I'd stick to the late 1980's featuring the older Original Series crew and the Original Trilogy crew still in their prime. That would make the most sense . Can you have Spock try to Mind Meld with Vader ?
Trying to Please Everyone: Or Converting multiple Pop Culture Utopias into a Timeline.
- Thread starter Marco Incognito
- Start date
If you don't mind can you give a plot summary of the Sailor Moon/Yu Yu Hakusho Crossover ? please
Anime in the 1990's
Nadia and the Secret of Blue Water(1990)
Based on a concept by Hayao Miyazaki which saw two orphans being chased by a villain around the world and teaming up with Captain Nemo and the Nautilus, essentially being Around the World in 80 Days meets 20,000 Leagues under the Sea. The show was originally pitched for Toho but fell apart. Now with Studio Gibli, Miyazaki brought the series to life(OTL this concept became Nadia and the Secret of Blue Water by Gainax). The series took a long Hiatus in which only two episodes with plot elements were released, though this was seen as justified so that the Animation was brought up the usual standard.
NG Knight Ramune & 40(1990-1991)
A series which revolved around Lamune, a boy who is pulled into a magical world through a video game The series ended with the final episode of VS Knight Lamune & 40 FIRE(The FRESH OVA (aka Knights of Ramune was never made).
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Yu Yu Hakusho(1992-1994)
Based on the manga created by Yoshihiro Togashi that ran from 1990 to 1994. Teenage delinquent Yusuke Urameshi dies trying to save a child from a speeding car. Because of his selfless act, there is not yet a place for Yusuke in heaven or hell and he is given the chance to train and return to life in exchange for becoming an "underworld detective". The series transformed from a supernatural detective series into a martial arts series partway through as Yusuke and his friends battled demons.
As a result of the more flexible working hours and better conditions for mangaka, the series was able to continue its run and finish the way the mangaka wanted it to, expanding into the anime. In addition, there was also an OVA crossover with Sailor Moon. Yu Yu Hakusho was brought over by AnimEigo before Funimation would do the same. It was dubbed by Coastal Carolina Studios, which still dubs Anime to this day, due to the series being a mainstream hit. In addition, Media Blasters dubbed the first movie (which has since been redubbed by Funimation),
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Sailor Moon(1992 -1997)
Based on the Manga which ran from 1991-1997. The series followed teenage girl Usagi Tsukino, who gained the ability to transform into Sailor Moon to fight evil, alongside other girls known as the Sailor Scouts.
Sailor Moon's Anime adaptation Maintained itself closer to the manga(The Gold Standard, at play again though in Japan it was instead closer referred to as The Jump Standard). The Anime's carry over to English included the gay representation in the original series. Some of the writing had been revised as the Dubbers would sometimes ask questions about elements to the original creators.
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Screenshot from the Sailor Moon/Yu Yu Hakusho Crossover
The Yu Yu Hakusho crossover was difficult to dub largely due to different companies owning the right to dub, though this was settled. However, the death of the Sailor Scouts was aired on Toonami uncensored from the original, scarring many children as a result and is considered a watershed moment in children's media. Sailor Moon's revival series would also crossover with Dragonball and other franchises during the later Universal Tournament arc of Dragonball Super, as Universe 2.
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Giant Robo(1992-1997)
In 1990, producer Yasuhito Yamaki approached Yasuhiro Imagawa about working on an animated version of the Giant Robo manga. Imagawa, a self-proclaimed fan of Yokoyama's work, jumped at the chance of working on the project. The Giant Robo manga had started in 1967 and had never been adapted into animation before. It had a live-action adaptation on TV Asahi in 1967-68, but the series was believed by Yasuhito and Yasuhiro to be ripe for Animation. In pre-production, Imagawa was informed he could not use any of the supporting characters from the manga or live-action versions. Instead, with Yokoyama's permission, he populated the series with characters from the artist's entire canon of work including Akakage, Babel II and Godmars. The Giant Robo OVA still followed Daisaku and Robo, and the main antagonist was still called "Big Fire," but it featured an all-new storyline with a completely different cast of characters.
The first episode was released July 22, 1992 with the following three installments staying close to the proposed schedule of six months between releases. In the nine months between the releases of Volumes 4 and 5, two OVAs focusing on the character of GinRei were produced. Barefoot GinRei (素足のGinRei, Suashi no GinRei) is a humorous take on GinRei's job as a spy for the IPO. Mighty GinRei (鉄腕GinRei, Tetsuwan GinRei) was a tribute to the super robot series and featured Ken Ishikawa as guest mech designer. A third OVA, GinRei with Blue Eyes (青い瞳の銀鈴, Aoi hitomi no Gin Rei), was released after Volume 5 of Giant Robo. In between releases, members of the Giant Robo staff worked on other projects including The Big O, Getter Robo Armageddon, and Super Atragon and these series would in turn be folded in, creating a Mecha shared universe. A two-episode OVA of Shunro Oshikawa's Kaitei Gunkan novel. The Day the Earth Stood Still was the second to final chapter in the conflict between the Experts of Justice and Big Fire. The OVA was preceded by The Birth of Zangetsu the Midday, The Plan to Assassinate Daisaku - the Canary Penitentiary, The Boy of Three Days, The Greatest Battle in History - General Kanshin vs. Shokatsu Koumei and The Boy Detective, Kindaichi Shōtarō, Appears!
Sally the Witch. The Original Magical Girl appeared in a fight with the Big Bad ruling council, the Magnificent Ten (themselves famous cameos). The awesomeness of this scene is legendary. The final battle between the Experts and Big Fire was beautifully animated, as was the climax of the series. Showrunner Yasuhiro Imagawa received much praise for his work and went on to create an entire saga spanning several OVA series, of which Giant Robo was the second to last chronologically. The others chapters explained things like how Daisaku became an Expert and the origin of the Magnificent Ten (along with a team-up between Giant Robo and Tetsujin 28) before it all culminated in the final series, "The Siege of Babel", which was a story teased since the end of Giant Robo.
The Vision of Escaflowne(1994-1997)
While more alive than ever, the Mecha Genre seemed to have reached its peak and many believed it could not be topped(The same seemed to be true for Gundam as well as it appeared to be fizzling out). There were new series that popped up such as The Vision of Escaflowne. While telling the story of Hitomi Kanzaki becoming lost in a fantasy world, the series evolved into a straight up mecha series directed by Yasuhiro Imagawa, who stayed for the show's entire run. Through his leadership, he changed the intended reveal of the Bishounen baddie Dilandau being revealed to actually be Allen Schezar's long-lost little sister, who was used for experiments, one of which included turning her into a boy, apparently to create some sort of supersoldier. He thought the idea absurd and many see this as a good change.
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Rurouni Kenshin(1994-1999)
The tale of a wandering Ronin with a reverse blade Katana. Rurouni Kenshin continued its run and in a rare case for the time stayed Serialized, avoiding the OVAs and Movies of its contemporaries. Even Dragonball had joined Gundam and received Compilation Movies summarizing the arcs by this point.
Tenchi Muyo!(1994-2000)
Another series to gain international attention was Tenchi Muyo! which had a premise similar to I Dream of Jeannie, involving a man finding a wish granting Witch.
Several novels and supplementary material released only in Japan at first also received English translations. As a result, the Western fandom enjoyed the third OVA series because of the extra information provided. The third OVA series expanded the sixth episode. In it, Tenchi was flung 10,000+ years into the future and on planet Jurai. There, he met Queen Misaki, now as the Counteractor, revealing that she took the role after Emperor Azusa and Queen Funaho died long ago. The Juraian Empire constantly attacked her, which explains the odd shadings on her body - that's her rebuilt self. A fourth OVA, was planned but never made.
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Neon Genesis Evangelion(1995-1996)
If any series would come to represent the rebirth of the Mecha Genre at this time, it would ironically be a series intended to be a dark parody of it: Neon Genesis Evangelion. While a dark series dealing with the trauma a child Mecha pilot would be put through, the ending was admittedly bittersweet. Humanity narrowly avoided destruction(Unlike OTL, it was made very clear that Asuka had survived rather then left vague). The show was a hit, and showcased the death and rebirth or the Mecha genre at the same time. Director Hideaki Anno admitted that he was satisfied with how the series turned out and had no intent to revisit it(unlike OTL in which he has continued to remake the series to get the ending just right). The English translation was able to nab Robin Wlliams as Gendo Ikari, a role he wanted to play as a fan of the series and a role he has since often parodied himself on his stand up routine and at conventions where he would repeat it in a more comedic tone, saying "Shinji get in the robot".......shinjigetinthefuckinrobot!" sometimes imitating calling a dog and imitating someone trying to act like a good father poorly(Robin Williams being a fan and wanting the role was true OTL). Hideaki Anno would move onto do other series, which often involved dark subversions of popular anime Genres such as Shonen, Harem and Magical Girl, among them Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
Saber Marionette J(1996-1997)
Saber Marionette J lasted only 25 episodes, ending with Lorelei and Otaru discussing the Heroic Sacrifice of Cherry, Lime, and Bloodberry, and Otaru walking off upset and missing them. A bittersweet ending.
Revolutionary Girl Utena(1996-1998)
Utena received an odd, heavily edited dub known as Ursula's Kiss, with Americanized names and even new characters mentioned on the website at one point that weren't present in the original anime, subverting the Gold Standard. It was also broadcast on Australian television.
The King of Braves GaoGaiGar(1997-1998)
Gai Shishioh survives an encounter with the alien race known as the Zonders, with the aid of the mechanical Lion Galeon. Revived as a cyborg Gai aids earth in fighting back against the invading Zonders. Media Blasters negotiated with Disneyto get GaoGaiGar aired on their Disney channel. The channel aired King of Braves GaoGaiGar: Project Z, the continuation of the GaoGaiGar story. The story had Mamoru and Ikumi joining the hero group from Betterman after the disappearance of 3G. Because Allouette, who built GaoFighGar, lost her intelligence after falling into a coma, rebuilding said mech was impossible. Instead, Stealth Gao II (the component for Star GaoGaiGar) was introduced, along with Liner Gao II and Drill Gao II (components from GaoFighGar). There was a Nendroid known as GaiGo and a new King of Braves, GaoGaiGo. Genesic GaoGaiGar made their return, seemingly bursting out of the sun. The only problem many fans had with this new series was the transformation of Guy Shishioh, the hero of the original series, into the villain. Figurines were also made for all the Mecha featured in the series.
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Toonami(1997)
The input of Anime into the US was still uncontrolled due to the various distributors. That was until the creation of Toonami on Cartoon Network Toonami became the most popular source for Anime, with the more adult material airing on the much later Adult Swim, which could also air Hentai such as the completed series of Angel Blade and other Hentai, not that anyone watched those for the long running story arcs as most of the time the villains won. Of course this raised the concern that a kid could be watching tv at 1am when they weren't supposed to, something which was answered by several commercials explaining to parents how to regulate their children's content during Soap Operas, News channels and so on. A line was drawn and anime was filtered between the two late night blocks of Toonami and Adult Swim(Inuyasha barely qualified for Toonami due to a graphic impalement scene in the first episode but the fact that there was nothing else as graphic led it to be kept on). Toonami was such a success that when it was briefly cancelled, the Japanese Government requested its return and several Mangaka and Anime Creators donated towards keeping it alive. It returned with the added context that the block was Japan's way of presenting its content to the rest of the world.
Martian Successor Nadesico: The Motion Picture – Prince of Darkness(1996-1999)
In the year 2196, Earth is at war with an alien race called the Jovian Lizard when a young boy named Akito Tenkawa finds himself on Earth with no memories and is made a pilot of combat robots. After the series concluded a trilogy of films was released
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Cowboy Bebop(1998)
Considered a Classic in Anime. Cowboy Bebop follows the mercenary crew of the titular ship in the future year of 2071.
Outlaw Star(1998)
A competitor to Cowboy Bebop with a similar premise of a Mercenary crew with a ship that the series is named after. Outlaw Star maintained a cult following and was resurgence in popularity with a book on further lore being released.
Gatchaman(1998)
A plan to remake Mach Go Go Go(known in the West as Speed Racer) in 1997 was cancelled. Instead Tatsunoko released a remake of Gatchaman ( "Gatchaman '98"), which featured all three major villains from the old series under the rule of X. The Red Impulse squadron had female members, and both Ken and Jun were in search of lost family members. Concept art was done by Tatsunoko artist Roberto Ferrari.
Lupin the Third 30th Anniversary(1998)
Lupin the Third celebrated its 30th Anniversary, making it one of the true original long runners. There were plans for a film titled Return of the Magician but nothing materialized as making the film would have retconned the original story. An idea of there being multiple Lupins was also thrown out in favor of releasing a new celebration film. Return of the Magician joined the Fujiko Mine series in a list of cancelled Lupin projects. The 30th anniversary led to a rise to prominence of its rival series Detective Conan in the US and UK.
Love Hina(1998-2001)
The romance Love Hina, ended with a Christmas Special. Keitaro and Motoko Aoyama ended up together. Constant setups for this can be seen in the manga, with both Keitaro and Motoko seriously considering it at least twice. The fact that both Keitaro and Motoko are the characters with the biggest changes and character development of the entire cast also helped.
Shaman King(1998-2004)
Set in a world inhabited by Shamans, who can communicate with the dead, Yoh Asakura competes in a tournament that would allow him to merge with the greatSpirit, meeting and fighting against his. own genocidal brother Hao Asakura in the process. In a reversal of the usual formula, Shaman King's Manga was a complete copy of the preferred Anime. However, a balance was maintained to keep story consistent.
Fullmetal Panic(1998-2011)
Fullmetal Panic follows Counter Terrorist group member Sousuke is tasked with protecting a high school girl, leading to awkward situations as Sousuke has little to no social interaction. The series had two revisions before release, the first was the removal of Kalinin's betrayal. After his touching backstory with young Sousuke his betrayal wouldn't have made sense. The one person it seemed he would never betray had been Sousuke, since he felt great guilt and felt that he owed him and thought of him as a son. Kaname's sudden transformation from a capable Action Girl who matches Sousuke well into a Brainwashed Damsel in Distress who follows Leonard around was also corrected.
Monster Rancher(1999-2001)
As the Monster genre became popular with Pokemon, one series, Monster Rancher, would subvert the Mon genre just as Evangelion had with the Mecha Genre. The series ended on an agonizing Downer Ending due to concluding at the third season. It helped differentiate it more from similar mon series and clashed well with the mostly lighthearted nature of the anime. Looking at the credits will lead to the spotting of the name: Hideaki Anno
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One Piece(1999-)
The longrunner. Monkey D.Luffy sets sail for the legendary treasure One Piece with his crew. Funimation dubbed the One Piece series, keeping a short lived company known as 4kids away from it(which 4kids admit they wouldn't be able to handle after watching the series they were about to buy as part of a packaged deal with series they actually wanted to dub). However, there is a dub of One Piece worth mocking for the fun and oddity of it all, and that is the dubbing group in Vancouver's...attempt... at an English-language version. In this dub, Luffy was voiced by a male actor that talks like a surfer, and loves barbecue. Roronoa Zoro was voiced by Sam Vincent. It also added Hannah Barbara esque sound effects. It's viewed as a fun unique dub similar to other questionable dubs. Many will shrug and say "It isn't that bad, at least it's not censored". Canadian One Piece(or COP for short) became a meme on the internet. One Piece on its own is famous for having very few filler arcs despite being a long runner, though the ones they do have are of immense quality such as the G8 Arc.
Sgt.Frog(1999-)
Sgt.Frog was released in English with Keroro voiced by Vic Mignogna as ADV had the series (and Jessica Boone voiced Natsumi). The English distribution rights remained with ADV. When it came time to air the show in the United States many networks fought for it. Cartoon Network wanted a mass-media pilot and franchise and Nickelodeon liked a kids' show they could make cute merchandise of. Nick said they would air it if ADV got the rights to make merchandise, they did and Nickelodeon aired the show. It was a victory for Nick as they took at least one Anime Franchise from Cartoon Network, which aired the Excel Saga's 25 episodes.
Excel Saga(1999-2000)
A short 25 episode series based on the manga that ran from 1996 to 2011. The series concerned members of an organization named Across, who wish to save the world by conquering, while interacting with their next door neighbors, who are officers seeking to bring down the same organization.
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Digimon(1999-2000)
Possibly Pokemon's biggest rival, Digimon centered on a group of children known as the Digi Destined, who bond with Creatures from the Digital worlds. However, the franchise was changing and, it felt, ending. The Dark ocean arc was a great focus on other characters(as was originally intended before a switch of the writers). There were different endings for the characters than planned, Yamato/Matt joins a band, Miyako/Yolei became Prime Minister and so on. A series titled Digi Adventure Tri was scrapped and in its place was Digimon Tamers(which includes elements of the cancelled Digimon Adventure 02) which has an epilogue that revealed Jenrya became a researcher, Ruki became a motorcycle driver, Takato went on a journey and promptly vanished off the face the earth, and the kids reunited with their Digimon after nearly twenty years. Another cancelled project was Digimon Xros Wars: The Young Hunters Leaping Through Time. Ryo does not make an appearance within the series due to story conflicts, though he is alluded to a couple times. Artwork of him and his Digimon do appear in the artwork book and he appears as an unlockable character in the various Tamer video games. Tamers had a sequel series with Ryo being introduced in said sequel proper and involved with the villain, Parallelmon. An interview revealed they were given the okay to include him when the Digimon Wonderswan games were remastered and released on the Nintendo DS and PSP years prior.
Hunter X Hunter(1999-2001)
Based on the manga that began in 1998 and went on Hiatus in 2018. The series is set in a world in which boys train to become Hunters who cans search for treasure or hunt rare beasts following The series follows Gon Freecss undergoing his training to become a hunter. The show received two Anime adaptations: one from 1999 to 2001, and another from 2011 to 2014. The 2011 version was much more faithful to the Manga thanks to the benefit of hindsight.
The Big O(1999-2001)
With the short lived Excel Saga ending, Cartoon Network hit it big(no pun intended) with the Big O, An anime that was James Bond meets the Iron Giant, meets Blade Runner meets the Matrix. The series followed spy Roger Smith who is forced to care for a female android named Dorothy Wainwright while fighting crime with the aid of a giant robot in a city that is gradually revealed to be a simulation. The Big O concluded after three seasons but was a critical darling.
Sure though that is currently in hold since I had difficulty coming up with a good enough plot for it. Will return to it later.
I’ll do my best when I get to it chronologically since I’ve been doing anime year by year.
Here's a couple of photos from Deviantart that might help https://www.deviantart.com/robert-shane/art/Star-Wars-meets-Star-Trek-Vader-vs-Spock-352314091 https://www.deviantart.com/jeremiah222/art/Spock-and-Yoda-Play-Chess-426584310 https://www.deviantart.com/jetfreak-7/art/Broken-Destiny-825688116
As for the Sailor Moon/Yu Yu Hakusho Crossover The Sailor Scouts are going to Mistake Yusuke and his friends for Yokai aren't they ?
I did think of scenarios such as these independently and I did look at fan art. There's no reason to send more. And next time just reply once. You can hit reply and respond to multiple and edit your comment. You didn't need to post Three. It's a waste of space.
I will not say anything until I reach it.
Who was the director of this film? Matthew Vaughan?
The Avengers(2011)The film was the long awaited culmination of the previous decade's films. Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye were brought together along with Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne as Ant-Man and the Wasp(from the 1980's film), though Pym changes his identity to Giant Man in the film. Mark Ruffalo returned to play Bruce Banner. Josh Halloway played Hawkeye. Captain America's costume is a bit different, with ears exposed and a chinstrap(things added to his costume in later films OTL).
The film takes a lot of inspiration from Mark Millar's the Ultimates for its plot. The Avengers are assembled by Nick Fury to combat Loki's arrival on Earth. During the film, Loki causes Banner to transform into the Hulk and the Avengers fight him before assembling once more to fight Loki and the Skrull army invading Earth. Like in OTL, the film teases Thanos at the end. Natalie Portman appears as Jane Foster, who is with Thor when SHIELD approaches him. War Machine also cameos, arriving too late to help out the Avengers.
A line of dialogue from Nick Fury mentions that the Avengers are being formed to defend against threats such as Magneto, Doctor Doom, Galactus and the Annihilation Wave in case groups like the Fantastic Four and the X-Men are defeated or unavailable. The Oscorp Tower once more appears in the New York Skyline but was recently bought out by Tony Stark to become Stark Tower and then Avengers Tower.
Because of the way the MMU pulls from earlier Superhero films, Phase One is seen as starting after the Avengers film rather than leading up to it. Since most of the film became retroactively canon.
1983 in Anime
1983 in Anime
Compilation Movies Released:
Mobile Suit Gundam III:Encounters in Space
The 4th highest grossing Japanese film at the time and finale of the Compilation Movie trilogy. It also helped hype up the upcoming Hollywood Adaptation of Gundam.
Fang of the Sun Dougram
Combat Mecha Xabungle
Heidi Girl of the Alps(1983)
Adapted by Nippon Animation[1].
Mirai Keisatsu Usashiman(1983)
Translated as Future Policeman Usashiman. Based on manga written by Hirohisa Soda and illustrated by Noboru Akashi and Haruki Inui. It was published by Akita Shouten in Weekly Shonen Champion. It was adapted into an Anime and produced by Tatsunoko Productions and aired on Fuji TV. Saban Entertainment dubbed it into English and it was licensed in America under the company Sentai Filmworks. The series follows a young man and his cat who are brought forward from 1983 to 2050 while being chased by police. He suffers complete memory loss and finds himself chased by the criminal Organization Necrime. He becomes a police officer to fight against Necrime.
Sadly the show was not enough to pull Tatsunoko out of bankruptcy and the studio closed soon after. Many were saddened by its passing due to the studio’s creation of Mach Go Go Go and Gatchaman. A bidding war began in Japan. Sandy Frank Entertainment fought to acquire it, as did Saban. However, many believed that a Japanese company should be the one to buy it. Sandy Frank attempted to sway public opinion by promising to fund film adaptations of Mach Go Go Go and Gatchaman[2].
Aura Battler Dunbine(1983-1984)
A series by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by Sotsu and Sunrise. The series follows Sho Zama, who is suddenly teleported into the fantasy world of Byston Well after a car accident. Byston Well is inhabited by dragons, castles, knights and Mecha. Aura is used to power the Mecha. Sho is discovered to possess an “Aura” and is drafted into the titular Mecha Dunbine. The setting mixes Mecha and fantasy(Tomino denies being inspired by Rowlf, which did the same). The army cavalry rides unicorns and dragons. The series includes many staples of Tomino series such as army uniforms, a young her fighting in a rebellion against a corrupt government. A female warrior love interest, a Romeo and Juliet type forbidden love between opposite sides, warships, and tragic character deaths. Zama meets and befriends Drake Luft, who summoned him to help fight but Zama later meets a resistance member who is an American named Marvel Frozen who revealed that Drake is planning to take over for himself. This leads Zama to join the resistance, at which point the tone shifts from lighthearted to much darker. The series was dubbed by ADV Films.
Urusei Yatsura: Only You(1983)
The first Urusei Yatsura film. Another alien princess Elle, arrives on Earth demanding to marry Ataru. They played a game of shadow tag when they were six and Ataru winning was a marriage proposal in her culture. Ataru and Lum are dating at this time and Lum begins a war with Elle over Ataru. The Director Mamoru Oshii repeatedly fought off attempts to change the film by the producers. Rumiko Takahashi has admitted the film was her favorite and closeted to the original series. It was released on Laserdisc by AnimEigo. It was released by Studio Perrot.
Love Me, My Knight(1983-1984)
Known in Japan as “Ai Shite Knight”. Based on the Shojo manga created by Kaoru Tada that ran from 1982 to 1984. It ran for 42 episodes by Toei Animation. The series is set in Osaka and follows 18 year old girl Yaeko Mitamura as she works at her father’s restaurant. She meets and falls in love with a boy named Hashizo, who was raised by his brother Go, the lead singer of a band called Bee Hive, The series is mainly a love story but shined a spotlight on the Japanese music scene at the time. Yaeko herself was voiced by pop idol Mitsuko Horie. It was also notable for its original songs, which were performed in universe by the bands in the story. The adaptation became popular in Europe.
Aku Daisakusen Struggle(1983)
In the year 86 of a New Galaxy, in an area called Zone Subsqui, all races in the galaxy came together to form a new civilization, causing crime to flourish as well and the rise of an Organization of Evill combatted by a group known as the Gorilla Force. The series was created by Kokusai Eiga-sha[3]
Crusher Joe(1983)
Based on the Science Fiction novels written by Haruki Takachiho and published by Asahi Sonorama from 1977 to 2005. Takachiho was one of the founders of Studio Nue, which formed in 1972. The novel series was adapted into Manga and then into a film with guest designers such as Katsuhiro Otomo(Creator of Akira), Akira Toriyama(creator of Arale-Chan), Rumiko Takahashi(Urusei Yatsura), and Hideo Azuma(Little Pollon). The series follows the Crusher Corps, a group who do various tasks from transporting to terraforming planets and destroying Asteroids. The Crushers have a set of rules and illegal or unethical activities are frowned upon with any accepting such as job being barred, though this applies even if the Crusher is tricked into such activities and when they accept a case they must complete it. The most elite team is led by the titular Crusher Joe. The 1983 film was released on Laserdisc in the US both dubbed and subtitled(one on each side). The film’s success led to the creation of a sequel by Sunrise[4].
Doraemon: Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil(1983)
The Fourth Doraemon film. Based on the myth of Atlantis.Directed by Tsutomu Shibayama. A ship goes missing in the Bermuda Triangle. Doraemon and friends decide to visit to try and rescue the ship and solve the mystery of why ships go missing. It is revealed that Atlantis has been capturing people in the Triangle and plan to launch their nuclear weapons and reclaim the surface. They work with another sunken City, Mu, to overthrow Atlantis and foil their plans.
Genma Wars(1983)
Genma Wars has a complicated plot and adaptation process even before its jump to Animation. First appearing in 1967 as a two volume manga in Shonen Magazine by Science fiction writer Kazuma Hirai(Creator of 8 Man) and manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori(Creator of Cyborg 009, The Super Sentai Series and Kamen Rider).
The original story is about a battle between Earth’s defenders and the demonic entity Genma Daioh. In the 1970’s(the future when the original 1967 story was published), Jo Azuma discovers he has psychic powers and is called by others like him to Transylvania, where the alien cyborg warrior Vega and Luna, an alien princess who’s planet was destroyed by Genma, have discovered Genma is heading towards Earth and train the warriors to fight Genma. Despite their best efforts when Genma comes, the heroes are defeated and the Earth put in great danger. Upon release the story was praised as a dark satire and critique of the traditional hero’s journey and tropes of the genre, mainly how forming your defense against Earth on a teenager and tasking them to fight an alien invader would not end well. The story received greater acclaim afterwards when Tomino’s works deconstructing the Mecha Genre in a similar way rose to fame, making the story more popular retroactively. However the story did not end there. A Time Skip reveals Genma has conquered the world, turning it into post apocalyptic wasteland. Luna finds a way to send Jo back in time to but is chased by Genma, himself who’s spirit travels back in time and possesses people. Azuma appears to succeed in not only killing Genma but also stop him earlier as well las prevent his followers from initiating a nuclear war before being sent back to his own time. In the next part in 1979, Azuma is now an adult paranormal investigator and writer, never having had to fight Genma due to his future self defeating him. He meets a woman called Moonlight who intends to expose psychics to the world and she is able to awaken Azuma’s memories of the previous timeline. It is revealed that time traveling did not alter history, only create a new reality and the old one in which Genma rules still exists as he only projected his mind back.. Azuma joins his other self in fighting Genma. Genma in the world he rules commonly rapes women to produce an heir. Some of his children serve him, some try to kill him, and some he kills for being too weak. Two of the children he has after raping Luna herself, are born male and female twins named Loof and Jin, who vow to stop their father and are raised by the resistance. The Azumas and the twins battle Genma, during which the two Azumas combine their psychic powers and the Time travel machine to send a warning to all versions of Azuma in the past that Genma is coming, allowing them to begin to plan to fight and defeat him when he invades Earth in their universes. Genma is finally killed by Azuma and the twins, the twins takeover Genma’s empire and begin to change it from within.
In 1983, the story was adapted into a film. It was heavily compressed in a way to get the basic plot across. In this version, Jo Azuma is approached by his future self when he develops psychic powers and is brought to the future. Luna is instead an alien Princess who lost her home planet to Genma and came to Earth to help fight him. After they explain this, and their hopes of stopping Genma in the past, Genma attacks, killing future Azuma in front of his past self and capturing Luna, who he late rapes. Luna is rescued by past Azuma and gives birth to two twins, who grow quickly into teens due to their Genma heritage. This leads to a final act in which Azuma, Loof and Jin fight Genma and defeat him with Luna getting the final blow out of revenge. Azuma is then sent back to his own time, but it is left vague if he will succeed in stopping Genma or if history will repeat itself.
The Genma Wars film was directed by Rintaro, known for directing Metropolis, along with character designs by Katsuhiro with Kadowa and Madhouse producing. The music was by Keith Emerson with Rosemary butler composing and singing. It was released on Laserdisc and was at the time the highest grossing anime film in Japan at 1.8 Billion at the box office. Working on the film inspired Katsuhiro Otomo, who had recently written the Manga Akira, to become an Anime Film Director. Capcom artist Akira Yatsura said the inspiration for Chun Li was a Chinese character in the film named Tao.
The film is also notable for a tie in Video Game. Something rare at the time, called Harmaggeddon due to the film not being aimed at children. It used footage from the film and was on Laserdisc as well as Arcades.Footage was used mainly for backgrounds though between level segments played footage which would later become known as Cutscenes. The Founder of Electronics Gaming Monthly Steve Harris, would set the world record for the game the same year. The game was the third most successful “Arcade Cockpit” but was less successful in the US. The plot was heavily sanitized for the game. It is set in the future without time travel mentioned. The player must rescue Princess Luna and then meets the twins, who introduce themselves as the children of Genma wanting to bring him down(removing the Rape plot). The game is a shoot em up. The added romantic subtext in the game between Azuma and Luna [5].
Perman(1983-1985)
The Fujiko Fujio superhero character Perman, previously adapted in 1967, returns, making his debut in color.
Arale-Chan: Hoyoyo! The Great Race Around the World(1983)
An Arale-Chan film made independently. At the same time however, Akira Toriyama was looking for a way to escape working on Arale-Chan in favor of starting a new series. With a 1983 one shot he pitched Dragonboy. It found some success but not much at first and the Anime adaptation of Arale-Chan would continue for some time[6].
