Kamen Rider Series

The Kamen Rider Series (仮面ライダーシリーズ Kamen Raidā Shirīzu, translated as Masked Rider Series) is the overall name of a franchise of Japanese tokusatsu. The franchise began in 1971 with a show titled Kamen Rider which followed college student Takeshi Hongo and his quest to defeat Shocker. Over the years, the popularity of the franchise has grown and the original series has spawned many television and theatrical sequels. The cultural impact of the series in Japan resulted in Akimasa Nakamuranaming two minor planets in honor of the series: 12408 Fujioka, after actor Hiroshi Fujioka, known for his portrayal of Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider 1, and 12796 Kamenrider, after the series, itself.

History

Shōwa era

The Kamen Rider Series originally began under the title “Masked Hero Project”. Produced by Toru Hirayama (平山 亨 Hirayama Tōru), the series spent nearly five years on hold while Hirayama worked on other shows and searched for a proper character designer. In 1969, Shotaro Ishinomori, who was a known face in tokusatsuat the time, was approached by Hirayama to have his Skull Man manga adapted for the Masked Hero Project. Originally the project was rejected due to criticisms that it was too violent for the timeslot it was given. After the duo reworked the story and designs, the final Kamen Rider design, a grasshopper, was chosen by Ishinomori’s son. This drawing would go on to become the original Kamen Rider 1, after some modification.

Kamen Rider premiered on April 3, 1971, to lower than expected ratings, and verged on the brink of cancellation. During the filming of episode 10, Fujioka Hiroshi, the actor of Kamen Rider 1, was thrown off his motorcycle during the filming of a stunt. Crashing into a telephone pole, he shattered both his legs. Toei then went through many methods to have Hongo appear less and less until episode 13, when Ichimonji Hayato was introduced. Until episode 52 when Fujioka Hiroshi returned, Ichimonji Hayato was Kamen Rider 2 and the star of the show. Upon his return in episode 53, Hongo became the main character once more. Both Kamen Riders 1 and 2 would go on to appear in every show in the first half of the Shōwa era. The continuous run from April 1971 to January 1976 distinguished itself by featuring the recurrent mentor character, Tobei Tachibana (立花 藤兵衛 Tachibana Tōbee).

After a four year hiatus, the series returned to television broadcast in October 1979 for two years. In these new shows, the role of Tachibana was replaced by a similar character named Genjiro Tani (谷 源次郎 Tani Genjirō). Airing in 1984, the Kamen Rider ZX special, Birth of the 10th! Kamen Riders All Together!!, became the last project in the franchise to be produced by Hirayama.

Kamen Rider BLACK was the first series that neither indicated nor hinted at any relationship with its predecessors. Kamen Rider BLACK was the first show in the franchise to feature a direct sequel, Kamen Rider BLACK RX, the basis of Saban’s Americanized Masked Rider. RX‘s finale showed the ten previous Riders return to help BLACK RX defeat the Crisis Empire, this is the last time any Rider from a previous show would appear in another series. Kamen Rider BLACK RX was the final show to be produced during the Shōwa era, its broadcast spanning from the Shōwa era and into the beginning of the Heisei era.

Heisei era

Being completely absent from television during the 1990s, the franchise was kept alive mainly by stage shows, musical CDs, and the Shin, ZO, and J movies, though many fans classify the movies as part of the Showa series as they treat Ishinomori’s passing the pinnacle of the Showa era. Toei announced its new project, Kamen Rider Kuuga, in May 1999. Kuuga was part of a Kamen Rider rebirth that Ishinomori had worked on in 1997, planning for a leadup into the 30th anniversary. However, Ishinomori passed away before he could see these shows materialize. During the summer of 1999, Kuuga became publicized through magazine ads and commercials. On January 30, 2000, Kamen Rider Kuuga premiered to high ratings, which would throughout the anniversary series, Kamen Rider Agito. It had three main Riders, Agito, Gills and G3. Agito also began the trend of having the ending theme song play during the climactic scene instead of the end credits (this would be briefly broken in Kamen Rider Hibiki).

In 2005, Kamen Rider The First was produced. The movie was an original reimagining of both the manga and original television series. Various characters from the original series had their storylines altered to fit the time span of the movie. Masaya Kikawada portrays Takeshi Hongo/Kamen Rider 1 and Hassei Takano (previouslyMiyuki Tezuka/Kamen Rider Raia in Kamen Rider Ryuki) as Hayato Ichimonji/Kamen Rider 2.

The year 2007 brought Kamen Rider Den-O, the eighth series, taking a turn from past Kamen Rider series, introducing a Kamen Rider that is completely unsure of himself. The series marks the first time a mecha has been used in the franchise, the Den-Liner; a bullet train that can travel through time. This series only had two Riders, Den-O and Zeronos, but they had multiple forms that they could switch between, similar to BLACK RX, Kuuga, and Agito. Due to the large popularity of Den-O, a second theatrical production, crossing over with the 2008 series Kamen Rider Kiva was released in theaters April 12, 2008, becoming the top film in its opening weekend and grossing 730 million yen. In addition, Animate is producing an OVA tentatively titled Imagin Anime that features SD versions of the Imagin that are contracted to Den-O and Zeronos that have been featured in the company’s other Den-O products. Finally, a third movie, called Farewell, Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown with two more new Riders serves as an epilogue to the series. There has never been a third film for one series before.Takeru Satoh claims that this is because of the series’ comedy.

There was also a sequel to Kamen Rider The First in 2007 titled Kamen Rider The Next, based on the events of Kamen Rider V3. It featured Kazuki Kato (previouslyDaisuke Kazama/Kamen Rider Drake in Kamen Rider Kabuto) portraying Shiro Kazami/Kamen Rider V3. Kikawada and Takano reprise their roles as Hongo/Kamen Rider 1 and Ichimonji/Kamen Rider 2.

Series overview

Although each entry in the series is different, each one shares similar traits with one and another. All generally involve at least one young adult male transforming into a Kamen Rider to fight various monsters and organizations linked to that specific Kamen Rider’s origin. As the series progresses, the Rider often learns more about the monsters in the series, other Kamen Riders or the origin of his powers. Early Kamen Riders were generally based on grasshoppers, but this practice has only been done twice in the newer set of shows. Usually referred to as Rider Machines, motorcycles are an integral part of the series. Since Kamen Rider Agito, Honda has provided motorcycles for the series’ productions.Early Kamen Riders wore scarfs along with their costumes, but this practice was dropped with Kamen Rider BLACK.

A trait shared among recent Kamen Riders is their ability to change forms and become stronger versions of themselves. The first power up appeared in Kamen Rider Stronger which was used by the title character. Kamen Rider BLACK RX had multiple forms, Roborider and Biorider. Since then, every title Kamen Rider in the Heisei era has had at least one power up with Kamen Rider Kuuga having the most.

All Shōwa era Riders gained their powers through some form of surgical alteration to their bodies, a practice seen only once in the current era with Kamen Rider Dark Kabuto (unless the Shocker Hoppers would be taken into consideration). The Heisei era of Kamen Rider varies greatly in its use of Kamen Riders. Whereas all early Kamen Riders fought on the side of justice and peace, there have been numerous Kamen Riders in the Heisei era that have fought for personal reasons such as greed, revenge and the personal enjoyment of battle. Because of this, recent Kamen Riders have become less eager to immediately join the battle of justice.

Rider finishers

Combat techniques generally remain somewhat consistent between series. The “Rider Kick” has become known as the signature attack for Kamen Riders. Although no Heisei era Kamen Rider before Kamen Rider Kabuto named their kick “Rider Kick”, it has still been a staple for every Kamen Rider series. Other variations include the Rider Chop and Rider Punch.

Productions

TV series

Kamen Rider (仮面ライダー Kamen Raider)

Kamen Rider was the very first show in the franchise, airing from 1971 to 1973, the series set up many themes that are still used today. The series followed the battles of the first two Kamen Riders against Shocker and later Gelshocker. The series ran for 98 episodes, making it the longest series to date.

Kamen Rider V3 (仮面ライダーＶ３ Kamen Raidā Buisurī^?)

Airing from 1973 to 1974, the series ran for 52 episodes and followed Shiro Kazami on his quest to gain revenge against the group that murdered his family. Later on, Riderman, the fourth Kamen Rider is introduced as the first long term villain Kamen Rider. The original Kamen Riders also make various appearances over the course of the series to help Kazami.

Kamen Rider X (仮面ライダーＸ Kamen Raidā Ekkusu^?)

The series aired in 1974 and ran for 35 episodes. Keisuke Jin and his father Kentaro Jin are attack by the Government Of Darkness (GOD), Keisuke and Kentaro are both mortally wounded in the attack, but before he dies, Kentaro transforms his son into Kamen Rider X. Many of the monsters Kamen Rider X faced were based on Greek mythology and later on various animals.

Kamen Rider Amazon (仮面ライダーアマゾン Kamen Raidā Amazon)

Kamen Rider Amazon aired from 1974 to 1975, airing just 24 episodes, it is the shortest Kamen Rider series to date. Daisuke Yamamoto, an orphan lost in the Amazon has grown up with an Amazon tribe and lead a peaceful life until his tribe was attacked by Gorgos. Before dying, his tribe elder turned Daisuke into Kamen Rider Amazon. This was the first Kamen Rider not to use a belt to transform and the first series not to have any previous Kamen Riders appear, although Amazon meets his seniors in the next series.

