Gatchaman (1972–1974)
"Kagaku ninja tai Gatchaman" (original title)

A team of bird-themed superhero ninjas battle the menace of Galactor, a technologically advanced international terrorist organization determined to conquer the world.

Stars:

Katsuji Mori, Isao Sasaki, Kazuko Sugiyama

Cast

Series cast summary:
Katsuji Mori	...	Ôwashi no Ken (Ken Washio) (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Isao Sasaki	...	Kondoru no Jô (Jô Asakura) (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Kazuko Sugiyama	...	Shiratori no Jun (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Yoku Shioya	...	Tsubakuro no Jinpei (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Shingo Kanemoto	...	Mimizuku no Ryû (Ryû Nakanishi) (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Tôru Ôhira	...	Kôzaburô Nambu (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Mikio Terashima	...	Berugu Kattse (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Nobuo Tanaka	...	Sôsai Ekksu (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Hideo Kinoshita	...	Narêtâ (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Teiji Ômiya	...	Andâson (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Leraldo Anzaldua	...	Ken Washio (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
George Manley	...	Narrator (105 episodes, 1972-1974)
Charles Campbell	...	Additional Voice (104 episodes, 1972-1974)
Victor Carsrud	...	Ryu Nakanishi (103 episodes, 1972-1974)
Edwin Neal	...	Berg Katse (103 episodes, 1972-1974)
Andy McAvin	...	Dr. Nambu (99 episodes, 1972-1974)
Josh Grelle	...	Additional Voice (92 episodes, 1972-1974)
Tesshô Genda	...	Various characters (75 episodes, 1972-1974)
Glenn Fraser	...	Additional Voice (71 episodes, 1973-1974)
Eden J. Barrera	...	Additional Voice (64 episodes, 1972-1974)
Brian Jepson	...	Additional Voice (49 episodes, 1972-1974)
Winston Parish	...	Leader X (48 episodes, 1972-1974)

Storyline

In the year 2001, Earth is under attack by a terrorist organization named Galactor, which is waging a destructive campaign of conquest and terror using super-high technology in the form of bizarre and supremely powerful war machines and biological weapons. The United Nations's forces are helpless to stop this menace, but Professor Nambu of the International Science Organization has a counterforce of his own: the Science Ninja Team, a team of super-agile youngsters who operate with a bird theme and have fighting skills that are a match for any foe, regardless of numbers or firepower. The team is made up of Ken (Eagle), aka Gatchaman, their noble leader with an incomplete past; his hotheaded second-in-command Jô (Condor), their level-headed electronics and demolitions expert; Jun (Swan), their young and impulsive reconnaissance specialist; Jinpei (Swallow), Jun's adopted brother and eighth-generation decedent of the Iga ninja; and their jovial and rotund pilot, Ryû (Owl) are determined ...

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Plot Keywords:

ninja | superhero | evil laugh | superhero team | secret identity | 

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Genres:

Action | Animation | Sci-Fi

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Official Sites:

ADV Films [United States]

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

1 October 1972 (Japan)

Also Known As:

Gatchaman

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tatsunoko Productions Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

25 min 25 min (105 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This series wasn't officially presented unedited in the United States until almost 33 years after its debut in its home country of Japan.

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Connections

Referenced in Taimu bokan ôdô fukko (1993)

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Soundtracks

"Taose! Gyarakutâ"
(Destroy! Galactor)
Performed by Columbia Yurikago-Kai
Music by Asei Kobayashi
Lyrics by Tatsunoko Production Planning Department
Arrangement by Bob Sakuma
First opening theme (episodes #1-22)
Second ending theme (episodes #23-105)

User Reviews

One of the originals

Like many people in the 20-30 yr old range, I grew up watching Battle of the Planets. The show had incredible action sequences and realistic portrayls of the main characters. Years later I learned the show had been dubbed and judiciously eddited from the Japanese show Gatchaman. In the last few years I have been able to see most of the original episode of Gatchaman and have a much greater appreciation of the show. From Power Rangers to Voltron...this show started the team genre.