Yatterman

Yatterman
ヤッターマン (Yattāman)
Genre	Comedy, science fiction
Anime television series
Time Bokan Series Yatterman
Directed by	Hiroshi Sasagawa
Studio	Tatsunoko Production
Network	Fuji TV
Original run	January 1, 1977 – January 27, 1979
Episodes	108[1]
Anime television series
Studio	Tatsunoko Production
Network	YTV
Original run	January 14, 2008 – September 27, 2009
Episodes	60
Anime film
Yatterman: Shin Yatter Mecha Daishūgō! Omocha no Kuni de Daikessen da Koron!
Directed by	Masakazu Hishida
Produced by	Yoshikazu Tochihira
Written by	Daisuke Watanabe Masakazu Hishida Natsuko Takahashi
Music by	Masaaki Jinbo Masayuki Yamamoto
Studio	Tatsunoko Production
Released	August 22, 2009

Yatterman (Japanese: ヤッターマン, Hepburn: Yattāman) is a Japanese anime television series broadcast from January 1, 1977 to January 27, 1979, comprising 108 episodes. It is the second and longest show in the Time Bokan series by Tatsunoko Productions. The series succeeded Time Bokan and preceded Zenderman; it was the final series to be produced by company founder Tatsuo Yoshida prior to his death.

A remake of Yatterman aired on NTV and Yomiuri TV from January 14, 2008 through September 27, 2009, with the original voice actors for the Dorombo gang. A live-action adaptation was released theatrically in March 2009. Another entry in the franchise, Yatterman Night, began airing in January 2015 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Time Bokan franchise.^[2]

Plot

A mysterious stone known as Skull Stone (ドクロストーン, Dokurosutōn) is scattered across the planet, and it holds the power to reveal the location of the largest deposit of gold in the world. The "Doronbo (ドロンボー, Doronbō) Gang, the three villains, are searching for the Skull Stone. Standing in their way are Gan and Ai who, teamed up with their large mechanical dog Yatterwan, become the masked heroes Yatterman-1 and Yatterman-2.

Unlike the previous series in the Time Bokan lineup, Yatterman does not cover any specific time/space travel. Instead, the places the characters travel to and the individuals they meet are either a homage or parody. The fictional characters or places are usually represented by purposely misspelled names or familiar actions. For example, a revolution leader is named "Yashington" as a homage to George Washington; and a place resembling ancient Japan is named "Yametai" ((I) want to stop), as a spoof of Yamatai.

Characters

Heroes

Gan Takada (高田 ガン, Takada Gan) / Gan-chan (ガンちゃん) / Yatterman-1 (ヤッターマン-1, Yattāman Ichi-go)

Voiced by: Yoshiko Ohta (1977–1979), Hiroyuki Yoshino (2008), Eri Kitamura (Tatsunoko vs. Capcom)

Actor Portrayal: Shō Sakurai

Gan is a 13-year-old boy whose father is a famous toy designer who failed to complete the "Yatter-Wan", a dog-shaped all-terrain rescue robot. Gan is an expert in mechanics, and he helps fix his father's dream design. He forms a fighting team with his girlfriend Ai, and names himself Yatterman-1. His weapon of choice is a kendama, which he uses as a flail and grappling hook as well as for his special attack "Kenda-Magic", a zapping attack.^[3] He is shown to be much more careless in the 2008 version of the show and has tendency to frustrate Ai.

Ai Kaminari (上成 愛, Kaminari Ai) / Ai-chan (アイちゃん) / Yatterman-2 (ヤッターマン-2, Yattāman Ni-go)

Voiced by: Mari Okamoto^[4] (1977–1979), Shizuka Itō (2008), Emiri Katō (Tatsunoko vs. Capcom)

Actor portrayal: Saki Fukuda

Ai is Gan's girlfriend, and the only daughter of a shopkeeper who sells electrical appliances. She is Gan's loyal follower. She is often seen constructing and modifying machines with Gan. She is Yatterman-2, and uses a telescoping baton called "Electric Stick" to emit electric currents to shock opponents.^[4] In the 2008 version of the show, she often refer things as "100%" (for example "We are in 100% of trouble")

Omotchama (オモッチャマ, Omocchama)

Voiced by: Reiko Katsura (1977–1979), Chiaki Takahashi (2008, live action film)

Omotchama is Gan's robot. It serves as the mascot of Gan's father's toy shop. It is shaped like a large dice, and is known for its catchphrase "-da-koron" at the end of each sentence. His name comes from 'omoccha', the Japanese word for 'toy'.

