In 1963 Osamu Tezuka (ASTRO BOY, PRINCESS KNIGHT) created a fantastic post WWII manga story published in Shonen Book (YUSEI KAMEN, MACH GO GO GO) called Big X. The story starts in Nazi Germany, when Hitler has a Japanese scientist, Dr. Asagumo and a German scientist Dr. Engel invent a powerful new weapon, codename “Big X”. The project would allow a soldier to inject a super serum into his system that would then allow him to increase his body mass. He would have the height of a giant, super-human strength, and a body as strong as steel. The allied forces would now have no chance against an army of giant super Nazis.
Luckily the fall of Berlin postponed the development and use of the project. Dr. Engel and Dr. Asagumo were then murdered to bury the secret of Big X forever. Before his death, Dr. Asagumo decides to surgically hide the formula inside his son Shigeru’s body. 20 years later remnants of the Nazi army led by Dr. Engel’s grandson Hans remove the formula printed on metal plates from Shigeru’s body. The plates are soon recovered by Shigeru’s son Akira. Akira injects the formula into himself to become Big X and fight of the new generation of Nazis.
This would be the first anime series produced by Tokyo Movie Shinsa (OBAKE NO Q-TARO, ATTACK NO. 1), which would begin in 1964 and run for an astonishing 59 episodes. Unfortunately the early part of the series is considered lost. A majority of the series were stories of mad men and their destructive weapons, robots, dinosaurs and spaceships trying to gain world domination and less of a Nazi based theme. Big X is very similar to many 1960’s black and white anime series (PRINCE PLANET, GIGANTOR) with the same pacing and very imaginative sci-fi storylines. Akira protects the world with the help of his friend Nina Belton, a psychic girl and his guardian Dr. Hanamaru.
Unlike the manga where Akira actually injects himself with the Big X formula, the anime version has the young boy uses a sophisticated pen-like device that releases electromagnetic waves. The transforming pen also has a numbered dial that can select the intensity of the wave and choose the amount of growth needed for a particular situation. Once Akira transforms into Big X, he takes on the appearance of a giant German soldier with Achilles wings and a large “X” on his helmet. Big X’s most famous enemy aside from Hans Engel was the giant robot Number V3. A very cool green robot with a huge steel mohawk similar to designs by Mitsuteru Yokoyama (GIGANTOR, GIANT ROBO). Big X is for fans of Astroboy and Prince Planet with everything that makes those shows so fun, like alien invasions, armies of tanks getting smashed, robot dinosaurs on the loose, and evil scientists.
Manga artist Shigeru Mizuki already started interest in the Yokai/ghost genre with his beautifully drawn horror manga/comics which began in late 1950’s and through out the 1960’s. Popularity picked up in 1966 with the release of AKUMA KUN a live action TV series produced by Toei Productions and based on Mizuki‘s manga. 1968 would change everything and be considered the year of the Yokai in Japan. Now with the “Yokai Boom” in full swing, fans would get their fulfillment of ghostly anime and feature films. Daiei released the first two theatrical features in their Yokai trilogy, 100 MONSTERS and THE GREAT YOKAI WAR, Daichi Doga added an anime TV series YOKAI NINGEN BEMU, and finally Toei’s animated version of Mizuki’s manga GEGEGE NO KITARO hit the airwaves. Toei Productions also added one more live action feature to the mix as well, KAPPA NO SANPEI: YOKAI DAISAKUSEN (SANPEI THE KAPPA: THE GREAT GHOST STRATEGY).
Kappa no Sanpei begins with a young boy Sanpei Kawahara (Yoshinobu Kaneko)(AKA KAGE, WATARI) and his two friends exploring the attic of his house. The three come upon a museum-like room full of creepy artifacts, taxidermies and a statue that resembles a mythological water creature known as a Kappa . The Kappa is holding a scroll that mentions the Kawamura family name which puzzles Sanpei. Soon they are drawn to a door in the room which opens, to reveal a stairway leading downward into darkness. Sanpei begins to go down the steps when they suddenly disappear and he falls into a dark abyss leaving his friends behind.
Sanpei lands in a swampy wetland where a giant gillman-like hand grabs him and takes him away. He awakens on a stone slab surrounded by strange people who seem not to happy he is there. Soon Sanpei realizes he’s in the ancient forbidden country of the Kappa who despise humans for driving their race into hiding. The Elder Kappa sends Sanpei to be sacrificed, when a huge tree monster Mizu-Oni (Water Demon) suddenly rises out of the ground. Mizu-Oni attacks the Kappa temple grabbing it’s people with long tentacle-like branches, draining the water from their bodies which is the life-blood of a Kappa and leaves them as dried up carcasses.
