Chōjin Neiger

Chōjin Neiger (超神ネイガー, Chōjin Neigā^?, "Super-God Neiger") is a local hero from Nikaho, Akita Prefecture, a fictional superhero who represents the region and is depicted as a tokusatsu hero. Developed by a local sports gym's manager and former UWF professional wrestler Tamotsu Ebina (海老名 保, Ebina Tamotsu^?), Chōjin Neiger debuted in June 2005 and has gained a following throughout all of Japan. Chōjin Neiger has also spawned radio dramas, comic books, and television specials, and a series of original songs which include the vocal talents of Ichirou Mizuki^[1][2] and Mitsuko Horie.^[3]

The Chōjins

Each of the characters developed by the Neiger Project is said to protect a different aspect of Akita Prefecture. They transform with the power of the Gōshaku Jewel (豪石玉, Gōshaku Tama^?, "gōshaku" is an Akita dialect word for "to get angry" or "to scold").

Neiger (ネイガー, Neigā^?)

Transforming from Ken Akita (アキタ・ケン, Akita Ken^?), Neiger protects the land and agriculture of Akita, designed after the namahage of the region's folklore. His weapons include Kiritan Swords (キリタン・ソード, Kiritan Sōdo^?), the Buriko Gun (ブリコガン, Buriko Gan^?), the Kamakura Knuckle (カマクラ・ナックル, Kamakura Nakkuru^?), and the Kanto Shield (カントウ・シールド, Kantō Shīrudo^?). He rides the Machine Shotslar (マシン・ショッツラー, Mashin Shottsurā^?, "Shottsuru" is a fish sauce for the Akita sailfin sandfish), which transforms from a combine harvester. Neiger can also assume a power-up form, Daihōsaku Form (大豊作フォーム, Daihōsaku Fōmu^?, roughly translated as "bumper crop form"). His catchphrase is "Protecting the sea, the mountains, and Akita, Chōjin Neiger!!" (海を、山を、秋田を守る、超神ネイガー!!, Umi o, yama o, Akita o mamoru, Chōjin Neigā!!^?).

Neiger Geon (ネイガー・ジオン, Neigā Jion^?)

Transforming from Shiro Fujisato (フジサト・シロー, Fujisato Shirō^?), Neiger Geon protects the forestry of Akita. Also designed after a namahage, Neiger Geon fights with Zui Quan attacks and his weapons are the Kiritonfa (キリトンファー, Kiritonfā^?) and Kiritanchaku (キリタンチャク^?). He also gets a powered up form called Daiginjō Form (大吟醸フォーム, Daiginjō Fōmu^?, "daiginjō" is a term used to refer to sake which is made from rice polished to 50% or lower).

Aragemaru (アラゲ丸^?)

Transforming from Ryu Hachimori (ハチモリ・リュウ, Hachimori Ryū^?), Aragemaru protects the fisheries of Akita. He has tetrapod designs in his armor and is armed with the Tara Bazooka (タラ・バズーカ, Tara Bazūka^?) and Ika Slicer (イカ・スライサー, Ika Suraisā^?).

Neiger Mai (ネイガー・マイ, Neigā Mai^?)

Transforming from Mai Akita (アキタ・マイ, Akita Mai^?), Neiger Mai protects the industry of Akita.

Kantō Man (カントウマン^?)

Transforming from, Joe Kubota (クボタ・ジョー, Kubota Jō^?), Kantō Man is not one of the Chōjins but is a Chōchin Neiger (提灯ネイガー, Chōchin Neigā^?).

Neiger BBG (ネイガービガビガG, Neigā Bigabiga Jī^?)

Transforming from Kenta Akita (アキタ・ケンタ, Akita Kenta^?), Neiger BBG is a legendary Neiger from 100 years in the future. His name comes from the Akita dialect word bigabigajii (ビガビガジイ^?), meaning "shiny", referencing the Maziora coloration of his costume.

CD releases

Neiger Theme Song

"Gōshaku! Chōjin Neiger ~Midaga Omedaji~" (豪石！超神ネイガー ～見だが おめだぢ～, Gōshaku! Chōjin Neigā ~Midaga Omedaji~^?, "Anger! Chōjin Neiger ~Did You Look?~") c/w "Tōi Kaze no Naka de" (遠い風の中で^?, "Away With the Wind") by Ichirou Mizuki

Ōga Neiger Theme Song

"Chōjin Neiger ~Seigi no Inaho~" (超神ネイガー ～正義ノ稲穂～, Chōjin Neigā ~Seigi no Inaho~^?, "Chōjin Neiger ~Rice of Justice~") c/w "Yume Kariudo" (夢刈人^?, "Dream Reapers") by Ichirou Mizuki

Udakko Zenshū (歌っこ全集^?, "Song Collection")

1. "Neiger Ondo" (ネイガー音頭, Neigā Ondo^?) by Abe 10zen
2. "Mamorigami ~ GEON, Mori no Ibuki o" (守森神～GEON モリノイブキヲ, Mamorigami~Jion Mori no Ibuki o^?, "Forest Protector God GEON, Breath of the Forest") by Shiro Fujisato
3. "Neiger Mai no Theme ~Hisui no Tsubasa" (ネイガー・マイのテーマ ～翡翠の翼～, Neigā Mai no Tēma ~Hisui no Tsubasa~^?, "Theme of Neiger Mai ~Wings of Jade~") by Mitsuko Horie
4. "Ore wa Minato no Abare Uma" (俺は漁港の暴れ馬^?, "I am the Raging Horse of the Fishing Port") by Ryu Hachimori
5. "Dajaku Kumiaika" (だじゃく組合歌^?, "Dajaku Union Song") by Kakusai Han
6. "Neiger Ondo (Para Para Version)" (ネイガー音頭（パラパラバージョン）, Neigā Ondo (Parapara Bājon^?) by Abe 10zen

See also

• Local hero (Japan)
• Ryūjin Mabuyer

References

1. ^ "JTB上野支店　超神ネイガー×水木一郎　大豊作　スペシャルライブ オフィシャルツアー". http://www.jtb.co.jp/shop/ueno/info/neiger/index.asp. Retrieved 2009-10-29. 
2. ^ "水木一郎：秋田のご当地ヒーロー「超神ネイガー」と再タッグ　「神が降りてきた」と自信満々(まんたんウェブ) - 毎日ｊｐ(毎日新聞)". 2009-08-06. http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/entama/graph/20090806_2/. Retrieved 2009-10-29. 
3. ^ "秋田のヒーロー“超神ネイガー”、ミニアルバム発売　MSNミュージック 音楽ニュース". 2007-06-07. http://music.jp.msn.com/news/2776.htm. Retrieved 2009-10-29. ^{[dead link]}

External links

• Official website
• Neiger Project at NHK
• Neiger Comic at Kadokawa Shoten