The appeal and reviews of "Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION": A must-see for anime fans

The appeal and reviews of "Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION": A must-see for anime fans

Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION

■ Public Media
TV anime series
■ Original Media
comics
■ Broadcast period
October 16, 2000 - January 8, 2001
■Broadcasting station
・Broadcast/Kids Station
■Frequencies
half an hour
■ Number of Episodes
Episode 12
■Original Story
・Original work: Shotaro Ishinomori "Android Kikaider"
■ Director
・Director: Tensai Okamura
■ Production
RADIX, Studio OX
■Works
©2000 Ishimori Productions/SME Visual Works・BT
■ Story

Give me a heart called Gemini...
…Dad, this is like… not a human being!

A TV anime based on a popular comic. Professor Komyoji, who installed the "conscience circuit (Gemini)" into the artificial human Jiro, is attacked by Professor Gill and goes missing. Jiro is then attacked by the dark robots sent by Gill. Jiro transforms into his combat form, "Kikaider," and fights the dark robots...

*Quoted from Bandai Channel

■Explanation

"Android Kikaider" was created in 1972 as a combination of a live-action special effects version and the original comic book version written by Shotaro Ishinomori (known as Shotaro Ishimori at the time).
After about 30 years, in October 2000, the first animated version based on Ishinomori's comic, "Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION", began airing on Kids Station (CS/cable).
The "Jiro Arc" consists of 12 episodes and covers up to the destruction of Dark, which accounts for about 2/3 of the original story.
This is a lyrical anime series that makes use of the deep themes surrounding Jiro's "conscience circuit."

■Cast

・Jiro, Kikaider / Tomokazu Seki ・Mitsuko Komyoji / Yui Horie ・Masaru Komyoji / Yumiko Kobayashi ・Hanpei Hattori / Yamada Keaton ・Etsuko Sarutobi / Etsuko Kozakura ・Professor Gill / Shinji Ogawa ・Saburo / Jurota Kosugi ・Dr. Komyoji / Shozo Iizuka

■ Main staff

・Original work: Shotaro Ishinomori "Android Kikaider"
・Director: Okamura Tensai ・Character design and chief animation director: Konno Naoyuki ・Series composition: Mende Akemi ・Screenplay: Mende Akemi, Onishi Shinsuke, Togawa Masashi ・Supervisor: Hayase Masato (Ishimori Productions)
・Music: Akira Mitake ・Art Director: Ariaki Okada ・Director of Photography: Yutaka Nagaushi ・Editor: Terumitsu Okada ・Sound Production: SME Visual Works ・Dubbing Director: Kazuhiko Inoue ・Sound Recording: Shoji Hata ・Sound Effects: Toru Noguchi (Anime Sound)
Music Director: Takafumi Nakatake Animation Production: RADIX, Studio OX
Executive Producer: Akira Onodera Production: SME Visual Works

■ Main Characters

An artificial human created by Dr. Jiro Komyoji. By flipping the switches on his shoulders, he transforms into "Kikaider". Due to his built-in conscience circuit, Gemini, he knows the human heart and struggles between robot and human, and between good and evil.
Jiro's appearance after transforming into Kikaider, his combat form. Due to an imperfection in his conscience circuit, he is forced to change into a half-change, resulting in an asymmetrical form. His special move is the electromagnetic end, in which he cross-shorts the electromagnetic belts on both wrists and slices through the enemy like an electromagnetic scalpel.
Mitsuko Komyoji Mitsuko Komyoji. Daughter of Dr. Komyoji. 18 years old. She grew up in a motherless household and acted as a mother figure for her younger brother Masaru, so she has a mature side to her for her age.
Masaru Mitsuko's younger brother. Still a mischievous 8-year-old.
・Dr. Komyoji, real name Komyoji Den. He was a world-renowned authority on robotics, but was tricked by Professor Gill and worked on creating robots for the Dark Destruction Squad. When he found out that Gill was using robots for evil purposes, he set out to complete a "conscience circuit" that would allow robots to judge for themselves and refuse evil orders from humans.
・Saburo: An artificial human created by Dr. Komyoji after Jiro. His mission is to destroy Kikaider!!
Professor Gil: Real name: Gil Herbert. He is the ruler of the secret society <DARK> and a merchant of death who sells weapons to countries around the world. He controls the Dark Destruction Forces at will with the ultrasonic waves played by his "Devil's Flute", and the sound of the sound troubles Jiro's conscience circuit.
Hanpei Hattori is a detective who runs the Hattori Detective Agency. He is asked by Mitsuko to search for Jiro.
Sarutobi Etsuko: Hattori Hanpei's assistant.
Hakaider Kikaider The strongest robot cyborg whose ultimate goal is to destroy him.

