8th Man (1965– )

Animated series about an android super-hero. He was the scientist's eighth attempt at creating a super being, hence the title. In addition to the usual powers such as flying, ray blasts, ... See full summary »

Creators:

Kazumasa Hirai, Jirô Kuwata

Stars:

Jerry Berke, Bob Gaynor, Jack Metger

Cast

Credited cast:
Jerry Berke	...	Peter Brady (voice)
Bob Gaynor	...	Chief Fumblethumbs (English version) (voice)
Jack Metger	...	Dr. Spectra (Ep.2 onwards) (voice)
Sandy Warshaw	...	Dr. Spectra (voice)

Storyline

Animated series about an android super-hero. He was the scientist's eighth attempt at creating a super being, hence the title. In addition to the usual powers such as flying, ray blasts, etc., he was also able to assume other identities by "morphing".

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Plot Keywords:

android | scientist | assumed identity | fly | superhero | 

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Genres:

Animation | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

English

Also Known As:

El octavo hombre

Company Credits

Production Co:

Copri International

Technical Specs

Color:

Black and White

Did You Know?

Connections

Alternate-language version of Eitoman (1963)

User Reviews

A Very Well-done Animation with a Touch of Buddhist Ideology

I remember this series from the 60's when I was a little boy. VHS version of this anime series was available in the late 70's and early 80's and I watched it again back then. The drawings are effective but rather basic, with lots of blank spaces. By the standard of later Japanese animations like "Akira," "Ghost in the Shell," and "Cowboy Bebop," it is rather sparse and basic to say the least.

I compared this animation with cartoonist Jiro Kuwata's original manga graphic novel "Eito-Man," on which the TV series was based on. The graphic novel is much better drawn than the TV animation. It is not very clear from the TV series, but Kuwata's graphic novel shows obvious influences from American comics like "Superman" and "Batman." Some anime connoisseurs say that "Eito-man" is Japan's answer to Superman and Batman.

Kuwata and story writer Kazumasa Hirai added a touch of Buddhist philosophy to "Eito-Man." The word "Eighth Man" is really referring to Buddhist god Hachi-man. ("Hachi" in Japanese means "eight.") In Buddhism, Buddha reincarnates in the form of different gods to save humans. Hachi-man is one of those gods. Kuwata, who later became a born-again Buddhist, wanted his robot Eighth Man to be a manifestation of the Buddhist god Hachi-man so Buddha can save the innocent people from evil men and women.

Unfortunately, Jiro Kuwata could not complete his graphic novel series "Eito-man." In the mid 1960's, just before completing the last installation, he was imprisoned for illegal possession of firearm--which is a grave offense in Japan. (The story writer Hirai and his publisher hired another cartoonist to finish the Eito-man series. However, Hirai was not satisfied with the finished product.) In the 1970's, Kuwata suffered from depression and alcohol dependency. Later, he became a born-again Buddhist. Finally, in the early 1990's Kuwata, who by this time became sober and regained his confidence, finished the very last installation of the Eito-man series.

It is interesting that there is such a dynamic human drama even behind a children's cartoon series. I am glad that Kuwata, a child prodigy who completed his first graphic novel at the age of 13, overcame his alcohol problem and is currently utilizing his awesome talent. Kudos to Jiro Kuwata!!