"KIKAIDER: REBOOT" IS COMING TO THE US! Honolulu Theatrical Premiere: October 10th

10月に『キカイダーREBOOT』がアメリカで上陸！


English herald for the North American Premiere in Honolulu.

SCOOP: It's official — this morning I was notified by the CEO of JN Productions/Generation Kikaida, Joanne Ninomiya, that we could finally announce that her Honolulu-based company has finalized their licensing deal with Toei for the recent feature film, KIKAIDER: THE ULTIMATE HUMAN ROBOT (Kikaida Reboot, 2014), a remake of the original 1972 series, directed by Ten Shimozawa. While more details on this will be forthcoming from JNP/GK in September, we are able to announce that the film will receive its North American Premiere in "Titan XC" at the Ward Stadium 16 in Honolulu, October 10th through October 16th.

JN Productions/Generation Kikaida have released several beloved vintage tokusatsu series on DVD in the US (complete with English Subtitles), such as KIKAIDA, KAMEN RIDER V3, KIKAIDA 01, and INAZUMAN.

Stay tuned for more details as they develop! Or check out the Generation Kikaida website!

KIKAIDA KNOWS THE WAY TO SAN JOSE! Actor Daisuke Ban at Big Wow!: May 17 & 18

キカイダー＝伴大介がサンノゼに登場！5月17・18日 !


Beloved KIKAIDA star Daisuke "Jiro" Ban returns to California!

This spring, Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine brings Kikaida to San Jose's Big Wow! Comic Fest on May 17th & 18th! Actor DAISUKE BAN will be joining Godzilla suit actor Kenpachiro Satsuma and Ultraman suit actor Satoshi Furuya at this year's Famous Monsters Pavilion! Mr. Ban, who played the lead role of "Jiro" in Toei's benchmark 1972 superhero series, KIKAIDA: THE ANDROID OF JUSTICE, will be meeting with fans and signing autographs all weekend! Back in 1975, KIKAIDA captured the imaginations of San Francisco Bay Area kids every Sunday night on KEMO-20 (now KOFY-20) — and we never forgot it!


Medicom backing card art for their Toei Retro Sofubi Collection!

Daisuke Ban also played the lead characters in other Henshin Hero television series for Toei Studios, such as INAZUMAN (1973), NINJA CAPTOR (1976), and BATTLE FEVER J (1979). He also had a recurring role in the RING films and is appearing in the upcoming feature film KIKAIDER: REBOOT (2014)! I will be moderating and hosting the presentations of our Japanese guests (to be announced), as well as signing the new paperback edition of my book, "Eiji Tsuburaya: Master of Monsters" (Chronicle Books) at the San Jose Convention Center! Please come down and welcome Mr. Ban back to the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time in over ten years — don't miss this event or it will be the Denji End!

Read more about Mr. Ban's career, here!

Stay tuned for more details on the show, guests, and more by checking out their website: Big Wow! Comics Fest!

JIRO STILL CHANGING AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! The 40th Anniversary of KIKAIDA: July 8, 1972

『人造人間キカイダー』放送開始40周年！


Original poster for the KIKAIDA 3D MOVIE! (1972) ©Toei Co., Ltd.

Riding astride his sidecar superbike, Jiro (Daisuke Ban), a young man clad in blue denim, with a guitar slung across his back, swings his arms and transforms into a red and blue combat android known as Kikaida. The yin-yang patterned android, with exposed circuitry flashing under his glass-domed head, smashes through hordes of monstrous automatons in order to save Mitsuko (Jun Mizunoe) and Masaru (Masahiro Kamiya), the children of the scientist who created him, Dr. Komyoji (Hajime Izu).

Kikaida's mission: to reunite Mitsuko and Masaru with their fugitive father, and bring down the sinister secret group known as the "Dark." This underground organization composed of monster androids, is masterminded by the evil Professor Gill (Mitsuo Ando), who plots to take over the world through subversion and violence. Only Kikaida stands in his way. But, like all legendary heroes, Kikaida has a flaw: an incomplete "Conscience Circuit," which keeps him from being the "perfect android" — a flaw that Professor Gill can exploit...

Conceived by the minds of Toei Creative Producer Tohru Hirayama and cartoonist Shotaro Ishimori, JINZONINGEN KIKAIDA (roughly translating as "Android Kikaider") debuted on the Nippon Educational Television network on July 8, 1972. This colorful, exciting and outlandish superhero series was produced by Toei Television Productions on the heels of the ratings successes of KAMEN RIDER (1971), SUPERHUMAN BAROM-1 (1972) and HENSHIN NINJA ARASHI (1972), during the "Henshin Boom" on Japanese television in the early 1970s — which spawned over 60 primetime superhero shows in less than a decade. Out of this wild cacophony, KIKAIDA still stands near the top of the heap today.

