Starzinger
Encyclopedia
is an anime
series aired in Japan
from 1978 to 1979. It translates literally to "Science Fiction Journey to the West Starzinger". In the United States
it is referred to as Spaceketeers and is part of Jim Terry's Force Five
series. In the United Kingdom
, it is referred to as Sci-Bots.
In 2009, William Winckler Productions produced three all new English dubbed movie versions edited from the original series. Producer William Winckler, known for Tekkaman the Space Knight, wrote, produced and directed the English films, which are seen on broadband in Japan.
from the Ming Dynasty
. The Sci-fi twists were designed by Leiji Matsumoto
based on the Terebi Magazine manga with art by Gosaku Ohta.
Creator: Leiji Matsumoto
Screenwriter: Tatsuo Tamura, Michiru Umadori, Sukehiro Tomita
Design: Masaki Suda
Animator: Masaki Suda
, Satoshi Kamimiya
Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi
The last 9 episode of the actual series was rebranded as "SF Saiyuki Starzinger II", though when shown outside Japan it is treated as one continuous series. It was never intended to be anything more than remarketing the last few episodes, since it was aired immediately after the first 64 episodes were shown in June 1979. The 65th episode began instantly in July 1979 with all the galactic energy restored in the storyline.
", "Gaiking
", and "Magne Robo Gakeen
".
In North America, it was aired as "Spaceketeers" as part of the package show Force Five
. As the "Journey to the West story" is not well known in the region, the characters were renamed to reference the Three Musketeers. To also fit into the Force Five time slot, the show had to be edit-squeezed into 26 episodes. The US version puts them on a mission to the Dekos Star System which contained evil powers changing peaceful creatures to evil mutants. The Force Five version not only just produced 26 episodes, but this English Version of the series never reached their conclusion.
24 episodes of the original 73 also aired in Scandinavia (mainly in Sweden) under the original name Starzinger.
List of what episodes were cut out can be found at:
Warfists Starzinger site in the episode section
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....
series aired in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
from 1978 to 1979. It translates literally to "Science Fiction Journey to the West Starzinger". In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
it is referred to as Spaceketeers and is part of Jim Terry's Force Five
Force Five
Force Five was a syndicated anime cartoon anthology during the late 1970s/early 1980s. In the US, this series was primarily shown only in New England and Virginia, though it did make brief appearances in other markets, such as Dallas, Texas and San Jose, California on KICU-TV 36. It was also shown...
series. In the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, it is referred to as Sci-Bots.
In 2009, William Winckler Productions produced three all new English dubbed movie versions edited from the original series. Producer William Winckler, known for Tekkaman the Space Knight, wrote, produced and directed the English films, which are seen on broadband in Japan.
Story
The story revolves around the Princess of the Moon, Aurora and her three cyborg companions (Kugo, Djorgo, Haka) who must travel to the Great King planet and restore the Galaxy Energy. The universe is becoming more and more unbalanced as the Queen of the great Planet grows older. Their adventure includes battling the starmen who are transformed from the unbalanced minerals and planets.Concept
Starzinger is essentially a Sci-fi space opera retelling of the Journey to the WestJourney to the West
Journey to the West is one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature. It was written by Wu Cheng'en in the 16th century. In English-speaking countries, the tale is also often known simply as Monkey. This was one title used for a popular, abridged translation by Arthur Waley...
from the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
. The Sci-fi twists were designed by Leiji Matsumoto
Leiji Matsumoto
is a well-known creator of several anime and manga series. His wife is also known as a manga artist.-Space opera:Matsumoto is famous for his space operas such as Space Battleship Yamato...
based on the Terebi Magazine manga with art by Gosaku Ohta.
Staff
Director: Yugo Seirikawa, Kozo Morishita, Kazumi FukushimaCreator: Leiji Matsumoto
Leiji Matsumoto
is a well-known creator of several anime and manga series. His wife is also known as a manga artist.-Space opera:Matsumoto is famous for his space operas such as Space Battleship Yamato...
Screenwriter: Tatsuo Tamura, Michiru Umadori, Sukehiro Tomita
Design: Masaki Suda
Masaki Suda
is a Japanese actor from Osaka Prefecture. Before being signed onto the Top Coat talent agency, Suda tried out for both Amuse, Inc.'s 30th anniversary contest and the Junon Superboy Contest. His debut role is as Philip, the male lead and half of the eponymous hero of the 2009/2010 television series...
Animator: Masaki Suda
Masaki Suda
is a Japanese actor from Osaka Prefecture. Before being signed onto the Top Coat talent agency, Suda tried out for both Amuse, Inc.'s 30th anniversary contest and the Junon Superboy Contest. His debut role is as Philip, the male lead and half of the eponymous hero of the 2009/2010 television series...