Fushigo No Kuni no Alice(1983-1984)
An adaptation of 1865’s Alice in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass. It ran on TV Tokyo and was a Japanese-German co-production between Nippon Animation, TV Tokyo and Appolo Films, consisting of 52 episodes. In English the film is overshadowed by the Disney version but retains a following in Europe and was tubbed in Hindi, broadcasting in India. Alice in the series wars a red dress rather than a blue one. It was released as part of World Masterpiece Theater[7].
Lightspeed Electroid Albegas(1983-1984)
A Mecha series which aired in Japan, Latin America, Spain and Italy at the same time, airing as 45 25 minute episodes. The series follows high school students Daisaku, Tetsuya and Hotaru who built robots for a school competition. When an alien invasion by the Derinja Race begins. Hotaru’s father helps turn the three machines into Albegas, the fighting robot. Albegas has a notable feature which carried over to the toys, the three parts can be separated and attached in any order, leading to different combinations. Die Cast toys were also made and released in the US by Matchbox. It also like Genma Wars released an Arcade game Tie in using Laserdisc Toei Animation created cutscenes and made by Sega. It was the tenth most successful Cockpit game that month and was released in the US by Midway. The series received an American release but Dairugger XV, which shared the same staff had not done as well while GoLion was more popular. This led to the American distributor World Events Productions, in a rare move, requested an original show commissioned specifically for American audiences[8].
Miyuki(1983-1984)
Based on the Manga by Mitsuru Adachi that ran from 1980 to 1984 in Weekly Young Sunday, and won the Shogakukan Manga Ward for Shonen and Shojo in 1982. The series last 37 episodes and aired on Fuji TV. The series follows Masato Wakamatsu, a 16 year old who makes a bad first impression on his crush Miyuki Kashima. He then meets another girl who looks much like her also named Miyuki who he develops feelings for. To his shock he discovers the girl is his stepsister due to his father disappearing. Mitsuru, along with both Miyukis decides to embark on a quest when he discovers evidence that Miyuki may not be related to the family at all, and that both Miyukis may be somehow related. Meanwhile awkward tension abounds as Masato is left to travel with his identical crush and his stepsister. Masato knows that if he turns out to be related to either girl he cannot date them. Originally Kitty FIlm was to adapt but there were busy with Urusei Yatsura, which was still popular. Tomoyuki Miyata from Tatsunoko Productions was asked to produce the series in an in house studio. The Collapse of Tatsunoko led to many former employees joining the productions resulting in the creation of “Tatsuneko”, an in house smaller studio. The name was a pun on Tatsunoko “Meaning Tatsu’s Child” Tatsu being a nickname for Tatsuo Yoshida, the creator of Tatsunoko and “Neko” meaning cat, referring to Kitty Films. Tatsuneko remained a small in house studio at the time too small to branch out, but hoping for a comeback. They were so small that they could not handle the project alone and Fuji Tv arranged for Group TAC to animate while the Tatsunoko staff were involved in the creative process.
Yoko Oginome was cast as Miyuki Wakamtsu and Masatoshi Nagase was cast as Masato, known for his passionate acting when doing love scenes. Kitty Records provided music for the series, with the theme song being a hit and staple of Japan in the 80’s. The show was called Vacaciones de Verano or “Summer Vacation” which is not inaccurate as the three main characters are spending their Summer Vacation searching for answers[9].
Armored Trooper VOTOMs(1983-1984)
A military science fiction Mecha Anime by Nippon Sunrise created by Ryosuke Takahashi with designs by Kunio Okawara. It followed Takahashi’s own Fangs of the Sun Dougram and took a similar approach of using hard science in Mecha Anime. The series was inspired by the American film Junior Bonner,which followed a man who travelled and performed in Rodeo Shows. Takahashi used this to built a post war setting where Mechas fought for Sport. In the world’s setting the War used Armored vehicles called VOTOMs(Vertical One-man Tank for Offense Maneuvers). They are extremely dangerous due to their armor, risk of liquids causing explosions, or limbs being crushed by the parts. All these dangers led to the pilots being called “Bottoms” being seen as the lowest of the low, a pun on how Votoms and Bottoms are written and pronounced the same in Japanese. The protagonist Chirico Cuvie is a VOTOM pilot who is transferred to a squad that defects just as the two sides make peace. Unaware of the betrayal and finding a strange woman locked into a container with blue light, he is betrayed and framed by his own side and left to die but survives. He is hunted by the Government and criminals while trying to uncover the truth of why he was framed.
Nanako SOS(1983)
A Seinen Manga by Hideo Azuma which ran in Popcorn and was published by Kobunsha from 1980 to 1986. The 39 episode anime was produced by Kokusa Eiga-sha and aired on Fuji TV. The series follows a young girl named Nanako who gains superpowers but loses her memories as a result of a scientific experiment. The mad scientist High School Tomoshige Yotsuya lies to her that he will help regain her memories in exchange for her helping his detective agency, which Nanako believes, setting out to help people and solve mysteries.
Kinnikuman(1983-1986)
Translated as “Muscle Man”. A series created by the duo of Yoshinori Nagai and Takashi Shimada, together known as Yudetamago. The duo met in fourth grade and remained friends, creating the manga in High School as a parody of Ultraman. It was released as two one shots in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1978, winning the Akatsuka Award for new manga artists. The series ran from 1978 to 1987. The story follows the titular hero Kinnikuman, real name: Suguru Kinniku. He is clumsy and foolish. He also discovers he is the missing prince of the planet Kinniku which is known for producing the universe’s greatest superheroes and must prove himself by entering a wrestling competition and battle other pretenders to the throne while befriending heroes and villains he fights along the way. The popularity of the series led to a line of action figures called Kinkeshi, which were similar to erasers. They were released in the US along with issues of the manga. The toys being called “Musclemen”. The series also received the Shogakukan Manga Award for Children’s Manga, though its reception in the west has always been mixed. The Anime adaptation lasted 137 episodes and aired on Nippon TV. The series is considered a classic, inspiring the creators of Fullmetal Alchemist, Assassination Classroom and Yu Yu Hakusho. It has also shown to have an influence on Wrestling as several events were based around it[10].
Mimu Iro Iro Yume no Tabi(1983-1985)
An educational series created by Nippon Animation and TBS in the US. The episodes dealt with the main character Meme discussing scientific discoveries, and inventions.
Ms.Pepper Pot(1983-1984)
Based on the 1956 Children’s book Mrs.Pepperpot by Norwegian author Alf Prøysen. The series premiered on NHK General TV and lasted for 130 ten minute episodes. Mrs. Pepper Pot lives in a village with her husband. She has a magical teaspoon which allows her to shrink down for a limited time with her clothes and the teaspoon also shrinking. She can communicate with animals and they usually help her. She cannot reveal her abilities or risk losing them, though her husband eventually finds out her secret on his own.
Galactic Whirlwind Sasuraiger(1983-1984)
A sequel to Galactic Gale Baxingar and the final entry in the J9 series. It ran for 43 episodes. The plot is based around Around the World in Eighty Days. In the year 2911, the solar system is now made up of 50 planets. A gambler named I.C. Blues makes a deal with boss of the Bloody God Crime Syndicate that he can travel the entire Solar System in one year with Blues’s friends, the J9 III team, who purchase a Super Robot for the journey, the titular Sasuraiger. The Bloody Syndicate are shown to be willing to murder and sabotage the JJ9 chances of winning. The toys were released by Takatoku and the Fast Track Convertors toy line in the US[11].
America: The Anime(1983)
Released around the time of the 1984 Olympics. The series is a parody of Anime, specifically Shonen Tropes that takes inspiration from the over the top explanations and descriptions from Japanese visitors to the US that described George Washington with a bow and arrow guided by the Goddess of America, defending his wife Carol from British officials, punching a tiger, John Adams and a Giant Eagle killing a Giant Snake and so on, designed in a style reminiscent of traditional Japanese art made of the scenes. The film embraces the odd nature of depicting America’s founding in a Japanese setting[12].
Georgie!(1983)
Based on the manga written by Mann Izawa and illustrated by Yumiko Igarashi that ran from 1982 to 1984. It was adapted by Tokyo Movie Shinsha on TV Asahi for 45 episodes. Georgie is a charming girl living in Australia who is loved by her father and brothers but not her mother. She is told she is adopted, which she suspected as she was the only one in the family with blonde hair. A bracelet is the only clue to her family. She learns she is British and goes to London with her brothers, who are secretly in love with her, but have kept it hidden due to her being their adopted sister. Georgie is also looking for their lost love Lowell, who left Australia for London. This results in a love square. In the end, Georgie leaves Lowell because of his illness and his promised wife Elisa. One brother Arthur was captured by the Duke of Dangering, a nobleman who runs a drug trafficking ring. The Duke accused Georgie’s father of attempted murder on his life, leading him to be deported to Australia with his family. Arthur is rescued with Abel taking his place in his cell, but the effects of the drugs used on him leads him to want to commit suicide and he throws himself into the River Thames. Abel is discovered by the Duke’s sadistic son Arwin, who he kills. The Duke has Abel sentenced to death by firing squad. Georgie visits him and the two confess their feelings and make love. Georgie’s father reveals the Duke’s crimes at the execution but is shot. Abel dies in Georgie’s arms as the Duke is arrested. Georgie later discovers she is pregnant with Abel’s son. Arthur is found alive and reunited with Georgie, the two raising Abel’s child, who they name after him[13].
Noel’s Fantastic Trip(1983)
An animated film by Tsuneo Made. It was released on both LaserDisx and VHS. The film follows Noel, a young girl and her dog Pup who live on a small planet, called Planet Noel. Noel thinks the sun is too hot and builds a plane with the intent to bring the Sun Ice Cream. The duo encounter many people with their own planets. The sun tells them about a smog coming from an unknown planet, which they investigate.
Nine(1983)
Based on the Baseball Manga by Mitsuru Adachi which ran from 1978 to 1980. The series follows two friends, Katsuya Niimi and Susumu Karasawa in Junior High School as they join the Baseball Team. They also meet Yuri Nakao, daughter of the baseball coach and pitcher Eiji Kurahashi. The title comes from the nine players on a baseball team[14].
Stop!!Hibaru-kun!(1983-1984)
Based on the Manga by Hisashi Eguchi that ran from 1981 to 1983. It was adapted in a 35 episode series by Toei Animation and airing on Fuji TV. The series follows Kosaku Sakamoto, a high school student who is asked by his dying mother to go live with her friend, Yakuza Boss Ibari Ozora. He meets Ibari’s four children, Tsugumi, Tsubame, Hibari, and Suzume. Kosaku is attracted to Hibari immediately but is surprised to learn Hibari was assigned male at birth. Hibari and the family wish to keep this a secret and respect Hibari’s choice to live as a girl, but groups at school seek to expose Hibari. Hibari forms an attraction to Kosaku. He joined the school boxing club and meets Makota Shiina, who likes Hibari and Die Kawai, who Kosaku likes. When the new school year starts, Jun Otori tries to recruit Hibari for the girls’ volleyball team due to seeing her in action but she refuses. Hibari is also nearly exposed during swim class and summer camp events. Shiinatriesto fight Kosaku until he explains that he isn’t dating Hibari. Kosaku saves a girl named Sayuri Koenji from harassment by three guys from the Kokuryu boxing club, starting a rivalry between the Wakaba and Kokuryu boxing clubs. Sayuri becomes attracted to Kosaku and hires a detective to find out about him, learning Hibari’s secret. The Kokuryu Boxing Club then begins targeting Hinabi who is aided in fighting the group by the Wakaba Club and lands the knockout blow on the Kokuryu boxing club leader. Sayuri begins to blackmail Kosaku to go on a date or reveal Hibari’s secret which Hibari helps deal with. The school puts on a Sleeping Beauty play in which Kosaku as the Prince is forced to kiss Hibari.
The series was created as a subversive take on the then popular Romantic Comedy manga, poking fun and flipping the usual tropes, turning it into the antithesis of a romantic comedy. Eguchi drew the storyboards and intentionally drew Hibari as cute as possible. He also avoided using White Out, not liking how it looked. Serialization proved difficult and Eguchi struggled to keep up the weekly pace, stating “drawing weekly isn’t something humans can do.” The editor in Chie for Shonen Jump granted Eguchi’s request to move the series to biweekly.
The reception towards the series generally went over well, balancing its nature as a gag manga while avoiding any transphobic jokes. It was pointed out that Eguchi seemed to focus on making the characters who were transgender attractive by the standards of their chosen gender. Many critics have pointed out that the Yakuza humor has aged worse than the Transsexual humor. Jokes involving drugs were also pointed out as having not aged well. The Anime was also able to air during prime time, helping it to reach a large audience. It also said to have paved the way for the rise of J-Pop as well as many being inspired by the Manga to start cross dressing[15].
Golgo 13: The Professional(1983)
Golgo 13 was a manga by Takao Saito. Running since 1968, it holds the record for the longest manga still being published and a Guinness World Record for largest number of volumes sold for a single Manga series and the second best selling manga series. It won the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1975. The series follows Professional Assassin Golgo 13, who’s identity and origins are unknown though he is acknowledged to have an Asian appearance suggesting his is Japanese. Conflicting origins for him are intentionally revealed, leaving it vague which is true and several characters ar possibly his children. Stories of Golgo 13 are usually contemporary and based on then recent events. The character is shown to gradually age over time and also acquires scars and injuries which remain on him. The stories are known to be well researched when it comes to details such as technology being drawn and handled surprisingly accurately such as the depiction of Airplanes and Firearms among others. Other notable writers to work on the series were Kazuo Koike(Lone Wolf and Cub,Lady Snowblood), Yoichi Funado and Takashi Nagasaki. Saito has expressed a desire for the series to continue by another writer or writers after his death.
The first adaptation came in 1973 and starred Sonny Chiba. It was set entirely in Iran with an entirely Persian supporting cast. It was followed by a sequel Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon. Golgo 13: The Professional was the final installment the live action trilogy. The film received mixed reviews. The plot involves Golgo 13 being hired to assassinate Robert Dawson, son of Our Baron Leonard Dawson. Leonard Dawson then gets the US Military, CIA, FBI, Pentagon and the super soldier Snake after him. Golgo its wounded while killing an ex Nazi and his mechanic Rita is killed when the Military attacks him. Dawson allows the rest of his family to be harmed including allowing Snake to rape Robert Dawson’s widow and forcing them to try and kill Golgo themselves, leading to their deaths. Dawson asks for the release of murderers Gold and CIA from government custody to recruit them and threatens to halt all his company’s oil operations, threatening to collapse the economy. Dawson refuses to answer when Laura questions him as to why he hasn’t gone after the one who hired Golgo. Golgo discovers from his informant Pablo that Dawson hired the hit. He then tries to kill Golgo due to his family being held hostage but Golgo kills him. Golgo travels to Dawson Tower in New York City, fighting Helicopters and killing the Snake, Gold and Silver. Golgo and Dawson meet and it is revealed Robert Dawson, unable to deal with his father’s ambitions, had Golgo kill him due to being unable to go through with suicide. Leonard Dawson then throws himself off the building but Golgo shoots him before he dies. His death is ruled as a Suicide. Afterwards Golgo encounters Laura, who shoots him. He stumbles away and the credits roll[16].
Plawres Sanshiro(1983-1984)
Based on the manga by Jiro Gyu that ran from 1982 to 1985. The name is a shortened version of Plastic Model Wrestling Sanshiro. The series follows young boy Sanshiro Sugata, who performs in competitions with miniature robots. The show follows the tournaments with the mini robots. The 1983 Plawres Sanshiro soft vinyl robots line was created with the toys being somewhat close to the size depicted on the show.. The Consumer trend at the time was to buy only the protagonist robot, leaving many unbought along with a shortage of toys to begin with. Elements of the series would inspire Pokemon, by the project’s director Yuyama.
Creamy Mami, The Magic Angel(1983-1984)
A magical girl series by Studio Perrot which aired on Nippon Television. Yu Morisa is a ten year old who sees a spaceship and helps an alien find the feather star. In gratitude he grants her a magic wand which turns her into a 16 year old girl for one year and two cats named Posi and Nega. She accidentally ends up on TV and is asked to sing which she is able to to via magic, becoming an idol and overnight success, beginning her career at Parthenon Productions, dealing with both magical threats and the problems faced by a pop star such as abusive managers and rival companies. The series pioneered a marketing strategy as a then unknown new singer Takao Ota played the lead role with the first song in the series being her first song as well and she became famous because of the show.
Serendipity the Pink Dragon(1983)
Based on the Serendipity books by Stephen Cosgrove with character designs by Yoichi Kotabe(who would go onto work for Nintendo as a character designer for the Super Mario and Pokemon series, leading to some jokes of Serendipity being the first Pokemon). A boy named Kona is shipwrecked on an island and finds a pink egg that hatches into a pink dragon, the two going onto have adventures on the island while battling the evil Captain Smudge, who is in search of a mermaid’s treasure.
Battle Future Mecha Orguss(1983-1984)
From Big West, makers of Battle City Megaload. The series consisted of 35 episodes. Set in 2062, two superpowers battle over the creation of a space elevator. Dimensional weapons more dangerous than any other kind have been invented. Fore example, a Space/time Oscillation Bomb must be armed on site. The Freedom Space Corps tries to plant one to destroy the Space Elevator, but group is then told to abandon mission. Pilot Kei Katsuragi refuses and activated the bomb on his own. He finds himself in a dark future being chased by two groups, the Militaristic Chilam and the Gypsy like Emaan, who refer to him as the Singularity Point. Ken loses his Bronco II and is granted by the Orguss by the Emaan to fight for them. More bizarre elements such as Dinosaurs and Medieval castles appear, revealing the Oscillation Bomb compressed all of time and space into one universe and this must be undone before all life is exterminated when all matter is compressed [17].
Psycho Armor Goverian(1983)
A series by Go Nagai produced by Knack Productions and TV Tokyo. The series is seen as a mix of Genma Wars, Energer, and Gundam. The Garadian Empire exhausted their planet of its resources and invade Earth to claim its. A scientist named Zeku Alba rebels against the empire and gathers a group of children to protect Earth, led by Osamu, who’s family was killed in a Garadain Empire attack, and who pilots the robot Govarian[18].
Cat’s Eye(1983-1984)
Based on the manga by Tsukasa Hojo that ran from 1981 to 1985. The story follows three sisters, Hitomi, Rui and Ai Kisugi, who run a cafe called Cat’s Eye in Tokyo. They are also art thieves, searching for art belonging to their missing father, who collected art during the Nazi regime. Hitomi’s fiancee is a clumsy young police officer named Toshio Utsumi, who is investigating the Cats Eye case, unaware of the girl’s double life. The girls inform the police of the planned targets and then Hitomi uses Toshio’s research to plan the heist. At the end of the series, the girls get a message from their father Michael Heinz but it is revealed to be sinister uncle instead, who betrayed the real Michael. Hitomi confesses to Toshio she is a member of Cat’s Eye and he arrests her in a manner that parallels a marriage proposal with handcuffs substituting a ring. While Hotmi accepts she also escapes from the cuffs.
Cat’s Eye is one of the best selling Shonen Jump mangas of al time at over 20 Million Copies and aired in multiple countries. The series is set in the same world as another work by the same author, City Hunter. The Anime was adapted by Tokyo Moviee Shinsha for 36 episodes.
Little Boy(1983)
A war drama directed by More Masaki and based on an anime. It depicts the bombing go Hiroshima from the perspective of a child who survived it, as the author of the manga did. The author had previously written the story of the experience in the short Manga “I survived” and was then asked to turn his story into a series, which he did as “Little Boy”. The manga was a success and was even read in Educational settings, gaining further popularity, despite of the horrifying and graphic depiction of death. The author and the story did not blame the US but was critical of Japan’s government of the time for actions such as their aggression causing the war and their refusal to surrender after the first bomb. Many believe the film inspired Akira due to a nightmare sequence the protagonist has of a little boy destroying the city in place of the atomic bomb. The film’s depiction of the explosion had a profound impact on Anime as a whole and how such energy and power would be depicted in years to come. The Anime is the last voiced line of Midori Naka before her death.
While no sequel was made, another survivor was inspired to write about his experience surviving the bombing of Kokura, then 14 year old Kenji Yoshio, who found himself caring for an old woman named Nobuko Okamoto in a bomb shelter she made and let other people into. The situation was made worse by Chemical weapons being worked on in the city being released by the blast. More than 57,000 people were killed and an area of two and a half miles blasted. Another Manga was published titled “Fat Man” which despite the title and the author being aware of his weight, is a serious story to the same extent at little boy about the author surviving Kokura[19].
Well that was depressing…Let’s move onto something a little more upbeat.
Kouka Kihei Vector(1983-1984)
Translated in English as “Desert Machine Soldier Vector). The series follows police who ride bikes that transform into their robot partners. Characters were designed by Yoshitaka Amano. Like the later Cowboy Bebop, the episodes are named after songs. The transforming robots were created by Shinji Aramaki while he was working on Diaclone(later made into part of Transformers). He personally loved motorcycles and began designing what different models would look like if they could transform into robots.The series was adapted by Harmony Gold, the same company that handled Battle City Megaload and Orguss.
In a 21st century future, Earth’s pollution problems let to the development of a hydrogen fuel called HBT. Mankind has colonized Mars and in 2050 an alien race called the Inbit invade Earth, forcing humans to retreat when they are defeated, leaving pockets of resistance left. For unknown reasons, the Inbit leave Mars alone and don’t attack humans there unless provoked, allowing for the Earth’s main base to be set up on Mars. The first attempt to recapture Earth ends in failure. The protagonist Stick Bernard crashes on Earth as part of the second Recapture attempt and works with the resistance to find and discover the origins of the Inbit.
Special Armored Battalion Dorvack(1983-1984)
A 36 episode series which aired in Japan and Hong Kong. Released by Ashi Productions. The story is set in 1999 when Earth is invaded by alien refugees called the idelians. Earth’s best line of defense becomes the Special Armored Battalion Dorvack. The series was released to sell toys made by Takatoku and the plot was made simple but there was more effort put into the animation and choreography. The slow moving storyline did not attract fans and the toys sat on store shelves, and the toy company Takatoku Toys went under due to similar failure regarding merchandise for Orguss, and Sasuraiger. Its collapse sent a message to companies of the era. A good story was key to success. Creating Toys before you had that was a recipe for disaster and a cart before the Horse scenario. After this most companies waited until after an Anime show had completed to release merchandise with a better idea of how successful they would could be expected to be. For multiple Season anime, the toys would be released for the previous season as the new one started.
Tao Tao(1983-1985)
A 52 episode series airing on TV Osaka. It followed a small panda and his adventures. It was translated into Finnish and aired in South Africa and Albania, where “Taotao” became a nickname for Communist politician Adil Carcani.
Captain Tsubasa(1983-1985)
Based on the Manga series by Yoichi Takahashi that ran from 1979 to 1984. The series follows Tsubasa Oozora on his journey as a Football player. It was inspired by the 1978 FIFA World Cup. Football was not very popular in Japan but the series helped elevate it and got many now famous Japanese players into it. The series was barely accepted. The characters were made children who would grow upper time into champions. All characters were given a distinctive look. Tusbasa Oozora is an eleven year old obsessed with Football and winning the FIFA World Cup for Japan. When he was 1 year old, he was almost hit with a bus while playing with a football but held it in front of him, saving his life. At the start of the series, Tsubasa moves to a new town and meets friends who also like football, as well as learning from one of the best Brazilian football players, Robert Hongo. Tsubasa with his friends as his team soon start to win championships, rising to the world stage. The Manga sold 700 million volumes in Japan as of 2008.
The Anime was produced by Tsuchida Production and aired on TV Tokyo. It often ranks on top 100 Anime lists, usually in the 30’s or 40’s. It is also credited with inspiring several now famous players to choose football as a career such as Hidetoshi Nakata, Alessandro Del Piero, Fernando Torres, Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez, and Andres Iniesta. The series influenced has reached to the extent where the character has appeared on Japanese relief trucks, a statue of him and an appearance at the Olympics and he remains a cultural icon[20].
Buddha(1983)
Based on Osamu Tezuka’s Manga that ran from 1972 to 1983. The Manga followed the life of the founder of Buddhism. It received critical acclaim for being respectful yet also explicit at times and also humorous, managing to balance these elements without alienating the religion. This led it to become a test in Buddhist Temples for teens and young adults to understand Buddhism and Buddha’s life. It won an Eisner Award at the time, one of the first Mangas to do so. Tezuka’s own Mushi Productions adapted the story into critically acclaimed film, likewise shown in Buddhist temples. Manyin the West believe that if any Tezuka project was worthy of an Oscar it would be Buddha[21].
Igano Kabamaru(1983)
Based on the manga by You Azuki that ran from 1979 to 1981. The series follows a young ninja named Kagemaru or absolute Shadow nicknamed Kabamaru or Hippo’s mouth due to his massive appetite. His grandfather and Ninja sensei Saizo Igano dies and he moves to Tokyo to live with his first love Ran Ookubo, adjusting to urban life. He attends Kin’gyoku school where Ran is headmistress. Kabamaru meets Mai, Ran’s granddaughter, who he develops feelings for but she finds his eating habits repulsive. Kin’gyoku has a rival in Ogyoku School due to wealthy families controlling the schools. This leads to Kabamaru being forced to fight his friend and now rival Hayate, who was also trained by Saizo before leaving. Shuu Maejima, head of the Ogyoku student council, takes control of other schools to create assault squads and using criminal gangs, leading to student council member for Kin’gyokuS hizune Mejiro to ask Kabamaru to help them. Mai goes to talk to Maejima but is captured by Hayate and both gangs are brought into a fight where Hayata and Kabamaru battle. Kabamaru appears to kill Hayate before his grandfather Saizo appears alive, revealing he saved Hayate. Saizo reveals that he faked his death and this was a test for Kabamaru to introduce him to the real world. Kabamaru agrees to train with Saizo and promises Mai that he will return. The Manga was adapted into a film with Hikaru Kurosaki, Rumiko Takeda as Mai, Sanada Hiroyuki as Hizune and Sonny Chiba as Saizo(who had a small role, allowing him to balance his appearance in this film and in Golgo 13)[22].
Ginga Hyoryu Vifam(1983-1984)
Translated roughly to either Galactic Drifter Vifam or Round Vernian Vifam. A Mecha series by Sunrise based on the Jules Verne novel Deus ans de vacances(Two Years Vacation, which is a story of children surviving and thriving on a deserted island similar to Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson, a sort of Antithesis to “Lord of the Flies” where the children get along and work together, even thwarting a group of mutineers that arrive on the island). It was drafted by Yoshiyuki Tomino, planned by Takeyuki Kanda(director of the Ultraman series), and Hiroyuki Hosiyama. It aired on MBS, and TBS. The series is set in 2058 where aliens called Astrogaters attack the human colony of Clayad, 43 light years way from Earth. The planet is evacuated but a group of children are accidentally left behind. They are able to reach the colony of Belwick but find it’s already been attack and decide to head to Earth itself. They meet a friendly Astrogater and learn their parents were taken hostage and are kept on the Astrogater home planet and set out to rescue them.
Dallos(1983)
A Science Fiction DVA series from Studio Pierrot created by Hisayuki Toriumi, who had created Science Ninja team Gatchaman for Tatsunoko. It was directed by Mamoru Ishii and is considered the first true DVA(Direct to Video Anime), unless one counts the Daicon I opening, which was much shorter. The film is set in the future where humanity has drained the Earth of resources and has colonized the Moon but the colonists are mistreated, leading them to commit acts of terrorism. A mysterious structure found on the moon gives the colonists hope and a young colonist named Shun Nomonura joins the rebels.
Daicon II Opening Animation(1983)
Created as part of the Nihon SF Taikai convention as part of the group known as Daicon film. Hideaki Anno, Hiroyuki Yamaga, and Takami Akai among others returned including Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and Mahiro Made mixed with professional animators from Artland including Ichiro Itano, Toshiki Hirano and Narumi Kakinouchi.The Nihon SF Take was once more to be held in Osaka. A 15 minute anime was made. The original opening impressed Studio Nue and some of the students went onto work on Battle City Megaload.
The short depicts the same little girl from the first, who is now an adult woman with a job in which she is forced to wear a bunny costume. Aliens then invade and begin to zap people, who disappear. The aliens from the first film return and tell her they came to help and that the invaders use guns that send their victims through time. The girl is hit and appears on the Death Star and briefly battles Darth Vader and Stormtroopers with the aliens providing a lightsaber. She is then transported away by the aliens but through time, appearing on a dark area where a Xenomorph attacks her. She jumps again and appears on the Discovery One from 2001: A Space Odyssey. She then returns to the present when the aliens get the time machine working correctly and fights the aliens with a Mecha they provide only to encounter Kaiju they summon. She is also granted Stormbringer(From the Michael Moorcock stories) though it’s only mentioned as a magic sword. The evil aliens use the time machine to summon various villains from pop culture and the good aliens counter, resulting in many cameos such as Yoda, Battle City megaload, Spaceship Asteroid Icarus, Captain Harlock, Gundams, various American Comic Book Heroes and Villains, characters from the Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Pern, Conan the Barbarian, and various ships from Star Trek, Star Wars,The First Men in the Moon, Lord Jam and Thunderbirds. Many of the characters are killed in battle but the aliens help the girl sneak into the alien mothership and go back in time to destroy the alien time machine in the past, undoing everything. The girl finds herself in a world seemingly back to normal and is somewhat sad but the aliens arrive as in normal And reveal they remember what happened and gave all the Fictional characters a home in an alternate universe where they all live together at the same time, which is shown to the audience as an alternate Earth.
Copyright problems made releasing the film commercially impossible, but it was played at conventions until the rise of the Internet where it was uploaded to YouTube. Rare laserdisc versions were also made and due to their scarcity, will fetch prices of over a thousand US dollars[23]
Ultima(1983)
An Anime Adaptation of the Video Game franchise, largely based on Ultima III, created due to Ultima finding success in Japan[24].
NOTES
[1] adapted OTL in 1974 by Takahata and Miyazaki after Pippi Longstocking fell through. OTL a show titled Story of the Alps: my Annette was released at this time. Here Nippon Animation decided to adapt Heidi due to it not being adapted yet. It doesn’t have Takahata or Miyazaki involved. So OTL one of the most famous Anime of the 70’s is now a forgotten series of the 80’s. The Wikipedia article for the series ITTL is likely just barely longer than my summary of it.
