Eagle Riders

Eagle Riders
Created by Saban Entertainment
Based on Gatchaman II and Gatchaman Fighter
by Ippei Kuri
Written by R.D. Smithee
Marc Handler
Dayna Barron
Melora Harte
Michael Sorich
Richard Epcar
Ronni Pear
Steve Kramer
Tom Wyner
Winston Richard
Voices of Dena Burton
Richard Cansino
Lara Cody
Bryan Cranston
R. Martin Klein
Heidi Lenhart
Mona Marshall
Greg O'Neill
Paul Schrier
Peter Spellos
Theme music composer Shuki Levy
Kussa Mahchi
Composer(s) Shuki Levy
Kussa Mahchi
Country of origin United States
Japan
Original language(s) English
No. of episodes 65 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s) Eric S. Rollman
Producer(s) Rita M. Acosta
Production company(s) Saban Entertainment, Inc.
Saban International N.V.
Distributor Saban Entertainment, Inc. (former)
Disney–ABC Domestic Television (current)
Release
Original network UPN (U.S.)
Original release September 9, 1996 – January 1, 1997

Eagle Riders is an American animated television adaptation of the Japanese anime series Gatchaman II and Gatchaman Fighter, which have been combined together. The rights to the English-language version of Eagle Riders is owned by Saban Entertainment.[1][2] All 65 episodes aired in Australia; but in the United States, only 13 episodes were aired.[3]

Premise

Earth is under siege from the alien menace known only by the name Cybercon and its legion of android forces, the Vorak. The Global Security Council convenes to address this problem, and calls upon Dr. Thaddeus Keane for assistance. They remember the aid they had received from Keane's special force, the Eagle Riders, in years past. Keane assures them that the Eagle Riders are still together, still strong, and armed with brand new weapons.

Adaptations and changes

Both series were heavily edited when it came to the adaptation process, with controversial elements removed, as well as the entire soundtrack being replaced. As with previous English adaptations of Gatchaman, character names and terms were also changed in the localization.

One notable example of the changes made to the series is the removal of Mallanox (Gel Sadra)'s origin and transformation, which happened in the premiere episode of the original Gatchaman II. The character was also changed from female to male, though her correct gender and origin were reinstated in later dub episodes.

Another change, made to segue the two series together, involved the finale of Gatchaman II and the first episode of Gatchaman Fighter being merged, as well as the death of Gel Sadra being cut. Instead, Mallanox is said to have been transformed into a new form, named Happy Boy (originally, the Gatchaman Fighter villain Count Egobossler).

The final eight episodes of Gatchaman Fighter were never translated, due to the objectionable content involved. Instead, the 15th episode of Gatchaman Fighter served as the series finale.

Team variations across different versions

The renaming of the various characters and terms in Eagle Riders are highlighted as follows (in correspondence to their Gatchaman equivalents, among others):

Gatchaman Eagle Riders Rank Bird Uniform Weapon Mecha Japanese voice actor Voice actor (Eagle Riders)
Ken Washio Hunter Harris G1 Eagle Razor boomerang Airplane Katsuji Mori Richard Cansino
Joe Asakura Joe Thax G2 Condor Pistol Race Car Isao Sasaki Bryan Cranston
Jun Kelly Jennar G3 Swan Yo-yo Motorcycle Kazuko Sugiyama Heidi Noelle Lenhart
Jinpei Mickey Dugan G4 Swallow Bolo Dune Buggy Yoku Shioya Mona Marshall
Ryu Nakanishi Ollie Keeawani G5 Owl Pistol God Phoenix Shingo Kanemoto Paul Schrier

Other character variations

Gatchaman Eagle Riders
Dr. Kozaburo Nambu Dr. Thaddeus Keane
ISO Director Anderson Anderson
Red Impulse /
Kentaro Washio 		Harley Harris
Berg Katse Lukan
Sosai (Generalissimo) X Cybercon
Galactor Vorak
Gel Sadra Mallanox
Dr. Sylvie Pandora (Gatchaman II) Dr.Francine Aikens
Sammie Pandora Nancy Aikens
Dr. Rafael Professor Andro
Count Egobossler Happy Boy
Mechandol Olaf
Kempler Vax
Engineer Kamo Uncle Avery

Other notable changes

Variations Gatchaman (Japanese) Battle Of The Planets Guardians Of Space Eagle Riders OVA (Harmony Gold dub) Gatchaman (English)
Identity Change Command Bird, Go!‡ Transmute! G-Force, Transform! Eagle Mode, NOW!
Ken Eagle One, Transform!
Joe Shapeshift, Condor
June Swan Mode, Now!
Jimmy Falcon Tracker, Transform!
Rocky (Unknown)
 Bird, Go!
Planet/Civilization Selectol (planet) Galactor (civilization) Spectra Galactor Vorak Galactor Selectol (planet) Galactor (civilization)

‡The original Japanese-language version of Gatchaman contains a small amount of words in English.

Production staff

Voice cast

References

  1. ↑ "RIAP Writes". EX. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  2. ↑ "RIAP Writes". EX. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  3. ↑ "Editor's Note". EX. Retrieved 2008-05-16.
  4. ↑ "Joshua Seth biography". Film Reference. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  5. ↑ "Interview with Derek Stephen Prince". Film Reference. Retrieved 2009-06-07.

Further reading

External links

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