass through walls. Armed with a dagger that fires light waves. Later cured, becoming Helen Lady. Bio Lifeforms Doctor Bio's monsters of the every-once-in-a-long-while. I need the VR Troopers equivalents. 6. Guja (appears in Quest for Power Part 1) 13. Wataja 15. Umija (VRT: Octobot) Ricki (1-36) Leader of Wahrer's all-female Spy Army. Assisted by Shadow and Gasher (both 1-25). Never appeared in VR Troopers. Youki (35-39; VRT: ?) A new Wahrer officer, created from evil hearts of men. Pale, long haired, and horned. Gathered key members of society and brainwashed them into joining his secret society, 'Mumumu.' Can appear and disappear at will. The latest in that line of gender-bending villains represented by Berg Katze and Poe of Shaider. Rebelled against Wahrer by reating the Youki Battle Machine Man out of scrap aboard Gamedeath. Sucked up along with his creation by the New Battle Machine Man Vacuumer. Has appeared in VR Troopers as a woman (!). Kinclons (pun on kin 'gold' and 'clone'; VR Troopers' original Skugs) Wahrer's mass-produced Battle Machine Soldiers, garbed in black tights with gold stripes, smiling gold masks with red eye slits, and black and gold capes. (Skugs with thick gold stripes are from American-made footage; those with thin stripes are from Spielban.) Gamedeath (a pun on kame 'tortoise' and 'death') The Wahrer Empire's mobile fortress. Resembles a giant winged tortoise of silver metal. Carries Skulljaws battleships, silver craft that resemble giant sharks. Has never appeared on VR Troopers. (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this Manual and not to the Metal Heroes and/or any other properties of Toei, TV Asahi, or Asahi Tsushinsha (ASATSU). This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved. --------------------- The Metal Hero Manual, Version 1.0, Part 3: Robot Metal Heroes (95.11.5.1:45/12.19.16:06) (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this Manual and not to the Metal Heroes and/or any other properties of Toei, TV Asahi, or Asahi Tsushinsha (ASATSU). This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved. What's new in this edition: Credits Jiban monster names and film references Thanks to Robert Rosenberg for more VRT equivalents. 6. Super Man Machine Metalder (Choujinki Metarudaa) 87.3.16-88.1.17 Network: TV Asahi 39 episodes, color Mondays, 19:00-19:30 (1-24), Sundays, 9:30-10:00 (25-39) Creator: Hatte Saburou Producers: Yoshikawa Susumu, Orita Itaru, Higasa Atsushi, Oseki Akira, Usui Yuuyake Directors: Ogasawara Takeshi, Tomita Yoshiharu, Orita Itaru, Itou Yasuhiro, Konishi Michio, Mitsumura Tetsuji, others Writers: Takaku Susumu, Yamazaki Haruya, Kakefuda Akihiro, Fujii Kunio, Uehara Shouzou, Ougisawa Nobuo, Nakahara Akira, others SFX: Yajima Nobuo Music: Yokoyama Seiji Cast: Tsurugi Ryuusei/Metalder/Koga Tatsuo: Senoo Akira Ougi Mai: Aota Hiroko Kita Hakkou: Kawai Hiroshi (Changeman's Changegriffin) Kirihara Gouzou/Godneros: Toudou Shinji (also Spider-Man and General Hedler in Denziman) The basis for the first season of Ryan footage in VR Troopers. Toei's first robot hero series since Kyoudain (1976-77), the failed replacement show for Kamen Rider Stronger. The similarities with Toei's first robot hero series, Man-Made Human Kikaider (Jinzou Ningen Kikaidaa) are numerous: The name of the main character is a reference to machines plus 'der.' (Kikaider is literally 'Machineder,' which I had expected Metalder to be titled when it was first announced early in 1987.) He is an android with a two-tone color scheme, blue on the left, red on the right. He has a humanoid mode (Tsurugi Ryuusei/Jirou) and is the 'son' of its creator. He drives a motorcycle with a sidecar (Sidephantom/Sidemachine). He has no weapons other than hands and feet. His rival and later ally is garbed in black (Topgunder/Hakaider). A closer look at the story will reveal many differences... Summary In 1945, Dr. Koga Ryuuichirou designed Metalder as a secret weapon for the Japanese Imperial Army for use in the Pacific War. (cf. Iron Man No. 28), modelling it after his late son, kamikaze pilot Imperial Navy Second Sublieutenant Koga Tatsuo. A pacificist, Dr. Koga put Metalder