The Mizu-Oni grabs a young Kappa princess Kan (Matsui Yachie)(THE SNAKE GIRL AND THE SILVER-HAIRED WITCH) and takes her away. Sanpei goes to the Elder Kappa with Kan’s guardian Rokubee (Fuyukichi Machi)(AKA KAGE, HENSHIN NINJA ARASHI) and offers to help. Elder Kappa lets Sanpei return to his house to get matches to burn Mizu-Oni. When Sanpei returns home he runs into a weird man snooping around in his house, Itachi Otoko (Weasel Man)(Ushio Kenji)(KAMEN RIDER, JAKQ DENGEKITAI VS. HIMITSU SENTAI GORANGER). Sanpei chases him out, but Itachi Otoko who is now bumming food, becomes an ally in later episodes. Sanpei quickly grabs the matches and returns to the Kappa’s temple. Before Sanpei and Rokubee leave to battle Mizu-Oni, Elder Kappa casts a spell on Sanpei which gives him the powers of a Kappa.
Rokubee and Sanpei finally find the monstrous tree demon. Sanpei tests his new abilities by firing off water shurikens at the behemoth with no effect. The new boy Kappa starts striking matches and can’t get one lit, while the demon closes in. One of Sanpei’s hands are touched by Mizu-Oni and it is immediately dried like that of a real Kappa. Realizing the situation has elevated from bad to worse, Rokubee makes his way to a boarded up sealed well which contains a flammable liquid. Rokubee sucks up all of the liquid until his belly looks as if he is pregnant. He runs back to aid Sanpei who is fighting alone. Rokubee lets the demon tree absorb all of the liquid from his body leaving him a dried up corpse. Finally Sanpei lights a match and throws it at Mizu-Oni, which along with the absorbed liquid from Rokubee causes it to be engulfed in flames and defeated. Sanpei soon finds Rokubee’s and Kan’s bodies, dried up and lifeless, so he throws them into a lake which replenishes their liquids and brings them back to life. Sanpei’s hand is restored too. Now that Kan is saved Sanpei is sent back home only to find Itachi Otoko again. Sanpei asks where his mother is and is told she had been taken away to the Yokai world. Throughout the 26 episode series Rokubee and Kan help Sanpei search for his mother while running into a wide variety of ghosts, demons and other hellish creatures which they must defeat. Kappa no Sanpei is another black and white classic tokusatsu show that has a fun light-hearted atmosphere along with some cool creepy yokai. The soundtrack by Asei Kobayashi is loaded with a very effectively used theremin to add that horror vibe.
Introduction to Kappa
Kappa are supernatural creatures which live both on land and in water. They are as tall as a four or five year old child. They have a beak-like snout, and fins on their hands and feet. They also have a shell on their back, and a water-filled dish on their head. As long as the dish is full of water, kappa keep their supernatural powers. Although kappa harm people sometimes, there are also many tales where they have helped people. They are very curious. They often appear in cartoons because of their lovable images. Kappa love sumo wrestling and cucumbers. That is why cucumber sushi rolls are called "kappa maki". "Okappa" are bobbed hairstyles because they look like the kappa's hairstyles. Kappa are excellent swimmers. There is a saying "Kappa no kawa nagare (a drowning kappa)" which means, even an expert can make mistakes sometimes. (Kappa Intro from GoJapan.about.com)
Quite a few black and white anime/cartoon TV series (ASTRO BOY, GIGANTOR, PRINCE PLANET, EIGHTH MAN, etc.) have made it to the US airwaves in the 60’s and 70’s. Unfortunately, a lot of classics never made it here that could have been huge hits if they had been dubbed for the US market. One such TV series was Toei Production’s action packed sci-fi adventure Cyborg 009. Originally a manga/comic series which began in 1964, created by legendary artist Shotaro Ishinomori (KAMEN RIDER, JINZO NINGEN KIKAIDER, INAZUMAN). Ishinomori got his start working along side Osamu Tezuka (ASTROBOY, KIMBA, UNICO), after winning an art contest.
Cyborg 009 was published in Weekly Shonen King magazine and Weekly Shonen Magazine, then later chapters appeared in other publications. Ishinomori’s Cyborg 009 was cutting edge and ahead of it’s time, with stories reflecting shocking and sometimes chilling issues of the 1960’s such as racism, corporate business, and weapons of mass destruction, among others. Cyborg 009 was the first super powered hero team ever from Japan, which was the prelude to the future SUPER SENTAI series, also started by Ishinomori with HIMITSU SENTAI GORANGER.
