Inazuman
Encyclopedia
is a fictional character created by Shotaro Ishinomori
. First appearing in the tokusatsu
series of the same name, the mutant
superhero
has gone on to appear in manga
and anime
.
student , a mutant
. He lost his mother as a child and had other dark moments in his childhood (he had a childhood girlfriend named Teresa who was taken away by an American soldier during the US occupation of Japan). But when the begins its attacks on mankind with its Fantom Army foot soldiers and mutated monsters, he puts his psionic powers to the test.
First, he performs a henshin
pose (crossing his arms in front of his chest) and uttering the phrase, , he is wrapped in a blue cocoon, which bursts, revealing the creature . He resembles an armored brown larva
mutant with a white belt which has a biomechanical power meter on it.
Sanagiman is able to absorb the kinetic energy
of any attack used against him, and when he gathers enough energy into his belt, he crosses his fists in front of his chest, uttering the phrase, , and spreads them aside, with his chest emitting a swirl of colorful energy. Sanagiman's exterior then explodes to pieces, and in his place is Inazuman He is a moth
-like mutant wearing the same power belt as Sanagiman and resembles a blue humanoid with huge colorful oval eyes, prominent lightning-shaped antennas, black gloves & boots, yellow lightning-shaped marks that stream down his body, and a yellow scarf
he can transform into various weapons, including a whip
-like chain
.
As both Sanagiman and Inazuman, his kiai fighting cry is , which originates from the Japanese island of Kyūshū
where the main character, Goro Watari, hails.
Goro is a member of the Youth League, a Science Patrol-style group of similarly psychic
-powered young people, and has a telepathic
link with the sentient flying car Raijingo which can fire missiles and bite bad guys with the teeth built into its mouth-like grill ("Raijin
" is the Japanese god of thunder).
, Goro Watari is named , and is nicknamed . The character first appeared in Ishinomori's manga "Mutant Sabu".
Inazuman appeared somewhat different than in the live action tokusatsu
version, and was created when the series was in development as an animated series, provisionally titled "Mutant Z". In these versions, the character appeared to be naked, with a curled probiscis stemming from his forehead, and was even able to sprout moth wings from his back. The manga version of Sanagiman was also slightly different from the tokusatsu
version.
In the manga,Saburo has also a girlfriend named Miyo who is usually the victim of Saburo's jokes with his psychic powers.
and broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi)
from October 2, 1973 to March 26, 1974, with a total of 25 episodes. It was followed by a sequel series, Inazuman Flash. The series starred Daisuke Ban
(as "Naoya Ban") of Kikaider fame in the title role. In the following series, the main enemy is the , which was derived from the name of the Brazilian dictator of that time, Ernesto Geisel
.
The entire 48-episode series was broadcast (with English subtitles) on KIKU-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii
in the mid-1970s, during the height of the popularity of tokusatsu
programs ignited by the success of Kikaider in 1974.
and broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi)
from April 9, 1974 to September 24, 1974, with a total of 23 episodes. A direct and darker continuation of the first series, after the defeat of Emperor Bamba and his mutant minions Inazuman goes on to fight the evil robots of the Despar Army with the help of cynical cyborg
Interpol
agent Arai Makoto and the new ability to hurl lightning bolts.
, Inazuman, and Zvatt made an appearance in in commemoration of the Toei Company
's 60th Anniversary.
form in the 2002 OVA special, The Boy Who Carried a Guitar: Kikaider vs. Inazuman, based on an issue from the Inazuman manga that teamed the insectoid mutant superhero with Ishinomori's android superhero, Kikaider.
animated series, the teen superhero Killowat
superficially resembled Inazuman.
Shotaro Ishinomori
was a Japanese manga artist who became an influential figure in manga, anime, and tokusatsu, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009 and Himitsu Sentai Goranger, what would go on to become part of the Super Sentai series, and the Kamen Rider Series...
. First appearing in the tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
series of the same name, the mutant
Mutant
In biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character, arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a base-pair sequence change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not...
superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
has gone on to appear in manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
.
Inazuman Specs
Inazuman is, in reality, young collegeCollege
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
student , a mutant
Mutant
In biology and especially genetics, a mutant is an individual, organism, or new genetic character, arising or resulting from an instance of mutation, which is a base-pair sequence change within the DNA of a gene or chromosome of an organism resulting in the creation of a new character or trait not...
. He lost his mother as a child and had other dark moments in his childhood (he had a childhood girlfriend named Teresa who was taken away by an American soldier during the US occupation of Japan). But when the begins its attacks on mankind with its Fantom Army foot soldiers and mutated monsters, he puts his psionic powers to the test.
