Protect Gear

Protect Gear (プロテクトギア, "purotekutogia") is a fictional set of full-body armour. It is a key element of Mamoru Oshii's Kerberos saga, with the helmet portion used as logo of the saga, similar to the way the Labor head is used for Oshii's Headgear production team. The Protect Gear was designed by Yutaka Izubuchi, a mechanical designer famous for his work on Patlabor.

Kerberos

The Protect Gear is the fictional set of full body armour used by Tokyo's Kerberos Panzer Cop Anti-Vicious Crime Division units in the Kerberos Saga, from the 1950s up to the 2000s. A lighter version, named "Suits Gear", is actually a ballistic vest used by members of the Metropolitan Security Police (首都警). The Japanese Kerberos Panzer Cops ProtectGears have German military roots; the original Protect Gears were used in the 1940s by the 101st Special Armored Division, which fought at the Battle of Stalingrad against the Soviet Army.

Various versions have been created since the 1987 original work. Model variations includes different patterns such as black (in "Akai megane"), blue ("StrayDog") and "German gray" ("Kerberos Saga Rainy Dogs").

Several Japanese toy manufacturers, such as Takara (through Tomy) or Medicom, have produced licensed Kerberos model kits.

Design inspirations

The [http://www.kyo-kan.net/oshii-ig/gams2/gear1_l.jpgProtect Gears] appearing in "Akai megane" were inspired by the 1940s Schutzstaffel as it borrows many elements from the uniform, equipment and training program of this German corps, such as:
*The Stahlhelm helmet and anti-shrapnel body armour,
*The German-built C96 semi-automatic pistols (from the 1890s) and Maschinengewehr 42 machine guns produced by Mauser and used during the Second World War,
*The designation "panzer" (from "pancier", meaning body armour) another German term from the same era, and
*The story "Kerberos Panzer Jāger", which was set in Germany during WWII.

It should also be noted that the Kerberos personnal are described in Jin-Roh's narrative prologue as the "elite", individuals "selected for their superior intellectual and physics capacities". This has similarities with the eugenic theory which is part of Nazi German worldview. See also Kerberos Dog-Master relationship.

Another design inspiration for the original 1987 Protect Gear armor could be Darth Vader's armour from Star Wars:
*The chest device [http://www.kyo-kan.net/oshii-ig/gams2/gear4_l.jpg] is similar to the one in Darth Vader's own armor from the Star Wars Original Trilogy.
*A respiratory device.
*An all-black suit and helmet.This inspiration is confirmed in the second live-action film, "StrayDog", with the new set of armor, made by Inui, and the rasping breathing that was produced made. This was an explicit homage to Darth Vader.

The late samurai armors ("yoroi") were also a strong inspiration for the Protect Gear design, as Oshii watched several "chambara" movies with his father during his youth ["Avalon un film de Mamoru Oshii" booklet by Bertrand Rougier available in the Avalon DVD collector edition published by Studio Canal, France, 2001"] . The second armor (the '3rd generation' armour) was not designed by Oshii, but by the famous character designer Yutaka Izubuchi. This version is closer to the "samurai" armor shape than was the original model. The 1st Generation armor's (the "Jin-Roh" armour) vintage design, is the closest to the samurai "yoroi" armor.

New suits were produced for the fictional Tokyo Riot Police in the 1990s, which included helmets, red glasses, gas masks and anti-ballistic armor. The overall design was meant to impress and to inspire fear in rioters. Similar inspired designs include the following:
*Armored Division characters in Tony Takezaki's 1990 "AD Police" "manga".
*Yukito Kishiro's "Berserker" characters in "Gunnm" (English title "Battle Angel Alita"), a 1991 manga series.
*Helghast forces in Killzone, although Guerrilla Games would not confirm or deny it. [ [http://www.ugo.com/channels/games/features/killzone/ Guerrilla Games of Killzone (Guerrilla Games/Sony) Interview.] ] [http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/action/killzone/player_review.html?id=519072 Killzone.] ] Certain reviews like that of G4 and Gamespot mention that Jin-Roh had an influence on the creation of Killzone [ [http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/407/Killzone.html Killzone.] ] , including accusations that Killzone may have copied Jin-Roh's concept and placed it on the Helghast. [ [http://www.armchairempire.com/Reviews/ps2/killzone.htm Killzone.] ]