[2] OTL Usashiman saved Tatsunoko from Bankruptcy due to its success. ITTL…Not so much. Tatsunoko goes under. It’s a sad moment to many ITTL due to the studio’s influence on the genre. I retconned Tatsuo Yoshida’s death earlier as I discovered his doctor told him to lighten his workload for his health. He refused. ITTL he did, naturally with the company going under her tries to save it and returns, which sadly doesn’t always work. OTL Hal Roach Studios went under when he left and his return failed to save it. Mushi Productions also went under despite Osamu Tezuka trying to save it. It’s most likely that overwork to save his company kills Tatsuo Yoshida in 1983 instead of 1977 ITTL and his company dies with him. Now this doesn’t mean the end. The influence is there and the characters can still make a comeback.
[3] OTL Aku Daisakusen Srungle was, along with Go Shogun licensed to Saban and combined to create Macron 1. Not ITTL which means most people have never even heard of it.
[4]OTL a storyboard for a Crusher Joe Sequel was pitched to Sunrise but never made. It will be ITTL.
[5] Genma Wars was cancelled Prematurely OTL at 2 volumes and revived later on, likely leading to the shift in apocalyptic tone as the last volume ended on a cliffhanger with the heroes defeated, however the creators did come back and continued it later on, hence why the Apocalyptic elements remain though its been condensed heavily as it involved much more time travel and new universes created while here it’s mostly just two. A minor change is Luna was the princess of Transylvania OTL. Here she is an Alien Princess to better tie her into the role of opposing Genma, she also wasn’t the mother of Loof and Jin. Given its graphic nature and the fact that ITTL it emerged in 1967, the series is seen as very controversial but became popular due to Go Nagai’s rise to fame around 1972 since he also tackled dark subject matter.
[6] Dragonboy was the original pitch by Toriyama, pitched as he wanted to stop working on Dr.Slump. OTL it was reworked into Dragonball, the second half of which would be adapted as Dragonball Z, which is more well known to westerners. ITTL Dragonboy succeeding will lead to Toriyama starting it in 1983. A post detailing the plot will follow due to it being so different. Dragonboy will crossover with Arale-Chan like Dragonball did OTL though one main difference is the world is established as Earth even in Geography due to Arale-Chan: Race around the World.
[7] OTL the Alice in Wonderland Anime was not part of World Masterpiece Theater. Story of the Alps: my Annette was shown OTL. Here the success of their Wizard of Oz adaptation of World Masterpiece Theater led to Nippon Animation upgrading another Little Girl Lost story.
[8] Said Commissioned Show ITTL will become Voltron. Tailored to American audiences will help the show stand out among the sea of Mecha Anime which wasn’t such a problem OTL. A similar deal to create more animation for Voltron was made at this time OTL. Something similar happened to Power Rangers when they ran out of footage and asked the original Sentai team if they could shoot more…which they did. Compared to OTL Voltron will be less watered down for children. Character death and violence will be a thing.
[9]Naturally OTL Tatsunoko survived and so was not involved while Tomoyui Miyata was. Group TAC almost animated Miyuki but did not, though all Adachi works were adapted by Group TAC. The plot of Miyuki itself is different. The OTL focuses on the romance while this one has an adventure and at least plays the possible incest angle for drama. Tatsuneko is admittedly an original pun but Japan in general loves word puns, in English and in Japanese. A TV movie was also made at this time OTL but not ITTL due to the different production team.
[10] For Western fans, the 1998 sequel, Kinnikuman: The 2nd Generation, was released on 4kids under the name Ultimate Muscle, likely how most western fans know it. Sad thing is most fans dislike the 2nd Generation and it may be butterflied away.
[11]The Toys for Saisuranger were called Batrain OTL but you could remove the Batrain stickers to reveal the Sasuraiger sticker underneath.
Compilation Movies Released:
Mobile Suit Gundam III:Encounters in Space
The 4th highest grossing Japanese film at the time and finale of the Compilation Movie trilogy. It also helped hype up the upcoming Hollywood Adaptation of Gundam.
Fang of the Sun Dougram
Combat Mecha Xabungle
Heidi Girl of the Alps(1983)
Adapted by Nippon Animation[1].
Mirai Keisatsu Usashiman(1983)
Translated as Future Policeman Usashiman. Based on manga written by Hirohisa Soda and illustrated by Noboru Akashi and Haruki Inui. It was published by Akita Shouten in Weekly Shonen Champion. It was adapted into an Anime and produced by Tatsunoko Productions and aired on Fuji TV. Saban Entertainment dubbed it into English and it was licensed in America under the company Sentai Filmworks. The series follows a young man and his cat who are brought forward from 1983 to 2050 while being chased by police. He suffers complete memory loss and finds himself chased by the criminal Organization Necrime. He becomes a police officer to fight against Necrime.
Sadly the show was not enough to pull Tatsunoko out of bankruptcy and the studio closed soon after. Many were saddened by its passing due to the studio’s creation of Mach Go Go Go and Gatchaman. A bidding war began in Japan. Sandy Frank Entertainment fought to acquire it, as did Saban. However, many believed that a Japanese company should be the one to buy it. Sandy Frank attempted to sway public opinion by promising to fund film adaptations of Mach Go Go Go and Gatchaman[2].
Aura Battler Dunbine(1983-1984)
A series by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by Sotsu and Sunrise. The series follows Sho Zama, who is suddenly teleported into the fantasy world of Byston Well after a car accident. Byston Well is inhabited by dragons, castles, knights and Mecha. Aura is used to power the Mecha. Sho is discovered to possess an “Aura” and is drafted into the titular Mecha Dunbine. The setting mixes Mecha and fantasy(Tomino denies being inspired by Rowlf, which did the same). The army cavalry rides unicorns and dragons. The series includes many staples of Tomino series such as army uniforms, a young her fighting in a rebellion against a corrupt government. A female warrior love interest, a Romeo and Juliet type forbidden love between opposite sides, warships, and tragic character deaths. Zama meets and befriends Drake Luft, who summoned him to help fight but Zama later meets a resistance member who is an American named Marvel Frozen who revealed that Drake is planning to take over for himself. This leads Zama to join the resistance, at which point the tone shifts from lighthearted to much darker. The series was dubbed by ADV Films.
Urusei Yatsura: Only You(1983)
The first Urusei Yatsura film. Another alien princess Elle, arrives on Earth demanding to marry Ataru. They played a game of shadow tag when they were six and Ataru winning was a marriage proposal in her culture. Ataru and Lum are dating at this time and Lum begins a war with Elle over Ataru. The Director Mamoru Oshii repeatedly fought off attempts to change the film by the producers. Rumiko Takahashi has admitted the film was her favorite and closeted to the original series. It was released on Laserdisc by AnimEigo. It was released by Studio Perrot.
Love Me, My Knight(1983-1984)
Known in Japan as “Ai Shite Knight”. Based on the Shojo manga created by Kaoru Tada that ran from 1982 to 1984. It ran for 42 episodes by Toei Animation. The series is set in Osaka and follows 18 year old girl Yaeko Mitamura as she works at her father’s restaurant. She meets and falls in love with a boy named Hashizo, who was raised by his brother Go, the lead singer of a band called Bee Hive, The series is mainly a love story but shined a spotlight on the Japanese music scene at the time. Yaeko herself was voiced by pop idol Mitsuko Horie. It was also notable for its original songs, which were performed in universe by the bands in the story. The adaptation became popular in Europe.
Aku Daisakusen Struggle(1983)
In the year 86 of a New Galaxy, in an area called Zone Subsqui, all races in the galaxy came together to form a new civilization, causing crime to flourish as well and the rise of an Organization of Evill combatted by a group known as the Gorilla Force. The series was created by Kokusai Eiga-sha[3]
Crusher Joe(1983)
Based on the Science Fiction novels written by Haruki Takachiho and published by Asahi Sonorama from 1977 to 2005. Takachiho was one of the founders of Studio Nue, which formed in 1972. The novel series was adapted into Manga and then into a film with guest designers such as Katsuhiro Otomo(Creator of Akira), Akira Toriyama(creator of Arale-Chan), Rumiko Takahashi(Urusei Yatsura), and Hideo Azuma(Little Pollon). The series follows the Crusher Corps, a group who do various tasks from transporting to terraforming planets and destroying Asteroids. The Crushers have a set of rules and illegal or unethical activities are frowned upon with any accepting such as job being barred, though this applies even if the Crusher is tricked into such activities and when they accept a case they must complete it. The most elite team is led by the titular Crusher Joe. The 1983 film was released on Laserdisc in the US both dubbed and subtitled(one on each side). The film’s success led to the creation of a sequel by Sunrise[4].
Doraemon: Nobita and the Castle of the Undersea Devil(1983)
The Fourth Doraemon film. Based on the myth of Atlantis.Directed by Tsutomu Shibayama. A ship goes missing in the Bermuda Triangle. Doraemon and friends decide to visit to try and rescue the ship and solve the mystery of why ships go missing. It is revealed that Atlantis has been capturing people in the Triangle and plan to launch their nuclear weapons and reclaim the surface. They work with another sunken City, Mu, to overthrow Atlantis and foil their plans.
Genma Wars(1983)
Genma Wars has a complicated plot and adaptation process even before its jump to Animation. First appearing in 1967 as a two volume manga in Shonen Magazine by Science fiction writer Kazuma Hirai(Creator of 8 Man) and manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori(Creator of Cyborg 009, The Super Sentai Series and Kamen Rider).
The original story is about a battle between Earth’s defenders and the demonic entity Genma Daioh. In the 1970’s(the future when the original 1967 story was published), Jo Azuma discovers he has psychic powers and is called by others like him to Transylvania, where the alien cyborg warrior Vega and Luna, an alien princess who’s planet was destroyed by Genma, have discovered Genma is heading towards Earth and train the warriors to fight Genma. Despite their best efforts when Genma comes, the heroes are defeated and the Earth put in great danger. Upon release the story was praised as a dark satire and critique of the traditional hero’s journey and tropes of the genre, mainly how forming your defense against Earth on a teenager and tasking them to fight an alien invader would not end well. The story received greater acclaim afterwards when Tomino’s works deconstructing the Mecha Genre in a similar way rose to fame, making the story more popular retroactively. However the story did not end there. A Time Skip reveals Genma has conquered the world, turning it into post apocalyptic wasteland. Luna finds a way to send Jo back in time to but is chased by Genma, himself who’s spirit travels back in time and possesses people. Azuma appears to succeed in not only killing Genma but also stop him earlier as well las prevent his followers from initiating a nuclear war before being sent back to his own time. In the next part in 1979, Azuma is now an adult paranormal investigator and writer, never having had to fight Genma due to his future self defeating him. He meets a woman called Moonlight who intends to expose psychics to the world and she is able to awaken Azuma’s memories of the previous timeline. It is revealed that time traveling did not alter history, only create a new reality and the old one in which Genma rules still exists as he only projected his mind back.. Azuma joins his other self in fighting Genma. Genma in the world he rules commonly rapes women to produce an heir. Some of his children serve him, some try to kill him, and some he kills for being too weak. Two of the children he has after raping Luna herself, are born male and female twins named Loof and Jin, who vow to stop their father and are raised by the resistance. The Azumas and the twins battle Genma, during which the two Azumas combine their psychic powers and the Time travel machine to send a warning to all versions of Azuma in the past that Genma is coming, allowing them to begin to plan to fight and defeat him when he invades Earth in their universes. Genma is finally killed by Azuma and the twins, the twins takeover Genma’s empire and begin to change it from within.
In 1983, the story was adapted into a film. It was heavily compressed in a way to get the basic plot across. In this version, Jo Azuma is approached by his future self when he develops psychic powers and is brought to the future. Luna is instead an alien Princess who lost her home planet to Genma and came to Earth to help fight him. After they explain this, and their hopes of stopping Genma in the past, Genma attacks, killing future Azuma in front of his past self and capturing Luna, who he late rapes. Luna is rescued by past Azuma and gives birth to two twins, who grow quickly into teens due to their Genma heritage. This leads to a final act in which Azuma, Loof and Jin fight Genma and defeat him with Luna getting the final blow out of revenge. Azuma is then sent back to his own time, but it is left vague if he will succeed in stopping Genma or if history will repeat itself.
The Genma Wars film was directed by Rintaro, known for directing Metropolis, along with character designs by Katsuhiro with Kadowa and Madhouse producing. The music was by Keith Emerson with Rosemary butler composing and singing. It was released on Laserdisc and was at the time the highest grossing anime film in Japan at 1.8 Billion at the box office. Working on the film inspired Katsuhiro Otomo, who had recently written the Manga Akira, to become an Anime Film Director. Capcom artist Akira Yatsura said the inspiration for Chun Li was a Chinese character in the film named Tao.
The film is also notable for a tie in Video Game. Something rare at the time, called Harmaggeddon due to the film not being aimed at children. It used footage from the film and was on Laserdisc as well as Arcades.Footage was used mainly for backgrounds though between level segments played footage which would later become known as Cutscenes. The Founder of Electronics Gaming Monthly Steve Harris, would set the world record for the game the same year. The game was the third most successful “Arcade Cockpit” but was less successful in the US. The plot was heavily sanitized for the game. It is set in the future without time travel mentioned. The player must rescue Princess Luna and then meets the twins, who introduce themselves as the children of Genma wanting to bring him down(removing the Rape plot). The game is a shoot em up. The added romantic subtext in the game between Azuma and Luna [5].
Perman(1983-1985)
The Fujiko Fujio superhero character Perman, previously adapted in 1967, returns, making his debut in color.
Arale-Chan: Hoyoyo! The Great Race Around the World(1983)
An Arale-Chan film made independently. At the same time however, Akira Toriyama was looking for a way to escape working on Arale-Chan in favor of starting a new series. With a 1983 one shot he pitched Dragonboy. It found some success but not much at first and the Anime adaptation of Arale-Chan would continue for some time[6].
Fushigo No Kuni no Alice(1983-1984)
An adaptation of 1865’s Alice in Wonderland and its sequel Through the Looking Glass. It ran on TV Tokyo and was a Japanese-German co-production between Nippon Animation, TV Tokyo and Appolo Films, consisting of 52 episodes. In English the film is overshadowed by the Disney version but retains a following in Europe and was tubbed in Hindi, broadcasting in India. Alice in the series wars a red dress rather than a blue one. It was released as part of World Masterpiece Theater[7].
Lightspeed Electroid Albegas(1983-1984)
A Mecha series which aired in Japan, Latin America, Spain and Italy at the same time, airing as 45 25 minute episodes. The series follows high school students Daisaku, Tetsuya and Hotaru who built robots for a school competition. When an alien invasion by the Derinja Race begins. Hotaru’s father helps turn the three machines into Albegas, the fighting robot. Albegas has a notable feature which carried over to the toys, the three parts can be separated and attached in any order, leading to different combinations. Die Cast toys were also made and released in the US by Matchbox. It also like Genma Wars released an Arcade game Tie in using Laserdisc Toei Animation created cutscenes and made by Sega. It was the tenth most successful Cockpit game that month and was released in the US by Midway. The series received an American release but Dairugger XV, which shared the same staff had not done as well while GoLion was more popular. This led to the American distributor World Events Productions, in a rare move, requested an original show commissioned specifically for American audiences[8].
Miyuki(1983-1984)
Based on the Manga by Mitsuru Adachi that ran from 1980 to 1984 in Weekly Young Sunday, and won the Shogakukan Manga Ward for Shonen and Shojo in 1982. The series last 37 episodes and aired on Fuji TV. The series follows Masato Wakamatsu, a 16 year old who makes a bad first impression on his crush Miyuki Kashima. He then meets another girl who looks much like her also named Miyuki who he develops feelings for. To his shock he discovers the girl is his stepsister due to his father disappearing. Mitsuru, along with both Miyukis decides to embark on a quest when he discovers evidence that Miyuki may not be related to the family at all, and that both Miyukis may be somehow related. Meanwhile awkward tension abounds as Masato is left to travel with his identical crush and his stepsister. Masato knows that if he turns out to be related to either girl he cannot date them. Originally Kitty FIlm was to adapt but there were busy with Urusei Yatsura, which was still popular. Tomoyuki Miyata from Tatsunoko Productions was asked to produce the series in an in house studio. The Collapse of Tatsunoko led to many former employees joining the productions resulting in the creation of “Tatsuneko”, an in house smaller studio. The name was a pun on Tatsunoko “Meaning Tatsu’s Child” Tatsu being a nickname for Tatsuo Yoshida, the creator of Tatsunoko and “Neko” meaning cat, referring to Kitty Films. Tatsuneko remained a small in house studio at the time too small to branch out, but hoping for a comeback. They were so small that they could not handle the project alone and Fuji Tv arranged for Group TAC to animate while the Tatsunoko staff were involved in the creative process.
Yoko Oginome was cast as Miyuki Wakamtsu and Masatoshi Nagase was cast as Masato, known for his passionate acting when doing love scenes. Kitty Records provided music for the series, with the theme song being a hit and staple of Japan in the 80’s. The show was called Vacaciones de Verano or “Summer Vacation” which is not inaccurate as the three main characters are spending their Summer Vacation searching for answers[9].
Armored Trooper VOTOMs(1983-1984)
A military science fiction Mecha Anime by Nippon Sunrise created by Ryosuke Takahashi with designs by Kunio Okawara. It followed Takahashi’s own Fangs of the Sun Dougram and took a similar approach of using hard science in Mecha Anime. The series was inspired by the American film Junior Bonner,which followed a man who travelled and performed in Rodeo Shows. Takahashi used this to built a post war setting where Mechas fought for Sport. In the world’s setting the War used Armored vehicles called VOTOMs(Vertical One-man Tank for Offense Maneuvers). They are extremely dangerous due to their armor, risk of liquids causing explosions, or limbs being crushed by the parts. All these dangers led to the pilots being called “Bottoms” being seen as the lowest of the low, a pun on how Votoms and Bottoms are written and pronounced the same in Japanese. The protagonist Chirico Cuvie is a VOTOM pilot who is transferred to a squad that defects just as the two sides make peace. Unaware of the betrayal and finding a strange woman locked into a container with blue light, he is betrayed and framed by his own side and left to die but survives. He is hunted by the Government and criminals while trying to uncover the truth of why he was framed.
Nanako SOS(1983)
A Seinen Manga by Hideo Azuma which ran in Popcorn and was published by Kobunsha from 1980 to 1986. The 39 episode anime was produced by Kokusa Eiga-sha and aired on Fuji TV. The series follows a young girl named Nanako who gains superpowers but loses her memories as a result of a scientific experiment. The mad scientist High School Tomoshige Yotsuya lies to her that he will help regain her memories in exchange for her helping his detective agency, which Nanako believes, setting out to help people and solve mysteries.
Kinnikuman(1983-1986)
Translated as “Muscle Man”. A series created by the duo of Yoshinori Nagai and Takashi Shimada, together known as Yudetamago. The duo met in fourth grade and remained friends, creating the manga in High School as a parody of Ultraman. It was released as two one shots in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1978, winning the Akatsuka Award for new manga artists. The series ran from 1978 to 1987. The story follows the titular hero Kinnikuman, real name: Suguru Kinniku. He is clumsy and foolish. He also discovers he is the missing prince of the planet Kinniku which is known for producing the universe’s greatest superheroes and must prove himself by entering a wrestling competition and battle other pretenders to the throne while befriending heroes and villains he fights along the way. The popularity of the series led to a line of action figures called Kinkeshi, which were similar to erasers. They were released in the US along with issues of the manga. The toys being called “Musclemen”. The series also received the Shogakukan Manga Award for Children’s Manga, though its reception in the west has always been mixed. The Anime adaptation lasted 137 episodes and aired on Nippon TV. The series is considered a classic, inspiring the creators of Fullmetal Alchemist, Assassination Classroom and Yu Yu Hakusho. It has also shown to have an influence on Wrestling as several events were based around it[10].
Mimu Iro Iro Yume no Tabi(1983-1985)
An educational series created by Nippon Animation and TBS in the US. The episodes dealt with the main character Meme discussing scientific discoveries, and inventions.
Ms.Pepper Pot(1983-1984)
Based on the 1956 Children’s book Mrs.Pepperpot by Norwegian author Alf Prøysen. The series premiered on NHK General TV and lasted for 130 ten minute episodes. Mrs. Pepper Pot lives in a village with her husband. She has a magical teaspoon which allows her to shrink down for a limited time with her clothes and the teaspoon also shrinking. She can communicate with animals and they usually help her. She cannot reveal her abilities or risk losing them, though her husband eventually finds out her secret on his own.
Galactic Whirlwind Sasuraiger(1983-1984)
A sequel to Galactic Gale Baxingar and the final entry in the J9 series. It ran for 43 episodes. The plot is based around Around the World in Eighty Days. In the year 2911, the solar system is now made up of 50 planets. A gambler named I.C. Blues makes a deal with boss of the Bloody God Crime Syndicate that he can travel the entire Solar System in one year with Blues’s friends, the J9 III team, who purchase a Super Robot for the journey, the titular Sasuraiger. The Bloody Syndicate are shown to be willing to murder and sabotage the JJ9 chances of winning. The toys were released by Takatoku and the Fast Track Convertors toy line in the US[11].
America: The Anime(1983)
Released around the time of the 1984 Olympics. The series is a parody of Anime, specifically Shonen Tropes that takes inspiration from the over the top explanations and descriptions from Japanese visitors to the US that described George Washington with a bow and arrow guided by the Goddess of America, defending his wife Carol from British officials, punching a tiger, John Adams and a Giant Eagle killing a Giant Snake and so on, designed in a style reminiscent of traditional Japanese art made of the scenes. The film embraces the odd nature of depicting America’s founding in a Japanese setting[12].
Georgie!(1983)
Based on the manga written by Mann Izawa and illustrated by Yumiko Igarashi that ran from 1982 to 1984. It was adapted by Tokyo Movie Shinsha on TV Asahi for 45 episodes. Georgie is a charming girl living in Australia who is loved by her father and brothers but not her mother. She is told she is adopted, which she suspected as she was the only one in the family with blonde hair. A bracelet is the only clue to her family. She learns she is British and goes to London with her brothers, who are secretly in love with her, but have kept it hidden due to her being their adopted sister. Georgie is also looking for their lost love Lowell, who left Australia for London. This results in a love square. In the end, Georgie leaves Lowell because of his illness and his promised wife Elisa. One brother Arthur was captured by the Duke of Dangering, a nobleman who runs a drug trafficking ring. The Duke accused Georgie’s father of attempted murder on his life, leading him to be deported to Australia with his family. Arthur is rescued with Abel taking his place in his cell, but the effects of the drugs used on him leads him to want to commit suicide and he throws himself into the River Thames. Abel is discovered by the Duke’s sadistic son Arwin, who he kills. The Duke has Abel sentenced to death by firing squad. Georgie visits him and the two confess their feelings and make love. Georgie’s father reveals the Duke’s crimes at the execution but is shot. Abel dies in Georgie’s arms as the Duke is arrested. Georgie later discovers she is pregnant with Abel’s son. Arthur is found alive and reunited with Georgie, the two raising Abel’s child, who they name after him[13].
Noel’s Fantastic Trip(1983)
An animated film by Tsuneo Made. It was released on both LaserDisx and VHS. The film follows Noel, a young girl and her dog Pup who live on a small planet, called Planet Noel. Noel thinks the sun is too hot and builds a plane with the intent to bring the Sun Ice Cream. The duo encounter many people with their own planets. The sun tells them about a smog coming from an unknown planet, which they investigate.
Nine(1983)
Based on the Baseball Manga by Mitsuru Adachi which ran from 1978 to 1980. The series follows two friends, Katsuya Niimi and Susumu Karasawa in Junior High School as they join the Baseball Team. They also meet Yuri Nakao, daughter of the baseball coach and pitcher Eiji Kurahashi. The title comes from the nine players on a baseball team[14].
Stop!!Hibaru-kun!(1983-1984)
Based on the Manga by Hisashi Eguchi that ran from 1981 to 1983. It was adapted in a 35 episode series by Toei Animation and airing on Fuji TV. The series follows Kosaku Sakamoto, a high school student who is asked by his dying mother to go live with her friend, Yakuza Boss Ibari Ozora. He meets Ibari’s four children, Tsugumi, Tsubame, Hibari, and Suzume. Kosaku is attracted to Hibari immediately but is surprised to learn Hibari was assigned male at birth. Hibari and the family wish to keep this a secret and respect Hibari’s choice to live as a girl, but groups at school seek to expose Hibari. Hibari forms an attraction to Kosaku. He joined the school boxing club and meets Makota Shiina, who likes Hibari and Die Kawai, who Kosaku likes. When the new school year starts, Jun Otori tries to recruit Hibari for the girls’ volleyball team due to seeing her in action but she refuses. Hibari is also nearly exposed during swim class and summer camp events. Shiinatriesto fight Kosaku until he explains that he isn’t dating Hibari. Kosaku saves a girl named Sayuri Koenji from harassment by three guys from the Kokuryu boxing club, starting a rivalry between the Wakaba and Kokuryu boxing clubs. Sayuri becomes attracted to Kosaku and hires a detective to find out about him, learning Hibari’s secret. The Kokuryu Boxing Club then begins targeting Hinabi who is aided in fighting the group by the Wakaba Club and lands the knockout blow on the Kokuryu boxing club leader. Sayuri begins to blackmail Kosaku to go on a date or reveal Hibari’s secret which Hibari helps deal with. The school puts on a Sleeping Beauty play in which Kosaku as the Prince is forced to kiss Hibari.
The series was created as a subversive take on the then popular Romantic Comedy manga, poking fun and flipping the usual tropes, turning it into the antithesis of a romantic comedy. Eguchi drew the storyboards and intentionally drew Hibari as cute as possible. He also avoided using White Out, not liking how it looked. Serialization proved difficult and Eguchi struggled to keep up the weekly pace, stating “drawing weekly isn’t something humans can do.” The editor in Chie for Shonen Jump granted Eguchi’s request to move the series to biweekly.
The reception towards the series generally went over well, balancing its nature as a gag manga while avoiding any transphobic jokes. It was pointed out that Eguchi seemed to focus on making the characters who were transgender attractive by the standards of their chosen gender. Many critics have pointed out that the Yakuza humor has aged worse than the Transsexual humor. Jokes involving drugs were also pointed out as having not aged well. The Anime was also able to air during prime time, helping it to reach a large audience. It also said to have paved the way for the rise of J-Pop as well as many being inspired by the Manga to start cross dressing[15].
Golgo 13: The Professional(1983)
Golgo 13 was a manga by Takao Saito. Running since 1968, it holds the record for the longest manga still being published and a Guinness World Record for largest number of volumes sold for a single Manga series and the second best selling manga series. It won the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1975. The series follows Professional Assassin Golgo 13, who’s identity and origins are unknown though he is acknowledged to have an Asian appearance suggesting his is Japanese. Conflicting origins for him are intentionally revealed, leaving it vague which is true and several characters ar possibly his children. Stories of Golgo 13 are usually contemporary and based on then recent events. The character is shown to gradually age over time and also acquires scars and injuries which remain on him. The stories are known to be well researched when it comes to details such as technology being drawn and handled surprisingly accurately such as the depiction of Airplanes and Firearms among others. Other notable writers to work on the series were Kazuo Koike(Lone Wolf and Cub,Lady Snowblood), Yoichi Funado and Takashi Nagasaki. Saito has expressed a desire for the series to continue by another writer or writers after his death.
The first adaptation came in 1973 and starred Sonny Chiba. It was set entirely in Iran with an entirely Persian supporting cast. It was followed by a sequel Golgo 13: Assignment Kowloon. Golgo 13: The Professional was the final installment the live action trilogy. The film received mixed reviews. The plot involves Golgo 13 being hired to assassinate Robert Dawson, son of Our Baron Leonard Dawson. Leonard Dawson then gets the US Military, CIA, FBI, Pentagon and the super soldier Snake after him. Golgo its wounded while killing an ex Nazi and his mechanic Rita is killed when the Military attacks him. Dawson allows the rest of his family to be harmed including allowing Snake to rape Robert Dawson’s widow and forcing them to try and kill Golgo themselves, leading to their deaths. Dawson asks for the release of murderers Gold and CIA from government custody to recruit them and threatens to halt all his company’s oil operations, threatening to collapse the economy. Dawson refuses to answer when Laura questions him as to why he hasn’t gone after the one who hired Golgo. Golgo discovers from his informant Pablo that Dawson hired the hit. He then tries to kill Golgo due to his family being held hostage but Golgo kills him. Golgo travels to Dawson Tower in New York City, fighting Helicopters and killing the Snake, Gold and Silver. Golgo and Dawson meet and it is revealed Robert Dawson, unable to deal with his father’s ambitions, had Golgo kill him due to being unable to go through with suicide. Leonard Dawson then throws himself off the building but Golgo shoots him before he dies. His death is ruled as a Suicide. Afterwards Golgo encounters Laura, who shoots him. He stumbles away and the credits roll[16].
Plawres Sanshiro(1983-1984)
Based on the manga by Jiro Gyu that ran from 1982 to 1985. The name is a shortened version of Plastic Model Wrestling Sanshiro. The series follows young boy Sanshiro Sugata, who performs in competitions with miniature robots. The show follows the tournaments with the mini robots. The 1983 Plawres Sanshiro soft vinyl robots line was created with the toys being somewhat close to the size depicted on the show.. The Consumer trend at the time was to buy only the protagonist robot, leaving many unbought along with a shortage of toys to begin with. Elements of the series would inspire Pokemon, by the project’s director Yuyama.
Creamy Mami, The Magic Angel(1983-1984)
A magical girl series by Studio Perrot which aired on Nippon Television. Yu Morisa is a ten year old who sees a spaceship and helps an alien find the feather star. In gratitude he grants her a magic wand which turns her into a 16 year old girl for one year and two cats named Posi and Nega. She accidentally ends up on TV and is asked to sing which she is able to to via magic, becoming an idol and overnight success, beginning her career at Parthenon Productions, dealing with both magical threats and the problems faced by a pop star such as abusive managers and rival companies. The series pioneered a marketing strategy as a then unknown new singer Takao Ota played the lead role with the first song in the series being her first song as well and she became famous because of the show.
Serendipity the Pink Dragon(1983)
Based on the Serendipity books by Stephen Cosgrove with character designs by Yoichi Kotabe(who would go onto work for Nintendo as a character designer for the Super Mario and Pokemon series, leading to some jokes of Serendipity being the first Pokemon). A boy named Kona is shipwrecked on an island and finds a pink egg that hatches into a pink dragon, the two going onto have adventures on the island while battling the evil Captain Smudge, who is in search of a mermaid’s treasure.
