Chōjin Sentai Jetman

Chōjin Sentai Jetman
Title Screen
Genre	Drama Tokusatsu Superhero fiction Action Science fiction Fantasy
Created by	Toei
Written by	Toshiki Inoue Kenichi Araki Hiroyuki Kawasaki Naruhisa Arakawa Kunio Fujii Asami Watanabe Takahiko Masuda
Directed by	Keita Amemiya Kiyoshi Arai Shohei Tojo Taro Sakamoto Masao Minowa
Starring	Kōtarō Tanaka Rika Kishida Tomihisa Naruse Sayuri Uchida Toshihide Wakamatsu
Narrated by	Tsutomu Tareki
Opening theme	"Chōjin Sentai Jetman" (鳥人戦隊ジェットマン, Chōjin Sentai Jettoman) by Hironobu Kageyama
Ending theme	"The Heart is an Egg" (こころはタマゴ, Kokoro wa Tamago) by Hironobu Kageyama
Composer(s)	Kazuhiko Toyama
Country of origin	Japan
Original language(s)	Japanese
No. of episodes	51
Production
Producer(s)	Atsushi Kaji Takeyuki Suzuki Kyōzō Utsunomiya
Running time	approx. 25 minutes
Release
Original network	TV Asahi
Original release	February 15, 1991 – February 14, 1992
Chronology
Preceded by	Chikyu Sentai Fiveman
Followed by	Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger

Chōjin Sentai Jetman (Japanese: 鳥人戦隊ジェットマン, Hepburn: Chōjin Sentai Jettoman, Birdman Task Force Jetman) is a Japanese tokusatsu television series produced by Toei Company and Bandai. It is the fifteenth entry of the Super Sentai television series, following the previous series Chikyu Sentai Fiveman. the series aired on TV Asahi on February 15, 1991 to February 14, 1992, with a total of 51 episodes. Also, it is the last Super Sentai series that hasn't been adapted into Power Rangers before Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters.

Plot

This series takes place in 199X.^{[Note 1]} On the Earth Ship, the command center of a defence agency called Sky Force, the guardians of peace on Earth, scientists have developed "Birdonic Waves", a newly developed technology which gives the subject superhuman abilities. Experiments called "J-Project" were successful. Aya Odagiri, the director of the project, chooses five elite Sky Force officials from Earth to use this technology. Ryu Tendoh, one of the Sky Force officers, is successfully exposed to the Birdonic Waves, making him the first Jetman, the Red Hawk.

However, the Earth Ship is suddenly attacked by Vyram, an evil outer-dimensional organization bent on inter-dimensional domination. They successfully destroy the ship, apparently killing Ryu's lover and fellow candidate member Rie. In the chaos, the remaining Birdonic Waves for the other four officials become scattered on Earth, hitting four civilians. Odagiri and Tendoh successfully escape and begin searching on Earth for the four remaining Jetmen, training them to aid them in stopping Vyram's plans of conquering their dimension.

The series later follows the tribulations of Ryu as he learns of Rie's survival and enlistment in the Vyram forces, as well as a love triangle between Gai, Ryu, and Kaori.

Characters

Earth Defence Force Sky Force

Earth Defence Force Sky Force (地球防衛軍スカイフォース, Chikyū Bōeigun Sukai Fōsu) is the military organization the Jetmen belong to.

Jetmen

Based at the Sky Camp (スカイキャンプ, Sukai Kyanpu), a high-tech base provided by the Sky Force, the Jetmen can launch their mecha from it. Each Jetman has a wing suit called the Jet Wings in order for them to glide in the air.

Ryu Tendoh

Ryu Tendoh (天堂 竜, Tendō Ryū)/Red Hawk (レッドホーク, Reddo Hōku): Born at May 10, 1965. He is 25 years old at the beginning of the series, but turns 26 in episode 13. He is originally a Sky Forcer codenamed "W6" and leader of the Jetmen. Being the only official to become a Jetman, his policy is to be always professional and never let feelings affect himself in battle, enforcing it to his team mates. This leads to a conflict when he discovers that his beloved Rie has become Maria, eventually coming to terms with the revelation as he resolves to save Rie from the Vyram's hold over her. However, Maria's death at the hands of his nemesis Radiguet exceeds into the final battle, causing him to face Radiguet alone before Kaori consoles Ryu and advises him not to take revenge. During the final battle, Ryu has his superior and the other Jetmen use Jet Icarus to destroy Raguem and Jet Garuda, injuring him as a result. Three years later, Ryu marries Kaori and the two have a son, whom they name after their late teammate, Gai.^[1]

• Attacks: Wing Punch (ウイングパンチ, Uingu Panchi)

Ryu Tendoh is portrayed by Kotaro Tanaka (田中 弘太郎, Tanaka Kotaro).