■Subtitle

#1/Lonely Doll #2/Mad Machine #3/Stray Sheep #4/Mirror #5/Rainy City #6/Negative Fragment #7/Afterglow of Negative #8/Friends #9/Frozen Bonds #10/Destroyer #11/Dreaming Machine #12/The End of a Dream

■ Related works

・Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION
・Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION/RE-EDITION The Boy with the Guitar -Kikaider VS Inazuman-

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Theme of Gemini
・Composition: Akira Mitake

・ED1
・Destiny
Lyrics by Hiroko Tani, Music by Akira Mitake, Singer by Yui Horie

Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION - Detailed review and recommendation of Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION

"Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION" is an anime series based on Shotaro Ishinomori's masterpiece comic, and was broadcast on Kids Station from 2000 to 2001. This work was loved by many fans because it continued the deep themes of the original work while expressing them in the new medium of animation. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and features of this work, as well as recommended points.

Story and Themes

The story of "Android Kikaider: The Animation" depicts the struggle between being human and robot, as Jiro, an artificial human developed by Dr. Komyoji, has a conscience circuit called "Gemini". The doctor is attacked by Professor Gill and goes missing, and Jiro must fight against Gill's dark robots. The story deals with deep themes that go beyond the dualism of good and evil, and human and robot, and poses many questions to the viewer.

Particularly impressive is Jiro's conscience circuit, "Gemini." This circuit mimics the human heart, and is what gives Jiro human emotions and ethics. However, this circuit is imperfect, and Jiro suffers because of this imperfection. This point underpins the story of Jiro's suffering and growth that is depicted throughout the film.

character

Jiro (Kikaider) is the central character of this work. He has a conscience circuit that allows him to understand human emotions and waver between good and evil. Tomokazu Seki's voice acting realistically expresses Jiro's inner conflict, deeply moving the audience.

Mitsuko Komyoji is an important character who supports Jiro. While searching for her father's whereabouts, she also deepens her bond with Jiro. Yui Horie's voice acting perfectly expresses Mitsuko's strength and kindness.

Professor Gill is the antagonist of the story and Jiro's tormentor. His ruthlessness and cunning are emphasized by Shinji Ogawa's voice acting, making a strong impression on the viewer.

Animation and performance

The animation for "Android Kikaider: The Animation" was produced by RADIX and Studio OX. Naoyuki Konno, who was in charge of character design and general animation direction, has created designs that faithfully retain the atmosphere of the original work while adding movements and expressions that are unique to animation. Kikaider's transformation and battle scenes are particularly dynamic and impressive.

Director Okamura Tensai respects the themes of the original work while adding his own unique interpretation to the animation. The direction of each episode carefully depicts Jiro's inner conflict and growth, deeply moving the viewer.

music

The music is by Akira Mitake, and the opening theme "Theme of Gemini" and the ending theme "Destiny" are important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the ending theme "Destiny" is a beautiful song sung by Yui Horie that symbolizes the bond between Jiro and Mitsuko.

Recommended points

"Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION" can be recommended for the following reasons:

  • Deep themes : The film delves deeply into the themes of good and evil, and humans and robots, leaving viewers with many questions.
  • Character Growth : Jiro's inner conflict and growth are carefully depicted, leaving viewers with a deep emotional connection.
  • Animation quality : The dynamic fight scenes and character designs are impressive.
  • Musical appeal : The opening and ending theme songs add to the atmosphere of the work.
  • Respect for the original work : This work respects the original work by Shotaro Ishinomori while adding its own unique interpretation as animation.

Related works and how to watch them

Other works related to "Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION" include "Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION" and "Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION/RE-EDITION: The Boy with the Guitar - Kikaider VS Inazuman". These works also allow you to enjoy the worldview of Shotaro Ishinomori.

It is possible to watch it on media such as Bandai Channel or DVD. In particular, Bandai Channel distributes all 12 episodes, making it easy to watch.

Conclusion

"Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION" is an appealing work with deep themes, character growth, and animation quality. Not only fans of Shotaro Ishinomori's original work can enjoy it as an animated work, but you should also give it a watch.

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