Kamen Rider Stronger (仮面ライダーストロンガー Kamen Raidā Sutorongā)

Airing in 1975, this was intended to be the final Kamen Rider series and aired 39 episodes. Shigeru Jou joins Black Satan after the murder of his best friend and mentor. Knowing the organization to be the culprits, he allows himself to undergo an operation that changes him into Kamen Rider Stronger. Later on, Black Satan is defeated and a new group known as Delza becomes the series enemy. Stronger is later joined by Electro Wave Human Tackle, a female warrior who later sacrifices herself to save Stronger from a powerful opponent. This was also the first series to have a temporary power up for the main character.

Kamen Rider (Skyrider) (仮面ライダー（スカイライダー） Kamen Raidā (Sukairaidā)^?)

Airing 54 episodes from 1979 to 1980, Kamen Rider was intended to be a reboot of the franchise.^{[original research?]} Intended to be a remake of the original series, the idea was slowly phased out as references to the past were made and senior Kamen Riders made guest appearances. Hiroshi Tsukaba is kidnapped and transformed into Kamen Rider as a means to help Doctor Shiro escape Neoshocker. During the course of the series, former Kamen Riders appear and Kamen Rider is dubbed Skyrider by Kamen Rider Stronger to differentiate him from the original Kamen Riders.

Kamen Rider Super-1 (仮面ライダースーパー１ Kamen Raidā Sūpā Wan)

Airing from 1980 to 1981, the series ran for 48 episodes. Wanting to become an astronaut, Kazuya Oki undergoes an operation that allows him to survive in space. The area were he is operated in is attacked by the Dogma Empire and Kamen Rider Super-1′s peers are all killed. Super-1 has special gloves that allow for different attack types.

Kamen Rider BLACK (仮面ライダーＢＬＡＣＫ Kamen Raidā Burakku^?)

Airing from 1987 to 1988, the series ran for 51 episodes. After being kidnapped by the cult Gorgom on the night of their 19th birthday, stepbrothers Kotaro Minami and Nobuhiko Akizuki are submitted to a mutant surgery with the purpose of becoming the candidates to be the next Creation King. Kotaro escapes before the brainwashing, with help from his foster father, and turned against Gorgom. He soon finds out the horrific truth from his stepfather: Gorgom originally killed his true parents. Later on, Kamen Rider BLACK must battle with his brother, who has become the trump card of Gorgom, Shadow Moon.

Kamen Rider BLACK RX (仮面ライダーＢＬＡＣＫ　ＲＸ Kamen Raidā Burakku Aru Ekkusu)

Airing from 1988 to 1989 for 47 episodes, Kamen Rider BLACK RX is the ninth and final show in the Shōwa era of shows. Years after the defeat of Gorgom, Minami Kotaro is kidnapped by the Crisis Empire. After refusing to join them, he is thrust out into space where he undergoes the change to become Kamen Rider BLACK RX. This series marked the end of the Shōwa era of shows.

Kamen Rider Kuuga (仮面ライダークウガ Kamen Raidā Kūga)

Airing from 2000 to 2001 for 49 episodes, this was the first Kamen Rider series in 11 years and the start of the Heisei era of shows. Yuusuke Godai finds an ancient artifact that allows him to transform into Kamen Rider Kuuga to battle the Grongi forces. Having 11 forms, this series had more power ups than any before or after.

Kamen Rider Agito (仮面ライダーアギト Kamen Raidā Agito)

Translated as Masked Rider ΑGITΩ, Kamen Rider Agito ran from 2001 to 2002 for 51 episodes. This was the first series to feature more than one Kamen Rider as the main character at the same time. Shouichi Tsugami has lost his memories, he lives with a foster family and fights against the Unknown as Kamen Rider Agito. Looking for the origin of his power and his lost memories, this series follows Kamen Rider Agito, G3, Gills and Another Agito.

Kamen Rider Ryuki (仮面ライダー龍騎 Kamen Raidā Ryūki)

Airing from 2002 to 2003, Kamen Rider Ryuki ran for 50 episodes and drastically changed the mold of Kamen Rider. Shinji Kido, a reporter, forms a bond with a creature known as a “Contract Beast”. Becoming Kamen Rider Ryuki, Shinji joins the war of the 13 Kamen Riders. All fighting for various reasons, the winner of the war will be granted a single wish. Due to low ratings, this series was on the verge of cancellation for a time. This was the last series to have any form of continuity with a previous series.

Kamen Rider 555 (仮面ライダー５５５（ファイズ） Kamen Raidā Faizu)

Airing from 2003 to 2004, Kamen Rider 555 (translated as Masked Rider Φ‘s) aired for 50 episodes. A group of evolved humans known as Orphenochs are starting to take control of the world. It is unknown how much of the human population is not an Orphenoch. The Orphenochs are protected by a company called Smart Brain, the creators of the three rider belts. A young loner, Takumi Inui, is unwillingly drawn into the conflict between the Orphenochs and humans and becomes Kamen Rider Faiz to save the life of Mari Sonada. Among the Orphenochs are renegades who wish to fight to protect humans rather than kill them. The series follows Takumi, the renegade Orphenochs and two other Kamen Riders who are both enemies upon their entrance to the series.

Kamen Rider Blade (仮面ライダー剣（ブレイド） Kamen Raidā Bureido)

Airing from 2004 to 2005 for 49 episodes, Kamen Rider Blade (translated as Masked Rider ♠) returned to the card motif introduced in Ryuki. Kenzaki Kazuma has just recently become the user for the Kamen Rider Blade system. Months after becoming a Kamen Rider, the BOARD agency that he is apart of is attacked and nearly wiped out. Trying to discover the reason behind the attack, Kenzaki unwittingly becomes part of the Battle Royale. Later joined by three Kamen Riders, Kenzaki ultimately has to make the toughest decision in his life and make a choice between his friends’ happiness and the safety of the human race.

Kamen Rider Hibiki (仮面ライダー響鬼（ヒビキ） Kamen Raidā Hibiki)

Airing from 2005 to 2006, Kamen Rider Hibiki ran for 48 episodes. Kamen Rider Hibiki’s main focus is the story of the teacher and apprentice-like relationship of Adachi Asumu and the title character. Adachi Asumu is a young boy who is unsure of his own skill and worth, and at a crossroads in his life as he transitions to high school. As the series progresses, he learns what it is to be a man, more confident in his own power. The secondary focus of the series is the age old battle of the Kamen Riders (referred to as Oni in this program) and the Makamo, demons that can only be defeated using “pure sound”. The series follows the training and changes of the four main Oni, Hibiki, Ibuki, Todoroki and Zanki. The series was plagued by controversy behind the screen, starting with the firing of the principle writers and directors and later leading to drastically altered stories.

Kamen Rider Kabuto (仮面ライダーカブト Kamen Raidā Kabuto)

Airing from 2006 to 2007 for 49 episodes, Kamen Rider Kabuto was seen as a “return to the basics” after years of new styles and themed gimmicks. Kamen Rider Kabuto revolves around the story of a man named Souji Tendou. He has trained his entire life while waiting for the Kabuto Zecter so that he may properly take up the name of Kamen Rider Kabuto. Making many enemies while at the same time meeting other Riders with mysterious origins, Tendou attempts to accomplish his goal at all costs; Protecting Hiyori by destroying all other Worms that would make life difficult for her. Making a friend in Arata Kagami, who later becomes Kamen Rider Gatack, the two work together and protect Hiyori along with humanity from the alien Worms that arrived from a meteorite seven years ago.

Kamen Rider Den-O (仮面ライダー電王 Kamen Raidā Den’ō)

Airing from 2007 to 2008 for 49 episodes, Kamen Rider Den-O follows the story of Ryotaro Nogami, a young man with incredibly bad luck who is discovered to be a Singularity Point, a human who can exist separate from time itself. When he is possessed by a future life-form called an Imagin, he reluctantly becomes Den-O to fight the malignant Imagin that are traveling back in time to 2007 to grant the wishes of weak-hearted humans so they can travel back further and alter the course of history in their favor. He also tries to protect his sister Airi from the past that she cannot remember. He boards the time-traveling train called the Den-Liner and meets the brash and tomboyish Hana, the eccentric Owner, the waitress Naomi, and his own Imagin: Momotaros, Urataros, Kintaros, and Ryutaros. Soon enough, a man named Yuto Sakurai appears and is another Kamen Rider who fights to protect time with the aid of his Imagin Deneb and the Zero-Liner.

Kamen Rider Kiva (仮面ライダーキバ Kamen Raidā Kiba)

Airing from 2008 to 2009 for 48 episodes, Kamen Rider Kiva revolves around two characters and two storylines: Wataru Kurenai who becomes Kamen Rider Kiva to battle the stained glass energy vampires known as Fangire in the year 2008, and his father Otoya Kurenai whose interactions with the Fangire and Fangire Hunters in the year 1986 directly affects the life of his son.

Kamen Rider Decade (仮面ライダーディケイド Kamen Raidā Dikeido)

Translated as Masked Rider DCD, Decade premiered following the finale of Kiva in 2009. It is billed as the 10th anniversary of the Heisei Rider Series. In Decade, Tsukasa Kayoda must protect his dimension from being destroyed by the dimensions of the previous nine Kamen Riders.