Villains

Doronjo (ドロンジョ, Doronjo)

Voiced by: Noriko Ohara

Actor portrayal: Kyoko Fukada

Doronjo is an attractive blonde who leads the Dorombo Gang in locating the Dokuro Stone. She is known for her vanity, intelligence and leadership, just like her counterpart from Time Bokan, along with her iconic skull-shaped smoking pipe. Marjo. Her real name is Hiroko Sasagawa (ササッガワ・ヒロッコ, Sasaggawa Hirokko).^[4]

Boyacky Butsukusa (ブツクサ・ボヤッキー, Butsukusa Boyakkī)

Voiced by: Jōji Yanami

Actor portrayal: Katsuhisa Namase

Boyacky is a tall skinny man with a large nose and moustache, just like his counterpart Grocky in Time Bokan.^[4] He is clever, lecherous and largely responsible for the creation of the giant mechas used by the Dorombo Gang. He usually appears naked according to his comic Bogeboge Boyacky(ボゲボゲボヤッキー).

Tonzura Sutakora (スタコラ・トンズラー, Sutakora Tonzurā)

Voiced by: Kazuya Tatekabe

Actor portrayal: Kendo Kobayashi

A short, muscular, squat man with a severe overbite and facial stubble, just like his counterpart Walther in Time Bokan.^[4] Tonzura is the strong man of the group and does most of the heavy lifting, though he's usually quick to run away when threatened. He speaks in kansai-ben.

Dokurobei (ドクロベエ, Dokurobē)

Voiced by: Junpei Takiguchi

Dokurobei is the elusive boss of the Dorombo Gang. He gives orders regarding the location of the Dokuro Stone to his subordinates in unusual ways, such as through a talking hamburger or the image of a red skull on a TV screen. Even when his leads are revealed to be inaccurate, Dokurobei is always quick to punish the Dorombo Gang when they fail.

Mechas

Yatter-Wan (ヤッターワン, Yattā-Wan)

Voiced by: Masaru Ikeda (1977–1979), Kōichi Yamadera (2008)

The dog-shaped robot Yatter-Wan was designed by Gan's father as a prototype rescue robot. It is fitted with a siren and a bell, similar to other rescue vehicles, and a joystick to control the other features. Its nostrils fire iron pellets, and holds two firehoses on its back. A bone-shaped power pack, known as "Mecha-Tonic", is fed to the dog robot to allow a sudden outburst of strength to ward off a deadly blow. The robot's special attack is a large group of miniature robots, usually taking the shape of land-based animals, exit the robots mouth. The mini-robots use their weapons on the enemy, causing the Doronbo's robots to explode and create a skull-shaped explosion cloud.

Yatter-King (ヤッターキング, Yattā-Kingu)

Voiced by: Masaru Ikeda

Yatter-King was built using the damaged remains of Yatter-Wan. It is a much larger machine, resembling a crossover of a fire engine with a dachshound. It comes with a complete series of new features, including a tail that serves as a firehose, a projectile launcher on its rear body and a body that serves as a mecha-carrier for a series of smaller robots. In the 2009 version,, it was formed by combining Yatterwan and Yatterzero, which has a design with a more fighting ability and a "king" like robot design.

Yatter-Pelican (ヤッターペリカン, Yattā-Perikan)

Voiced by: Masaru Ikeda (1977–1979), Kōichi Yamadera (2008)

Yatter-Pelican is a pelican robot that appeared in the 14th episode. It is constructed by Gan as an airborne mecha for the Yatterman duo. Pelican has a braggard, loud-mouthed personality. It feeds on a fish-shaped Mecha-Tonic for a power boost, and the mini-robots it releases are shaped like various birds. In the 2008 version, he tends to speak in bits of English in certain sentences.

Yatter-Angler (ヤッターアンコウ, Yattā-Ankō)

Voiced by: Masaru Ikeda (1977–1979), Kōichi Yamadera (2008)

Angler (Yatter-Fish) is a goosefish robot, it appeared in the 27th episode. It is constructed as the only all-terrain mecha for the Yatterman, and is equipped with a cockpit for underwater travels. The Mecha-Tonic is in the shape of a fish-roe, and releases mini-robots shaped like marine creatures. It has a funny, constantly gurgling voice as if it talks underwater.