to sleep in the Silver Carcass base, alongside Springer, the Sidephantom, and the Metalcharger, They awoke 42 years later, when Dr. Koga put them to use against the Neros Empire, founded by Dr. Koga's former assistant, Japanese Imperial Army Major Muraki, now known either as Kirihara Gouzou or Godneros. In order to awaken Metalder's sense of justice, Dr. Koga let the Neros Army take him hostage, getting himself killed in the process. Metalder's rage allowed him to 'shunten' for the first time into his armored mode. Thus began a long battle between Metalder and the Neros Army. In the end, he and his foe-and-later-friend Topgunder destroyed the Ghost Bank (Godneros' throneroom) together. Topgunder died by the sword of Coolgin, but Metalder survived to behead Godneros with a chop. (Don't hold your breath to see Ryan do this to Grimlord in VR Troopers, especially now since Metalder footage is no longer being used.) But before he died, Neros managed to damage Metalder's Supergravitational Control Device. If left untreated, Metalder's supergravitational energy would engulf the Earth and destroy it. Thus Metalder had his friend Kita Hakkou destroy the Device, preventing him from ever 'shunten'ing back into human form. Like too many Toei heroes before and after him, Metalder wandered the Earth with Springer... (Where are all these retired heroes when the Earth needs them in the 90s? Bandai just designs 'em and scraps 'em within a year...) Characters and mecha Metalder/Tsurugi Ryuusei (Ryan's first Trooper mode in VRT) A super robot built by Dr. Koga at the end of the Pacific War. His Reflection Circuit gave him the same feelings as humans. Powered by 'supergravitational energy,' his killing techniques include the Super Oscillation Laser Arm chop, the G (for Gravity) Kick, the Metal Tornado spinning kick, the Head Crash ram, the Plasma Punch, the Metal Bomber punching attack from above, and the Thousand Hand Punches. Normally in human form as Tsurugi Ryuusei, whose looks and personality are directly modelled after that of Dr. Koga's son Tatsuo. Whenever his energies reach a peak from rage, with the cry "Ikaru!" (Rage!) he 'shunten's (lit. 'moment-shifts') into his metallic form. Like Tatsuo, loves music and plays saxophone from time to time. Japanese Imperial Navy Second Sublieutenant Koga Tatsuo The model for Metalder. Dr. Koga's only son. Died October 1944 as the first member of the Kamikaze Special Attack Squads ('tokkoutai'). Loved music and played violin. Would have been a violinist had it not been for the Pacific War. Dr. Koga Ryuuichirou Robotics genius who created Metalder and all the mecha listed directly below. After the Pacific War, went to America and became a staff member at NASA. Returned to Japan when he learned of the existence of the Neros Empire. Shortly after reviving Metalder, died to give the robot a sense of mission. Springer (VRT: Jeb) Robot dog that guards the Silver Carcass. Built by Dr. Koga before Metalder. Hence was Metalder's 'sempai' (senior) and 'aniki' (elder brother figure). Capable of human speech. Repairs Metalder and runs the machines inside the Silver Carcass. Enjoys watching TV, particularly anime. No, Jeb was not an American idea. Blame Toei for this one. Note however that no footage of Springer was ever used in VRT; Springer, unlike Jeb, has a metal torso and collar. Perhaps such costuming went against American screen animal rights laws? Sidephantom (VRT: ?) Metalder's blue, white, and red motorcycle with sidecar. Capable of flight and splitting into two. Looks awfully modern for something created in 1945. Metalcharger (VRT: ?) Metalder's car, a red four-wheel-drive Mazda Familia (323 in the US). Transforms into a winged aircraft. Amazing how Dr. Koga foresaw the exact design of a 1980s car, isn't it? Silver Carcass (VRT: ?) A special underground shelter built by Dr. Koga to house Metalder and all his associated mecha. Emerges above ground as three rotating silver boxes. The Sidephantom and Metalcharger launch from it. Contained a bed for repairs and other equipment. The VR Troopers' headquarters is modelled after the Silver Carcass' interior set. Ougi Mai (2-) Tomboyish