| Who
are the Ninja Captor?
Izumo Daisuke/Hi Nin <Fire
Ninja> Captor #7
Former member of the Fuuman clan. Selected by Tendou
Mujin to lead the “Captor Team” and become
its ‘Chief’. Is a college student at Tozai
College where he is a student in Tendou Mujin’s
class. Wields “flare darts” and “fire
bombs” which can incinerate and burn his opponents.
Is a Master Ninja who is skilled in numerous hand-to-hand
combat techniques.
Fukuro Saburobei/Den Nin <Electric
Ninja> Captor #1
As his name implies, he is the ‘elder statesman’
of the group. Dresses in a bowler hat and Edwardian
style clothes (could be seen as a John Steed <The
British TV Series – The Avengers> character).
Is quite the character and usually provides a lot of
the comic-relief. Usually serves as the Tendou household’s
butler and manservant. Despite his comic appearance
however he is a skilled Ninja and wears an electric
powered belt that can charge his “Electric Whip”.
Rin Sakon/Mizu Nin <Water
Ninja> Captor #2
Is a gifted swimmer and athlete. Is captain of the Nanboku
College swim team. Works part-time as a swimming instructor
at a local elementary school. Specializes in underwater
combat. Carries a “Jet Stream Gun” which
can shoot out torrents of water.
Sakurakoji Maria/Hana Nin <Flower
Ninja> Captor #3
Cute and fetching female member of the team. Fifteen
(15) year old high school student who loves fashion
and flowers. Is a boarding room student at the Tendou
household. Is a master of the nunchakus and uses “Flower
Nunchakus” in battle. After defeating the Fuuman
Clan, Maria leaves the team to study abroad in America.
Tendou Miki/Hana Nin <Flower
Ninja> Captor #3
Replaces Maria as the new Hana Nin. Is the granddaughter
of Tendou Mujin. Unlike Maria, she is a bit of a tomboy
and tends to be a bit brash and reckless. Is also a
master of the nunchakus and uses “Flower Nunchakus”
in battle.
Kurogawa Dan/Tsuchi Nin <Earth
Ninja> Captor #4
Big and burly member of the team. Is incredibly strong
and tough. Was a former wrestling champ. Works part-time
as a construction worker. Uses his great strength the
pummel his opponents. Also carries a “Ground Crusher”
club which he can use to pound concrete to gravel, dent
steel beams or knockout his opponents with one swing.
Oyama Noboru/Kane Nin <Metal
Ninja> Captor #5
Is the Captor Team’s resident techie and mechanic.
Works for an electronics store. Has the peculiar ability
to be able to find and detect metal objects wherever
they may be. Loves fiddling with mechanical parts and
gears. As Captor #5, he wields various metal discs which
he can use as shields or as throwing weapons. Can also
use these discs like a buzz saw to cut through metal.
Izumi Keita/Kaze Nin <Wind
Ninja> Captor #6
Youngest member of the team. Is a Junior High School
student at Tozai Junior High. Has an affinity with animals
especially dogs. Specializes in “bunshin”
(shadow image) attacks and other concealment skills.
In battle, he uses a “Wind Horn” to create
strong gusts of wind that can knock opponents off their
feet.
The Captor Team utilizes a number of
vehicles in their missions including:
“The Captor Machine”
– A small battle van which the Captor Team uses
as transport. Has a number of weapons including a machine
gun attachment. Can run at speeds of up to 180 miles
per hour and can also jump several hundreds of feet
through the air.
“The Heli-Captor”
– Flying fortress headquarters for the
Captor Team. Is usually docked in a hidden underground
launch pad beneath Tokyo Tower. Has powerful machinegun
weapons.
Tendou Mujin
Spiritual Advisor to the Captor Team. Is a Master Ninja
who has knowledge and access to 400 years of Ninja history,
lore and writings. Is the head of the Tendou household,
a major Ninja family. Was killed by agents of the Koga
Ninja clan.
Togakushi Hakuun
Another noted Ninja scholar and practitioner. Was saved
by the Captor Team when agents of the Koga Ninja clan
marked him for death. Took over as Spiritual Advisor
to the team.
The Captor Team is also assisted by
a small band of elementary kids affectionately known
as the “Junior Captors”. They are Ninjas
in training and are skill learning the basic Ninja arts.
