Choudenshi Bioman

This article is about the 1984-1985 Super Sentai series. For the Greek machine manufacturer, see BIOMAN (lifting devices).
Choudenshi Bioman
Genre Tokusatsu
Created by Toei
Starring Ryōsuke Sakamoto
Naoto Ōta
Akito Ōsuga
Yuki Yajima
Sumiko Tanaka
Michiko Makino
Munemaru Kōda
Narrated by Ichirō Murakoshi (村越 伊知郎 Murakoshi Ichirō)
Composer(s) Tatsumi Yano
Country of origin Japan
No. of episodes 51
Production
Producer(s) Seiji Abe
Moriyoshi Katō
Takeyuki Suzuki
Yasuhiro Tomita
Running time 20 minutes
Production company(s) TV Asahi
NT21
Toei Company
Toei Advertising
Broadcast
Original channel TV Asahi
Original run February 4, 1984 – January 26, 1985
Chronology
Preceded by Kagaku Sentai Dynaman
Followed by Dengeki Sentai Changeman

Choudenshi Bioman (超電子バイオマン Chōdenshi Baioman, lit. Super-Electron Bioman) is Toei Company's eighth installment in the Super Sentai series. Its 51 episodes aired on TV Asahi from February 4, 1984 to January 26, 1985 with a movie being released during the show's initial run. The international English title is listed by Toei as Bioman.[1]

Synopsis

The once prosperous Planet Bio (バイオ星 Baio-sei) is destroyed after a world war erupted over the use of a scientific discovery called "Bio Particles". The Planet Bio Peacekeeping Alliance (バイオ星平和連合 Baio-sei Heiwa Rengō), which sought to use Bio Particles for peaceful purposes, sends the giant robot Bio Robo and an assistant robot named Peebo to prevent the same tragedy from happening on Earth. Bio Robo arrives in 15th century Japan, where it showers Bio Particles on five young individuals. Five centuries later, the descendants of these individuals, infused with Bio Particles, are chosen by Peebo and Bio Robo to become the Bioman team to protect the Earth from the New Gear Empire, an organization led by mad scientist Doctor Man.

Characters

Biomen

The Biomen are the descendants of five people showered with Bio Particles centuries ago who were spirited way by the Bio Robo during Gear's initial attack to obtain the Techno Braces (テクノブレス Tekuno Buresu) from Peebo to become the Bioman. To transform individually they call their color and number and to transform as a group they call Bioman. Along with their Bio Swords (バイオソード Baio Sōdo), a versatile sidearm with sword, dagger, and blaster modes, the Bioman have a variety of team attacks that are executed after their Bio Brain Computers are synched up. Among their team attacks are Bio Electron Beam (バイオエレクトロビーム Baio Erekutoron Bīmu) and Miracle Laser (ミラクルレーザー Mirakuru Rēzā).