, Satoshi Kamimiya
Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi
Shunsuke Kikuchi
is a prolific Japanese composer from Hirosaki. He specializes in incidental music for media such as television and film.Active since the early 60s, he has been one of Japan's most highly demanded film and TV composers, working principally on tokusatsu and anime productions for children, as well as...
Characters
| Japanese Name | English Name | Italian Name | Spanish Name | French Name | Swedish Name | Voiced by | Power | Vehicle | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Principessa Aurora | Princesa Aurora | Princesse Aurora | Prinsessan Aurora | Kazuko Sugiyama Kazuko Sugiyama , born is a voice actress who was born in Nagoya and works for Aoni Production.In February 2010, she received a "Merit Awards" from the 4th Seiyū Awards.... |
Telepathy and psychic abilities, can channel Galaxy energy | The only human among the main four characters. She is the last of the Moon people. Based on Xuanzang Xuanzang (fictional character) The fictional character Xuanzang is a central character of the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West.For most of the novel he is known as Táng-sānzàng, the title Sānzàng referring to his mission to seek the Sānzàngjīng, the "Three Collections of Scriptures"... . |
||
| Jesse Dart | Yan Coog | Galáctico | Yann Kougar | Jan Cogo | Hiroya Ishimaru Hiroya Ishimaru is a Japanese voice actor most famous for performing the role of Kouji Kabuto in the 1972 series Mazinger Z and its sequels. He also gave voice to Tutty from Bosco Adventure and recently voiced Ultraman Taro in Ultraman Story, Ultraman Mebius, and Ultraman Mebius and Ultra Brothers He is also the... |
Wield Astro-lance Lance A Lance is a pole weapon or spear designed to be used by a mounted warrior. The lance is longer, stout and heavier than an infantry spear, and unsuited for throwing, or for rapid thrusting. Lances did not have tips designed to intentionally break off or bend, unlike many throwing weapons of the... that change size, shoot laser; in the second season he can become giant or tiny at will |
Starcrow | A red suited cyborg. Has bad temper. Based on the monkey-demon, Sun Wukong Sun Wukong Sun Wukong , also known as the Monkey King is a main character in the classical Chinese epic novel Journey to the West . In the novel, he is a monkey born from a stone who acquires supernatural powers through Taoist practices... . |
|
| Arimos | Sir Gorgo | Giorgio | Sir Jorgo | Kei Tomiyama Kei Tomiyama , better known by his stage name , was a Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator from Anshan, Manchukuo. During his life, Tomiyama was affiliated with Aoni Production and Production Baobab.... |
Wield Laser-trident Trident A trident , also called a trishul or leister or gig, is a three-pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and was also a military weapon. Tridents are featured widely in mythical, historical and modern culture. The major Hindu god, Shiva the Destroyer and the sea god Poseidon or Neptune are... with freeze abilities; occasionally shot missiles from his shoulders |
Starcopper/Sea Wasp | A blue suited cyborg. The most intelligent of the three. When in doubt he asks his portable computer (which often displays TOEI logo while elaborating a problem). Based on the water-demon, Sha Wujing Sha Wujing Shā Wùjìng is one of the three disciples of Xuánzàng in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West, although versions of his character predate the Ming novel. In the novels, his background is the least developed of the pilgrims and he contributes the least to their efforts... . |
||
| Porkos | Don Acca | Glotín | Don Hakka | Kousei Tomita | Swing mace Flail (weapon) The flail is a hand weapon derived from the agricultural tool.The handle is attached to the striking part of a weapon by a flexible chain or cord... that turns into a flail, shoots rocket from his feet. |
Starbood/Space Hog | A green suited cyborg, cheerful, hungry and the comedian. Based on the pig-demon, Zhu Bajie Zhu Bajie Zhu Bajie, also named Zhu Wuneng, is one of the three helpers of Xuanzang in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. He is called "Pigsy" or "Pig" in many English versions of the story.... . |
||
| Prof. Kitty | Empress | Dottoressa Kitty | Doctora Sandra | Doktor Kitty | Eiko Masuyama Eiko Masuyama is a Japanese voice actress who works for Aoni Production. She is most known for the roles of Fujiko Mine , Kisaragi Honey , and Bakabon's Mama .-Notable voice roles:... |
A scientist. She reared Aurora after the death of Aurora's parents. Based on Guanyin | |||
| Assistant Prof.Dodge | Prof.Schnitzel | Dottor Dodge | Professor Jorquel | Professor Dodge | Jouji Yanami | An intelligent Professor, He made Kugo into the cyborg he is | |||
