The Art of Space Sheriff Gavan

After Ultraman 80 and Kamen Rider Super-1 wrapped up their TV broadcasts in 1981, the only live action SFX hero series left on Japanese television was the 1981-82 Super Sentai Series Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan. Seeking to fill the void left by these other franchises, Toei's team moved forward with a new production that didn't rely on previous characters or programs.

This led to the creation of Space Sheriff Gavan, which would go on to become a ratings success and establish a new franchise for the company, the Metal Hero series. Gavan's visual design and presentation was innovative for its time and ensured the program stood out from the company's other productions. But it also shared some commonalities with its predecessors, including the art of Ryu Noguchi.

By the time Gavan was produced, this designer had already collaborated with the studio on multiple programs, including character design work for The Kagestar, Battle Fever J, Denziman, and Sun Vulcan. The artist supported this new production with a range of matte paintings and illustrations, which allowed Gavan's world to transcend its live action settings to present a world that truly felt like a space adventure.