Ultraman Max

Ultraman Max (ウルトラマンマックス Urutoraman Makkusu) was an Ultraman TV series which started airing on 7 July2005, and produced by Tsuburaya Productions and Chubu-Nippon Broadcasting Co., Ltd.. The show tried to return to the true formula of new monsters every week and being a fast paced show like previous series with the exception of Ultraman Nexus. The show is full of homages to past series by having three of the original cast members from the first Ultraman series (and one original cast member from the second Ultraman series “Ultraseven” being featured in an episode), updated versions of classic monsters like Red King, Eleking and Pigmon among others. One unusual episode (#29) revolves around the filming of the 1964 program Ultra Q which was the predecessor to the first Ultraman show in 1966. Two actors from that show appear as themselves.

Although certain monsters from the previous Ultra Series appear here in this series, the characters do not actually recognize them. This series does not have any direct continuity to any of the other Ultra Series(except episode 24:”The Untargeted Town” which seems to be a sequel to the Ultraseven series episode 8:”Aimed Town“).

Just like his predecessors, Ultraman Max is from Nebula M78 and is supported by DASH (Defense Action Squad Heroes), a branch of the UDF (United Defense Federation). His human host’s name is Touma Kaito. Ultraman Max is based on Ultraseven and has two main weapons at his disposal, the Maxium Cannon fired from his left hand and the Maxium Sword which is a hand held boomerang cutter.

Another Ultraman known as Ultraman Xenon, or Janos, appears for the first time in episode 13, and again briefly in episode 39. While Ultraman Xenon is summoning a new weapon from the sky to use against Zetton, he is attacked by Zetton and the weapon attaches itself to Max’s right wrist. Ultraman Max then uses the new weapon known as the Max Galaxy to destroy Zetton.

Team DASH is stationed in a harbor and their base is called the Base Titan. They have a main airplane called the Dash Mother which releases two other small planes known as Dash Bird 1 and 2. A third plane called the Dash Bird 3 appears in episode 23.

Team DASH also has a robot operator, who learns a bit about human behavior in some episodes. Her name is Elly and she has a small ball shaped robot called Koko which makes a high pitched sound to respond to queries.

This series was also unique as it was the first time a gaijin (foreigner) was an official member of the Ultraman team. The character’s name is Sean White (played by actor Sean Nichols who is famous in Japan for being on the popular children’s program Eigo de Asobo—Let’s Have Fun with English).

Defense Action Squad Heroes (DASH)

                     Captain Shigeru Hijikata: The team leader of DASH.

                                 Actor: Kai Shishido

                    Kenjiro Koba: The marksman and sharpshooter of DASH.

                                 Actor: Nobuyuki Ogawa

                    Mizuki Koishikawa: The ace pilot and token female member: She is Kaito/Ultraman Max’s love interest.

                               Actor: Hitomi Hasebe

                   Sean White: The team inventor/scientist/joker: He was transported from DASH North America branch.

                              Actor: Sean Nichols

                 Elly: The robot operator (android) of DASH.: She learns human behavior and once wished to become a human.: She even cried in Episode 16 and in the final episode.

                             Actor: Hikari Mitsushima

                     Kaito Touma/Ultraman Max: The team’s latest recruit.: He failed during DASH test before eventually joining DASH.: He was saved by Ultraman Max from a certain death and was given the Max Spark,: so that he could transform whenever needs arose.

                                Actor: Sota Aoyama

Supporting characters

                   Chief Kenzo Tomioka: A UDF general, the supervisor of DASH.

                              Actor: Susumu Kurobe

                            Trivia: Actor Kurobe played Hayata from the original Ultraman series.

                     Professor Yukari Yoshinaga.

                                Actor: Hiroko Sakurai

                               Trivia: Actress Sakurai played Fuji from the original Ultraman series.

                     Ultraman Xenon (ウルトラマンゼノン Urutoraman Xenon): He appears once to help Ultraman Max when he is in danger and is also the one that gives Ultraman Max the Max Galaxy.

                     Natsumi Oda

                                 Actor: Nao Nagasawa

                                 Appeared in Episodes 13 and 14

Icing Wave: An ability to extinguish large fires.

Max Spark: A defensive attack used as a force field.: It is also his transforming device.

Maxium Sword: A cutting blade which appears from the top of his head.: It is computer graphically generated until it “appears” when it then becomes a physical object which: Ultraman Max uses to slice up enemies.: It has the ability to be split into many other similar sized blades to cause multiple damage to the enemy.: It is similar to Seven’s Eye Slugger.

Maxium Cannon: Ultraman Max’s L shaped “Specium Beam” finisher – the trademark of most Ultras.: His L style is left-handed.

Max Galaxy: A weapon introduced in episode 13 which Ultraman Xenon summons from the sky.: He is push away by the opponent and it attaches to Ultraman Max’s right wrist.: Ultraman Max can then use a short beam like blade which shoots a powerful beam to destroy an opponent’s shield.: It also extends outside of the Earth’s atmosphere in the last episode so that Ultraman Max can use it to slice through Giga Berserk.

Xenon Cannon: Ultraman Max’s L shaped finisher.: His L style is left-handed.

Max Galaxy: Xenon summoned this weapon in the sky while in combat, but he gave this weapon to Ultraman Max.

Saint Seiya

“Seiya” redirects here. For the title character, see Pegasus Seiya.

Saint Seiya (聖闘士星矢 Seinto Seiya^?), also known as Knights of the Zodiac, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada, and later adapted to anime. The story follows five mystical warriors called the “Saints” (or “Knights”; the kanji is properly read as sei-tōshi “holy fighter” but the furigana has it pronounced “saint”) who have adopted various constellations as their guardian symbols. The anime series won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in 1987, but was cancelled in 1989. In 2002, Toei produced Saint Seiya: Hades, which continued adapting the manga story arcs to animation that remained pending when the anime was canceled in 1989.

Six years before the events at the focus of the series, one hundred orphans from Japan are sent to different parts of the world to become legendary warriors known as “Saints”, who are the soldiers under the command of Greek goddess Athena. These warriors are under the protection of a celestial constellation.

The power of the Saints originates from the understanding of the “Cosmo”. The concept of the “Cosmo” advocates that each atom within a human body resembles a small solar system, and since the human body consists of billions of atoms, the totality forms a “small Cosmo” or a “small Universe”. Each person’s Cosmo has its own unique signature. The Saints take the knowledge of the Cosmo to the next level: since humans are composed of atoms, humans should be able to use the mysterious forces behind the atoms to achieve super human feats.

The story focuses on one of these orphans named Seiya. He is sent to the Sanctuary in Greece to become the Pegasus Saint. After seven years, Seiya becomes the Pegasus Saint and returns to Japan to find his older sister. Because his sister disappeared the same day Seiya went to the Sanctuary, Saori Kido, the granddaughter of the person who sent all the orphans to train, makes a deal with him to go to fight in a tournament called the Galaxian Wars, where the orphans who survived and became Bronze Saints must fight to win the most powerful cloth: The Sagittarius Gold Cloth. If Seiya goes to compete there, Saori would start a search to find Seiya’s sister.

During the series, Seiya becomes the partner and friend of other Bronze Saints: Shun, Shiryu, Ikki, and Hyoga. As the myth of the saints, they must fight together to protect the reincarnation of the goddess Athena from any danger.

When Masami Kurumada was in the process of creating Saint Seiya, he gave Seiya the name Rin at first, since Kurumada was going to title his manga “Ginga no Rin” (Rin of the Galaxy). However, as Kurumada continued developing his manga, he decided to change the name to Seiya, which was more fitting. First he spelled the name with the kanji that meant “Holy Arrow”, to relate it to Seiya’s condition as a Saint, but later decided to use the kanji that meant “Star Arrow”, to emphasize the constellation and mythological motif. Finally, he changed his manga title as well, to Saint Seiya, once he fully developed the concept of the Saints. Also, Kurumada stated that one of the first ideas he conceived for Saint Seiya was the Pegasus Meteor Fist. Since his manga was going to use the constellations as a very important and ever-present theme, he wanted his protagonist to have a special move that would be like a shower of meteors.

When Kurumada designed Seiya’s likeness, he was inspired by Takane Ryuji, the main character of his hit mangaRing ni Kakero, which he created 9 years before Seiya. Most protagonists of Kurumada’s works bear a resemblance to Ryuji, because Kurumada subscribes to the revered Osamu Tezuka‘s Star System (a stable cast of characters) technique. The same process is done with almost all the other characters from the series.

Manga

Main article: List of Saint Seiya manga volumes

The first Saint Seiya manga was written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada and was published by Shueisha in the magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from January 1986 to December 1990 and collected in 28 tankōbon volumes. The series has three main parts: Sanctuary (volumes 1 to 13), Poseidon (volumes 14 to 18), and Hades (volumes 19 to 28). Volume 13 also contains a separate short story called “Blue Warriors”. The series is licensed in English in North America by Viz Media. Viz released the first collected volume of the series on January 21, 2004, and as of June 3, 2008 twenty-three volumes have been released.

In addition to the original tankōbon volumes listed below, the series has been reissued four times. The first reissue as 15 bunkoban volumes in 1996 is called the “Deluxe Version”. The bunkobon edition was reissued in 2001 with additional color images as the “Library Version”. The series was rereleased in 2003 in 19 volumes with Setteis from the anime adaptation, and called the “Remix Version”. The fourth reissue, in 22 volumes and called the “Complete Version”, contains additional colored pages as well as colored armor schematics. In addition, the “Remix Version” was republished at the end of 2007 to coincide with the broadcast of Chapter Elysion of the anime.

