The Kokusei Zoku (Black Star Tribe) has conquered the Rosetta Star System. Led by the Masked Despot, Capt. Dagger, these “Invaders” have now set their sites on Earth’s star system. Shishido Go, a member of the Tategami Tribe and an Earth native, sends his son, Takeshi along with his wife Mari (Rosemary) to Earth in the hopes that they can prevent the Black Star Tribe’s impending invasion. Escaping to Earth, Takeshi and his mother meet up with family friend, Martial Arts Sensei Takamine Sougen and his school of students. Under his tutelage, Takeshi prepares for the eventual day the Black Star “Invaders” come to earth. On that faithful day, Takeshi dons the Megalo Bracelets to become the Fire Titan Megaloman. Together with his mother and the students of the Takamine Dojo, Takeshi battles the various monsters and menaces unleashed by Capt. Dagger.

When Capt. Dagger’s forces arrived Takeshi’s mother Mari handed him the Megalo Bracelets that houses the mystical power of the “Tategami No Rosetta” (The Tategami Tribe of the Rosetta Star System). These Bracelets unite the mystical powers of his Earth heritage and the powers of the Tategami Tribe of the Rosetta Star System to change Takeshi into the “Titan of Fire” Megaloman.

Takeshi dons his battlesuit with a command of “Energy Up”. Takeshi can fly in human form.

Takeshi turns into Megalo Man with a shout of “Megaloooou”.

Megaloman’s Main Special Attack is his “Megalo Fire”. This unique attack is generated from Megaloman’s long mane of hair. When ignited, Megaloman’s “Megalo Mane” stands erect and glows with “Megalo Aura”. Once sufficient “Megalo Aura” is generated, Megaloman whips his hair and flings the “Megalo Aura” at the enemy. The “Megalo Aura” becomes a fireball of energy called “Megalo Fire” which utterly destroys anything it hits.

In addition to his “Megalo Fire”, Megaloman has numerous other weapons:

His “Megalo Blade” is a silver sabre that he can use to slash and stab his enemies. It can also be thrown like a javelin. The “Megalo Blade” can also be transformed into two shorter “sais” that can be used in close combat.

Megaloman utilizes a host of “Kung Fu” inspired fighting attacks like his “Megalo Kick”.

Takamine Sensei has various students (disciples) as part of his school. They help Takeshi in his battles with Dagger and the Invaders. The team of students are as follows:

Takamine Ran – Takamine Sensei’s daughter and only child. Her style of “Kung Fu” utilizes graceful and swift moves. She is also a master at using “sais”. She is in love with Takeshi, who is her same age.

Yuri Yosuke – Easygoing member of the troupe. Loves to eat. His style of “Kung Fu” takes advantage of his size and strength. Was later transformed into the monster Terrogirasu by Capt. Dagger’s henchman, Beroc. Is eventually returned to normal. Has an older brother who is an Investigative Reporter.

Kurogawa Seiji – “Bruce Lee” look-alike and edgy member of the troupe. Utilizes an aggressive style of “Kung Fu”. Is a master at using the nunchakus. He works as a Car Mechanic on his spare time. Was killed by Capt. Dagger’s henchman, Beroc while protecting Takeshi.

Masshira Ippei – Youngest student at the Dojo. Parents own a small Ramen Shop. Incorporates a “Monkey Style” of “Kung Fu” which takes advantage of his tiny size. Despite his age, he is able to take down adults twice his size.

When they join hands and link up, they are able to don specialized costumes, which protect them from the various Invader henchmen. Each wears copies of the “Megalo Bracelet” which enable them to communicate with each other and to detect Invaders. The “Megalo Bracelets” enable them to combine their energies and fight as one. They change into their “Megalo” suits with a call of “Turn Energy”.

He is aided in his conquests by a host of gigantic monsters and robots which he calls his “Monster Army”. He also commands an army of human-sized soldiers. These “‘Invaders” often disguise themselves in various human guises to infiltrate human society. These “Invaders” are incredibly nimble and often incorporate various acrobatic attacks. Capt. Dagger was a subordinate to the Golden Masked Tyrant, Sulamar but eventually killed his master to usurp control of the Black Star Tribe.

Capt. Dagger’s main underling is the vicious and cunning, Beroc. Beroc is one of the Black Star Tribe’s most gifted intellects. Beroc often came up with strategies which exploited specifically targeted Megalo Man’s human weaknesses. Beroc’s only son, Taigun was killed by Megalo Man. Beroc is responsible for the deaths of two of Takeshi’s closest human friends, Seiji and Hyosuke. He is killed by Takamine Sougen.

The “Invader” base is hidden deep within Japan’s mountain range (Takeshi and company eventually pinpoint their whereabouts using one of his father’s devices, “the Battleship Box”).

Writer Kariya Tetsu would later go on to write the trend setting, Gourmet cooking manga “Oishinbo” (1980).

Megaloman was Kitazume Yuuki’s first starring role (he had actually auditioned for the part of Takamina Sougen, the Master of the Takagami School). Kitazume would later go on to appear in a string of “made-for-TV” films. He appeared in two movies, Kadokawa Haruki’s “Oedipus No Chitou” (Blade of Oedipus) and the Nikkatsu film “Rouge”.

Takabayashi Yukiko provided the voice for teacher Eva Beadle Simms in the Japanese dubbed version of “Little House on the Praire”.

Child star Houzumi Pe Pe appeared in various programs such as Giant Robo (1968) and NHK’s SciFi Kid’s drama “Jyuichini Iru” (And There Were 11 – 1974). As a teen and young adult, he would star in the high school drama “Tobidase!, Seishun” (Escape! My Youth-1972), the comedy “Ore Tachi No Tabi” (Our Journey –1975), and Tokusatsu Cult favorite Super Robot Red Baron (1974).