Yatter-Phant (ヤッターゾウ, Yattā-Zō)

Voiced by: Masaru Ikeda

Phant is an elephant robot. The machine is introduced in the 92nd episode as an alternate mecha-carrier alongside Yatter-King. Its most noticeable feature is its ears, which flap to allow flight, and its trunk serves as a water-hose/flamethrower.

Yatter-Bull (ヤッターブル, Yattā-Buru)

Voiced by: Masaru Ikeda

It is a bulldog robot. It is one of the three "Action Mechas" introduced in the 58th episode and carried by Yatter-King.

Yatter-Dozilla (ヤッタードジラ, Yattā-Dojira)

Voiced by: Masaru Tanaka

A robot built by Gan and also can drill underground

Yatter-Panda (ヤッターパンダ, Yattā-Panda) & Little Panda (コパンダ, Ko-Panda)

Voiced by: Masaru Ikeda & Kumiko Takizawa

Yatter-Yokozuna (ヤッターよこづな, Yattā-Yokozuna)

Voiced by: Kenichi Ogata

A sumo robot.

Yatter-Jinbee (ヤッタージンベエ, Yattā-Jinbē)

Voiced by: Kouichi Yamadera

A Whale Shark meccha called Yatter-Jinbee (Yatter-Whashark) introduced in episode 36 of the 2008 series, being a mecha carrier much like that of the original Yatter-King and Yatter-Phant.

Yatter-Mogura (ヤッターもぐら, Yattā-Mogura)

Voiced by: Kouichi Yamadera

A new Talpidae based meccha called Yatter-Mogura (Yatter-Mole) in the 2008 version that first appeared in episode 39. It, like Yatter-Dozilla, it specializes in underground work.

Yatter-Dragon (ヤッタードラゴン, Yattā-Doragon)

Voiced by: Kouichi Yamadera

An Eastern-Dragon based Mecha introduced in episode 50 of the 2008 version. It only seems to appear in a rather major crisis, often when the other robots aren't available or functional.

Villains' machines

The shape and function of their mechas is fully dependent on the theme of the scam-business they run at the beginning of each episode. Their machines usually feature a familiar interior with Boyacky and Tonzura sitting at the sides, and Doronjo sitting in the middle bossing the two. The villains' machines are often seen packing a lot of weaponry and usually temporarily defeat Yatterman mechas at the beginning of each fight. Later in the show, the villains start to deploy their own armies of miniature robots to counter those of Yatterman.

Media

Anime

1977 television series

The original series aired on Fuji TV between January 1, 1977 and January 27, 1979, running for 108 episodes. For episodes 1-58, the opening theme is "Theme of Yatterman" (ヤッターマンの歌, Yattāman no Uta) by Masayuki Yamamoto whilst the ending theme is "Genius Doronbo" (天才ドロンボー, Tensai Doronbō) by Noriko Ohara, Jōji Yanami and Kazuya Tatekabe. For episodes 59-108, the opening theme is "Yatterking" (ヤッターキング, Yattākingu) by Yamamoto whilst the ending theme is "Dorobo's Shirake" (ドロンボーのシラーケッ, Doronbō no Shirāke) by Ohara, Yanami and Tatekabe. The series also aired in Spain, Italy and Poland.

2008 television series

Nearly 31 years following the previous series, a remake of the series aired on YTV between January 14, 2008 and September 27, 2009, running for 60 episodes. The story is a retelling of the original series, with more modern references to suit the current tastes. The opening themes are variations of "Yatterman's Theme" sung by, in order, Saemon Onyakichi, ET-KING, Yuki Nishio, Nakano-Bujo Sisters and Toshihiko Takamizawa, with the final episode using the original version by Yamamoto. The ending themes in order are "diverge" by mihimaru GT, "Total Eclipse" (皆既日蝕, Kaiki Shitsushoku) by Juleps, "Like Love Song" (恋想曲, Rensōkyoku) by Manami Kurose, "Now" (今, Ima) by ET-KING, "Give Me Up" by Nami Tamaki, "I Win!" (勝つんだ!, Katsunda!) by Nakano-Bujo Sisters and "A Story That Starts From ZERO" (ZEROからはじめるストーリー, Zero Kara Hajimeru Sutōrī) by Wakaba. The series, along with the original show is currently streaming in North America via Yomiura Group's planned Anime Sols video service, as of spring 2013.^[5][6] However, due to the failure to successfully crowd-fund it for DVD, the show will soon be removed from the site, with the possibility of considering a crowd-funding opportunity in the future.