Kaori Rokumeikan

Kaori Rokumeikan (鹿鳴館 香, Rokumeikan Kaori)/White Swan (ホワイトスワン, Howaito Suwan): The 22-year-old heiress of the Rokumeikan Enterprises empire. She is taken care of by her butler, Jiiya, since her parents live in New York City. She joined the Jetmen to escape the boredom of her heiress life. She is good at Kendo and is the best shot in Jetman. Kaori was in the middle of a love triangle with Ryū and Gai, learning in battle what a spoiled rich girl she was and what were the really important things. Raita also had feelings for her. She was once engaged to a wealthy businessman named Soichiro Kitaoji and was close to marrying him, but she quickly ended their relationship when she saw his selfishness in contrast to her team's selfless determination as warriors of justice. She does sometimes use her wealth to help the team, like when she used a lot of diamonds to try and snap Ako from the curse of the monster Red Diamond. At the end of the series, she marries Ryū and they have a son, Gai.

• Attacks: Swan Wing (スワンウィング, Suwan Wingu), Swannie Attack (スワニーアタック, Suwanī Atakku), Double Kick (with Yellow Owl).

Kaori Rokumeikan is portrayed by Rika Kishida (岸田 里佳, Kishida Rika).

Raita Oishi

Raita Oishi (大石 雷太, Ōishi Raita)/Yellow Owl (イエローオウル, Ierō Ōru): A 22-year-old overweight, eyeglasses-wearing nature lover who enjoys vegetables, Raita hates Vyram for their destruction of nature. He was raised by his grandmother, Kiyo Ōishi, because Raita's parents were busy learning to be good at cooking. He looked after Kaori, vowing to be there for her even if he has no chance with her. As Yellow Owl, he specializes in raw strength techniques like head butts, body blows, sumo-based techniques, and hurling boulders. Three years after Vyram is defeated, he runs a farm with his childhood friend, Satsuki, before later taking their business to the next level via the internet.

• Attacks: Rock Drop (岩石落とし, Ganseki Otoshi), Deadly Thrust (必殺つっぱり, Hissatsu Tsuppari), Condor/Owl Towering Attack, Double Kick (ダブルキック, Daburu Kikku) (with White Swan).

Raita Oishi is portrayed by Ikko Tadano (ただの いっこ, Tadano Ikko) (Credited under Tomihisa Naruse (成瀬 富久, Naruse Tomihisa)).

Ako Hayasaka

Ako Hayasaka (早坂 アコ, Hayasaka Ako)/Blue Swallow (ブルースワロー, Burū Suwarō): An 18-year-old senior student at Miharakita High School, Ako was a bright and cheerful girl who wants to marry a rich man. She first thought of being a Jetman as a means to get ¥1,500 per hour, but her first battle helps her see justice and made her realize that she must fight for good. She is best friends with her classmate, Kyōko, who learned of her true identity during the voice Jigen incident. From the Gomi Jigen incident, the monster being her childhood toy Pootan, Ako learns of how wasteful humans can be. She debuts as an idol singer three years after the fall of Vyram.

• Attacks: Swallow Dash (スワローダーッシュ, Suwarō Dāsshu).

Ako Hayasaka is portrayed by Sayuri Uchida (内田 さゆり, Uchida Sayuri).

Gai Yuki

Gai Yuki (結城 凱, Yūki Gai)/Black Condor (ブラックコンドル, Burakku Kondoru): The 25-year-old second-in-command of the Jetmen, a loner who hates being told what to do. Gai loves to fight but prefers things to work out without violence. Gai's fighting styles are street fighting and mixed martial arts: his combat skills match Ryu's, though he fights dirty and hits below the belt sometimes. He initially clashes with Ryū when drafted against his will, but they eventually become friends. His interests include motorcycle, swimming, saxophone, gambling and womanizing. He loves Kaori, and often tries to flirt with her, without results, which ends up with him suffering from the frustration of his unreciprocated feelings. When she finally accepts him, they frequently have problems in their relationship, as they are too different. He is rivals with Grey. He defeated Grey in their final encounter, in which a part of his helmet was damaged. Years after the defeat of Vyram, while buying a bouquet for Ryu and Kaori's wedding, Gai chases after a mugger, who stabs him in the stomach. He makes it to the church after the wedding party and talks to Ryu before he dies of his wound while watching everyone enjoy themselves. Ryu and Kaori name their son after him.

• Attacks: Condor Finish (コンドルフィニッシュ, Kondoru Finisshu), Condor/Owl Towering Attack (コンドルオウルタワーリングアタック, Kondoru Ōru Tawāringu Atakku).

Gai Yuki is portrayed by Toshihide Wakamatsu (若松 俊秀, Wakamatsu Toshihide).