Prequels

Main articles: Saint Seiya: Next Dimension, Saint Seiya Episode.G, and Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas

During 2002, a new manga called Saint Seiya Episode.G started being serialized. The story is situated 7 years before the events at the beginning of the original Saint Seiya Manga, and 6 years after the death of the Gold SaintSagittarius Aiolos, making Leo Aiolia the main character. During the series, Titans are brought back to life with the mission of recovering their realm, and the Gold Saints are assigned to stop them to protect the humans. This new manga series is written and drawn by Megumu Okada, under the authorization of Masami Kurumada. The individual chapters are published in Akita Shoten‘s Champion RED, with fourteen volumes being currently released.

Also, during 2006, two new manga series started being published. These two manga tell the story of the previous Holy War that took place in the 18th century, 250 years before the original series in the Saint Seiya universe. The story centers on the relations between Tenma, the Pegasus Saint and his beloved friend, Alone, who would eventually become his greatest enemy, Hades. Both manga series are published in Akita Shoten’s Shōnen Championmagazine. The first one, named Saint Seiya: Next Dimension, is drawn and written by Masami Kurumada but at irregular dates.^[7] The second one, Saint Seiya: The Lost Canvas, is written and drawn by Shiori Teshirogi, under the authorization of Masami Kurumada.

Anime

See also: List of Saint Seiya episodes

The anime is based on the manga series of the same title (above). The animation series by Toei Animation first premiered on Japan‘s TV Asahi on October 11, 1986. The first anime series was produced by Toei Animation from 1986 to 1989. It was directed first by Kōzō Morishita (episodes 1 to 73) and then by Kazuhito Kikuchi (episodes 74 to 114). The character designers were Shingo Araki and Michi Himeno, and Seiji Yokoyama composed the soundtracks. The chief scriptwriters were Takao Koyama and Yoshiyuki Suga. The series has three main parts: Sanctuary(episodes 1 to 73), Asgard (74 to 99), and Poseidon (100 to 114). In the United States, the series premiered inCartoon Network on August 30, 2003 but only the first thirty-two episodes aired. The other ones were released in DVD and VHS.

Novel

On November 9, 1988, Shōnen Jump released a Jump Gold Selection Anime Special 2, written by Takao Koyama, with illustrations by the series’ Animation Character Designers Shingo Araki & Michi Himeno. This special is just a detailed flashback to Gemini Saga‘s assassination attempt on the newborn Athena.

There is also a series of two novels written by Kurumada and Tatsuya Hamazaki with the name of Saint Seiya – Gigantomachia, which were published by Jump J Books. The first novel was released in Japan on August 23, 2002, while the second was released on December 16, 2002.

OVAs

These are a series of OVAs that cover the last arc of the manga, which was not previously adapted into anime. The first 13 episodes were broadcasted on Animax (a Japanese pay-per-view channel) from November 2002 to April 2003, and then released on DVD during the year 2003. These 13 episodes were named Hades — Chapter Sanctuary (Meiō Hades Jūni-Kyū Hen). This OVA series was directed by Shigeyasu Yamauchi, still with character designs by Shingo Araki and Michi Himeno, while the scripts were adapted from the manga this time by Michiko Yokote, and the soundtrack was entirely taken from Yokoyama’s work on the previous TV series.

Two years after the first part of the Hades saga, Chapter Sanctuary, a second part was produced in 2005. This second chapter was named Hades — Chapter Inferno Part 1 (Meiō Hades Meikai Hen Zenshō) and consists of six episodes. However, most of the original seiyū did not reprise their roles. Hideyuki Tanaka, however, reprises his role as the narrator. Hirotaka Suzuoki, the original voice actor of Dragon Shiryu, passed away on August 6, 2006 due to lung cancer.

On the same Animax channel, Toei Animation released the first two OVAs on December 17, 2005, followed by the next two on January 21, 2006. The last pair were released on February 18, 2006. Shortly after their TV broadcasting, which lasted for 2 months, the episodes were released on DVD in 2006. This short OVA series was directed by Tomoharu Katsumata, but the other staff remained the same. Toei Animation officially announced the news on its website on July 18, 2006. Then, Hades — Chapter Inferno Part 2, which contains 6 episodes in total, was released.

As of June 28, Masami Kurumada announced on his personal blog that production on the Elysion chapter has begun. It was thought that the release was to be in mid-December 2007, as of the last two years with the performance of the two Inferno chapters (Zensho and Kosho), but no preview or released images were available as of the end of October. In November 2007, Toei Animation announced that the official release of the Elysion Chapter would be in March 2008 and not December 2007 as originally planned The Elysion OVAs were released in March (episodes #26 and #27), May (#28 and #29), and August (#30 and #31).

Movies

A fifth movie came out in Japanese theaters in 2004, Heaven Chapter — Overture (Tenkai-hen Josō), which is supposed to follow the regular chronology right after the end of the manga (which finished being adapted on August 1, 2008) as a prologue to a new chapter. Toei Animation first announced that this new chapter would be a new animated series, but later Kurumada stated that he wanted the movie to be part of a trilogy. Tōru Furuya revealed Kurumada’s wishes for the series during a press conference. After Pegasus Seiya eventually defeats Zeus, he is to go on and face Chronos, the titan of Time. Toru was not allowed to say anything more.

Musical

In August 1991, a musical, sponsored by Bandai, was performed at the Aoyama theater in Tokyo, Japan. The story retells the Sanctuary and Poseidon chapters. The cast included members of SMAP as the 5 bronze saints and Poseidon. Mu, Aiolia, and Milo were portrayed by members of another band,Tokio.

Video games

Several video games have been released based on the series. For the Famicom, two role-playing games named Saint Seiya: Ōgon Densetsu and Saint Seiya: Ōgon Densetsu Kanketsu-Hen, were released in 1987 and 1988, respectively.^[21][22] In 2003, Bandai released another role-playing game game called Saint Seiya: Ōgon Densetsu-Hen Perfect Edition for the WonderSwan Color, adapting the first 73 episodes.^] In 2005, Bandai released the Saint Seiya: Chapter-Sanctuary for the Playstation 2. It is a 3D Fighting game that adapts the same episodes as the previous game. A sequel for this game was released in 2006 with the name of Saint Seiya: The Hades adaptating the original video animations series. Unlike previous games, this game was released outside Japan, being released first in Europe in 2006 and later in Japan and Australia.

A new game called Saint Seiya Online will be released in August 2009 from SEGA Japan, and will feature orchestral music composed by Masamichi Amano and performed by the Angel City Studio Orchestra. Recording took place at the Eastwood Scoring Stage at Warner Brothers Studios. 

 Games featuring characters from Saint Seiya:

        Famicom Jump: Eiyū Retsuden (Famicom, 1989)

        Pop’n Music Animation Melody (Arcade, Playstation, Game Boy Color, 2000)

       Pop’n Music Animelo 2 (Arcade, 2001)

        Jump! Ultimate Stars (Nintendo DS, 2006)

        Saint Seiya Typing Ryu Sei Ken (PC, 2003)

Other

In the mid-1980s a line of Saint Seiya action figures were produced by Bandai, featuring most of the series characters. The toy line was a huge success inside of Japan, but also in other countries such as Hong-Kong, France, Spain, Brazil and Mexico. The figures have now acquired collector status and the Japanese originals are highly sought after. Some, like Odin’s God Cloth or Kraken Isaac, have a very high value.

In 2003, Bandai created a new line of figures called Cloth Myth. Originally, only the 5 V2 main bronze Saints would be made, in commemoration of the Hades Saga being animated, but sold so well that they decided to continue the line and it continues to sell very well internationally. As of August 2008, there are over 60 figures available, and Bandai continues to release new figures regularly. The line seems to be nowhere near it’s end.

The U.S. Knights of the Zodiaclogo

The original manga series of twenty-eight volumes have sold over 25 million copies in Japan as of 2007. When TV Asahi, a television network in Japan, conducted a nation-wide survey for the one hundred most popular animated television series,Saint Seiya anime came in twenty-fifth place. Animage also ranked the anime series within “Top 100″ anime productions.

It is considered one of the biggest anime phenomenons of the 1980s. It would become the inspiration for future series, including Kurumada’s later work B’t X, Gulkeeva, and Gundam Wing.  In The Anime Encyclopedia: A Guide to Japanese Animation Since 1917, Jonathan Clements and Helen McCarthy praises the series’ complex plot and felt that designers’ Shingo Arakai and Michi Himeno had worked “magic” with both the series and the movies. They also praised the grand soundtrack and Director Shigenori Yamauchi’s ability to stretch out the tension and chose the perfect places to stop an episode to keep audiences waiting for the next one. Clements and McCarthy did, however, find the series disturbing in that its main emotional impact comes from the audience seeing “older boys and men fighting brave by neive teenagers” and through victories earning more weapons.

Yaoi dōjinshi based on Saint Seiya popularized the term “yaoi” in 1987. Tite Kubo, the author of the manga series Bleach, considers Saint Seiya to be one of his biggest inspirations for the designs of the different types of weapons that his characters use in the story as well as the battle scenes. In Volume 9 of Gin Tama, Hideaki Soreachi notes it as one of the manga he read as a child, and even spoofs one of the battle stances in that same book.

Macross

The cover to the Macross Memorial DVD Box Set which shows several characters from the first animated series.

Macross (マクロス Makurosu^?) is a long-running series of science fiction Mecha anime, created by Kawamori Shoji ofStudio Nue in 1982. The franchise features a fictional History of Earth/Humanity after the year 1999. The franchise title features three TV series, three movies, six OVAs, and two manga series.

