Lion-Maru

Lion-Maru
Episodes:	54
Year:	1972-1973
Country:	Japan
Seasons:	1
Seasons Breakdown:	(1) 54
Category:	Superhero
Colour:	Yes
Format:	Series
Company:	P Productions
Creator:	Koji Bessho and Tomio Sagisu
Run Time (mins):	25
Language:	Japanese
Type of Show:	Live Action
Status:	Ended
Broadcaster:	Fuji TV

Summary

Shishimaru (Ushio), a wandering ninja warrior, travels through samurai‑era Japan accompanied by his assistant Kazumi (Kujo) and the young Kosuke (Umechi). Their mission is to protect local communities from the monsters dispatched by Devil Gosun (Kobayashi), an ambitious antagonist seeking global domination. Shishimaru employs a range of specialised ninja equipment, most notably a mystical sword that enables him to transform into Lionmaru (Kamoshida), a leonine warrior characterised by a red suit, dark cloak, and oversized lion head.

Kosuke contributes to the group’s efforts by carrying explosive devices and a flute capable of converting into a blowpipe. Through this instrument he can summon Hikarimaru, the team’s Pegasus, portrayed in the production as a winged horse. The series blends period adventure with stylised martial‑arts action, adopting a deliberately heightened and camp aesthetic. Its narrative escalates midway through the serial with the introduction of Tora Jonosuke (Tonohrio), known as Tiger Joe, Lionmaru’s one‑eyed tiger‑themed rival, a character comparable to other single‑eyed warriors depicted in The Yagyu Conspiracy.

Cast

Shishimaru / Kaiketsu TETSUYA USHIO, Kazumi AKIKO KUJO, Kosuke NORIHIKO UMECHI, Tora Jonosuke/Tiger Joe KOJI TONOHIRO, Tora Jōnosuke / Tiger Joe (voice) YOSHITAKA FUKUSHIMA, SHIN TOKUDAICHI, JUZABURO AKECHI, Lionmaru (suit actor) KAZU KAMOSHIDA, KYOKO MIYANO, TSUNEHIRO ARAI, Devil Gosun KIYOSHI KOBAYASHI.

aka: Kaiketsu Lion-Maru and Extraordinary Hero Lion-Maru