camerawoman for the photo magazine Weekly Up. Tsurugi Ryuusei's first human friend and constant companion. Ougi Shingo (34-37) Mai's father. Newspaper reporter based in Washington DC. Asked by Mai to investigate Dr. Koga's past, finding clues to Godneros' identity in the process. Kita Hakkou Grand Prix motorcyclist intending to be the world's best. Originally head of a motorcycle gang. Met Tsurugi and Mai on a photo shoot for a new motorcycle magazine. Hunted from then on by the Neros Empire. Called himself 'Neros Hunter.' Saw himself as Mai's bodyguard. Had a thing for Mai. Tsurugi's rival for her love. Saved Earth by damaging Metalder's Supergravitational Control Device. The Neros Empire (VRT: Ziktor Industries) A secret empire that is the underbelly of the Kirihara Konzern (German: 'combine'), led by Emperor Godneros and divided into four armies. Covertly controls the world's criminal organizations, terrorists, finances, etc. Intends to conquer the world through economic as well as military means. Has a rigid ranking system of ten grades, from lowest to highest: # Title Loose translation 10 Keitoushi Light Fighter 9 Chuutoushi Medium Fighter 8 Kyoutoushi Strong Fighter 7 Rettoushi Fierce Fighter 6 Gekitoushi Furious Fighter 5 Bakutoushi Explosive Fighter 4 Yuutou Heroic Fighter 3 Boukon Violent Spirit 2 Goushou Brave General 1 Gaisei Victorious Saint Competition to raise one's rank was extremely harsh within the Neros Empire. Emperor Godneros (VRT: Grimlord [when sitting; never stood in Metalder])/Kirihara Gouzou (VRT : Karl Ziktor) The leader of the Neros Empire. Once Japanese Imperial Army Technical Major Muraki, assistant to Dr. Koga. (I wonder whether Karl Ziktor will one day be revealed as Tyler Steele's former assistant, though 'Grimlord's Dark Secret' implied otherwise) After the war, built the Kirihara Konzern under the youthful guise of Kirihara Gouzou. The world believed him to be a philanthropist at the head of an international financial empire, but he was actually far more: a master of all sciences who intended to conquer the world with his robots, monsters, and yen. Secretaries K and S Kirihara's spies. The Robert Palmer 'Addicted to Love' clone women on VRT are their equivalents, played of course by different actresses. K and S have never themselves appeared in VRT. Their VRT equivalents lack their green (K) and purple (S) supervillainess outfits. The Four Armies (need VRT equivalents!) I. The Armor Army Consists of cyborgs and humans wearing armor. Victorious Saint Coolgin (VRT: Decimator) Godneros' right hand in silver ('gin') armor. A first-class strategist and swordsman. Is a dead ringer for Kirihara beneath his mask beneath a mask. (The VRT equivalent never was Ziktor's stand-in.) Rides in the sidecar of the red Mirage Hasha motorcycle, though once drove the blue Captron motorcycle. Defeated Metlader instantly with one sword attack in the former's first battle. Strong Generals Tagsky and Tagsron, the Tag Brothers (VRT: Slice and Dice) Masters of sword and naginata. Violent Spirit Tubo (VRT: ?) Samurai-like master of sword and hook. Violent Spirit Hidouman (VRT: ?) Master of tachi and spiked ball. Heroic Fighter Wogger (VRT: ?) Entire body looks like a collection of grey tubes. Master of the spear. Later succeeded by lookalike Wogger II. Heroic Fighter Barlock (VRT: ?) Former decathlon athlete who kicked down his rival to enter the Olympics. After his rival committed suicide, he felt shame at his cowardice and sought out challengers to prove himself. Wears blue-green tights. Wields a scythe and chain in his right hand; a clawed gauntlet on his left. Explosive Fighter Galador (VRT: ?) Ninja master of magic. Explosive Fighter Robinken (VRT: ?) Camoflauge-garbed commando. Furious Fighter BenK (pun on the samurai Benkei; VRT: ?) Defeated by Metalder, this modern-day samurai left the Empire. Died saving captives from the Empire. Furious Fighter Jamune (VRT: ?) Boxer with expensive upper body padding. Medium Fighters Fu Fu Chu and Mukimukiman (VRT: ?) Half-naked, comical wrestling rejects. Have only appeared in the background in VRT. Light Fighters (basic type) Generic fighters in black tights. Have