Uchū Keiji Gavan

infobox television
show_name = Uchuu Keiji Gavan
format = Metal Hero
Tokusatsu
Action/Adventure


caption = Uchuu Keiji Gavan
runtime =
country = JPN
network = TV Asahi
imdb_id =
num_episodes = 44
creator =
starring = Kenji Ohba and Wakiko Kano
narrated = Issei Masamune
first_aired = March 5, 1982
last_aired = January 20, 1983|

nihongo|"Uchuu Keiji Gavan"|宇宙刑事ギャバン|Uchū Keiji Gyaban, translated in English as Space Sheriff Gavan, is the first of the Metal Heroes series which aired on TV Asahi from 5 March 1982 through 20 January 1983.

Plot

Earth is invaded by the Makuu Empire (literally "demon space"), led by Don Horror, who had first destroyed a space colony near Earth. Don Horror wants to dominate the whole universe, and the Earth represents an obstacle that he has to overcome, but not necessarily destroying it. To do this, Don Horror sends spaceships to create panic among humans. While the Makuu is trying to impose its domination on the blue planet, Space Sheriff Gavan, from the Galactic Union Patrol, arrives in his spaceship called the "Dolgiran". He comes from the Bird Planet, the planet where Space Sheriffs are trained and where they are stationed while on call. Gavan is asked to defend the Earth, which incidentally is his mother's planet of origin.

Gavan is helped by Mimi, the daughter of Commander Qom, and is given the information by Qom, assisted by Marin on Bird his base planet. Gavan is now on Earth to defend it against Don Horror and his devilish schemes. He settles on Earth "incognito" using his actual human name, Retsu Ichijouji; and works at the Avalon Youth Club in Japan where he befriends children.

Characters

Protagonists

*nihongo|Retsu Ichijōji|一条寺 烈|Ichijōji Retsu/ nihongo|Space Sheriff Gavan|宇宙刑事ギャバン|Uchū Keiji Gyaban: He is the son of Tamiko Ichijouji ("Ichijōji Tamiko") and Voicer. His mission is to protect the Earth against the invading Makuu Empire. When needed, he's teleported a silver chrome combat suit using the Jouchaku process which consists of fusing Granium particles to Gavan's body in 0.05 seconds. He is an accomplished athlete and he has various weapons at his disposal. On Earth, he uses the name Retsu Ichijouji.

*nihongo|Mimi|ミミー |Mimī (1-31), (42-44): She is the petted daughter of Commander Qom and Gavan's assistant. She uses a pendant which is also a visual illusion device. With her "Laser Vision," she can transform into a budgerigar, to spy on the Makuu. Of course, she is in love with Gavan and shall support him in any case. She leaves the "Dolgiran" to help her mother on Bird Planet, to return in later battles to continue helping Gavan.

*Commander Qom: He is the commander of Galactic Union Patrol and is also the father of Mimi. He lives of Bird Planet and helps Gavan giving him information and sometimes training him to beat the Makuu. He and Gavan can communicate through a giant screen on the "Dolgiran".

*Marin: She is the assistant of Commander Qom. She was also ready to save Gavan's life, when he was about to be killed by the poison of Dokuja Monster. She became Gavan's second assistant in Mimi's absence.

*Voicer: He was a former space sheriff of Earth, betrayed by his fellow Hunter Killer and was captured by the Makuu. He was forced to build the Hoshino Space Cannon, a weapon that can destroy a planet, but he kept the formula a secret even after being tortured. He was then imprisoned before being saved by his son Gavan. He was brought back to "Dolgiran" but died soon after, with the secret of the formula of the cannon written on the palm of his hand.

*Alan (30-31): He has come to Earth to get a princess back to his planet. He is dressed like a cowboy and saves Gavan when San Doruba arrives on Earth.

*Den Iga("Iga Den")/Sharivan (42,44): He is a forest patroller. However, his super fighting technique is not enough to defeat against Buffalo Doubler and he was nearly killed during the fight. He was sent to the Bird Planet to be cured and comes back in the final battle to replace Gavan as Space Sheriff Sharivan.

*Tsukiko Hoshino: She is the Gavan's adopted sister and was brought up by Voicer when her parents were killed by Hunter Killer. She is a very sweet girl and she assists Gavan in his missions.

*Kojiro Oyama: This funny moron is a photographer whose obsession is UFOs, to a point that he even created a machine that is able to detect them. He met Gavan and from them on, the two keep crossing each other's paths. He occasionally works at Avalon Club to replace Retsu and he also befriends Wakaba and Yuuichi.

*Gosuke: The kind grandfather and owner of the Avalon Club whose greatest wish is to get his young body back. Though he feels sympathy towards Gavan (Retsu actually), he is often angered about his frequent disappearances.

*Wakaba and Yuuichi: Gosuke's grandchildren. They both live in the Avalon Club and they sometimes happen to be in the middle of some Makuu scheme. They have developed a strong friendship with Retsu and Kojiro.