Battle Future Mecha Orguss(1983-1984)
From Big West, makers of Battle City Megaload. The series consisted of 35 episodes. Set in 2062, two superpowers battle over the creation of a space elevator. Dimensional weapons more dangerous than any other kind have been invented. Fore example, a Space/time Oscillation Bomb must be armed on site. The Freedom Space Corps tries to plant one to destroy the Space Elevator, but group is then told to abandon mission. Pilot Kei Katsuragi refuses and activated the bomb on his own. He finds himself in a dark future being chased by two groups, the Militaristic Chilam and the Gypsy like Emaan, who refer to him as the Singularity Point. Ken loses his Bronco II and is granted by the Orguss by the Emaan to fight for them. More bizarre elements such as Dinosaurs and Medieval castles appear, revealing the Oscillation Bomb compressed all of time and space into one universe and this must be undone before all life is exterminated when all matter is compressed [17].
Psycho Armor Goverian(1983)
A series by Go Nagai produced by Knack Productions and TV Tokyo. The series is seen as a mix of Genma Wars, Energer, and Gundam. The Garadian Empire exhausted their planet of its resources and invade Earth to claim its. A scientist named Zeku Alba rebels against the empire and gathers a group of children to protect Earth, led by Osamu, who’s family was killed in a Garadain Empire attack, and who pilots the robot Govarian[18].
Cat’s Eye(1983-1984)
Based on the manga by Tsukasa Hojo that ran from 1981 to 1985. The story follows three sisters, Hitomi, Rui and Ai Kisugi, who run a cafe called Cat’s Eye in Tokyo. They are also art thieves, searching for art belonging to their missing father, who collected art during the Nazi regime. Hitomi’s fiancee is a clumsy young police officer named Toshio Utsumi, who is investigating the Cats Eye case, unaware of the girl’s double life. The girls inform the police of the planned targets and then Hitomi uses Toshio’s research to plan the heist. At the end of the series, the girls get a message from their father Michael Heinz but it is revealed to be sinister uncle instead, who betrayed the real Michael. Hitomi confesses to Toshio she is a member of Cat’s Eye and he arrests her in a manner that parallels a marriage proposal with handcuffs substituting a ring. While Hotmi accepts she also escapes from the cuffs.
Cat’s Eye is one of the best selling Shonen Jump mangas of al time at over 20 Million Copies and aired in multiple countries. The series is set in the same world as another work by the same author, City Hunter. The Anime was adapted by Tokyo Moviee Shinsha for 36 episodes.
Little Boy(1983)
A war drama directed by More Masaki and based on an anime. It depicts the bombing go Hiroshima from the perspective of a child who survived it, as the author of the manga did. The author had previously written the story of the experience in the short Manga “I survived” and was then asked to turn his story into a series, which he did as “Little Boy”. The manga was a success and was even read in Educational settings, gaining further popularity, despite of the horrifying and graphic depiction of death. The author and the story did not blame the US but was critical of Japan’s government of the time for actions such as their aggression causing the war and their refusal to surrender after the first bomb. Many believe the film inspired Akira due to a nightmare sequence the protagonist has of a little boy destroying the city in place of the atomic bomb. The film’s depiction of the explosion had a profound impact on Anime as a whole and how such energy and power would be depicted in years to come. The Anime is the last voiced line of Midori Naka before her death.
While no sequel was made, another survivor was inspired to write about his experience surviving the bombing of Kokura, then 14 year old Kenji Yoshio, who found himself caring for an old woman named Nobuko Okamoto in a bomb shelter she made and let other people into. The situation was made worse by Chemical weapons being worked on in the city being released by the blast. More than 57,000 people were killed and an area of two and a half miles blasted. Another Manga was published titled “Fat Man” which despite the title and the author being aware of his weight, is a serious story to the same extent at little boy about the author surviving Kokura[19].
Well that was depressing…Let’s move onto something a little more upbeat.
Kouka Kihei Vector(1983-1984)
Translated in English as “Desert Machine Soldier Vector). The series follows police who ride bikes that transform into their robot partners. Characters were designed by Yoshitaka Amano. Like the later Cowboy Bebop, the episodes are named after songs. The transforming robots were created by Shinji Aramaki while he was working on Diaclone(later made into part of Transformers). He personally loved motorcycles and began designing what different models would look like if they could transform into robots.The series was adapted by Harmony Gold, the same company that handled Battle City Megaload and Orguss.
In a 21st century future, Earth’s pollution problems let to the development of a hydrogen fuel called HBT. Mankind has colonized Mars and in 2050 an alien race called the Inbit invade Earth, forcing humans to retreat when they are defeated, leaving pockets of resistance left. For unknown reasons, the Inbit leave Mars alone and don’t attack humans there unless provoked, allowing for the Earth’s main base to be set up on Mars. The first attempt to recapture Earth ends in failure. The protagonist Stick Bernard crashes on Earth as part of the second Recapture attempt and works with the resistance to find and discover the origins of the Inbit.
Special Armored Battalion Dorvack(1983-1984)
A 36 episode series which aired in Japan and Hong Kong. Released by Ashi Productions. The story is set in 1999 when Earth is invaded by alien refugees called the idelians. Earth’s best line of defense becomes the Special Armored Battalion Dorvack. The series was released to sell toys made by Takatoku and the plot was made simple but there was more effort put into the animation and choreography. The slow moving storyline did not attract fans and the toys sat on store shelves, and the toy company Takatoku Toys went under due to similar failure regarding merchandise for Orguss, and Sasuraiger. Its collapse sent a message to companies of the era. A good story was key to success. Creating Toys before you had that was a recipe for disaster and a cart before the Horse scenario. After this most companies waited until after an Anime show had completed to release merchandise with a better idea of how successful they would could be expected to be. For multiple Season anime, the toys would be released for the previous season as the new one started.
Tao Tao(1983-1985)
A 52 episode series airing on TV Osaka. It followed a small panda and his adventures. It was translated into Finnish and aired in South Africa and Albania, where “Taotao” became a nickname for Communist politician Adil Carcani.
Captain Tsubasa(1983-1985)
Based on the Manga series by Yoichi Takahashi that ran from 1979 to 1984. The series follows Tsubasa Oozora on his journey as a Football player. It was inspired by the 1978 FIFA World Cup. Football was not very popular in Japan but the series helped elevate it and got many now famous Japanese players into it. The series was barely accepted. The characters were made children who would grow upper time into champions. All characters were given a distinctive look. Tusbasa Oozora is an eleven year old obsessed with Football and winning the FIFA World Cup for Japan. When he was 1 year old, he was almost hit with a bus while playing with a football but held it in front of him, saving his life. At the start of the series, Tsubasa moves to a new town and meets friends who also like football, as well as learning from one of the best Brazilian football players, Robert Hongo. Tsubasa with his friends as his team soon start to win championships, rising to the world stage. The Manga sold 700 million volumes in Japan as of 2008.
The Anime was produced by Tsuchida Production and aired on TV Tokyo. It often ranks on top 100 Anime lists, usually in the 30’s or 40’s. It is also credited with inspiring several now famous players to choose football as a career such as Hidetoshi Nakata, Alessandro Del Piero, Fernando Torres, Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Alexis Sanchez, and Andres Iniesta. The series influenced has reached to the extent where the character has appeared on Japanese relief trucks, a statue of him and an appearance at the Olympics and he remains a cultural icon[20].
Buddha(1983)
Based on Osamu Tezuka’s Manga that ran from 1972 to 1983. The Manga followed the life of the founder of Buddhism. It received critical acclaim for being respectful yet also explicit at times and also humorous, managing to balance these elements without alienating the religion. This led it to become a test in Buddhist Temples for teens and young adults to understand Buddhism and Buddha’s life. It won an Eisner Award at the time, one of the first Mangas to do so. Tezuka’s own Mushi Productions adapted the story into critically acclaimed film, likewise shown in Buddhist temples. Manyin the West believe that if any Tezuka project was worthy of an Oscar it would be Buddha[21].
Igano Kabamaru(1983)
Based on the manga by You Azuki that ran from 1979 to 1981. The series follows a young ninja named Kagemaru or absolute Shadow nicknamed Kabamaru or Hippo’s mouth due to his massive appetite. His grandfather and Ninja sensei Saizo Igano dies and he moves to Tokyo to live with his first love Ran Ookubo, adjusting to urban life. He attends Kin’gyoku school where Ran is headmistress. Kabamaru meets Mai, Ran’s granddaughter, who he develops feelings for but she finds his eating habits repulsive. Kin’gyoku has a rival in Ogyoku School due to wealthy families controlling the schools. This leads to Kabamaru being forced to fight his friend and now rival Hayate, who was also trained by Saizo before leaving. Shuu Maejima, head of the Ogyoku student council, takes control of other schools to create assault squads and using criminal gangs, leading to student council member for Kin’gyokuS hizune Mejiro to ask Kabamaru to help them. Mai goes to talk to Maejima but is captured by Hayate and both gangs are brought into a fight where Hayata and Kabamaru battle. Kabamaru appears to kill Hayate before his grandfather Saizo appears alive, revealing he saved Hayate. Saizo reveals that he faked his death and this was a test for Kabamaru to introduce him to the real world. Kabamaru agrees to train with Saizo and promises Mai that he will return. The Manga was adapted into a film with Hikaru Kurosaki, Rumiko Takeda as Mai, Sanada Hiroyuki as Hizune and Sonny Chiba as Saizo(who had a small role, allowing him to balance his appearance in this film and in Golgo 13)[22].
Ginga Hyoryu Vifam(1983-1984)
Translated roughly to either Galactic Drifter Vifam or Round Vernian Vifam. A Mecha series by Sunrise based on the Jules Verne novel Deus ans de vacances(Two Years Vacation, which is a story of children surviving and thriving on a deserted island similar to Robinson Crusoe and Swiss Family Robinson, a sort of Antithesis to “Lord of the Flies” where the children get along and work together, even thwarting a group of mutineers that arrive on the island). It was drafted by Yoshiyuki Tomino, planned by Takeyuki Kanda(director of the Ultraman series), and Hiroyuki Hosiyama. It aired on MBS, and TBS. The series is set in 2058 where aliens called Astrogaters attack the human colony of Clayad, 43 light years way from Earth. The planet is evacuated but a group of children are accidentally left behind. They are able to reach the colony of Belwick but find it’s already been attack and decide to head to Earth itself. They meet a friendly Astrogater and learn their parents were taken hostage and are kept on the Astrogater home planet and set out to rescue them.
Dallos(1983)
A Science Fiction DVA series from Studio Pierrot created by Hisayuki Toriumi, who had created Science Ninja team Gatchaman for Tatsunoko. It was directed by Mamoru Ishii and is considered the first true DVA(Direct to Video Anime), unless one counts the Daicon I opening, which was much shorter. The film is set in the future where humanity has drained the Earth of resources and has colonized the Moon but the colonists are mistreated, leading them to commit acts of terrorism. A mysterious structure found on the moon gives the colonists hope and a young colonist named Shun Nomonura joins the rebels.
Daicon II Opening Animation(1983)
Created as part of the Nihon SF Taikai convention as part of the group known as Daicon film. Hideaki Anno, Hiroyuki Yamaga, and Takami Akai among others returned including Yoshiyuki Sadamoto and Mahiro Made mixed with professional animators from Artland including Ichiro Itano, Toshiki Hirano and Narumi Kakinouchi.The Nihon SF Take was once more to be held in Osaka. A 15 minute anime was made. The original opening impressed Studio Nue and some of the students went onto work on Battle City Megaload.
The short depicts the same little girl from the first, who is now an adult woman with a job in which she is forced to wear a bunny costume. Aliens then invade and begin to zap people, who disappear. The aliens from the first film return and tell her they came to help and that the invaders use guns that send their victims through time. The girl is hit and appears on the Death Star and briefly battles Darth Vader and Stormtroopers with the aliens providing a lightsaber. She is then transported away by the aliens but through time, appearing on a dark area where a Xenomorph attacks her. She jumps again and appears on the Discovery One from 2001: A Space Odyssey. She then returns to the present when the aliens get the time machine working correctly and fights the aliens with a Mecha they provide only to encounter Kaiju they summon. She is also granted Stormbringer(From the Michael Moorcock stories) though it’s only mentioned as a magic sword. The evil aliens use the time machine to summon various villains from pop culture and the good aliens counter, resulting in many cameos such as Yoda, Battle City megaload, Spaceship Asteroid Icarus, Captain Harlock, Gundams, various American Comic Book Heroes and Villains, characters from the Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Pern, Conan the Barbarian, and various ships from Star Trek, Star Wars,The First Men in the Moon, Lord Jam and Thunderbirds. Many of the characters are killed in battle but the aliens help the girl sneak into the alien mothership and go back in time to destroy the alien time machine in the past, undoing everything. The girl finds herself in a world seemingly back to normal and is somewhat sad but the aliens arrive as in normal And reveal they remember what happened and gave all the Fictional characters a home in an alternate universe where they all live together at the same time, which is shown to the audience as an alternate Earth.
Copyright problems made releasing the film commercially impossible, but it was played at conventions until the rise of the Internet where it was uploaded to YouTube. Rare laserdisc versions were also made and due to their scarcity, will fetch prices of over a thousand US dollars[23]
Ultima(1983)
An Anime Adaptation of the Video Game franchise, largely based on Ultima III, created due to Ultima finding success in Japan[24].
NOTES
[1] adapted OTL in 1974 by Takahata and Miyazaki after Pippi Longstocking fell through. OTL a show titled Story of the Alps: my Annette was released at this time. Here Nippon Animation decided to adapt Heidi due to it not being adapted yet. It doesn’t have Takahata or Miyazaki involved. So OTL one of the most famous Anime of the 70’s is now a forgotten series of the 80’s. The Wikipedia article for the series ITTL is likely just barely longer than my summary of it.
[2] OTL Usashiman saved Tatsunoko from Bankruptcy due to its success. ITTL…Not so much. Tatsunoko goes under. It’s a sad moment to many ITTL due to the studio’s influence on the genre. I retconned Tatsuo Yoshida’s death earlier as I discovered his doctor told him to lighten his workload for his health. He refused. ITTL he did, naturally with the company going under her tries to save it and returns, which sadly doesn’t always work. OTL Hal Roach Studios went under when he left and his return failed to save it. Mushi Productions also went under despite Osamu Tezuka trying to save it. It’s most likely that overwork to save his company kills Tatsuo Yoshida in 1983 instead of 1977 ITTL and his company dies with him. Now this doesn’t mean the end. The influence is there and the characters can still make a comeback.
[3] OTL Aku Daisakusen Srungle was, along with Go Shogun licensed to Saban and combined to create Macron 1. Not ITTL which means most people have never even heard of it.
[4]OTL a storyboard for a Crusher Joe Sequel was pitched to Sunrise but never made. It will be ITTL.
[5] Genma Wars was cancelled Prematurely OTL at 2 volumes and revived later on, likely leading to the shift in apocalyptic tone as the last volume ended on a cliffhanger with the heroes defeated, however the creators did come back and continued it later on, hence why the Apocalyptic elements remain though its been condensed heavily as it involved much more time travel and new universes created while here it’s mostly just two. A minor change is Luna was the princess of Transylvania OTL. Here she is an Alien Princess to better tie her into the role of opposing Genma, she also wasn’t the mother of Loof and Jin. Given its graphic nature and the fact that ITTL it emerged in 1967, the series is seen as very controversial but became popular due to Go Nagai’s rise to fame around 1972 since he also tackled dark subject matter.
[6] Dragonboy was the original pitch by Toriyama, pitched as he wanted to stop working on Dr.Slump. OTL it was reworked into Dragonball, the second half of which would be adapted as Dragonball Z, which is more well known to westerners. ITTL Dragonboy succeeding will lead to Toriyama starting it in 1983. A post detailing the plot will follow due to it being so different. Dragonboy will crossover with Arale-Chan like Dragonball did OTL though one main difference is the world is established as Earth even in Geography due to Arale-Chan: Race around the World.
[7] OTL the Alice in Wonderland Anime was not part of World Masterpiece Theater. Story of the Alps: my Annette was shown OTL. Here the success of their Wizard of Oz adaptation of World Masterpiece Theater led to Nippon Animation upgrading another Little Girl Lost story.
[8] Said Commissioned Show ITTL will become Voltron. Tailored to American audiences will help the show stand out among the sea of Mecha Anime which wasn’t such a problem OTL. A similar deal to create more animation for Voltron was made at this time OTL. Something similar happened to Power Rangers when they ran out of footage and asked the original Sentai team if they could shoot more…which they did. Compared to OTL Voltron will be less watered down for children. Character death and violence will be a thing.
[9]Naturally OTL Tatsunoko survived and so was not involved while Tomoyui Miyata was. Group TAC almost animated Miyuki but did not, though all Adachi works were adapted by Group TAC. The plot of Miyuki itself is different. The OTL focuses on the romance while this one has an adventure and at least plays the possible incest angle for drama. Tatsuneko is admittedly an original pun but Japan in general loves word puns, in English and in Japanese. A TV movie was also made at this time OTL but not ITTL due to the different production team.
[10] For Western fans, the 1998 sequel, Kinnikuman: The 2nd Generation, was released on 4kids under the name Ultimate Muscle, likely how most western fans know it. Sad thing is most fans dislike the 2nd Generation and it may be butterflied away.
[11]The Toys for Saisuranger were called Batrain OTL but you could remove the Batrain stickers to reveal the Sasuraiger sticker underneath.
[12] OTL the 1984 Olympics mascot Eagle Sam received an Anime, which ITTL is replaced with America: The Anime. Most of the elements told in the description were indeed written down around 1861 when Japan and America first made contact. See here: https://www.openculture.com/2018/11/a-japanese-illustrated-history-of-america.html
[13]OTL the Anime and the Manga had very different endings. The Anime diverges at the moment where Arthur is rescued. The Duke’s daughter helps him escape and in the escape attempt, Arwin is killed. Arthur recovers and Abel does not take his place. They then go to the Queen with proof. The Duke is arrested and Georgie’s father is clear of all accusations. Georgie then returns to Australia with her brothers and father. A much happier ending. ITTL the bittersweet ending of the Manga is kept.
[14] Nine had three TV movies. ITTL it’s a show instead.
[15]Stop!! Hibari-kun! will ITTL have a reputation for being surprisingly progressive on the Transgender side.
[16] OTL Golgo 13: The Professional was the first Animated feature film to use CGI, specifically for the Helicopters. ITTL the film is live action with Sonny Chiba and does better due to being the finale to a trilogy. The CGI milestone is saved for a better film. The film was homaged by Quentin Tarantino in the animated sequence in Kill Bill, which is not the case here because its live action. OTL Takao Saito died in 2021 and did indeed have his Manga continued as he wished.
[17]Known OTL as Super Dimension Century Orguss, tying it into Super Dimension Fortress Macross, which is titled Battle City Megaload ITTL. ITTL it was released by the same company who dubbed Super Dimension Fortress Macross but without being part of the Robotech series as it almost was OTL. The series notably plays an important part in the Super Robot Wars series as the Space/Time Oscillation Bomb brought the various franchise universes together into one world, justifying the plot. The protagonist Kei also gets the last line of the series “This will end everything and begin everything.” providing a bookend to the series.
[18] OTL the head of the Goverian resembles Mazinger, which was done on purpose at the request of Knack, a demand not made ITTL, resulting in a different head.
[19] TTL’s equivalent to Barefoot Gen by Kenji Nakazawa. Kenji Nakazawa’s survival OTL of the Hiroshima bombing has sadly been butterflied away due to his survival being sheer luck(He dropped a ball and ran to chase it behind a wall). Kenji’s brother survived ITTL and so did his baby daughter, who his father handed his mother before he and the rest of the family burned to death. She was able to survive into adulthood. Kenji’s brother wrote the manga in his brother’s place.
Kokura was the intended second target of the second atomic bomb OTL. ITTL it is indeed nuked and the people mentioned are witnesses who expected the bomb to drop and were relieved when it didn’t. Another, Atsushi Ochi, a ten year old interviewed in 1995, was not born ITTL, which he acknowledged in an interview when he stated that his grandfather likely would have been killed.
Midori Naka is an actress killed when Nagasaki was bombed. ITTL she survived since the city was not targeted.
The picture used for Little Boy is intentionally up for interpretation. Is it the protagonist during the blast, the nightmare sequence, or if the author is Kenji's brother then is it Kenji Nakazawa being literally and allohistorically erased from existence?
[20] Captain Tsubasa ITTL was released earlier as OTL Takahashi struggled tog et it approved for two to three years. A later butterfly in the series is around 1998. OTL Takahashi had Tsubasa join the Barcelona team after a trip there. OTL he joked that if he visited Santiago Bernabeu instead then Tsubasa would have joined the Real Madrid instead. ITTL that is exactly what happens.
[21] OTL an adaptation of Buddha was not made until 2011. ITTL it has replaced another Tezuka based production in The Green Cat, an anthology manga which became an anthology Anime. Here with Tezuka in charge Mushi is adapting all his major works and committed to a film adaptation of one of his most critically acclaimed works. There's something I find poignant about having a films about Buddha released after a film showing the devastation of Hiroshima.
[22]OTL Igano Kabamaru was adapted as an Anime in 1983 and a Film. Here the Manga’s plot is seen as being short enough to work as a film.
[23] was made for Daicon IV OTL. The planned video was planned at 15 minutes long but cut for time, resulting in a different but still simple plot. The students who founded Daicon would eventually rename their Studio Gainax. ITTL the rename would not happen, and they keep Daicon as their name, part;y because of the popularity of the Daicon shorts.
[24] Planned but unmade OTL
Butterflied Away.
Captain. The 1983 Anime Television Series. Before there were only films. ITTL the TV show was made earlier, butterflying this away.
Ninja Hattori-kun NinxNin Furusato Daisakusen no Maki. Largely forgetton Hattori-kun film. Like OTL the show is still running, likely meaning the film’s plot is made into episodes of the show instead.
Final Yamato. Due to the Yamato equivalent ending much earlier. OTL it was the longest animated film in the world for 36 years until In This Corner of the World surpassed it by 5 minutes in 2016. It also was a pretty big box office success at 1.72 Billion. The record for length goes to Captain Harlock: The Last Voyage instead.
Superbook II. Butterflied Away due to Tatsunoko’s collapse and the original alienating the Christian sponsors.
Itadakiman. The Seventh Entry in the Time Bokan Series. It is set in 20XX and was about two groups in a school which only admits descendants of Priiest Sanzo’s clan. A group of kids is asked with retrieving missing copper plates which when collected will complete a puzzle board and bring honor to the school. The Villains are a group that firmly believe they are descendants of Sanzo’s clan but have no proof and Never got, failing each time. It was cancelled after 20 episodes due to low ratings.
Unico and the Island of Magic. Butterflied away due to Unico getting a TV Series already while OTL it never did, only getting a handful of animated films including this one.
Miyuki. Had a Film made OTL but is currently still just a show.
Nine the original. Made as a TV Show not as a series of films.
Patalliro! Stardust Saiyuki! Couldn’t find anything on the movie and a TV show existed so its butterflied away.
[14] Nine had three TV movies. ITTL it’s a show instead.
[15]Stop!! Hibari-kun! will ITTL have a reputation for being surprisingly progressive on the Transgender side.
[16] OTL Golgo 13: The Professional was the first Animated feature film to use CGI, specifically for the Helicopters. ITTL the film is live action with Sonny Chiba and does better due to being the finale to a trilogy. The CGI milestone is saved for a better film. The film was homaged by Quentin Tarantino in the animated sequence in Kill Bill, which is not the case here because its live action. OTL Takao Saito died in 2021 and did indeed have his Manga continued as he wished.
[17]Known OTL as Super Dimension Century Orguss, tying it into Super Dimension Fortress Macross, which is titled Battle City Megaload ITTL. ITTL it was released by the same company who dubbed Super Dimension Fortress Macross but without being part of the Robotech series as it almost was OTL. The series notably plays an important part in the Super Robot Wars series as the Space/Time Oscillation Bomb brought the various franchise universes together into one world, justifying the plot. The protagonist Kei also gets the last line of the series “This will end everything and begin everything.” providing a bookend to the series.
[18] OTL the head of the Goverian resembles Mazinger, which was done on purpose at the request of Knack, a demand not made ITTL, resulting in a different head.
[19] TTL’s equivalent to Barefoot Gen by Kenji Nakazawa. Kenji Nakazawa’s survival OTL of the Hiroshima bombing has sadly been butterflied away due to his survival being sheer luck(He dropped a ball and ran to chase it behind a wall). Kenji’s brother survived ITTL and so did his baby daughter, who his father handed his mother before he and the rest of the family burned to death. She was able to survive into adulthood. Kenji’s brother wrote the manga in his brother’s place.
Kokura was the intended second target of the second atomic bomb OTL. ITTL it is indeed nuked and the people mentioned are witnesses who expected the bomb to drop and were relieved when it didn’t. Another, Atsushi Ochi, a ten year old interviewed in 1995, was not born ITTL, which he acknowledged in an interview when he stated that his grandfather likely would have been killed.
Midori Naka is an actress killed when Nagasaki was bombed. ITTL she survived since the city was not targeted.
The picture used for Little Boy is intentionally up for interpretation. Is it the protagonist during the blast, the nightmare sequence, or if the author is Kenji's brother then is it Kenji Nakazawa being literally and allohistorically erased from existence?
[20] Captain Tsubasa ITTL was released earlier as OTL Takahashi struggled tog et it approved for two to three years. A later butterfly in the series is around 1998. OTL Takahashi had Tsubasa join the Barcelona team after a trip there. OTL he joked that if he visited Santiago Bernabeu instead then Tsubasa would have joined the Real Madrid instead. ITTL that is exactly what happens.
[21] OTL an adaptation of Buddha was not made until 2011. ITTL it has replaced another Tezuka based production in The Green Cat, an anthology manga which became an anthology Anime. Here with Tezuka in charge Mushi is adapting all his major works and committed to a film adaptation of one of his most critically acclaimed works. There's something I find poignant about having a films about Buddha released after a film showing the devastation of Hiroshima.
[22]OTL Igano Kabamaru was adapted as an Anime in 1983 and a Film. Here the Manga’s plot is seen as being short enough to work as a film.
[23] was made for Daicon IV OTL. The planned video was planned at 15 minutes long but cut for time, resulting in a different but still simple plot. The students who founded Daicon would eventually rename their Studio Gainax. ITTL the rename would not happen, and they keep Daicon as their name, part;y because of the popularity of the Daicon shorts.
[24] Planned but unmade OTL
Butterflied Away.
Captain. The 1983 Anime Television Series. Before there were only films. ITTL the TV show was made earlier, butterflying this away.
Ninja Hattori-kun NinxNin Furusato Daisakusen no Maki. Largely forgetton Hattori-kun film. Like OTL the show is still running, likely meaning the film’s plot is made into episodes of the show instead.
Final Yamato. Due to the Yamato equivalent ending much earlier. OTL it was the longest animated film in the world for 36 years until In This Corner of the World surpassed it by 5 minutes in 2016. It also was a pretty big box office success at 1.72 Billion. The record for length goes to Captain Harlock: The Last Voyage instead.
Superbook II. Butterflied Away due to Tatsunoko’s collapse and the original alienating the Christian sponsors.
Itadakiman. The Seventh Entry in the Time Bokan Series. It is set in 20XX and was about two groups in a school which only admits descendants of Priiest Sanzo’s clan. A group of kids is asked with retrieving missing copper plates which when collected will complete a puzzle board and bring honor to the school. The Villains are a group that firmly believe they are descendants of Sanzo’s clan but have no proof and Never got, failing each time. It was cancelled after 20 episodes due to low ratings.
Unico and the Island of Magic. Butterflied away due to Unico getting a TV Series already while OTL it never did, only getting a handful of animated films including this one.
Miyuki. Had a Film made OTL but is currently still just a show.
Nine the original. Made as a TV Show not as a series of films.
Patalliro! Stardust Saiyuki! Couldn’t find anything on the movie and a TV show existed so its butterflied away.
Last edited:
Dragonboy(1983-1988)
A Rewrite of another chapter. This time giving the TTL's Dragonball its own page since the plot is entirely different.
Dragonboy
Dragonboy debuted in Fresh Jump. Akira Toriyama had been trying for some time to write a new series as he’d grown bored of writing Arale-Chan and in 1983 he made his first attempt.
In a far off land called Sen, Tantong lives with his master, who sends on a quest to return the Princess of Flower Country to her homeland. She had ran away during a war but now the war was over and she could return. Tantong found the girl annoying. When she stops to bathe she is attacked by a demon. Tangtong struggles to fight it and is forced to use the Dragon Ball that his grandfather gave him, which he was told to use if he needed help as he was told it could summon a great Dragon. He uses it and…a tiny dragon pop outs.
Tangtong is forced to rip off his shirt to reveal a pair of Dragon Wings which he uses to fly and defeat the Demon. The Princess scolds Tangtong instead of thanking him, complaining about how they could have been flying the whole time.
The two continue and they are confronted by a shapeshifting Demon called Pingyao. Pingyao flees in terror when Tangtong demonstrates his strength. When they reached a bridge, Pingyao returns running to warn them about a monster, revealed to be a robot soldier. Tangtong fights the robot and tries telling it the war is over. When this fails, Pingyao transforms into the robot soldier’s commander and relives it of duty. The three move on[1].
The first issue had a lukewarm reception. Toriyama’s editor Torishima requested he look at what’s popular and work towards incorporating. Toriyama looked at the likes of Gundam and Genma Wars[2] and decided to add Drama and fighting. In the very first scene when Toriyama returned after the pilot, Tangtong’s master is attacked in his home by a mysterious figure and seemingly murdered. Tangtong, Pingyao and the Princess continue their journey and encounter the desert bandit Yamcha. Tangtong fights Yamcha, but when the Princess is spotted by Yamcha, he suddenly flees. It is revealed he is afraid of women, however he continues to follow the group in secret. The main trio arrive on an island with a house revealed to be the home of Muten Roshi. Roshi is revealed to have a Dragonball of his own but when he summons his dragon, the creature is much larger. Roshi reveals that the Dragon inside the Dragonball will grow even larger depending on the power of the person summoning it[3]. Tangtong wants Roshi to train him but Roshi says he already has a master. The group moves on and arrive at the Princess’s Castle, which is shown to be on fire. They are attacked by a large figure revealed to be the Princess’s Father, the Ox King. The Princesse's real name being revealed as Bulma. Ox King also reveals that the message that the war was over was a lie. Their Enemy, the Red Ribbon Army had taken over and she was tricked into returning by the message so they could capture her. They are attacked and even Tangtong struggles against the Red Ribbon Commander General Blue, forcing the group to retreat with the Ox King.
