Yatterman

Yatterman
ヤッターマン (Yattāman)
Genre	Comedy, science fiction
TV anime
Time Bokan Series Yatterman
Directed by	Hiroshi Sasagawa
Studio	Tatsunoko Productions
Network	Fuji TV
Original run	January 1, 1977 – January 27, 1979
Episodes	108[1]
TV anime
Studio	Tatsunoko
Network	YTV
Original run	January 14, 2008 – September 27, 2009
Episodes	60 (List of episodes)
Anime film
Yatterman: Shin Yatter Mecha Daishūgō! Omocha no Kuni de Daikessen da Koron!
Directed by	Masakazu Hishida
Produced by	Yoshikazu Tochihira
Written by	Daisuke Watanabe Masakazu Hishida Natsuko Takahashi
Music by	Masaaki Jinbo Masayuki Yamamoto
Studio	Tatsunoko Production
Released	August 22, 2009
Anime and Manga Portal

Yatterman (ヤッターマン, Yattāman^?) is a Japanese anime television series broadcast from January 1, 1977 to January 27, 1979, comprising 108 episodes. It is the second and longest show in the Time Bokan series by Tatsunoko Productions. The series succeeded Time Bokan and preceded Zenderman; it was the final series to be produced by company founder Tatsuo Yoshida prior to his death.

A remake of Yatterman has been airing on NTV and Yomiuri TV since January 2008, with the original voice actors for the Dorombo gang. A live-action adaptation was released theatrically in March 2009.

Plot

A mysterious stone known as Skull Stone (ドクロストーン, Dokurosutōn^?) is scattered across the planet, and it holds the power to reveal the location of the largest deposit of gold in the world. The "Dorombō (ドロンボー, Dorombō^?) Gang, the three villains, are searching for the Skull Stone. Their plans are constantly foiled by Yatterman, the mecha-riding duo.

Unlike the previous series, Yatterman does not cover any specific time/space travel. Instead, the places the characters travel to and the individuals they meet are either an homage or parody. The fictional characters or places are usually represented by purposely misspelled names or familiar actions. For example, a revolution leader is named "Yashington" as a homage to George Washington; and a place resembling ancient Japan is named "Yametai" ((I) want to stop), as a spoof of Yamatai.

Characters

Heroes

• Gan-chan (ガンちゃん^?): Voiced by Yoshiko Ohta (1977–1979), Hiroyuki Yoshino (2008). Gan Takada is a 13-year-old boy whose father is a famous toy designer who failed to complete the "Yatter-Wan", a dog-shaped all-terrain rescue robot. Gan is an expert in mechanics, and he helps fix his father's dream design. He forms a fighting team with his girlfriend Ai, and names himself "Yatterman No. 1" (ヤッターマン-1, Yattāman Ichi-go^?). His weapon of choice is a kendama, which he uses as a flail and grappling hook as well as for his special attack "Kenda-Magic", a zapping attack.^[2] He is shown to be much more careless in the 2008 of the show and has tendency to frustrate Ai.

• Ai-chan (アイちゃん^?): Voiced by Mari Okamoto^[3] (1977–1979), Shizuka Itō (2008). Ai Kaminari is Gan's girlfriend, and the only daughter of a shopkeeper who sells electrical appliances. She is Gan's loyal follower. She is often seen constructing and modifying machines with Gan. She is "Yatterman No. 2" (ヤッターマン-2, Yattāman Ni-go^?), and uses a telescoping baton called "Electric Stick" to emit electric currents to shock opponents.^[3] In the 2008 version of the show, she often refer things as "100%" (for example "We are in 100% of trouble")

• Omotchama (オモッチャマ, Omocchama^?): Voiced by Reiko Katsura (1977–1979), Chiaki Takahashi (2008). Omotchama is Gan's robot. It serves as the mascot of Gan's father's toy shop. It is shaped like a large dice, and is known for its catchphrase "-da-koron" at the end of each sentence.

Villains

• Doronjo (ドロンジョ, Doronjo^?): Voiced by Noriko Ohara. Doronjo is an attractive blonde who leads the Dorombo Gang in locating the Dokuro Stone. She is known for her vanity, intelligence and leadership, just like her counterpart from Time Bokan, Marjo.^[3]

• Boyacky (ボヤッキー, Boyakkī^?): Voiced by Jōji Yanami. He is a tall skinny man with a large nose and moustache, just like his counterpart Grocky in Time Bokan.^[3] He is clever, lecherous and largely responsible for the creation of the giant mechas used by the Dorombo Gang.He usually appears naked according to his comic Bogeboge Boyacky(ボゲボゲボヤッキー).

