Prolific
manga artist Nagai Go has created some of the most memorable
manga characters in Japanese comics (Mazinger Z, Devil
Man, Great Mazinger, UFO Grand Dizer, Cutey Honey to
name only a few).
Nagai Go was an apprentice to famous
Tokusatsu Creator Ishinomori Shoutaro.
“Battle Hawk” was Nagai
Go’s first entry into the world of Live Action
Tokusatsu TV. Nagai would later go on the produce another
Tokusatsu show “Pro Wrestler Hoshi Azteckaizer”
(Pro Wrestler Star Azteckaizer – Tsuburaya, 1976).
Before “Battle Hawk” Tokimoto
Kazuya played the lead in the romantic TV comedy “Love
Love Rival” (TBS, 1973).
Since then Tokimoto has appeared in
numerous guest spots on such shows as “Tokusou
Saizensen” (Special Investigation Unit –
Toei), “Dai Dokai” (Big City – Nippon
TV, 1977), “Sukeban Deka III” (Toei, 1986),
“Doyo Wide Gekijou” (Saturday Wide Drama
– 1988), “The Hangman 6” (1987),
He has starred in only a couple of movies:
“Boso No Kisetsu” (The Wild Season –
Toei, 1976) and “Ijin Tachin To No Natsu”
(The Summer with Foreigners – Shochiku, 1988).
Horie Shinsuke’s only other credit
is as the villain “Blue” in episode #20
of the Tokusatsu Series “Denjin Zaborger”
(P-Pro-1974).
Before “Battle Hawk” Fukuda
Mimi portrayed perky Tamura Mimi, one of the many sexy
investigators in the outrageous cult detective drama
series “Playgirl” (Toei, 1969-1974).
She has starred in a couple of movies
including “Onsen Osana Geisha” (Toei, 1973)
and “Shin Jingi Naki Tatakae – Kumicho Saigo
No Hi” (New Fighting Without Honor – The
Boss’ Last Days – Toei, 1976).
Tamura has also made guest appearances
on shows such as “Taiyo Ni Hoero” (Howl
At The Sun - Ishihara Pro, 1972-1986).
Veteran actor Uchida Ryohei had previously
starred in a number of Toei and Nikkatsu films prior
to “Battle Hawk”. Some of his film credits
include: “Yakuza Keiji” (Toei, 1970), “Yakuza
Keiji –Ore Tachi Wa Haka Ga Nai” (Yakuza
Detective – We Have No Tombstone –Toei,
1972), “Furyo Bancho –Noraken Kidotai”
(Juvenile Boss – Dog’s of the Riot Squad
– Toei, 1973), “Bodyguard Kiba” (AKA
Bodyguard Chiba – Toei, 1974), “Jeans Blues
– Ashita Naki Muraiha” (Jeans Blues –
There Is No Tomorrow For The Disenchanted – Toei,
1974), “Tokyo Wan Enjou” (Tokyo Bay Inferno
AKA Tokyo Bay Blazing Up/Conflagration –Toho,
1975), and
Akuma No Heiya (The Demon’s Room – Nikkatsu,
1982).
While some may recognize tall, lanky
Kikuchi Eiichi as bumbling Detective Nakano in episodes
of “Denjin Zaborger” (P-Pro, 1974) or Prof.
Iguana in “Dai Sentai Goggle Five” (TV Asahi/Toei,
1982), his lasting claim to fame stands as the man behind
the suit of Ultraman Jack in the “Kaette Kita
Ultraman” series (Tsuburaya, 1971). He was also
the suit actor for the series “Majin Vander”
(Giant Vander – Nissan Pro, 1969).
Kikuchi has since guest starred in many
other shows (outside of costume) such as “Kage
No Gundan”, “Starwolf” and “G-Men
‘75”.
Midorikawa Minoru has contributed voice
work to such animation series as the original “Gundam”,
“Jungle Taitei” (AKA Simba The White Lion”
and “Lupin The Third”.
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