The appeal and reviews of "Red Photon Zillion": A must-see masterpiece for anime fans

Red Photon Zillion - The Story of Future Warriors

The 1987 TV anime series "Red Photon Zillion" was produced by Tatsunoko Productions and aired every Sunday on Nippon Television. It aired from April 12th to December 13th of the same year, with a total of 31 episodes. From episode 17 onwards, the title was changed to "Red Photon Zillion: Fierce Battle Edition", but the series title remains known as "Red Photon Zillion".

story

In the year 2387, the colony planet Malice, known as the second Earth, is attacked by the invaders, the Noza aliens. Humanity is quickly put at a disadvantage due to the overwhelming difference in military power, but they obtain three powerful ray guns called "Zillions" brought by an unknown super civilization. JJ, Champ, and Apple, who are entrusted with these Zillions, will take on a number of difficult missions against the Noza army as members of the special forces White Nuts.

Commentary

"Red Photon Zillion" is a science fiction action film depicting the battles of three young men who fight off an alien invasion force with an incredibly powerful ray gun that holds unknown powers. As a fierce war of aggression unfolds, with the survival of the species at stake, the film's popularity was fuelled by an ensemble cast of unique and attractive characters, and a light-hearted, fast-paced story. In particular, viewers were drawn to the growth and friendship of the main characters, and the appeal of the weapon known as Zillion.

cast

• JJ/Toshihiko Seki
• Champ/Kazuhiko Inoue
• Apple/Yuko Mizutani
• Chief Goad/Yoshi Fujimoto
• Dave/Taiju Nakamura
• Amy/Chieko Honda
• Baron Ricks/Hayami Sho
• Admiss / Toshiko Sawada
• Narrator/Osamu Kobayashi

Main Staff

• Produced by Ippei Kuri
• Planning: Kazuo Shimamura, Akira Inoue
• Literary composition: Masayoshi Sekishima
• Planning Coordinator/Motoki Ueda
• Setting cooperation: Tsunehisa Ito
• Character design: Takayuki Goto
• Opening/Takashi Nakamura
• Mechanic design: Ammonite (Hiroshi Ogawa, Takashi Ono, Hirotoshi Okura)
• Music by Jun Irie
• Art director/Kikuko Tada
• Director of photography: Kazunori Hashimoto (episodes 1-16), Ichita Furubayashi (episodes 17-31)
• Production: Yasutaka Tarumi, Yoshihito Suzuki, Hiromi Nishibori
• Production producer: Mitsuhisa Ishikawa
• Producers: Hidehiko Takei, Minoru Ohno, Hiroshi Iwata
• Chief Director/Mizuho Nishikubo
• Produced by Tatsunoko Productions

Main Characters

• J.J.
  A member of White Nuts. He's a playful but passionate man who gets out of one difficult situation after another with his unconventional actions.
• A member of Champ White Nuts. He's cool and smug, but also a bit absent-minded and an expert marksman.
• A member of Apple White Nuts. She is the only girl who combines kindness with excellent fighting skills.
• Baron Rick is the commander-in-chief of the Malice Strike Force of Noza's army. He targets JJ as his nemesis.

subtitle

• Episode 1/Codename: JJ
• Episode 2: Shoot the enemy above your head!
• Episode 3: The chance is 0.1 seconds!
• Episode 4: The Trap of the Invisible Ninja Corps
• Episode 5: Violating Apple's orders?!
• Episode 6: Launch of the Try Charger
• Episode 7: Deadly Battle! JJ vs. Ricks
• Episode 8: Blow away the underwater base!
• Episode 9: The Stolen Zillion
• Episode 10: Flame! Ricks' Counterattack
• Episode 11: The birth of a new Zillion!
• Episode 12: Shoot! Triple Shoot
• Episode 13: Angry Shutter Chance
• Episode 14: Nightingale of the Battlefield
• Episode 15: Life or death?! A fateful showdown [Part 1]
• Episode 16: Life or death?! A fateful showdown [Part 2]
• Episode 17: Tears! Find JJ
• Episode 18: Noza's Beautiful Challenge
• Episode 19: Game! Toss the Coin
• Episode 20: Squeeze with the power of heartbreak
• Episode 21: Clash! The Sniper
• Episode 22: A great victory born from a lie!
• Episode 23: Fear! The Evil Bioweapon
• Episode 24: Great Adventure! Opa-Opa the Warrior
• Episode 25: The Kind Fugitive Apple
• Episode 26: The approaching vengeful demon!
• Episode 27: Ricks the Ruthless Rebel
• Episode 28: Mystery!? Zillion Power
• Episode 29: Tragic! Ricks dies!?
• Episode 30: Planet Maris in dire straits!
• Episode 31: The Final Shot of Victory

