The appeal and evaluation of "Skull Man": An in-depth review

Skull Man - A striking portrayal of a dark hero

The TV anime series "Skull Man," which aired in 2007, is based on the original work by Shotaro Ishinomori and depicts the world of dark heroes. Set in a fictional time and Japan, the series tells the story of a reporter and a cameraman who investigate the serial murders of a skeleton man, who is told as an urban legend. Below, we will introduce detailed information and reviews of "Skull Man," as well as recommended points.

Overview

"Skull Man" was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 28 to July 21, 2007, every Saturday from 25:45 to 26:15. It was then rebroadcast on BS Fuji from July 23 to October 15, every Monday from 24:30 to 24:55. It consists of 13 episodes, each 30 minutes long. Animation was handled by Bones, and the series was produced by the Skull Man Production Committee (Geneon Entertainment, Fuji Television Network, Bones, Toyo Kasei, Ishimori Productions).

story

The story of "Skull Man" is set in a fictional time and place in Japan. In Otomo City, known as the Shadow Capital, a series of murders are committed by a skeleton man, who is spoken of as an urban legend. Reporter Mikogami Hayato and aspiring photographer Mamiya Kiriko begin an investigation to uncover the truth behind the incident, but gradually become embroiled in a terrifying darkness. As the story unfolds, a huge conspiracy is revealed as they investigate the skeleton man's true identity and purpose.

Commentary

"Skull Man" is the first film adaptation of a dark hero who is questioned as to whether he is a god or a devil. The story is set in a fictional Japan in a fictional era, where a series of murders occur in Otomo City, known as the shadow capital. The culprit is rumored to be a skeletal monster from an urban legend. Reporter Mikogami Hayato descends upon the city to uncover the truth behind the incidents. As he continues his investigation, a huge conspiracy hidden within the town comes to light. The story builds in tension at an accelerating pace as it approaches a spectacular and brutal climax, revealing the true identity of the monster and what his purpose is.

cast

The main cast of "Skull Man" is as follows:

• Hayato Mikogami: Makoto Yasumura
• Kiriko Mamiya: Ayako Kawasumi
• Masaki Kamishiro: Toshiyuki Morikawa
• Usa Shinmei: Hiroyuki Yoshino
• Yoshio Kanzaki: Masayuki Kato
• Maya Kuroshio: Fumiko Orikasa
• Reina Shingyoji: Michiko Neya
• Tetsuro Shingyoji: Hideki Tasaka
• Kyoichiro Tachiki: Katsuyuki Hori
• Tsuyoshi Shinjo: Tomokazu Seki
• Kuroshio Treasurer: Osamu Saka
• Skull Man: Dai Tsuchida

Main Staff

The main staff of "Skull Man" are as follows:

• Original work: Shotaro Ishinomori (Published by Media Factory)
• Director: Takeshi Mori
• Series composition, Skullman & GRO design: Yutaka Izubuchi
• Character design and chief animation director: Jun Shibata
• Mechanical design: Yoshinori Sayama
• Set design: Masanori Kikuchi
• Conceptual Art: Takuhito Kusanagi
• Graphic design: Tsuyoshi Kusano
• Design Director: Shingo Takehan
• Art director: Yumiko Kondo
• Color design: Fusako Nakao
• Special effects director: Yasushi Muraki
• Director of photography: Toru Fukushi, Toshiya Kimura
• Edited by: Kengo Shigemura
• Sound Director: Yota Tsuruoka
• Music: Shiro Sagisu
• Producers: Koji Yamamoto, Yuuki Mori, Masahiro Yoshida, Makoto Watanabe, Jinichiro Koyama
• Animation production: bones
• Production: Skullman Production Committee (Geneon Entertainment, Fuji Television, Bones, Toyo Kasei, Ishimori Productions)

Main Characters

The main characters of "Skull Man" are as follows:

• Mikogami Hayato: Freelance journalist sounds good, but he is an ambitious young man who works as a top businessman. He moved to Tokyo after his father's death. He has not been back home since. He became interested in the urban legend of the skeleton man that was rumored in his hometown, so he returned to Otomo City and began to investigate the case.
• Kiriko Mamiya: A camera girl who aims to be a "future female capa". She is underage and lies about being 20 years old. She tries to sneak into Otomo City for a certain purpose, but is almost caught at a station checkpoint. Hayato saves her, and from then on, she follows him around like an uninvited wife.
• Masaki Kamishiro: Kuroshio Gozo's secretary and an excellent technocrat. He is the head of the secretarial department at Otomo Pharmaceuticals and has strong ties with the military. He is trusted by Gozo, but he is also a cold-hearted and ambitious man who will use any means to achieve his goals.
• Akira Usakami: A researcher at the Otomo Biochemical Research Institute, he is a man whose thoughts are unclear. He is ignored and looked down upon by Masaki Kamishiro, but his words and actions strangely match urban legends... For some reason, his room is filled with a huge number of monitors.
• Yoshio Kanzaki: A philanthropist and a kind-hearted young priest. He is also the director of the orphanage within the church. Although he has a stoic, handsome appearance, he is childhood friends with Hayato and has a "you and me" relationship. He seems to have special feelings for Maya.
• Kuroshio Maya: Daughter of Kuroshio Gozo. She is tormented by her position as the head of the "Shirasui-kai" and seeks someone to save her from reality. She has a secret crush on the priest Kanzaki. She seems to have some mysterious power that she doesn't even know about...
• Reina Shingyoji: A mysterious woman whom Hayato encounters on the street late at night. A glamorous beauty dressed in leather rider fashion and driving a large motorcycle.
• Tetsuro Shingyoji: Reina's twin brother, a quiet man. He seems to be searching for the same thing as his sister...
• Kyoichiro Tachiki: A carefree middle-aged man who meets Hayato on the platform at Otomo City Station and appears wherever Hayato goes. He calls himself a private detective, but he knows many secrets and provides Hayato with various information.
• Tsuyoshi Shinjo: A young detective at Otomo Police Station, he is an idealistic and passionate man. He has doubts about the police force that is controlled by Kuroshio, which has earned him the ire of the chief and isolated him within the organization. While investigating the Skeleton Man case, he becomes aware of the existence of a great evil lurking behind it.
• Kuroshio Gozo: Chairman of the Otomo Conglomerate and the de facto ruler of Otomo City. Descending from the former Manchuria zaibatsu, he partnered with foreign capital (BG Corporation) to build the conglomerate into what it is today. A gentle gentleman. Hayato's late father was his subordinate when he was alive. He offers his assistance to Hayato in his pursuit of the Skeleton Man.
• Skull Man: A monster from the urban legends of Otomo City. Is he a vengeful demon that brings evil upon the people? Or a ghost from the underworld? His grotesque skull mask, his red eyes shining, his dry voice echoing through the darkness of the Demon City!

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Skull Man" are as follows.

• Night 1: The Town Where Masks Dance (2007/04/28)
• Night 2: The Man from the Past (2007/05/05)
• Night 3: Crimson Rain Falls in the Afternoon (2007/05/12)
• The Fourth Night: A Walking Ghost (2007/05/19)
• Fifth Night: False Blind Spot (2007/05/26)
• The Sixth Night: Feast of the Grim Reapers (2007/06/02)
• The Seventh Night: Beastmaster (2007/06/09)
• Episode 8: A maiden whispers in the moonlight (2007/06/16)
• Night 9: Blessings to the Impure (2007/06/23)
• The Tenth Night: The Circus Laughs in the Midnight (2007/06/30)
• Night 11: Darkness, take my hand (2007/07/07)
• Twelfth Night: Bloody Holy Night (2007/07/14)
• The 13th Night: Black Fable - All the Loved Ones Pass Away (2007/07/21)

Theme songs and music

The theme song and music for "Skull Man" are as follows.

• OP1: Town of Light
  • Lyricist: Yoshihiro Kai
  • Composer: Yoshihiro Kai
  • Arrangement: Tomohiko Nishimura
  • Sung by: TOKIO
• ED1: Tomorrow will be the birth of tomorrow's you
  • Lyricist: Yasushi Akimoto
  • Composer: Sueyuki Fuji
  • Arrangement: Shinya Saito
  • Sung by: Chocolove from AKB48

Rating and Recommended Points

"Skull Man" is highly acclaimed as a work that depicts the world of dark heroes. Below, we will introduce the specific evaluation and recommended points.

Story and development

The story of "Skull Man" is told from the perspective of a reporter and cameraman who are investigating a series of murders based on urban legends. As the truth of the incident is uncovered, the story gradually unfolds, revealing a huge conspiracy. This development has the power to draw the viewer in, and the tension of the entire story is heightened by the new mysteries presented in each episode. Furthermore, the accelerated development towards the climax leaves a strong impression on the viewer.

character

Each character in "Skull Man" has their own background and motivation, and they play a role in deepening the story. In particular, the duo Mikogami Hayato and Mamiya Kiriko are depicted growing as they pursue the case, evoking sympathy from viewers. In addition, supporting characters such as Kamishiro Masaki and Usagami Akira also play an important role in adding depth to the story.

Visuals and performance

Bones' high level of technical skill shines through in the visuals and direction of "Skull Man." In particular, the design of the skeleton man and the direction of the battle scenes leave a strong visual impression. In addition, the world view set in a fictional era and Japan is realistically depicted through detailed design and direction. These visuals and direction have the power to emphasize the dark atmosphere of the story and draw the viewer in.

music

The music for "Skull Man" was composed by Sagisu Shiro and plays an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the story. In particular, the opening theme "Hikari no Machi" and the ending theme "Tomorrow Will Be Tomorrow's You" have impressive lyrics and melodies that reflect the theme of the story. The background music is also used skillfully to match the development of the story, enhancing the emotions of the viewer.

Recommended points

"Skull Man" is a work that depicts the world of dark heroes and is recommended for the following reasons.

• The story of a serial murder case based on an urban legend is fascinating.
• Each character has their own background and motivations, adding depth to the story
• The visuals and production, made possible by bones' highly skilled techniques, are visually striking.
• The music by Shiro Sagisu enhances the atmosphere of the story.

summary

"Skull Man" is a work that depicts the world of a dark hero based on the original work by Shotaro Ishinomori. The story of a reporter and a cameraman who pursue a series of murders based on urban legends has the power to draw viewers in. In addition, each character has their own background and motivation, which plays a role in deepening the story. The visuals and direction by Bones' high technical skills and the music by Sagisu Shiro are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the story. "Skull Man" is a work recommended for viewers who want to enjoy the world of a dark hero.