Who are the Fuuma?
The Fuuma were once a proud and ambitious
Ninja clan. For centuries they had been in hiding, awaiting
the time when they can step forward and conquer Japan.
They are led by the Mysticla Ninja Fuuma Retpuu who
sought to unite all the various Ninja clans throughout
Japan to launch a combined assault on the World. Most
of the Fuuma were masters of various black magic and
ancient Ninjitsu skills. Some also carried various “magical”
weaponry which they could use against their opponents.
A few Fuuma Ninja however opposed the plans of Fuuma
Retpuu. One such clansman, Izumo Daisuke broke free
from the clan.
Who are the Koga?
The Koga Ninja clan of Shiga were along
with the Iga Ninja clan of Mie, the originators of the
Ninjitsu arts. The Koga Ninja had a long distinction
of serving Japanese Shoguns throughout history. They
were a peaceful clan and had no ambitions of conquest.
However in the later half of the 20th century, Kurayami
Nindou, 18th head of the Koga Ninjas, used his position
to corrupt the clan. Using his Ninja ‘black arts’
and loyal henchmen, he took control of the clan and
forced its member to serve his dreams of conquest. The
Koga Ninja are very powerful Ninja masters and have
numerous mystical powers and weapons which aid them
in their battles.
|
|
| Trivia |
Up until recently, was
considered one of the largest “sentai-like”
groups in Tokusatsu TV history (with seven members).
“Choshinsei Grandsazer” now bares that unique
distinction with twelve members.
The group composition was unique in
that it comprised of older members (Saburobei), young
adults (Daisuke, Sankon), young teens (Maria) and even
kids (Keita), a gimmick that “Chosei Gransazer”
also utilized in a limited way.
Like “Himitsu Sentai Goranger”,
“Ninja Captor” was less a hero drama and
more a comedy hero show.
Ban Daisuke (AKA Ban Naoya) was born
Saito Kiyonari on May 5, 1947 in Kawaguchi City, Saitama
Prefecture, just north of Tokyo.
During his college years, Ban was a
member of a theater group that performed various stage
productions especially the works of French writers.
Before becoming an actor Ban worked part-time at a teahouse
and even considered getting a regular job as a “salaryman”.
Ban got his first big break when he
was cast in the role of "Jiro" for the Tokusatsu
series "Jinzou Ningen Kikaida" (Android Kikaider;
Toei/NET, 1972). According to Ban’s website (http://www.bandaisuke.com)
rather than auditioning for the part, he was tabbed
for the role when the wife of the program's producer
chose his photo from a lineup of finalists.
While Ban went on to star in other Tokusatsu
series to portray other heroes like Watari Goro/Inazuman
(“Inazuman/Inazuman Flash”; Toei, 1974),
Makoto Jin/Battle Cossack #2 (Battle Fever J; Toei,
1979), the role of Jiro has proved to be his most endearing
one. Thanks to the efforts of JN Productions in Hawaii,
“Kikaider” has become a cult classic and
Ban has made frequent visits to Hawaii to meet with
old and new fans alike.
Ban’s filmography includes such
TV series and movies as: "Aguri", "Suzuran","Hanshichi
Torimonocho" (NHK), "Choshichiro Edo Nikki"
(NTV), "Denshi Chojin Gridman" (Tsuburaya/TBS;
1993), "Zenigata Heiji", “Gift",
“You Nimo Kimyou Na Monogatari" (Fuji), "Abarenbo
Shogun", "Sasurai Keiji" (TV Asahi),
"Tokugawa Buraicho" and Oedo Sosamo"
(TV Tokyo).
More recently, Ban has starred in a
number of movies, including the hit horror series Ringu
(The Ring; Toho, 1998), “Rasen” (Spiral;
Toho,1998), “Ringu 2” (The Ring 2; Toho,
1999), and Ringu 0: Basudei (The Ring 0: Birthday; Toho,
2000).
Ban released an autobiography entitled
“Switch On! Jinzo Ningen Kikaida, Jiro Tabi No
Tochu De“ (Switch On! Super Android Kikaida: In
the Midst of Jiro's Journey) published by Kadokawa Shoten
in 2001 which told anecdotes and detailed his experiences
playing Jiro.