Related Titles

"Red Photon Zillion: Diva Nocturne"

Theme songs and music

• OP
  
  • Pure Stone
  • Lyrics by Nobumi Tozawa
  • Composer: Yoshiaki Ouchi
  • Arrangement: Shingo Kobayashi
  • Vocals: Risa Yuuki
• ED1
  
  • Period: 1-20
  • Push!
  • Lyrics by Nobumi Tozawa
  • Composer: Jun Irie
  • Arrangement: Shingo Kobayashi
  • Vocals: Risa Yuuki
• ED2
  
  • Period: 21st to 31st
  • Rock Candy
  • Lyricist: Keiko Aso
  • Composer: Minoru Komorita
  • Arrangement: Jun Irie
  • Vocals: Risa Yuuki

Detailed evaluation and recommendation

"Red Photon Zillion" was loved by many viewers as a sci-fi action anime from the late 1980s. In particular, the individuality and growth of the main characters, and the appeal of the weapon called Zillion, enhance the story. Below, we will provide a detailed review and recommendation of the work.

Story and Characters

The story of "Red Photon Zillion" is set on the extraterrestrial colony planet Malice in the future. In the battle against the invading Noza aliens, three young men, JJ, Champ, and Apple, fight as members of the special forces White Nuts with a powerful photon gun called Zillion. The story skillfully expresses the tension and speed of an invasion war, and has the power to draw viewers in.

JJ is a hot-blooded man who is a joker and takes outrageous actions, Champ is a cool and conceited but somewhat absent-minded marksman, and Apple is the only female character with kindness and excellent fighting skills. The story is fascinating to watch as the characters grow while deepening their friendship and trust with each other. Another highlight is the battle with the enemy, Baron Rix, in which the main characters overcome the challenges they face during their battle with him.

Visuals and mechanics

The visuals of "Red Photon Zillion" are very sophisticated for an anime from the 1980s. The character designs are by Takayuki Goto, and each character's personality is well expressed. The mechanic designs are by Ammonite (Hiroshi Ogawa, Takatsugu Ono, and Hirotoshi Okura), and the mechanics of Zillion and the Tri-Charger are realistic and attractive. In particular, the design of Zillion is futuristic and has a strong visual impact.

Music and theme song

The music was composed by Jun Irie and plays an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the opening theme "Pure Stone" and the ending theme "Push!" and "Rock Candy" enhance the worldview of the work together with Risa Yuki's singing voice. These songs are important elements when viewers remember the work.

Recommended points

"Red Photon Zillion" is a highly polished sci-fi action anime, with a well-balanced combination of story, characters, visuals, and music. In particular, the growth and friendship of the main characters, and the appeal of the weapon called Zillion, attract viewers. Another highlight is the advanced visuals and mechanical design for an anime from the 1980s.

I highly recommend this work to those who like sci-fi action, those who like stories that depict the growth and friendship of the main characters, and those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of 1980s anime. It is also recommended for those who are interested in the design and mechanics of the weapon called Zillion. In addition, it is a perfect work for those who want to enjoy the work with Risa Yuki's singing voice.

Related works and their appeal

"Red Photon Zillion: Diva Nocturne" is known as a related work of "Red Photon Zillion". This work delves deeper into the charm of the weapon called Zillion, and is a must-see for fans. In addition, it depicts the new adventures and growth of the main characters, so even fans of the original series can enjoy it from a new perspective.

Conclusion

"Red Photon Zillion" is a highly polished anime from the 1980s, with a well-balanced combination of story, characters, visuals, and music. The growth and friendship of the main characters, and the appeal of the weapon called Zillion, attracted viewers and created many fans. It is highly recommended for those who like sci-fi action, those who like stories that depict the growth and friendship of the main characters, and those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of 1980s anime. Also, by enjoying the related work "Red Photon Zillion: Diva Nocturne," you will be able to gain a deeper understanding and be moved by it.