Kure Kure Takora

is a tokusatsu children's comedy show from Japan. Produced by Toho Company Ltd., the show aired on Fuji TV and its subsidiaries from October 1, 1973 to September 27, 1974 with a total of 260 episodes.

However, Episodes 223, 252 and 255 never materialised. The show was rebroadcast over CS digital satellite television, except for episode 220, which was censored due to problematic show content. The reason behind the censorship being that the main character, Takora is beaten by his neighbors to the point of being brain damaged, and it was considered much too violent to be rebroadcast. Laserdisc and VHS versions were sold, but currently only the DVD version (which includes episode 220) is on Japanese market.

It was a new type of program for children. TAKORA, a central character coveted for everything saying "KURE! (I want it)" all the time. Each episode was absurd, strange, violent, surreal, indescribable, and ran exactly 2 minutes and 41 seconds.

taff

*Creator/Planning - Osamu Isono
*Writers - Shinichi Ichikawa, Hiroshi Kashiwabara, Yuko Kinoshita, Yoshimi Shinozaki, Yuji Watanabe
*Directors - Katsumune Ishida, Ko Tsuboshima, Tsugunobu Otani
*Music - Shunsuke Kikuchi

Voice Cast

*Takora, Chonbo, Monro: Yoshiko Ota
*Debura, Biragon, Herara, Shikushiku, Ikary: Osamu Saka

Characters

*Kure Kure TakoraKure Kure Takora is a red octopus ; he employs a type of Ninjitsu where he can turn into anything from a dopey iguana to a vacuum cleaner to a guitar. His best-friend is the weak-willed squash Chonbo. While friends he has no problems leaving him for dead if he has to make a fast getaway. Like everyone else in the world, Kure Kure is in love with the fickle pink walrus Monro. His greatest fear is being doused with vinegar and being served as Sudako (pickled octopus).

*ChonboKure Kure Takora's best friend and toadie, he is a squash-humanoid of the genus cucurbita, who is able to cough up coins for vending machines at will. Although he is complicit in many of Kure Kure's schemes, he's just as often on the receiving end of Kure Kure's abuse. Being very mobile for a squash, Chonbo is often seen somersaulting and tumbling.

*To Ro RoIs a short jellyfish who squawks like Flipper. He is able to spray vinegar out of the top of his head via a sprinkler. Kure Kure often attempts to neutralize this super power (Kure Kure is deadly afraid of vinegar) by throwing hats on his head. To Ro Ro can turn invisible and teleport at will an is an even a bigger trouble-maker than Kure Kure Takora. Most of the other characters are frightened of him.

*MonroIs pink walrus with a breathy voice and sexy theme music that all the other male characters pursue. She often demands unreasonable things from her suitors only to lose interest in them. She has been romantically involved with every creature (even the repellent sea cucumber gang) on the show.

*DeburaA rotund badger who is often seen chewing on the stub of a cigar, this tough cop runs the local jail. He's the only character who wears clothes.

*BiragonA dumb, slow-witted iguana, he is extremely lazy and spends most of his time sleeping. He may also be the richest character on the show as he often has a new gadget or toy that is covetted by Kure Kure.

*The Sea Cucumber GangThese dummies have their own theme song which they occasionally break in to.It is believed they represent anger (Ikari), happiness (Hera Hera) and sadness (Shiku Shiku). The Sea Cucumber Gang are on the very bottom of the hierarchy of the characters, and poor Shiku Shiku gets picked on the most!

External links

* [http://www.boingboing.net/2006/03/16/video_weird_vintage_.html Video: weird vintage Japanese octopus baby nightmare] (Boing Boing, March 16, 2006)
* [http://www99.big.or.jp/~seiten/conviction/library/takora/takora_index.html A fan site's episodes guide] (Japanese)
* [http://www.kurekuretakora.com A fan site with english episode guide and linked youtube episodes] (English)
* [http://kachimo.com/takora/takora.html Another fansite with character info] (Japanese)
* [http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006S25D Kure Kure Takora DVD-BOX] (Amazon.co.jp)