Cyborg 009 tells the story of nine cybernetic super-charged humans created to be the next stage of the arms race. The evil organization Black Ghost, with their leader Skull, profit from global fear with the sale of military weaponry. They plan to sell the world powers the new super soldiers who’ll now be able to take war into space. Resenting what Black Ghost had done to their lives and bodies, the nine 00 series Cyborgs, who still have souls and a conscience, rebel against their warmonger creators. Realizing the threat the 00 Cyborgs are to their plans, Black Ghost unleashes armies of soldiers, tanks, robots, even cybernetic dinosaurs to try and stop them. Along with their new abilities, each Cyborg has a cool laser blaster which shoots lightning-like bolts of electricty to battle off these menaces. Joining the Cyborgs, Dr. Gilmore, a Black Ghost scientist, turns his back on his corrupt employer, instead he aids and advises the 00 Cyborgs. The unique thing about Cyborg 009, was that the heroes represented all walks of life, emphasizing on color, race, and upbringing. Yet they were all different they still came together as a team to fight the world menace. There were a lot of messages woven into each storyline that even today plagues our news headlines.
Cyborg 009 really gained popularity with the release of Toei Productions two color theatrical films, CYBORG 009 (1966) and CYBORG 009: KAIJU DAISENSO (1967). The success of the two films led the way for a brand new 26 episode black and white TV series. The original manga is pretty grim and adult themed, but the TV series was geared towards kids. Each episode was a self contained story, instead of one running the length of the series. Most of the stories were new ones written just for the TV show, along with a few from the latter part of the first manga series. So the hardcore fans of the manga were not disappointed, a couple episodes even had stories with the Skull and Black Ghost. Cyborg 009 has all of the elements of the black and white era of anime, fast paced action, laser guns, rampaging robots, ferocious dinosaurs and arrogant villains.
Cast of Characters
Cyborg 009-Joe Shimamura
Joe was a juvenile delinquent who escapes from a boy’s home, but is then captured by Black Ghost. Joe’s Cyborg ability is an upgrade of 002’s acceleration module, he is now able to move at speeds beyond comprehension. With his strong personality, Joe takes the role of leader of the 00 Cyborgs. In the manga story arc “The Underground Empire of Hades” Joe becomes a famous race car driver "Hurricane Joe".
Cyborg 003-Francoise Arnou
Francoise was a famous ballet dancer in France, until Black Ghost kidnapped her. She was given super hearing and sight. This allows her to hear and see enemies from long distances. Most of the time she takes care of 001, but will go into battle if needed.
Cyborg 001-Ivan Whiskey
An ill Russian infant Black Ghost performs surgery on to give him a super enhanced brain. Ivan, with a mind that processes like that of an adult, now has ESP, telekinesis, and telepathy. Ivan is one of the most important members of the group. He keeps the Cyborgs together and out of tight spots, using his abilities.
Cyborg 005-Geronimo Jr.
Geronimo Jr. is a Native American, tired of being looked down on and stereo-typed. Desperate for employment he accepts a job from Black Ghost not realizing their intent. G-Junior is given super strength and armor-like skin. He can now throw tanks like they are empty cardboard boxes.
Cyborg 004-Albert Heinrich
Albert Heinrich’s fiancée is murdered by soldiers while trying to escape from West Berlin, disguised as circus performers. The injured Albert is taken away by members of Black Ghost to be the next human enhanced. Albert has an array of weapons installed in him, including finger guns, missiles from his knees, and a hand that can cut like a knife.
Cyborg 002-Jet Link
Originally a juvenile delinquent gang member from New York, Jet is captured by Black Ghost after a stabbing incident. Jet has rockets installed in his legs allowing him to fly at mach 5 speed. He also has an acceleration module installed in him as well, so he is able to move at lightning speed.
Cyborg 006-Chang Changku
Chang was a penniless Chinese farmer starving and ready to give up on his life. Black Ghost stepped in and took him away to be apart of the 00 Cyborg program. Chang is now able to breath fire hot enough to even melt rock and burrow tunnels underground. On the side, he is a master of the culinary arts and cooks for his fellow Cyborg friends.
Cyborg 008-Pyunma
In Africa, Pyunma and his tribesman are captured by slave drivers. While trying to escape, Black Ghost kills the slave drivers and takes him away. Pyunma has artificial lungs installed which enables him to submerge himself underwater for long periods of time. This ability comes in handy when engaging nuclear submarines and cybernetic dolphins.
Cyborg 007-Great Britain
Great Britain was a famous British actor whose financial problems draw him to the bottle. Black Ghost takes advantage of his fall from stardom to add him to the Cyborg program. Great Britain becomes the ultimate shape shifter, able to transform into any object, animal, or resemble any person. In the animated version he’s a kid and is used comedy relief.