| Prince Gaima | Keiichi Noda Keiichi Noda ', born September 16, 1943 in Yamaguchi Prefecture, is a veteran seiyuu and narrator. He is currently affiliated with Aoni Production. His real name is .... |
Based on the son of Bull Demon King, Red Boy Red Boy Red Boy was a character featured in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. Red Boy was also known as the Boy Sage King , and had been the son of Princess Iron Fan and the Bull Demon King, a former sworn brother of Sun Wukong... . |
|||||||
| Gingin Man & Kinkin Man | Kinkin e Gingin | Guinguiriano | Kenichi Ogata | Monster Brothers. Based on King of Gold Horn & King of Silver Horn | |||||
| Beramis | Belamis | Capitana Balamia | Noriko Ohara Noriko Ohara is a Japanese voice actress. She is currently represented by Production Baobab. Her son is Sunrise animator .She is most well known for the roles of Nobita Nobi , Doronjo , Conan , Peter , and Oyuki and Claudia LaSalle from Super Dimension Fortress Macross... |
Electronic sword | A female cyborg. A captain of Queen Lacets. | ||||
| Captain | Satomi Majima | ||||||||
| Rey Guyima | Takashi Tanaka | Based on Bull Demon King. | |||||||
| Queen Lacets | Reina Zarcanda | Yumi Nakatani, Nana Yamaguchi Nana Yamaguchi is a Japanese voice actress currently represeneted by the Aoni Production.-Notable voice work:*Space Pirate Captain Harlock *Starzinger *Kaleido Star *Candy Candy is a Japanese voice actress currently represeneted by the Aoni Production.-Notable voice work:*Space Pirate Captain Harlock (Shizuka... |
Based on Princess Iron Fan Princess Iron Fan Princess Iron Fan is a fictional character from the Chinese classic novel Journey to the West. She is the wife of the Bull King and mother of Red Boy. She is a beautiful goddess living in an underground cave awaiting her husband's return, but also angry at him for his affair with a foxy vixen... . |
Adaptations
The movie was aired in March 1979 by reusing footages from the first segment of the series. It was more or less a summary.The last 9 episode of the actual series was rebranded as "SF Saiyuki Starzinger II", though when shown outside Japan it is treated as one continuous series. It was never intended to be anything more than remarketing the last few episodes, since it was aired immediately after the first 64 episodes were shown in June 1979. The 65th episode began instantly in July 1979 with all the galactic energy restored in the storyline.
Internationalization
Starzinger was aired in early 1980s in Latin America with the name of "El Galáctico" (The Galactic), as part of the four-series show "El Festival de los Robots" which translate to "Festival of Robots". The other shows were "Steel JeegSteel Jeeg
, more commonly known as Kotetsu Jeeg or Koutetsu Jeeg, is a super robot anime and manga series created by manga artists Go Nagai and Tatsuya Yasuda. The TV anime was produced by Toei Doga. It was first broadcast on Japanese TV in 1975. The series lasted for 46 episodes...
", "Gaiking
Gaiking
was a Japanese Super Robot mecha anime series produced by Toei Animation.It ran from April 1976 through January 1977 and consisted of 44 26-minute episodes. Gaiking was notable for being one of the few super robot series to take place in real places outside of Japan, and for being the first Super...
", and "Magne Robo Gakeen
Magne robo gakeen
is a Japanese anime television series that aired from 1976 to 1977 in Japan. There were 39 episodes. It is also referred to as "Magnerobo Ga-Keen", "'Gakeen Supermagnetron", "'Gakeen Magnetic Robot", "Robotman Gakeen", "Gakeen"...
".
In North America, it was aired as "Spaceketeers" as part of the package show Force Five
Force Five
Force Five was a syndicated anime cartoon anthology during the late 1970s/early 1980s. In the US, this series was primarily shown only in New England and Virginia, though it did make brief appearances in other markets, such as Dallas, Texas and San Jose, California on KICU-TV 36. It was also shown...
. As the "Journey to the West story" is not well known in the region, the characters were renamed to reference the Three Musketeers. To also fit into the Force Five time slot, the show had to be edit-squeezed into 26 episodes. The US version puts them on a mission to the Dekos Star System which contained evil powers changing peaceful creatures to evil mutants. The Force Five version not only just produced 26 episodes, but this English Version of the series never reached their conclusion.
24 episodes of the original 73 also aired in Scandinavia (mainly in Sweden) under the original name Starzinger.
List of what episodes were cut out can be found at:
Warfists Starzinger site in the episode section
External links
- Official Page of Starzinger I
- Review of Sci-bots UK version of Spaceketeers
- SF Saiyuki Starzinger Fan Club Starzinger Japanese fan club site (Written in Japanese)
- Thought on Starzinger A Japanese fan site with episode guides (Written in Japanese)