Within the series, the term Macross is used to denote the main capital ship. This theme began in the original Macross, the SDF-1 Macross.

Overtechnology refers to the scientific advances discovered in an alien starship (Alien Star Ship – One later renamedSuper Dimension Fortress – One Macross) that crashed on South Ataria island. With this technology, Earth was able to reverse engineer the technology to create mechas (variable fighters and destroids), a faster-than-light drive Space Fold for starships and other advanced tech, which shows up throughout the series.

                                                             Macross Zero VF-0A Valkyrie

The series title comes from the name of the main human spacecraft (which is usually shortened from Super Dimension Fortress to SDF-1 Macross as it is version 1.0). The original name for the Macross project was Battle City Megaload (or Battle City Megaroad, as the Japanese transliteration to either “L” or “R” gives the title a double meaning in reference to the story line: Megaload, referring to the spacecraft containing an entire city of people; and Megaroad, referring to the long journey through space back to Earth), however one of the sponsors of the project, Big West, was a fan of Shakespeare and wanted the series and the spacecraft to be namedMacbeth (マクベス Makubesu^?). A compromise was made with the title Macross (マクロス Makurosu^?) due to its similar pronunciation to Macbeth in Japanese and because it still contained connotations to the original title. The word Macross comes from a wordplay combination of the prefix “macro” in reference to its massive size (though when compared with the alien ships in the series, it is only a relatively small gun destroyer) and the distance they must cross.

                                                                 Macross VF-1A Kakizaki 

The following are themes commonly seen and established among the various series in the Macross franchise.

U.N. Spacy

The U.N. Spacy is a fictional military arm of the Earth U.N. Government (地球統合政府 Chikyū Tōgō Seifu^?). It was established by the successor to the modern United Nations in order to defend Earth from a possible attack by hostile aliens, and was involved in Space War I against an extraterrestrial race called the Zentradi. Later operations of the U.N. Spacy expanded into interstellar colonization and general peacekeeping of off-world Earth settlements.

The term “Spacy” is an extrapolation of the terms Army and Navy - though some Japanese sources also use the term Space Army and some English-language sources use the term Space Navy, suggesting that the term is a contraction.

                                    Transforming Macross Zero VF-0S With QF-2200-DB Ghost Booster

Variable Fighters

A variable fighter is one of a series of transformable aerospace fighters, primarily designed by Studio Nue’s Shoji Kawamori and Kazutaka Miyatake. They are generally able to transform into jet/space fighters, a humanoid robot and a hybrid of the two mode, better known as Gerwalk. These crafts are referred to in the original series by the model name “Valkyrie”.

Music

Music plays an integral part in almost every Macross title, having significances in the way a series’ antagonists behave towards it. Music idols also play a central role to various Macross stories. Often, the protagonist will be forced into a love triangle with a series’ music idol; the most notable of them all is Lynn Minmay.

Space Fold

Faster-than-light travel in the Macross franchise is achieved via space-folding. This capability was introduced when the SDF-1 crash-landed on Earth. It has since been officially described as a type of space warp (or what is called super-light-velocity spatial displacement) navigation, allowing ultra-long distance travel nearly instantaneously. Simply put, a space-fold transports a spacecraft in a very short amount of time, by first swapping the location of the spacecraft with super dimensionspace or subspace, and then swapping the Super Dimension space with the space at the destination.

According to U.N. Spacy First Lieutenant Hayase Misa during Space War I (2009-2010), an hour passes in super dimension space as approximately ten days passes in normal space. The latest Macross T.V. series Macross Frontier further expands on that concept by introducing fold faults or dislocations which further slow down fold travel and interfere with fold communications.

The act of entering Super Dimension space is called “fold in”. When arriving at the destination, the act of leaving Super Dimension space is called a “defold” or a “fold out”.

YF-19 Valkyrie

Several sequel series and one prequel have followed, with most using a chronology created by the Studio Nue creators, the rest followed their own storylines regarded as “parallel storyline” by the studio. The main Macross production consists of (in chronological release order):

A feature film, subtitled Do You Remember Love? (愛・おぼえていますか Ai Oboete Imasu ka), was released in 1984, with a condensed version of the storyline and cutting-edge animation. This movie was later described as a “historical drama” movie within the Macross universe (similar to, for example, Braveheart in the real world). In Macross Plus and Macross 7, it is revealed that there was a movie produced after Space War I (the original Earth-Zentradi conflict). (A shortened, English-dubbed version of the feature was also released to video as Clash of the Bionoids, though this is largely lambasted).

Macross II, the only animated project without Studio Nue’s direct involvement, was declared a parallel-world story by Studio Nue.

In March 2007, Studio Victor placed a casting call for a voice actress to play the heroine, Ranka Lee  , in a then untitled new Macross series. 18 year old Nakajima Megumi was selected in the nationwide singing and acting audition for the role of Ranka Lee in Japan. The project was given the tentative title of Macross 25. Later, as part of the 25th anniversary concert, a trailer was shown that revealed the new tentative title of Macross F (Frontier). During the concert, Kawamori Shoji mentioned that the timeframe of Macross Frontier was about 2070 A.D. Kawamori also announced that Yoko Kanno would be the music co-composer of the new Macross series. According to Newtype Magazine, this new series were supposed to take place in a school. The pilot episode aired in December 23, 2007. The new series were finally set in the year 2059 A.D. and took place in a new Macross Colony Fleet called “Macross Frontier”. The new show was produced by Satelight and its episodes began their regular broadcast on April 04, 2008 in MBS channel of Japan. The final episode aired on September 25, 2008, what brought the series to a total of 25 episodes. AMacross Frontier Movie Edition was announced just after the ending of the new T.V. animated series.

Macross video games are based on its universe, sometimes expanding it with original characters and sidestories, latest games often include newly created anime footage. All of them were released in Japan only probably because of the Macross / Robotech license issue. These include:

§                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: A 2D sidescrolling shooter game released in 1985 for the Nintendo Famicom by Namco and Bandai. The main objectives of the lone Valkyrie are to destroy the Zentradi forces, penetrate the Zentradi mothership, and destroy it. A simplified midi rendition of the song “Shao Pai Long” plays in the background throughout gameplay.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross 2036 - A 2D sidescrolling shooter released in April 1992 for the NEC PC Engine Super CD-ROM² that occurs in the universe of The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II: Lovers, Again OVA. The game takes place 26 years after the end of Space War I, with Komilia Maria Fallyna Jenius as main protagonist.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Eternal Love Song - A turn-based 2D strategy videogame released in December 1992 for the NEC PC Engine Super CD-ROM² that follows the continuity of Macross II and is a sequel to Macross 2036.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Scrambled Valkyrie - A 2D sidescrolling shooter released in 1993 for the Nintendo Super Famicom and based on Do You Remember Love?. The story takes place after the movie, but before the launch of the SDF-2 Megaroad-01.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross: Do You Remember Love? - A 2D shooter created for the Sega Saturn in 1997 to celebrate the 15th anniversary of theMacross franchise, it was co-programmed by Sega and was later ported to the Sony PlayStation in 1999. It is closely based on the movie, with a mix of 2D and 3D action and special effects. It was released with 2 CDs as it contained footage and soundtrack from both the Macross movie and Flash Back 2012. The footage contained also some new scenes including Hikaru and his fellow pilots still on Earth flying on their way to the Macross which made a space fold jump just before the massive Zentradi attack reached them.

§                     Macross: Digital Mission VF-X - The first ever 3D graphics and polygonal game of the franchise made by Bandai Visual for the PlayStation in 1998. It was a best seller and was re-released as a budget priced game.

                     Macross: Digital Mission VF-X2 - The sequel of VF-X is also a 3D shooter based on the VF-X original characters and released on the PlayStation in 1999. Its storyline takes place after Macross 7.

§                     Macross Plus: Game Edition - The third 3D shooter and last Macross game for the PlayStation released in 2000. It is based on the Macross Plus OVA series storyline.

                     Macross M3 - A 3D shooter released on the Dreamcast in 2001. M3 takes place around 2014 A.D., and covers the story of Max, Milia, and their adopted Meltlandidaughter Moaramia, as the three of them continue to serve as Valkyrie pilots.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross VO (Valkyrie Overdrive) - A space combat simulator released in 2001 only in Japan for the Pc. It was compatible with Windows 95, 98 and ME. A year later a Windows XP version was released (The Super Dimension Fortress Macross VOXP). The game was unique in the fact that it enabled players to sortie online using practically each and every mecha, fighter and power armor from the different factions (Zentradi, Meltlandi and U.N. Spacy) that appeared in Macross DYRL. It has become quite popular recently among western players (thanks to translation patches and reference files) with multiple online tournaments being done regularly.

                     The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (“超時空要塞マクロス“) – A full 3D shooter released by Sega-AM2 only for the PlayStation 2 in Japan during 2003. The game features both famous and new characters, as well as a large number of VF (Variable Fighters) from the TV series to Macross Flashback 2012. This game made by one of the most experienced and famous development team (Shenmue series, Virtua Fighter series, Daytona USA series, Virtua Cop series) has been acclaimed by both the media and the gamers as the best Macross game ever released.^{[citation needed][neutrality disputed]} There are two game modes designated by which carrier arm you select. Selecting the Daedalus/Prometheus carrier arms will take you through events based on th TV series which is longer but easier. The second scenario (unlocked after completing the TV scenario) is designated by the ARMD class carrier arms which were used on the refit of the SDF-1 and also in the Do You Remember Love feature film. This scenario is based on the aforementioned movie events and is shorter, but harder when compared to the TV scenario.

