Denjin Zaborger

Denjin Zaborger (電人ザボーガー, Denjin Zabōgā^?), translated as Electroid Zaborger 7, was a Japanese tokusatsu television series that aired in 1974, produced by P Productions, it was their last Tokusatsu series of the 1970s.

Denjin Zaborger stars Akira Yamaguchi (Joji Yuki/Riderman in Kamen Rider V3) as secret agent Yutaka Daimon. The robot Denjin Zaborger has no personality at all, its Akira Yamaguchi as the wild warrior Yutaka Daimon who gives the series its heart.

Story

Secret Police (Himitsu Keiji) agent Yutaka Daimon returns to Japan after learning his father was murdered by the evil Dr. Akunomiya, leader of the criminal gang Sigma (named after the Greek letter). From his father Yutaka inherited the robot warrior Denjin Zaborger which responds to Yutaka's voice commands. Zaborger has the unique ability to transform into a motorcycle, Machine Zaborger, for Yutaka Daimon to ride.

Dr. Akunomiya's top aide in Sigma is a woman known as Miss Borg. She's a cyborg with (in the early episodes anyway) the ability to transform into a masculine appearing robot warrior. Ruling Sigma with Dr. Akunomiya and Miss Borg are the seven Sigma Executives, leaders of Sigma's various world wide operations. These nasty cyborgs eventually fall to Yutaka Daimon and Denjin Zaborger. Serving as Sigma's field agents are Sigma Mecha Animals, Sigma Cyborgs, Sigma Group Hitmen (human assassins), Sigma Mecha Borg, Sigma Borg and Sigma Soldiers. Dr. Akunomiya is a cruel and demanding master. He even turns against his most loyal servant Miss Borg, replacing her with a new female aide Lady Borg. By then Sigma is on its last legs so Lady Borg doesn't last long.

After his cyborgs and robots (even Miss Borg) have failed to eliminate Yutaka Daimon, Dr. Akunomiya assigns the task of getting rid of his greatest enemy to a young assassin, the motorcycle riding Gen Akitzuki. Gen Akitzuki's bird shapped motorcycle is called Machine Hawk. Gen Akitzuki's "Thunder Punch" and "Hurricane Punch" martial arts techniques proved to be a match for Yutaka Daimon's "Flying Dragon Tri-Stage Kick" and gave the hero some tough moments.

After finally defeating Gen Akitzuki, in episode 38, Yutaka Daimon and Denjin Zaborger take out the last Sigma robot, in episode 39, and Yutaka Daimon at last comes face to face with his father's killer, Dr. Akunomiya. However, Yutaka is not the only one interested in the demise of Sigma. Another evil group hiding in the shadows hopes for the elimination of a rival. And so Yutaka Daimon and Zaborger's battle to restore peace in Japan has really just began.

In episode 40, Yutaka Daimon finds himself up against an even more dangerous group the Dinosaur Army (Kyouryuu Gundan). To combat this group Yutaka Daimon is joined by a second, younger (and less skilled) Secret Police agent Ken Matsue who rides a bazooka-armed motorcycle called Machine Baja. Starting with episode 41 Machine Zaborger and Machine Baja merge together to form Strong Zaborger, a more powerful version of Denjin Zaborger.

The second half of the series (episodes 40-52) was given the subtitle of Denjin Zabôgâ tai Kyouryuu Gundan which translates to Electroid Zaborger vs. the Dinosaur Army.

The Dinosaur Army is led by an ancient monster, Triple Neck Demon (Majin Mitsu Kubi). It's a three-headed dinosaur or dragon. One head of this ancient beast spits fire, one poison gas and one a bolt of energy. Triple Neck Demon's chief aides are the human worshipers Devil Hat (Akuma Hatto) and Queen Meza (JyouOu Meza). Devil Hat makes the dinosaur shaped robots for the Dinosaur Army and uses his hat like a weapon (he throws it). Queen Meza is an expert at disguises and serves as a spy. Under these three are the Dinosaur Army Mecha (Devil Hat's robots), Dinosaur Army Hitmen (human assassins) and the repitle headed Dragon Face Soldiers.

Music

Opening Theme

• "Tatakae! Denjin Zaborger!" (Fight! Electroid Zaborger!) music by Shunsuke Kikuchi, lyrics by Shozo Uehara, vocals by Masato Shimon

Ending Theme

• "Ore No Kyoudai Denjin Zaborger" (My Brother Electroid Zaborger) music by Shunsuke Kikuchi, lyrics by Shozo Uehara, vocals by Masato Shimon

Cast

• Zaborger: Yoichiro Tajiri
• Yutaka Daimon: Akira Yamaguchi
• Chief Inspector Daigoro Nitta (episodes 1-29): Nagami Jun
• Miyo Nitta (episodes 1-39): Midori Hoshino
• Hiroshi Nitta: Masahiro Kamiya
• Detective Nakano: Eeichi Kikuchi
• Dr. Akunomiya (episodes 1-39): Ken Okabe
• Miss Borg (episodes 1-35: Ritsuko Fujiyama
• Gen Akitzuki (episodes 22-30, 34-38) : Ken Kazato aka Yûsuke Kazato
• Lady Borg (episodes 37-39): Taeko Yoshida
• Devil Hat (episodes 40-52): Takanobu Toya
• Queen Meza (episodes 40-52): Mitsuko Tsutsumi
• Ken Matsue (episodes 40-52): Tatsuya Sakada

Trivia

• There was a 4 month break between episode 39 (aired in Japan on December 27, 1974) and episode 40 (April 06, 1975).
• During the 1970s the first 39 episodes were aired in Hawaii, with English subtitles. The remaining 13 episodes never made it to Hawaii.
• Akira Yamaguchi had a regular role in P Productions 1967 television series Kaijû Ôji (Monster Prince or Dinosaur Prince) as well as costarring in Toei's 1973 series Kamen Rider V3. He died of liver cancer April 6, 1986. He was 41 years old.
• Eeichi Kikuchi (Detective Nakano) was the in suit actor for Ultraman Jack in Tsuburaya Productions' 1971 series Return of Ultraman. He was also the evil Professor Iguana in Toei's 1982 sentai Dai Sentai Goggle V.
• Masahiro Kamiya (Hiroshi Nitta) is probably better known as Masaru Komyoji in Toei's 1972 series Jinzo Ningen Kikaider.
• Ritsuko Fujiyama (Miss Borg) had previously played the evil women Olga, member of the Shine Shine Dan in Toho's 1972 series Rainbowman. She was also the wicked General Zenobia in Toei's 1983 sentai series Kagaku Sentai Dynaman.
• Ken Kazato (Gen Akitzuki) would switch from playing a villain in Denjin Zaborger to playing a hero in Toei's 1978 sentai series J.A.K.Q. Dengeki Tai. He was Bunta Daichi, the Clover King.
• Takanobu Toya (Devil Hat) played the evil space ape Gori in P Production's 1971 series Spectreman. He was also one of the stuntmen in Tsuburaya Productions' 1971 series Return of Ultraman, 1973 series Ultraman Taro and Fireman.