Galaxy Shippu Sasuraiger: A thorough analysis of the appeal and excitement of space adventure

"Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger": The adventures and friendship of a gambler running through space

"Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger," which aired from 1983 to 1984, is the third installment of the J9 series produced by International Eigasha, and is an adventure story about gamblers set in space. This work was loved by many fans as a work with a unique appeal during the robot anime boom of the 1980s. Below, we will introduce detailed information about this work and its appeal.

■Overview of the work

Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger was broadcast on TV Tokyo from April 5, 1983 to January 31, 1984 every Tuesday from 5:55 to 6:25 p.m. The series, which consists of 43 episodes, is divided into 30-minute slots. It was directed by Takao Yotsuji and produced and written by Kokusai Eigasha.

■ Story

100 years into the future from the time of "Bakushinger". Peace was returning to the solar system, but behind the scenes, a huge crime organization was operating. A young man was constantly winning at the casino planet J9 Land, and the casino's owner, Bloody God, was on the verge of bankruptcy, so he offered him a "big gamble". The bet was that if he could travel around all 50 planets in the solar system in one year, he would be paid 120 billion yen. I.C. Bruce, a young gambler, accepts the bet and sets off on a journey with his fellow JJ9 team members.

■Explanation

"Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger" was produced as the third installment of International Eigasha's J9 series. Although it is a sequel to the previous works "Ginga Senpu Braiger" and "Ginga Reppu Baxinger", it introduces a new story and characters. Based on Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days", this work is depicted as a space adventure mecha action. The four main cast members are the same as the previous work and continue to play active roles. In addition, the "Synchron System" that was present in the previous two works, where the mechas grow giant and combine, was eliminated, and a new element was introduced in which the locomotive transforms. This allowed for more dynamic action scenes, which became an element that attracted viewers.

■Cast

The main cast includes:

• I.C. Bruce: Kazuyuki Sogabe
• Unstoppable Lock: Kanehito Shiozawa
• Silly Beat: Koichi Mori
• Whimsical Birdie: Yoko Asagami
• D.D. Richman: Joji Yanami
• Jimmy Kenjo: Tsubasa Shioya
• Susie Zhang: Masako Miura
• Bloody God: Eiji Kanie

■ Main staff

The key staff members are:

• Produced by Juzo Tsubota
• Planning: Shigeo Tsubota
• Producer: Shigeo Tsubota
• Original story and series composition: Yamamoto Yu
• General Director: Takao Yotsuji
• Main character design: Kazuo Komatsubara
• Main Mecha Designer: Submarine
• Screenplay: Masaru Yamamoto and others
• Directed by: Matsuura Johei and others
• Animation director: Hajime Kaneko and others
• Art setting: Iwamitsu Ito
• Music: Joe Hisaishi
• Sound Director: Takao Yotsuji
• Sound: Tsuneo Saito
• Effects: Kazutoshi Sato
• Produced and written by: International Film Company

■ Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes are as follows:

• OP1 "Galaxy Shippu Sasuraiger"
  • Lyricist: Yamamoto Yu
  • Composer: Masayuki Yamamoto
  • Arrangement: Joe Hisaishi
  • Sung by: MOTCHIN
• ED1 (episodes 1 to 27) "Happy Song"
  • Lyricist: Yu Yamamoto
  • Composer: Masayuki Yamamoto
  • Arrangement: Joe Hisaishi
  • Vocals: Naomi Masuda
• ED2 (episodes 28 to 43) "Maybe Baby"
  • Lyricist: Yamamoto Yu
  • Composer: Joe Hisaishi
  • Arrangement: Masao Nakajima
  • Sung by: Kazuho Hiura

■ Main Characters

Details of the main characters are as follows:

• I.C. Bruce

  His real name is Bruce Carl Bernstein. He is the leader of the JJ9 team and the strongest gambler. He is a fundraiser with a sharp brain. He had a casino in J9 Land that was taken over by the Bloody God in the past.