To Ishimori, this series gave him the opportunity to explore areas of the cybernetic/artifical superhero, which were rejected for the original KAMEN RIDER series. It also gave the great artist a chance to infuse the story with elements of his favorite story: "Pinocchio." The end result is a series that is a satisfying and more humanistic bookend to KAMEN RIDER. In the background of the series, Dr. Komyoji was kidnapped by Professor Gill, and forced to build legions of Dark Destructoids, before he disappears in a lab explosion, after completing his work on Jiro. His creation, made in the moral image of his deceased son, escapes with Mitsuko and rescues Masaru, and KIKAIDA's story begins in earnest. But, like many other series at this time, most of the episodes are, more or less, formulaic.

The majority of episodes generally follow the same pattern, with the amnestic Dr. Komyoji wandering in search of himself from town to town, with his children in close pursuit — aided by their comedy-relief sidekick, Ace Detective Hanpei (a descendent of the famous Iga ninja, Hanzo Hattori). Meanwhile, Professor Gill hatches another diabolical plot, schemes to recapture Dr. Komyoji, or tries to destroy Kikaida, by unleashing a new Dark Android in order to do his dirty work. Just when it seems that all is lost, the sound of a melancholy guitar announces the entrance of Jiro, who comes to thwart the Dark Destructoids' devious plans. Professor Gill counters by playing his cataleptic flute, which paralyzes Jiro, as his incomplete Conscience Circuit tries to resist the command to cross over to the Dark side. Jiro must resist the evil impulses to make the transformation to Kikaida and emerge victorious.

Interestingly, KIKAIDA changed radically with the introduction of Jiro's "brother," Saburo in Episode 36. Created by Professor Gill's greatest scientists, this knife-weilding, black leather-clad cyborg transformed into Kikaida's greatest foe: Hakaida. Stronger and more powerful than his older brother, Hakaida's "Evil Circuit" was programmed with but one mission: "Destroy Kikaida!" But, no one ever realizes the truth behind Hakaida's supremacy over his fellow Dark Destructoids: his cybernetic body is operated by a living, human brain — Dr. Komyoji's brain! It is in this last story arc of the series where the stories became more grim and less formulaic, as KIKAIDA reached its powerful and emotional crescendo.

While KIKAIDA wasn't allowed the budget to realize the ambitions of Ishimori's Dark Destructoid designs, as was achieved with KAMEN RIDER, KIKAIDA still had as much action, spirit and kinetic energy as its sister series. KIKAIDA also had something more important: a plot full of heart and soul, well-defined characters (whom you cared about), engaging subplots, and an amazing score by Michiaki "Chumei" Watanabe. To those who saw the series growing up, KIKAIDA left a great impression on its viewers and was successful enough to spawn a sequel: KIKAIDA-01 (1973-1974), both of which are still beloved today.

In the mid-'70s, KIKAIDA was aired on Japanese-language stations in Hawaii and California, and created a legion of fans who still love the show. I am Legion. Four decades later, we are still switching on to KIKAIDA!

The entire 43 episodes of KIKAIDA (plus the 3D Movie) are available on DVD, with English Subtitles, from Generation Kikaida! 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAISUKE BAN: MAY 5, 1947! Actor and Star of KIKAIDA and INAZUMAN

お誕生日おめでとう、伴大介さん!



Read more about Daisuke Ban, here!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAISUKE BAN: MAY 5, 1947! Actor and Star of KIKAIDA and INAZUMAN

お誕生日おめでとう、伴大介さん !

AN INTERVIEW WITH ACTOR SHUNSUKE IKEDA “I Really Wanted To Play A Bad Guy!”

池田駿介氏インタビュー「特撮ＢＥＳＴマガジン」(２００５) より　


Ikeda with his original Kikaida 01 belt and helmet. ©2005 Kodansha

The following is an interview which appeared in the Kodansha Publishing magazine series "Tokusatsu Hero Best Magazine Vol. 2" (2005), with actor Shunsuke Ikeda, who is best remembered as "Ichiro" in KIKAIDA 01 (1973). Mr. Ikeda passed away on June 11, 2010. You can read more about the late Mr. Ikeda, here.

Actor Shunsuke Ikeda’s father, Tatsuo Ouchi, was a famed tateshi (swordfight scene choreographer), and Mr. Ikeda has followed him in his footsteps as the head of the "Ikeda Action Club". In this interview, Mr. Ikeda talks about the filming of KIKAIDA 01 and its cast.

—Did you always like tokusatsu (visual effects productions)?

Yes, perhaps because my father was a choreographer for swordfight scenes. I was infatuated with jidaigeki (samurai drama) heroes. I really admired Ryutaro Otomo as “Kiri-no Kojiro” in FUEFUKU DOJI (1954).

—But wasn’t "Kiri-no Kojiro" a bad guy?

