Can I use the art off your site for my own?
In a word, no. You are welcome to use the art posted on my Freebies page - that's what it's there for. And I'll be happy to help you provide artwork for your page, but don't take art straight off my site. Especially if it's art created specifically for the page (like the bird head icon, the flashing signal, and that big "G" belt insignia you see on the title page). While I understand art sources are hard to find, imagine how frustrating it can be to put all that time and work into creating/collecting, modifying and placing the art here only to have someone download it and slap it on their own site with only a few clicks of the mouse.
I have had people ask if they could use some of my site art for special projects, like games (one friend is running an interesting Gatchaman Doom wad). That's fine with me, providing you ask first.
As I mentioned above, I can help you with art, either from my spare archives or with custom art. Again, just write me and ask.
Where can I get Gatchaman, Battle of the Planets, G-Force or Eagle Riders episodes on tape or DVD?
Check here for information on Gatchaman episodes on DVD. The first Battle of the Planets videos have been released in the US by Rhino Video. Click here for more info. Some G-Force episodes have been released on Rhino's DVDs as part of the BotP package. Eagle Riders has not been released commercially, so any tapes you currently see on dealer's room tables are bootlegs. If you live in the UK, try and network with a friend who may have taped BotP episodes off Bravo this past year (we're still awaiting further news on commercial PAL video release). You'll find the latest on who's offering dubs of episodes at the Gatchaman Resource Page at http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Towers/7587/GatchR.html.
Is Gatchaman available in DVD format?
Yes! From June, 2000 to May 2001, Gatchaman was re-released in DVD format! As of 2002, subtitled bootlegs of these discs have also come available. For more information, click here. And don't forget the ADV releases!
How can I tell whether the Gatchaman DVDs I see for sale are bootlegs?
If it's not the ADV DVDs, any Gatchaman in English will be a bootleg. The original Nippon Columbia Gatchaman DVDs are sold individually in the small CD jewel case, are Region 2 only and are not subtitled in English. The only legal subtitled Gatchaman is included in the Battle of the Planets DVDs produced by Rhino or produced by ADV. Everything else is a bootleg.
Who currently owns the rights to Battle of the Planets and G-Force?
In 1984, Sandy Frank Film Syndication (now Sandy Frank Entertainment) retains music, domestic home video and international distribution rights for BotP and G-Force. The rights to G-Force, Guardians of Space reverted to Sandy Frank in 2003.
Where can I buy the NTT Gatchaman videos?
These TV ad-length video clips have been released as freebies on Rhino Video's "Best of Battle of the Planets" DVD set. As of June 2005, the animated versions of the commercials were made available on the bonus disc for the "Karas" Collector's Edition DVD (stock number DA-647, 8,190 yen). The live action commercials were released on a DVD called "SMAP Short Films" (stock number VIBY-15, 3,990 yen). "Karas" is Region 2 and Japanese language only. "SMAP Short Films" is Region All. Both discs can be purchased through http://www.amazon.co.jp or http://www.cdjapan.co.jp.
Where can I get the best deals on BotP/Gatchaman goods?
I wish I could tell you, but my head is spinning just keeping up with all the new goodies that are currently entering the market. My only recommendations are for you to check the links on my BotP and Gatchaman merchandise news pages and compare prices. Happy shopping!
Buy episodes of Gatchaman from ADV (best translation, best bet).
Rhino Video has released two episodes of subtitled Gatchaman with each Battle of the Planets DVD.
There are still fansubs available (ask around, check websites and mailing lists). VHS only.
There are currently three sets of Hong Kong bootleg DVDs with Gatchaman episodes for sale on the internet (various sites and eBay). Currently, episodes 1-70 have been released with no schedule on when the rest will be up for sale, if at all. The subtitles are also a little weird, with occasional strange Engrish and new names for the characters. I can't vouch for quality or accuracy. Click here for more information.
Where can I get Gatchaman II and Fighter with English subtitles?