They crash onto Kame House and Ox King reunited with Master Roshi. They are followed by Commander Blue, who Roshi easily defeats. Roshi then goes back with the group and easily defeats the Red Ribbon forces. He then demonstrates the first use of the franchise’s most iconic technique: the Kamehameha. He destroys the entire army, and accidentally the Ox King’s Castle. Tangtong, after witnessing it, demands to be taught it but Roshi refuses. With his mission seemingly complete Tangtong goes home and finds his master murdered. He sees and pursues the attacker but is nearly killed by him and is rescued by Roshi. Roshi then explains that long ago Roshi and Tangtong’s master Gohan fought the evil Demon King Piccolo, which their master Mutaito, died sealing away using a technique called the Evil Containment Wave. Demon King Piccolo was sealed in a vase in the Ox King’s Castle and has now been freed by the Red Ribbon army, explaining the presence of Demons. Roshi forbids Tangtong from seeking revenge but agrees to train him. Soon after a monk named Kururin arrives also wanting to be trained due to Demon King Piccolo attacking his temple and the surviving monks refusing to take revenge due to their pacifism.
Demon King Piccolo and his minions(From the OTL Fan Comic Dragonball Multiverse, as it is rare to have them all together like this)
Tangtong and Kururin continue training and are in one test, sent out by Roshi to find and stop a Crime in a city. They bring back a burglar called Launch who splits between two personalities, one good and one evil, not knowing what to do with her. Roshi lets her stay while he hopes to find a way to cure her and because of his attraction to her. The final part of their training is to enter a tournament held every four years. Roshi also enters in disguise to teach his pupils a lesson that there is always someone stronger. Tantong, Kururin, Roshi, Yamcha and even Launch enter with other fighters. Roshi in disguise as "Jackie Chun", defeats Yamcha, who becomes suspicious of his identity. Roshi then defeats Kururin and finally fights Tangtong in the final match. The fight is interrupted by Demon King Piccolo launching an attack, forcing everyone to retreat. Demon King Piccolo mortally wounds Roshi, Who tells them not to reveal he is dead as it would break Tantong’s heart. Tangtong goes back to find an abandoned Kame House and searches for Roshi before vowing to fight Demon King Piccolo and the Red Ribbon Army.
Tangtong recalls Roshi talking about Demon King Piccolo emerging from a dark tower and travels to its supposed location. He passed out traveling in a snowy wasteland before finding Muscle Tower. A stone Tower that reaches towards a lookout in the clouds. He is rescued by a girl named Tsuno and leaves, fighting a different opponent on every level of the tower. He fights an Android: Major Mettalitron and defeats it and then Ninja Murasaki and his brothers. He befriends an Android, Android 8, who fights him at first but then is convinced not to after talking with Tangtong. Tangtong is defeated by Mercenary Tao, which he is shocked looks just like his dead master and kicks him off the tower. Tantong is rescued by Android 8 and taken to Tsuno. Tantong goes to see his friends. From Roshi’s notes they learn of a Witch called Fortuneteller Baba who Roshi encountered in his travels and go to find her. They do find her but reveal that they must defeat five monsters and she will grant them one wish. Yamcha defeats a Vampire using its traditional weaknesses and an invisible Man by covering him in dirt but is defeated by a Mummy, which Tantong defeats before fighting a Demon in Baba’s service, which he defeats. Tangtong then fights a masked warrior which to his surprise is revealed to be his master Gohan, which he at first mistakes for Mercenary Tao and they fight before he realizes the truth. The two hug and it is revealed that Tao and Gohan are brothers and that he was brought back only for one day. Gohan goes with Tangtong back to the tower with his friends. Gohan fights evenly with Mercenary Tao, allowing Tangtong to advance. He reaches close to the top and finds a cat named Korin guarding the Sacred Divine Water. Tangtong attempts to take the water but is stopped by Korin. This causes time to pass and Korin explains there is a further level above him. He tries reaching it but cannot due to the strong winds surrounding the area. Gohan’s spirit begins to fade and his last act is to hurl his magical extending Power Pole to Tangtong, who uses it to shoot up into the air and reach the lookout with enough force that Muscle Tower collapses below him, seemingly killing Tao.
On the Lookout, Tantong is confronted by a figure he mistakes for Demon King Piccolo and attacks. The figure reveals himself to be Kami and explains that long ago he split himself in two, one good and one evil with his evil Half fleeing and becoming Piccolo. Tangtong is told that he would have to train for years to be able to match Demon King Piccolo but that Kami knows a room where he can train for years and only days pass.
Below, the Red Ribbon Army hear about the attack on their capitol of Muscle Tower and hear about Fortuneteller Baba’s involvement. Master Shen and his two students Tien Shinhan and Chiatzou are sent to attack Fortuneteller Baba, who calls the others to help defend her, including Android 8. The trio easily defeat Baba’s fighters and she cannot summon another undead fighter so soon after summoning Gohan back from the dead. Kururin fights Chiatzou and Yamcha fights Tien, who breaks his leg. Shen kills Baba, severing the connection and causing Gohan to say a final goodbye to Tangtong before fading away. Seeing the farewell in Baba’s crystal ball. Tien and Chiaztou turn on Shen and kill him. The rest of the group is reluctant to trust them but have little in the way to stop them.
On the lookout, Demon King Piccolo arrives to confront Kami about his return. The two fight with Kami overpowered but Demon King Piccolo is unable to kill him as killing one half will result in the other disappearing. Instead Kami tries and fails to trap Demon King Piccolo in the room of Spirit in time with Tangtong but this fails as Demon King Piccolo recognizes it and turns the tables, trapping Kami and his servant Popo inside. Tangtong finds Kami’s Dragonball, which Piccolo reveals Kami created. Since the power summoned depends on the summoner, Piccolo used the Dragonball to become young again and in his prime. Tangtong uses it and this time a massive dragon emerges and attacks Demon King Piccolo, resulting in a battle in which Tangtong, using the power of the Dragon, wins by propelling himself with the Kamehameha, shoots through Demon King Piccolo, killing him at the cost of Kami’s life. The ghost of Kami appears and says farewell, fading away along with the Dragonballs. Tangtong returns to his friends. Before dying, Demon King Piccolo’s spits out an egg and sends it away, which will grow up to become Piccolo Jr.
Four years later, the World Tournament is held again with Tangtong, Kururin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan and Chiatzou fighting along with Piccolo Jr and a mysterious woman(revealed to be the Princess Bulma). Tangtong defeats Kururin, and barely defeats Tien Shinhan. He then battled Piccolo Jr in a final battle, in which Piccolo Jr grows giant, defeating him but leaving him alive. Tangtong then goes onto marry the Princess at the story’s end[4].
Of course, this was only the beginning and the series would be continued in the next part: Dragon Man[5].
Notes
[1] The point in which the original pilot Manga ended and was not continued OTL.
[2] OTL Toriyama was told by his editor to look at what was popular when Dragonball floundered in its early days and looked at Fist of the North Star. Here since its 1983 and Fist of the North Star just debuted, he looks at Gundam and Genma Wars instead, leading to a darker storyline involving demons and more main character deaths.
[3]While there are still seven dragon balls each belonging to a different master and they can be gathered. The ability to revive the dead is out. Removing one of the biggest complaints about Dragonball where death becomes cheap as the Dragonballs can simply wish people back to life.
[4]Toriyama’s editor wanted Goku and Bulma OTL to end up together. ITTL the role of Bulma is taken by the Princess and Goku’s by Tangtong so he got his wish in a roundabout way.
[5] Naturally Dragon Man is TTL's Dragonball Z.
Dragonboy
Dragonboy debuted in Fresh Jump. Akira Toriyama had been trying for some time to write a new series as he’d grown bored of writing Arale-Chan and in 1983 he made his first attempt.
In a far off land called Sen, Tantong lives with his master, who sends on a quest to return the Princess of Flower Country to her homeland. She had ran away during a war but now the war was over and she could return. Tantong found the girl annoying. When she stops to bathe she is attacked by a demon. Tangtong struggles to fight it and is forced to use the Dragon Ball that his grandfather gave him, which he was told to use if he needed help as he was told it could summon a great Dragon. He uses it and…a tiny dragon pop outs.
Tangtong is forced to rip off his shirt to reveal a pair of Dragon Wings which he uses to fly and defeat the Demon. The Princess scolds Tangtong instead of thanking him, complaining about how they could have been flying the whole time.
The two continue and they are confronted by a shapeshifting Demon called Pingyao. Pingyao flees in terror when Tangtong demonstrates his strength. When they reached a bridge, Pingyao returns running to warn them about a monster, revealed to be a robot soldier. Tangtong fights the robot and tries telling it the war is over. When this fails, Pingyao transforms into the robot soldier’s commander and relives it of duty. The three move on[1].
The first issue had a lukewarm reception. Toriyama’s editor Torishima requested he look at what’s popular and work towards incorporating. Toriyama looked at the likes of Gundam and Genma Wars[2] and decided to add Drama and fighting. In the very first scene when Toriyama returned after the pilot, Tangtong’s master is attacked in his home by a mysterious figure and seemingly murdered. Tangtong, Pingyao and the Princess continue their journey and encounter the desert bandit Yamcha. Tangtong fights Yamcha, but when the Princess is spotted by Yamcha, he suddenly flees. It is revealed he is afraid of women, however he continues to follow the group in secret. The main trio arrive on an island with a house revealed to be the home of Muten Roshi. Roshi is revealed to have a Dragonball of his own but when he summons his dragon, the creature is much larger. Roshi reveals that the Dragon inside the Dragonball will grow even larger depending on the power of the person summoning it[3]. Tangtong wants Roshi to train him but Roshi says he already has a master. The group moves on and arrive at the Princess’s Castle, which is shown to be on fire. They are attacked by a large figure revealed to be the Princess’s Father, the Ox King. The Princesse's real name being revealed as Bulma. Ox King also reveals that the message that the war was over was a lie. Their Enemy, the Red Ribbon Army had taken over and she was tricked into returning by the message so they could capture her. They are attacked and even Tangtong struggles against the Red Ribbon Commander General Blue, forcing the group to retreat with the Ox King.
They crash onto Kame House and Ox King reunited with Master Roshi. They are followed by Commander Blue, who Roshi easily defeats. Roshi then goes back with the group and easily defeats the Red Ribbon forces. He then demonstrates the first use of the franchise’s most iconic technique: the Kamehameha. He destroys the entire army, and accidentally the Ox King’s Castle. Tangtong, after witnessing it, demands to be taught it but Roshi refuses. With his mission seemingly complete Tangtong goes home and finds his master murdered. He sees and pursues the attacker but is nearly killed by him and is rescued by Roshi. Roshi then explains that long ago Roshi and Tangtong’s master Gohan fought the evil Demon King Piccolo, which their master Mutaito, died sealing away using a technique called the Evil Containment Wave. Demon King Piccolo was sealed in a vase in the Ox King’s Castle and has now been freed by the Red Ribbon army, explaining the presence of Demons. Roshi forbids Tangtong from seeking revenge but agrees to train him. Soon after a monk named Kururin arrives also wanting to be trained due to Demon King Piccolo attacking his temple and the surviving monks refusing to take revenge due to their pacifism.
Demon King Piccolo and his minions(From the OTL Fan Comic Dragonball Multiverse, as it is rare to have them all together like this)
Tangtong and Kururin continue training and are in one test, sent out by Roshi to find and stop a Crime in a city. They bring back a burglar called Launch who splits between two personalities, one good and one evil, not knowing what to do with her. Roshi lets her stay while he hopes to find a way to cure her and because of his attraction to her. The final part of their training is to enter a tournament held every four years. Roshi also enters in disguise to teach his pupils a lesson that there is always someone stronger. Tantong, Kururin, Roshi, Yamcha and even Launch enter with other fighters. Roshi in disguise as "Jackie Chun", defeats Yamcha, who becomes suspicious of his identity. Roshi then defeats Kururin and finally fights Tangtong in the final match. The fight is interrupted by Demon King Piccolo launching an attack, forcing everyone to retreat. Demon King Piccolo mortally wounds Roshi, Who tells them not to reveal he is dead as it would break Tantong’s heart. Tangtong goes back to find an abandoned Kame House and searches for Roshi before vowing to fight Demon King Piccolo and the Red Ribbon Army.
Tangtong recalls Roshi talking about Demon King Piccolo emerging from a dark tower and travels to its supposed location. He passed out traveling in a snowy wasteland before finding Muscle Tower. A stone Tower that reaches towards a lookout in the clouds. He is rescued by a girl named Tsuno and leaves, fighting a different opponent on every level of the tower. He fights an Android: Major Mettalitron and defeats it and then Ninja Murasaki and his brothers. He befriends an Android, Android 8, who fights him at first but then is convinced not to after talking with Tangtong. Tangtong is defeated by Mercenary Tao, which he is shocked looks just like his dead master and kicks him off the tower. Tantong is rescued by Android 8 and taken to Tsuno. Tantong goes to see his friends. From Roshi’s notes they learn of a Witch called Fortuneteller Baba who Roshi encountered in his travels and go to find her. They do find her but reveal that they must defeat five monsters and she will grant them one wish. Yamcha defeats a Vampire using its traditional weaknesses and an invisible Man by covering him in dirt but is defeated by a Mummy, which Tantong defeats before fighting a Demon in Baba’s service, which he defeats. Tangtong then fights a masked warrior which to his surprise is revealed to be his master Gohan, which he at first mistakes for Mercenary Tao and they fight before he realizes the truth. The two hug and it is revealed that Tao and Gohan are brothers and that he was brought back only for one day. Gohan goes with Tangtong back to the tower with his friends. Gohan fights evenly with Mercenary Tao, allowing Tangtong to advance. He reaches close to the top and finds a cat named Korin guarding the Sacred Divine Water. Tangtong attempts to take the water but is stopped by Korin. This causes time to pass and Korin explains there is a further level above him. He tries reaching it but cannot due to the strong winds surrounding the area. Gohan’s spirit begins to fade and his last act is to hurl his magical extending Power Pole to Tangtong, who uses it to shoot up into the air and reach the lookout with enough force that Muscle Tower collapses below him, seemingly killing Tao.
On the Lookout, Tantong is confronted by a figure he mistakes for Demon King Piccolo and attacks. The figure reveals himself to be Kami and explains that long ago he split himself in two, one good and one evil with his evil Half fleeing and becoming Piccolo. Tangtong is told that he would have to train for years to be able to match Demon King Piccolo but that Kami knows a room where he can train for years and only days pass.
Below, the Red Ribbon Army hear about the attack on their capitol of Muscle Tower and hear about Fortuneteller Baba’s involvement. Master Shen and his two students Tien Shinhan and Chiatzou are sent to attack Fortuneteller Baba, who calls the others to help defend her, including Android 8. The trio easily defeat Baba’s fighters and she cannot summon another undead fighter so soon after summoning Gohan back from the dead. Kururin fights Chiatzou and Yamcha fights Tien, who breaks his leg. Shen kills Baba, severing the connection and causing Gohan to say a final goodbye to Tangtong before fading away. Seeing the farewell in Baba’s crystal ball. Tien and Chiaztou turn on Shen and kill him. The rest of the group is reluctant to trust them but have little in the way to stop them.
On the lookout, Demon King Piccolo arrives to confront Kami about his return. The two fight with Kami overpowered but Demon King Piccolo is unable to kill him as killing one half will result in the other disappearing. Instead Kami tries and fails to trap Demon King Piccolo in the room of Spirit in time with Tangtong but this fails as Demon King Piccolo recognizes it and turns the tables, trapping Kami and his servant Popo inside. Tangtong finds Kami’s Dragonball, which Piccolo reveals Kami created. Since the power summoned depends on the summoner, Piccolo used the Dragonball to become young again and in his prime. Tangtong uses it and this time a massive dragon emerges and attacks Demon King Piccolo, resulting in a battle in which Tangtong, using the power of the Dragon, wins by propelling himself with the Kamehameha, shoots through Demon King Piccolo, killing him at the cost of Kami’s life. The ghost of Kami appears and says farewell, fading away along with the Dragonballs. Tangtong returns to his friends. Before dying, Demon King Piccolo’s spits out an egg and sends it away, which will grow up to become Piccolo Jr.
Four years later, the World Tournament is held again with Tangtong, Kururin, Yamcha, Tien Shinhan and Chiatzou fighting along with Piccolo Jr and a mysterious woman(revealed to be the Princess Bulma). Tangtong defeats Kururin, and barely defeats Tien Shinhan. He then battled Piccolo Jr in a final battle, in which Piccolo Jr grows giant, defeating him but leaving him alive. Tangtong then goes onto marry the Princess at the story’s end[4].
Of course, this was only the beginning and the series would be continued in the next part: Dragon Man[5].
Notes
[1] The point in which the original pilot Manga ended and was not continued OTL.
[2] OTL Toriyama was told by his editor to look at what was popular when Dragonball floundered in its early days and looked at Fist of the North Star. Here since its 1983 and Fist of the North Star just debuted, he looks at Gundam and Genma Wars instead, leading to a darker storyline involving demons and more main character deaths.
[3]While there are still seven dragon balls each belonging to a different master and they can be gathered. The ability to revive the dead is out. Removing one of the biggest complaints about Dragonball where death becomes cheap as the Dragonballs can simply wish people back to life.
[4]Toriyama’s editor wanted Goku and Bulma OTL to end up together. ITTL the role of Bulma is taken by the Princess and Goku’s by Tangtong so he got his wish in a roundabout way.
[5] Naturally Dragon Man is TTL's Dragonball Z.
Last edited:
1984 in Anime
1984 in Anime
Battle City Megaroad: Do you Remember Love?
Notable upon Compilation Movies as redoing the series rather than condensing it. The film’s events is actually a plausible “Alternate Universe” to the original series, beginning much the same until a “separation Point” makes a clear different. It begins when Hikaru Ichijyo saves idol Lynn Minmay. A different choice during the combat leads the two to crash-land onto the Battle City as it is teleported away and they end up trapped in a damaged section for days rather than immediately rejoining the fleet. This results in the two developing a romantic relationship much sooner while they are alone together. Their absence results in the Zentraedi capturing several important characters which they were there to save and so Ichijyo goes out to rescue them soon after with Minmay. The capture of several of the characters leads to the Zentraedi becoming aware of Humanity’s connection to the Protoculture. Ichijyo and Minmay attempt to save the hostages but are forced to escape without them with a way to find the Protoculture. The two end up using the fold and arrive on an Earth that’s been devastated as without Ichijyo at a crucial moment the Battle City was heavily damaged and so did not continue to pose a threat, resulting in the Zentraedi diverting their attention to destroying life on Earth. They hey find evidence of the Protoculture and an ancient song which Minmay begins to practice. The Battle City arrives on Earth and rescues the two. The escape attempt led to some of the rescues making contact with the Meltrandi, the female version of the Zentradi, who are at war with their male counterparts. This forces a three way battle between the City, the Meltrandi and the Zentraedi. Minmay finally learns the song and sings it over the communications of all present. The song is in an alien language but is evidently a love song and prayer for peace from the Protoculture to future generations. The song, combined with the presence near Humanity causing many Zentreadi and Meltrandi to feel emotions for the first time, convinces the Meltrandi that the Battle City is an ally and they then aid in defeating the Zentraedi for good. Hikaru sacrifices himself by crashing his flyer into the main ship and destroying the fleet. In the epilogue, Humanity and the Meltrandi rebuild together.
Because of its “Separation Point” in the narrative, many Video Games of Battle City Megaroad, including Super Robot Wars, will give the player an option early in the game. The choice they make will result in them either following the “TV Show Path” or the “Movie Path”. While non canon to the original show, the Movie was rendered somewhat canon due to its popularity. In universe it is implied to be a propaganda film and the TV show is the “True” events, albeit told long after the series ended. The film was expensive at the Tim but was a success with many reporting on the comically large lines to see it. Something parodied in Anime at the time as long lines to see the movie would be shown. Notably, the film gave the aliens their own learnable language similar to Klingon. The film was distributed by Harmony Gold USA[1]
Kattri, Girl of the Meadows(1984)
Broadcast on World Masterpiece Theater. Kattri became a popular part of World Masterpiece Theater, airing in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Arabia and Finland. The series follow a young girl named Katri who was left in Finland by her mother, who left for Germany. Finland is under Russian rule at this time and Kattri, despite being a nine year old girl, is forced to step up and run the farm when the farm’s only cow is killed by a bear.
Cho Kosoku Galvion(1984)
A 22 episode series. Billionaire Rei Midoriyama created a group called Circus to battle another group bent on taking over the world called Shadow and pilot the Circus main mechanic Galvion. She makes a deal with two convicts named Mu and Maya. Despite low runs, the finished episodes were completed and aired due to contractual obligations[2].
Heavy Metal L-Gaim(1984-1985)
A Mecha Anime directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino with characters and mechanics designed by Mamoru Nagano.
The series is set in a fictional solar system called the Pentagona System. On the planet Koam, Daba Myroad and Mirao Kyao fight a group of thieves, one of which Fanneria Amu defects due to falling in love with Daba. Daba promises a dying thief to deliver a cash card to Amandara Kamandara. They he’d to Prearno where they meet Lillith Fuau, last remaining fairy. The thieves; new leader Gavlet Gablae is recruited to hunt down the group as a memberinto the Poseidal military under Chai Char. The group heads to Mizum and are saved from Gavlet by rebels. Military officer Saw Ha Leccee follows them and falls in love with Daba. Her lover, Giwaza Lowau sends Neo Mo Han after the rebels and the trio of Neo, Gavelt and Chai continue to attack the rebels without success. Daba joins the rebels led by Stella Coban. Daba finally meets Amandara and returns the cash card, which Amandara uses to supply the rebels with money and weapons only for the rebels to be killed in a battle that also kills Chai and Stella. Amu decides to stay on the planet while everyone else leaves.
Daba and Kyao go tot heart Star, an asteroid base populated by women led by Full Flat. Daba launches an attack on Poseidal’s capital of Sveto. They are forced to escape when Amu arrives and head to the planet Trydetol, where they meet Daba’s half sister Quwasan Olibee, who is under Poseidal’s control. On Trydetol they are attacked by the military using Heavy Metals. Kyao kidnaps an inventor named Mesh Maker, who sympathizes with the rebels, to upgrade the Mechas. Giwaza informs Poseidal that Full Flat is aiding the rebels and captured Daba while convincing Full Flat to ally with him. Both Poseidal and Full Flat are revealed to be immortal granted by Amanda. Daba escapes and guide Theart Star to Gastopol. Leccee brings reinforcements to the rebels and they head to Sveto and encounter Poseidal. Nei is discovered to be Giwaza’s prisoner. She tries to kill Niwaza but fails and is herself killed. The rebels activate the StarDust Plan, sending hundreds of asteroids to Sveto with Ginwaza attacking, capturing Olibee. Gavlet has fallen in love with Olibee and tries to save her. In the resulting battle Full Flat is killed. Daba and Gavlet rescue Olibeee and duel Giwaza. Poseidal is revealed to be an entity named Mean struggling to regain her memories. Amandara attempts to retake his position as Poseidal. Amandra sends Daba a message to bring Daba into a trap but he sees through this and works to save Mian. Amandara attempts to take Mian hostage but she is rescued and Amandara is forced to flee. Amandara reveals his heavy metal, which feeds on the population’s energy and continues to grow stronger, overwhelming Daba and forcing Main to sacrifice herself to defeat Amanda. The defeat of the Poseidal and leads the rebels to emerge victorious. Giwaza flees but is killed by Daba. Daba then says goodbye to everyone and is left to take care of Olibee, left brain damaged from Poseidal’s control[3].
Wing-Man(1984-1985)
Based on the Manga created by Masakazu Katsura that ran from 1983 to 1985. The series follows Kenta Hirono, a fan of Superheroes and Sentai who dreams of being a hero and has created his own called Wingman, which he acts out the fantasy of being at school. Kenta meets the blue haired Princess of an alternate universe named Aoi Yume, who uses a book called a Dream Note to make his dream a reality in exchange for his help liberating her universe from an evil dictator named Rimel who wants the Dream Note, which only works outside of its native universe. The Anime adaptation was made by Toei Animation and aired on TV Asahi with the ending remaining faithful to the Manga.
Wata no Kunihoshi(1984)
Translated as Cotton Country. A Shojo Manga by Rumiko Oshima. It was serialized by Hakusensha in LaLa Magazine from 1978 to 1987. The story follows an abandoned kitten raised by a young man named Tatsu. The kitten is named Chibi-neko and because she grows up around humans and no other cats. She believes herself to be human and is drawn as a little girl with cat ears and a tail and believes she is speaking the same language as the humans. When she wants to grow up, she is told the truth by a TomCat named Raphel and is told of a magical land called Cottonland which she sets out to discover. It is ultimately proven to not be real and Chibi-nekko gains a new appreciation of life and returns home. The series won the 1978 Shogakukan Manga Award for Shojo. The Anime was adapted by Tatsuneko and was a tribute to the late founder of Tatsunuoko. The film is credited with starting the depiction of cat eared girls in Anime[4].
Beautiful Dreamer(1984)
Written and directed by Mamoru Oshii. The film borrowed heavily from the tale of Urashima Taro. The film was experimental and followed a group of high school students trapped what appears to be a loop where the day repeats as they try to discover what is going on and how they can escape the loop[5].
Lolita Anime(1984)
A now largely forgotten Erotica. The first Adult DVA.It was the first Anime example of Hentai and also the first to depict You, BDSM and most infamously Lolicon. Only two episodes were released and production shut down[6].
Little Memole(1984-1985)
A series by Toei Animation. The series follows a group of tinyaliens which crash on Earth. The young girl Memole is reckless and brave and befriends a human girl named Mariel who is sick and forced to stay inside her house
(OTL bit of surviving Footage. No dialogue. Only the theme song).
Lupin VIII(1984-1985)
When Tatsunoko went under the rights floated back to Leblanc’s Estate, which finally owned Lupin III, ironically resulting in him being legally connected to the original Arsene Lupin. The Estate which had fought to limit the US release of Lupin now promoted him now that they could profit from it. The series was a French-Japanese Co-production. It was sent in the future and followed the descendants of Lupin, Jigen, Goemon, and Zenigata. Rintaro directed and the designs were done by Shingo Araki[7].Battle City Megaroad: Do you Remember Love?
Notable upon Compilation Movies as redoing the series rather than condensing it. The film’s events is actually a plausible “Alternate Universe” to the original series, beginning much the same until a “separation Point” makes a clear different. It begins when Hikaru Ichijyo saves idol Lynn Minmay. A different choice during the combat leads the two to crash-land onto the Battle City as it is teleported away and they end up trapped in a damaged section for days rather than immediately rejoining the fleet. This results in the two developing a romantic relationship much sooner while they are alone together. Their absence results in the Zentraedi capturing several important characters which they were there to save and so Ichijyo goes out to rescue them soon after with Minmay. The capture of several of the characters leads to the Zentraedi becoming aware of Humanity’s connection to the Protoculture. Ichijyo and Minmay attempt to save the hostages but are forced to escape without them with a way to find the Protoculture. The two end up using the fold and arrive on an Earth that’s been devastated as without Ichijyo at a crucial moment the Battle City was heavily damaged and so did not continue to pose a threat, resulting in the Zentraedi diverting their attention to destroying life on Earth. They hey find evidence of the Protoculture and an ancient song which Minmay begins to practice. The Battle City arrives on Earth and rescues the two. The escape attempt led to some of the rescues making contact with the Meltrandi, the female version of the Zentradi, who are at war with their male counterparts. This forces a three way battle between the City, the Meltrandi and the Zentraedi. Minmay finally learns the song and sings it over the communications of all present. The song is in an alien language but is evidently a love song and prayer for peace from the Protoculture to future generations. The song, combined with the presence near Humanity causing many Zentreadi and Meltrandi to feel emotions for the first time, convinces the Meltrandi that the Battle City is an ally and they then aid in defeating the Zentraedi for good. Hikaru sacrifices himself by crashing his flyer into the main ship and destroying the fleet. In the epilogue, Humanity and the Meltrandi rebuild together.
Because of its “Separation Point” in the narrative, many Video Games of Battle City Megaroad, including Super Robot Wars, will give the player an option early in the game. The choice they make will result in them either following the “TV Show Path” or the “Movie Path”. While non canon to the original show, the Movie was rendered somewhat canon due to its popularity. In universe it is implied to be a propaganda film and the TV show is the “True” events, albeit told long after the series ended. The film was expensive at the Tim but was a success with many reporting on the comically large lines to see it. Something parodied in Anime at the time as long lines to see the movie would be shown. Notably, the film gave the aliens their own learnable language similar to Klingon. The film was distributed by Harmony Gold USA[1]
Kattri, Girl of the Meadows(1984)
Broadcast on World Masterpiece Theater. Kattri became a popular part of World Masterpiece Theater, airing in Spain, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Arabia and Finland. The series follow a young girl named Katri who was left in Finland by her mother, who left for Germany. Finland is under Russian rule at this time and Kattri, despite being a nine year old girl, is forced to step up and run the farm when the farm’s only cow is killed by a bear.
Cho Kosoku Galvion(1984)
A 22 episode series. Billionaire Rei Midoriyama created a group called Circus to battle another group bent on taking over the world called Shadow and pilot the Circus main mechanic Galvion. She makes a deal with two convicts named Mu and Maya. Despite low runs, the finished episodes were completed and aired due to contractual obligations[2].
Heavy Metal L-Gaim(1984-1985)
A Mecha Anime directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino with characters and mechanics designed by Mamoru Nagano.
The series is set in a fictional solar system called the Pentagona System. On the planet Koam, Daba Myroad and Mirao Kyao fight a group of thieves, one of which Fanneria Amu defects due to falling in love with Daba. Daba promises a dying thief to deliver a cash card to Amandara Kamandara. They he’d to Prearno where they meet Lillith Fuau, last remaining fairy. The thieves; new leader Gavlet Gablae is recruited to hunt down the group as a memberinto the Poseidal military under Chai Char. The group heads to Mizum and are saved from Gavlet by rebels. Military officer Saw Ha Leccee follows them and falls in love with Daba. Her lover, Giwaza Lowau sends Neo Mo Han after the rebels and the trio of Neo, Gavelt and Chai continue to attack the rebels without success. Daba joins the rebels led by Stella Coban. Daba finally meets Amandara and returns the cash card, which Amandara uses to supply the rebels with money and weapons only for the rebels to be killed in a battle that also kills Chai and Stella. Amu decides to stay on the planet while everyone else leaves.