The Space Crime Organization Makuu

*Don Horror: This monstrous six-armed idol-like being is the leader of a criminal organization Makuu. This powerful villain wants to erase Earth, the obstacle that prevents his conquest of the universe, and is ready to use any means to destroy it. He lives in the Makuu castle which files in the Makuu domain/tunnel. He is immobile all throughout, but how he gave birth to a son by Kiba, which still remains to be seen. He was inevitably killed by Gavan in a final duel.

*Hunter Killer (1-30, 42): He was oicer's partner, but betrayed him to join the space crime organization Makuu. This one-eyed pirate is Don Horror's right hand man, but was dismissed when he was replaced by San Dolva. He reappears to help Gavan to find his father just before dying to redeem himself.

*San Doruba (30-44): He arrives with his mother and finally takes the place of the traitor named Hunter Killer. He is the son of Don Horror and Kiba, wears a crimson armor, and holds a scepter which contains his mother's brain. This pitiless chief was finally killed by Gavan in the final battle.

*Kiba (30-44): This terrible old witch is the wife of Don Horror and San Dolva's mother and co-plots the most devilish schemse to exterminate Gavan. Her mind is in San Doruba's scepter and she can materialize at any moment. She was killed by Gavan along with San Doruba.

*BEM Kaiju (1-13): These are simple monsters which aid Double Man. They do not have human forms and are cannon fodder to Gavan's Laser Z Beam.

*Double Man (1-13): They are Makuu generals who can have a human form. They are aided by the BEM Kaiju. Unlike BEM monsters, they only assume the form of monsters.

*Double Monsters / Doublers (13-42): A Double Man and BEM Kaiju combined. Double Monsters have a monster form as well as a human form and work along with Crushers.

*Crushers: Makuu foot soldiers. They can certainly not be counted precisely. Actually, they are probably unlimited and act only when forming groups.

* Horror Girl:Don Horror's secretary. She never speaks, but can be heard laughing all the time. She operates the Makuu Kukan on orders of Don Horror.

Attacks and Weapons

*Laser Z Beam: One of Gavan's weapons. To use it, Gavan uses his right and middle fingers to release small blue laser triangles in order to destroy a monster. It is known as the Buster Magnum in the Philippine dubbed version.

*Silver Beam: A lightning like beam emanating from Gavan's right hand that he uses to strike enemies. It is known as the Silver Blaster in the Philippine dubbed version.

*Laser Blade: Gavan's mighty sword which he first uses a normal one (steel blade). He transforms it into a light blue blade, which is required to perform the Gavan Dynamic. It is known as the Gavan Cutter in the Philippine dubbed version.

*Gavan Dynamic: This is Gavan's finishing move which he performs to destroy the monster by slicing him in two with his powerful laser blade.

*Gavan Punch: This is one of Gavan's basic moves, which is a powerful punch.

*Gavan Kick: Another of Gavan's basic moves, which is a powerful right leg kick which he uses when jumping.

*Dimension Bomber: A technique Gavan uses against Crushers. It consists of flying and giving many punches as possible. It is known as the Diversion Bomber in The Philippine dubbed version.

*Laser Scope: A radar Gavan uses to detect invisible monsters.

*Electro Sonar: A sonar which enables Gavan to detect any movement and sound around.

*Spiral Kick: To execute this, Gavan jumps on monsters and henchmen with his feet forward.

*Barrier: Gavan's shield--a magnetic blue barrier he uses to stop objects and projectiles.

*Jouchaku Process: This is what Retsu uses to transform into Gavan. When Gavan shouts "Jouchaku," the Dolgiran sends particles of Granium to form Gavan's combat suit in 0.05 seconds. It is known as the Metalmorphosis Energy in the Philippine dubbed version.

*Vacuum Evaporation: Gavan uses this to transform back into Retsu, as his combat suit returns to the Dolgiran.

Vehicles

*Dolgiran: Gavan's main spaceship and mobile headquarters in which he and Mimi patrols the Earth and protect it from the Maku's schemes. It is composed of a giant weaponed saucer and a body which transforms into a dragon. The Jouchaku Process is also possible thanks to a computer inside its which sends the Granium particles. It also contains a giant screen through which he can communicate with Commander Qom and with all of his vehicles.

*Cyberian: Gavan's personal vehicle, which he uses to enter Makuu space. When he calls for it, this red Suzuki motorcycle with side car and flashing lights at the front comes from the Dolgiran to Gavan's current location. He occasionally uses it when fighting Makuu on Earth.

*Dol: Dol forms from the second part of the Dolgiran and becomes a powerful mechanical dragon which supports Gavan. Gavan commands Dol from a place on its head. Gavan uses Dol mostly to destroy Makuu spacecraft. Its attacks include: Dol Fire (Dol breathes out fire from its mouth), Dol Kick (uses its front feet to clamp down pesky fighters), Dol Laser (laser beams from Dol's eyes), and Tail Attack (Dol's tail whipping fighters attacking from behind).