Armour versions

Akai Megane ver. (1987)

The original black model designed by Yutaka Izubuchi. This model is used by Koichi, Midori and Soichiro in "The Red Spectacles" ('90s/'00s). The machine-gun used with this model is the MG34. The device was built into the chest was actually a regular pocket calculator.
*Designer: Yutaka Izubuchi
*Mask: -
*Armor: -
*Uniform: -
*Equipment: -
*Weapon: Mauser MG34, Mauser C96

Kerberos Panzer Cop ver. (1988~2000)

This design is almost the same armor as the one appearing in the 1987 movie. However, a light modification was done in the manga illustrated by Kamui Fujiwara, since the chest device was removed. This armour is named "type 92" (92式). In 2006, Tomy released a model kit line, named "Cool Girl" and, based on this version.
*Designer: Yutaka Izubuchi
*Mask: -
*Armor: -
*Uniform: -
*Equipment: -
*Weapon: -

Jigoku no Banken ver. (1991)

The blue model used by Inui and Koichi Todome in "StrayDog". The shield is used as a holster for the Mauser C96. MG34 is used with this model which was also designed by Yutaka Izubuchi. Unlike the first version, this new version features a dual, as opposed to a single, breathing device. An ID number was spraypainted, in white, on the back of each Kerberos helmet. The five dots logo is not featured in this Protect Gear version. The Japanese company Buildup produced the Protect Gear for this movie. Medicom released a limited edition 'Kubrick' toy based on armor type.
*Designer: Yutaka Izubuchi
*Mask : Dual gas mask
*Armor: Robotic / Yoroi
*Uniform: Schutzstaffel (blue)
*Equipment: Helmet / Shield / Backpack
*Weapon: Mauser MG42 / Mauser C96

Kerberos Panzer Cop: Conclusion ver. (1999)

The Panzer Jäger company parading on foot of the Mount Fuji in Act 5 used the Self-Defense Force military version of the Protect Gear. The mask is similar to the 1991 version and the helmet's five-dots logo is replaced by the Airborne Brigade emblem. The spraypainted ID number is still in use in this helmet version.
*Designer: Yutaka Izubuchi
*Mask: Dual gas mask
*Armor: Robotic / Yoroi
*Uniform: Camouflage / Cape
*Equipment: Helmet
*Weapon: Mauser MG42

Jin-Roh ver. (1999)

The vintage model appearing in "Jin-Roh" ('50s) was influenced by samurai armor ("yoroi"). Kerberos equipped with this armor uses a MG42. This model is similar to the "type '92", but more old-fashioned in design. This type was "adopted" in the 2004 video game "Killzone", and released as a limited edition 'Kubrick' toy. Other influences include; "Ninja Gaiden", where a later update replaced the "knock offs" with a more original design, and "Perfect Dark Zero".
*Designer: Yutaka Izubuchi
*Mask: Single gas mask
*Armor: Yoroi
*Uniform: Green
*Equipment: Helmet
*Weapon: Mauser MG42 / Mauser C96

Akai Ashiato ver. (2003)

The helmet was redesigned to look like a dog face in the "Kerberos Saga Rainy Dogs" version. The back of the helmet is spraypainted just like the "StrayDog" Protect Gear, but it has the five dots logo, and was not included in the live-action movie.
*Designer: -
*Mask: -
*Armor: -
*Uniform: -
*Equipment: -
*Weapon: -

Kerberos Panzer Jäger ver. (2006)

The silver German model used by the Jäger trooper in "Kerberos Panzer Jäger" ('40s). The shape is influenced by European medieval plate armors and was the original armour model, prior to the one used by Japanese police. This armor was renewed to celebrate the saga's 20th anniversary. It was designed by Jun SUEMI (未弥純), who worked on video games such as "Wizardry Llylgamin Saga" (monster design) or "" (graphic design).
*Designer: Jun SUEMI (未弥純)
*Mask: Dog
*Armor: Knight
*Uniform: Gray
*Equipment: Helmet / Shield / Backpack
*Weapon: na / na

uits Gear

Light version of the Protect Gear mainly consists of light armor parts combined with a ballistic vest. It was notable for its use of infrared goggles and a cap, instead of a helmet and a mask. This version was used by Kerberos instructors during training, as shown in "Kerberos Panzer Cop" Act 5. Some Kerberos also used Suits Gear during the siege in "StrayDog", and some Self-Police assault units also used it, as shown in "StrayDog" and "Kerberos Saga Rainy Dogs".

Licensed toy lines

*Akai Megane ver.:flagicon|Japan 2006 "Real Action Heroes 310 Protect Gear Kerberos 01 Koichi Todome version" 300mm figure, Medicom Toy.

*Kerberos Panzer Cop ver.:flagicon|Japan 199X "Kerberos Panzer Cop Protect Gear" 1/6 figure, Kaiyodo.:flagicon|Japan 2000 "S003 Kerberos Panzer Cop" L.E. Kubrick figure, [http://www.medicomtoy.co.jp/ Medicom Toy] .:flagicon|Japan 2005 "Cool Girl / Kerberos Panzer Cop Protect Gear：Midori Washio in CG" line, Takara-Tomy [http://www.takaratomy.co.jp/products/CG/ ¹] .:flagicon|Japan 200X "Kerberos Panzer Gear Comic Real Action Heroes", 12inch action figure, Medicom Toy

*Jigoku no Banken ver.:flagicon|Japan 1990 "Protect Gear Straydog Kerberos Panzer Cop", 1/6 action figure, [http://www.buildup.co.jp Buildup ³] .:flagicon|Japan 200X "Kerberos Panzer Gear Movie Real Action Heroes", 12inch action figure, Medicom Toy:flagicon|Japan 2002 "Straydog Protect Gear 12" Figure", 1/6 action figure line, [http://www.yamato-toys.co.jp/ Yamato] :flagicon|Hong Kong 2002 "Straydog Protect Gear 12" Figure", 1/6 action figure line (HK bootleg), [http://www.dragonmodelsltd.com/html/straydog%20page1.htm Dragon Models Ltd.]

*Jin-Roh ver.:flagicon|Japan 2000 "Jin-Roh Protect Gear" L.E. Kubrick figure, Medicom Toy.:flagicon|Japan 2001 "Jin-Roh Protect Gear 1/6 Scale Soft Vinyl Kit" (sculpted by Takuma Katsuo), 1/6 action figure, [http://www.kaiyodo.co.jp/ Kaiyodo] :flagicon|Japan 2001 "Jin-Roh Protect Gear Kit 5inch Size Action Figure", action figure, [http://www.kaiyodo.co.jp/ Kaiyodo] :flagicon|Japan 200X "Jin Roh Protect Gear Real Action Heroes", 12inch action figure, Medicom Toy:flagicon|Japan 2001 "Jin-Roh Protect Gear 1/20 Blister Action Figure" (sculpted by Akira Tani & Eiichiro Matsumoto), 6" action figure, [http://www.kaiyodo.co.jp/ Kaiyodo (Xebec)]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.kerberos-saga.jp Kerberos saga official website] (Japanese)
* [http://www.kerberos-saga.jp/shop/ Kerberos saga official shop] ("Japanese")
* [https://www.buildup.co.jp/showcase/eiga/top_list/dog/detail.html "Jigoku no Banken ver." Protect Gear producer Buildup's official product page] ("Japanese")