only appeared in the background in VRT, if at all. Not VRT's Skugs (see section 5). Found in all four armies and hence will not be mentioned again. However, 'Kage' (Shadow) Light Fighters, trained in ninjutsu, are found only in the Armor Army. The only nonspecialized Light Fighter of note is the female Madonna of the Armor Army. Mirage Hasha Red motorcycle with sidecar for Coolgin's use. II. The Combat Robot Army Consists of androids that are Metalder's 'half-brothers.' Victorious Saint Balsky (VRT: ?) Leader of the Combat Robot Army. Silver robot with golden gear on forehead and yellow and black stripes on chest and forearm armor. Brave General Galdos (VRT: ?) Boxer with grey, floor mat-like plating on his head, shoulders, and thighs. Could discharge electricity through tentacles from his forehead. (Former) Brave General Bigwayne (VRT: ?) Black with grey armor plates. Originally the 'Titan of Legend.' Now an unranked repair robot. Escaped the Empire. Fought Metalder to aid his beloved disciple Gochak. Fires arrows from his right forearm. Violent Spirit Topgunder (VRT: Darkheart) Modelled after the fictional manga character Golgo 13. VIP assassin. Lone gunman in black tights who believed in fair play. Duelled Metalder alone. Carried a rifle which he supported with his oversized silver left arm. Even when he was punished for breaking military law, he escaped to duel Metalder. Saved by Metalder, he promised to duel again and went off to the mountains to practice. Eventually, he came to reject the cowardly ways of the Neros Empire entirely to become Metalder's ally. Succeeded by Crosslander. Brought down the Ghost Bank with Metalder, only to be murdered by Victorious Saint Coolgin. Rides a motorcycle. (Former) Violent Spirit Crosslander (VRT: ?) VIP assassin in red and white. The antithesis of his predecessor Topgunder. Coward willing to do anything to win. Worked with American terrorist organizations, killing government officials and receiving a promotion from Explosive Fighter to Violent Spirit before coming to Japan to kill Metalder. Wields twin pistols. Had his head damaged by Metalder; thereafter wore a winged snake ornament on his forehead. Light Fighters Goblit and Dedemos (VRT: ?) Crosslander's assistants. Gunmen in black with rifle and bayonet (Goblit) and handgun and drill (Dedemos). Heroic Fighter Jaws (VRT: ?) Shark-headed fighter in white tights with twin shoulder cannons and four cannons on his upper arms. Explosive Fighter Gochak (VRT: ?) Silver wrestler. When beheaded, grows a cannon head that looks like a leftover from another show (but isn't?). Furious Fighter Gebarose (VRT: ?) Silver with thick thighs, high jumping ability, and a featureless black faceplate. Fierce Fighter Zargen (VRT: ?) Black-robed and skull-headed with a scythe for a left hand. (Former) Fierce Fighter Rhapsody (VRT: ?) Plays a Stradivarius. Strong Fighter Lortail (VRT: ?) Feminine and white. Circuladar Golden motorcycle with rollcage. III. The Monster Army Consists of biotechnologically engineered creations. Victorious Saint Geldring (VRT: ?) Green muscular beast with skull-like head encased in a transparent egg-shaped shell. Brave General Bridie (VRT: ?) White-furred symbiote with detachable spider on his back. Violent Spirit Bankora (VRT: ?) Grey-skinned with white fangs on his chest and legs. Heroic Fighter Gamadone (VRT: ?) Brown-skinned with tentacle arms and antennae. Explosive Fighter Damnen (VRT: ?) Red-eyed lizard. Furious Fighter Zakembor (VRT: ?) Red-eyed cicada. Light Fighter Hedogross (VRT: ?) Green and froglike. Married the female slave, Wisdom. Had a son, Hedogross, Jr. Captron Blue motorcycle. IV. The Armament Army (Both 'yoroi' and 'kikou' translate as 'armor,' but the former refers to body armor while the latter refers to 'armor' as in a modern 'armored corps.' Thus I don't call the Yoroi and Kikou Gundan the same thing.) Consists of walking arsenal robots. Victorious Saint Dranger (VRT: ?) Leader of the Armament Army. Red and silver with a tachi (longsword) in his right hand and five cannon fingers on his left. Has blades, guns, and lights mounted on his ears. Brave General Megadron (VRT: ?) Has circular head