Yes, he was an evil hero. Hakaida (Kikaida's evil "brother") is called Japan’s first evil hero, but I feel that someone like that already existed in the 1950s. That’s whom I wanted to play.

—So, you wanted to get into jidaigeki?

I was a student at the Bunka-za Theater, but since I studied both jidaigeki and modern acting, I decided to try out for Toei Studios. I was picked in Toei’s 10th season of its “New Faces” competition—one of my colleagues was Nenji Kobayashi (THE HIDDEN BLADE). I got to act in detective shows and jidaigeki, and in 1971 was given a role in RETURN OF ULTRAMAN.

—You played Officer Takeshi Minami, a member of MAT (Monster Attack Team)?

Yes, and maybe because of RETURN OF ULTRAMAN’s popularity, I got to play Ippei Hanagata in Tsuburaya’s EMERGENCY COMMAND: 10-4/10-10 (1972). To play a tokusatsu hero is the first step in becoming a star as an actor. I was happy that my acting abilities were recognized. As I was on my way back from shooting on location, I saw the filming of the first episode of KIKAIDA at a small drive in.

—That’s the series which stars Daisuke Ban?

Yes. It aroused my curiosity, because I had worked in tokusatsu… then I saw this half-faced mechanical man. It was like those human body models in classes at school. In my day, the heroes were Kurama Tengu and Moonlight Mask, both of whom were slick and polished.

—So was Ultraman.

Kikaida had this unbalanced look, so I immediately thought, “This is no hero!” Yet I never dreamt that I would being playing the main role in its follow up.

—How did you land the role for KIKAIDA 01?

Amachi Productions represented me at that time. Shigeru Amachi (JIGOKU) was a big star at Toei then. I was told that Toei was going to produce a sequel to KIKAIDA, and if I would be interested in the main role.

—But, you didn’t have a good impression of KIKAIDA?

I thought that the main character was still going to be Jiro and Kikaida. I’m older than Daisuke Ban, so I thought it would be hard for me to play that role. But, as talks progressed, I learned that the main character would be Kikaida’s older brother. That’s when I thought that I could play the role.

—How did you feel about the character of Ichiro?

The costume was gaudy—bright blue slacks and a red jacket… I was embarrassed. Besides, I head to wear a helmet, and carry a trumpet on my back. A guitar would have been better.

—So, the costume didn’t fit your image of a hero?

My image of a hero is a polished look. He looks down on the villain from above, and shows off his skills. Yasutada Mizuno directed the first episode, and he took time and care in filming the silhouette of me playing the trumpet. He advised me on my moves, and how to execute my key lines. That’s when I realized “This is the part for me!”

—Shotaro Ishimori’s heroes always incorporated a very distinct Henshin Pose…

There was a media conference at Toei’s Oizumi Studios a week before we started shooting. The author of the show, Mr. Ishimori (CYBORG 009), was present, and asked me to do a Henshin Pose.

—Mr. Ishimori asked that of you?

I asked him what I should do, and he started moving his arms and body to show me how to do it. He brought both hands around the front of the helmet, and shouted “Change! Kikaida 01!” Mr. Ishimori explained that Ichiro needed the sun’s rays to transform, so I should push forward to be able to absorb the rays. There are many Ishimori Heroes, but I’m probably the only one who was personally instructed on the Henshin Pose by Mr. Ishimori himself.

—Isn’t it unusual for the author himself to give you such advice?

Usually, it’s the action choreographer or director that does this, but I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Ishimori before the series started.

—Were you confident in performing action scenes?

My father, who was a fight scene choreographer, had taught me the basics, so I had confidence, but I was taken aback by doing action scenes with my helmet on. Peripheral vision became impaired, and it even affected my moves. However, I got used to it.

—Didn’t you do a scene without the helmet?

Yes, the last scene in the first episode. I wanted my face to be seen, so I purposely removed my helmet in the last scene.

—Did you have any difficulty in that Ichiro was supposed to be an android?

I pondered over whether I should act human or not, because I thought that Ichiro had a Conscience Circuit imbedded into him, but his body was still mechanical. Should my movements be like an android? How should I handle the scenes where I suddenly turn around? I really thought about things like this. Of course, as the series went along, I began to think that Ichiro was a highly advanced android, so we was able to move like a human being.

—Kikaida’s Jiro had a sad, dark side, but Ichiro seemed more open and cheerful.

I never got to read the manga, so I played Ichiro’s character according to what I thought he should be. The head producer from NET, Shinichi Miyazaki, told me that the character should be comical and clumsy.

—He asked you to be "comical"?

Yes, that’s what he told me. I refused to play it comically. I asked that someone else play the comedic part. I wanted my Ichiro to be reliable, loved by everyone, and strong; so, I tried even harder. Had I read the manga beforehand, I may’ve understood what the producer was driving at.