• Tonzura (トンズラー, Tonzurā^?): Voiced by Kazuya Tatekabe. A short, muscular, squat man with a severe overbite and facial stubble, just like his counterpart Walther in Time Bokan.^[3] Tonzura is the strong man of the group and does most of the heavy lifting, though he's usually quick to run away when threatened. He speaks in kansai-ben.

• Dokurobei (ドクロベエ, Dokurobē^?): Voiced by Junpei Takiguchi. He is the elusive boss of the Dorombo Gang. He gives orders regarding the location of the Dokuro Stone to his subordinates in unusual ways, such as through a talking hamburger or the image of a red skull on a TV screen. Even when his leads are revealed to be inaccurate, Dokurobei is always quick to punish the Dorombo Gang when they fail.

Mechas

• Yatter-Wan (ヤッターワン, Yattā-Wan^?) Voiced by Masaru Ikeda (1977–1979), Kōichi Yamadera (2008). The dog-shaped robot was designed by Gan's father as a prototype rescue robot. It is fitted with a siren and a bell, similar to other rescue vehicles, and a joystick to control the other features. Its nostrils fire iron pellets, and holds two firehoses on its back. A bone-shaped power pack, known as "Mecha-Tonic", is fed to the dog robot to allow a sudden outburst of strength to ward off a deadly blow. The robot's special attack is a large group of miniature robots, usually taking the shape of land-based animals, exit the robots mouth. The mini-robots use their weapons on the enemy, causing the Doronbo's robots to explode and create a skull-shaped explosion cloud.

• Yatter-King (ヤッターキング, Yattā-Kingu^?): Voiced by Masaru Ikeda. Yatter-King was built using the damaged remains of Yatter-Wan. It is a much larger machine, resembling a crossover of a fire engine with a dachshound. It comes with a complete series of new features, including a tail that serves as a firehose, a projectile launcher on its rear body and a body that serves as a mecha-carrier for a series of smaller robots. In the 2009 version, it has a design with a more fighting ability and a "king" like robot design.

• Yatter-Pelican (ヤッターペリカン, Yattā-Perikan^?): Voiced by Masaru Ikeda (1977–1979), Kōichi Yamadera (2008). Yatter-Pelican is a pelican robot. It appeared in the 14th episode. It is constructed by Gan as an airborne mecha for the Yatterman duo. Pelican has a braggard, loud-mouthed personality. It feeds on a fish-shaped Mecha-Tonic for a power boost, and the mini-robots it releases are shaped like various birds.

• Yatter-Angler (ヤッターアンコウ, Yattā-Ankō^?): Voiced by Masaru Ikeda (1977–1979), Kōichi Yamadera (2008). Angler is a goosefish robot, it appeared in the 27th episode. It is constructed as the only all-terrain mecha for the Yatterman, and is equipped with a cockpit for underwater travels. The Mecha-Tonic is in the shape of a fish-roe, and releases mini-robots shaped like marine creatures. It has a funny, constantly gurgling voice as if it talks underwater.

• Yatter-Phant (ヤッターゾウ, Yattā-Zō^?): Voiced by Masaru Ikeda. Phant is an elephant robot. The machine is introduced in the 92nd episode as an alternate mecha-carrier alongside Yatter-King. Its most noticeable feature is its ears, which flap to allow flight, and its trunk serves as a water-hose/flamethrower.

• Yatter-Bull (ヤッターブル, Yattā-Buru^?): Voiced by Masaru Ikeda. It is a bulldog robot. It is one of the three "Action Mechas" introduced in the 58th episode and carried by Yatter-King.

• Yatter-Dozilla (ヤッタードジラ, Yattā-Dojira^?): Voiced by Masaru Tanaka; A robot built by Gan and also can drill underground

• Yatter-Panda (ヤッターパンダ, Yattā-Panda^?) & Little Panda (コパンダ, Ko-Panda^?): Voiced by Masaru Ikeda & Kumiko Takizawa.

• Yatter-Yokozuna (ヤッターよこづな, Yattā-Yokozuna^?): Voiced by Kenichi Ogata; A sumo robot.