flanked by twin shoulder cannons. Violent Spirit Darbarbo (VRT: ?) Has missile launchers on chest and shoulders. Violent Spirit Agmis (VRT: ?) A walking red and grey torpedo with a spear gun. Heroic Fighter Barbery (VRT: ?) Humanoid helicopter. Furious Fighter Strobe (VRT: ?) Humanoid fighter plane. Fierce Fighter Bulchek (VRT: ?) Humanoid tank. Vehicles shared by all four armies: Dryguns (black 4x4 off-road vehicles) and Darkgungarries (black vans). The Ghostbank A ring of gates containing key army officers surrounding Godneros' throne. The area enclosed by the gates and throne was used both as an area and as a strategy room. (Generals Ivar and Icebot in VRT never appear in the VRT equivalent of the Ghostbank because they are from Spielban. Ghostbank footage is no longer used in VRT. See section 5 for information on Grimlord's current staff, based on Shaider.) The High-Tech Building Grimlord's skyscraper headquarters in Shinjuku. Still appears in VRT's second season, though located in Cross World City (not Tokyo), of course. Film: Man Machine Metalder (87.7.18) Metalder had the shortest run of any Metal Hero series. To compensate for its lack of popularity (among the viewing public, not hard-core tokusatsu fans) Toei followed it up with an antithetical series, World Ninja Wars Jiraiya (which I will reserve for a future mini-Manual) that maintained Metalder's no- monster-of-the-week approach, but applied it to a storyline concerning modern-day ninjas (a genre last represented by Ninja Captors; see my Sentai Manual). Although Jiraiya had a longer run (50 episodes) and greater popularity than Metalder (this time among the viewing public and not tokusatsu fandom), Toei turned once again to technology for the next entry in the Metal Hero Series, the Robocop ripoff known as... 7. Mobile Detective Jiban (Kidou Keiji Jiban) 89.1.29-90.1.28 Network: TV Asahi 52 episodes, color Sundays, 9:30-10:00 (1-9); Sundays, 8:00-8:30 (10-52) Creator: Hatte Saburou Directors: Konishi Michio, Okamoto Akihisa, Miyasaka Kiyohiko, Mitsumura Tetsji, Ogasawara Takeshi Writers: Sugimura Noboru, Fujii Kunio, Takaku Susumu, Ougisawa Nobuo, Washiyama Kyouko, others SFX: Yajima Nobuo Music: Watanabe Michiaki Cast: Tamura Naoto/Jiban: Kusaka Shouhei Dr. Giba: Leo Menghetti, Iizuka Shouzou (voice only; alias Hakaider and Sunvulcan's Hellsatan) Summary Tamura Naoto, a new detective in Central City, was killed by Bioron in the line of duty. Dr. Igarashi Kenzou, the man whose experiments had been responsible for Bioron's existence, brought him back to life as a robot detective, Jiban. Eventually, Bioron's Mad Garbo and Rhinonoid killed Jiban, who then returned to life again as Perfect Jiban. In the finale, Bioron destroyed Jiban's base and transformed Mad Garbo into a false Jiban. Jiban defeated his duplicate and ultimately the Kibanoid, the true form of Bioron's leader Doctor Kiba. The victorious Jiban then learned that Igarashi Mayushi, the one civilian that knew his secret, had been his missing younger sister all along. (Perfect) Jiban/Tamura Naoto A robot detective with the soul of a human, designed by Dr. Igarashi to counter Bioron's Bionoids. Capable of reverting back to his human identity at will. Holds the rank of police commissioner. Armed with the Maximillian Type 3, a weapon with three modes: stick, gun, and sword, each associated with a certain technique (Disclose Shock, Last Shooting/Search Buster, and Jiban End, respectively) and the Daedalus backpack, capable of flight or use as a cannon with the Dalus Bombard technique. Like Robocop, had three directives: 1. Mobile Detective Jiban can arrest criminals in any circumstance without warrants. 2. Mobile Detective Jiban can punish criminals on his own judgment, if he recognizes his opponents to be members of Bioron. 