Kikaider

Kikaider
Episodes:	43
Year:	1972-1973
Country:	Japan
Seasons:	1
Seasons Breakdown:	(1) 43
Category:	Superhero
Colour:	Yes
Format:	Series
Company:	Toei Company and Ishimori Productions
Creator:	Kikaider manga by Shotaro Ishinomori, Developed by Masaru Igami
Run Time (mins):	25
Language:	Japanese
Type of Show:	Live Action
Status:	Ended
Broadcaster:	TV Asahi

Summary

The narrative of Kikaida begins with Dr. Kōmyōji attempting to escape from Professor Gill, the malevolent scientist who commands the Dark Demolition Corps. Kōmyōji had originally worked under Gill before discovering that Gill intended to use his robotic creations for global conquest. During his flight, Kōmyōji lost his memory, though he inexplicably retained his advanced expertise in robotics. Fortunately, he had already completed the construction of the android hero Kikaida.

The series subsequently follows a largely episodic structure. Kōmyōji remains on the run while his children, Masaru and his elder sister Mitsuko, search for him. Whenever they come close to locating their father, a Dark Demolition Corps robot appears and attempts to abduct him. At these critical moments, the distinctive sound of a guitar heralds the arrival of Jirō, who intervenes. Before Jirō can transform into Kikaida, however, Gill plays his hypnotic flute, rendering Jirō powerless. When a loud external noise disrupts the flute’s influence, Jirō seizes the opportunity to activate his transformation into Kikaida and engages the enemy robot, invariably defeating it.

Cast

Professor Gill ANDOU MITSUO, Dr. Komyoji IZU HAJIME, Masaru, Mitsuko, Jiro/Kikaida BAN DAISUKE, Komyoji Masaru KAMIYA MASAHIRO, Komyoji Mitsuke MIZONOE JUN, Hattori Hanpei (Hanpen) UEDA SHUN, Saboru/Hakaida MAYAMA KENJI, Voice of Hakaida LIZUKE SHOUZOU, Narrator OKABE MASAAKI.

aka: Android Kikaider and Jinzō Ningen Kikaidā