—Was it difficult to drive the Double Machine motorcycle?

I was used to riding motorcycles, so it was fun for me. A stunt driver performed the more dangerous scenes, so I just cruised along in my scenes. If you say dangerous, I had to drive into the surf with my helmet on, and that was an ordeal.

—Wasn't there also a scene where you go underwater?

The villains got ahold of my leg, and pulled me underwater. You’d think the helmet would weigh me down, but it started to float above water. The director wanted me to sink deeper, but I couldn’t. The helmet acting like a buoy, and it kept me from going underwater.

—Did any of the KIKAIDA 01 characters leave an impression on you?

Etsuko Shihomi, who played Mari (Bijinda’s human form), was very impressive. So was Nobuo Yana who played Big Shadow, and Jiro Chiba, who played Eisuke Toge. Jiro Chiba was Shinichi Chiba’s younger brother, and a Japan Action Club member. Their team was truly proficient in action scenes. I learned a lot from them. Mr. Chiba then proceeded to choreograph Shihomi’s very first fight scene. I thought, “Wow!” as I watched the scene being shot.

—So, Shinichi Chiba himself came to the set?

Shihomi was only 18 years old, and made her starring debut in KIKAIDA 01, so he took a special interest in her first appearance. I remember Mr. Chiba telling me to look after her. Shihomi had this uncanny sense for action scenes. Her swift movements were a god-given talent. Nowadays, CGI is used to composite these scenes, but everything was done live back then.

—She was beautiful and excelled in action scenes. She lived up to the name of “Bijinda” (mechanical beauty).

Speaking of actresses, in Episode 35, the young Enka singer, Sachiko Kobayashi, appeared as a guest star. Her role was that of a baker’s daughter, and was named Sachiko, too. Ms. Kobayashi went on to become a very big star, but had no qualms appearing in a children’s show, and played her part very well.

—The actors in the costumes must have had it rough, though?

Yes, the costumes were heavy, and during the summer months, the heat became unbearable, like a sauna. Some of the suit actors got sick. In the first episode, we went on location to Higashi Matsuyama in Saitama Prefecture, where we used a plot of land, which was reclaimed from a demolished mountain. The suit actors were all yong and healthy, but one by one, they started to collapse. Hakaida, especially, because of the black costume, caused the actor to pass out several times.

—Did you always watch the shooting of KIKAIDA 01’s action scenes?

I was the human form of Kikaida 01, so as I waited for my scenes, I tried to watch the costume scenes as much as possible. The one in the Kikaida 01 suit was Yukio Mihashi, who had just graduated from Toei’s acting school. He was a cool, handsome guy. I feel that the part of a hero after the henshin should have a fit body, be cool, and agile. Mihashi had all of those qualities.

—Speaking of a fit body, you haven’t changed a bit since those days. How do you maintain your youthful look?

I’m over 60 already. I’m sure that my fans wouldn’t want to see a flabby Ichiro. A hero isn’t allowed to age. Every morning, I run along the Tama River to maintain my stamina.

—Is that because you treasure your KIKAIDA 01 image?

Of course. For instance, when I’m riding a train, and if I hear someone whisper “Hey, is that Ichiro from KIKAIDA 01?” or “It’s Officer Minami from RETURN OF ULTRAMAN!”, I tend to straighten up and stand in shape, even if I’m tired. Whenever I’m in the Ichiro or Minami mode, I tend to forget my age.

—I guess it’s an actor’s job to remain cool and hip.

Exactly. Once in a while, older fans ask me for autographs, and at that moment, I become Ichiro again. It’s a scary habit of mine. I feel it’s my duty toward my loyal fans to preserve my image. The Kikaida 01/Ichiro factor will always be a part of me. I am truly grateful that I came upon this role.

Originally published in “Tokusatsu Hero Best Magazine Vol. 2” (Kodansha, October 2005). Translated by JN Productions. Revised and edited by August Ragone.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE, KIKAIDA! Daisuke Ban's So Cal Autograph Sessions!

ロスアンジェルスに伴大介様／ジロー・キカイダーが招待参加!



Los Angeles' own Anime Jungle, purveyors of everything from anime to tokusatsu in Little Tokyo, is proud to be presenting two autograph sessions with Mr. Daisuke Ban, popular star of KIKAIDA, KIKAIDA 01, INAZUMAN and BATTLE FEVER J, for the upcoming 70th Annual "Nisei Week Japanese Festival". Back in the mid-1970s, the local broadcasts of KIKAIDA took Hawaii by storm, and the series was subsequently aired on Japanese language stations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and other US cities. KIKAIDA made a strong return to Hawaii back in 2001, and is still going strong — even outside of the Islands — due to the successful release of the English subtitled DVDs produced by JN Productions and Generation Kikaida.

