Kaiketsu Zubat
Encyclopedia
, translated into English as Swift Hero Zubat, Extraordinary Zubat or Vigilante Zubat, is a tokusatsu
superhero
series that aired in 1977. Created by Shotaro Ishinomori
, this 32-episode series (which aired on TV Tokyo
from 2/2/1977 to 9/28/1977), harkens back to tokusatsu
superhero shows of the 1950s, but with a late-70s twist. The series began to be released on DVD in 2008.
This series is popular with fans of creator Ishinomori, and unique as the title hero Zubat does not "henshin
" like the other superheroes he created. Ken Hayakawa (played by veteran Hiroshi Miyauchi
), a private detective dressed in black & red gringo cowboy
attire, actually just puts on his red & black "Zvasuit" (hidden in his white guitar, which is opened with the push of a button), which looks no different from that of a Sentai
hero:
Zubat's name is based on the sound effect
"zubatto," which is the sound of something being hit right on target.
Zubat's costume was also a basis for the video game superhero parody Viewtiful Joe
.
The villains are also unusual, as there are no monsters. This is a criminal organization, Dakker, which has a mysterious leader (who is revealed in the final episode), and outlandishly-dressed criminals. Early episodes of this series even had a bizarre Japanese "wild west" setting.
An episode would generally have a single head criminal, and a yojinbo, somehow terrorizing a group of people. Hayakawa Ken would happen upon this, and meet the yojinbo, which would lead to a demonstration of the latter's preferred skill, only for Hayakawa Ken to show that he was much better.
This series would also be parodied by Daicon Films (now Gainax)
in 1982, in a series of short films starring the superhero Swift Hero Noutenki
(who also has the same alter-ego, Ken Hayakawa).
, Inazuman
, and Zubat will make an appearance in in commemoration of the Toei Company
's 60th Anniversary.
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 ....
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 —...
series that aired in 1977. Created by Shotaro Ishinomori
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...
, this 32-episode series (which aired on TV Tokyo
TV Tokyo
is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
from 2/2/1977 to 9/28/1977), harkens back to 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 ....
superhero shows of the 1950s, but with a late-70s twist. The series began to be released on DVD in 2008.
Story and other details
This series is popular with fans of creator Ishinomori, and unique as the title hero Zubat does not "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...
" like the other superheroes he created. Ken Hayakawa (played by veteran Hiroshi Miyauchi
Hiroshi Miyauchi
is a prolific Japanese actor from Chiba Prefecture. He is best known for playing some of the most memorable roles in Tokusatsu history, such as Kazami Shiro in Kamen Rider V3 and Ken Hayakawa in Kaiketsu Zubat...
), a private detective dressed in black & red gringo cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
attire, actually just puts on his red & black "Zvasuit" (hidden in his white guitar, which is opened with the push of a button), which looks no different from that of a Sentai
Sentai
in Japanese language is a word for a military unit and may be literally translated as "squadron", "task force", "group" or "wing". The terms "regiment" and "flotilla", while sometimes used as translations of Sentai, are also used to refer to larger formations....
hero:
- A helmetHelmetA helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
with "Z"-themed features and an open/close visor and mouthpiece - A streamlined rubberRubberNatural rubber, also called India rubber or caoutchouc, is an elastomer that was originally derived from latex, a milky colloid produced by some plants. The plants would be ‘tapped’, that is, an incision made into the bark of the tree and the sticky, milk colored latex sap collected and refined...
jumpsuitJumpsuitJumpsuit originally referred to the utilitarian one-piece garments used by parachuters/skydivers, but has come to be used as a common term for any one-piece garment with sleeves and legs.-Use:...
with a white scarfScarfA 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:...
(another Ishinomori trademark).
Zubat's name is based on the sound effect
Sound effect
For the album by The Jam, see Sound Affects.Sound effects or audio effects are artificially created or enhanced sounds, or sound processes used to emphasize artistic or other content of films, television shows, live performance, animation, video games, music, or other media...
"zubatto," which is the sound of something being hit right on target.
Zubat's costume was also a basis for the video game superhero parody Viewtiful Joe
Viewtiful Joe
is a video game developed by Capcom's Production Studio 4 for the Nintendo GameCube. It was originally released in 2003 as a part of the Capcom Five under director Hideki Kamiya and producer Atsushi Inaba. Viewtiful Joe was later ported to the Sony PlayStation 2 by the same design team under the...
.
The villains are also unusual, as there are no monsters. This is a criminal organization, Dakker, which has a mysterious leader (who is revealed in the final episode), and outlandishly-dressed criminals. Early episodes of this series even had a bizarre Japanese "wild west" setting.
An episode would generally have a single head criminal, and a yojinbo, somehow terrorizing a group of people. Hayakawa Ken would happen upon this, and meet the yojinbo, which would lead to a demonstration of the latter's preferred skill, only for Hayakawa Ken to show that he was much better.
This series would also be parodied by Daicon Films (now Gainax)
Gainax
is a Japanese anime studio famous for productions such as Gunbuster, The Wings of Honneamise, Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water, Neon Genesis Evangelion, FLCL and Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann which have gone on to critical acclaim and commercial success, as well as for their association with...
in 1982, in a series of short films starring the superhero Swift Hero Noutenki
Kaiketsu Noutenki
, is a series of tokusatsu fan film parodies produced by Daicon Films . A parody of the 1977 Toei superhero show Swift Hero Zubat , the title hero of this series has the same exact alter-ego, Ken Hayakawa, only he is comically fat fanboyish young man wearing the same exact gringo cowboy attire! ...
(who also has the same alter-ego, Ken Hayakawa).
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
Inazuman
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.-Inazuman Specs:Inazuman is, in reality, young college student , a mutant...
, and Zubat will make 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.
External links
- Kaiketsu Zubat English language fan page
- Zubaken - Japanese language fan page
- Zubat