Daba and Kyao go tot heart Star, an asteroid base populated by women led by Full Flat. Daba launches an attack on Poseidal’s capital of Sveto. They are forced to escape when Amu arrives and head to the planet Trydetol, where they meet Daba’s half sister Quwasan Olibee, who is under Poseidal’s control. On Trydetol they are attacked by the military using Heavy Metals. Kyao kidnaps an inventor named Mesh Maker, who sympathizes with the rebels, to upgrade the Mechas. Giwaza informs Poseidal that Full Flat is aiding the rebels and captured Daba while convincing Full Flat to ally with him. Both Poseidal and Full Flat are revealed to be immortal granted by Amanda. Daba escapes and guide Theart Star to Gastopol. Leccee brings reinforcements to the rebels and they head to Sveto and encounter Poseidal. Nei is discovered to be Giwaza’s prisoner. She tries to kill Niwaza but fails and is herself killed. The rebels activate the StarDust Plan, sending hundreds of asteroids to Sveto with Ginwaza attacking, capturing Olibee. Gavlet has fallen in love with Olibee and tries to save her. In the resulting battle Full Flat is killed. Daba and Gavlet rescue Olibeee and duel Giwaza. Poseidal is revealed to be an entity named Mean struggling to regain her memories. Amandara attempts to retake his position as Poseidal. Amandra sends Daba a message to bring Daba into a trap but he sees through this and works to save Mian. Amandara attempts to take Mian hostage but she is rescued and Amandara is forced to flee. Amandara reveals his heavy metal, which feeds on the population’s energy and continues to grow stronger, overwhelming Daba and forcing Main to sacrifice herself to defeat Amanda. The defeat of the Poseidal and leads the rebels to emerge victorious. Giwaza flees but is killed by Daba. Daba then says goodbye to everyone and is left to take care of Olibee, left brain damaged from Poseidal’s control[3].
Wing-Man(1984-1985)
Based on the Manga created by Masakazu Katsura that ran from 1983 to 1985. The series follows Kenta Hirono, a fan of Superheroes and Sentai who dreams of being a hero and has created his own called Wingman, which he acts out the fantasy of being at school. Kenta meets the blue haired Princess of an alternate universe named Aoi Yume, who uses a book called a Dream Note to make his dream a reality in exchange for his help liberating her universe from an evil dictator named Rimel who wants the Dream Note, which only works outside of its native universe. The Anime adaptation was made by Toei Animation and aired on TV Asahi with the ending remaining faithful to the Manga.
Wata no Kunihoshi(1984)
Translated as Cotton Country. A Shojo Manga by Rumiko Oshima. It was serialized by Hakusensha in LaLa Magazine from 1978 to 1987. The story follows an abandoned kitten raised by a young man named Tatsu. The kitten is named Chibi-neko and because she grows up around humans and no other cats. She believes herself to be human and is drawn as a little girl with cat ears and a tail and believes she is speaking the same language as the humans. When she wants to grow up, she is told the truth by a TomCat named Raphel and is told of a magical land called Cottonland which she sets out to discover. It is ultimately proven to not be real and Chibi-nekko gains a new appreciation of life and returns home. The series won the 1978 Shogakukan Manga Award for Shojo. The Anime was adapted by Tatsuneko and was a tribute to the late founder of Tatsunuoko. The film is credited with starting the depiction of cat eared girls in Anime[4].
Beautiful Dreamer(1984)
Written and directed by Mamoru Oshii. The film borrowed heavily from the tale of Urashima Taro. The film was experimental and followed a group of high school students trapped what appears to be a loop where the day repeats as they try to discover what is going on and how they can escape the loop[5].
Lolita Anime(1984)
A now largely forgotten Erotica. The first Adult DVA.It was the first Anime example of Hentai and also the first to depict You, BDSM and most infamously Lolicon. Only two episodes were released and production shut down[6].
Little Memole(1984-1985)
A series by Toei Animation. The series follows a group of tinyaliens which crash on Earth. The young girl Memole is reckless and brave and befriends a human girl named Mariel who is sick and forced to stay inside her house
Lupin VIII(1984-1985)
Video Warrior Laserion(1984-1985)
A series by Toei Animation that aired on TBS. The series is set in the future where Earth was united under a World Government called the Earth Federation. Young middle school Takashi Katori and his friend and love interest Olivia Lawrence develop an online game with an online friend named David.The game uses satellites to send signals to control robots in the game. A government experiment with a plan crashes into. the satellite. This send the plane into the virtual world and the Game’s robot into the real world. Takashi is arrested but it is revealed a mad scientist named Dr.Goldheim was responsible in order to take the plane hostage. Takashi is forced to pilot the real robot Laserion to fight Goldheim. Things get complicated when the alien Erefan arrive to warn Earth of the invading Jack Empire, which become the show’s new antagonists.
My Neighbor Totoro(1984)
Hayao Miyazaki and Kazuo Oga worked together on the concept. Ota was happy to work on the film, which was far more lighthearted compared to his previous work on Little Boy. The film is satin 1955 and follows a family moving to the town of Matsuko and encountering the forest guardian Totoro.Disney handled the international release. It was a worldwide success upon release.
Grave of the Fireflies(1984)
Grave of the fireflies was a short story by Akiyuki Osaka published in 1967 and based upon the author’s own experiences during the firebombing of Kobe in which he lost his family including his younger sister. After the story’s end there were talks of adapting it but for live action, which Nosaka came to believe was impossible as he thought the devastation could not be recreated accurately. The Scorched Earth couldn’t be shown to the same extent as he’d known it and no child actor could captured the raw emotions. When animation was proposed and after talking to the author of Little Boy and seeing the in progress film adaptation of his own work, Nosaka began to believe that only Animation could do the story . Isao Takahata became interested after reading the short story and liking the child main character, seeing any War story as being a tear jerker. Takahata believed that young people of Japan in the 80’s had developed an inferiority complex and saw the last generation who fought or went through World War II as more noble and the film challenged that notion. Takahata found Setsuko harder to draw as he never depicted a girl younger than five.The film used many non traditional animation techniques. Many see the film as an Anti-War story but Takahata has denied this. Miyazaki and Takahata conceived the idea of releasing the film with My Neighbor Totoro. Distribution proved difficult as the two packaged the films together and so anyone who wanted the family friendly My Neighbor Totoro had to also get Grave of the Fireflies. Disney agreed to this and released Grave of the Fireflies under their Hyperion label. The film received much praise and Akira Kurosawa wrote to Miyazaki calling Grave of the Fireflies his favorite film, mistakenly believing he directed it. Miyazaki responded that the film was “Takahata’s masterpiece” which he previously used to describe Pippi Longstocking, indicating that he now believed it had been surpassed[8].
Doraemon: Nobita’s Great Adventure into the Underworld(1984)
The Fifth Doraemon film and first to incorporate CGI. Nobita and Doraemon found a statue that looks like Doraemon in a trash dump. Doraemon studied it and after finding no scientific explanation for it, became curious about studying magic. From research, Doraemon learned about the downfall of magic after the Salem Witch Trials and becomes depressed when no one can teach him. At night the Statue changes positions to everyone’s fear and confusion. They move it to the storeroom. Nobita suggests Doraemon search into another universe where magic is possible and they find one where Magic has replaced technology. Nobita and his family do not exist in this universe as Doraemon explains that changed in the past would change so much that at some point no one they knew would be born. Nobita sets out to learn magic from a magic school which he is already behind , joined by Doraemon who also doesn’t exist in this universe. The group then learn this world is being threatened by a plan by evil wizards to unleash Demons. The existence of magic has led to their being many fantasy races, and also many who perform dark rituals and mass human sacrifices for power.The Demons also learn about Nobita’s world and plan to invade it. The other Earth is quickly invaded and taken over, entire continents being devastated. Humanity only survives because the Demons only come out at night, but they find a way to cover the Moon with Dark Clouds.
Fleeing back to their own universe, Doraemon and Nobita begin practicing their magic, not knowing they are in danger. When they are attacked by a Demon they are just barely repel. They travel to the Underworld with Holy Weapons including Silver Bullets and swords to find and kill the Devil himself. The group fails and decides to use time travel to stop the Demons from discovering their world in the first place but the demon attacks results in Doraemon turning into stone as they cannot steal his soul. The duo’s attempt to time travel results in a predestination paradox of the Doraemon statue arriving where the duo originally found it. Nobita escapes with time travel and begins to train in magic, working to free Doraemon from his statue form, ultimately succeeding. The Duo and their magically empowered allies return to the Underworld to finally bring down the Devil[9].
Gu Gu Ganmo(1984-1985)
Based on the manga by Fujihiko Hosono(creator of Crusher Joe) that ran from 1982 to 1985. The story follows a nine year old boy named Hanpeita Tsukuda who studies in Tokyo at Oedo Elementary School with American Linda Skylark, Boss Toshimitsu Saigo and nerd Kashio Fujita. Hanpeita’s older sister, Tsukune Tsukuda finds an egg and brings it home. It hatched into an alien bird capable of human speech that begins to help the family but usually fails in some way.
Giant Gorg(1984)
Directed by Yoshikazi Yasuhiko. Produced by Sunrise and broadcast on TV Tokyo. The series is set in 1990 when a mysterious island suddenly appears near Samoa. The government organization GAIL covers up the island’s existence, even resorting to murder those who learn about it including Dr.Tagami. Tagami’s son You Tagami, Dr.Wave, Wave’s wife Doris and their dog Argos are attacked by GAIl but escape and make their way to the island where they encounter a sentient robot named Gorg and work towards uncovering the secrets of the island while evading the forces of GAIL.
Chickkun Takkun(1984)
Based on the manga Created by Shotaro Ishinomori(Cyborg 009, Super Sentai and Kamen Rider)that ran from 1982 to 1984. The series was adapted into 23 episodes produced by Gakken and Fuji TV and co produced by Nihon Ad systems with animation by Studio Pierrot. It aired on Fuji TV. It follows an alien duck named Chicken trying to stop an alien mad scientist from invading Earth.
Glass Mask(1984)
Based on the manga created by Suzue Miuchi that began in 1976. The title refers to the masks actors wear as well as those people were in public. The series is the second highest Shojo manga at 50 million copies. The series follows actress Maya Kitajima and her rivalry with Ayumi Himekawa, pursuing the lead role in “The Crimson Goddess”. Maya isn’t particularly beautiful or smart but is passionately devoted, willing to risk her life for a role. Ayumi meanwhile wants to succeed on her own without the privileges s he has had in life like her rich parents. The President of Daito, Masumi Hayami cares about Maya but puts on the appearance of a cold hearted businessman and sends her letters as an anonymous fan encouraging her, gaining Maya’s hatred and love in different personas. Hajime Onodera, a Daito director, meanwhile, is plotting to drive the acting school out of business.
Attacker You!
A sequel series to Attack No.1, and Attack Tomorrow, now following the grown daughter of the previous protagonist Kozoue Ayuhara, You Ayuhara[10].
Locke the Superman(1984)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1967 to 1971 by Yuki Hijiri. It was released in the US by Celebrity Home Entertainment. The film follows a space adventurer with psionic abilities.
God Energer(1984)
A return to form for Go Nagai, and. A revival of the 1970’s Energer Series. The premise centers on the thought defeated Dinosaur Empire(from Getter Robot) invades, this time from the ancient past and Yamato join forces with the ancient Kingdom of Mu to fight them, falling in love with the Princess of Mu in the process. Unexpectedly the series goes onto crossover with The Mighty Atom and Tetsujin 28, Go Nagai’s major inspirations for Energer as all four series heroes join forces to defeat the returning enemy[10].
Persia, the Magic Fairy(1984-1985)
Adapted by the Manga by Taksko AonumaA Magical girl anime series produced by Studio Pierrot that aired on Nippon Television. Persia is an eleven year old girl who as a child lost her parents and grew up in Africa. A pair of twins rescue her and adopt her, taking her to live with them in Africa. She is shown to have been given a mystical headband from a Fairy Queen she encountered in Africa, who took her in and uses it to transform into a magical girl to fight evil. Persia continues to appear in Studio Pierrot merchandise and productions.
Lensman(1984)
An Anime film based on the Lensman novels by E.E. Smith. A young boy named Kim Kinnison finds a dying Lensman of the Galactic Patrol and is given an advanced Lens that he must get to the Galactic Patrol before the villain Lord Helmuth doe as the lens would power a super weapon. The Lens is mentioned as being created by the Arisians to be used to fight the evil Eddorians. The film received mixed reviews but it did lead to a TV series the next year seeking to not so much adapt the novels but create a story in their world. The film is still considered canon by fans of Lensman and is mentioned in the Official series roleplaying game. The film did however incorporate CGI at times.
The Wondrous Koala Blinky(1984)
Japan at the time enjoyed a Koala craze for unknown reasons. Some say this was due to Japanese zoos receiving Koalas from Australia but this seems to have occurred as a result of the craze and was not the cause of it. Noozles was a 23 episode series by Nippon Animation, dubbed by Nickelodeon and directed by Noboru Ishiguro, known for Battle City Megaroad. The series follows a girl named Sandy Brown getting a stuffed Koala that is revealed to be alive. The Koala is named Blinky and is revealed to have access to a magical land which he and Sandy travel to. The series takes a more dramatic tone towards its end where it's revealed the magical world and the human world are about to separate, threatening to destroy both, While the duo find magical stones needed to prevent this, they are separated forever.
Kinnikuman(1984)
A Film based on the popular TV series. The plot follows Kinnikuman after he has won the championship Belt in the main series and is building his own theme park when the belt is stolen by a former champion named Octopus Dragon III, who kidnaps Kinnikuman’s girlfriend and defeats him in battle. He and his friends then travel to Octopus Dragon III’s home planet and battle many enemies and traps. As the group travels, Kinnikuman’s friends are forced to be left behind, usually due to being rendered unable to continue or staying behind to fight a foe. Kinnikuman is then forced to fight Octopus Dragon III alone in the ring and while he almost loses, the sacrifice of his friends give shim courage to succeed and defeat the villain.
Cream Lemon(1984-1987)
Seen as the first Hentai series. Released on DVA. The series is a collection of stories set in different time periods and different genres such as fantasy, comedy, suspense, sci fi, magical girl, horror and so on[11].
Bagi, The Monster of Mighty Nature(1984)
An Osamu Tezuka film. Ryosuke is a young man hunting a fabled Cat Woman in Africa. His history with the creature is gradually revealed. His mother was a scientist who experiment on a kitten he had as a pet until she escaped into the wild. The movie today is often the subject of clickbait videos discussing it due to Tezuka’s involvement. Often falsely remembered as “That one Tezuka Movie about the guy who wants to bang a Cat.” Or something similar.
Birth(1984)
A DVA based on the 1983 Manga Birth Planet Busters. It is set in the far future and follows four mercenaries as they search for an ultimate weapon which could save humanity or destroy it. Harmony gold licensed the English dub as Planet Busters. Yoshinori Kanada and Hideaki Anno worked as animators.
Futari Dakka(1984-1985)
Based the manga by Kaoru Shintani that ran from 1981 to 1985 and won the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1984. Taka Sawatari and his mother are attacked by a motorcycle gang while driving but a mysterious man saves them. Sawatari learns he is a professional racer named Taka Toujou. Taka Sawatari, a racer himself, competes against him and nearly kills Toujou when he causes an accident, leading the two racers to begin a rivalry.
Adventures of Little Koala1984)
Created to capitalize on the Koala craze at the time by the company Tohokushinsha Film. It aired on TV Tokyo and on Nickelodeon in the US. It followed Roobear Koala, anthropomorphic Koala and his friends in a fictional village in Australia.
Fist of the North Star(1984-1985)
Tetsuo Hara was a fan of Bruce Lee and Japanese film actor Yusaku Matsuda when he was growing up as a teenager in the 1970’s. These two actors were combined to make the protagonist Kenshiro Kasumi. The enemies were often inspired by Ultraman and Tiger Mask. A prototype version was released as a one shot story in Fresh Jump that was a success, leading to the later series. Kenshiro was a teenager living in modern Japan with his girlfriend Yuki, while training with his father in the martial art of Hokuto Shinken. Kenshiro's girlfriend is murdered by his rival, the Taizanji Kenpo School, and Kenshiro is framed for the crime, forcing him to deal with corrupt police under the control of the Taizanji Kenpo School, seeking to avenge his girlfriend's death. Kenshiro saves people through the use of a technique in which he strikes pressure points, which in ten seconds, cause the person to explode, resulting in his catchphrase “You are already Dead”(Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru) after using the technique but before the victim dies. The series concluded with Kenshiro fighting against his brother in training, the self proclaimed God Emperor Raoh. Toei Animation adapted the story and it aired on Fuji TV. Shonene Jump originally wanted the series to continue beyond Raoh’s defeat but the creators Yoshiyuki Okamura and Tetsuo Hara held their ground and instead promised to work on a prequel, considering the story resolved. Fist of the North Star remains one of the highest selling Manga of all time and was a huge influence on many works such as DragonMan and Berserk[12].
Elves of the Forest(1984-1985)
Produced by Zuiyo and animated by Shaft. I aired on Fuji TV. It follows a family of Elves that work for Santa Claus.
Panzer World Galient(1984-1985)
A series by Sunrise broadcast on Nippon Television. It was directed by Ryosuke Takahashi with mechanical designs by Kunio Okawara and Yutaka Izubuchi. It is set in a medieval world with giant robots similar to tanks and follows Prince Jordy Volder fighting against the conqueror Marder.
Choriki Robo Galatt(1984-1985)
A comedic series by Sunrise broadcast on TV Asahi, Fuji TV, Nippon TV and TBS. The series shared many of the same production staff as Ginga Hyoryu Vifam and was intended to be a more comedic show. It was the debut role for Katsuhiko Nakagawa and Yoshino Takamori. In the series, humanity abandoned Earth. An evil alien real estate agent named Dothan plots to buy the Earth. Weapons have been banned and Dothan’s army of robots is unopposed as a result. One scientist builds a robot that fights against Dothan’s army. He lies and says that the robot was made by good aliens he contacted for help that live far from Earth when he actually illegally made it. In actuality he got a bunch of kids to pilot the robot while he made money off of helping the police and being paid as he claimed to be the only one who could make contact with the aliens.
Voltron(1984-1985)
A series by Studio Pierrot, created uniquely for the American market and distributed by World Events Productions[13].
Basil of Baker Street(1984)
Adapting the book series of the same name by McGraw-Hill that was published from 1958 to 1982. Many falsely attribute it to Hayao Miyazaki but he only provided input as he was working on My Neighbor Totoro. It was licensed out by Disney. In fact it began as an idea there which they felt would have been too similar to the Rescuers. It was brought up at a meeting and Studio Ghibli took an interest to bringing it to life. The title in Japanese translates roughly to “The Great Mouse Detective”. The film’s Disney dubbed nabbed an all star cast which included Barrie Ingham as Basil, Val Bettin as his assistant Dawson, and Vincent Price as nemesis Professor Ratigan. Despite his limited involvement, many critics have claimed that Miyazaki surpassed his own clock tower finale. The hero and villain once more battle in a clock tower, only this time inside Big Ben itself in the film’s climax[14].
NOTES
[1] A Super Dimension Fortress Macross Film OTL. Largely unchanged. "Separation Point" is this timeline's terminology for a Point of Divergence or POD, based on the unmade Star Trek Episode "Yesteryear" actually being made and popularizing the term.
[2] OTL the poor ratings meant the number of episodes was cut with Episode 23 not airing. Episode 22 had a 35 second epilogue at the end told via narration and stills.
[3] Mamoru Nagano would later create the Five Star Stories and expressed dissatisfaction with the story though its uncertain as to what part he was dissatisfied with. Five Star Stories may not exist ITTL.
[4] The former Tatsunoko team ITTL is now nicknamed Tatsuneko due to being a small part of another company called Black Cat. The name changes means the studio goes from meaning “Tatsu’s Son” to “Tatsu’s Cat” and the film changed as a result of the team getting the adaptation ITTL.
[5] OTL Mamoru Oshii worked on the first film in the Urusei Yatsura series but was unhappy with it. His script was so different it was almost rejected. In Oshii’s own words the story he was telling was from the viewpoint of a man while Takahashi’s series always had the women as the main characters who do all the meaningful action while the male character is largely a plot device or love interest, a reversal of the standard formula . ITTL the film was instead made into its own thing. This actually means the film does worse without being linked to a popular series.The film actually predates Groundhog Day OTL and TTL, and wasn’t popular enough for the “Dreaming Loop” to catch on.
[6]At this time OTL there was a “Lolicon Boon” caused by figures such s Aki Uchiyama and Hideo Azuma. OTl this series received negative reviews. ITTL it does even worse, enough that it essentially kills the Lolicon Genre, strangling Lolicon in its cradle…Ok maybe that’s not the best analogy. This is why I chose to not butterfly it away as it existing and bombing hard would convince many that the genre is poison. It still exists but underground and is frowned upon. Azuma is not really impacted by this because while Lolita Anime actively sexualized young girls, Azuma featured young girls as protagonists. There’s a differences and Lolicon fans of his work are seen as a misaimed fandom.
[7]OTL Lupin VIII was a future spin off of Lupin III planned to be created by DiC Audiovisual and would have been toned down to a kid’s show. ITTL DiC is not involved. OTL it was not made due to Leblanc’s estate demanding too much for overseas distribution. Ironically the downfall of Tatsunoko saved this show as Leblanc’s estate bought the rights and can now profit off of it.
[8]OTL Grave of the Fireflies and Totoro were released in 1988 together but Miyazaki had the idea for Totoro since he worked on 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother. Grave of the Fireflies’s release ITTL is now closer to the 40th Anniversary of when the firebombing in the film actually began.
[9]Was the highest grossing animated Film in Japan OTL, making Doraemon the highest grossing film for a second year in a row. ITTL Little Boy and then My Neighbor Totoro took that spot. The film’s plot isn’t entirely that different from OTL though its somewhat changed due to the popularity of Genma Wars, making this film a G rated parody of an R Rated film especially with the Demons and time travel.
[10]OTL Attacker You!was a Volleyball anime series with no connection to Attack No 1. Though several European dubs made the protagonists blood related by adding dialogue. It was made by Knack Productions. ITTL since Attack No.1 had Attack Tomorrow become a sequel so too does Attacker You! with the next step being now focusing on the daughter of the original protagonist.
[11] Known as Witch Era OTL.
[12] OTL God Mazinger is still recognized as part of the Mazinger Z series but it has nothing plot wise to do with the rest of the series and is set in an alternate universe version of it. Since Go Nagai previously used the “Dinosaur Empire” idea I chose to make this basically a sort of tribute crossover with Energer and Getter Robo crossing over again, but threw in Mighty Atom and Tetsujin 28 for good measure.
[13] Technically Lolita Anime is the first Hentai in both universes but ITTL it crashed and burned, being largely forgotten and so Cream Lemon is considered to be the first Hentai. Also yes, I am covering some Hentai but no I will not go into too much details for obvious reasons.
[14] The premise is based on the first pitch for the plot of Fist of the north Star. OTL the creators of Fist of the North Star wanted to end it after Raoh’s defeat but were pressured into continuing, resulting in a weaker second half. Here they got their wish by offering to work on a prequel, keeping the story the same and satisfying the executives. They will also work on Jojo's Bizarre Adventure along with its creator, who was inspired by Fist of the North Star. One of the butterflies from this will be that Stands are introduced from the beginning.
[15] Replaced the OTL series Bismarck. GoLion, the OTL Voltron, was more faithfully dubbed earlier. The name Voltron now applies to a different but similar in premise show, which will be popular due to being tailored to American tastes.
[16] An adaptation of Basil of Baker Street, which served as the basis for the Great Mouse Detective, released OTL in 1986. Basically imagine the Great Mouse Detective but with the smooth animation of a Miyazaki film, including a beautiful and heavily praised clock tower battle in the climax that tops Castle of Cagliostro. And yes, Vincent Prince still voices Ratigan. ITTL it replaces Sherlock Hound, which was Sherlock Holmes with dogs. OTL the film was released in 1986. The film Young Sherlock Holmes under performed and led John Katzenberg to change the name to “The Great Mouse Detective” leading to an animator posting a list of renamed Disney movies. While this will happen but for a different movie. Here for your please is the list: Seven Little Men Help a Girl, the Wonderful Elephant that could really Fly, The Little Deer Who Grew Up, The Girl with the See Through Shoes, Two Dogs Fall in Love, Puppies Taken Away, A Boy, a Bear and a Big Black Cat(In order: Snow White, Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmations, and The Jungle Book). Because of the 1984 release date, there is no need to change the name as Young Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t have been released yet.
Butterflied Away:
Starzan S. A Tatsunoko production cancelled at 34 episodes due to low ratings. Does not exist due to Tatsunoko going under ITTL.
Showdown! The 7 Justice Supermen vs the Space Samurais. A Kinnikuman film adaptation a story arc. ITTL the story arc in question was adapted in the series and therefore the film is butterflied. Another Kinnikuman is butterflied away so there is only one big "The Movie".
Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross. Made by Tatsunoko OTL as pat of Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Does not exist ITTL due to Tatsunoko going under. It had low ratings anyway OTL.
Once Upon a Time…Space. Butterflied away as OTL while the rest of the series was edutainment. This one was not and instead had a Sci Fi plot. Leading it to not be made for that reason.
A series by Toei Animation that aired on TBS. The series is set in the future where Earth was united under a World Government called the Earth Federation. Young middle school Takashi Katori and his friend and love interest Olivia Lawrence develop an online game with an online friend named David.The game uses satellites to send signals to control robots in the game. A government experiment with a plan crashes into. the satellite. This send the plane into the virtual world and the Game’s robot into the real world. Takashi is arrested but it is revealed a mad scientist named Dr.Goldheim was responsible in order to take the plane hostage. Takashi is forced to pilot the real robot Laserion to fight Goldheim. Things get complicated when the alien Erefan arrive to warn Earth of the invading Jack Empire, which become the show’s new antagonists.
My Neighbor Totoro(1984)
Hayao Miyazaki and Kazuo Oga worked together on the concept. Ota was happy to work on the film, which was far more lighthearted compared to his previous work on Little Boy. The film is satin 1955 and follows a family moving to the town of Matsuko and encountering the forest guardian Totoro.Disney handled the international release. It was a worldwide success upon release.
Grave of the Fireflies(1984)
Grave of the fireflies was a short story by Akiyuki Osaka published in 1967 and based upon the author’s own experiences during the firebombing of Kobe in which he lost his family including his younger sister. After the story’s end there were talks of adapting it but for live action, which Nosaka came to believe was impossible as he thought the devastation could not be recreated accurately. The Scorched Earth couldn’t be shown to the same extent as he’d known it and no child actor could captured the raw emotions. When animation was proposed and after talking to the author of Little Boy and seeing the in progress film adaptation of his own work, Nosaka began to believe that only Animation could do the story . Isao Takahata became interested after reading the short story and liking the child main character, seeing any War story as being a tear jerker. Takahata believed that young people of Japan in the 80’s had developed an inferiority complex and saw the last generation who fought or went through World War II as more noble and the film challenged that notion. Takahata found Setsuko harder to draw as he never depicted a girl younger than five.The film used many non traditional animation techniques. Many see the film as an Anti-War story but Takahata has denied this. Miyazaki and Takahata conceived the idea of releasing the film with My Neighbor Totoro. Distribution proved difficult as the two packaged the films together and so anyone who wanted the family friendly My Neighbor Totoro had to also get Grave of the Fireflies. Disney agreed to this and released Grave of the Fireflies under their Hyperion label. The film received much praise and Akira Kurosawa wrote to Miyazaki calling Grave of the Fireflies his favorite film, mistakenly believing he directed it. Miyazaki responded that the film was “Takahata’s masterpiece” which he previously used to describe Pippi Longstocking, indicating that he now believed it had been surpassed[8].
Doraemon: Nobita’s Great Adventure into the Underworld(1984)
The Fifth Doraemon film and first to incorporate CGI. Nobita and Doraemon found a statue that looks like Doraemon in a trash dump. Doraemon studied it and after finding no scientific explanation for it, became curious about studying magic. From research, Doraemon learned about the downfall of magic after the Salem Witch Trials and becomes depressed when no one can teach him. At night the Statue changes positions to everyone’s fear and confusion. They move it to the storeroom. Nobita suggests Doraemon search into another universe where magic is possible and they find one where Magic has replaced technology. Nobita and his family do not exist in this universe as Doraemon explains that changed in the past would change so much that at some point no one they knew would be born. Nobita sets out to learn magic from a magic school which he is already behind , joined by Doraemon who also doesn’t exist in this universe. The group then learn this world is being threatened by a plan by evil wizards to unleash Demons. The existence of magic has led to their being many fantasy races, and also many who perform dark rituals and mass human sacrifices for power.The Demons also learn about Nobita’s world and plan to invade it. The other Earth is quickly invaded and taken over, entire continents being devastated. Humanity only survives because the Demons only come out at night, but they find a way to cover the Moon with Dark Clouds.
Fleeing back to their own universe, Doraemon and Nobita begin practicing their magic, not knowing they are in danger. When they are attacked by a Demon they are just barely repel. They travel to the Underworld with Holy Weapons including Silver Bullets and swords to find and kill the Devil himself. The group fails and decides to use time travel to stop the Demons from discovering their world in the first place but the demon attacks results in Doraemon turning into stone as they cannot steal his soul. The duo’s attempt to time travel results in a predestination paradox of the Doraemon statue arriving where the duo originally found it. Nobita escapes with time travel and begins to train in magic, working to free Doraemon from his statue form, ultimately succeeding. The Duo and their magically empowered allies return to the Underworld to finally bring down the Devil[9].
Gu Gu Ganmo(1984-1985)
Based on the manga by Fujihiko Hosono(creator of Crusher Joe) that ran from 1982 to 1985. The story follows a nine year old boy named Hanpeita Tsukuda who studies in Tokyo at Oedo Elementary School with American Linda Skylark, Boss Toshimitsu Saigo and nerd Kashio Fujita. Hanpeita’s older sister, Tsukune Tsukuda finds an egg and brings it home. It hatched into an alien bird capable of human speech that begins to help the family but usually fails in some way.