Created by mangaka Shotaro Ishimori and creative producer Tohru Hirayama, JINZONINGEN KIKAIDA (Android Kikaida) debuted on the Nippon Educational Television network on July 8, 1972, and received outstanding viewer ratings. This colorful, exciting and outlandish superhero series was produced by Toei Television Productions on the heels of the ratings successes of KAMEN RIDER, SUPERHUMAN BAROM-1 and TRANSFORMING NINJA ARASHI, during the "Henshin Boom" on Japanese television in the early 1970s. The popular 43-episode series was quickly followed by KIKAIDA 01 (starring the late Shunsuke Ikeda).

Riding astride his sidecar superbike, Jiro (Daisuke Ban), a young man clad in blue denim, with a guitar slung across his back, swings his arms and transforms into a red and blue combat android known as Kikaida. The yin-yang patterned android, with exposed circuitry flashing under his glass-domed head, smashes through hordes of monstrous automatons in order to save Mitsuko (Jun Mizunoe) and Masaru (Masahiro Kamiya), the children of the scientist who created him, Dr. Komyoji (Hajime Izu).

Kikaida's mission: to reunite Mitsuko and Masaru with their fugitive father, and bring down the sinister secret group known as the "Dark". This underground organization composed of monster androids, is masterminded by the evil Professor Gill (Mitsuo Ando), who plots to take over the world through subversion and violence. Only Kikaida stands in his way. But, like all legendary heroes, Kikaida has a flaw: an incomplete "Conscience Circuit", which keeps him from being the "perfect android" — a flaw that Professor Gill can exploit...

On Saturday, August 14th, Daisuke Ban's first appearance in Los Angeles will have him signing autographs at the Anime Jungle Shop at the Japanese Village Plaza, 319 E. 2nd St. #103, from 3:00-4:00pm (admission and autographs are free), followed by a Dinner & Talk Show at Focus, Salon de Cafe at 319 E. 2nd St. #202. Tickets are $40 (including dinner and tip) and must be ordered through Anime Jungle (in-store pick-up only). Seating is limited to 30. For further details and information, call Anime Jungle directly at 213-621-1661.

On Sunday, August 15th, Daisuke Ban will be participating in the Nisei Week Japanese Festival's Grand Parade through Little Tokyo at 5:30 pm, replete with Cosplayers. This will be followed by the final Autograph Session at the Anime Jungle Shop at the Japanese Village Plaza from 8:00-8:30pm (admission and autographs are free). Copies of all of JN Productions/Generation Kikaida's DVDs for KIKAIDA, KIKAIDA 01, INAZUMAN and KAMEN RIDER V3, and other Japanese Superhero goods, will be available for purchase at Anime Jungle.

Come down and welcome KIKAIDA's Daisuke Ban to the Jungle!

FAREWELL TO ACTOR SHUNSUKE IKEDA A Call To Observe A Moment Of Silence

さらば、池田駿介さんよ...


Design: Generation Kikaida © Ishimori Productions/Toei Co., Ltd.

Shunsuke Ikeda's Memorial Service is today, June 16th at 11am (Japan Standard Time), at the family home in the Nakashima district of Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. That's 7pm today, June 15th (Pacific Daylight Time). So, for all of Ikeda's fans around the world, let's all pay our respects to him by observing a moment of silence at this time. Please spread the word, and thanks for the all of love and support for the late Shunsuke Ikeda.

At Ikeda's wake last night (JST), at the Noribito Peace Center in Kawasaki City, his signature helmet and belt from KIKAIDA 01 were placed near his memorial photograph, which was adorned with red and blue flowers. Over 150 family, friends and fellow actors attended, including his KIKAIDA co-star, Daisuke Ban, and Tohru Furuya, the original Ultraman suit actor. Ban's eulogy opened with, "Isn't it too early for you to leave us?", but was so overcome by tears it was difficult for him to continue.

During the press conference that followed the service, Ban said, regretfully, "I wish he was around longer to spread the word about how wonderful Japanese tokusatsu is."

So, tonight, please be sure to take a moment of out of your evening to say a prayer for Mr. Ikeda and his family. Thank you.

REST IN PEACE: ACTOR SHUNSUKE IKEDA November 11, 1940 - June 11, 2010

『キカイダー０１』俳優の池田駿介さん死去


As Takeshi Minami in RETURN OF ULTRAMAN ©Tsuburaya Productions

I received the sad news very early this morning, even before the sun rose in San Francisco, that beloved actor Shunsuke Ikeda, best remembered for his roles in the superhero series KIKAIDA 01 (1973) and RETURN OF ULTRAMAN (1971), had passed away on June 11 (Japan Time) due to stomach cancer. Complaining of abdominal pains in January 2009, Ikeda was diagnosed with cancer in February. While undergoing treatment, but wanting to get "right back to work", he attended the press conference to publicize the new "Kikaida 01" Pachinko game in April. But, the cancer had spread by October. Ikeda leaves behind his wife, Toshie, and their daughter, Miri. Ikeda was only 69 years old.