• Unlocked Lock

  His real name is Locke Unlock. He is a gun-loving young man and a gunfighter on the JJ9 team. He is pursuing the gang of robbers who left his father, a former forest ranger, partially paralyzed. He is the gunner on the J9-III.

• Silly Beat

  His real name is Beat Mackenzie. He met Bruce in J9 Land and became a member of the team. He is a former racer and is mainly in charge of driving the J9-III.

• Whimsical Birdie

  Her real name is Birdie Shaw. She is a beautiful woman who used to work in the Space G-Men Intelligence Department. She is the only female member of the JJ9 team and is the operator of the J9-III.

• D.D. Richman

  His real name is Jean-Jacques Journey. He is in charge of information and material procurement and accounting. He designed and built the J9-III, but when the person who commissioned its construction went missing, he sold it to Bruce.

• Bloody God

  He is the owner of the casino at J9 Land, but in reality he is the boss of the dark crime organization, the Bloody Syndicate. He challenges Bruce to a "big gamble" and orders his subordinates to sabotage it.

■ Main robot items

The main robots and items are:

• Sasuraigar

  A giant robot that transforms from the J9-III, a steam locomotive-type private space train used by the JJ9 team. Its main weapons include a beam rifle and drum machine gun.

■Subtitle

The subtitles of each episode are as follows:

• Episode 1: The Big Game (1983/04/05)
• Episode 2: Fast running J9III (1983/04/12)
• Episode 3: Z Adventure (1983/04/19)
• Episode 4: Passport to Hell (1983/04/26)
• Episode 5: The Rainbow Escape (1983/05/03)
• Episode 6: The Gold of Malone Planet (1983/05/10)
• Episode 7: The Desert Thieves (1983/05/17)
• Episode 8: The Glory of Iyomontero (1983/05/24)
• Episode 9: Machine Gun Blues (Part 1) (1983/05/31)
• Episode 10: Machine Gun Blues (Part 2) (1983/06/07)
• Episode 11: Passionate Santa Maria (1983/06/14)
• Episode 12: Wandering Emblem (1983/06/21)
• Episode 13: Lake Berner's Melancholy (1983/06/28)
• Episode 14: Preseven Express (1983/07/05)
• Episode 15: Valley of the Demons (1983/07/12)
• Episode 16: Red Star of Revenge (1983/07/19)
• Episode 17: Give them a gravestone (1983/07/26)
• Episode 18: Anaconda's Secret (1983/08/02)
• Episode 19: Have You Seen the Saint Wing? (1983/08/09)
• Episode 20: The Blues of Inspector Organ (1983/08/16)
• Episode 21: Angel's Bitter Kiss (1983/08/23)
• Episode 22: Heartbreak City (1983/08/30)
• Episode 23: The Great Komya Escape (1983/09/06)
• Episode 24: The Amazing Asteroid (1983/09/13)
• Episode 25: Strange events at the Holy Atum Festival (1983/09/20)
• Episode 26: Saturn's Necklace (1983/09/27)
• Episode 27: The Holy Star Harukanari (1983/10/04)
• Episode 28: Christmas on Neptune (1983/10/11)
• Episode 29: Duel on Uranus (1983/10/18)
• Episode 30: Asteroid Queen (1983/10/25)
• Episode 31: Devil's Lake (1983/11/01)
• Episode 32: Wanted Rhapsody (1983/11/08)
• Episode 33: Love Chase (1983/11/15)
• Episode 34: Highway Star (1983/11/22)
• Episode 35: Kindness is not for the evil (1983/11/29)
• Episode 36: The Dandy Gang (1983/12/06)
• Episode 37: The Scarred Fighter (1983/12/13)
• Episode 38: The Orange Planet Ocean (1983/12/20)
• Episode 39: The Scorching Inner Try (1983/12/27)
• Episode 40: The Stars of Glory (1984/01/10)
• Episode 41: Lovers' Star Festival (1984/01/17)
• Episode 42: The Great Touchdown (1984/01/24)
• Episode 43: Happy Wedding (1984/01/31)