On August 22, 2009, an anime film based on the 2008 television series was released in Japan.^[7] Titled Yatterman: Shin Yatter Mecha Daishūgō! Omocha no Kuni de Daikessen da Koron! (ヤッターマン 新ヤッターメカ大集合!オモチャの国で大決戦だコロン!, lit. "Yatterman: All New YatterMechas Assembled! Great Decisive Battle in the Toy Kingdom!") and directed by Masakazu Hishida, the film opened at #10 with US$702,155 on 210 screens.^[8]

Yatterman Night

A 2015 television series, Yatterman Night, began airing in Japan from January 11, 2015 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Time Bokan franchise. The series takes place several years in the future and follows the descendants of the Doronbo Gang as they fight against the Yattermen, who have become corrupt. The series is licensed in North America by Funimation, who are simulcasting the series as it airs.^[9]

Live-action film

Logo for the new Yatterman movie

On April 10, 2007, Nikkatsu Corporation agreed to produce two live-action movies based on two popular 1970's anime series: Yatterman and Gatchaman.

Filming began on March 27, 2008,^[10] and concluded at the end of May 2008.^[10] It is directed by Takashi Miike. Character and mechanical designs were handled by Katsuya Terada, who has worked on Blood: The Last Vampire and Cutie Honey. The film opened on March 7, 2009, and became Japan's top movie at the box office on its first week.^[11][12] Video label Eureka have licensed released the film on DVD and Blu-ray Disc in the United Kingdom on May 21, 2012. Discotek Media released the film in North America in 2013.^[13]

Video games

Several video games have been released based on the series. NEW Yatterman: Nandai Kandai Yajirobe (NEWヤッターマン 難題かんだいヤジロベエ) was released for Super Famicom on March 22, 1996. A Mobile Game was released on 2003 developed by Hudson Soft. Two Nintendo DS titles based on the 2008 series, Yatterman DS: Bikkuri Dokkiri Daisakusen da Koron (ヤッターマンDS ビックリドッキリ大作戦だコロン, Yatterman DS: The Great Thrilling Operation) and Yatterman DS2: Bikkuri Dokkiri Animal Daibōken (ヤッターマンDS2 ビックリドッキリアニマル大冒険, Yatterman DS2: The Great Thrilling Animal Adventure), were released in April 2008 and October 2008 respectively, followed by a Wii title, Yatterman Wii: Bikkuri Dokkiri Machine de Takeshi Race da Koron (ヤッターマンWii ビックリドッキリマシンで猛レースだコロン, Yatterman Wii: The Thrilling Takeshi Machine Race), released on December 11, 2012.

Yatterman-1 and Doronjo (assisted by Boyacky and Tonzura) appear as playable characters in the cross-over fighting game, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes, released by Capcom for Wii in Japan in 2008. A follow up game, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars, which was released internationally in 2010, adds Yatterman-2 as a playable character. Doronjo, Boyacky and Tonzura share the same voice actors whilst Yatterman-1 and Yatterman-2 are voiced by Eri Kitamura and Emiri Katō respectively.

The skin, Akihibara Accept, for the AUG in Counter Strike: Global Offensive reads "Yatta!" at the end of its description.

Other appearances

Yatterman also makes an appearance in the third episode of Sket Dance as a playable character.

The animated series Muteking, The Dashing Warrior, always of Tatsunoko, refers broadly to the style of Yatterman, both as regards the characters, both for the plots of the episodes.

Japanese pro wrestling fed Michinoku Pro is currently running a Yatter Man tribute gimmick, with wrestlers Hercules Senga, Tsutomu Oosugi and Misaki Ohata as "Yapper Man #1", "Yapper Man #2" and "Yapper Man #3". #1 and #2 have been Tohoku Tag Team Champions.^[14]

References

External links

• Official movie website
• Japanese News Online Yatterman Movie
• Yatterman (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia