Battle Fever J
| Battle Fever J |
|
| Genre |
Tokusatsu |
| Created by |
Toei |
| Starring |
Kouki Tanioka
Yukio Itou
Narimitsu Kurachi
Kenji Ohba
Diane Martin
Nahomi Hagi
Daisuke Ban |
| Narrated by |
Toru Ohira |
| Composer(s) |
Michiaki Watanabe |
| Country of origin |
Japan |
| No. of episodes |
52 |
| Production |
| Producer(s) |
Tetsuo Kanno
Kanetake Ochiai
Itaru Orita
Susumu Yoshikawa |
| Running time |
30 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
TV Asahi
Toei Company |
| Broadcast |
| Original channel |
TV Asahi |
| Original run |
February 3, 1979 – January 26, 1980 |
| Chronology |
| Preceded by |
J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai |
| Followed by |
Denshi Sentai Denziman |
Battle Fever J (バトルフィーバーJ, Batoru Fībā Jei?) is a Japanese TV series, being the third entry of the Super Sentai series franchise. It was co-produced by Toei Company and TV Asahi and aired on TV Asahi on February 3, 1979 - January 26, 1980 with a total of 52 episodes. It was Toei’s second co-production with Marvel.
The Rangers have designations named for countries around the world: Battle Japan, Battle France, Battle Cossack (Soviet Union), Battle Kenya and Miss America (United States). It was also the second show to introduce the Super Sentai format, where the heroes must control giant robots to defeat a monster who itself has grown to a gigantic size (or anything similar). Toei's Tokusatsu adaptation of Spider-Man was the first to introduce this format used by Super Sentai to the present day, and it was the inspiration for this series, following its success. The series was also partially inspired by the Marvel Comics character Captain America.
Battle Fever J was the first series to use the term Super Sentai (unlike the previous two who were just called Sentai, without the “Super”). For a long time, up to the airing of Ninja Sentai Kakuranger, Battle Fever J was considered the first entry in the Super Sentai series, as seen in Episode 1 of the 1989 series Kousoku Sentai Turboranger that honors the past 10 sentai (the other nine being Denziman, Sun Vulcan, Goggle-V, Dynaman, Bioman, Changeman, Flashman, Maskman and Liveman) until Toei announced in 1994 that its predecessors Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai were also part of the Super Sentai series, when Chōriki Sentai Ohranger was announced as the 19th Super Sentai team.
Plot
General Kurama assembles four young agents who had been dispatched around the world for training. They are joined by FBI investigator Diane Martin, whose father was murdered by Egos. The five don powered suits to become the Battle Fever team. (The word 'fever' was trendy at the time). The Battle Fever team's trump card is the Battle Fever Robo. Egos tries to stop the construction of the Robot, but the monsters they send to perform this task are defeated one by one by the Fever team. Egos then unleashes the 'younger brother' of the Buffalo Monster, a giant robot replica of its 'older brother'. The Robot, fortunately, is finished in time. Aboard it, the Fever team defeats the Buffalo Monster and its successors. The Fever team never stops, even when it lost two of its members (the original Miss America and Battle Cossack). With new members, the team defeats Hedder, now the Hedder Monster, and breaks into Egos' headquarters, where they are fed into the Egos Monster Making Machine so that they may be used as material for a Battle Fever Monster. The team destroys the machine and slays the mysterious deity Satan Egos himself with the Lightning Sword Rocketter sword-throwing move.
Characters
National Defense Ministry
Team Battle Fever
Team Battle Fever is unique among Super Sentai shows in that, originally, they did not "transform" into their costumes (as in the previous two series, Gorenger and JAKQ), instead resorted to an unseen costume change. In most episodes, however, the members yell, "Fever!" and spin around to transform.
- Masao Den (伝正夫, Den Masao?) / Battle Japan (バトルジャパン, Batoru Japan?): A former National Defense Ministry officer. He is good at judo and karate. He is armed with a spear. He does a kung fu dance. 21 years after Battle Fever J ended, Battle Japan appeared as one of the 24 Red Rangers in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai, introduced by Liveman Red Falcon to inspire the current team.
- Kensaku Shiraishi (白石謙作, Shiraishi Kensaku?) / Battle Cossack I (バトルコサック初代, Batoru Kosakku Shodai?) (1-33): He was good at science as well as war. Wielded twin sais. He does a Cossack dance. He was the original second in command into the team. He left the Big Baser without the Battle Cossack uniform and was killed by Egos with Machine Guns, attempting to save Mayumi from Egos. He loved to play Pachinko and enjoyed eating caviar.
- Makoto Jin (神誠, Jin Makoto?) / Battle Cossack II (バトルコサック二代目, Batoru Kosakku Nidaime?) (33-52): A silent cowboy. A man of action, not words. A scientist who trained in the Defense Ministry along with Kensaku. He joined Battle Fever to avenge the death of his friend. Makoto is an expert marksman. He is a loner, preferring to go off by himself. Makoto plays a trumpet to distract Egos.
- Kyosuke Shida (志田京介, Shida Kyōsuke?) / Battle France (バトルフランス, Batoru Furansu?): He is trained in France. He became the new second in command of the team after Kensaku's death. He is normally a beautician, a dandy and playboy. He enjoys eating escargot. He is armed with a fencing sword. He does a Spanish dance.
- Shiro Akebono (曙四郎, Akebono Shirō?) / Battle Kenya (バトルケニア, Batoru Kenia?): Unofficially the first Black Warrior in Super Sentai history. He was trained at Kenya. He is a wild child who can talk to animals. He is armed with a whip. He does a tropical dance. He eats just about anything. The smell of his cooking is not appreciated by the other team members.
- Diane Martin (ダイアン・マーチン, Daian Māchin?) / Miss America I (ミスアメリカ初代, Misu Amerika Shodai?) (1-24): An FBI agent who joined the Fever team to avenge her father Bosner, who was slain by Egos. She is armed with throwing knives. She does a disco dance. After she was wounded by the Dracula Monster, she returned to the United States. Diane has a sister named Catherine.
- María Nagisa (汀マリア, Nagisa Maria?) / Miss America II (ミスアメリカ二代目, Misu Amerika Nidaime?) (24-52): An FBI agent trained by Diane Martin's father. When Diane was WIA, Maria took her place as Miss America and then stayed on permanently when Diane decided to return to the United States.
Gear
- Battleceiver (バトルシーバー, Batorushībā?): The Battle Fever Squad's communication device.
- Command Bat (コマンドバット, Komando Batto?): The Battle Fever Squad's standard issue weapon. It transforms into the Battle Fever Squad's assigned weapons. Forms the Penta Force (ペンタフォース, Penta Fōsu?) cannon or boomerang.
Vehicles
- Battle Fever Car (バトルフィーバーカー, Batoru Fībā Kā?): Stock green Mazda RX-7 used by Battle Japan and Miss America.
- Three Machines (スリーマシーン, Surī Mashīn?): The motorcycles used by the rest of the BFS. In episode 35, Miss America rode Battle France's motorcycle.
Mecha
- Big Baser (ビッグベイザー, Biggu Beizā?): The Battle Fever Squad's box-like undersea headquarters. It can move from place to place under the sea.
- Battle Shark (バトルシャーク, Batoru Shāku?): A submarine-like mecha carrier. Splits in half to launch the Battle Fever Robo and stores all of its weaponry.
- Battle Fever Robo (バトルフィーバーロボ, Batoru Fībā Robo?): Resembling a samurai, this the first giant robot in Super Sentai history. It has a variety of weapons:
- Lightning Sword (電光剣, Denkō Ken?): Samurai-type sword with scabbard. On the grip are the letters "ACFKJ" (America, Cossack, France, Kenya (Although Battle Kenya is technically a Black Warrior, the "K" on the grip is green), Japan).
- Bamboo Slice (唐竹割り, Karatake Wari?): The Battle Fever Robo's primary finisher.
- Battle Fever Power (バトルフィーバーパワー, Batoru Fībā Pawā?): The auxiliary finisher using the robot's total energy. It was used to kill Hedder Monster.
- Lightning Sword Rocketter (電光剣ロケッター, Denkō Ken Rokettā?): The auxiliary finisher used to kill Satan Egos in the final battle.
- Swords Fever (ソードフィーバー, Sōdo Fībā?): The throwing daggers stored in sheaths attached to the robot's legs. It was used in the Cross Fever (クロスフィーバー, Kurosu Fībā?) attack.
- Fever Axe (フィーバーアックス, Fībā Akkusu?): The hatchet.
- Chain Crushers (チェーンクラッシャー, Chēn Kurasshā?): The chains stored in the robot's arms.
- Stick Attacker (スティックアタッカー, Sutikku Atakkā?): A spear.
- Attack Lancer (アタックランサー, Atakku Ransā?): A trident. It can be used in conjunction with either Chain Crusher.
- Cane Knocker (ケーンノッカー, Kēn Nokkā?): A shakujo. It was used in Episode 24 to fight the Dracula Robot.
- Battle Shield (バトルシールド, Batoru Shīrudo?): A defense tool. It can withstand 28,000 tons of pressure.
- Knuckle Punchers (ナックルパンチャー, Nakkuru Panchā?): Knuckle dusters.
- Cross Turn (クロスターン, Kurosu Tān?): The robot can attack using its detached horns.
- Fever Cannons: The cannons stored inside the robot's lower legs.
Allies
- General Tetsuzan Kurama (倉間鉄山将軍, Kurama Tetsuzan Shōgun?): The chief of the special science office of the National Defense Ministry who established the Fever team. He is a master of traditional Japanese swordsmanship.
- Keiko Nakahara: One of the operatives that runs Big Baser.
- Tomoko Ueda: The other operative that runs Big Baser.
- Masaru Nakahara: Keiko's little brother.
- Yuki Ueda: Tomoko's little sister. Was used by Egos in episode 27 to find Battle Fever's base.
- Kyutaro: Robot mynah bird built by Tetsuzan as a present. Often had insight into the situation. Revealed in episode 51 to have a freezing ray built in.
Secret Society Egos
Secret Society Egos (秘密結社エゴス, Himitsu Kessha Egosu?) is a religion of mad egocentrists who intend to plunge the world into chaos.
- Satan Egos (サタンエゴス, Satan Egosu?): The mysterious head, entirely draped in black. He is ultimately slain by the Lightning Sword Rocketter.
- Commander Hedder (ヘッダー指揮官, Heddā Shikikan?) (1 – 51): The high priest of Egos. He later becomes the Hedder Monster and is slain as such by the Battle Fever Squad's new attack, Battle Fever Power.
- Salomé (サロメ, Sarome?) (19 – 52): An Egos American branch officer who came to Japan to aid Hedder with her super strength. She was killed in the collapsing castle as Satan Egos fled. Her last words were begging Egos to help her.
- Cutmen (カットマン, Kattoman?): The foot soldiers in grey and black armed with MP40 machineguns.
Episodes
- Assault!! Run to the Ballpark (突撃！！球場へ走れ, Totsugeki!! Kyūjō e Hashire?)
- Egos' Monster-Making Method (エゴス怪人製造法, Egosu Kaijin Seizō Hō?)
- Search for the Spy! (スパイを探せ！, Supai o Sagase!?)
- It's a Super-Powered Trap! (超魔力の罠だ！, Chōmaryoku no Wana da!?)
- Robot Big Dogfight (ロボット大空中戦, Robotto Dai Kūchūsen?)
- Launch the Multipurpose Battleship (万能戦艦発進せよ, Bannō Senkan Hasshin Seyo?)
- The House Burns!! (お家が燃える！！, O-uchi ga Moeru!!?)
- The Riddle of the Strongarm Ace (鉄腕エースの謎, Tetsuwan Ēsu no Nazo?)
- The Woman from the Land of Ice (氷の国の女, Kōri no Kuni no Onna?)
- I Saw the Naumann Elephant (ナウマン象を見た, Nauman-zō o Mita?)
- The Great Case of the Pet Kidnapping (ペット誘拐大事件, Petto Yūkai Dai Jiken?)
- The Cursed Killing Method, Rose Snowstorm (呪い殺法バラ吹雪, Noroi Satsu Hō Bara Fubuki?)
- Golden Eggs and Sunny-Side-Up Eggs (金の卵と目玉焼き, Kin no Tamago to Medamayaki?)
- Marriage of the Beauty and the Beast (美女と野獣の結婚, Bijo to Yajū no Kekkon?)
- Egos' Hellish Cooking (エゴスの地獄料理, Egosu no Jigoku Ryōri?)
- The Tragedy of the Unarmed-Combat Queen (格闘技女王の悲劇, Kakutōgi Joō no Higeki?)
- Steal the Monster Machine (怪物マシンを奪え, Kaibutsu Mashin o Ubae?)
- Hurry to the Dove's Nest of Evil (鳩よ悪の巣へ急げ, Hato yo Aku no Su e Isoge?)
- Just Bigger Than the World's Biggest Beauty!! (世界最強の美女！！, Sekai Saidai Kyō no Bijo?)
- Hazardous Ghost Hunting (危険な幽霊狩り, Kiken na Yūrei Kari?)
- Assault the Dinosaur Peninsula!! (恐竜半島へ突撃！！, Kyōryū Hantō e Totsugeki?)
- The Female Spy Team's Counterattack (女スパイ団の逆襲, Onna Supai Dan no Gyakushū?)
- Decisive Battle!! All Monsters Appear (決戦！！怪人総登場, Kessen!! Kaijin Sō Tōjō?)
- Tears! Diane Falls (涙！ダイアン倒る, Namida! Daian Taoru?)
- The Film Studio is a Strange Haunt (撮影所は怪奇魔境, Satsueijo wa Kaiki Makyū?)
- The Bandage Man's Masked Report (包帯男の仮面報告, Hōtai Otoko no Kamen Hōkoku?)
- First Love, to a Thief's Soul, Official Business (初恋泥棒にご用心, Hatsukoi Dorobō ni Goyō Kokoro?)
- Chase the Mysterious Boat (謎のボートを追え, Nazo no Bōto o Oe?)
- Did You See Her!? The Woman With the Torn Mouth (見たか！？口裂け女, Mita ka!? Kuchisake Onna?)
- The Villainous, Omnivorous Head Chef (悪漢雑食の料理長, Akkan Zasshoku no Ryōrichō?)
- Violent Dash Truck Siblings (激走トラック兄妹, Gekisō Torakku Kyōdai?)
- Hometown Homicide Village (ふるさと殺人村, Furusato Satsujin Mura?)
- Cossack Dies in Love (コサック愛に死す, Kosakku Ai ni Shisu?)
- The Dark Shogun Who Laughs in Hell (地獄で笑う闇将軍, Jigoku de Warau Yami Shōgun?)
- Starving Big Panic (腹ペコ大パニック, Harapeko Dai Panikku?)
- The Blown-Up Wedding (爆破された結婚式, Bakuhasareta Kekkonshiki?)
- Lightning Sword vs. Pinwheel Sword (電光剣対風車剣, Denkōken Tai Kazegurumaken?)
- The Bizarre Party's Trap (怪奇パーティーの罠, Kaiki Pātī no Wana?)
- The Friend Who Became a Demon (悪魔になった友, Akuma ni Natta Tomo?)
- The Beautiful Teacher, in the Nick of Time (美人先生危機一髪, Bijin Sensei Kikiippatsu?)
- A Big Counterattack on the Verge of Explosion (爆破寸前の大逆転, Bakuha Sunzen no Dai Gyakushū?)
- The Fireworks of Electric Human Love (電気人間愛の花火, Denki Ningen-Ai no Hanabi?)
- Assassin Jackal (暗殺者ジャッカル, Ansatsusha Jakkaru?)
- The Moonlight Clan of Hell Valley (地獄谷の月影一族, Jigoku Tani no Getsuei Ichizoku?)
- Five Minutes Before the Heart Stops! (心臓停止五分前！, Shinzō Teishi Gofun Mae?)
- The Cursed Straw Doll (呪いのワラ人形, Noroi no Wara Ningyō?)
- A Mystery! Strategic Grass-Lot Baseball (怪！謀略の草野球, Kai! Bōryaku no Kusayakyū?)
- The Big Thief and the Robber Boy (大盗賊と泥棒少年, Dai Tōzoku to Dorobō Shōnen?)
- The Five Second Graders Rebel Army (2年5組の反乱軍, Ninen Gokumi no Hanrangun?)
- The Demon Who Aims at the Shogun's Mask (将軍を狙う覆面鬼, Shōgun o Nerau Fukumen Oni?)
- Egos' Revival Ceremony (エゴス復活の儀式, Egosu Fukkatsu no Kishiki?)
- The Symphony of the Heroes (英雄たちの交響曲, Eiyūtachi no Kōkyōkyoku?)
Cast
- Narrator: Toru Ohira
- Masao Den: Hironori Tanioka
- Kensaku Shiraishi: Yukio Itou
- Makoto Jin: Naoya Ban
- Kyosuke Shida: Yuuhei Kurachi
- Shiro Akebono: Kenji Ohba
- Diane Martin, Fake Diane Martin: Diane Martin
- Diane Martin (Voice): Lisa Komaki
- Maria Nagisa: Naomi Hagi
- Commander Hedder: Kenji Ushio (Episodes 1-7[1]) / Masashi Ishibashi (Episodes 9-51)
- Salome/Ayoko Ichijoji (52): Maki Ueda (Episodes 19-52)
Stunt Actors
- Battle Japan: Kazuo Nibori
- Battle Cossack: Hiroshi Atsum and Hirohumi Koga
- Battle France: Haruhiko Hashimoto and Tetsuo Mashita
- Battle Kenya: Kenji Ohba and Tsutomu Kitagawa
- Miss America: Lisa Komaki, Eiko Onodera and Tsutomu Kitagawa
Songs
- Opening theme
- "Battle Fever J" (バトルフィーバーJ, Batoru Fībā Jei?)
- Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa (山川 啓介, Yamakawa Keisuke?)
- Composition and Arrangement: Michiaki Watanabe (渡辺 宙明, Watanabe Michiaki?)
- Artist: MoJo with the Columbia Yurikago-Kai
- Ending theme
- "Yūsha ga Yuku" (勇者が行く?, "Brave Men Go")
- Lyrics: Saburō Yatsude
- Composition and Arrangement: Michiaki Watanabe
- Artist: MoJo
International broadcasts
Battle Fever J was especially popular in Hawaii, along with Gorenger, Kikaider, Kamen Rider V3, and Ultraman; all of which were shown in the original Japanese dialogue and subtitled by JN Productions on then KIKU Channel 13. The show was also broadcasted in Thailand late in the mid-1990s under the name of Ranger J on MCOT Channel 9.
Notes
- ^ Original version only. Subsequent airings and releases have replaced Kenji Ushio by Masashi Ishibashi, except for episodes 4 and 6
External links