Shunsuke Ikeda, born as Norio Ikeda, was best known to tokusastsu fans for starring as the android "Ichiro" in the superhero series KIKAIDA 01 (1973-74). His early interest in motion pictures was instilled by his father, respected swordfight choreographer, Tatsuo Ouchi (the Sensei of Ono Ken Yukai founder, Kotaro Ono). After studying with the Bunka-za Theater, he was accepted in Toei’s "New Faces" competition in 1961. Ikeda's first on-screen appearance was in Kiyoshi Saeki's HIBARI'S GUITAR OF MOTHERLY LOVE (1962).

In 1963, under his real name, he was given his first featured role in Koji Ota's SPECIAL MOBILE INVESTIGATION UNIT as Akanuma. That same year, under his stage name of Shunsuke Ikeda, he appeared as professional baseball player Shinohara in Saeki’s FASTBALL. And while Ikeda only made a handfull of films, he found his niche on television. He played Airman Hajime Fujimura in COMRADES (1963), Michio Kawashima in STORY OF COMING WIND (1963), Detective Minamimura in ABOARD WITH 27 PEOPLE (1964), and Yamada in ONIHEI HANKACHO (1969-70).

While expanding his acting chops, Ikeda continued with his aspirations for a higher education, and went on to graduate from Hosei University’s Department of Economics in 1967. During this time, he also guest starred in the television series ZERO FIGHTERS: BLACK CLOUD SQUADRON (1964), MR. DETECTIVE (1966-68) and LONE WOLF (1967-68). He went on to appear in numerous series including SANTARO FUJI (1965-91), TOKYO BYPASS COMMAND (1968-79), MITO KOMON (1969- ), MY DAD IS A FRESHMAN (1969), HEARTLESS LICENSE (1973-77), RUN, SECRET SAMURAI! (1973), ZATOCIHI (1974-79), FIGHT! DRAGON (1974), THE GORILLA 7 (1975).

Ikeda's tokusatsu appearances include OPERATION: MYSTERY (1968-69), SILVER MASK (1971-72), SECRET TASK FORCE: GORANGER (1975-77), PRO WRESTLING STAR: AZTEKAIZER (1976-77), VIGILANTE ZUBAT (1977) and STARWOLF (1978). Ikeda is best remembered as the regular supporting characters in four notable tokusatsu roles: Monster Attack Team officer Takeshi Minami in RETURN OF ULTRAMAN (1971-72), Radio Investigation Team officer Ippei Hanagata in EMERGENCY COMMAND: 10-4/10-10 (1972), Hiroshi Akiyama in SILVER MASK (1971-72), and Kensuke Mitsuya in CONDORMAN: SYMBOL OF JUSTICE (1975).

His biggest and best tokusatsu role was that of Ichiro, the human form of the titular combat android in KIKAIDA 01 (1973-74). In his later years, Ikeda became a fashion model with the SOS Modeling Agency, a commercial spokesman for Toshiba, and also appeared in several notable stage productions. In 2001, Ikeda and KIKAIDA star Daisuke Ban made a personal appearance in Hawaii at the All-Hawaii Collectors Show, to meet with fans who grew up watching the Honolulu broadcasts of KIKAIDA and KIKAIDA 01.

This led to the return of both series and their release on DVD by JN Productions and Generation Kikaida. This was followed by many more live appearances, special events, and autograph sessions over the last decade, in both Japan and Hawaii, and Ikeda was held in high regard by those who met him. Before his passing, Clips of Ikeda as Takeshi Minami were incorporated into Kazuya Konaka’s theatrical feature ULTRAMAN MOEBIUS & THE ULTRA BROTHERS (2006), and his final role was a special featured appearance in Hitoshi Matsumura's horror film, THE ONI-GARA (2009).

Shunsuke Ikeda, both the man and the actor, will be greatly missed.

THE RETURN OF "KAMEN RIDER V3"! JNP Reissues "Complete Series" DVD Box Set

©Toei Company Ltd./Ishimori Productions

Honolulu-based JN Productions/Generation Kikaida is re-releasing their KAMEN RIDER V3 DVD Box Set on May 18! This is one of the DVD projects I had the pleasure of doing for JNP/Generation Kikaida over the last decade (including KIKAIDA and INAZUMAN) released in 2005, and it's my all-time favorite superhero series from 1970s. We really went overboard with the extras on this set: I wrote detailed behind-the-scenes factoids (including biographies on all of the Guest Stars and Production Staff), two essays on the series, two complete sets of English Subtitles (one for children and the other for adults), and 71 Character Profiles (with sound bytes)! The set also boasts an exclusive interview with star Hiroshi Miyauchi, six Karaoke Music Videos, and much, much more!