First, he performs a henshin
Henshin
is the Japanese word for "transformation," literally meaning, "to change or transform the body." This word is primarily used in manga, anime, and tokusatsu dramas for when a character transforms into a superhero. usually have a "henshin call", a catchphrase which they recite when they transform...
pose (crossing his arms in front of his chest) and uttering the phrase, , he is wrapped in a blue cocoon, which bursts, revealing the creature . He resembles an armored brown larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
mutant with a white belt which has a biomechanical power meter on it.
Sanagiman is able to absorb the kinetic energy
Kinetic energy
The kinetic energy of an object is the energy which it possesses due to its motion.It is defined as the work needed to accelerate a body of a given mass from rest to its stated velocity. Having gained this energy during its acceleration, the body maintains this kinetic energy unless its speed changes...
of any attack used against him, and when he gathers enough energy into his belt, he crosses his fists in front of his chest, uttering the phrase, , and spreads them aside, with his chest emitting a swirl of colorful energy. Sanagiman's exterior then explodes to pieces, and in his place is Inazuman He is a moth
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
-like mutant wearing the same power belt as Sanagiman and resembles a blue humanoid with huge colorful oval eyes, prominent lightning-shaped antennas, black gloves & boots, yellow lightning-shaped marks that stream down his body, and a yellow scarf
Scarf
A scarf is a piece of fabric worn around the neck, or near the head or around the waist for warmth, cleanliness, fashion or for religious reasons. They can come in a variety of different colours.-History:...
he can transform into various weapons, including a whip
Whip
A whip is a tool traditionally used by humans to exert control over animals or other people, through pain compliance or fear of pain, although in some activities whips can be used without use of pain, such as an additional pressure aid in dressage...
-like chain
Chain
A chain is a sequence of connected links.Chain may also refer to:Chain may refer to:* Necklace - a jewelry which is worn around the neck* Mail , a type of armor made of interlocking chain links...
.
As both Sanagiman and Inazuman, his kiai fighting cry is , which originates from the Japanese island of Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
where the main character, Goro Watari, hails.
Goro is a member of the Youth League, a Science Patrol-style group of similarly psychic
Psychic
A psychic is a person who professes an ability to perceive information hidden from the normal senses through extrasensory perception , or is said by others to have such abilities. It is also used to describe theatrical performers who use techniques such as prestidigitation, cold reading, and hot...
-powered young people, and has a telepathic
Telepathy
Telepathy , is the induction of mental states from one mind to another. The term was coined in 1882 by the classical scholar Fredric W. H. Myers, a founder of the Society for Psychical Research, and has remained more popular than the more-correct expression thought-transference...
link with the sentient flying car Raijingo which can fire missiles and bite bad guys with the teeth built into its mouth-like grill ("Raijin
Raijin
is a god of lightning, thunder and storms in the Shinto religion and in Japanese mythology.His name is derived from the Japanese words rai and shin . He is typically depicted as a demon beating drums to create thunder, usually with the symbol tomoe drawn on the drums...
" is the Japanese god of thunder).
Manga
In the manga adaptation by creator Shotaro IshinomoriShotaro Ishinomori
was a Japanese manga artist who became an influential figure in manga, anime, and tokusatsu, creating several immensely popular long-running series such as Cyborg 009 and Himitsu Sentai Goranger, what would go on to become part of the Super Sentai series, and the Kamen Rider Series...
, Goro Watari is named , and is nicknamed . The character first appeared in Ishinomori's manga "Mutant Sabu".
Inazuman appeared somewhat different than in the live action tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
version, and was created when the series was in development as an animated series, provisionally titled "Mutant Z". In these versions, the character appeared to be naked, with a curled probiscis stemming from his forehead, and was even able to sprout moth wings from his back. The manga version of Sanagiman was also slightly different from the tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
version.
In the manga,Saburo has also a girlfriend named Miyo who is usually the victim of Saburo's jokes with his psychic powers.
1973 Tokusatsu Series
was produced by Toei Company Ltd.Toei Company
is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution corporation. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan, a modest vertically-integrated studio system by the standards of the 1930s United States; operates studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a...
and broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi)
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
from October 2, 1973 to March 26, 1974, with a total of 25 episodes. It was followed by a sequel series, Inazuman Flash. The series starred Daisuke Ban
Daisuke Ban
, born , is a Japanese actor. He was born on May 5, 1947 in Saitama prefecture, north of Tokyo. He is best known for his role as Jiro in Android Kikaider....
(as "Naoya Ban") of Kikaider fame in the title role. In the following series, the main enemy is the , which was derived from the name of the Brazilian dictator of that time, Ernesto Geisel
Ernesto Geisel
Ernesto Beckmann Geisel, was a Brazilian military leader and politician of German descent who was President of Brazil from 1974 to 1979.-Early life and family:...
.
The entire 48-episode series was broadcast (with English subtitles) on KIKU-TV in Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
in the mid-1970s, during the height of the popularity of tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
programs ignited by the success of Kikaider in 1974.
- Horror of the Neo-Human Race: The Challenge of Bamba!!
- Youth League, Beware! The Cursed Water!!
- Fantom Hell Beckons the Black Death!
- The Japanese Archipelago Explodes!!
- Epic Dogfight! Raijingo Bites!!
- Bizarre Snow Bambara's Neo-Human Surgery!!
- Weird! A Flying Eye!?
- Terrifying Sandstorm! Major Airport Engulfed!!
- The Glowing Mold Stalks the Night!!
- Terror of the Carnivorous Gas!!
- Rose Bambara is Inazuman's Mother
- Mother's Enemy: Bamba vs. Inazuman
- Inazuman Wounded
- The Fury of Raijingo: Great Dogfight!!
- A Mother's Shadow Devoured
- Race to Fulfill a Promise!
- Puzzling Confrontation! Two Goro Watais!!
- A Lightning Strike for Friendship!!
- The Mysterious Deadly Boxer: Mirror X?
- Chase the Star Saucer! Raijingo!!
- Watari Goro: Inazuman Dies!?
- The Walking Clay Doll: Terror of the Cracking Earth!!
- The Cursed Paint That Melts Humans
- The Mysterious Robot Warrior?
- Majestic! The Last of Emperor Bamba!!
Inazuman Flash
was produced by Toei Company Ltd.Toei Company
is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution corporation. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan, a modest vertically-integrated studio system by the standards of the 1930s United States; operates studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a...
and broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi)
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
from April 9, 1974 to September 24, 1974, with a total of 23 episodes. A direct and darker continuation of the first series, after the defeat of Emperor Bamba and his mutant minions Inazuman goes on to fight the evil robots of the Despar Army with the help of cynical cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
Interpol
Interpol
Interpol, whose full name is the International Criminal Police Organization – INTERPOL, is an organization facilitating international police cooperation...
agent Arai Makoto and the new ability to hurl lightning bolts.
- Terror of Fuhrer Geisel and Riddle of the Despar Army
- Terrifying Safari!! Epic Battle at Sea
- 500 Hydron Bomb!! Ground Base Great Battle
- Riddle of the Airship to Space
- DES Missle, Great Mid-air Battle
- Geisel's Great Fort
- Great Battle!! Udespar vs Inazuman
- Udespar Siblings! Cross Hurricane
- Boys Circus and March Epic Battle
- Udespar Siblings' Defiant Shape
- Beautiful Cyborg! Morning Alter Ego
- Phantom Town, Despar City
- White Darkness!! Witch Sings the Babysitter Song
- Great Arial Battle!! Combine Udespar Tactical Squad
- Big Flood Operation!!
- Riddle of the Woman Whose Name is Despar's Secret Search
- Blue Pupils of the Invader
- Ballad of Red Queen Assassination
- Inazuman Joins the Despar Army!!
- Butterfly and Guillotine Flower Hell Operation
- The Deceased Squad - Route 047
- Kill the Burdensome One, Geisel's Supereme Command
- Farewell Inazuman, Geisel's Death Ray
Kamen Rider 40th Anniversary film
Kikaider, Kikaider 01Kikaider 01
, is a tokusatsu superhero TV series, and a sequel series to Android Kikaider. Produced by Toei Company Ltd., it was broadcast on NET from May 12, 1973 to March 30, 1974, with a total of 46 episodes. Its title in Hawaii is Kikaida 01 .-Plot synopsis:The noted robotics expert Dr...
, Inazuman, and Zvatt made an appearance in in commemoration of the Toei Company
Toei Company
is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution corporation. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan, a modest vertically-integrated studio system by the standards of the 1930s United States; operates studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a...
's 60th Anniversary.
Appearances
Inazuman finally appeared in animeAnime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
form in the 2002 OVA special, The Boy Who Carried a Guitar: Kikaider vs. Inazuman, based on an issue from the Inazuman manga that teamed the insectoid mutant superhero with Ishinomori's android superhero, Kikaider.
Legacy
In the Teen TitansTeen Titans (TV series)
Teen Titans is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics characters of the same name. The show was created by Glen Murakami, developed by David Slack, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It premiered on Cartoon Network on July 19, 2003, and the final episode "Things Change"...
animated series, the teen superhero Killowat
Killowat
Killowat is a fictional character from the DC Comics series Teen Titans.-Fictional character biography:Killowat's story began 10 years in the future; or, rather, the false future where Lord Chaos reigned and a force known as the Team Titans struggled to overthrow his tyranny...
superficially resembled Inazuman.