3. Mobile Detective Jiban is permitted to kill depending on circumstances. As Perfect Jiban, he gained the Autoderringer Rifle, the Needricker drill (right arm attachment), and the Powerbreaker claw (left arm attachment). Lezon Jiban's patrol car, a Corvette with a sixth generation computer and hence a will of its own. Bygun Jiban's motorcycle with a sixth generation computer and hence a will of its own. Spirus Jiban's stealth fighter plane with a will of its own. Igarashi Mayumi The only civilian who knew Jiban's secret identity. Lost her memory in battle. Called Naoto her 'older brother,' only to find that she really was his lost sister in the finale. Igarashi Shun'ichi and Shizue Mayumi's parents, relocated as witnesses to Bioron. Dr. Igarashi Kenzou (11, 52; Izu Hajime, Kikaider's Dr. Komyouji) Started the Jiban project to counter the Bioron, the results of his biological experimentation. Katagiri Youko Female detective of Central City. Naoto's senior. Manly sharpshooter who couldn't figure out that Naoto was Jiban. Muramatsu Kiyoshirou Elite detective of Central City with a liking for Youko. Yanagida Seiichi Head of the police department. Cooperated with Dr. Igarashi in the Jiban Project two years earlier. Collaborated with Jiban after Igarashi's death. Died when Jiban's base was destroyed. Section Chief Bandou Central City Section Chief of Detectives. Got headaches trying to keep the peace in jurisdictions where strange events occurred, no thanks to Bioron. Matsumoto Michiyo Tea server of the Detectives' Section of the Central City Police Department. Always cheerful and encouraging. Bioron An armed force organized by the mysterious scientist Doctor Kiba intending to take over Japan without damaging its culture. Hence it preferred narrow attacks to large-scale destruction. Doctor Giba (Leo Menghetti) Brown-haired, bearded human-looking leader and founder of Bioron. Actually non-humanoid Kibanoid, a biomonster born by accident from the waste fluids of Dr. Igarashi's National Science Academy Bio Laboratory. Marsha and Karsha The first biolifeforms created by Kiba. His secretaries and intemediaries between him and his Bionoids. Had two forms, human and inhuman (Battle Marsha and Battle Karsha). Bubi and the Mukus Cute and not-so-cute creatures living in Bioron's base. Mad Garbo (17-) A Jiban Killer Cyborg, created by Kiba as an anti-Jiban. Queen Cosmo (28-46) A lunar lifeform resembling a human woman (but actually a floating rocklike starfish with a long tail) intent on conquering Earth to establish an all-woman empire. Bionoids Monsters of the week, often posing as humans. 1. Chamelenoid 2. Nekonoid (neko = cat) 3. Doronoid (doro = mud) 4. Baranoid (bara = rose) 5. Takonoid (tako = octopus) 6. Hagetakanoid (hagetaka = vulture) 7. Kazenoid (kaze = cold [virus]) 8. Moguranoid (mogura = mole) 9. Hyenanoid 10. Akumunoid (akumu = nightmare) 11. Uninoid (uni = urchin) 13. Skunknoid 14. Killernoid 15. Ookaminoid (ookami = wolf) 16. Kuragenoid (kurage = jellyfish) 17. Agehanoid (ageha = swallowtail) 18. Hitodenoid (hitode = starfish) 19. Chuushanoid (chuusha = injection) 20. Kanenoid (kane = money) 21. Mushinoid (mushi = bug) 22. Hunternoid 23. Yaginoid (yagi = goat) 24. Jisatsunoid (jisatsu = suicide) 25. Bakuhanoid (bakuha = explosion) 26. Ryuunoid (ryuu = dragon) 27. Mukadenoid (mukade = centipede) 28. Zounoid (zou = elephant) 29. Doublenoid 30. Kabukinoid 31. Shinobinoid 32. Distnoid 33. Raigyonoid (raigyo = electric fish?) 34. Sainoid (sai = rhino) 36. Chambaranoid (chambara = refers to samurai drama film genre) 37. Kamenoid (kame = turtle) 38. Kinokonoid (kinoko = mushroom) 39. Yadokarinoid (yadokari = hermit crab) 40. Panthernoid 41. Uwabaminoid (uwabami = large snake) 42. Tyrannosaurusnoid 42. Namazunoid (namazu = catfish) 43. Cobranoid 44. Suitorunoid (suitoru = suck up) 45. Ikanoid (ika = squid) 47. Unicornnoid 48. Tsuriganenoid (tsurigane = temple bell) 49. Nisehahanoid (nise = fake; haha = mother) 52. Gibanoid Film: Koumoriblock (koumori = bat), Ammo(nite)block, Spiderblock, which all combine into the Daigibanoid (dai = great, big). Masques Mass-produced grunt life forms armed with knives and guns. Can regenerate lost limbs. Film: Great Explosion at the Monster Factory of Fear! (89.7.15) (c) 1995 Marc H. Miyake miyake@Hawaii.Edu This copyright applies only to this Manual and not to the Metal Heroes and/or any other properties of Toei, TV Asahi, or Asahi Tsushinsha (ASATSU). This document may be distributed in part or in whole as long as this copyright notice is preserved.