■ Related works

"Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger" is part of the following related series:

• TV anime "Galaxy Whirlwind Braiger" (1981)
• TV anime "Galactic Reppu Baxinger" (1982)

■ Evaluation and appeal

"Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger" has a unique position among the robot anime of the 1980s. Its appeal can be summarized in the following points:

1. The protagonist as a gambler

The main character, I.C. Bruce, overcomes various difficulties by making full use of his talent and wisdom as a gambler. This setting has a freshness not seen in other robot animes and has attracted viewers. Bruce's gambling scenes provide tension and thrills, and add depth to the story.

2. The scale of a space adventure

The spectacular setting of traveling around 50 planets in the solar system gives viewers a sense of the vast scale of the universe. Each planet has a different culture and landscape, providing visual enjoyment. In addition, each episode features a different adventure, making the story unpredictable and providing new surprises every time.

3. Innovation in mechanical design

The innovative idea of ​​transforming locomotives gave viewers a fresh surprise. The design of the Sasuraiger is different from conventional robot anime, and it has a strong visual impact. In addition, the dynamism of the transformation scenes served as the highlight of the action scenes, capturing the hearts of viewers.

4. The charm of the characters

Each member of the JJ9 team has a unique character, and the team's unity and friendship are depicted. In particular, the individuality of each character, such as I.C. Blues' leadership, Nukiuchi Rock's bravery, Beat's humor, and Whimsical Birdy's wisdom, enrich the story. In addition, the conflict with the powerful enemy, Bloody God, added tension to the story and drew viewers in.

5. The appeal of music

Joe Hisaishi's music is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme "Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger" conveys the thrill and excitement of the adventure, while the ending themes "Happy Song" and "Maybe Baby" enhance the moving story. The background music for each episode also skillfully expresses the emotions of each scene, enhancing the viewers' emotions.

■ Recommendation points

We recommend Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger for the following reasons:

1. The protagonist's exploits as a gambler

The exploits of I.C. Blues, who overcomes difficulties by making full use of his talent as a gambler, are a charm not found in other robot anime. The tension and thrill of the gambling scenes are elements that draw viewers in.

2. The scale of a space adventure

The epic setting of traveling to 50 planets in the solar system gives the viewer a sense of the vast scale of the universe. The different cultures and landscapes of each planet provide visual enjoyment and make the story unpredictable.

3. Innovation in mechanical design

The innovative idea of ​​transforming locomotives gave viewers a fresh surprise. The design of Sasuraiger is different from conventional robot anime, and it has a strong visual impact. In addition, the dynamism of the transformation scenes served as the highlight of the action scenes, capturing the hearts of viewers.

4. The charm of the characters

Each member of the JJ9 team has a unique character, and the team's unity and friendship are depicted. In particular, the individuality of each character, such as I.C. Blues' leadership, Nukiuchi Rock's bravery, Beat's humor, and Whimsical Birdy's wisdom, enrich the story. In addition, the conflict with the powerful enemy, Bloody God, added tension to the story and drew viewers in.

5. The appeal of music

Joe Hisaishi's music is an important element in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. The opening theme "Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger" conveys the thrill and excitement of the adventure, while the ending themes "Happy Song" and "Maybe Baby" enhance the moving story. The background music for each episode also skillfully expresses the emotions of each scene, enhancing the viewers' emotions.

Conclusion

"Ginga Shippu Sasuraiger" is a work with many appealing features, including the hero's exploits as a gambler, the scale of the space adventure, the innovative mecha design, the appeal of the characters, and the appeal of the music. The combination of these elements provides viewers with fresh surprises and excitement, and the work has a special place in the world of robot anime from the 1980s. Please watch this work and experience its appeal for yourself.