The appeal and reviews of "Time Bokan": Rediscovering good old anime

Time Bokan: A legendary anime that combines time travel and comedy

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 4, 1975 - December 25, 1976 Every Saturday 18:30-19:00

■Broadcasting station

Fuji TV Network

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 61

■Original Story

Tatsunoko Productions Planning Department

■ Director

General Director: Hiroshi Sasagawa

■ Production

Fuji Television, Tatsunoko Productions

■Works

©Tatsunoko Productions

■ Story

When the time machine "Time Bokan" was finally completed, its developer, Dr. Kieda, traveled back in time to a certain era during a test run. However, when the Time Bokan returned, the doctor was no longer in the cockpit, and only the parrot Perasuke and the most expensive jewel in the universe, "Diamond," were left behind. The doctor's assistant, Tanpei, and his granddaughter, Junko, began searching for the doctor in Time Bokan based on two clues. However, the villain trio, Majo's Gang, also pursue Tanpei and his group, aiming for the Diamond.

■Explanation

A treasure battle between good and evil unfolds as the story travels through various eras. The exquisite fusion of sci-fi mecha battles and comedy gained popularity, and the "Time Bokan Series" inherited the same concept, becoming the first in a series that would continue to capture the hearts of fans for many years to come.

■Cast

・Tanpei/Ota Yoshiko・Junko/Okamoto Mari・Perasuke/Takiguchi Junpei・Chorobo/Katsura Reiko・Kieda Hakase/Kai Ryuji・Majo/Ohara Noriko・Grocky/Yanagi Joji・Walther/Tatekabe Kazuya・Narrator/Toyama Kei

■ Main staff

・Producer/Tatsuo Yoshida ・Planning/Jinzo Chokai, Shigeru Yanagawa ・Original story/Tatsunoko Productions Planning Department ・Music/Masayuki Yamamoto ・Art director ・Mechanic design/Mitsutake Nakamura ・Character design/Yoshitaka Amano ・Producer/Masaru Shibata, Masashi Nagai ・General director/Hiroshi Sasagawa ・Production/Fuji Television, Tatsunoko Productions

■ Main Characters

Assistant to Dr. Tanpeikieda. Searches for the doctor in Time Bokan.
Junko: Dr. Kieda's granddaughter. She travels through time with Tanpei in search of her grandfather.
・A mini robot that supports Chorobo Tanpei and his friends.
A parrot that speaks Assistant Pera's language. The only one who knows the doctor's whereabouts.
- Dr. Kieda The genius scientist who developed Time Bokan.
・Majo The female leader of the Marjo Gang, a trio of villains.
・In charge of mecha development for the Groggy Majorjo gang.
- Responsible for physical labor for the Walthermajo gang.

■Subtitle

・Episode 1: Time Bokan Takes Off!・Episode 2: The Greek War of Stupidity・Episode 3: The Terrifying Witch Hunt・Episode 4: A Strange Journey to the West・Episode 5: Primitive People are Kind・Episode 6: Pirates Love Parrots・Episode 7: The Open Top is the Signal・Episode 8: Genghis Khan Makes His Grand Appearance!・Episode 9: The Great Western Duel・Episode 10: A Cool Ninja・Episode 11: The Inca Treasure is Found・Episode 12: The Secret of the Mona Lisa・Episode 13: The Great Sinking! Atlantis・Episode 14: Dracula Appears・Episode 15: The Magic Mallet is Swinged・Episode 16: Stupid! Episode 17: The Wright Brothers, Dororon! Goemon, Episode 18: Hurry! Snow White is in Danger, Episode 19: The Robot Kingdom 1000 Years Later, Episode 20: Ivan Doesn't Lie, Episode 21: Get Out of the Way! Don Quixote, Episode 22: Pinocchio's Great Adventure, Episode 23: Mito-sama is Wonderful, Episode 24: The Great Duel Between Ushiwakamaru and Benkei, Episode 25: Here It Is! Robin Hood, Petcha; Episode 26: Go, Go, Treasure Island, Petcha; Episode 27: We Discover Professor Kieda, Petcha; Episode 28: Jack and the Beanstalk, Petcha; Episode 29: Petcha Makes Flowers Bloom on a Dead Tree, Petcha; Episode 30: Watch Out for Little Red Riding Hood, Petcha; Episode 31: Cinderella Dreams, Petcha; Episode 32: Let's Protect the Elephant of the Future, Petcha; Episode 33: Surprise! The Heavenly Maiden is an Alien, Petcha; Episode 34: Charge! It's Yamata no Orochi, Petcha; Episode 35: Franken! Gamanda Petcha・Episode 36 / The Future is a Land of Baboons Petcha・Episode 37 / The King is Naked Petcha・Episode 38 / Momotaro Defeating the Demon Petcha・Episode 39 / The Pied Piper of Hamelin Petcha・Episode 40 / The Crane's Return of Favor Petcha・Episode 41 / The Dragon Palace is the Best Petcha・Episode 42 / The Secret of Apache Valley Petcha・Episode 43 / Princess Kaguya is Beautiful Petcha・Episode 44 / The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab Petcha・Episode 45 / The Mystery of Dr. Jekyll Petcha・Episode 46 / The Little Match Girl Petcha・Episode 47 / Aladdin and the Magic Lamp Petcha・Episode 48 / Kintaro of Mt. Ashigara Petcha・Episode 4 Episode 9 / Umi Sachi and Yama Sachi make up, Petcha・Episode 50 / Red shoes are sad, Petcha・Episode 51 / The world of the moon is wonderful, Petcha・Episode 52 / Petcha saves the mermaid princess, Petcha episode 53 / It's hard to be invisible, Petcha・Episode 54 / The mystery of the underground kingdom, Petcha episode 55 / Petcha builds a pyramid, Petcha episode 56 / The giants' commotion on Easter Island, Petcha episode 57 / The treasure of the vineyard, Petcha episode 58 / Where is the sparrow's inn, Petcha episode 59 / We became Gulliver, Petcha episode 60 / Sinbad's romance, Petcha episode 61 / Diamond is discovered, Petcha

