The Appeal and Evaluation of Hariken Polymar: Reevaluating the Good Old Special Effects

All-round evaluation and recommendation of Hurricane Polymer

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 4, 1974 - March 28, 1975 Every Friday 18:00-18:30

■Broadcasting station

TV Asahi

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 26

■Original Story

Tatsuo Yoshida, Tatsunoko Productions Planning Office

■ Director

General Director: Toriumi Nagayuki

■ Production

NET, Tatsunoko Productions, Mannensha

■Works

©Tatsunoko Productions

■ Story

A third-rate detective, Kuruma Kagi, has his office in Washinkyo City, Amehon. His rookie assistant, Gaimushi, is a dull young man, but he transforms into the superhuman Polymar using a special helmet equipped with a transformation function, "Polymet." He uses his own martial arts technique, "Hariken-ryu," to deliver a righteous iron fist to the villains who threaten the peace of the city.

■Explanation

Clad in a newly developed special suit made of a super material, Polymer, an emissary of justice, defeats the villains rampant in the city. This is a sci-fi hero action movie with a comedic flavor, where the dialogue between the goofy characters invites laughs, while the powerful fighting scenes incorporating kung fu action are captivating.

"Hurricane Polymar" is a TV anime series produced by Tatsunoko Productions that aired from 1974 to 1975. This work was extremely popular with children at the time, and was especially notable for its unique humor and action scenes. The sight of the main character, a samurai in armor, transforming into the superhuman Polymar using the Polymet to fight evil moved many viewers. In addition, unique characters such as Kuruma Kagi and Nanba Teru livened up the story and entertained viewers.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its balance of comedy and action. Polymer's transformation and battle scenes are very cool, stimulating children's desire to become heroes. On the other hand, there are also many humorous scenes, such as Kuruma-kagi's clumsy detective behavior and Nanba Teru's inquisitive behavior, making it enjoyable for both laughs and emotions.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The opening theme "Fight! Polymar" and the ending theme "Tenshin Polymar" were deeply engraved in the hearts of viewers thanks to the powerful vocals of Isao Sasaki and Columbia Yurikagokai and the music composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi. These songs continue to be loved by many fans even today.

Furthermore, this work had a major influence on subsequent anime works. In particular, it is highly regarded as a pioneer of action anime incorporating transforming heroes and comedy elements. Related works such as "Shin-Ha-Ri-Ken Polymar" were also produced, further expanding the worldview of Polymar.

"Hurricane Polymer" is an entertainment piece that can be enjoyed by both children and adults, and its appeal has not faded to this day, and it continues to be loved by many fans. If you want to enjoy some nostalgic anime or are looking for a new hero story, be sure to check out this work.

■Cast

・Armored Warrior (Polymer) / Kazuyuki Sogabe ・Kuruma Jyo / Takeshi Aono ・Teru Nanba / Miho Ochiai ・Tora Gorou Onikawahara / Masashi Amemori ・Baron / Kazuya Tatebe

■ Main staff

・Original work: Tatsuo Yoshida, Tatsunoko Production Planning Office ・Planning: Jinzo Toriumi, Akiyoshi Sakai ・Character design: Tatsuo Yoshida, Yoshitaka Amano ・Mechanical design: Mitsuki Nakamura, Kunio Okawara ・Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi ・Animation director: Tsuneo Ninomiya ・Art director: Mitsuki Nakamura ・Sound recording director: Yasunori Honda ・Producers: Shinichi Miyazaki, Mitsuo Sato, Kimihiko Eto ・General director: Nagayuki Toriumi ・Production: NET, Tatsunoko Productions, Mannensha

■ Main Characters

・Armored Warrior/Polymer A rookie assistant at the East Detective Agency. He usually pretends to be a funny guy, but he hides his true identity and confronts the bad guys in the city as the superhuman Polymer.
A third-rate car key detective. He calls himself the "second Sherlock Holmes," but he's clumsy and always makes mistakes.
Teru Nanba is the owner of the building in which the Higashi Detective Agency is located. She is very curious and likes to stick her nose into cases.
An old St. Bernard kept at the Baron Car Detective Agency. He is the only person who can understand human language and knows the true identity of Polymer.

■Subtitle

Episode 1: The Musasabi Thieves, Episode 2: The Assassin Crimson Scorpion, Episode 3: The Centipede Gang, Episode 4: The Coiling Demon King Rattlesnake, Episode 5: The Thread-Spinning Demon Earth Spider, Episode 6: The Mecha-Transforming Mole Bandits, Episode 7: The Woof-Woof Cam Killer, Episode 8: The Dissolving Machine Utsubo, Episode 9: The Cat Demon Gang Dances in the Darkness, Episode 10: The Jellyfish Gang of the Electric Demon Gang, Episode 11: The White Wolf of the Mechanical Beast Gang, Episode 12: The Birdman Torimechaman, Episode 13: The Phantom Hazy Butterfly, Episode 14: The Chu-Chu Operation, Episode 15: The Lightning Monster Pikader, Episode 16: The Beast Fish Pirate Pelacanth・Episode 17/The Secret of Polymer's Birth・Episode 18/The Crisis of -50°C・Episode 19/The Demon Monster Verodasse・Episode 20/The Phantom Fishman Thief・Episode 21/Konkon's Seven Transformations・Episode 22/The Vengeful Demon Kerakabuto・Episode 23/The Undersea Demon Fish-Tonbi・Episode 24/The Mysterious Octopus Mask・Episode 25/The Sea Turtle General Bekkoda・Episode 26/Polymer's Final Battle

■ Related works

Shinpa Urakken Polymer

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Fight! Polymer"
Lyrics: Jinzo Toriumi Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi Vocals: Isao Sasaki, Columbia Yurikagokai Ending theme:
・Tenshin Polymer ・Lyrics by Akiyoshi Sakai ・Music by Shunsuke Kikuchi ・Singer by Isao Sasaki, Columbia Yurikago-kai

■Recommendation

"Hurricane Polymer" is a work that symbolizes the golden age of Japanese animation in the 1970s, and its unique humor and action are appealing. It is especially recommended for those who like action anime with transforming heroes and comedy elements. It is also perfect for those who want to enjoy nostalgic anime and those looking for entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.

To get a deeper understanding of the appeal of this work, please watch it while paying attention to the following points.

1. **Character Personality and Growth**: Each character, including the protagonist Yoroi Bushi, Sharukagi, and Nanba Teru, has their own unique personality, and you can enjoy their growth and changes. In particular, you can't miss the scene where Yoroi Bushi transforms into Polymar and Sharukagi's clumsy detective skills.

2. **Powerful action scenes**: The fighting scenes in Polymer are very cool and will stimulate children's desire to become heroes. In particular, the fighting scenes that incorporate kung fu action are worth watching.

3. **The appeal of the music**: The opening theme "Fight! Polymar" and the ending theme "Tenshin Polymar" were deeply engraved in the hearts of viewers thanks to the powerful singing voices of Isao Sasaki and Columbia Yurikagokai and the composition by Shunsuke Kikuchi. These songs continue to be loved by many fans even today.

4. **Comedy Elements**: There are many humorous scenes, such as Kuruma Kagi's clumsy detective skills and Nanba Teru's curious behavior, allowing you to enjoy both laughs and emotions.

5. **Connections with related works**: Related works such as "Shin-Haurake Polymer" were also produced, further expanding the world of Polymer. By watching these works together, you can enjoy the world of Polymer more deeply.

As mentioned above, "Hurricane Polymar" has entertained many viewers with its unique charm and entertainment value. Please watch this work and experience its charm for yourself.