The villains' machines

The shape and function of their mechas is fully dependent on the theme of the scam-business they run at the beginning of each episode. Their machines usually feature a familiar interior with Boyacky and Tonzura sitting at the sides, and Doronjo sitting in the middle bossing the two. The villains' machines are often seen packing a lot of weaponry and usually temporarily defeat Yatterman mechas at the beginning of each fight. Later in the show, the villains start to deploy their own armies of miniature robots to counter those of Yatterman.

Media

1977 television series

１ ヤッターマン出動だコロン
２ プジィプトの水売り娘だコロン
３ フロダリビーチの大王だコロン
４ 北極海のアザラシだコロン
５ イルカ王国の宝だコロン
６ トンカの神殿を守るコロン
７ レオのカーニバルだコロン
８ イマラヤの雪男だコロン
９ アフリシャ探検だコロン
１０ ナス湖のナッシーだコロン
１１ ナゾの三角領域だコロン
１２ トースター島の秘密だコロン
１３ びっくりアマゾメスだコロン
１４ 大怪盗ドンパンだコロン
１５ ナイプスの少女だコロン
１６ ヤメタイコクの女王だコロン
１７ ビートラズは歌うだコロン
１８ 赤ちゃんパンダが生まれるコロン
１９ ああ！フンバルジャンでコロン
２０ 暗黒街のカッポレだコロン
２１ 燃えよ！レッドスリーだコロン
２２ ナイババの宝だコロン
２３ フラダースの猫だコロン
２４ ナイチンガールは天使だコロン
２５ ナゼカ平原の宇宙人だコロン
２６ 狼女がやって来たコロン
２７ 地底国の大冒険だコロン
２８ 月世界のかぐや姫だコロン
２９ ソウケイ牧場の決闘だコロン
３０ キングモングの島だコロン
３１ ドビンソン・クロースルだコロン
３２ 南極点のドクロだコロン
３３ モーロック・オームズだコロン
３４ 謎のヘンクツ王だコロン
３５ 海底ほとほとマイルだコロン
３６ ハルメンカスバに帰るだコロン
３７ ケチスの商人だコロン
３８ 忍者サスケは男だコロン
３９ エカコシストだコロン
４０ ブーブルースのカップだコロン
４１ ピノッキンは良い子だコロン
４２ 国際列車パニックだコロン
４３ 白鳥の王子だコロン
４４ ドロンボー三銃士だコロン
４５ 雪女の秘密だコロン
４６ アイアムテルは勇者だコロン
４７ 家あり子の冒険だコロン
４８ 死のレースに挑戦だコロン
４９ オニエ山のスッテン童子だコロン
５０ 柿太郎の鬼退治だコロン
５１ カエルの王子様だコロン
５２ 海賊船長ジルバーだコロン
５３ 怪人ヒネクレスだコロン
５４ 赤鯨を狙えだコロン
５５ カン流島の大決闘だコロン
５６ ピンクペアのベルトだコロン
５７ カッパ河原の決闘だコロン
５８ 舌切りインコだコロン
５９ ボケトルマン参上だコロン
６０ アタランデスの海坊主だコロン
６１ マンジュとスシ王だコロン
６２ 空飛ぶ孫六空だコロン
６３ イヤミ重太郎だコロン
６４ タコの惑星だコロン
６５ らしょう門の鬼だコロン
６６ ハレマンジャロの大爆発だコロン
６７ 剣道一直線だコロン
６８ 雪の女王だコロン
６９ マボロスト山征服だコロン
７０ くらい山のひよ若丸だコロン
７１ 泣き虫鉢かぶり姫だコロン
７２ ネムール森の美女だコロン
７３ 釜ゆでゴエモンだコロン
７４ ハシレメドスの友情だコロン
７５ 忍術ジライヤだコロン
７６ 天の川の決闘だコロン
７７ 銅仮面だコロン
７８ ランプ売りの少女だコロン
７９ グズの魔法使いだコロン
８０ サトミ三犬伝
８１ 凡才画家ゴーマンだコロン
８２ 塚原ボケ伝だコロン
８３ 半里の長城だコロン
８４ 勇士スパルタオスだコロン
８５ 人魚姫だコロン
８６ ジャンダックは聖女だコロン
８７ アラランの魔法のランプだコロン
８８ 赤毛のランだコロン
８９ ノンキホーテだコロン
９０ コロンボスの珍大陸だコロン
９１ わらしべノン太だコロン
９２ 春の夜の夢だコロン
９３ あっぱれトマトコケルだコロン
９４ レフト兄弟だコロン
９５ ユメノバトラだコロン
９６ タザギの恩返しだコロン
９７ ぶんぶくお釜だコロン
９８ 迷犬ラッキーだコロン
９９ アーサー王の剣だコロン
100 エンゼルとグレートルだコロン
101 アレスサンダー大王だコロン
102 ヤシントン大統領だコロン
103 シッパイツアーだコロン
104 イヤ王だコロン
105 コレクター博士だコロン
106 二宮銀次郎だコロン
107 ドジソンの大発明だコロン
108 アワテルローの戦いだコロン