While unique character actor Ushio Kenji
(3/23/1923 – 9/19/1993) has had a long movie career,
he will always be known for his role as Jikoku Taishi
<Ambassador Hell> (Kamen Rider – Toei/TV
Asahi/Ishinomori Pro, 1971). Born Mazudo Masato in Tokyo;
Japan, Ushio is the cousin of actor Ando Mitsuo (Prof.
Gill – Jinzou Ningen Kikaida; Toei, 1972).
Ushio has played a number of interesting
albeit sometimes wacky or sinister characters on TV
including Mephisto (Akuman Kun, 1966), Doruge Pierro
(Chojin Barom 1; Toei, 1972 - Episode 34), Mozuma (Henshin
Ninja Arashi; Toei, 1972 - Episode 32), Sponge Green
(Jinzo Ningen Kikaida; Toei, 1972 -Episodes 28 &
29), Mr. Dan Akuma/Double Bat (Seigi No Symbol Condorman;
Toei, 1975 - Episodes 7 & 8), Commander Hedda (Battle
Fever J; Toei, 1979 - Episodes 4-8 ); Kurayami Taishi
<Darkness Ambassador> (Kamen Rider Special –
Zenin Shugo! Nana Nin No Kamen Rider <Kamen Rider
Special! Seven Riders Come Together; Toei, 1984), Doctor
Q (Kyodai Bycrosser; Toei, 1985) and Tetsumen Danchaku
<Baron Iron Mask> (JAKQ. Dengeki Tai vs. Himitsu
Sentai Goranger; Toei, 1978. “Ninja Captor”
offered Ushio one of the few chances to portray a hero.
Ushio passed away in 1993 of heart failure. In true
quirky fashion, Ushio’s funeral was attended by
fans and friends who came dressed in full “Shocker”
uniforms and who saluted him as they would Ambassador
Hell.
Other Movie Appearances include:
“Sugata Sanshiro Dai Ichi Bu”
(Sugata Sanshiro Chapter One – Toei, 1955)
“Muhou Gai” (Streets of Outrage –
Toei, 1956)
“Rakuda No Uma San” (The Donkey Named Mr.
Horse – Toei, 1957)
“Keishicho Monogatari – Bakuchu Ma”
(Stories of the Police Department – The Daylight
Demon –Toei, 1957)
“Nisei Sensou Fuun Hiwa – Kiri No Machi”
(The Secret Storm of World War II – Town of Fog,
Toei, 1957)
“893 Gurentai” (The 893 Gang; Toei, 1966)
“Nihon Ankoku Shi Chi No Kosou” (Japan’s
Dark History – Flood Feud; Toei, 1967)
“Shokin Kazeki” (Prize Money; Toei, 1969)
“Bakuchuchi Nagaremono” (The Wandering Gambler;
Toei, 1970)
“Gokudo Kyojyo Tabi” (Yakuza, The Path of
Crime; Toei, 1970)
“Goaku Bozu –Nomu, Utsu, Kau” (Incedious
Priest - Eat, Fight, Drink; Toei, 1971)
“Nihon Bouryakudan Koroshi No Hai” (Japan
Mafia – Killer’s Ash; Toei, 1972)
Lin Tai Hing was one of Shihomi Etsuko’s
Kung-Fu opponents in “Onna Hissatsu Ken”
(AKA Sister Street Fighter; Toei, 1974).
Cute actress Matsuba Yuko’s (the
first Captor No. 3) career didn’t quite go so
well after “Ninja Captor” as she later went
on to star in a couple of AV (Adult Video) titles as
well as appear in some nude photo pinups. She however
later married and is rumored to be living somewhere
in the U.S.
Captor No. 3 (#2), Nogawa Ai’s
(real name Hatano Mariko) career faired a little better
as she made appearances on other Tokusatsu shows including
“Chojin Bibyun” (Toei/NET, 1977), “Robot
110 Ban” (ANB/Toei, 1977), “Ganbare Red
Bikkinis” (ANB/Toei, 1978), and “Shin Kamen
Rider” (MBS/Toei, 1980). She also appeared in
a number of movies including “Ningen No Shomei”
(Proof of a Man; Toei, 1977), “Dump Wattaridori”
(Toei, 1981) and “Seishin No Mon Jiritsu Hen”
(Toho, 1977).
Before “Ninja Captor” Fujiye
Yoshiyuki <AKA Godai Sanpei> was probably familiar
to children as Choyokichi in the bizarre Tokusatsu show
“Kaijyu Booska” (“Beast Booska”;
TBS, 1966). Later Fujiye portrayed Tatsumura Masao in
“Suki! Suki! Majyo Sensei” (Love! Love!
Ms. Witch” ABC/Toei, 1972). He made other appearances
in shows such as “Kamen Rider V3” (Toei/MBS,
1973) and “Ganbare! Red Bikkinis” (ANB/Toei,
1978) before returning to the “team show”
genre portraying Oshima Taka/Vul Panther in “Taiyo
Sentai San Vulcan” (Toei, 1981).
Sato Hiroyuki later went on to become
an assistant director on such films as “Chugoku
No Chojin” (AKA Birdmen of China; Hone Films,
1998) and Miike Takashi’s “Andromedia”
(TBS Films, 1998) starring former Okinawan girl group
“Speed”.
Sasaki Takamaru is no stranger to Sci-Fi/Fantasy
themed TV and movies having starred in a number of unique
films including “Densou Ningen” (AKA Secret
of the Telegian; Toho, 1960), “Gas Ningen Dai
Ichi Go” (AKA The Human Vaport; Toho, 1960), “Kyofu
No Mira” (The Deadly Mummy – TV Series;
1961), “Yosei Gorasu” (AKA Gorath; Toho,
1962), “Kaijyu Daisensou” (AKA Monster Zero;
1965) and “Botan Torou” (Daiei, 1968).
Katagiri Shin starred in a number of
movies including “Yoru No Keisha” (Takarazuka
Films, 1962) and “Ohsou” (King; Toho, 1973).
Houta Shinzou portrayed another villainous
leader, General Monster in the series “Shin Kamen
Rider” (AKA Sky Rider; Toei, 1979). Frequently
typecast as a thug or gangster, Houta has appeared in
a number of films including “Tokugawa Eiyasu”
(Toei, 1965), “Ninpou Chushingura” (The
Ninja Chushingura; Toei, 1965), “Yakuza G-Men”
(Toei, 1965), “Jyoushu 701 Go Sasori” (AKA
Female Convict Scorpion; Toei, 1972), “Jyoshu
Sasori Dai 41 Zakkyobou” (Female Convict Scorpion
Jailhouse #41; Toei, 1972) and “Zenka Onna: Koroshi
Setsu” (Criminal Woman – Killing Season;
Toei, 1973).
While the Iga and Koga were real Ninja clans in Japan,
it is highly doubtful that they were as powerful and
mystically adept as portrayed in the various comics
and movies. They were however very prominent clans and
were two of the most famous ninja styles, often pitted
against each other in Japanese fiction. In reality however,
they were allies and worked together in mutual defense
pacts during the Heian period.
For more information on Ninjas please
visit Wikipedia’s page on the Ninja:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ninja
Other Tokusatsu series where the Ninja
play a prominent role are: “Ninja Butai –
Gekko” (The Ninja Team – Moonlight; Fuji
TV/NAC, 1962), “Kamen No Ninja Akka Kage”
(Ninja Mask – Red Shadow; Toei, 1967), Kaiketsu!
Lion Maru (Resolved! Lion Maru; P-Pro/Fuji TV, 1972),
“Henshin Ninja Arashi” (Transforming Ninja
Arashi <Storm>; Toei, 1972), “Majin Hunter
Mitsurugi” (Demon Hunter Mitsurugi; Fuji TV, 1973),
“Fuun Lion Maru” (Storm Cloud Lion Maru;
P-Pro, 1973), “Yuugen Jikkou San Kyoudai <Sisters>
Shushutorian” (Possession Practice Words Three
Sisters Shushutorian; Toei, 1993), “Ninja Sentai
KakuRanger” (The Ninja Team – KakuRanger;
TV Asahi/Toei, 1994), “Sekai Ninja Jiraiya”
(The World Ninja Jiraiya; Toei, 1988) and “Ninpuu
Sentai Harikanger” (Ninja Magic Team Harikanger;
TV Asahi/Toei, 2002).
Of course the current Anime hit “Naruto”
(Studio Pierrot, 1999) is also very much infused with
Ninja references and lore.
|