There has been a fan push to nag ADV into subbing/dubbing the sequel series after they get done with the original Gatchaman series. According to Diamond Comics Previews, Media Blasters has managed to secure the rights to release both Tekkaman Blade (Titled simply "Tekkaman") and Saban's Teknoman version of the series. Meaning that if Media Blasters can obtain the rights, it's not impossible for ADV or another company to purchase the rights to both Gatchaman II and Fighter and Saban's Eagle Riders. If ADV is uninterested in pursuing Gatchaman II/Fighter, Media Blasters might do it if there is sufficient fan interest. You can send them an e-mail at info@media-blasters.com
Until that happens, the sequels are available as fansubs only, and only selected episodes. Check web sites and mailing lists.
Is there a live action Gatchaman series?
Not exactly a series. In September of 2000, two TV commercials featuring a live-action version of Gatchaman were released by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone (NTT) as part of a campaign advertising their internet and ISDN services. They used a revamped, Science Ninja Team featuring the members of popular Japanese boy-band, SMAP. There was also an animated TV commercial using many of the same scenes. For photos and a complete writeup of the campaign, click here.
Will there ever be a live-action Gatchaman movie? or I've heard rumors that they're going to make a Gatchaman/G-Force movie in Hollywood. Can you tell me more?
Rumors of a live action Gatchaman movie, produced either in Japan or the US, have been circulating for decades. However, if the powers that be get their way, we may be seing a live-action Gatchaman movie in 2009. According to Anime News Network and Variety.com, Nikkatsu Corp. announced it has greenlit a live action movie adaptation of Gatchaman slated for release in Japan in 2009. I'll provide more news about this as information becomes available.
In summer of 2006, Imagi Studios obtained the rights to produce a CGI (not live) film feature of Gatchaman, slated for release in 2008. This will be released in English. Will it happen? Stay tuned!
Was any new animation added to Battle of the Planets by Sandy Frank?
Anything that had to do with the robot 7-Zark-7 and his cohorts (1-Rover-1 and Susan) was added by Sandy Frank. Gatchaman never used a robot character like Zark (thankfully). The "ready room" sequence with Mark and Jason playing ping-pong was courtesy of Sandy Frank. Also, the footage of the Phoenix flying through space was added in order to take up time and provide the impression that battles took place on other worlds (the original Godphoenix can't really fly through deep space).
How much of Gatchaman was changed for Battle of the Planets? and G-Force?
Heh, heh, loaded question.... Aside from the name changes, in Battle of the Planets, the writers go through great pains to convince the censors that nobody got hurt or died in this show and that people and animals were merely stunned. The show originally had a high body count, in bystanders, Gallactors (the green-suited goons), and major characters. Among those who perished in Gatchaman were the Red Impulse leader (Colonel Cronus), Condor Joe (Jason/Dirk) and Berg Katse (Zoltar/Gallactor). Many of the hand-to-hand fighting scenes were cut out because they were considered too violent for American children. The darker sides of some of the characters' natures (Ken's/Mark's grief over his father's death and Joe's quest for vengeance for the deaths of his parents) were never used.
Turner Broadcasting did a better job with G-Force in some ways. 7-Zark-7 was discarded, more fighting scenes were included, and the stories consist more of a straight translation from the original (though the writers were selective). Ace's quest for revenge for the death of his father is stressed, but the deaths of Dirk's parents are vague. When finally discussed, Dirk discovers that his parents were once members (not leaders) of Gallactor's organization. Then there are the silly character names, and the monotonous pounding soundtrack used to fill in any silent moment in the show....
What does "Gatchaman" mean?
In Japanese, "Gatchaman" has no meaning--it's onomatopoeia, a "sound word" used to give the feeling of the sound of big, heavy mechs slamming together in battle: "GATCHAAAN!" The show's creators had little knowledge of English at the time, and didn't realize that it sounded a lot like "Gotcha, man." Maybe they would have changed it...
Gatchaman is the official name of the leader of the group (Ken), and is only used to describe the group of ninja when all five are together. When they are separate, the other members of the team are referred to as the Kagaku Ninjatai (the "science ninjas"). They aren't called "Gatchamen."
