Voicelugger

Voicelugger
Genre Tokusatsu
Created by Shotaro Ishinomori
Directed by Tōru Hirayama (chief)
Starring Akiko Nakagawa
Haruna Ikezawa
Tomokazu Seki
Takeshi Kusao
Ichirou Mizuki
Composer(s) Shunsuke Kikuchi
Country of origin Japan
Language(s) Japanese
Production
Running time approx. 25 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel TV Tokyo
Original run January 12, 1999 – March 30, 1999

Voicelugger (ボイスラッガー Boisuraggā?) is a Japanese tokusatsu that aired from January 12 to March 30, 1999. It was the last production by Shotaro Ishinomori, released posthumously, who intended for the series to be serious, while it was originally written to be a parody of older tokusatsu programs. The acting cast consisted of Japanese voice actors and popular singers of music in Japanese animation.

Contents

Story

The evil Emperor Genbah of the Muon Empire (ムーオン帝国の帝王ゲンバー Mūon Teikoku no Teiō Genbā?) of the planet Tsedua (ツェドゥア Tsedua?) seeks to use the Voistones (ボイストーン Boisutōn?) of four children to control Demon Beast Hades (悪魔獣ハーデス Akumajū Hādes?), but his plans are foiled by Voicelugger Gold who takes the children to Earth. Years later, the now grown up children use the power of the Voistones to fight the Muon Empire and protect the Earth.

Characters

The Voiceluggers

Voicelugger Ruby/Akiko Homura (ボイスラッガールビー/帆村 明子 Boisuraggā Rubī/Homura Akiko?)
A fan of tokusatsu series of the 1970s, particularly Kamen Rider. She is the first to remember the events on Tsedua.
Voicelugger Rose/Haruka Yuuki (ボイスラッガーローズ/夕樹 遙 Boisuraggā Rōzu/Yūki Haruka?)
She had been living in Los Angeles. She does not remember much about Tsedua, but her memory is slowly returning.
Voicelugger Emerald/Tomokazu Daichi (ボイスラッガーエメラルド/大地 友一 Boisuraggā Emerarudo/Daichi Tomokazu?)
A popular voice actor. He has memories of Tsedua and had been training his voice since his youth so it could be used as a weapon. He trains the other Voiceluggers to do the same.
Voicelugger Sapphire/Takeshi Tenma (ボイスラッガーサファイア/天馬 武 Boisuraggā Safaia/Tenma Takeshi?)
A self proclaimed "idol voice actor" who becomes the most powerful of the four children. He is adept at playing musical instruments.
Voicelugger Gold (ボイスラッガーゴールド Boisuraggā Gōrudo?)
The savior of the other four Voiceluggers who can transform his voice to suit his needs.

Allies

Android Pi (アンドロイド・π Andoroido Pai?)
An assassin sent by Genbah that Akiko turns into a friend with her voice.
Mu (μ Myū?)
An android that also befriends the Voiceluggers.
Chaos (カオス Kaosu?)
The former Voicelugger Gold.

Muon Empire

Emperor Genbah (帝王ゲンバー Teiō Genbā?)
The ruler of the Muon Empire who seeks to use the Voiceluggers to resurrect Hades.
General Gamma (将軍γ Shōgun Ganma?)
Once head of the Muon Empire forces.
Eyelash Line (アイラシュライン Airashurain?)
Female leader of the Muon Empire's forces.

Episodes

  1. I am a Hero (あたしがヒーロー Atashi ga Hīrō?)
  2. Rose-Colored Eyes Awaken (薔薇よ目を覚ませ Bara yo Me o Samase?)
  3. The Fate of One (運命がひとつになるとき Unmei ga Hitotsu ni Naru Toki?)
  4. Android Pi's Lullaby (アンドロイド・パイの子守歌 Andoroido Pai no Komorika?)
  5. Charming Yet Malicious: Her Name is Eyelash Line (艶やかな悪意・その名はアイラシュライン Tsuya ya Kana Akui: Sono Na wa Airashurain?)
  6. Lovely Zaglaus (愛ゆえに・ザガラウス Ai Yue ni: Zagarausu?)
  7. Dangerous Superhero! Roar Great Search Line (危うしスーパーヒーロー!吠える大捜査線 Ayaushi Sūpāhīrō! Hoeru Daisōsasen?)
  8. Change of Heart (変心 Henshin?)
  9. Diaspora (四散 Shisan?)
  10. Shouting and Whispering (叫びとささやき Sakebi to Sasayaki?)
  11. The Redemption Song is Not Singing (Redemption Songは歌えない Redemption Song wa Utaenai?)
  12. Smiling Face in Rain, Clear Weather in a Smiling Face (雨のち笑顔 笑顔のち晴れ Ame nochi Egao Egao nochi Hare?)

Cast

Songs

Opening theme
"Hoero! Voicelugger" (ほえろ!ボイスラッガー Hoero! Boisuraggā?, "Roar! Voicelugger") by Ichirou Mizuki
Released on a single with "Voicelugger Action" (ボイスラッガー・アクション Boisuraggā Akushon?)
Ending theme
"Ame nochi Egao, Egao nochi Hare" (アメノチエガオエガオノチハレ?, "Smiling Face in Rain, Clear Weather in a Smiling Face") by Hironobu Kageyama with Apple Pie
Released on a single with "Change! Voicelugger" (チェンジ!ボイスラッガー Chenji! Boisuraggā?)

References