Kikaider 01

, is a tokusatsu superhero TV series, and a sequel series to "Android Kikaider". Produced by Toei Company Ltd., it was broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi) from May 12, 1973 to March 30, 1974, with a total of 46 episodes. Its title in Hawaii is "Kikaida 01" (based on the Japanese title).

Plot synopsis

The noted robotics expert Dr. Komyoji (who appeared in the Kikaider TV Series) created a powerful android to protect Japan from evil forces. When Hakaider starts his own evil organization, Dr. Komyoji's android, Kikaider 01, awakens to fight Hakaider.

Hakaider has three assistants, Red Hakaider, Blue Hakaider, and Silver Hakaider. Together, they devise various schemes to cause destruction, but Kikaider 01 stops them all. Kikaider (from the Kikaider TV series) appears to assist Kikaider 01. Their chief goal is to capture a young boy, named Akira.

After Hakaider's attempts fail, a new, mysterious character appears, "Shadow Knight". It is revealed that Shadow Knight is member of a competing, evil organization, "SHADOW". Eventually, SHADOW proves to be more powerful than Hakaider, and Hakaider becomes an unwilling member of SHADOW.

It is revealed that Hakaider has the brain of Professor Gill (also from the Kikaider TV series) within him. Professor Gill had designed a powerful robot, and had tattooed the plans onto his two sons: Akira and his brother Hiroshi. The rest of the series involves SHADOW's quest to complete Gill's robot, and Kikaider 01's fight to stop them.

Note: It is not explained why Kikaider 01 did not awaken while DARK was terrorizing Japan, in the Kikaider TV Series.

Characters

Androids

*Ichiro/Kikaider 01: A powerful fighting android. In human form, Ichiro uses a trumpet to announce his presence. 01 is solar powered and Ichiro cannot transform in the dark.
*Jiro/Kikaider: Another android fighting for good. In human form, Jiro uses a guitar to announce his presence.
*(Gill) Hakaider: A cyborg, fighting for evil. He possesses the brain of the evil Professor Gill, former leader of the DARK.
*Mari/Bijinder: A female android. Designed to destroy 01 but eventually she becomes his ally.
*Shadow Knight: One-eyed android, original second in command of SHADOW. Replaced by Hakaider. Shadow Knight and Hakaider become rivals, not allowing the other to have the glory of defeating 01.
*Zadam: Two-headed robot from SHADOW's base on the moon. Replaces Hakaider as second in command of SHADOW. Hakaider and Shadow Knight resent Zadam.
*Waruder: Robot samurai assassin hired by Big Shadow to kill Kikaider 01. He develops feelings for Bijinda, but doesn't understand them. She cannot accept him as long as he insists on killing her friend 01. Likes children, afraid of dogs.

Humans

*Akira: Professor Gill's second son.
*Hiroshi: Professor Gill's oldest son.
*Rieko: A mysterious woman from Professor Gill's past. Akira's guardian. Usually appears in disguise.
*Misao: Hiroshi's tutor when DARK was operating. She and Hiroshi were made homeless by Kikaider's destruction of the DARK. Misao became a pick-pocket. After death of Rieko, Misao becomes the guardian of both Hiroshi and Akira.
*Gunta, Momochi: Inept photographer who takes the place of Hanpei as comic relief. Claims to be decedent of ninja Sandayu Momoichi. Last seen in episode 19.
*Big Shadow: Mysterious leader of SHADOW. Originally heard but not seen. When he is first seen its as a shadow. Dresses in black, hides his face behind a mask.

"Note": Both Hatori Hanpei and Dr. Komyoji from (the Kikaider TV series) make guest appearances.

Episode List

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Cast

*Ichiro/Kikaider 01: Shunsuke Ikeda
*Jiro/Kikaider: Daisuke Ban
*(Gill) Hakaider: Shozo Iizuka (Voice)
*Blue Hakaider: Setsuo Wakui (Voice)
*Red Hakaider: Teiji Ōmiya (Voice)
*Silver Hakaider: Shin Aomori (Voice)
*Akira: Goto Yoshihide
*Rieko: Kazuyo Sumidai
*Gunta Momochi: Minoru Kuri
*Shadow Knight: Masao Imanishi (Voice, episodes 8-16, 20-22)
*Shadow Knight: Motomu Kiyokawa (Voice, episodes 17-19)
*Shadow Knight: Takeshi Watabe (Voice, episodes 23-27)
*Big Shadow: Nobuo Yana
*Misao: Hijiri Matsuki
*Hiroshi: Kiyotaka Ishii
*Zadam: Taimei Suzuki (Voice)
*Zadam: Masao Hosoi (Voice)
*Mari/Bijinda: Etsuko Shihomi
*Bijinda: Saiko Kogawa (Voice)
*Waruda: Takeshi Watabe (Voice)
*Narrator: Masaaki Okabe

ee also

*Shotaro Ishinomori
*Kikaider
*Android Kikaider

External links

* [http://www.generationkikaida.com/ Generation Kikaida] - Official JN Productions (Hawaii) website for the classic tokusatsu (live-action) series (releasing DVD set in 2007)