Jinzo Ningen Kikaida Vol-7 (31-35)
Production: Toei
Release by: JNProductions/Generation Kikaida
By Jmaruyama

Episodes/Villains

#31 “Jiro No Shi O Yobu Taco Yama Buki” (‘Yamabuki Ogon’ Octopus Beckons Jiro’s          Death/Gold Octopus: Prelude To Jiro’s Demise) – ‘Yambuki Ogon’ <Gold> Octopus

#32 “Ao Denki Unagi Ma No Ude Ga Hikaru” (Blue Electric Eel’s Shining Sinister          Arm/Blue Electric Eel: Accordion Arm Agony) – Blue Electric Eel

#33 “Kyoaku Kimen Gani Red Noroi No Tou” (Fiendish Deep Red Crab’s Cursed          Commandments/Mask Crab Red: Enforcer of the DARK Code) – ‘Deep Red’          Crab/Mask Crab Red & Kabutogani Enji (Maroon King Crab)

#34 “Kozure Kaibutsu Black Hari Mogura” (Monstrous Black Spiny Mole & Child/Black           Spiny Anteater: Destructoid with Child) – Black Spiny Mole <Anteater> & Kid           Spiny Mole <Little Spiny>

#35 “Jiro Denji End No Saigo” (Jiro’s Final “Denji End”/Black Crow: The End of “The          End”) – Kuro “Black” Crow

Summary (From Box Cover)

"A solitary, denim clad road warrior known as Jiro battles the sinister Professor Gill and his squadron of fearsome DARK Destructoid monsters. Vulnerable to Gill’s shrill flute wooing him to the DARK side. Jiro transforms into the mighty red-and-blue android – Kikaida"

The Review

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t despise the Kikaida (Kikaider) series. As much as I seem to berate and criticize the various episodes, I do find the series as a whole on par and relatively comparable to such series as “Kamen Rider” or “Robot Keiji”.

The entire theme of a robot yearning to be a man (shades of Pinocchio) is an interesting concept. I also find the subplot of the search for Dr. Komiyoji also very interesting in much the same way as I liked the American TV series “The Fugitive” (although it does get to become a bit ridiculous to see Dr. Komiyoji working in such places like a Bar or on a Fishing Boat).

While I still despise the “Dark Butai” Robots in general, I find their monster designs “unique”. Of course there are some utterly awful robots that do come along. Case in point…Black Crow. Black Crow is supposed to be a giant crow but ends up looking more like a stiff penguin than anything else.

Another terrible Kikaida enemy is Black Hari Mogura who along with its child are supposed to be a play on “Kozure Okami” (Lone Wolf & Cub). The parody is so blatant that even the “Kozure Okami” TV Theme is played at one point to hammer in the connection.

Volume Seven of Kikaida offers no new surprises and very little in the way of extras, but for Kikaida fans, it serves its intended purpose and that seems to be all that one could ask for.

Menus

The changeable menus system is an interesting highlight of this disc set (you can either display DVD menu text in English or if you want Japanese).

The Menus are supported by scenes from the Kikaida TV series (you can also hear the haunting refrain of Jiro’s guitar solo in the background).

Languages

The original Japanese soundtrack is available with or without subtitles. The subtitles are fairly easy to read and aren’t overly distracting.

Video

Given that the series originally aired in 1973, the picture quality of the TV episodes here is quite good. While there are some instances where the age of the film print shows some wear (especially in the opening credits) colors are generally very sharp and bright. Images are clear for the most part and special effect animation shots are very clean. For this DVD release, the episodes are presented in a 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratio, just as they were originally broadcast on television. This is probably the best print one could hope for.

Audio

The DVD features a Dolby Digital audio track. The audio is clear and audible, rendering the dialogue and action sound effects perfectly clear. The BGM, OP and ED songs all sound great and definitely benefit from the improved sound. Other than that, the audio here is nothing special but quite sufficient.

Jmaruyama

Information

For more information on the Kikaida series, please visit August Ragone’s informative series overview at Henshin Online. The Kikaida Collector’s Editions can be purchased via independent sellers on E-Bay and through select specialty stores like Amazon and Tower Records.

Inquiries can also be made to JN Production’s Kikaida DVD website at www.generationkikaida.com

DVD Specs

Episodes 31-35
Color
Running Time: 2 hrs. 5 min.
NTSC/Region 1
4:3 - Full Screen
Dual-Layer Format
Dolby Digital Sound
Digitally Remastered Picture and Sound
Original Japanese Track with English Subtitles (White)

Cast

Ban Daisuke – Jiro
Kikuchi Toshiaki – Kikaida/Kikaider
Izu Hajime – Dr. Komyoji
Mizuno Jun- Komyoji Mitsuko
Kamiya Masahiro – Komyoji Masaru
Ueda Shun – Hattori Hanpei (Hanpen)
Ando Mitsuo – Professor Gill

DVD Credits

Executive Producer: Joanne Ninomiya
Kikaida Series Translation: Roy Mashime
DVD Cover Design: Erwin Baracao, Brian Onaga
Acknowledgements: Ban Daisuke, Ikeda Shunsuke, Hiroshi Miura, Greg Chang, Marc Miyake, August Ragone
DVD Production Team:
Robby Gaskall
Robert Furukawa
Sereny Suzuki
Karen Corpuz
Ruby Nagao
Chance Gusukuma
Yuko Manatad
Steven Chung
Kristine Yoza
Devin Sakai
Lillian Masamitsu Kam