■ Related works

Time Bokan Series Yatterman Time Bokan Series Zendaman Time Bokan Series Time Patrol Otasukeman Time Bokan Series Yattdetaman Time Bokan Series Gyakuten Ippatsuman Time Bokan Series Itadakiman Time Bokan Royal Road Revival Time Bokan 2000 Kaito Kiramekiman Yatterman The Movie New Yatter Mecha All Together! Great Battle in Toy Country, Colon!

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・Time Bokan Song・Lyrics: Masayuki Yamamoto・Composition: Masayuki Yamamoto・Arrangement: Ichihisa・Singer: Masayuki Yamamoto, Sakamoto Children's Choir・Ending theme
・Let's Go Gaikottsu・Lyrics: Masayuki Yamamoto・Music: Masayuki Yamamoto・Arrangement: Ichihisa・Singer: Royal Knights

The appeal and evaluation of Time Bokan

Time Bokan is a TV anime series produced by Tatsunoko Productions that aired from 1975 to 1976, and is known as a gag comedy with the theme of time travel. This work depicts the struggle between good and evil over the jewel "Diamond" by visiting various eras using the time machine "Time Bokan". Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and evaluation of Time Bokan.

A fusion of time travel and comedy

The greatest appeal of Time Bokan is the exquisite fusion of the sci-fi element of time travel and comedy comedy. The eras that the protagonists visit on Time Bokan range from ancient Greece to the future, and the story unfolds by skillfully incorporating the background of each era. For example, episode 2, "Greek's Crazy War, Petcha," depicts the protagonists getting caught up in the Trojan War in ancient Greece. Also, episode 19, "Robot Country, 1000 Years Later, Petcha," is full of gags set in a robot society of the future. These episodes give viewers the double enjoyment of laughter while enjoying historical and cultural knowledge.

Unique characters

Each character in Time Bokan has a strong personality, which is an important element in making the story more exciting. The main characters, Tanpei and Junko, are depicted as struggling to find Dr. Kieda, and their pure hearts and courage resonate with viewers. Meanwhile, the villains, Marjo and his gang, are portrayed as characters who are somehow lovable despite plotting evil deeds, and Marjo's sharp tongue and groggy style, and Walther's comical movements are particularly memorable. Another attraction is the unique setting in which a parrot named Pelasuke appears and can speak human language. The drama woven by these characters never tires the viewers.

Mecha design and battle scenes

Another point not to be missed is the mecha design of Time Bokan. Not only Time Bokan itself, but also the Gaikottsu mecha piloted by the Marjo gang has a unique design, providing visual enjoyment. In particular, the battle scenes between Time Bokan and Gaikottsu are a part where you can experience the true essence of science fiction anime, and have captured the hearts of children. Additionally, the mechas and tools that appear in each episode, which are in keeping with the historical background, also add to the visual interest.

Music and theme song

The music of Time Bokan is also an element that enhances the appeal of the work. The opening theme, "Time Bokan no Uta," was written and composed by Yamamoto Masayuki, and, together with the voices of the Sakamoto Children's Choir, it is a song that leaves a strong impression on viewers. The ending theme, "Soreyuke Gaikottsu," is also sung by the Royal Knights and is well-known as the villain's theme song. These theme songs not only enhance the atmosphere of the work, but are also important elements that are etched in the memories of viewers.

Series impact and reputation

Time Bokan became the origin of the subsequent Time Bokan series, giving birth to many spin-off works. The Time Bokan series, which includes Yatterman, Zendaman, and Otasukeman, has been loved for many years, and its influence is immeasurable, with new works being produced even in the 2000s. Time Bokan's comedy style and character settings also had a major impact on later anime works. In particular, the design and character traits of the villain, Marjo's gang, have been imitated in many works, and Time Bokan's influence extends to the entire anime industry.

Viewer reviews

Time Bokan was hugely popular with children when it was first broadcast. The fusion of science fiction elements such as time travel and comedy stimulated children's imaginations, and many viewers looked forward to the weekly broadcasts. The characters from Time Bokan also became popular among children as toys and merchandise, sparking a boom that could be called a social phenomenon. Even today, Time Bokan is loved by many fans, and its popularity has not waned, with remakes and reruns being made.

Recommended points

Time Bokan is an appealing work that combines the science fiction element of time travel with comedy. It is especially popular among children, and can be enjoyed by the whole family. The characters in Time Bokan are unique and have a charm that captures the hearts of viewers. In addition, Time Bokan's mecha design and battle scenes are also points not to be missed, providing visual enjoyment. The music and theme songs are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work and will be etched in the memories of viewers. Time Bokan is the origin of the subsequent Time Bokan series and is an influential work that has spawned many spin-off works. It has been highly rated by viewers and is still loved by many fans today. If you have not seen Time Bokan yet, please give it a watch. You will surely be drawn in by its charm.