Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION - The nostalgic hero returns as an anime! A thorough explanation of its appeal and reviews

Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION - Kikaider Zero One The Animation - Comprehensive review and recommendation

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

comics

■ Release date

November 21, 2001

■Release and sales

SME Visual Works

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 4

■Original Story

・Original work: Shotaro Ishinomori

■ Director

Director: Keitaro Motonaga

■ Production

Studio OX, RADIX

■Works

©2001 Ishimori Productions/SME Visual Works

■ Story

After destroying Dark, Jiro rescues Rieko and Akira, who are being pursued by a mysterious organization. In the middle of a battle with a strange robot army that is after the two of them, he meets his brother, Kikaider 01... A new powerful enemy also appears. What will Jiro's fate be?

*Quoted from Bandai Channel

■Explanation

"Android Kikaider" was born 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."
Then in 2001, the OVA series "Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION" was released, depicting the story up to the end of the original work.
The story has been rearranged from the comic version after Ichiro (Kikaider 01) appears.
This is an action series unique to OVA, featuring all the characters from the previous film, including Jiro (Kikaider), Ichiro (Kikaider 01), Zero (Kikaider 00), Mieko (Bizinder), and the Hakaider quartet.

■Cast

・Jiro (Kikaider) / Tomokazu Seki・Ichiro (Kikaider 01) / Shoutaro Morikubo・Gil Hakaider / Shinji Ogawa・Mieko (Bizinder) / Mitsuko Horie・Rieko / Sayaka Ohara・Red Hakaider / Hidenari Ugaki・Silver Hakaider / Koichi Tokon・Blue Hakaider / Takuma Suzuki・Shadow Knight / Takeshi Watanabe・Fuuten Osho / Ichiro Nagai・Rei (Kikaider 00) / Kazuhiko Inoue

■ Main staff

・Original work: Shotaro Ishinomori "Android Kikaider"
・Director: Keitaro Motonaga ・Character design: Naoyuki Konno ・Supervisor: Masato Hayase (Ishimori Productions)
・Screenplay: Shinsuke Onishi, Toshizo Nemoto ・Art director: Ariaki Okada ・Music: Kaoru Wada ・Dubbing director: Kazuhiko Inoue ・Sound recording: Shoji Hata ・Sound effects: Toru Noguchi ・Music director: Takafumi Nakatake ・Animation production: Studio OX
Executive Producer: Akira Onodera Production: SME Visual Works

■ Main Characters

・Jiro (Kikaider)
An artificial human created by Dr. Komyoji. By turning on the switches on both shoulders, he transforms into "Kikaider". He has a built-in conscience circuit.
・Ichiro (Kikaider 01)
An artificial human created by Dr. Komyoji before Jiro. Jiro's older brother, he transforms into "Kikaider 01". He does not have a conscience circuit built in.
Professor Gill is resurrected as "Hakaider". He can combine with the Hakaider quartet to become Gattaider.
・Mieko (Bijinder)
A female Shadow android. She transforms into "Bizinder." She drives machines crazy with the sound of her harp.
Rieko: A woman being chased by Akira and Shadow. She is saved by Jiro and they join forces, but in fact...
・Futen Osho The head priest of the temple where Ichiro (Kikaider 01) was hiding. He is a robotics engineer and Professor Komyoji is his student.
・Zero (Kikaider 00)
A new android appears with the monk Futen. He transforms into "Kikaider 00." He has attack power specialized for combat ability.

■Subtitle

・VOL.1／(2001/11/21)
・VOL.2／(2001/12/19)
・VOL.3／(2002/01/23)
・VOL.4／(2002/03/20)

■ Related works

・Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION
・Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION 2
・Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION 3
・Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION 4
・The Boy with the Guitar - Kikaider vs. Inazuman

Detailed review of Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION

"Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION" is an OVA series based on Shotaro Ishinomori's masterpiece "Android Kikaider" and was released in 2001. This work depicts the end of the original work, and can be considered a long-awaited sequel for fans. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and features of this work, as well as the recommended points.

The appeal of the story

The story of "Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION" begins with Jiro rescuing Rieko and Akira after destroying Dark. To protect the two who are being pursued by a mysterious organization, Jiro must fight a new robot army. In the process, he meets his older brother, Ichiro, also known as Kikaider 01, and battles with even more powerful enemies unfold.

The story of this work inherits the deep themes of the original work, but the introduction of new characters and antagonistic forces creates even more tension and drama. In particular, the contrast between Jiro's conscience and Ichiro's lack of it is an important element in depicting the conflict and growth between the brothers. In addition, the true identity of Rieko and the existence of the monk Futen will provide new surprises and emotions for fans of the original work.