2008 television series

See also: List of Yatterman episodes (2008)

In January 2008, nearly 31 years after the original series, a remake started airing on Yomiuri TV. It is a retelling of the original story, updated to fit the tastes of the modern public.

Live-action film

Logo for the new Yatterman movie

Main article: Yatterman (film)

On April 10, 2007, Nikkatsu Corporation agreed to produce two live-action movies based on two popular 1970's anime series: Yatterman and Gatchaman.

Filming began on March 27, 2008,^[4] and concluded at the end of May 2008.^[4] It is directed by Takashi Miike. Character and mechanical designs were handled by Katsuya Terada, who has worked on Blood: The Last Vampire and Cutie Honey. The film opened on March 7, 2009, and became Japan's top movie at the box office on its first week.^[5][6]

2009 anime film

On August 22, 2009, an anime film based on the of the of 2008 television series was released in Japan.^[7] Titled Yatterman: Shin Yatter Mecha Daishūgō! Omocha no Kuni de Daikessen da Koron! (ヤッターマン 新ヤッターメカ大集合!オモチャの国で大決戦だコロン!^?) and directed by Masakazu Hishida, the film opened at #10 with US$702,155 on 210 screens.^[8]

Other appearances

Yatterman-1 and Doronjo (assisted by Boyacky and Tonzura) appear as playable characters in the cross-over fighting game, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes, released by Capcom for Wii in Japan in 2008. A follow up game, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars, which was released internationally in 2010, adds Yatterman-2 as a playable character. Doronjo, Boyacky and Tonzura share the same voice actors whilst Yatterman-1 and Yatterman-2 are voiced by Eri Kitamura and Emiri Kato respectively.

Yatterman also makes an appearance in the third episode of Sket Dance as a playable character.

Japanese pro wrestling fed Michinoku Pro is currently running a Yatter Man tribute gimmick, with wrestlers Hercules Senga and Tsutomu Oosugi as "Yapper Man #1" and "Yapper Man #2". They are the current Tohoku Tag Team Champions since October 2010. ^[9]

References

1. ^ "タツノコプロ-作品データベース-ヤッターマン" (in Japanese). Tatsunoko Productions. Archived from the original on 2008-03-25. http://web.archive.org/web/20080325012638/http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp/works/yatterman/yatter.html. Retrieved 2008-07-20. 
2. ^ "ヤッターマン". Tatsunoko Productions. Archived from the original on 2008-06-12. http://web.archive.org/web/20080612201332/http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp/works/yatterman/chara.html. Retrieved 2008-07-20. (Japanese)
3. ^ ^{a b c d e} "ヤッターマン". Tatsunoko Productions. Archived from the original on 2008-06-12. http://web.archive.org/web/20080612201332/http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp/works/yatterman/chara.html. Retrieved 2008-07-20. (Japanese)
4. ^ ^{a b} "世界を驚かせてやる！嵐・櫻井が映画「ヤッターマン」に自信" (in Japanese). Sankei Sports. 2008-03-27. Archived from the original on 2008-03-31. http://web.archive.org/web/20080331235615/http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200803/gt2008032807.html. Retrieved 2008-03-27. 
5. ^ "Japan Box Office, March 7–8. 2009". Box Office Mojo. http://boxofficemojo.com/intl/japan/?yr=2009&wk=10&p=.htm. Retrieved 2009-03-11. 
6. ^ Johnny's net
7. ^ "Yatterman Anime Movie Geared for August". Otaku USA. 2009-05-11. http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/LatestNews/Public/News1/1489.aspx. Retrieved 2009-08-14. 
8. ^ "Japanese Box Office, August 22–23". Anime News Network. September 6, 2009. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-09-06/japanese-box-office-august-22-23. Retrieved November 14, 2010. 
9. ^ http://www.purolove.com/misc/mpro/roster.php

• Japanese News Online [Yatterman Movie]

External links

• Official movie website
• Yatterman (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia