Ronin Warriors

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Ronin Warriors
鎧伝サムライトルーパー
(Yoroiden Samurai Torūpā)
Genre Sentai
TV anime
Director Masashi Ikeda (eps. 1-19)
Mamoru Hamatsu (eps. 20-39)
Studio Sunrise
Tokyu Agency
Network Flag of Argentina Canal 7 Argentina
Flag of Chile ETC...TV
Flag of France NT1
Flag of Japan Nagoya Broadcasting Network
Flag of Mexico TV Azteca
Flag of Brazil Rede Manchete
Flag of the United States Cartoon Network & Sci-Fi Channel
Flag of Italy Italia 7
Original run 30 April 1988 – 4 March 1989
Episodes 39
OVA: Gaiden
Studio Sunrise
Episodes 2
Released April 30th, 1989 (Vol. 1)
June 1st, 1989 (Vol. 2)
OVA: Legend of Kikoutei
Studio Sunrise
Episodes 4
Released October 8th, 1989 (Vol. 1)
November 1st, 1989 (Vol. 2)
December 1st, 1989 (Vol. 3)
January 11th, 1990 (Vol. 4)
OVA: Message
Studio Sunrise
Episodes 5
Released March 21st, 1991 (Vol. 1)
May 22nd, 1991 (Vol. 2)
June 21st, 1991 (Vol. 3)
July 25th, 1991 (Vol. 4)
August 23rd, 1991 (Vol. 5)
Manga
Author Hajime Yatate (story)
Ryuichi Hoshino (art)
Publisher Flag of Japan Kodansha
Demographic Shōnen
Original run 1988
Volumes 2

Ronin Warriors (鎧伝サムライトルーパー Yoroiden Samurai Torūpā?) is the English version of the Japanese anime television series Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers (Legendary Armor Samurai Troopers). Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers (often abbreviated to YST) was produced by Sunrise, and aired across Japan on Nagoya Television from April 30, 1988 to March 4, 1989 and has a total of 39 episodes.

Ronin Warriors was produced by Graz Entertainment and it was recorded by the Ocean Group. Ronin Warriors first aired on American television during the summer of 1995 and subsequently appeared on the Sci-Fi Channel, Fox, and later, Cartoon Network. The series was released on DVD in 2002, including the original Japanese version with English subtitles on the reverse side of the disc.

At the time it was produced, Ronin Warriors was one of the most faithful English-version adaptations of an anime series intended for television broadcast. While the opening and ending sequences, as well as the eyecatches, were replaced with new ones, and the Japanese title cards were removed, there were no cuts to the bodies of the episodes. Also noteworthy is that the episodes retained most of the original music.

Three direct-to-video sequels were produced: Gaiden, Kikôtei Densetsu, a.k.a: The Legend of the Inferno Armor and Message. There is also a YST manga as well as numerous novels and audio dramas based on the anime. While all the sequels have been released on DVD, the manga and audio dramas have not been made available in English.

Contents

[edit] Premise

Talpa, the demon lord of the Netherworld, is bent on conquering the mortal world. Standing against Talpa and his four Dark Warlords are the five Ronin Warriors, each in possession of mystical armor and weapons. They are assisted by Mia Koji, a young student-teacher, and a mysterious warrior-monk known only as The Ancient.

[edit] The Legend

[edit] English Dubbed Legend

Torch of Spirit, sought through five,
Drinking strength from immortal fire,
Darkest prison sheds the light,
Churning beneath a swirl of salt,
Burning within a throne of rock,
Floating amongst the eyes of ages,
unmoored in the stream of the sky

[edit] Legend of Hariel

A character conceived in the dubbing of Samurai Troopers, Hariel was created to prevent viewers from being confused when Ryo called upon the powers of the five armors to create the Inferno. Hariel's origins are also considered to be a request by the toy companies that made the Ronin Warrior action figures so consumers would not be confused by two versions of Ryo dressed in the Wildfire armor and the Inferno armor.

According to the character Badamon, Hariel is said to be the 'last wearer of the armor of Inferno' and that he was both Dark Warlord and Ronin Warrior. He is considered to be a great warrior and possibly haunts the white armor with his life force, making it possible that Ryo could be possessed by Hariel while wearing the white armor and making him a dangerous threat to the Dynasty.

In the original Japanese version, there was no "Hariel". The Sun Yoroi, Kikoutei, was formed from the souls (and at first the bodies!) of all five Samurai Troopers fused into a single being. It took some time for Ryo to gain control of Keikoutei, which at first was something of a berserker. According to some accounts, the original ending of Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers involved the destruction of all five Troopers, with Jun ("Yulie") finally defeating Arago ("Talpa"). However, the series was popular and the creators then repeated the second-from-last episode, giving them time to reanimate the last two episodes and creating the super-fusion Kikoutei armor as a deus ex machina to save the Troopers. Explaining the origin and nature of the Kikoutei fortunately provided sufficient story fodder for the next season and the OVA series Kikoutei Densetsu.

[edit] The Heart of Ancients/Jewel of Life Legend

The English dub/original name of the stone used to bind the power of the Nether Realm. In both versions, this stone, a purple magatama rested in an ancient temple at the bottom of a lake. The reformed warlord Anubis/Shuten used the power of the Ancients/Kaos staff to reach it.

According to the character Badamon, the Jewel of Life is one of the three weapons that could destroy the Nether Realm. The Armor of Inferno, the Soul Swords of Fervor, and the Jewel of Life.

Though most of its powers are unknown and only a few have been seen in the show, the Jewel has the power to create a shield, blind enemies, destroy the spirits possessing soldier's armors, banish Netherworld priests, and for a short time, seal Talpa's power to keep him from defending himself against the final attacks of the Ronin Warriors/Samurai Troopers.

One considered use of the gem was to prevent Ryo from dying in the final attack when he was sucked into Talpa's body in the last battle (episode 39). The Jewel came to life at the same time the Ronin Warriors went to attack Talpa and saved Ryo from being killed by his friend's weapons.

The Jewel took the place of the Ronin Warriors in the second half of the TV series as a means to protect Mia and Yulie.

[edit] The Armors

When Talpa was defeated in a previous attempt to conquer the human world, his spirit was sent to the Netherworld, but his armor, which was charged with demonic power, somehow remained behind. In order to prevent Talpa from returning to the human world, The Ancient diffused it into nine separate suits of armor.

In the original Japanese version, each armor is infused with one of the Confucian, or Bushido, Virtues: Jin (Righteousness), Gi (Justice), Rei (Courtesy), Chi (Intellect), Shin (Faith), Chuu (Loyalty), Tei (Obedience), Kou (Reverence for elders), and Nin (To bear pain quietly). A couple of these were changed for the American version: Chi became Inouchi (Life), and Rei became Chi. Kou is translated as Piety, and Nin as Serenity.

The nine armors have a number of special properties and they can be put on in an instant by calling out an armor's name and associated Virtue. For example, Ryo dons his Wildfire armor by calling out "Armor of Wildfire, Dao Jin!" In the Japanese version, the command used to summon the armor is "Busso (armor name)!".

In the English version, the Ronins say the phrase "Dao" followed by their kanji when they are calling their armors. For instance, Ryo would say "Dao Jin!". Literally translated, it would mean "The way of Virtue." It, therefore, becomes an appropriate description of Ryo himself, since by calling the armor, he is following the path of virtue. "Dao" was taken from the native Chinese religion of "Daoism". Also, if Ryo were to say Busso Rekka, the literal translation would be "Arm Rekka".

The armor also enhances physical strength and endurance, for example increasing lower-body strength to allow the wearer to run at high speed and jump great distances or allowing the user to ignore harsh environmental conditions such as lack of air, or extremes of heat and pressure. Each armor also has a unique fighting technique, called a Choudandou. Dandou is the Japanese word for the science of ballistics, but Choudandou appears to mean something like "Ultimate Technique." In English, one might say "surekill shot" or "super-power attack".

Each of the five Ronin armors (Wildfire, Torrent, Hardrock, Strata, and Halo) have elemental affinities: Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Light. Each armor can draw power from its respective element to give the wearer a power boost.

The four Warlord armors each have an affinity for one of the seasons: Cruelty with Spring, Illusion with Summer, Venom with Autumn, and Corruption with Winter.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Main characters

Name American Virtues Japanese Virtues Armor Association Weapon Special Attack Cry
Ryo Sanada Virtue Jin (Righteousness) Fire/Wildfire & Inferno Paired Katana (Armor of Wildfire)/Swords of Fervor (Inferno Armor) Flare Up Now (Wildfire Armor) & Rage of Inferno (Inferno Armor)
Sage Date Wisdom Rei (Courtesy) Light/Halo Nodachi Thunder Bolt Cut
Cye Mouri Trust Shin (Faith) Water/Torrent Jumonji Yari Super Wave Smasher
Kento Rei Faun Justice Gi (Justice) Earth/Hardrock Sanjiegun Iron Rock Crusher
Rowen Hashiba Life Chi (Wisdom) Air/Strata Hankyu Arrow Shock Wave
The Ancient Shakujo
Talpa
Anubis Loyalty Chu (Loyalty) Spring/Cruelty Kusarigama Quake with Fear
Cale Obedience Ko (Filial piety) Winter/Corruption Nodachi Black Lightning Flash
Dais Serenity Nin (Endurance) Summer/Illusion Six Kama Web of Deception
Sekhmet Piety Tei (Obedience to elders) Autumn/Poison Six Katana Snake Fang Strike
Lady Kayura Love Starlight Sword (Twin Sai's) Star Sword Scream

[edit] Other characters

Other main characters include Mia Koji, Yuli, White Blaze, Kenboukyou, Kokuen-Oh, Badamon, Gogasha, Toryuki, Professor Yagyu, Luna, Uncle Chin, Shikaisen, Mad Scientist, Mukara, Naria, Kuroi Kikoutei, Suzunagi, Suzunagi's Mother, Genchirou Hashiba, Touma's Mother, Ryo's Father

[edit] Name Changes from Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers

The following is a list of the original Japanese names used in Yoroiden-Samurai Troopers, and the direct counterparts used in the English version, Ronin Warriors.

English Name Japanese Name
Ronin Warriors Yoroi Senshi (Armored Warriors) or Samurai Troopers
Ryo Ryo Sanada (真田遼 Sanada Ryō)
Sage Seiji Date (伊達征士 Date Seiji)
Cye Shin Mouri (毛利伸 Mōri Shin)
Kento Shu Rei Fuan (秀麗黄)
Rowen Touma Hashiba (羽柴当麻 Hashiba Tōma)
Dark Warlords Mashou (Demon Generals)
Talpa Arago (阿羅醐)
Anubis Shutendouji (朱天童子 Shutendōji)
Cale Anubis (悪奴弥守 Anubisu)
Dais Rajura (螺呪羅)
Sekhmet Naaza (那唖挫)
Lady Kayura Kayura (迦遊羅 Kayuura)
The Ancient Kaos (迦雄須 Kaosu)
Mia Koji Nasuti Yagyu (ナスティ柳生 Nasuti Yagyū)
Yulie Jun Yamano
White Blaze Byakuen
Dr. Koji Dr. Yagyu
Luna Luna
Mukala Mukara
Nadia Naria
Suzunagi Suzunagi

[edit] Music

  • Opening 1: Stardust Eyes (performed by Mariko Uranishi)
  • Opening 2: Samurai Heart (performed by Hiroko Moriguchi)
  • Ending 1: Faraway (performed by Mariko Uranishi)
  • Ending 2: Be Free (performed by Hiroko Moriguchi)

[edit] Episode list

This list is comprised of the episodes as shown on the English, Ronin Warriors including the episode number, original air date, and title.

Episode Air Date Title
1-1 26-Jun-1995 Shadowland
1-2 27-Jun-1995 Glory for Anubis
1-3 28-Jun-1995 Secret of Wildfire
1-4 29-Jun-1995 The Search Begins
1-5 30-Jun-1995 Halo's Prison
1-6 03-Jul-1995 The Counter Attack
1-7 04-Jul-1995 Splitting the Stone
1-8 05-Jul-1995 Friend or Foe
1-9 06-Jul-1995 Wildfire in the Sky
1-10 07-Jul-1995 In the Sea of the Sky
1-11 10-Jul-1995 Assault on the Dynasty
1-12 11-Jul-1995 Shallow Darkness
1-13 12-Jul-1995 Fate of the Ronin Armor
1-14 13-Jul-1995 Armor of Life
1-15 14-Jul-1995 The Ancient's Battle
1-16 17-Jul-1995 Raid on Talpa's Castle
1-17 18-Jul-1995 The Legend of the Armor
1-18 19-Jul-1995 Talpa's Triumph
1-19 20-Jul-1995 Wildfire's Fight Against Fate
1-20 21-Jul-1995 Ronin vs. Saranbo
1-21 24-Jul-1995 Ryo's Mega Armor
1-22 25-Jul-1995 Saber Stryke's Deadly Challenge
1-23 26-Jul-1995 White Blaze's Sacrifice
1-24 27-Jul-1995 Sun Devil: Ambassador of Evil
1-25 28-Jul-1995 Torrent's Evil Twin
1-26 31-Jul-1995 The Armor Must Be Destroyed
1-27 01-Aug-1995 Sand Blasted
1-28 02-Aug-1995 Lady Kayura and the Dark Realm
1-29 03-Aug-1995 Anubis Is Reborn
1-30 04-Aug-1995 Talpa Turns the Tide
1-31 07-Aug-1995 Legend of the White Armor
1-32 08-Aug-1995 Strategies of the Nether World
1-33 09-Aug-1995 In Search of Secret Treasures
1-34 10-Aug-1995 Strata's Defiant Stand
1-35 11-Aug-1995 The Warriors Return
1-36 14-Aug-1995 Cheap Tricks
1-37 15-Aug-1995 Anubis' Armor Revived
1-38 16-Aug-1995 Lady Evil Sees the Light
1-39 17-Aug-1995 Triumphant Warriors

Episodes that were probably not shown in the summer of 1995 but are for sale on DVD are Ronin Warriors OVA: New Adventures and Ronin Warriors OVA: Message.

[edit] English cast

  • Matt Hill.... Ryo Of Wildfire
  • Ward Perry.... Rowen Of Strata/Badamon/Sekhmet
  • Jason Gray-Stanford.... Kento of Hardrock/Gash
  • Michael Donovan.... Cye Of Torrent/Sage Of Halo
  • Lalainia Lindbjerg.... Mia Koji
  • Christopher Turner.... Yuli
  • David Kaye.... Narrator/Yulie's father/Sun Devil/The Ancient
  • Sarah Anne Dafoe.... Yuli's Mother
  • Mina Mina.... Talpa (Also known as: Mina E. Mina)
  • Paul Dobson.... Anubis/Dara/Lord Sabre-Stryke/Sand-Strikers
  • Richard Newman.... Cale/Dr. Koji/Sarenbou
  • Matt Smith.... Dais/Dynasty Soldier (as Matthew Smith) /Sage Of Halo (in Gaiden, Legend of the Inferno Armor and Message)
  • Jane Perry.... Kayura
  • Peter Wilds.... Dais #2, Cale #2
  • Teryl Rothery.... Mia Koji #2

[edit] OVA English cast

[edit] Japanese cast

[edit] See also

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

[edit] External links