According to the press release: We have answered your call. Due to numerous requests for KAMEN RIDER V3, JN Productions is proud to release a newly issued, fully-loaded “Special Edition” six-disc set which contains all 52 exciting episodes—digitally remastered, complete and uncut—and bonus features found on the “Collector’s Edition” box set. This new "Special Edition" set will be priced at $149.50—if you didn't catch the first release of this action packed series, be sure you don’t miss it this time around! The KAMEN RIDER V3 Special Edition DVD Box Set will be available exclusively in Honolulu at Shirokiya, Ala Moana Center or through the Generation Kikaida website for shoppers outside of Hawaii. Online shoppers will receive a free gift for a limited time only!

Produced by action film purveyors, Toei Studios (THE KILLING MACHINE), and the hit-making team of creative producer Tohru Hirayama Tohru (JOHNNY SOKKO) and manga author Shotaro Ishimori (CYBORG 009), KAMEN RIDER V3 is not just a superhero saga, it's a superhero opera! After witnessing the brutal murder of his family at the hands of the demonic, secret society known only as "Destron", motorcross phenom Shiro Kazami is reborn as a cyborg warrior! Exploding with breakneck action by the Ono Ken-Yukai (YOU ONLY LIVE TWICE), an exciting score by Shunsuke Kikuchi (DRAGONBALL Z), and the electrifying presence of action star Hiroshi Miyauchi (SISTER STREETFIGHTER), KAMEN RIDER V3 defined the superhero genre for a generation of Japanese television viewers.

The coolest Japanese superhero series of the 1970s, KAMEN RIDER V3 rocks!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAISUKE BAN: MAY 5, 1947! Actor and Star of KIKAIDA and INAZUMAN

お誕生日おめでとう、伴大介さん!


Photo: Ban Daisuke Official Website

Born on May 5, 1947 as Kiyonori Saito in Kawaguchi City, Saitama Prefecture, Ban became interested in acting while attending Meiji University and working a low-paying job in a local teahouse, Saito joined the NLT Acting Troupe, which cast him in stage plays based on the works of French playwrights. When casting KIKAIDA (1972-73), Toei producer Susumu Yoshikawa and his wife came across the headshot for the young actor, with Mrs. Yoshikawa proclaiming, “He’s the one!” After being christened “Daisuke Ban” by series architect, mangaka Shotaro Ishimori, his screen career was launched. But, after forty years in acting, he is best remembered as Jiro, the incomplete android in KIKAIDA—a role that he will be forever beloved for—not only in Japan, but also in the US (where the series was aired during the mid-1970s on Japanese-language stations).

When the production of INAZUMAN (1973-74) was delayed, the producers had Bad join Shunsuke Ikeda in the early episodes (and the series finale) of KIKAIDA 01. One of the few actors to play three lead roles in a tokusatsu series, Ban also starred as Daisuke Izumo/Ka’nin Captor 7 in NINJA CAPTOR (1976-77), before becoming Makoto Jin/Battle Cossack, one of the main characters in BATTLE FEVER J (1979-80). But, not being typecast, Ban soon was appearing in a number of other television series, including ZENIGATA HEIJI (1966-84), EDO DRAGNET (1970-92), THE YOUNG DETECTIVES (1971-76), HOWL AT THE SUN! (1972-86), THE BODYGUARDS (1974), THE GORILLA 7 (1975), SPECIAL INVESTIGATION: FRONTLINE (1977-87), HELLO! GOODBYE (1989), TRUE SCARY STORIES (1990-92), SUZURAN (1999), and SUPER QUEEN (2007).

Ban also guest starred in several tokusatsu series, as Lt. Colonel Tetsuya Yokota in Episode 81 of SECRET TASK FORCE: GORANGER (1975-77), Professor Kazuhiko Kawamei in Episode 28 of VIGILANTE ZUBAT (1977), Interpol Agent Kuroki in Episode 12 of SPIDER-MAN (1978-79), Tashiro in Episode 16 of SUKEBAN DEKA (1985), Professor Katayama in Episode 34 of MONSTER INVESTIGATOR: JUSPION (1985-86), Professor Hoshi in Episode 1 of SUPER BEAST TASK FORCE: LIVEMAN (1987-88), Ijin in Episode 11 of PSI TASK FORCE: MASKMAN (1988-89), Takayama in Episode 9 of MOBILE COP: JIBAN (1989-90), Detective Koyama in Episode 9 of SPECIAL POLICE: WINSPECTOR (1990-91), Dr. Aizawa in Episode 22 of ICARUS TASK FORCE: JETMAN (1991-92), Dr. Hideyo Inoue in ELECTRONIC SUPERHUMAN: GRIDMAN (1993-94), and Episode 34 of ULTRAMAN DYNA (1997-98).