The pre-production name for the show was "Birdman," which was changed at the last minute and is still written on the canister holding the film to the pilot episode.
Do the KNT (Kagaku Ninja Tai) live in Japan?
No, our heroes appear to live in or near Utoland, a fictional city. Gatchaman is based in an alternate universe with fictional cities and countries, often with names based on puns (for example, Hontwal, where Ken had once lived, comes from the Japanese term, honto wa aru, or, "It really exists." (Groan.) You'll see the equivalent of all kinds of major cities and countries, with key features sometimes scrambled together.
Where in the heck is Utoland?
Utoland is where our heroes live. The Snack Jun is here, Ken's airstrip and Ryu's yacht harbor are said to be nearby, and even Dr. Nambu has a residence somewhere outside the city. There is no absolute information on what country Utoland is located in, but fans speculate it's in the nation of Ameris, which is modeled after the US. Ameris is also home to the city of Amegopolis, where ISO Headquarters is located, and other landmarks in the country are Mammoth Canyon and Bluestone Park. Because Utoland appears to be on the west coast of Ameris and is described as a gathering point for hippies, I would guess that Utoland could be considered the Gatchaman equivalent of the San Francisco/Berkeley area.
What languages do the KNT speak?
Good question! The topic really never comes up in the series, but we suppose the characters are multilingual because they don't have any difficulty talking to people when they go on missions to various countries.
What's with the numbered t-shirts? Don't the KNT wear any other clothes?
The numbered t-shirts were a typical design statement in 70's anime (hey, the cast of Scooby Doo never changed clothes either). Characters often wore letters or numbers pertaining to their normal or secret identities. Occasionally, in Gatchaman II and Fighter, the characters were allowed to wear other clothes. In the Gatchaman OAV, the characters could wear whatever they pleased, with the clothing changes apparently regulated by their bracelets alone... though Jun was the only one who changed wardrobe in the OAV.
Where does the Birdstyle technology come from?
One of the series creators mentioned that the technology might have come from another alien race that had a grudge against Sosai X. However, that was only a suggestion that he recommended we don't take too seriously.
What keeps the Godphoenix intact while it's in Firebird mode?
PFM (Pure "Fantastic" Magic) generators? In the Fantastic Graphics Gatchaman book, Hisayuki Toriumi mentions that the Firebird Effect is some sort of superdimensional field generated between four "poles" in the Godphoenix. Maybe the field offers some measure of protection to those inside it, though the experience of being within the field is not at all pleasant. Other than that, who knows?
Was there ever a Science Ninja Team member G-6?
Yes. In #60, a wounded, amnesiac test pilot was considered for the position, but he didn't survive the episode. In the Gatchaman II planning sheets, Joe was slated to be replaced by G-6, Jack the Hawk (who we later discover is Joe's long lost little brother). However, these plans never came to fruition.
In Gatchaman II, how much of Joe is cybernetic?
Joe's cybernetic conversion happens in two stages. In Stage 1, which runs from G-II #1 to #25, Joe has armored skin and a few implants, but most of him is still human. In #25, however, Dr. Rafael explains to him that he has plans for making Joe into the ultimate weapon to defeat Sosai X. After a bit of a struggle, Joe agrees to the conversion, and this time, he loses more of his humanity. Though there's little solid information, it appears the writers based his condition on The Six Million Dollar Man, a popular TV show in Japan at that time.
Is Ken gay?
No. There's nothing in the series that even remotely suggests Ken is gay.
What are the birth dates of the characters?
Tatsunoko never released an official set of birthdays for the members of the Kagaku Ninjatai. Therefore, the following dates are "fanon," based on astrological charts done by a group of Japanese fans. They are: Ken: April 4, 1984 Joe: November 15, 1984 Jun: May 2, 1986 Jinpei: June 13, 1992 Ryu: March 20, 1985 Dr. Nambu: January 27, 1962 Berg Katse: October 3, 1974
Source: the fanzine, "Das Chronisch GM Syndrom" Vol. 2, published in 1983