*Gyabion: Gavan's private tank, only used in the final battles. Like Dol, he just stand up on the tank and commands it. This heavy vehicle is quite efficient as well thanks to all its lasers and cannons. It even contains a drill machine inside.

*Scooper: Gavan's drill machine. He uses it to save Professor Kaminaga to find hidden monsters,as well as his father.

Monster Guide

# Partridge Monster
# Toad Monster
# Condor Monster
# Scorpion Monster
# Poisonous snake Monster
# Octopus Monster
# Samurai Ant Monster
# Fire Monkey Monster
# No monster appeared in this episode
# Rainbow Butterfly Monster
# Armadillo Monster
# Goat Monster
# Rhino Monster
# Rhino Doubler
# Gamecock Doubler
# Scythe Doubler
# Panther Doubler
# Blue Turtle Doubler
# Dinosaur Doubler
# Cricket Doubler
# Honeybee Doubler
# Jellyfish Doubler
# Spider Doubler
# Sabre Doubler
# Five-colored Doubler
# Gas Doubler
# Evil Doubler
# Bleached-boned Doubler
# Magic Doubler
# Defensive Doubler
# Hypnotic Doubler
# Sudden Attack Doubler
# Monster Doubler
# Doctor Doubler
# Guts Doubler
# Malice Doubler
# Hole-digging Doubler
# Gang Doubler
# Capture Doubler
# Supernatural Creature Doubler
# Hell Doubler
# Buffalo Doubler

Episode list

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Cast

*Retsu Ichijouji/Gavan: Kenji Ohba
*Mimi: Wakiko Kano
*Qom: Toshiaki Nishizawa
*Marin: Kyoko Nashiro
*Voicer: Sonny Chiba
*Tamiko Ichijouji: Tamie Kubata
*Kojiro Oyama: Masayuki Suzuki
*Tsukiko Hoshino: Aiko Tachibana
*Makku: Morita Sakamoto
*Gosuke Fuji: Jun Tatara
*Shigeru Touyama: Shin'ichi Kaze
*Alan: Hiroshi Miyauchi
*Den Iga / Sharivan: Hiroshi Watari
*Don Horror: Takeshi Watabe,Shozo Izuka(some episodes)
*Hunter Killer: Michiro Iida
*San Doruba: Ken Nishida
*Kiba: Noboru Mitani
*Narrator: Issei Masamune

Filipino Dubbed Version Actors

*Gavan / Retsu Ichijouji: Ariel Cruz
*Mimi: Jessica Valdez
*Doctor Ang: Noel Mallonga
*Makku: Lorenzo Gonzales
*Tsukiko Hoshino: Annamarie Cordero

ongs

;Opening theme
*nihongo|"Uchuu Keiji Gavan"|宇宙刑事ギャバン|Uchū Keiji Gyaban
**Lyrics: nihongo|Keisuke Yamakawa|山川 啓介|Yamakawa Keisuke
**Composition: nihongo|Michiaki Watanabe|渡辺 宙明|Watanabe Michiaki
**Arrangement: nihongo|Kōji Makaino|馬飼野 康二|Makaino Kōji
**Artist: Akira Kushida;Ending theme
*nihongo|"A Starry Sky Message"|星空のメッセージ|Hoshizora no Messēji
**Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
**Composition: Michiaki Watanabe
**Arrangement: Kōji Makaino
**Artist: Akira Kushida

Miscellaneous Information

* Sonny Chiba and Kenji Ohba develop a close student-teacher relationship. They also worked together in "Kill Bill Volume 1".
* The success of this work allegedly influenced the design of Paul Verhoeven's "Robocop"; in return, Robocop led to the creation of the Cyborg Metal Hero sub genre. There was even a Metal Hero series called Jiban based on the movie Robocop.
* In the Philippines dubbed version, Space Sheriff Gavan is renamed as Sky Ranger Gavin on ABC-5 and IBC-13. In the French dub Gavan is known as "X-Or" (Often mistaken as "X-Sol" or "X-Sor" due to pronunciation). In Malaysia, Indonesia and Brazil, Space Sheriff Gavan is known as Space Cop Gaban or Space Cop Gavan. (In Brazil the title was only "Space Cop")
* In the Uchuu Keiji Crossover, Gavan announces to Sharivan and Shaider that he has married Mimi.
* The late Machiko Soga guest starred in Episode 21 as the stylish Honey Manda, a Double Girl in disguise.
* The Japanese novelty metal band Animetal covered the opening theme in their 1998 album "Animetal Marathon II".
* "Sgt. Frog" parodies Gavan with the character Kogoro. He is a space sheriff whose transformation time is 0.003 nanoseconds, but it only gives him a helmet.