Yokai Ningen Bem
Encyclopedia
is a 26 episode Japanese anime
television series which first aired on Fuji TV between October 7, 1968 and March 31, 1969, on its 19:30-20:00 timeslot.
The series was later remade into a second TV anime series, which premiered on April 2006 in Japan on Animax
, featuring a new cast, with a total of 26 episodes also produced. The remake was also later aired by Animax across its other international networks, including its English language
networks in Southeast Asia
and South Asia
, for which Animax produced an English dub under the title Humanoid Monster Bem.
A live action television drama adaptation premiered on NTV
on October 22, 2011.
, Bem, Bera and Berro, who arrive at a large coastal city
and come across an evil atmosphere, which was brought about by immoral behavior by humans and mischief caused by monsters and yōkai. They therefore decide to stay in the city, fighting against other monsters and yōkai which attack humans, making a few friends along the way. Even though the three yōkai are often abused by other human beings due to their appearance, they still strive in protecting the human populace of the city from other monsters, one day hoping to become human beings in return for their good actions.
Bera
Berro
Ending:
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....
television series which first aired on Fuji TV between October 7, 1968 and March 31, 1969, on its 19:30-20:00 timeslot.
The series was later remade into a second TV anime series, which premiered on April 2006 in Japan on Animax
Animax
is a Japanese anime satellite television network, dedicated to broadcasting anime programming. A subsidiary of Japanese media conglomerate Sony, it is headquartered in in Minato, Tokyo, Japan, with its co-founders and shareholders including Sony Pictures Entertainment and the noted anime studios...
, featuring a new cast, with a total of 26 episodes also produced. The remake was also later aired by Animax across its other international networks, including its English language
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
networks in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
and South Asia
South Asia
South Asia, also known as Southern Asia, is the southern region of the Asian continent, which comprises the sub-Himalayan countries and, for some authorities , also includes the adjoining countries to the west and the east...
, for which Animax produced an English dub under the title Humanoid Monster Bem.
A live action television drama adaptation premiered on NTV
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
on October 22, 2011.
Plot
The plot of the series revolves around three yōkaiYōkai
are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. The word yōkai is made up of the kanji for "otherworldly" and "weird". Yōkai range eclectically from the malevolent to the mischievous, or occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them...
, Bem, Bera and Berro, who arrive at a large coastal city
Port
A port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
and come across an evil atmosphere, which was brought about by immoral behavior by humans and mischief caused by monsters and yōkai. They therefore decide to stay in the city, fighting against other monsters and yōkai which attack humans, making a few friends along the way. Even though the three yōkai are often abused by other human beings due to their appearance, they still strive in protecting the human populace of the city from other monsters, one day hoping to become human beings in return for their good actions.
Characters
Bem- The oldest looking of the trio is the leader. He uses a walking stick as a weapon in human form.
Bera
- The only female in the group and the most bad-tempered of the trio. She uses a whip as a weapon in human form.
Berro
- The youngest looking and the most naive of the trio. He is the only one that doesn't use a weapon in human form.
Original series
- Original concept: Saburō SakaiSaburo SakaiSub-Lieutenant was a Japanese naval aviator and flying ace of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Sakai was the Imperial Navy's fourth-ranking ace and Japan's second leading fighter pilot to survive the war ....
- Screenplay: Akira Adachi
- Directors: Noburo Ishiguro, Tadao Wakabayashi
- Art: Shin Morikawa
- Production: Daichi Dōga (later incorporated into Asatsu DK)
Cast
- Bem: Kiyoshi KobayashiKiyoshi Kobayashiis a Japanese actor, seiyū and narrator from Tokyo. He is currently attached to the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society...
- Bera: Hiroko Mori
- Baro: Mari Shimizu
- Opening Narration: Tatsuya Jō, Issei FutamataIssei Futamatais a veteran seiyū who was born on March 15, 1955 in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. He graduated from Towada Technical High School. He is a member of the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society....
(Part 2)
Theme songs
- Opening: (lyrics: Daichi Dōga, composition and arrangement: Seishi Tanaka, performance: Honey Nights)
- Ending theme: (lyrics: Daichi Dōga Bungei-bu, composition and arrangement: Masahiro Uno, performance: Toshiko Yamada, Otowa Yurikago Kai, Gekidan Komadori)
2006 remake
- Original concept: Asatsu DK
- Director: Hiroshi Harada
- Series composition: Junki Takegami
- Character design: Kazuhiko Shibuya
- Chief animation director: Takeshi Yamazaki
- Yōkai design creator: Naoki Ogiwara
- Art directors: Shō Tensui, Tsutomu Nishikura, Shinji Kawai
- Primary background artist: Kazue Itō
- Color settings: Miharu Sakai
- Director of photography: Tomofumi Fujita
- Editing: Yumiko Nakaba, Hideaki Murai (Okayasu Promotion)
- Sound director: Fusanobu Fujiyama
- Sound supervision: Takanori Ebina
- Music: Takehiko Gokita
- Animation production: Studio CometStudio Cometis an animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established January 21, 1986.-Notable staff:*Hiroshi Kanazawa *Kazuo Harada *Shin Misawa...
- Production: NASNihon Ad Systems, NAS for short, is a Japanese anime production and character merchandising company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the advertising agency Asatsu-DK. The "Ad" in its title is an abbreviation for "Animation Development". Along with animation studios Sunrise, Toei Animation and TMS Entertainment, it is...
- Producers: NASNihon Ad Systems, NAS for short, is a Japanese anime production and character merchandising company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the advertising agency Asatsu-DK. The "Ad" in its title is an abbreviation for "Animation Development". Along with animation studios Sunrise, Toei Animation and TMS Entertainment, it is...