1966 was a great year for Japanese children’s television. With the “Kaiju Boom” moving full steam ahead, there was still room for other memorable tokusatsu and anime. Shigeru Mizuki’s super popular ghost and goblin manga GEGEGE NO KITARO was already spooking millions of readers, thus creating the “Yokai Boom”. However, this was not the only work by Mizuki that got attention. In October 1966, Toei Prod. rolled the cameras for a live action version of Mizuki’s supernatural story Akuma Kun (Devil Boy) which ran simultaneously with the manga in Shonen Magazine. The black and white TV series ran for 26 episodes and starred Mitsunobu Kaneko (GIANT ROBO) who was also Johnny Sokko.
Akuma Kun starts out with a funeral in procession under a dark, ominous sky. The back doors of the hearse suddenly open and the casket comes crashing out. Before the eyes of the horrified mourners, the casket opens and the body rises, then floats away into the forest. Later a group a boys come upon the lifeless body now devoid of eyes. Only one boy Shingo Yamada (Mitsunobu Kaneko) seems unafraid and intent on finding the answer to this strange mystery. Looking around, he sees an old man watching nearby in the woods. The strange man turns and walks slowly away almost beckoning Shingo to follow. Shingo is led to an old abandoned well in the middle of nowhere. The old man becomes a glowing figure and floats into the well. Shingo, now convinced the old man is behind the strange happenings, follows the old man down the dark well. Exploring a maze of underground passages, Shingo comes upon a large room. A shaft of light points down to a giant circular stone slab, with strange hieroglyphic-like writings and numbers on it. The old man steps out of the shadows and introduces himself as Doctor Faust, assuring Shingo he will not harm him. Faust explains that he has spent hundreds of years, guarding against the appearance of demons in our world, which he fears has already begun. Faust takes Shingo to a baptismal-like font, then begins to play a hypnotic melody on magical instrument known as Solomon’s flute.
Images of demons and spirits begin to ripple through the water, among them is the creature responsible for the corpse, the eye stealing demon, Ganma. Shingo, still unafraid, realizes his whole life is about to change. Faust brushes Shingo’s hair to one side revealing a birthmark. This is the mark of Shingo’s destiny, to step in and protect the world as a demon fighter. Knowing his life is in it’s last hours, Faust dedicates his remaining time on earth to show Shingo how to summon the only being that can help save humanity.
The surprise is that this savior just so happens to be a devil. Materializing at the spoken word of Faust, which is repeated by Shingo, Meliesdes Niche Mephisto (Yoshio Yoshida) steps out of the stone circle, which is now revealed to be a gateway to hell. Joining forces seems to be a doomed idea from the start, since Mephisto arrogantly refuses to have any part of saving the human race from demons. Only by signing a contract, Mephisto can be used to battle against this threat to humanity. Mephisto almost succeeds in eluding this request, by attempting to tear the document in half. Faust quickly plays the magic flute, causing great pain to the snobbish pointy nosed devil. Faust releases Mephisto from his agony only after he signs the contract. Shingo is now handed the flute and is advised to keep a watchful eye on his devil companion. Faust’s time has now ended and fades away into thin air. Aware of the dangerous task ahead Shingo and Mephisto fly off to stop the demon Ganma.
Mephisto doesn’t fit the look of your traditional devil, red, horns, pitchfork, etc. Instead he is quite the gentlemen, dressed in a tuxedo, top hat, and cape. The only thing unusual is the bump on top of his head that radiates with pain when he is being punished by the melody of the flute. Mephisto is armed with a jewel capped cane that can be transformed into sword, drill, and even a flame thrower, The cane can also warp time, magnify energy from the sun, and also can give the power of flight. Unfortunately, the pointy nosed devil would rather be chasing women than saving the world. Instead of using the flute, sometimes Shingo would use Mephisto’s passion for chocolate or a magazine of bathing beauties to steer him in the right direction. In episode 10 “Daimajin of Shiba”, Mephisto is summoned back to hell, a request that he is unable to deny. Mephisto decides to let his younger brother, Shira Sultan Mometto Mephisto, take over in his place. The brothers reunite later in the series.
Akuma Kun is rich in memorable visuals and atmosphere. Being black and white adds to this sense. Whether it’s ghosts, ghoulish mummies, or the woman of the snows, embracing her helpless victim in her arctic clutches, the show has a creepiness reminiscent of silent era horror. The soundtrack is primarily jazz oriented which gives a cool vibe. Other tracks include everything from electric guitar to ghostly chants (apparent in the opening credits). The special effects and monster suits are outstanding for their time. The multi-eyed demon Ganma in episode 1 is a good example of Akuma Kun‘s uniqueness . Akuma Kun is a monochrome gem, surely to please any kaiju fan.