                     Macross 7 Ginga no Heart wo Furuwasero!! - A 2D side scrolling shooter released on the Game Boy Color in 2000. In this game you select three of six characters from Macross 7, who are split into “Fire Bomber/Soundforce” (Nekki Basara with his VF-19 Custom Kai-Fire Valkyrie, Mylene Jenius in her VF-11MAXL Custom Valkyrie, and Ray and Veffidas together in their VF-17 Custom)and the regular Macross 7 Military (Gamlin Kizaki in his VF-17 Nightmare, Max Jenius in his Blue VF-22 Sturmvogel and Millia Jenius in her Red VF-22 Sturmvogel). The general layout of the game is that you choose three characters, allowing you to switch between them during gameplay. However depending on which character you finish a level on before a boss battle, the way boss battles are fought differ. Choosing anyone from the regular military will simply mean you just shoot the boss and avoid getting hit. Selecting any member from “Fire Bomber/Soundforce” will turn the boss battle into a rhythm game where the player is to press and/or hold the A and B buttons with the right timing. The final boss battle is fought by Basara by default, regardless of who you selected. Songs for the boss battles include Planet Dance, Dynamite Explosion, Totsugeki Love Heart, New Frontier, Holy Lonely Night, and finally Try Again.

§                     There were three arcade games released by Banpresto during the 90s, all of which were scrolling shooters: The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1992), The Super Dimension Fortress Macross II (1993), and Macross Plus (1996).

                     Macross Ace Frontier - A PlayStation Portable release from Namco Bandai and developed by Artdink, released in October 2008 in Japan.

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Get it Now!

Average customer review: 

Get it Now!

The iPod touch has always been an amazing iPod. And with its groundbreaking technologies–including a Multi-Touch screen, the accelerometer, and 3D graphics–and access to hundreds of games, iPod touch puts an amazing gaming experience in the palm of your hand. It comes in 8 GB, 16 GB, and 32 GB models with new volume controls and a built-in speaker. Play hours of music. Create a Genius Playlist of songs that go great together. Watch a movie. Surf the web. View rich HTML email. Find your location and get directions with Google Maps. Browse YouTube videos. And shop the App Store for games and applications.

Millions of songs, thousands of videos, hundreds of games. Click to enlarge.

Music

Music on iPod touch not only sounds amazing, it looks amazing, too.Touch Your Music
Remember what it felt like to flip through your CD or record collection? Cover Flow brings that feeling back. Just turn iPod touch on its side and flick through your music to find the album you want to hear. Tap the cover to flip it over and display a track list. Tap again to start the music. Even view the lyrics while you’re listening.

A Musical Genius
Say you’re listening to a song you really like and want to hear other tracks that go great with it. The new Genius feature finds the songs in your library that go great together and makes a Genius Playlist for you. You can listen to the playlist right away, save it for later, or even refresh it and give it another go. Count on Genius to create a mix you wouldn’t have thought of yourself.

Fill It Up
Fill up your iPod touch with audio and video from your iTunes library. All you have to do is choose the playlists, videos, and other content you want to sync, and iTunes does the rest. 

The iPod touch feels even better in your hand, thanks to the stunningly thin, contoured enclosure made of polished stainless steel.

Just turn iPod touch on its side and flick through your music to find the album you want to hear. Click to enlarge.

Carry hours of video with you, and watch it on a crisp, clear 3.5-inch widescreen color display.

Movies and TV Shows

Movies and TV shows have never looked this good on a portable device.Everything’s a Must-see
Carry hours of video with you, and watch it on a crisp, clear 3.5-inch widescreen color display. Need ideas? From Hollywood blockbusters to independent favorites, there’s something for everyone at the iTunes Store. Download and watch movies with a few clicks. Prefer TV shows? Buy a single episode or an entire season’s worth all at once.

In Control
While watching your video, tap the display to bring up the onscreen controls. You can play/pause, view by chapter, and adjust the volume. You also can use the new volume controls on the left side of iPod touch. Want to switch between widescreen and full screen? Simply tap the display twice.

Sync and Go
Need some entertainment for your next flight or road trip? With iTunes on your Mac or PC, you can sit at your computer and choose the movies and TV shows you want to sync to your iPod touch. 

Games

With its groundbreaking technologies, iPod touch puts an amazing gaming experience in the palm of your hand.Get in the Game
Developers all over the world are creating exciting games unlike anything you’ve ever seen on an iPod or mobile device. Many games come alive with stunning 3D graphics and immerse you in the action with the advanced technologies in iPod touch. There’s even a built-in speaker, so you can hear all the action.

Fingertip Control
Many games for iPod touch use Multi-Touch to give you precise, fingertip control over game elements. Use your finger to drag your pieces around the board in chess or dice games. Or pinch to enlarge or shrink your view, rotate your character left or right, or just tap to make a selection.

Tilt, Turn, and Go
The built-in accelerometer actually responds to your movements, so you can tilt and turn your iPod touch to control the action. It’s perfect for racing games–where your entire iPod touch acts as a steering wheel–and for tap-and-tilt games like Super Monkey Ball, in which your character rolls to your movements.

The App Store
Even if games aren’t your thing, there’s an iPod touch application for you. Thousands of applications in almost every category–entertainment, social networking, sports, photography, reference, and travel–are a tap away at the App Store. 

Developers all over the world are creating exciting games unlike anything you’ve ever seen on an iPod or mobile device. Click to enlarge.

The built-in wireless capability in iPod touch gives you access to the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, where you can choose from millions of songs with a tap.

iPod touch features Safari, the most advanced web browser ever on a portable device.

iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store

Discover new music anywhere.Buy on the Fly
The built-in wireless capability in iPod touch gives you access to the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, where you can choose from millions of songs with a tap. Browse New Releases, What’s Hot, and Genres. Take a look at Top Songs and Top Albums. Or find exactly what you’re looking for with a quick search. Play a 30-second preview of any song, then tap once to buy it. Your music starts downloading instantly, and you can keep tabs on its progress by tapping the Downloads button.

Sync it Back
When you connect iPod touch to your computer, the music you bought on-the-go syncs to your iTunes library. If you’ve partially downloaded a song to iPod touch, your computer completes the download automatically.

iPod touch at Starbucks
If you have an iPod touch, an iPhone, or a computer with the latest version of iTunes, you get free Wi-Fi access to the iTunes Store and to Starbucks’ Now Playing content. Stroll into a participating Starbucks, and you’re connected automatically. 

Home Screen

Get instant access to whatever you need on your iPod touch.Customize Your Home Screen
Arrange the icons on your Home screen any way you want. Even move them to another Home screen. Create up to nine Home screens for quick access to the games and applications you download from the App Store and to your Safari Web Clips.

Go Home
No matter where you are on iPod touch, you can press the Home button to return to the Home screen. You can go back to what you were doing at any time.

Add Apps, Web Clips, and More
Whenever you download an application from the App Store, a new icon appears on your Home screen. And if you check the same websites every day, just create Web Clips and you can access the sites directly from your Home screen with a single tap. Not happy with how they’re organized? Reorder them any way you want by dragging them around the screen. 

Safari

iPod touch features Safari, the most advanced web browser ever on a portable device.Browse Anywhere
The iPod touch is the only iPod with 802.11b/g wireless access to the web. Whenever you’re connected via Wi-Fi, you can access your favorite websites to read news, check scores, pay bills, and go shopping.

Search and Find
iPod touch syncs your bookmarks from your PC or Mac, so you can access favorite sites quickly. It has Google and Yahoo! search built in, so it’s easy to find what you’re looking for on the web.

Zoom with a View
Get a closer look at any web page by zooming in and out with a tap or a pinch of the Multi-Touch display. View websites in portrait or landscape. Rotate iPod touch 90 degrees and the website rotates, too.

Clip it.
If you check a website frequently–a favorite newspaper, blog, or sports site–why not create a Home screen icon for it? Make Web Clips with Safari, and your favorite sites are always just a tap away. 

Email on iPod touch looks and works just like email on your computer.

When you’re connected via Wi-Fi, you can get directions, find local businesses, and check traffic with Maps.

Mail

Email on iPod touch looks and works just like email on your computer.See it All
iPod touch supports rich HTML email, so images and photos appear alongside text. And you see email attachments in their original formats, not stripped-down versions. Rotate, zoom, and pan in more than a dozen standard file and image formats, including PDF; Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; and iWork.

Access it All
Access your email from popular providers–including MobileMe, Microsoft Exchange, Yahoo! Mail, Google Gmail, and AOL–and most industry-standard IMAP and POP mail systems.

Send Fast
iPod touch recognizes email addresses in different applications. If you run across an email address on a web page or a map listing, for example, just tap it; iPod touch opens a new message and addresses it for you.

Type Smart
With its built-in dictionary, the intelligent iPod touch keyboard predicts and suggests words as you type, making it fast and easy to write email. 

Maps

When you’re connected via Wi-Fi, you can get directions, find local businesses, and check traffic.Find Yourself
iPod touch finds your location using known Wi-Fi hotspots. It also finds points of interest by keyword: Search for “coffee” and iPod touch shows you every cafe nearby.

Get Directions
Just type in an address and get directions from wherever you are. View a list of turn-by-turn directions, or see a highlighted map route. You also can mark specific locations and find the best route between them.