Inoue Takao is another distinguished voice actor who lent his voice to the Japanese dubbed versions of “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Last Emperor” (he usually dubbed Peter O’Toole), and “Giant” (he dubbed Rock Hudson).

Kurobe Susumu, who played the evil Beroc, is best remembered as Hayata in Tsuburaya’s landmark series “Ultraman” [1966]. The slightly Caucasian looking actor can also be seen in a host of Toho movies including “King Kong Escapes” (1967), “Son of Godzilla” (1967), “Destroy All Monsters” (1968) and “Latitude Zero” (1969). He has also appeared in episodes of Tsuburaya Pro’s “Ultraman” (1967).

Sugi Madoka is the stage name for Sugimoto Minako. Sugi has been taking Modern Ballet lessons since the age of 2 from the Hiraguchi Ballet School. She won the title of Ms. University Japan in 1979. Appeared in the TBS Drama “Korogi Bashi” (Cricket Bridge –1980) and “Aijyu Gakuen” (Academy of Sorrow – 1980). After graduating from the Japan School of Performing Arts in 1981, she began performing with the Ichibangai (Number One Boulevard) Performance Troupe. During the later half of the ‘80s, Sugi performed in various musicals in Japan such as “Peter Pan”. She later began producing musicals and musicals at the Aoyama Theatre, such as the Operetta “Merry Widow”. She is currently acting as Chair/Supervisor for the children’s talent agency, “Minny Story Dance” in Aoyama.

Often unfairly compared to Tsuburaya’s “Ultraman Leo” (1974) with which it shares some similarities:
• Both Giant Heroes utilize various “kakutou” fighting skills when battling their enemies.
• Both Giant Heroes battled against the invading forces from a “Black Star”.
• Both Giant Heroes incorporate themes based on a “Lion” motif.

Megalo Man came out at about the same time as Tsuburaya’s “Ultraman 80” (1979).

Megalo Man was Toho’s last entry into the Tokusatsu TV show genre. Toho’s other Tokusatsu creations include: “Yuke! Godman” (Go! Godman – 1972), “Ai No Senshi, Rainbow Man” (Warrior of Love – Rainbow Man – 1972), “Ryusei Ningen Zone” (Human Comet Zone – 1973), “Hikari No Senshi – Diamond Eye” (Warrior of Light – Diamond Eye – 1973),

Kawakita Kouchi who helped provided the Special Effects work for Megalo Man as has done work for “Ultraman A” (1972), “Ryusei Ningen Zone” (Human Comet Zone -1973), “Sayonara Jupiter” (1984) and “Godzilla vs. Biollante” (1989). Other credits include:
“Gunhead” (1989), “Godzilla vs. King Ghidorah” (1991), “Godzilla vs. Mothra” (1992), “Godzilla vs. Mechagozilla” (1993), “Yamato Takeru” (1994), “Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla” (1994), “Godzilla vs. Destroyer” (1995) and “Mothra” (1996).

Megalo Man’s look is inspired by the Shishi or Lion costumes often found in Japanese Kabuki Theatre. Kabuki (Dance/Music/Craft) is a traditional form of Japanese theater. It was founded early in the 17th century by Okuni, a shrine maiden who brought her unique and lively dance style to the dry river beds of the ancient capital of Kyoto, and over the next 300 years developed into a sophisticated, highly stylized form of theater.

While the costumes used in domestic plays are often realistic representations of the clothes of the Edo period, historical plays often use magnificent brocade robes and large wigs reminiscent of those found in the Noh theater.

One well-known trademark of kabuki is the extravagant makeup style called “kumadori” that is used in historical plays. There are about a hundred of these mask-like styles in which the colors and designs used symbolize aspects of the character.

The base color for most styles of make up is the white “oshiroi”, made from rice powder. White was used for many reasons; white skin in Japan has traditionally been associated with the upper class. The White base completely masks the actor's features, allowing new features to be painted on; and the white base was an excellent projection to the audience in the days before electricity. The aragoto style of acting ("rough [violent] business") uses the kumadori makeup, which uses bold strokes of color, usually red or blue/indigo. Kumadori, is said to have been influenced by facial expressions on Buddhist statues and the Noh masks. Red lines generally symbolize virtue and strength, while blue lines are associated with evil. Brown is worn by villains among court nobles and by gods; and purple, light green, pink, and gold are seldom used but for special characters. Ghosts and some animal roles (like the Lion) also use the kumadori makeup.

While lions have never lived wild in the islands of Japan, they were imported in graphic form through China and Korea. The shishi-mai or lion dance is often seen at shrine festivals and at New Year's, when performers visit each home in the neighborhood to cast out evil. Lions are also of great symbolic importance in Okinawa, where they are embodied as protectors (similar to European gargoyles).

Another Tokusatsu Hero which incorporated the Kabuki Shishi Costume is the obscure Tokusatsu Show Shishi Kamen (Lion Mask – Yamato Kikaku/Nihon TV, 1973).

Infamous U.S. Independent Film Studio Troma also used elements of Kabuki (albeit in comical fashion) in their outrageous Superhero parody, Sgt. Kabuki Man, NYPD.

Shares several similarities with the Anime Super Robot Show “Chodenji Machine Voltes V” (Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes Five- 1977-1978). As in Megalo Man, Voltes V told the story of five martial arts students who were recruited to fight off the advancing alien invasion of the Bazan Empire. Similarly as in Megalo Man, the main villain, Prince Hinnel turns out to be the brother (half-brother) of the hero.