, Sony Pictures EntertainmentSony Pictures EntertainmentSony Pictures Entertainment, Inc. is the television and film production/distribution unit of Japanese multinational technology and media conglomerate Sony...
, avex entertainment, Studio CometStudio Cometis an animation studio based in Tokyo, Japan. It was established January 21, 1986.-Notable staff:*Hiroshi Kanazawa *Kazuo Harada *Shin Misawa...
Cast
- Bem: Kazuhiko InoueKazuhiko Inoueis a veteran voice actor from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.-Biography:Since his debut in 1973, Kazuhiko Inoue has become one of Japan's most well established voice actors. His early roles from the 1970s include Anthony in Candy Candy, and later as Joe in the 1979 remake of Cyborg 009...
- Bera: Kaori YamagataKaori Yamagatais a Japanese voice actress from Hirakata, Osaka.-Anime cast in:*Humanoid Monster Bem as Bela*Katanagatari as Oshidori Maniwa*Kin'iro no Corda as Hamai Misa*Legend of Basara as Chacha*Saiunkoku Monogatari as Kochou...
- Baro: Ai Horanai
- Kira Hyuga: Yūna InamuraYuna Inamura' is a seiyū who is affiliated with Asai Production. She was born in Kagoshima Prefecture and grew up in Nakano, Tokyo.-Notable roles:*Akao Hiiragi in Jinki:EXTEND*Amano Sakogami in Happy Seven...
- Sora Kaido: Naoya IwahashiNaoya Iwahashiis a male Japanese voice actor. He is from Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan. He graduated from Meiji University.He was part of Kekke Corporation until March 2007.-Voice roles:*Sugar Sugar Rune as Saule*Humanoid Monster Bem as Sora Kaidou...
- Mitsuki Kisaragi: Minori ChiharaMinori Chiharais a Japanese voice actress who has had roles in several anime series, and a J-pop singer. As a seiyū, she works under the agency Avex Planning & Development, while in her musical career, she has been signed under King Records and is currently with Lantis...
- Genpaku Hyuga: Masami IwasakiMasami Iwasakiis a Japanese voice actor. Most but not all of his roles are minions or ruffians.-Anime:* Birdy * Koji Kuroki, Cerberus, Kaoru Hatsujo, Morgan, and other misc. in * Roland/Isono * Akazawa Yoshiro...
- Urara Hyuga: Mie SonozakiMie Sonozakiis a Japanese voice actress and singer represented by Remax.-Television animation:* Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto * Beyblade 2002 * Bleach * Burst Angel * Comic Party...
- Riku Kaido: Ryō NaitōRyo Naitois a Japanese voice actor. He is signed with Y.M.O management. His given name Ryō is sometimes mistranlated as Rei.-Anime:* Beast Wars II * Beast Wars Neo...
- Umi Kaido: Miki NagasawaMiki Nagasawais a female Japanese voice actress born in Hokkaidō and raised in Fukushima. Formerly affiliated for Haikyo, she is now affiliated with Atomic Monkey.-Anime:* After War Gundam X as Perla Ciss* Akihabara Dennou Gumi as Kamome Sengakuji...
- Ryoko Kisaragi: Yuriko FuchizakiYuriko Fuchizakiis a veteran Japanese voice actress and stage actress from Tokyo. She is a graduate of the College of Fine Arts at Nihon University a member of the talent agency Re-max. From 1987 to the beginning of 1989 her roles were credited under her real name - the reading is unchanged.Fuchizaki's roles...
- Yuzo Mikami: Manabu Murashi
- Hitoshi Tamugenro: Hirofumi NojimaHirofumi Nojimais a Japanese voice actor. He is represented by Sigma Seven. He is the son of voice actor Akio Nojima and elder brother of voice actor Kenji Nojima.-TV anime:*Agatha Christie no Meitantei Poirot to Marple *ARIA The ANIMATION...
- Imp: Mitsuo IwataMitsuo IwataMitsuo Iwata is a seiyū who was born in Tokorozawa, Saitama. He is married to fellow seiyū Rikako Aikawa. Mania.com praised him as "truly one of the greatest seiyū". Otakunews.com complimented him for the role of Tetsuya from Outlanders...
- Dana O'Shee: Rokuro NayaRokuro Nayais a Japanese voice actor. He is the brother of voice actor Gorō Naya. A lifetime resident of Tokyo, he is affiliated with Mausu Promotion.-Anime:*Aquarius Camus in Saint Seiya*Sensui Shinobu in Yu Yu Hakusho*Enchou in Crayon Shin-chan...
- Doppleganger: Hiroyuki MiyasakoHiroyuki Miyasakois a Japanese actor and comedian, and plays the boke in Ameagari Kesshitai. He won the award for Best Supporting Actor at the 28th Hochi Film Awards for Thirteen Steps and Wild Berries.-Filmography:*Thirteen Steps *Wild Berries...
- Narration: Mizuho SuzukiMizuho Suzuki' is a Japanese actor and seiyū from Manchuria. He is a drop-out of Kyoto University.-Film:*Dun-Huang *Kaabee *Makai Tensho...
Theme songs
Opening:- Performance: Hiroshi KitadaniHiroshi Kitadaniis a Japanese vocalist who is prominent as an anison, or a musician who primarily performs theme songs and other songs in anime. He also works behind the scenes of many songs. He currently works with JAM Project, but has also been a part of Lapis Lazuli and Stagger and does solo work...
(Bemu = Kazuhiko InoueKazuhiko Inoueis a veteran voice actor from Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.-Biography:Since his debut in 1973, Kazuhiko Inoue has become one of Japan's most well established voice actors. His early roles from the 1970s include Anthony in Candy Candy, and later as Joe in the 1979 remake of Cyborg 009...
)
Ending:
- Performance: Minako Yoshida