Giant Gorg(1984)
Directed by Yoshikazi Yasuhiko. Produced by Sunrise and broadcast on TV Tokyo. The series is set in 1990 when a mysterious island suddenly appears near Samoa. The government organization GAIL covers up the island’s existence, even resorting to murder those who learn about it including Dr.Tagami. Tagami’s son You Tagami, Dr.Wave, Wave’s wife Doris and their dog Argos are attacked by GAIl but escape and make their way to the island where they encounter a sentient robot named Gorg and work towards uncovering the secrets of the island while evading the forces of GAIL.
Chickkun Takkun(1984)
Based on the manga Created by Shotaro Ishinomori(Cyborg 009, Super Sentai and Kamen Rider)that ran from 1982 to 1984. The series was adapted into 23 episodes produced by Gakken and Fuji TV and co produced by Nihon Ad systems with animation by Studio Pierrot. It aired on Fuji TV. It follows an alien duck named Chicken trying to stop an alien mad scientist from invading Earth.
Glass Mask(1984)
Based on the manga created by Suzue Miuchi that began in 1976. The title refers to the masks actors wear as well as those people were in public. The series is the second highest Shojo manga at 50 million copies. The series follows actress Maya Kitajima and her rivalry with Ayumi Himekawa, pursuing the lead role in “The Crimson Goddess”. Maya isn’t particularly beautiful or smart but is passionately devoted, willing to risk her life for a role. Ayumi meanwhile wants to succeed on her own without the privileges s he has had in life like her rich parents. The President of Daito, Masumi Hayami cares about Maya but puts on the appearance of a cold hearted businessman and sends her letters as an anonymous fan encouraging her, gaining Maya’s hatred and love in different personas. Hajime Onodera, a Daito director, meanwhile, is plotting to drive the acting school out of business.
Attacker You!
A sequel series to Attack No.1, and Attack Tomorrow, now following the grown daughter of the previous protagonist Kozoue Ayuhara, You Ayuhara[10].
Locke the Superman(1984)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1967 to 1971 by Yuki Hijiri. It was released in the US by Celebrity Home Entertainment. The film follows a space adventurer with psionic abilities.
God Energer(1984)
A return to form for Go Nagai, and. A revival of the 1970’s Energer Series. The premise centers on the thought defeated Dinosaur Empire(from Getter Robot) invades, this time from the ancient past and Yamato join forces with the ancient Kingdom of Mu to fight them, falling in love with the Princess of Mu in the process. Unexpectedly the series goes onto crossover with The Mighty Atom and Tetsujin 28, Go Nagai’s major inspirations for Energer as all four series heroes join forces to defeat the returning enemy[10].
Persia, the Magic Fairy(1984-1985)
Adapted by the Manga by Taksko AonumaA Magical girl anime series produced by Studio Pierrot that aired on Nippon Television. Persia is an eleven year old girl who as a child lost her parents and grew up in Africa. A pair of twins rescue her and adopt her, taking her to live with them in Africa. She is shown to have been given a mystical headband from a Fairy Queen she encountered in Africa, who took her in and uses it to transform into a magical girl to fight evil. Persia continues to appear in Studio Pierrot merchandise and productions.
Lensman(1984)
An Anime film based on the Lensman novels by E.E. Smith. A young boy named Kim Kinnison finds a dying Lensman of the Galactic Patrol and is given an advanced Lens that he must get to the Galactic Patrol before the villain Lord Helmuth doe as the lens would power a super weapon. The Lens is mentioned as being created by the Arisians to be used to fight the evil Eddorians. The film received mixed reviews but it did lead to a TV series the next year seeking to not so much adapt the novels but create a story in their world. The film is still considered canon by fans of Lensman and is mentioned in the Official series roleplaying game. The film did however incorporate CGI at times.
The Wondrous Koala Blinky(1984)
Japan at the time enjoyed a Koala craze for unknown reasons. Some say this was due to Japanese zoos receiving Koalas from Australia but this seems to have occurred as a result of the craze and was not the cause of it. Noozles was a 23 episode series by Nippon Animation, dubbed by Nickelodeon and directed by Noboru Ishiguro, known for Battle City Megaroad. The series follows a girl named Sandy Brown getting a stuffed Koala that is revealed to be alive. The Koala is named Blinky and is revealed to have access to a magical land which he and Sandy travel to. The series takes a more dramatic tone towards its end where it's revealed the magical world and the human world are about to separate, threatening to destroy both, While the duo find magical stones needed to prevent this, they are separated forever.
Kinnikuman(1984)
A Film based on the popular TV series. The plot follows Kinnikuman after he has won the championship Belt in the main series and is building his own theme park when the belt is stolen by a former champion named Octopus Dragon III, who kidnaps Kinnikuman’s girlfriend and defeats him in battle. He and his friends then travel to Octopus Dragon III’s home planet and battle many enemies and traps. As the group travels, Kinnikuman’s friends are forced to be left behind, usually due to being rendered unable to continue or staying behind to fight a foe. Kinnikuman is then forced to fight Octopus Dragon III alone in the ring and while he almost loses, the sacrifice of his friends give shim courage to succeed and defeat the villain.
Cream Lemon(1984-1987)
Seen as the first Hentai series. Released on DVA. The series is a collection of stories set in different time periods and different genres such as fantasy, comedy, suspense, sci fi, magical girl, horror and so on[11].
Bagi, The Monster of Mighty Nature(1984)
An Osamu Tezuka film. Ryosuke is a young man hunting a fabled Cat Woman in Africa. His history with the creature is gradually revealed. His mother was a scientist who experiment on a kitten he had as a pet until she escaped into the wild. The movie today is often the subject of clickbait videos discussing it due to Tezuka’s involvement. Often falsely remembered as “That one Tezuka Movie about the guy who wants to bang a Cat.” Or something similar.
Birth(1984)
A DVA based on the 1983 Manga Birth Planet Busters. It is set in the far future and follows four mercenaries as they search for an ultimate weapon which could save humanity or destroy it. Harmony gold licensed the English dub as Planet Busters. Yoshinori Kanada and Hideaki Anno worked as animators.
Futari Dakka(1984-1985)
Based the manga by Kaoru Shintani that ran from 1981 to 1985 and won the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1984. Taka Sawatari and his mother are attacked by a motorcycle gang while driving but a mysterious man saves them. Sawatari learns he is a professional racer named Taka Toujou. Taka Sawatari, a racer himself, competes against him and nearly kills Toujou when he causes an accident, leading the two racers to begin a rivalry.
Adventures of Little Koala1984)
Created to capitalize on the Koala craze at the time by the company Tohokushinsha Film. It aired on TV Tokyo and on Nickelodeon in the US. It followed Roobear Koala, anthropomorphic Koala and his friends in a fictional village in Australia.
Fist of the North Star(1984-1985)
Tetsuo Hara was a fan of Bruce Lee and Japanese film actor Yusaku Matsuda when he was growing up as a teenager in the 1970’s. These two actors were combined to make the protagonist Kenshiro Kasumi. The enemies were often inspired by Ultraman and Tiger Mask. A prototype version was released as a one shot story in Fresh Jump that was a success, leading to the later series. Kenshiro was a teenager living in modern Japan with his girlfriend Yuki, while training with his father in the martial art of Hokuto Shinken. Kenshiro's girlfriend is murdered by his rival, the Taizanji Kenpo School, and Kenshiro is framed for the crime, forcing him to deal with corrupt police under the control of the Taizanji Kenpo School, seeking to avenge his girlfriend's death. Kenshiro saves people through the use of a technique in which he strikes pressure points, which in ten seconds, cause the person to explode, resulting in his catchphrase “You are already Dead”(Omae Wa Mou Shindeiru) after using the technique but before the victim dies. The series concluded with Kenshiro fighting against his brother in training, the self proclaimed God Emperor Raoh. Toei Animation adapted the story and it aired on Fuji TV. Shonene Jump originally wanted the series to continue beyond Raoh’s defeat but the creators Yoshiyuki Okamura and Tetsuo Hara held their ground and instead promised to work on a prequel, considering the story resolved. Fist of the North Star remains one of the highest selling Manga of all time and was a huge influence on many works such as DragonMan and Berserk[12].
Elves of the Forest(1984-1985)
Produced by Zuiyo and animated by Shaft. I aired on Fuji TV. It follows a family of Elves that work for Santa Claus.
Panzer World Galient(1984-1985)
A series by Sunrise broadcast on Nippon Television. It was directed by Ryosuke Takahashi with mechanical designs by Kunio Okawara and Yutaka Izubuchi. It is set in a medieval world with giant robots similar to tanks and follows Prince Jordy Volder fighting against the conqueror Marder.
Choriki Robo Galatt(1984-1985)
A comedic series by Sunrise broadcast on TV Asahi, Fuji TV, Nippon TV and TBS. The series shared many of the same production staff as Ginga Hyoryu Vifam and was intended to be a more comedic show. It was the debut role for Katsuhiko Nakagawa and Yoshino Takamori. In the series, humanity abandoned Earth. An evil alien real estate agent named Dothan plots to buy the Earth. Weapons have been banned and Dothan’s army of robots is unopposed as a result. One scientist builds a robot that fights against Dothan’s army. He lies and says that the robot was made by good aliens he contacted for help that live far from Earth when he actually illegally made it. In actuality he got a bunch of kids to pilot the robot while he made money off of helping the police and being paid as he claimed to be the only one who could make contact with the aliens.
Voltron(1984-1985)
A series by Studio Pierrot, created uniquely for the American market and distributed by World Events Productions[13].
Basil of Baker Street(1984)
Adapting the book series of the same name by McGraw-Hill that was published from 1958 to 1982. Many falsely attribute it to Hayao Miyazaki but he only provided input as he was working on My Neighbor Totoro. It was licensed out by Disney. In fact it began as an idea there which they felt would have been too similar to the Rescuers. It was brought up at a meeting and Studio Ghibli took an interest to bringing it to life. The title in Japanese translates roughly to “The Great Mouse Detective”. The film’s Disney dubbed nabbed an all star cast which included Barrie Ingham as Basil, Val Bettin as his assistant Dawson, and Vincent Price as nemesis Professor Ratigan. Despite his limited involvement, many critics have claimed that Miyazaki surpassed his own clock tower finale. The hero and villain once more battle in a clock tower, only this time inside Big Ben itself in the film’s climax[14].
NOTES
[1] A Super Dimension Fortress Macross Film OTL. Largely unchanged. "Separation Point" is this timeline's terminology for a Point of Divergence or POD, based on the unmade Star Trek Episode "Yesteryear" actually being made and popularizing the term.
[2] OTL the poor ratings meant the number of episodes was cut with Episode 23 not airing. Episode 22 had a 35 second epilogue at the end told via narration and stills.
[3] Mamoru Nagano would later create the Five Star Stories and expressed dissatisfaction with the story though its uncertain as to what part he was dissatisfied with. Five Star Stories may not exist ITTL.
[4] The former Tatsunoko team ITTL is now nicknamed Tatsuneko due to being a small part of another company called Black Cat. The name changes means the studio goes from meaning “Tatsu’s Son” to “Tatsu’s Cat” and the film changed as a result of the team getting the adaptation ITTL.
[5] OTL Mamoru Oshii worked on the first film in the Urusei Yatsura series but was unhappy with it. His script was so different it was almost rejected. In Oshii’s own words the story he was telling was from the viewpoint of a man while Takahashi’s series always had the women as the main characters who do all the meaningful action while the male character is largely a plot device or love interest, a reversal of the standard formula . ITTL the film was instead made into its own thing. This actually means the film does worse without being linked to a popular series.The film actually predates Groundhog Day OTL and TTL, and wasn’t popular enough for the “Dreaming Loop” to catch on.
[6]At this time OTL there was a “Lolicon Boon” caused by figures such s Aki Uchiyama and Hideo Azuma. OTl this series received negative reviews. ITTL it does even worse, enough that it essentially kills the Lolicon Genre, strangling Lolicon in its cradle…Ok maybe that’s not the best analogy. This is why I chose to not butterfly it away as it existing and bombing hard would convince many that the genre is poison. It still exists but underground and is frowned upon. Azuma is not really impacted by this because while Lolita Anime actively sexualized young girls, Azuma featured young girls as protagonists. There’s a differences and Lolicon fans of his work are seen as a misaimed fandom.
[7]OTL Lupin VIII was a future spin off of Lupin III planned to be created by DiC Audiovisual and would have been toned down to a kid’s show. ITTL DiC is not involved. OTL it was not made due to Leblanc’s estate demanding too much for overseas distribution. Ironically the downfall of Tatsunoko saved this show as Leblanc’s estate bought the rights and can now profit off of it.
[8]OTL Grave of the Fireflies and Totoro were released in 1988 together but Miyazaki had the idea for Totoro since he worked on 3000 Leagues in Search of Mother. Grave of the Fireflies’s release ITTL is now closer to the 40th Anniversary of when the firebombing in the film actually began.
[9]Was the highest grossing animated Film in Japan OTL, making Doraemon the highest grossing film for a second year in a row. ITTL Little Boy and then My Neighbor Totoro took that spot. The film’s plot isn’t entirely that different from OTL though its somewhat changed due to the popularity of Genma Wars, making this film a G rated parody of an R Rated film especially with the Demons and time travel.
[10]OTL Attacker You!was a Volleyball anime series with no connection to Attack No 1. Though several European dubs made the protagonists blood related by adding dialogue. It was made by Knack Productions. ITTL since Attack No.1 had Attack Tomorrow become a sequel so too does Attacker You! with the next step being now focusing on the daughter of the original protagonist.
[11] Known as Witch Era OTL.
[12] OTL God Mazinger is still recognized as part of the Mazinger Z series but it has nothing plot wise to do with the rest of the series and is set in an alternate universe version of it. Since Go Nagai previously used the “Dinosaur Empire” idea I chose to make this basically a sort of tribute crossover with Energer and Getter Robo crossing over again, but threw in Mighty Atom and Tetsujin 28 for good measure.
[13] Technically Lolita Anime is the first Hentai in both universes but ITTL it crashed and burned, being largely forgotten and so Cream Lemon is considered to be the first Hentai. Also yes, I am covering some Hentai but no I will not go into too much details for obvious reasons.
[14] The premise is based on the first pitch for the plot of Fist of the north Star. OTL the creators of Fist of the North Star wanted to end it after Raoh’s defeat but were pressured into continuing, resulting in a weaker second half. Here they got their wish by offering to work on a prequel, keeping the story the same and satisfying the executives. They will also work on Jojo's Bizarre Adventure along with its creator, who was inspired by Fist of the North Star. One of the butterflies from this will be that Stands are introduced from the beginning.
[15] Replaced the OTL series Bismarck. GoLion, the OTL Voltron, was more faithfully dubbed earlier. The name Voltron now applies to a different but similar in premise show, which will be popular due to being tailored to American tastes.
[16] An adaptation of Basil of Baker Street, which served as the basis for the Great Mouse Detective, released OTL in 1986. Basically imagine the Great Mouse Detective but with the smooth animation of a Miyazaki film, including a beautiful and heavily praised clock tower battle in the climax that tops Castle of Cagliostro. And yes, Vincent Prince still voices Ratigan. ITTL it replaces Sherlock Hound, which was Sherlock Holmes with dogs. OTL the film was released in 1986. The film Young Sherlock Holmes under performed and led John Katzenberg to change the name to “The Great Mouse Detective” leading to an animator posting a list of renamed Disney movies. While this will happen but for a different movie. Here for your please is the list: Seven Little Men Help a Girl, the Wonderful Elephant that could really Fly, The Little Deer Who Grew Up, The Girl with the See Through Shoes, Two Dogs Fall in Love, Puppies Taken Away, A Boy, a Bear and a Big Black Cat(In order: Snow White, Dumbo, Bambi, Cinderella, Lady and the Tramp, 101 Dalmations, and The Jungle Book). Because of the 1984 release date, there is no need to change the name as Young Sherlock Holmes wouldn’t have been released yet.
Butterflied Away:
Starzan S. A Tatsunoko production cancelled at 34 episodes due to low ratings. Does not exist due to Tatsunoko going under ITTL.
Showdown! The 7 Justice Supermen vs the Space Samurais. A Kinnikuman film adaptation a story arc. ITTL the story arc in question was adapted in the series and therefore the film is butterflied. Another Kinnikuman is butterflied away so there is only one big "The Movie".
Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross. Made by Tatsunoko OTL as pat of Super Dimension Fortress Macross. Does not exist ITTL due to Tatsunoko going under. It had low ratings anyway OTL.
Once Upon a Time…Space. Butterflied away as OTL while the rest of the series was edutainment. This one was not and instead had a Sci Fi plot. Leading it to not be made for that reason.
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Gundam(1984 Live Action Film)
A redone old Post while I work on 1985 in Anime.
Gundam Goes Hollywood
By 1983, Bandai had gone to Hollywood with their plan to turn Gundam into a Live Action movie while "Gundamania" was in full swing. They got a company called Lion's Gate(not to be confused with the contemporary Lions Gate, founded in 1998) to make the film. The screenplay was done by Chip Poser, who's name is on one of the final scripts for Top Gun and also Inner Space. He was a script doctor for Science Fiction and Military themed stories and this was up his alley. The film would be his directorial debut. He flew over to Japan and watched the source Material(likely the compilation Movies) and after a week in Japan, returned to begin gathering pre production material. Proser was a fan of artist Syd Mead and was happy to learn he lived close by, getting him to create gorgeous concept art for the story. Mead would become a staple of the Gundam series for years to come.
For the film itself CGI was mixed with Models as in Star Wars to cut on production costs, scrapping the idea of an almost entirely CGI film. Full CGI wasn't impossible. It had been shown in the Video for the 1985 single Hard Woman and in Young Sherlock Holmes with a Knight in a scene directed by John Lassiter, but it was costly[1]
The Design for the Zak
Storyboard Scene(used practical effects in the Final Film).
Amuro first encounters a ZAK
The Finished film is recognizable as the Mobile Suit Gundam story but with notable differences and references to Star Wars and Seven Samurai/The Magnificent Seven. Many characters, including their roles, relationships, ages and names are changed with the exception of Amuro and Char[2]. Char is Amuro's brother and is jealous of him. Their father is now "Tim Ray" and is a Hero, excellent leader inventor of the Gundam, and a program called "Zion". He is possibly the most changed, likely to fit the trope of good parents being tragically killed, either for their young to feel a desire to avenge them or be better than them. Captain Paolo is present and does not die, thus meaning Bright Noa is not introduced to take his place.
The Film's much larger Gundam. More Mecha than Suit.
Mobile Suits are massive, about 100 meters tall and closer to the Jaegers from Pacific Rim than the 18 meter talls ones of the anime. The Federation and Principality of Zeon are not mentioned(though it is later revealed in tie in material that they do exist. It's likely the Federation wasn't featured due to avoid legal trouble with Star Trek); the White Base is an overhauled manufacturing ship staffed by refugees. Their enemy is the Zion Empire, which acts as a corporation with its own army, making them the analogue of Zeon. The Zabi family is gone and Zion instead refers to an AI that secretly leads the Empire. Earth is never mentioned. The film takes place in space. The film's script makes mention of War Drives and alien planets. There are no Minovsky particles, and holograms are used instead. No newtypes are present but there is technology that allows psychic communication.
The Side 7 based, O'Neill 7, a Stanford Torus type colony is attacked by Zaks. This is where Amuro witness the death of his father, finds the Gundam and takes it into battle. He makes contact with White Base and is warped to safety. Amruo's brother Char is brainwashed by Zion into becoming the film's physical antagonist, evidently by his own mothers Kamaria. Char then finds and attacks the White Base, forcing it to self destruct a large payload in the resulting attack. The explosion pushes Amuroo and Sara(who in the film is a composite of Sayla and Frawbow) away to a nearby planet where the two live and bond while waiting to be rescued.
Part of the Script(crossed out lines were added back in)
Once they are rescued they begin looking for mercenaries in a scene directly lifted from the Star Wars cantina scene and The Magnificent Seven. The script calls a character a "young Steve McQueen", and the candidates are tested in a virtual reality duel. When the Gundams are seen they are shown to include neural interface rather than the cockpit design, which is used for comedy when Amuro and Sara both get into the tight and cramped Cockpit together, proving to be uncomfortable in awkward positions.
As this is going on, the White Base manages to repair the Gundam and create more. Two are unique to the film: the Gunfighter and Gungrenadier(which got models). The Guncannon is piloted by Lou McNab, a veteran who helps Amoru and Sara find mercenaries. The Guntank is piloted by the Steve McQueen esque tank commander McCoon. The Gunfighter is piloted by Von, a mysterious figure, the Gungrenadier is piloted by Lee, a baseball player who was once a star pitcher that got the job because of his throwing arm. Lee is introduced in a scene where the protagonists attend a Baseball game in the future, based on Proser seeing a baseball game of the Yoniuri Giants.
The Team of Seven is completed with Sara piloting a dropship and Zoe, who is close to the character of Lalah, who controls "Waldoes" or small gunpods. The Seven attack Zion's base and Amuro gets inside, discovering Zion is an AI. Char then arrives in his own suit, a Red Zak, and a battle ensues, during which Zion is destroyed. The fight between brothers goes across the bizarre and surreal ship landscape inspired by Salvador Dali. Finally we come to the "Last Shooting" scene from the anime recreated in the final battle between Char and Amuro. Char appears lost and possibly killed. Amuro returns though the Gundam was heavily damaged in the last battle. A Monument of the Gundam is seen at the center of a park(An image later homaged in the second Pacific Rim film).
Notes
[1] The All CGI Budget is what killed this film OTL.
[2] Char was called Sha in the original script which was likely a mistake, possibly attempting to give him a name closer to how its pronounced in Japanese.
This Film essentially replaces The Last Starfighter ITTL. As for the quality its closer to something like Inner Space but is a hit because of the Gundam name, which pretty much ensures Japan will love it. America loves Gundam more than OTL here but its still a depressing series to many and kids in the 80's want their Saturday Morning Cartoons, something more Sweet than Bitter. Still to many this will cement the Gundam as a staple of the 80's especially in America where its about on par with Top Gun.
I was originally going to put the screenshot of the Gundam from Ready Player One at the end and mention how there was a recent Gundam Movie released but that would exceed 10 images. Just imagine it and I can include it when we get to it.
Anyway this is important in universe as it gets the foot in the door for other Anime adaptations down the line. It's easier for Anime characters to step into Hollywood now thanks to the Giant Robot shaped hole in the wall.
Gundam Goes Hollywood
By 1983, Bandai had gone to Hollywood with their plan to turn Gundam into a Live Action movie while "Gundamania" was in full swing. They got a company called Lion's Gate(not to be confused with the contemporary Lions Gate, founded in 1998) to make the film. The screenplay was done by Chip Poser, who's name is on one of the final scripts for Top Gun and also Inner Space. He was a script doctor for Science Fiction and Military themed stories and this was up his alley. The film would be his directorial debut. He flew over to Japan and watched the source Material(likely the compilation Movies) and after a week in Japan, returned to begin gathering pre production material. Proser was a fan of artist Syd Mead and was happy to learn he lived close by, getting him to create gorgeous concept art for the story. Mead would become a staple of the Gundam series for years to come.
For the film itself CGI was mixed with Models as in Star Wars to cut on production costs, scrapping the idea of an almost entirely CGI film. Full CGI wasn't impossible. It had been shown in the Video for the 1985 single Hard Woman and in Young Sherlock Holmes with a Knight in a scene directed by John Lassiter, but it was costly[1]
The Design for the Zak
Storyboard Scene(used practical effects in the Final Film).
Amuro first encounters a ZAK
The Finished film is recognizable as the Mobile Suit Gundam story but with notable differences and references to Star Wars and Seven Samurai/The Magnificent Seven. Many characters, including their roles, relationships, ages and names are changed with the exception of Amuro and Char[2]. Char is Amuro's brother and is jealous of him. Their father is now "Tim Ray" and is a Hero, excellent leader inventor of the Gundam, and a program called "Zion". He is possibly the most changed, likely to fit the trope of good parents being tragically killed, either for their young to feel a desire to avenge them or be better than them. Captain Paolo is present and does not die, thus meaning Bright Noa is not introduced to take his place.
The Film's much larger Gundam. More Mecha than Suit.
Mobile Suits are massive, about 100 meters tall and closer to the Jaegers from Pacific Rim than the 18 meter talls ones of the anime. The Federation and Principality of Zeon are not mentioned(though it is later revealed in tie in material that they do exist. It's likely the Federation wasn't featured due to avoid legal trouble with Star Trek); the White Base is an overhauled manufacturing ship staffed by refugees. Their enemy is the Zion Empire, which acts as a corporation with its own army, making them the analogue of Zeon. The Zabi family is gone and Zion instead refers to an AI that secretly leads the Empire. Earth is never mentioned. The film takes place in space. The film's script makes mention of War Drives and alien planets. There are no Minovsky particles, and holograms are used instead. No newtypes are present but there is technology that allows psychic communication.
The Side 7 based, O'Neill 7, a Stanford Torus type colony is attacked by Zaks. This is where Amuro witness the death of his father, finds the Gundam and takes it into battle. He makes contact with White Base and is warped to safety. Amruo's brother Char is brainwashed by Zion into becoming the film's physical antagonist, evidently by his own mothers Kamaria. Char then finds and attacks the White Base, forcing it to self destruct a large payload in the resulting attack. The explosion pushes Amuroo and Sara(who in the film is a composite of Sayla and Frawbow) away to a nearby planet where the two live and bond while waiting to be rescued.
Part of the Script(crossed out lines were added back in)
Once they are rescued they begin looking for mercenaries in a scene directly lifted from the Star Wars cantina scene and The Magnificent Seven. The script calls a character a "young Steve McQueen", and the candidates are tested in a virtual reality duel. When the Gundams are seen they are shown to include neural interface rather than the cockpit design, which is used for comedy when Amuro and Sara both get into the tight and cramped Cockpit together, proving to be uncomfortable in awkward positions.
As this is going on, the White Base manages to repair the Gundam and create more. Two are unique to the film: the Gunfighter and Gungrenadier(which got models). The Guncannon is piloted by Lou McNab, a veteran who helps Amoru and Sara find mercenaries. The Guntank is piloted by the Steve McQueen esque tank commander McCoon. The Gunfighter is piloted by Von, a mysterious figure, the Gungrenadier is piloted by Lee, a baseball player who was once a star pitcher that got the job because of his throwing arm. Lee is introduced in a scene where the protagonists attend a Baseball game in the future, based on Proser seeing a baseball game of the Yoniuri Giants.
The Team of Seven is completed with Sara piloting a dropship and Zoe, who is close to the character of Lalah, who controls "Waldoes" or small gunpods. The Seven attack Zion's base and Amuro gets inside, discovering Zion is an AI. Char then arrives in his own suit, a Red Zak, and a battle ensues, during which Zion is destroyed. The fight between brothers goes across the bizarre and surreal ship landscape inspired by Salvador Dali. Finally we come to the "Last Shooting" scene from the anime recreated in the final battle between Char and Amuro. Char appears lost and possibly killed. Amuro returns though the Gundam was heavily damaged in the last battle. A Monument of the Gundam is seen at the center of a park(An image later homaged in the second Pacific Rim film).
Notes
[1] The All CGI Budget is what killed this film OTL.
[2] Char was called Sha in the original script which was likely a mistake, possibly attempting to give him a name closer to how its pronounced in Japanese.
This Film essentially replaces The Last Starfighter ITTL. As for the quality its closer to something like Inner Space but is a hit because of the Gundam name, which pretty much ensures Japan will love it. America loves Gundam more than OTL here but its still a depressing series to many and kids in the 80's want their Saturday Morning Cartoons, something more Sweet than Bitter. Still to many this will cement the Gundam as a staple of the 80's especially in America where its about on par with Top Gun.
I was originally going to put the screenshot of the Gundam from Ready Player One at the end and mention how there was a recent Gundam Movie released but that would exceed 10 images. Just imagine it and I can include it when we get to it.
Anyway this is important in universe as it gets the foot in the door for other Anime adaptations down the line. It's easier for Anime characters to step into Hollywood now thanks to the Giant Robot shaped hole in the wall.
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Hey Marco, I was meaning to ask you about this a couple of days ago but I forgot to do so, so I’m gonna ask you it now, which is the following: what happened to all the racist stereotypes in old cartoons ITTL? (I.e the Censored Eleven, Fantasia, Dumbo, the World War 2-era propaganda cartoons, the Song of the South, Peter Pan, The Lady and the Tramp, the Aristocats, etc.)
Most of them have been butterflied away. Blackface itself never took off ITTL. Therefore most of the censored eleven don’t exist or had story tweaks. Fantasia is missing the offending character. Dumbo had an African American actor play a figure implied to be Anansi the trickster god rather than the crows. The propaganda cartoons went all out mocking the Nazis but against Japanese due to Japanese Americans allowed to serve it was more along the lines of education for Death where it was a tragedy they were being brainwashed so to dying senselessly. Song of the South does not exist with Zippity Doo Dah being recycled elsewhere. Peter Pan had more ambiguous natives rather than borrowing from an exact culture. Lady and Tramp had different cats and for Aristocats it was just the removal of one character.
Thank you for answering. This is all very interesting and good stuff indeed.
Thanks. Still working on 1985 in anime. I’ve reached a point I expected to at some point where so much was released in one year, but it’s balanced out by most of it being direct to video with hard to find information on. As such I probably will take the approach of if Wikipedia or TV Tropes doesn’t cover it then neither will I. I imagine media in this timeline takes a quality over quantity approach anyway, where they will work on one installment at a time and wait for feedback before beginning to work on the next. As such they would not release multiple installments in the same franchise in one year.
1985 in Anime
1985 in Anime
Compilation Movies:
Ginga Hyoryu Vifam
Gu Gu Ganmo
Little Memole
Creamy Mami, the Magic Angel
Captain Tsubasa
Kouka Kihei Vector
Princess Sara(1985)
A series by Nippon Animation based on Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1905 novel A Little Princess. The series ran for 46 episodes and ran on fuji Television as part of the World Masterpiece Theater. One of the most well known Masterpiece Stories. Set in the year 1885, Sara Crewe is the daughter of Redcliffe Crew, who runs a Diamond mine in India. Sara begins attending a boarding school and all goes well until her father dies and her family becomes bankrupt, The cruel headmistress Miss Minchin forces Sara to become a maid and make her life as miserable as possible, including encouraging her to be bullied. Several of Sara’s friends including old friends of her father work to save her, including his old friend Tom Carrisford. The Series enjoyed immense success at the time and was one of the few shows at the time to tackle on how serious bullying could really be. It was also successful overseas.