Character Appeal

The characters in this work bring out the charm of the original work to the fullest. The acting of the cast, including Tomokazu Seki as Jiro and Shotaro Morikubo as Ichiro, is also excellent, and they express the emotions and conflicts of the characters realistically. In particular, the scene where Jiro worries about his conscience circuit and the conversation scene with Ichiro deeply move the viewer's heart.

The new characters are also fascinating. Each character has a distinctive personality, such as Mieko (Bijinder)'s harp-based attacks and Zero (Kikaider 00)'s fighting abilities. Furthermore, Gil Hakaider and the Hakaider quartet have a strong presence that draws viewers in.

The appeal of video and music

The high-quality images that make the most of the OVA format are full of visual appeal. The character designs by Naoyuki Konno faithfully reproduce the atmosphere of the original work while adding the movements and expressions that are unique to animation. In particular, the power of the battle scenes and the detailed expressions of the characters are impressive.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. Kaoru Wada's music effectively enhances the tense battle scenes and moving drama scenes. In particular, the music in the scenes depicting the brotherly love between Jiro and Ichiro resonates deeply in the hearts of viewers.

Recommended points

"Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION" is a must-see for fans of the original work. By depicting the end of the original work, you can see the conclusion of the story. In addition, by depicting the appearance of new characters and the conflict and growth between brothers, it provides more depth and emotion than the original work.

Another appeal of this work is the high-quality visuals and music that make the most of the OVA format. The power of the battle scenes, the detailed expressions of the characters, and the strength of the music all have the power to draw the viewer in both visually and aurally.

This work is recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for those who like action and robot anime. You can enjoy the powerful battle scenes and the exploits of unique characters while enjoying the deep themes of brotherly love and conscience circuits.

Related works and their appeal

There are many works related to "Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION", each with its own unique appeal. Below, we will introduce the overview and appeal of the related works.

Android Kikaider THE ANIMATION

"Android Kikaider: The Animation" is an anime series that aired on Kids Station in 2000. This work depicts the destruction of Dark, which is about 2/3 of the story, and is a lyrical anime series that makes use of the deep themes surrounding Jiro's conscience circuit. It depicts Jiro's growth and his battle with Dark, making it a must-see for fans of the original work.

Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION 2, 3, 4

Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION has been followed by sequels 2, 3, and 4. These films depict the end of the original story, allowing viewers to see the story through to its conclusion. They offer even more depth and emotion than the original by introducing new characters and depicting the conflict and growth between the brothers. In particular, Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION depicts the showdown with Ichiro, Rei's exploits, and the final battle, and each film has its own unique appeal.

Boy with a Guitar -Kikaider vs. Inazuman-

"The Boy with the Guitar - Kikaider vs. Inazuman" is a crossover work in which Kikaider and Inazuman co-star. This work realizes the dream of a showdown between Shotaro Ishinomori's two great heroes, and is a work that fans cannot miss. It depicts the battle between Kikaider and Inazuman, as well as their growth and friendship, and is attractive for its moving story and powerful battle scenes.

Conclusion

"Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION" is an OVA series based on Shotaro Ishinomori's masterpiece "Android Kikaider," and as it depicts the end of the original work, it can be said to be a long-awaited sequel for fans. While inheriting the deep themes of the original work, this work creates even more tension and drama with the introduction of new characters and antagonistic forces. In particular, the contrast between Jiro's conscience circuit and Ichiro's lack of it is an important element in depicting the conflict and growth between the brothers. In addition, the true identity of Rieko and the existence of the monk Futen provide new surprises and emotions for fans of the original work.

The appeal of this work lies in the high-quality visuals and music that make the most of the OVA format. The intensity of the battle scenes, the detailed expressions of the characters, and the strength of the music have the power to draw the viewer in both visually and aurally. It is recommended not only for fans of the original work, but also for those who like action and robot anime. You can enjoy the powerful battle scenes and the actions of unique characters while enjoying the deep themes of brotherly love and conscience circuits.

There are many related works, each with its own unique appeal. "Android Kikaider: The Animation" depicts Jiro's growth and battle with Dark, and is a must-see for fans of the original work. "Kikaider 01: The Animation" sequels 2, 3, and 4 depict the end of the original work, allowing viewers to see the story's conclusion. "The Boy with the Guitar: Kikaider vs. Inazuman" brings the dream collaboration between Kikaider and Inazuman to life, making it a work fans cannot miss.

Above, we have delivered a comprehensive review and recommendation of "Kikaider 01 THE ANIMATION". We hope you can feel the appeal of this work and related works. Please give it a watch.