The prolific actor’s film roles include Shintaro Katsu’s ZATOICHI (1989), Shuei Matsubayashi’s THE VICTORS (1992), Macoto Tezuka’s THE INNOCENT (Hakuchi, 1999), and Tsuruta Norio’s PREMONITION (2004). He is best known outside of Japan as Dr. Heihachiro Ikuma in Hideo Nakata’s RING (1998), Joji Iida’s SPIRAL (1998), Nakata’s RING 2 (1999), and Tsuruta’s RING 0: BIRTHDAY (2000). Ban has also appeared in several independent productions in including GRAVITY-SPEED PHANTOMS (2005) and Aaron Yamasato’s BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI (2001) and the spin-offs BLOOD OF THE SAMURAI: THE SERIES (2004) and NINJA EX (2004). He recently co-starred with fellow tokusatsu star, Hiroshi Miyauchi (KAMEN RIDER V3), as Big John Jack in Kiyohide Matsumura's GAME ACTION (2009).

In 2001, Kadokawa Publishing released Ban’s autobiography, Switch On! Android Kikaida: My Journey With Jiro.

LIGHTNING STRIKES! INAZUMAN IS HERE!! The Complete 25-Episode Series DVD Box Set

’７０年代変身ヒーロー『イナズマン』のアメリカDVDに新発売！


Dynamic cover packaging by Erwin Baracao & Billy Ching of JNP.

The colorful and action-packed INAZUMAN (1973) was one of many live-action superhero series produced in the early 1970s, during an unprecedented boom of such programs on Japanese television, lead out of the gate by P-Productions' SPECTREMAN (1971-72), Tsuburaya Productions' RETURN OF ULTRAMAN (1971-72), and Toei's KAMEN RIDER (1971-73). Developed for television by the KAMEN RIDER team of creative producer Tohru Hirayama (JOHNNY SOKKO) and manga author Shotaro Ishimori (CYBORG 009), INAZUMAN featured the key elements of Toei's popular progenitor, but unlike KAMEN RIDER and KIKAIDA, the hero was nether a cyborg nor an android, but rather an metamorphosing mutant with psionic powers. From it's funk-based score by Michiaki "Chumei" Watanabe to its bizarre creatures and non-stop action, INAZUMAN is pure '70s superhero gold!


Bold back cover design for JNP's release of INAZUMAN.

Goro Watari (Daisuke Ban), a seemingly normal university student, saves two youngsters from the clutches of the Neo-Human Empire, a secret society of mutants who plot to subjugate the world with their Fantom Army. The children bring him to the headquarters of the Youth League, a group of pure-hearted young mutants with psionic powers, led by Captain Sarra (Hideo Murota). Goro is awakened to his own extrasensory abilities, allowing him to transform — first into a pupal form, Sanagiman, and then — into the mighty, Inazuman. Drawing from symbolic powers of moth, like the Greek god Pysche, Inazuman wields lightning bolts against his enemies, and with the aid of the amazing flying car with a mind of its own, Raijingo, he challenges the evil minions of Emperor Bamba to liberate mankind.


The fantastic jacket and disc art for INAZUMAN.

Starring Daisuke Ban of KIKAIDA fame, INAZUMAN follows a string of fantastic classic tokusatsu releases on R1 DVD, KIKAIDA (1972-73), KIKAIDA 01 (1973-74) and KAMEN RIDER V3 (1973-74), beautifully produced and released by Honolulu-based JN Productions. Packaged in a glossy four-disc box set, INAZUMAN is digitally remastered (and superior to Toei Video's R2 release), completely unedited and uncut, and fully subtitled in English for the first time. This electrifying set also includes interviews with actor Daisuke Ban and Japanese and Hawaiian fans, Inazuman Karaoke, and more — I provided Character Profiles and Series Factoids, which feature exhaustive details on the guest stars and other behind-the-scenes minutia. With cool animated menus, superior image quality, and wonderfully produced extras, INAZUMAN comes highly recommended.

During its original run, INAZUMAN was an extremely popular series, and remains one of the pillars of the Henshin Hero genre to this day. If that's so, one might ask, why are there only 25 episodes? When INAZUMAN was originally broadcast, the saga was told in two parts, totaling 48 episodes. This DVD release features the first 25-episode "chapter", which then dovetailed into an immediate — and much darker — sequel, INAZUMAN FLASH (1974), for an additional 23 episodes. I'm hoping that — fingers crossed — INAZUMAN FLASH will be scheduled as the next release on the roster from JN Productions & Generation Kikaida for 2009. Meanwhile, the INAZUMAN Complete Series Box Set is available through the Generation Kikaida website for $99.95 (plus $7.00 Shipping & Handling).

Region Code 1 • NTSC • 4:3 Original Aspect Ratio • Japanese with  English Subtitles • Dolby Digital • 10 hours 27 minutes • Unrated