Urusei Yatsura 2: Remember my Love(1985)
The Second Urusei Yatsura Film. This one went more dramatic by depicting a war between Lum and Earth actually breaking out and the protagonists trying to put a stop to it. Intentionally made as a parody of Battle City Megaroad: Do you Remember Love?[1].
Area 88(1985-1986)
Area 88 is a series set in a fictional Middle Eastern Country called Asran locked in Civil War. Asran is essentially a much more advanced Iran and the series focuses heavily on Fighter Jets and immense detail is given towards their depiction and making them as close as possible. The Series follows pilot Shin Kazama, a Japanese fighter who joins an international group sent into the country. The Manga was adapted by Studio Pierrot. And kept the Manga’s ending of Shin returning him but clearly having been changed from what he saw in the war[2].
Leda: The Fantastic Adventure of Yohko(1985)
A Direct to Video Anime. Yoko Asagiri is a girl who composes music. She is in love with a young man but cannot bring herself to share her feelings. Suddenly she is transported to a fantasy world where she meets a talking dog and finds that listening to the song can transport her but the Walkman she was using it stolen. Yoko transforms into a sword wielding warrior and fights back the attackers. She then meets a young girl named Yoni who explains an evil wizard named Zell in a floating fortress intends to conquer worlds. She is led to an armor and a ship. The group battles the Zell and Yoko overcomes her fears to escape a spell she is placed under. With his defeat, Yoko is returned to her own world and this time manages to muster up the courage to talk to her crush.
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam(1985-1986)
As often happens, the success of the Gundam film altered the direction of the series of which it was based on. First of these was the release in 1984 of the toy line Mobile Suit X, which came with a manga telling a story set after the One Year War. It was reprinted in English(and Left to Right) and sold with Gundam Toys aimed at children. The Toys included the following:
Earth Federation Forces
Mobile Weapons
FA-78-2 Heavy Gundam
Vehicles and Support Units
Burstliner
Corvette Booster
Guncarry
Lightliner
Principality of Zeon
Mobile Weapons
MS-10 Pezun Dowadge
MS-11 Act Zaku
MS-12 Gigan
MS-13 Gasshia
MS-17 Galbaldy Alpha
Vehicles and Support Units
Skiure
Skute
The release of this Toy Line was largely to hype up the possibility that these Mecha would appear in the sequel series and even possibly the second Live Action Film. That series finally came in 1985.
Speaking of the Series.
The sequel was set in the year Universal Century 0087, eight years after Mobile Suit Gundam. It followed members of a group known as the Anti-Earth Union Group(AEUG) and their war against the Titans, a task force from the Federation designed to hunt down what's left of Zeon, but who kill anyone they see as stepping out of line in cold blood. The story follows civilian teenager and amaeteur Mobile suit pilot Kamille Bidan. Bidan's parents worked for the Federation and the Titans. Kamille was provoked into striking Titans officer Jerid Messa. Shortly after, an attack is launched by the AUEG to capture a Gundam Mk II, which is stolen by Kamille to repel the attack and follow the attack's leader Quattro back to the AUEG mothership Argama. Kamille's parents are taken hostage to force the return of the stolen Gundam by the Titans. Titans Officer Jerid Messa accidentally killed Kamille's mother, unaware of the plan. This contributes to Kamille joining the AEUG. The AEUG eventually launch a full scale attack on the Federation's base at Dakar, leading to a Civil War. Quattro is revealed to be none other than Char Noble and exposes the war crimes committed by the Titans, including the use of chemical weapons on civilians. This leads the Federation to turn on the Titans and support the AEUG in hunting down Jamitov Hymem, the leader of the Titans. The Titans form an alliance with the remains of Zeon, now known as Axis Zeon to take control of the Earth Sphere. Jamitov is assassinated by Jupiter Fleet commander Paptimus Scirocco and a battle breaks out over headquarters of the Titans, now turned into a colony laser. Kamille obtains the mobile suit Z Gundam and kills Scirocco in battle. Kamille suffers mental trauma from the battle and begins to suffer from insanity and lapses in his memory but begins t show signs of recovery. The AEUG and the Federation then begin to work together to defeat Axis Zeon, which is continued in the next series.
Creator Yoshiyuki Tomino wished to keep the dark elements but also include comedy. However there was pressure to do something close to the original Gundam’s tone. He instead transferred most of the comedy towards his other work Ginga Hyoryu Vifam[3].
Omega City 23(1985)
A short 12 episode television series. The series is set in the far future of the 24th Century where Earth has been rendered inhospitable and humanity survives in 23 City ships(inspired by Battle City Megaroad). City 23 is based on Tokyo and is at war with another city, Dezalg. Shogo Yahagi discovers the world he lives in is fake, everyone else has forgotten and believe they are on Earth. Shogo meets an AI named Eve and teams up with her when they become fugitives. The enemy City Delzag also has an AI named ADAM[4].
Maetel no Kagami(1985)
Translated roughly into Maetel’s Mirror. While not intended to be educational. The short film features many facts about space. It premiered at an expo in 1985 and was shown in classrooms to children. Leiji Matsumoto wrote the film and it is his first use of Computer Graphics. It features appearances by many Matsumoto characters such as Maetel and Harlock[5].
The Dagger of Kamui(1985)
A Film directed by Rintaro and made by Studio Madhouse. It is based on a novel series by Moribu Murano, who also did the character designs. The Screenplay was written by More Masaki, who was known for writing the screenplay for Little Boy. The music in the film is primarily excellent. The story is set during the Bakamatsu Period of Japan when the Tokugawa Shogunate was declining in power and goes through the Pre-Meiji Period and Boshin War. The Protagonist is Jiro, a young boy of Japanese and Ainu Descent raised by an innkeeper and his wife. Shinobi kills his adoptive family while he is away and the villagers accuse him of the murders. He escapes with the killer’s dagger, hoping to use it to track the killer. A Buddhist Monk he meets named Tenkai is revealed to be a member of the Shogunate’s secret police and helps him track down and kill his family’s killer but then forces him to burn the village down to leave no witnesses. He then takes Jiro away to train him. One day, Jiro intervenes to save the life of an old man, who invites him to meet his family. The old man recognizes the dagger Jiro has as belonging to a woman named Oyaruru. Jiro meets Oyaruru and discovers she is his birth mother. Jiro’s birth father was a ninja tasked with finding a treasure with directions on the dagger by Tenkai. He went rogue and married Oyaruru. When he was attacked he sent his infant son down a river, where he was found and adopted by the family he knew. Jiro’s father survived but was injured. Tenkai had tricked Jiro into unknowingly killing his own father. He turns on Tenkai and hunts for the treasure but many of his friends and new family including Oyaruru are killed. He arrives in America to find the treasure which turns out to belong to the late Pirate Captain Kidd, meeting Mark Twain. They find the treasure and kill Tenkai only for Jiro to realize its a double. He then uses the treasure to fund the downfall of the Tokugawa Shogunate, who Tenkai works for and finally has a final battle with him back in Japan, killing him with the dagger.
Doraemon: Nobita’s Little Star Wars(1985)
A parody of Star Wars. The film begins with a planet being attacked and its President evacuating. On Earth, Nobita and Doraemon find a tiny ship with a small alien named Papi inside, who tells them people are after him. They shrink down to his size. After they repel one attack, he explains he is the President of the planet Pirika, which was invaded by the dictator Gilmore. Another attack damages the device they used to shrink, leaving them stuck at that size while fighting alien ships. They fail to prevent Papi from being abducted and are follow after him, where they join the resistance again Gillmore. The final battle turns into a Kaiju fight as the shrink way wears off, restoring Nobita and Doraemon to normal size while Gillmore sends Mechas to fight them. Gillmore is ultimately defeated when the people of Pirika rise up and overthrow him.
Touch(1985-1987)
Touch follows two twin brothers, Tatsuya and Kazuya Usesugi who are childhood friends with the girl next door Minami Asakura. Tatsuya allows his brother to take the spotlight despite being the better athlete, but as they get older he begins to want Minami for himself. When Kazuya is injured Tatsuya takes his place on the Baseball team and begins to follow his brother’s dream of becoming a famous Baseball player.The series ran for 101 episodes and was one of the highest rated television shows in Japan ever. It ranks #9 on most Anime polls.
Dancouga-Super Beast Machine God(1985)
A Super robot series produced by Ashi Productions. It ran for 38 Episodes on TBS and licensed by Central Park Media. The series follows four soldiers who pilot the titular robot against alien invaders called the Muge Zorbados Empire. The Robots do not combine until half way through the series.
Musashi no Ken(1985-1986)
Translated as Musashi’s Sword. Based on the sports manga by Motor Murakami, which focuses on Kendo. The anime consisted of 72 episodes and was created by Eiken. Musashi Natsuka.
Obake no Q-Taro(1985-1987)
A remake of the 1965 Television series, being the series first jump into color as well as polished animation. The series and character had a revitalized interest due to the success of Pac-Man, which it inspired[6].
Onegai! Samia-don(1985-1986)
A 78 Episode based on the 1902 novel Five Children and It by Edith Nesbit. It follows five children who encounter a goblin creature called Psammead.
Bumpety Boo(1985-1986)
A Children’s Television Series 130 10 minute episodes usually distributed in half hour segments. The series follows a boy named Ken and his talking Yellow Car Bumpety Boo, who hatched from an egg. They search for Bumpety Boo’s mother. They encounter other sentient cars along the way.
Phoenix(1985-1986)
An Adaptation of the long running Osamu Tezuka Manga Series, which began in 1954[7].
Magical Emi, the Magic Star(1985-1986)
A Magical Girl series by Studio Pierrot, released as a manga at the same time by Kiyoko Arai. Mai Kazuki comes from a family of magicians. Mai wants to be a magician too but is young and clumsy. A magical fairy named Topo grants her a bracelet which summons a magic wand and possesses a stuffed Flying Squirrel in her possession. Mai begins a magician thanks to her powers, but wants to become talented without them.
Dream Hunter Rem(1985-1992)
A Direct to Video Animation series. It follows Rem Ayanokoji, a “Dream Hunter” who enters dreams to fight demons which cause Nightmares. The first episode was released separately but proved popular enough further episodes were released. This was because the first episode was a Hentai but viewers found the story more interesting than the actual Hentai part and so it became a series with that element removed.
Creamy Mami vs Magical Princess Minky Momo(1985)
A Crossover between the two titular magical girl franchises of 1982’s Magical Princess Minky Momo and 1983’s Creamy Mami. Due to the time which passed You Morisawa, Creamy Mami’s protagonist is now 12 and her transformed form is 18. Momo was hit by a truck and reincarnated in her own series. This television film actually works to Canon weld both series. Saying that since the elderly couple Momo was raised by passed away She was adopted and her memories erased during an attack by a villain, who become the film’s antagonist. This basically means Minky Momo…IS Creamy Mami and Momo’s presence in the story is as a type of ghost/spirit given form via magic. There’s also some argument its a type of split personality given magical form. Fan theories exist trying to connect other magical girls into a “reincarnation Cycle”[8].
Dragonboy(1985-1988)
From the creators of the Arale series and films, who moved onto a new series when Dragonboy became popular[9].
Fanart of the unmade Film(couldn't find artist)
Lupin III: Tower of Babel(1985)
Following the Collapse of Tatsunoko, the rights to Lupin the 3rd were in limbo, leaving the LeBlanc estate to snatch them up like a thief, while claiming the rights were legally theirs. They evidently failed to notice the irony that Maurice LeBlanc himself had worked around copyright when he featured a hastily renamed detective called Herlock Sholmes in one story. They just barely allowed Rintaro to make the Lupin VIII series so long as they saw money from it. They likely wouldn’t have agreed to a Lupin Film had the Gundam Movie not been a success. Hayao Miyazaki was asked, having directed the most successful Lupin stories to date. He considered himself done with the series and refused. He was also working on what would become Princess Mononoke at the time. Miyazaki suggested Mamoru Oshii, who accepted. Oshii had made waves with his film Beautiful Dreamer. There was fear that his story was too surreal but the French rights holders were used to avante grade and so accepted his vision. Art Direction was done by Yoshitaka Amano. Hideaki Anno was also involved in the production.
The story was a far departure from the normal formula, somewhat understandable given the state of the franchise. Lupin the third is old and depressed, having lost his purpose in life. He has stolen everything there was to steal. The gang is still around though Fujiko only interacted with Lupin at the end of the film. Then an architect went insane and began building a massive structure called the Tower of Babel in the middle of Tokyo. He then commits suicide. A message is heard from a girl that seems to be stuck in the tower. Lupin decides to save her. Zenigata is brought in as well. Things begin to get surreal. The Little Girl is the daughter of the architect. He had discovered what appears to be the fossil of an angel which told him to build the Tower to the Heavens. Lupin touches the fossil and realizes he is a fictional character. He steals the Angel Fossil and the tower creates a portal to outside of Lupin’s reality, which the architect intended and committed suicide when he learned the truth. Lupin and his crew, steal the fossil with Zenigata in pursuit and they leap through the portal just as a nuclear blast destroys Tokyo. Lupin does not care about Tokyo as he now views it as not “the real Tokyo”. Symbollically, Lupin’s green jacket is strained with blood, becoming red. Fujiko is left behind and it is revealed that she is pregnant(explaining the existence of Lupin VIII).
The surreal and bizarre ending, which unfortunately alienated many audiences but has been reexamined more and more as time went on. Many fans were angered by Lupin’s turn to villainy, which was only allowed to happen because the franchise seemed to be ending. That moment is unironically listed among the top ten Anime betrayals.The film did not do well with critics and Oshii commented it prevented him from getting work for years afterwards. However it is now considered a highlight of artistic anime and Oshii’s own career.Some have called it a masterpiece. Its production had an impact of Hideaki Anno, who was asked by his friends to seek therapy after being deeply impacted by the negative reception to his writing on the film.
Myazaki himself was surprised by the film’s darkness but called it bold and daring, as well as seeing it as a work of art that broke through the shackles a mainstream character normally had. He also acknowledged that he saw the film’s Lupin as the Mirror Universe of his own Lupin. A Lupin who went horribly wrong. Ironically this new Lupin was closer to the original Manga version. It was almost as if the wish to make Lupin closer to the Manga was made on a Monkey’s Paw[10].
Night on the Galactic Railroad(1985)
A film directed by Gisaburo Sugii and based on the fantasy novel by Kenji Miyazawa(Who was at the time popular for the adaptation of Gauche the cellist, another book he wrote). It as produced by group TAC and released by Nippon Herald Films. The story concerns two children, Giovanni and Campanella, who find themselves on a magic space train. It can be seen as a child friendly version of Galaxy Express 999 or something close in tone to Polar Express in Space[11].
Penguin Memories(1985)
A very somber and poignant film about Mike, a veteran just returning from an analogue to the Vietnam War. He begins to take part in underground fighting while dealing with the trauma of his friend’s deaths and what he saw before meeting a girl and falling in love. Also all the characters are Penguins with designs very similar to the later Club Penguin, which is especially jarring in this story which leans closer to the Deer Hunter in tone. It remains obscure today but can still be found and received a short lived Meme status as “Club Penguin Vietnam”.
Lovely Angels(1985)
Takachiho, following the success of his Crusher Joe series, decided to write a series combining all female wrestling, which he was a fan of, and science fiction.. This is what eventually became Lovely Angels. Light novels featuring the characters by Haruka Takachiho that ran from 1980 to 2018 and included a crossover with the comic character Superman of all things. The series focuses on Kei and Yuri, two members of Trouble Consultant team 234, code named "Lovely Angels". The anime was dubbed in English thanks to David Williams from Sentai Filmworks, who offered to produce an English dub with Seraphim Digital Studios[12].
Cosmo Police Justy(1985)
A series based on the Manga that ran from 1981 to 1984. Justy Kaizard is a police officer who chases down criminal esters. Justy himself is an ester who uses his psychic powers. The criminals use another Esper named Astaris to bring Justy down but betray her after she seems to accomplish her task, leaving both Justy and Astaris stranded and working together to get back and defeat the criminals. The short DVA was released by Studio Pierrot.
Armored Trooper VOTOMS: The Last Red Shoulder.
A DVA Film set after the VOTOMS series. Chirico reunited with his old war buddies and together they come up with a plan to get revenge on the sadistic general Pailsen.
Mitsume ga Toru(1985)
Translated as the Three Eyed One. Adapting the story bu Osamu Tezuka. The series follows Hosuke Sharaku, a boy with a third eye which when exposed(it is usually covered up by a bandage), becomes a sadistic magician. The Series was not only an adaptation but a prequel depicting how the hero of the manga became the antagonist seen in The Mighty Atom: Marine Express. It is speculated the series inspired Yu-Gi-Oh due to the similarities between Sharaku and Yami Yugi.
Mujigen Hunter Fandora(1985-1986)
A DVA series by Go Nagai. I follows a bounty hunter girl named Bandora and her shapeshifting assistant Kue as they battle Lovecraftian monsters such as Yog-Sogoth. And criminals allied with them trying to bring them into the world.
Blue Comet SPT Layzner(1985-1986)
A science fiction series created by Sunrise, largely by Tsunehisa Ito and Ryosuke Takahashi. The series in set in 1996 where the Cold War continues despite advanced technology. The UN creates the Cosmic Culture Club on Mars to attempt to negotiate peace. Four Mechas appear and begin to fight each other, killing all but six Culture Club members. The robots are revealed to belong to an alien race Called the Grados who plan on invading Earth in what they see as a preemptive strike as their computers predict humanity will eventually threaten them. A human astronaut, Ken Asuka and his son discover they plan and steal a Mecha to help fight off the invasion.
The show ran for 57 episodes. Sunrise had their american division gain the rights to Blue Comet SPT Layzner. The copies sent were old and faded, ironically giving them a blue tint and a new set was sent over[13].
Ninja Senshi Tobikage(1985-1986)
Produced by Pierrot and airing on Nippon Television.The series is set in the 23rd century where Earth has colonized Mars and the moon, with Mars settlers being mostly convicts and dictator Hazzard Pascha running Mars as a dictator. A teenager named Joe Maya discovers a robot while hiding from the dictator and activates it, where it is revealed to be named Black Lion. His friends Mike and Jenny also join in piloting Mechas, which were created by an alien race to defeat an invading army now attacking Earth[14].
GeGeGe no Kitaro(1985-1988)
A remake of the 1968 anime series. Now in color for the first time.
High School! Kimengumi(1985-1987)
Translated as “High School! Funny Face Club. Based on the manga by Motoei Shinzawa that ran from 1980 to 1982. The series follows the adventures of a group of misfits who are part of the Kimengumi school club.
Button Nose(1985-1986)
Animated by Topcraft and produced by Sanrio. Button Nose is a little girl who meets aliens. She ends being brought on a ship to their home planet and in a series of comedic events, ends up becoming ruler of the planet, which operates like a Kingdom.
Fight! Iczer One!(1985-1987)
Based on the 1983 horror and Yuri manga published in the Hentai Magazine Lemon People. It was adapted into three DVAs directed by Toshihiro Hirano. The story features much body horror. Earth is attacked by aliens called the Cthulhu, who use parasitic creatures called Vedims to infect humanity. Their original plan is to gradually takeover Earth by infecting more and more people secretly but the robot Iczer-1 attacks the infected Vedim publicly, exposing their existence and leading to a full scale invasion. Iczer-1 searches for a potential pilot and finds Japanese schoolgirl Nagisa Kano, which leads the aliens to attempt to assassinate her by turning her friends and family into parasite controlled monsters. The Cthulhu launch their own mechanical called Delos Theta, with a pilot named Cobalt that begins causing worldwide destruction to lure out Iczer-1 into a fight. The death of Nagisa’s parents fueled her into fighting and killing Cobalt. The Cthulhu then build another mecha Iczer-2 with Cobalt’s lover Sepia as its pilot. The continuing War with the Cthulhu turns Earth into a post apocalyptic wasteland. Nagisa is abducted and brainwashed, being forced to use Iczer-2 after she killed the previous pilot. Iczer-1 is forced to kill her but her spirit merges with Iczer-1 for the final battle. It is revealed that Iczer-1 was created to find a new home for the Cthulhu as their world was destroyed but the antagonist Big Gold corrupted this using a wish granting machine. Iczer-1 uses this machine and undoes the events of the movie to guide the Cthulhu away from Earth. Nagisa therefore remains a schoolgirl who only briefly runs into Iczer-1.
Hai Step Jun(1985)
A comedic manga adapted by Toei in a 45 episode series. It follows a young child prodigy named Jun who creates inventions. She falls in love with a bad boy named Rea Kano. Jun in particular was inspired by Arale, being a combination of the scientist and the android herself.
A Journey through Fairyland(1985)
A Film by Sanrio, known for dark children’s films such as Sea Prince and the Fire Child and Ringing Bell. Celebrity Home Entertainment brought it to America. It Is compared much to Disney’s Fantasia. It follows a boy named Michael who plays the Oboe, who falls asleep and dreams of a Flower fairy named Florence, who takes him on a magical adventure, told via the use of classical music set to animation with almost no dialogue.
Spring Wonder(1985-1986)
Based on a manga by Izumi Matsumoto which ran from 1984 to 1987. The series follows a love triangle about a teenage Esper. It was broadcast on Nippon Television and made by Studio Pierrot and Toho. Spring Wonder proved to be highly influential and sold over 20 million copies. It influenced the Shonen romantic Comedy genre with the character of Madoka being seen as the first case of the Tsundere character archetype. The Christmas Episode of the series also used the “Stuck in a time Loop” plot as seen in Beautiful Dreamer[15].
What’s Michael?(1985-1986)
A Manga created by Makoto Kobayashi, which won the Shogakukan Manga Award in 1986 and ran from 1984 to 1989. The protagonist is an American Tabby Cat who has adventures with other house cats.
Fire Tripper(1985)
A Magna by Rumiko Takahashi(known for Urusei Yatsura). It is a short story and was made into a DVA. The protagonist is a school girl named Suzuki who recalls being trapped in a burning house when she was little but little else. She also hears of a young boy named Shuhei who recently. had to have his appendix removed. A gas main explosion occurs and both Suzuki and Shuhei are caught in it. Suzuki is then somehow transported to civil war era Japan and is nearly raped but a young man named Shukumaru saves her. He takes he rot the village and introduces his little sister Suzu. He also intends to marry her. Suzuki find thing belonging to a neighbor kid named Shuhei and begins to search for him. Sh eventually realizes she is from the past and that she was actually Suzu, calling off the marriage to Shukumaru due to disgust for the incest. Suzu is trapped in a burning house and vanishes, being transported to the future with no memories and becoming Suzuki(having a vague recollection of her original name) and she is adopted. Shukumaru is then injured in an attack and she is able to take him to the present to have his injuries treated. Shukumaru realizes that his injuries are the same as Shuhei’s after he leaves the hospital and that Shukumaru is in fact Shuhei due to having the same scar from when he had his Appendix removed. Shuhei went through a similar experience like her but reversed. He was brought from the present to the past and lost his memories, being adopted and effectively becoming Shukumaru. This means the two aren’t related. They then willingly return to the past, which is shown as them walking towards a white light. A common interpretation of the story is the two are in a type of afterlife and the experience is to help them move on.
Vampire Hunter D(1985)
A Fantasy Horror produced by Sony and Ashi Productions. Based on the light novel series by Hideyuki Kikuchi, which began in 1983. It is a Dark Future science fiction romance set 12,090 AD after a post apocalyptic event caused by nuclear war. A young girl named Doris Lang hires a half vampire for protection from a Vampire Lord. Her father was a hunter and she was bitten by the Count Magnus Lee, the vampire Lord. The hunter, simply named D promises to kill the Count before Doris fully turns but she is imprisoned by the village just in case. D struggles to slay Lee’s Minions. In the finale, Count Magnus Lee discovers that D is the son of the famed Vampire Count Dracula before he is killed. Doris is freed from her curse and says goodbye to D.
The film has music by Michael and Janet Jackson. It followed a style similar to Hammer Horror films. Yoshitaka Amano, illustrator for the novels, worked to adapt the illustrations faithfully to the screen[16].
Butterflied Away:
Siegi Choujin vs Ancient Choujin-A Kinnikuman movie. Butterflied away as the plot of the characters taking a vacation was deemed not a fitting premise for a while film. In contrast to the previous film which had greater stakes.
The Time Etranger- A Surrealistic GoShogun sequel. ITTL it was cancelled because it was deemed too surreal and not really having anything to do with the GoShogun franchise, with the robot appearing only once. Admittedly I considered pulling a “Beautiful Dreamer” and making it its own film, but…well I already did that.
Allen Rose-The first Anime has been Butterflied away due to Tatsunoko’s closing. The Manga it adapts however still exists. It just hasn’t been adapted yet.
Dr. Slump and Arale-chan: Hoyoyo! The City of Dreams, Mechapolis- The Team is working on adapting Dragonboy instead, which was released one year before OTL’s Dragonball. When Dragonball started its anime adaptation all the Dr.Slump films stopped being made until the 1990’s. Here this has happened earlier.
Odin: Photon Sailer Starlight-Butterflied Away. It was created to capitalize on Space Battleship Yamato’s popularity, which ended OTL with the movie Final Yamato in 1983. ITTL the franchise ended in 1981, meaning the film is not put into production.
Twinkle Nora Rock Me!-A sequel to the second OVA Adaptation of Nova released the same year. Was largely forgotten until it resurfaced online where its bad quality made it meme potential. Does not exist ITTL due to the studio pulling the plug upon seeing the bad animation and also Cosmo Police Justy being released with a similar plot, leaving it unfinished. Just for fun. Below is some clips from it.
Angel’s Egg- Butterflied away as Oshii worked on Lupin the Third instead and incorporated his ideas for this film into that film.
Notes
[1] Recall that the OTL second Urusei Yatsura film Beautiful Dreamer was turned into its own thing for being too different ITTL. Making the OTl Film 3 the second Film instead after a delay. Another change is the film’s plot, as the original was not a parody of Macross: Do you Remember Love? Though the title is the same.
[2] Area 88 was released as A direct to video trilogy OTL while as a show proper here. The 1985 Anime had a more ambiguous situation where Shin escapes but willingly decides to go back and his fate is left uncertain.
[3] One of the things removed from TTL’s Zeta Gundam is the scene of protagonist Kamille being Mind Raped by the Big Bad, which averts his mental trauma, meaning Kamille survives the battle in much better shape. OTL Kamille's inspiration was inspired by Auguste Rodin, an artist who went insane and took his own life, that incident did not happen ITTL. The Axis also don't quietly pack up and leaving but continue fighting before retreating when they begin to lose.
[4]Known OTL as Magazine 23. Omega City 23 was the working title. Cemented here due to Battle City Megaroad being popular. Intended to be a 12 part TV Show OTL but extended into direct to video instead. The plot has been compared to The Matrix, Dark City and Existenz, which came later.
[5] Known as Arei no Kagami OTL. Why the change? Well due to several cancellations and Matsumoto not being involved with Space Battleship Yamato as much ITTL. He’s fallen on harder times, especially with Gundam stealing his thunder. While he made an educational style video at this time OTL. Here he’s more in need of a job sadly, hence the more recognizable characters appearing, which will give him a little boost as kids seek out Maetel and Harlock after watching the film.
[6] This was actually the third series of Obake-no Q-Taro. I butterflied away the second since I preferred to have at least a ten year gap before a franchise gets remade, making this this the second.
[7] While having already received a film. Phoenix is an anthology series and so there is much more story to tell. Replaces the OVA Film Lunn Flies into the Wind. A Butterfly of this show existing is Tezuka is currently working on completing the Phoenix Manga series, meaning unlike OTL, he will complete it before his death.
[8] Creamy Mami and Minky Momo did have a short film crossover released as a OVA. Here it's a television special.
[9] OTL Dragonball was released in 1984, the prototype Dragonboy was released in 1983. OTL Dragonball was adapted in 1986, two years after Dragonball was released(though it continued into Dragonball Z OTL). Naturally an anime adaptation of Dragonboy comes along in 1985. Lasting the same as the OTL Length it will end in 1988 and get an immediate sequel as TTL’s Dragonball Equivalent Dragon Man(since the protagonist is no longer a boy). Since the Toriyama team has moved on a year earlier, this butterflies away the last few Dr.Slump films.
[10]OTL this idea was deemed too surreal and cancelled. Being replaced by the Lupin Film The Legend of the Gold of Babylon. Though Jacob’s Ladder would be a better name and parallel for it. Oshii would use ideas from this in both Angel’s Egg, likely the closest OTL equivalent to this idea, and Patlabor. Neither existing ITTL because this film was greenlit. Anno evidently did work on the film in some capacity and the ending has shades of Evangelion. The reception to the Ending of Lupin, Space Runaway Ideon having a more hopeful ending and him seeking therapy will all contribute to Evangelion getting a different ending.
[11] OTL the film made the main characters talking cats which they were not in the novel. Not the case here
[12] Known as Dirty Pair OTL(meant to refer to Dirty Harry or to the Dirty Dozen and not intended to be taken in a sexual manner). The name change comes form random butterflies. British Author A.Bertram Chandler saw the Lovely Pair, a team of female wrestlers perform while he was in Japan with Takachicho, Yuri Tanaka and Keiko Otoguro and a dirty joke made by the people he was with led him to call the two people who made the joke “The Dirty Pair” and the name stuck. Without that specific person making that specific joke and those specific wrestlers that specific night. The name Lovely Angels comes about, based on Charlie’s Angels, instead.
Also the Superman/ Dirty Pair crossover was indeed planned OTL but cancelled.
[13] OTL the show was cut short 2/3rds of the way through. The Blue Tint when it was sent for American distribution actually prevented its release in the US while ITTL backups saves it.
[14] The main robot was called Cybertron OTL but ITTL Toe is releasing a Japanese dub of Transformers and the name was changed to the already in the show Black Lion to avoid copyright problems.
[15] OTL Shonen rejected Matsumoto’s Spring Wonder and he reworked it several times into Kimagure Orange Road. Hence why there is a lack of a clear plot synopsis as the plot likely changed much from the original Spring Wonder.
[16] An Animated film released as an OVA OTL. I decided to make it Live Action just for fun and because at least one live action movie would follow a Live Action Gundam film but since it takes about a year to make a film, not many would immediately spring up. The film ITTL would be seen as cheesy shlock but fun Shlock. The closest equivalent is essentially OTL’s 2004 film Van Helsing but made in the 1980’s.
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She looks like Lilith from the Owl House.
Princess Sara(1985)