Akumaizer 3

is a Japanese science fiction tokusatsu television series, created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei Company. The series premiered on Tuesday October 7, 1975 at 7:30, and ran for 38 episodes in that timeslot on NET, now known as TV Asahi. The series remains obscure outside of Japan, but was popular and renowned in its home country.

Plot summary

The program follows the adventures of three mutant superhero-refugees from the "Akuma Clan" ("Devil Clan", in English), a vast empire that exists below the surface of the Earth, and their efforts to stop the Akumas from attacking the surface world. The three warriors are Zabitan, a half-demon swordsman, Iberu ("evil"), a somewhat vain and foppish sharpshooter, and Gabura ("gobbler"), a slow-and-dim-witted strongman wielding a mighty mace. Together, they make up the superheroic team of the show's title. At the end of the series, the heroes' bodies are destroyed, but their souls survive to be reincarnated in the direct sequel to the show, "Choujin Bibyun"

Production

The program frequently alludes to the famous Alexandre Dumas, père novel "The Three Musketeers".

Due to the inhuman nature of the main characters, the primary protagonists and antagonists were portrayed exclusively by stuntmen, with only their voices being portrayed by professional actors. Because of this, an unusual number of well-known seiyuu star in the series, as the voices of the main characters. Makio Inoue portrays Xavitan. [cite web|url=http://fcti.multiply.com/photos/photo/310/120|title=According to S.I.C. Saga Vol. 2, the official name is "Xavitan", not Zabitan.|accessdate=2008-01-25] , Kōji Yada plays Evil, and Jōji Yanami provides Gabra's [cite web|url=http://fcti.multiply.com/photos/photo/310/120|title=According to S.I.C. Saga Vol. 2, the official name of the two is "Evil" and "Gabra".|accessdate=2008-01-25] gravelly intonation.

Merchandise

The series was released on Region 2 DVD in October 2005. [ [http://adg.invisionzone.com/lofiversion/index.php/t656.html "Akumaizer 3"] at "Asian DVD Guide"] In December of the same year, a boxed set of action figures of slightly redesigned versions of the three characters was released as part of Bandai's Super Imaginative Chogokin series. [ [http://www.hlj.com/product/BAN932919 SIC "Akumaizer 3"] at Hobby Links Japan.] [ [http://www.pbase.com/kelvinphoto/sic31 A gallery of the "Akumaizer 3" figures] ]

ee also

Both Go Nagai's "Devilman" and Ryōsuke Takahashi's "Blue Comet SPT Layzner" share many themes with "Akumaizer 3", such as the rebellion against an evil empire that the protagonist is also a part of, and being forced into combat against former friends, allies, and family members. "Devilman" also has the particular similarity of featuring a protagonist who fits the more traditional image of a monster or a demon than a hero.

References

* [http://www.japanhero.com/profiles/akumaizer_3_profileL.htm "Akumaizer 3"] at the Japan Hero Encyclopedia.
* [http://www.japanhero.com/tokusatsu%20reviews/akumaizer3.htm A review of "Akumaizer 3"] at Japan Hero.
*imdb title|id=0182555|title=Akumaizâ surî

Footnotes