Shirō Gō/Red One (郷史朗/レッドワン Gō Shirō/Reddo Wan)
Shirō Gō was the pilot of the first Japanese space shuttle before getting caught in the crossfire just as the Gear begins the invasion. In him, passion and responsibility unite. He grew up believing that his father was dead. However, after meeting Professor Shibata, he is not so sure. The Bio Particles within him enable him to communicate with animals; thus making them useful in reconnaissance missions. His Bio Brain Computer allows him to target any opponent with his Super Electron Radar (超電子レーダー Chōdenshi Rēdā) ability. Armed with the Fire Sword (ファイヤーソード Faiyā Sōdo) and his special attack is Spark Sword (スパークソード Supāku Sōdo).
Shingo Takasugi/Green Two (高杉真吾/グリーンツー Takasugi Shingo/Gurīn Tsū)
Shingo Takasugi is a race car driver. Shingo can be very tough to enemies yet very kind to children. Despite his bravado, there are times when he doubts his abilities. Despite these doubts, he knows what he must do and does his best. He is the designated driver of Bio Turbo. His Bio Brain Computer allows him to use his Super Electron Scope (超電子スコープ Chōdenshi Sukōpu) ability to see through any deception. Armed with the Hurricane Sword (ハリケーンソード Harikēn Sōdo) and the Green Boomerang (グリーンブメラング Gurīn Bumerangu) and his special attack is Break Action (ブレイクアクション Bureiku Akushon).
Ryūta Nanbara/Blue Three (南原竜太/ブルースリー Nanbara Ryūta/Burū Surī)
Ryūta Nanbara is a water sportsman who is boyish and adventurous. He loves to explore and discover new things. His years of diving have made him very nimble and is skilled in stealth techniques. He can't tolerate bullies. His Bio Brain Computer allows him to use his Super Electron Ear (超電子イヤー Chōdenshi Iyā) ability to enhance his sense of hearing. He wields the Elec-Sword (エレキソード Ereki Sōdo) and his special attack is Super Sky Diving (スーパースカイダイビング Sūpā Sukai Daibingu).
Mika Koizumi/Yellow Four I (小泉ミカ/1初代イエローフォー Koizumi Mika/Shodai Ierō Fō, 1-10)
Mika Koizumi is a photographer who dreams of following in her late brother's footsteps to photograph African wildlife. Initially, she is hesitant to join the team until she is convinced that Gear's evil would eventually put the animals in danger. When Gear manage to gather a bit of Anti-Bio Particles to weaponize, Mika dies by Pysgorn's hand sacrificing herself to empty Bio Killer Gun's ammo so her allies can fight without being poisoned by the Anti-Bio Particles. The others mourn her as Bio Robo activates her Bio-Brain Computer to present her memories to give the Bioman hope. Her Bio Brain Computer allows her to present photographic projections in her Super Electron Holography (超電子ホログラフィ Chōdenshi Horogurafi) ability. Her weapon was the Thunder Sword (サンダーソード Sandā Sōdo). Her special attack is Yellow Flash.
Jun Yabuki/Yellow Four II (矢吹ジュン/2代目イエローフォー Yabuki Jun/Nidaime Ierō Fō, 11-51)
Jun Yabuki is an Olympic archer. Sometimes dressing up in a hybrid American Indian cowgirl/feudal Japan outfit. The last two letters in her surname "ki" form the kanji for her color. After watching Bioman in action, she tries to join them, but is initially refused due to her lack of understanding how serious the fight is. However, her fearlessness enabled the Bioman to learn that she is also a descendant of the original Bioman. When she accidentally injures Shirō during the Samecanth incident, Jun is confronted by her old squad captain who learns of her reasons for leaving the Olympic archery team and allows her to remain with the Bioman. Having the same abilities and arsenal as her predecessor, the new Yellow Four also uses the Bio Arrow (バイオアロー Baio Arō) as her weapon.
Hikaru Katsuragi/Pink Five (桂木ひかる/ピンクファイブ Katsuragi Hikaru/Pinku Faibu)
Hikaru Katsuragi is a carnival flutist. She is sweet yet strong and is a mistress of disguise. She bears an unusually strong spirit with a strong motherly instinct. She plays the flute to calm her spirits and to strengthen her resolve. She is able to befriend the evil computer Brain and teach him about friendship, which pays off when Brain sacrifices himself to save the Bioman and the world from destruction. She is the most emotional member of the team. Her Bio Brain Computer allows her to use her Super Electron Beamlight (超電子ビームライト Chōdenshi Bīmuraito) ability. She wields the Laser Sword (レーザーソード Rēzā Sōdo). Her special attacks are Pink Flash (ピンクフラッシュ Pinku Furasshu), Pink Barrier (ピンクバリヤー Pinku Bariyā) and Spin Chop (スピンチョップ Supin Choppu).

Allies

Mecha

Vehicles

New Empire Gear

The New Empire Gear (新帝国ギア Shin Teikoku Gia) was founded and led by the cyborg Doctor Man, from his Neo-Cloud fortress at the South Pole. Gear's forces believe themselves to be a technologically advanced society with the right to rule Earth.