Enjoy the View
Just like Google Maps on your computer, Maps on iPod touch lets you switch between views of Google map data, satellite images, and a hybrid of both. Multi-Touch makes the difference. Tap to zoom, pan, and change your view on the move.

See Traffic
Maps on iPod touch shows you live traffic information, indicating traffic speed along your route in easy-to-read green, red, and yellow highlights. 

Love to watch the latest YouTube videos? iPod touch gives you all the fun of the web’s best videos–pocket-size.

iPod touch uses iTunes to sync photos you have in iPhoto on a Mac or Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Photoshop Album on a PC.

Keep your schedule at your fingertips with iPod touch.

Build your contacts list on your Mac with Address Book or on your PC with Microsoft Outlook, then sync everything to your iPod touch using iTunes.

YouTube

Love to watch the latest YouTube videos? iPod touch gives you all the fun of the web’s best videos–pocket-size.Share from Anywhere
Email your favorite videos to your favorite people. Tap “Share” on any YouTube video detail page, and iPod touch creates an email with the video link already in it.

Watch What You Want
Explore Featured, Most Viewed, Most Recent, and Top Rated videos. Or search for the video you want with a keyword search. Once you find what you’re looking for, bookmark it to watch later. 

Photos

Carry up to 25,000 of your favorite photos everywhere.Share Photos
Show thousands of photos from the palm of your hand. Flick to scroll through thumbnails. Tap to view full screen. Rotate to see a photo in landscape. Pinch to zoom in or out. Play slideshows, complete with music and transitions. Email a photo to a friend, set it as your wallpaper, or share it in a MobileMe Gallery.

Save Photos
If you receive a great image in an email, save it to your photo library on iPod touch. Once there, it acts just like any other photo. You can set it as your wallpaper, share it on the web, or pass it on.

Sync Photos
iPod touch uses iTunes to sync photos you have in iPhoto on a Mac or Adobe Photoshop Elements and Adobe Photoshop Album on a PC. Just choose which photos or albums to sync to your iPod touch, then you can look at them–and share them–anywhere you go. 

Calendar

With iPod touch, it’s easy to make plans and stay on schedule.Add Events
Keep your schedule at your fingertips with iPod touch. Add events to your calendar. Set a custom alert. Write a note or two. Manage multiple color-coded calendars. And do it all with just a few taps.

Stay in Sync
Connect iPod touch to your computer, and the events that you’ve created on-the-go automatically sync to Microsoft Outlook on a PC or iCal on a Mac. And all the events you’ve added on your computer sync to iPod touch.

Three Ways to View
iPod touch gives you three ways to view your calendars. List view shows you all your appointments in the coming days as a comprehensive list, which you can scroll up and down. Day view displays one day’s worth of appointments visually. And Month view offers an at-a-glance look at an entire month. 

Contacts

Put names, email addresses, phone numbers, and more at your fingertips.Make Contact
Build your contacts list on your Mac with Address Book or on your PC with Microsoft Outlook, then sync everything to your iPod touch using iTunes. You also can add contact information directly to your iPod touch from maps, web pages, and email. Next time you sync, your computer is updated, too.

Search Contacts
If you have a lot of contacts, a quick search shows you a list of matching names. Or you can scroll up and down your entire list to find the right contact. Want to send them an email? Just tap an email address and the Mail application opens automatically.

Organized by Groups
If you keep your contacts organized into groups–such as co-workers, friends, family, and so on–iPod touch will, too. And iPod touch can hold more than just names, email addresses, and phone numbers. You also can track birthdays, websites, nicknames, and notes. 

Stocks, Weather, and Notes

Stay on top of it all.Check Stocks
Stocks on iPod touch shows you performance information for any stock you choose. When you want more details about a stock’s performance, tap the Y! for instant access to Yahoo! Finance.

Get Weather
Check worldwide weather at home or away. Add the cities you want, then flick back and forth to get six-day forecasts for each. Tap the Y! to open a Yahoo! city guide that shows you what’s happening, rain or shine.

Take Notes
Forget the pen and paper. Use Notes on iPod touch to write yourself a quick note and keep important information on hand. There’s even a built-in email function that lets you send notes to yourself or others. 

Calculator

Calculator on iPod touch helps you settle the restaurant bill or keep track of your budget.Calculate Simply
When you tap the Calculator icon, iPod touch shows you a simple application with addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, and memory functions. Use it just as you would a pocket calculator.

Calculate Scientifically
Your simple calculator doubles as a sophisticated scientific calculator. Just rotate it to landscape to access dozens of functions for solving complex science and math problems. 

iPod touch now includes built-in Nike + iPod support.

Nike + iPod

Tune Your Run
iPod touch now includes built-in Nike + iPod support. Just slip the Nike + iPod Sensor (available separately) into your Nike+ shoe and start your run. The sensor communicates wirelessly with your iPod touch, tracking your time, distance, and calories burned. It even gives you voice feedback on your progress.

Tune Your Cardio Workout
This feature also works with new cardio equipment available in many fitness centers. Just look for treadmills, ellipticals, stair steppers, and stationary bikes that are Nike + iPod compatible.

Sync with Nikeplus.com
When you get back to your computer, sync your iPod touch via iTunes and transfer your exercise data to nikeplus.com, where you can track your workouts, set goals, and challenge friends. 

Multi-Touch

iPod touch features the same revolutionary interface as iPhone.Glide, Flick, Pinch
Built to take full advantage of the large 3.5-inch display, the Multi-Touch touchscreen interface lets you control everything using only your fingers. So you can glide through albums with Cover Flow, flick through photos and enlarge them with a pinch, zoom in and out on a section of a web page, and control game elements precisely.

How it Works
The Multi-Touch display layers a protective shield over a capacitive panel that senses your touch using electrical fields. It then transmits that information to the LCD screen below it. iPod touch software enables the flick, tap, and pinch.

Type with the Touchscreen Keyboard
iPod touch features an intelligent touchscreen keyboard perfect for browsing the web in Safari, getting directions on a map, searching for videos on YouTube, finding music on the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store, or adding new contacts. It analyzes keystrokes to suggest words as you type and correct spelling errors automatically. And because it’s software based, it changes its keys to support typing in multiple languages. 

iPod touch locates nearby wireless hotspots, including protected networks.

Accelerometer

iPod touch responds to motion using a built-in accelerometer.Responds to Movement
iPod touch detects when you rotate it from portrait to landscape, then automatically changes the contents of the display. So you immediately see the entire width of a web page, view a photo in its proper aspect ratio, or control a game using only your movements.

How it Works
The accelerometer inside iPod touch uses three elements: a silicon mass, a set of silicon springs, and an electrical current. The silicon springs measure the position of the silicon mass using the electrical current. Rotating iPod touch causes a fluctuation in the electrical current passing through the silicon springs. The accelerometer registers these fluctuations and tells iPod touch to adjust the display accordingly.

Perfect for Gaming
Accelerometer technology really shines when you play games because it immerses you in the action. It’s perfect for racing games–where your entire iPod touch acts as a steering wheel–and for tap-and-tilt games like Super Monkey Ball, in which your character responds to your every movement. 

Wireless

Connect iPod touch to the Internet anywhere there’s a wireless network.Connect Automatically
iPod touch locates nearby wireless hotspots, including protected networks. If you’ve never used a particular network, it asks you to enter a password the first time, and it remembers the password from then on. So the next time you’re within range, it connects automatically.

Surf’s Up
Now you can send email from a coffee shop. Surf the web at the airport. Shop for games from your couch. Browse, buy, and download music from the iTunes Wi-Fi Music Store at select Starbucks locations or other wireless hotspots in your area.

What’s in the Box
iPod touch 8 GB, earphones, USB 2.0 cable, dock adapter, polishing cloth, quick start guide

Ultraman (ウルトラマン Urutoraman^?) is a fictional character featured in tokusatsu, or “special effects” television programs in Japan. Ultraman made his debut in the tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, Ultra Q: Ultraman: Special Effects Fantasy Series, a follow-up to the television series Ultra Q. The show was produced by Tokyo Broadcasting System and Tsuburaya Productions, and was broadcast onTokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) from July 17, 1966 to April 9, 1967, with a total of 39 episodes (40, counting the pre-premiere special that aired on July 10, 1966).

Although Ultraman is the first series to feature an Ultra-being, this is actually the second Ultra Series. Ultra Q was the first. A major pop culture phenomenon in Japan, the show has spawned dozens of imitators as well as numerous sequels and remakes, which continue to be popular today.

To distinguish him from subsequent Ultra Warriors, Ultraman is referred to as the original Ultraman (初代ウルトラマン Shodai Urutoraman^?), the first Ultraman, Ultraman Hayata (a reference to his host’s surname) or as simply Man.

Series background

Ultraman’s creator was Eiji Tsuburaya from Tsuburaya Productions, a pioneer in special effects who was responsible for bringing Godzilla to life in 1954. The show’s predecessor was a series called Ultra Q, a black-and-white 28-episode series very much like today’s The X-Files or The Twilight Zone. When Ultra Q was finished, plans were underway for a series that would be even better.

The project had the following working titles/plots:

• WoO (ＷｏＯ Wū^?)
  This story had a corporeal space creature with eyes, who befriended a reporter named Jôji Akita, but the Self Defense Forces, who perceive him as a threat, were after him. This was basically the monster version of the British science fiction series Doctor Who (1963), and Woo’s personality was comical.
  • NOTE: Tsuburaya Productions produced a new series, Bio Planet WoO, which made its TV series debut in January 2006. It is very loosely based on the above concept.
  

• Bemular (ベムラー Bemurā^?), then retitled Scientific Special Search Party: Bemular (科学特捜隊ベムラー Kagaku Tokusō Tai – Bemurā^?)
  The main characters are a defense force (with the same Japanese name as the Science Patrol) disguised as an art/photography team. One of the members, little did anyone (even his teammates) know, gained the ability to transform into a giant birdlike humanoid monster called Bemular (this is not the same Bemular that Ultraman would fight in Episode # 1 of the actual series), who defends Earth from monsters, aliens and other threats. Unlike Woo, Bemular was a tough and righteous fighter (and looked very similar in design to the title monster of the 1967 kaiju film Gappa, the Triphibian Monster). Allegedly the plot was scrapped when it was worried audiences might have trouble telling that one monster was good and the other evil.

• Redman (レッドマン Reddoman^?)
  The title hero of this project slightly resembled Ultraman as we know him, but he looked more demonic and had horns. He came to Earth after his planet was destroyed by aliens fromPlanet X. (Needless to say, Ultra Seven shared this working title as well.)

Both Bemular and Redman were designed by Toru Narita, who came up with the final design for Ultraman based on his Redman design, now resembling a less-scary Buck Rogers-style alien being (with a bit of the iconic “Roswell Alien” as well). The characteristic “Color Timer” (the “warning light” on his chest) was added at the eleventh hour.

The premise of the first series begins when Science Patrol (Kagaku Tokusou Tai) member Shin Hayata was flying his plane and a red sphere of light crashes into his Mini-VTOL. The sphere turns out to be the transport (Travel Sphere) for a red-and-silver giant being called Ultraman, and feeling remorse for killing the human, he merges his essence with Hayata to revive him. In return, Hayata serves as the human form for this being, and when danger threatens, he raises the Beta Capsule and transforms to Ultraman to save the day.

Monsters and heroes

One outstanding feature of the Ultraman series was the use of various monster costumes, known as kaiju in Japan. Often wildly imaginative, this feature would influence other series such asGatchaman and Super Sentai series like Himitsu Sentai Goranger. The principals were played by famous stunt actor Haruo Nakajima, who played the original Godzilla. His apprentice, Bin Furuya, started out as Ultraman. Nakajima had a martial arts background and used it to create a sense of drama in order to be dramatically effective in costumes that had little potential to show emotion. For the first episodes, and this is clearly evident in the action sequences, simple wrestling was used. However, in later episodes sequences gradually evolved into more complex fighting that would later be reflected in anime productions (dramatic windups, extravagant gestures prior to unleashing an energy attack, bellicose roars and threat displays, etc.).

Often costumes of famous monsters like Godzilla would be recycled and altered, sometimes with nothing more than spray paint and often while the actor was still inside. Nakajima quipped once that the staggering gait of some of the monsters he portrayed was due less to his acting than to the fumes he had to endure. Some of the costumes could not be shown fully as his feet would be exposed, a necessary allowance to maintain balance in the often cumbersome outfits. Also, the expense of repairing the scale cities and landscapes used for battle scenes required economy of movement and meticulous planning.

The story

The storyline begins in the near future, as referenced from the mid-1960s. In episode 22, “My Home Is Earth”, it is definitively established that the series takes place in the early 1990s, as a plaque shown at the end of the episode displays the current year as being 1993. Sinister aliens and giant monsters constantly threaten civilization during this period. The only Earth organization equipped to handle these disasters is the Science Special Search Party (SSSP), a special police force with branches all over the world, and equipped with high-tech weapons and vehicles, as well as extensive scientific and engineering facilities. The branch of the Science Patrol that is focused on in the series is located in Tokyo, Japan. Led by Captain “Cap” Muramatsu (shortened to “Captain Mura” in the dubbed English-language version), the Science Patrol is always ready to protect the Earth from rampaging monsters, but sometimes finds itself overmatched. When the situation becomes desperate, Hayata, the Patrol’s most capable member, holds the key to salvation in the form of a power-object called a “Beta Capsule”, which, when ignited, allows him to transform secretly into the amazing, super-humanoid-powered giant from space—Ultraman.

While active as Ultraman, Hayata’s human body goes into a type of deep coma, reviving only after the threat has been neutralized and Ultraman willingly departs. Victory is never assured, however, as Ultraman’s powers—his very life force—comes from rapidly depleted, stored solar energy. At the beginning of each transformation from Hayata-to-Ultraman, the warning light on the giant’s chest begins as a steady blue color. Yet as Ultraman exerts himself, the Color Timer changes to red, then blinks—slowly at first, then with increasing rapidity—as his energy reserves get closer to exhaustion. As the voice-over narration reminds the viewer—beginning with episode 2 and for each episode thereafter—if Ultraman ever reaches the point of total energy depletion, he “will never rise again.”

Per the DVD set from BCI Eclipse (in episode 39, “Farewell Ultraman”), in the original subtitled version, Ultraman fights an enemy called Zetton, who employs a weapon Ultraman had not expected—one which damages his Color Timer and disables his ability to measure his power supply. As a result, Ultraman stays in his form too long and collapses into a dormant state. Fortunately despite this loss, the Science Patrol’s members were able to defeat Zetton on their own. When Zoffy, Ultraman’s superior, came to retrieve the fallen hero, Ultraman pleads for Hayata’s life and offers his life completely, so that Hayata may live as a normal man. Zoffy then says he brought two lives and that he will give one to Hayata. He then separates them, giving Hayata new life, but Hayata seemed to have no memory between the time he first hit Ultraman’s ship and his standing outside Patrol Headquarters as he watched Zoffy take Ultraman home. This is a rather different finish to the series than the English dub which stated Ultraman would return and that Hayata retained his Beta Capsule as he awaited Ultraman’s return.

Characters

The Science Patrol

• Captain Toshio “Cap” Muramatsu (村松利夫 Muramatsu Toshio Taicho^?): The Science Patrol’s leader. He is known as Captain Mura in the US version.
  • Age: 36 years old
  • Actor: Akiji Kobayashi

• Daisuke Arashi (嵐 大助 Arashi Daisuke^?): The Science Patrol’s rotund tough-guy marksman.
  • Age: 26 years old
  • Actor: Iyoshi Ishii

• Mitsuhiro Ide (井出光浩 Ide Mitsuhiro^?): The Science Patrol’s somewhat comical inventor. Although he sometimes feels that Ultraman’s intervention makes his role useless, his inventions have occasionally been critical in saving the day such as helping the superhero defeat particularly formidable monsters. He is known as Ito in the US version.
  • Age: 24 years old
  • Actor: Masanari Nihei, also known as Masanori Nihei

• Akiko Fuji (藤 明子 Fuji Akiko^?): The Science Patrol’s radio/communications operator, and ostensibly their token female member. However, in most adventures, Fuji proves to be the most level-headed and capable member after Hayata.
  • Age: 24 years old
  • Actor: Hiroko Sakurai

• Isamu Hoshino (星野 勇 Hoshino Isamu^?): A little boy. The Science Patrol’s unofficial mascot, he gets to hang out with the full-fledged members and is even issued a uniform later on. He often gets into trouble, and sometimes Ultraman would have to save him. He is known as Hoshino Fuji in the US version, which describes him as Akiko Fuji’s younger brother.
  • Age:: 11 years old
  • Actor:: Akihide Tsuzawa

• Shin Hayata/Ultraman (早田 進/ウルトラマン Hayata Shin/Urutoraman^?): The Science Patrol’s brave, no-nonsense deputy captain. His life changed irreversibly when Ultraman accidentally crashed into his “Delta VTOL” with his TravelSphere and killed him, destroying both ships. To make amends, Ultraman merges his own lifeforce into that of the Earthman before the brain functions of the latter are irreversibly terminated, thus reviving him. He then gives Hayata the microphone-like device called the Beta Capsule, with which he can transform into Ultraman by depressing a red push-button switch on its side with his thumb to ignite it.
  • Age: 26 years old
  • Actor: Susumu Kurobe; Ultraman himself is played by Bin “Satoshi” Furuya

Supporting characters

• Doctor Iwamoto: A professor from the Scientific Research Center. The Science Patrol’s “monster expert”. He first appears in Episode 5.
  • Age: 40 years old
  • Actor: Akihiko Hirata (Occasional substitutes for Hirata: Played in Episode 33 by Hisaya Ito and Episode 36 by Bin Morizuka)

Ultraman’s statistics

• Home Planet: “The Land Of Light,” Nebula M78
• Height: 40 meters (156 feet)
• Weight: 35,000 tons (Earth gravitation)
• Age: 20,000 Earth years old
• Flight Speed: Mach 5
• Jump Ceiling: 800 meters (2,600 feet)
• Running Speed: 450 kilometers per hour (280 miles per hour)
• Swimming Speed: 200 knots (230 miles per hour)
• Physical Strength: Though never precisely measured in the stories, it is presumed to be enough for him to be able to lift (press) over 100,000 tons. He can lift a 100,000-ton tanker;Skydon was twice as heavy.
• Occupations: Teacher at Space University (Uchū Daigaku^?); Chief of Space Garrison Milky Way Office (宇宙警備隊銀河系局 Uchū Keibitai Gingakei Kyoku^?)
• Family Structure
  • Father: Director of Space Security Board (Uchū Hoan Chō^?)
  • Mother: Teacher at Ultra School (Urutora Gakkō^?)
• Human Form: Shin Hayata (host)
• Transformation Item: Beta Capsule (Bētā Kapuseru^?)