Zyunoids

The Five Beast Warrior Zyunoids (ジューノイド五獣士 Jūnoido Go Jūshi) are mechanical monsters that fight the Biomen and support the Big Three in their battles.

Others

Silva

Bio Hunter Silva (バイオハンター・シルバ Baio Hantā Shiruba) is a robot who has given half of the Bio Particles as a power source and with a built-in arrow launcher in his elbow, from Planet Bio built by the Anti-Bio Union with the objective to terminate anything with Bio Particles. However, Silva malfunctions and uses his mecha Balzion (バルジオン Barujion) to destroy Planet Bio. Tracking the Bio Particle signature of Peebo and Bio Robo, Silva arrives on Earth to complete his objective. Though an arch-enemy of the Bioman, Silva is also at odds with Gear who desire to utilize Balzion's technology for their own use. Losing his robot, Silva retrieves Balzion while killing Mason. In the end, Silva is destroyed when Balzion was defeated by a sudden charge of Bio Energy from Bio Robo.

Episodes

  1. The Enigmatic Giant Robo Arrives (謎の巨大ロボ出現 Nazo no Kyodai Robo Shutsugen)
  2. Gathering! Warriors of Destiny (集合!宿命の戦士 Shūgō! Shukumei no Senshi)
  3. Our Friend, Bio Robo (わが友バイオロボ Waga Tomo Baio Robo)
  4. Self Destruct! Mecha-Humans (自爆!メカ人間 Jibaku! Meka Ningen)
  5. Cut Down the Unseen Enemy (見えない敵を斬れ Mienai Teki o Kire)
  6. Stand up! Bio Robo (起て!バイオロボ Tate! Baio Robo)
  7. Captured Pibo (つかまったピーボ Tsukamatta Pībo)
  8. Fight! Wishing upon a Star (戦え!星に誓って Tatakae! Hoshi ni Sakatte)
  9. The People-Erasing Jump Rope (人を消すなわ跳び Hito o Kesu Nawatobi)
  10. Goodbye Yellow (さよならイエロー Sayonara Ierō)
  11. Enter New Warrior Jun (新戦士ジュン登場 Shin Senshi Jun Tōjō)
  12. Murderer Green! (殺人者グリーン! Satsujinsha Gurīn!)
  13. Jun! (ジュンよ! Jun yo!)
  14. New Intellect Brain! (新頭脳ブレイン! Shin Zunō Burein!)
  15. The Female Warrior's Flaming Oath (女戦士炎の誓い Onna Senshi Honō no Chikai)
  16. Run, 21599 Seconds (走れ21599秒 Hashire Ni-Man-Sen-Gobyaku-Kyū-Jū-Kyū-byō)
  17. I Saw Ryugu Castle (僕は龍宮城を見た Boku wa Ryūgū-jō o Mita)
  18. The Psychic Girl's Prayer (超能力少女の祈り Chōnōryoku Shōjo no Inori)
  19. My Father is Doctor Man (父はドクターマン Chichi wa Dokutā Man)
  20. Prince's Challenge! (プリンスの挑戦! Purinsu no Chōsen!)
  21. Protect Bio Base (守れバイオベース Mamore Baio Bēsu)
  22. A Great Burglar!? Blue! (大泥棒!?ブルー! Ō Dorobō!? Burū!)
  23. Gyo! Attack of the Puppet! (ギョ!人形の襲撃! Gyo! Ningyō no Shūgeki!)
  24. The Exploding Flower of Love (爆発する愛の花 Bakuhatsu Suru Ai no Hana)
  25. Prince's Ghost? (プリンスの幽霊? Purinsu no Yūrei?)
  26. My Father's Dreadful Secret (恐るべき父の秘密 Osorubeki Chichi no Himitsu)
  27. Spider Hell's Female Warrior (クモ地獄の女戦士 Kumo Jigoku no Onna Senshi)
  28. Doctor Man Assassination (ドクターマン暗殺 Dokutā Man Ansatsu)
  29. The Day Tokyo Disappeared!? (東京が消える日!? Tōkyō ga Kieru Hi!?)
  30. Ultimate Canth's Demon Sword (最強カンスの魔剣 Saikyō Kansu no Ma Ken)
  31. New Model!? The Megas Arrives (新型!?メガス出現 Shingata!? Megasu Shutsugen)
  32. Gear's Great Remodelling Plan (ギアの大改造作戦 Gia no Dai Kaizō Sakusen)
  33. Has It Come Forth!? The New Finishing Move (出るか!?新必殺技 Deru ka!? Shin Hissatsu-waza)
  34. Behold! Bio Power (見よ!バイオの力 Mi yo! Baio no Chikara)
  35. The Sixth Man (6番目の男 Rokubanme no Otoko)
  36. Transform Boy (変身ボーイ Henshin Bōi)
  37. The Assassin Silva! (殺し屋シルバ! Koroshiya Shiruba!)
  38. The Enigmatic Balzion (謎のバルジオン Nazo no Barujion)
  39. Mason's Trap! (メイスンのワナ! Meisun no Wana!)
  40. Stolen Turbo! (奪われたターボ! Ubawareta Tābo!)
  41. The Demonic Lullaby! (悪魔の子守り唄! Akuma no Komoriuta!)
  42. Gō! Risk Your Life! (郷!命を賭けろ! Gō! Inochi o Kakero!)
  43. The Sailor-Suited Soldier (セーラー服の戦士 Sērā-fuku no Senshi)
  44. The Beautiful Conscience Circuit (美しき良心回路 Utsukishiki Ryōshin Kairo)
  45. Human Bomb Jun! (人間爆弾ジュン! Ningen Bakudan Jun!)
  46. Escape! The Town of Traps! (脱出!わなの町! Dasshutsu! Wana no Machi!)
  47. Professor Shibata's True identity!? (柴田博士の正体!? Shibata-hakase no Shōtai!?)
  48. Enter! Balzion (出現!バルジオン Shutsugen! Barujion)
  49. Critical Bio Robo (危うしバイオロボ Ayaushi Baio Robo)
  50. Assault Newgrad (突撃ネオグラード Totsugeki Neogurādo)
  51. Goodbye Pibo (さよならピーボ Sayonara Pībo)

Movie

A movie version of Chōdenshi Bioman premiered at the Toei Manga Matsuri film festival on July 14, 1984, the same day episode 24 aired. It was directed by Nagafumi Hori and written by Hirohisa Soda, who both worked on the series. The events of the movie are set somewhere between Episodes 11 and 31 due to the presence of Jun Yabuki as Yellow Four and the appearance of all five Beastnoids.

International broadcasts

Asia

Bioman aired in the Philippines on ABS-CBN in 1987-88 and IBC-13 in 1993-99 - making it the second Sentai show to be broadcast there since Himitsu Sentai Gorenger and J.A.K.Q. Dengekitai. It was also the last tokusatsu title in the Philippines to be dubbed in English, as Space Sheriff Shaider - which was aired on the same year - began the trend of dubbing tokusatsu in Filipino. In recent years, Bioman was re-broadcast and re-dubbed in Filipino. The series also aired on Channel 7 in Thailand.

Europe

The series was very popular in France, with singer/actor Bernard Minet recording a French version of the show's theme for that country.[2]

Latin America

Bioman was dubbed in Spanish and aired in Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico and El Salvador by Caracol TV, RCTV/Televen, Azteca 7 and Canal 12, respectively[3]

United States

In 1986, Haim Saban produced a pilot episode of an American adaptation of the series simply titled Bio-Man.[4][5]

Cast

Voice Actors

Songs

Opening theme
Ending theme

References

External links