Arsenal

• Cross Changer (クロスチェンジャー, Kurosu Chenjā): The transformation bracelet, worn on the right wrist. They transform by shouting the device's name and pressing a bird shaped button on the bracelet.
• Corresponder (コレスポンダー, Koresupondā): The communication device for the team. It contains an icon representing each member's respective bird which can be placed in the "Bird Lock" (バードロック, Bādo Rokku) on the control console of the Jetmen's mecha to form Jet Ícarus. It is worn on the left wrist.
• Jet Hand Cannons (ジェットハンドカノン, Jetto Hando Kanon): A combination of the Bird Blaster and Bringer Sword. With it, the Jetmen can execute the Bird Bomber (バードボンバー, Bādo Bonbā) team attack.
  • Bird Blasters (バードブラスター, Bādo Burasutā): Standard sidearm weapons.
  • Bringer Swords (ブリンガーソード, Buringā Sōdo): Longswords used by the Jetmen.
• Beak Smashers (ビークスマッシャー, Bīku Sumasshā): Advanced guns with seeker lasers.
• Smash Bombers (スマッシュボンバー, Sumasshu Bonbā): A combination of the Bird Blaster and Beak Smasher. With it, the Jetmen can execute a team attack of the same name.
• Wing Gauntlet (ウィングガントレット, Wingu Gantoretto): Gauntlets equipped with electrowaves, used to perform Wing Punch (ウイングパンチ, Uingu Panchi). It can also fire Wing Beams (ウィングビーム, Wingu Bīmu).

Vehicles

• Jet Striker (ジェットストライカー, Jetto Sutoraikā): Red's buggy, transforms into Fire Bazooka (Faiyā Bazūka). Its maximum speed is 500 kilometers per hour.
• Jet Bouncer (ジェットバンサー, Jetto Bansā): Yellow and White's Toyota Hilux four-wheeled drive. Its maximum speed is 400 kilometers per hour.
• Jet Speeders (ジェットスピーダー, Jetto Supīdā): Black and Blue's motorcycles. Its maximum speed is 360 kilometers per hour.

Mecha

• Jet Icarus (ジェットイカロス, Jetto Ikarosu):^{[Note 2]} A giant robot formed with all five Jet Machine fighter jets by the command "Combine! Scramble Wing" (合体! スクラムウイング, Gattai! Sukuramu Uingu). It destroys monsters using the Birdonic Sabre (バードニックセイバー, Bādonikku Seibā). Its other weapons are the Shot Puncher (ショットパンチャー, Shotto Panchā), Icarus Crusher, Icarus Axe (イカロスアックス, Icaros Akkusu), Icarus Magna (イカロスマグナ, Ikarosu Maguna), Jet Lancer (ジェットランサー, Jetto Ransā), Jet Dagger (ジェットダガー, Jetto Dagā), and the Wing Shield (ウィングシールド, Wingu Shīrudo). It can reform into the Icarus Haken (イカロスハーケン, Ikarosu Hāken) when the command of "Combine! Jet Scramble" (合体! ジェットスクラム, Gattai! Jetto Sukuramu) is given, and its ultimate attack is the Jet Phoenix (ジェットフェニックス, Jetto Fenikkusu).
  • Jet Hawk (ジェットホーク, Jetto Hōku): Red Hawk's individual Jet Machine. It forms the frontal section of the Icarus Haken, the head and chest of the Jet Icarus, and the head and the center of the chest of the Great Icarus. Despite it being somewhat destroyed, it appears again in Gaoranger vs Super Sentai.
  • Jet Condor (ジェットコンドル, Jetto Kondoru): Black Condor's individual Jet Machine. It forms the right rudder of the Icarus Haken, the left leg of the Jet Icarus, and the left upper leg of the Great Icarus.
    • It was repainted and renamed Jet Eagle (ジェットイーグル, Jetto Īguru) after Green Eagle (Jeffrey Kensaki) replaced the slain Black Condor in the manga.
  • Jet Owl (ジェットオウル, Jetto Ōru): Yellow Owl's individual Jet Machine. It forms the right wing of the Icarus Haken, the right arm of the Jet Icarus, and the right upper arm of the Great Icarus.
  • Jet Swan (ジェットスワン, Jetto Suwan): White Swan's individual Jet Machine. It forms the left rudder of the Icarus Haken, the right leg of the Jet Icarus, and the right upper leg of the Great Icarus.
  • Jet Swallow (ジェットスワロー, Jetto Suwarō): Blue Swallow's individual Jet Machine. It forms the left wing of the Icarus Haken, the left arm of the Jet Icaros and the Wing Shield, and the left upper arm of the Great Icaros.
• Jet Garuda (ジェットガルーダ, Jetto Garūda): Jetman's second robot that transforms from an airship called the Bird Garuda (バードガルーダ, Bādo Garūda). Actually an alien space-ship built and manned by the three survivors of the Kingdom of Dimensia, one of the many dimensional planes conquered by Vyram. When the command "Transform! Jet Garuda" (変形! ジェットガルーダ, Henkei! Jetto Garūda) is given, the cockpit of the Bird Garuda forms the head, the tailfins become the back, the rear intakes become the feet, and the forward engines are the shoulders (the forearms and lower legs slide back). It forms the headdress, body (with the Jet Hawk as the center), forearms, and lower legs of the Great Icarus and attaches to the rear of the Icarus Haken to form the Hyper Haken. It is armed with the Dia Blizzard (ダイヤブリザード, Daiya Burizādo, Dia meaning "diamond"), Wing Slasher (ウィングスラッシャー, Wingu Surasshā), Garud Searcher (ガルドサーチャー, Garudo Sāchā) and the Garuda Burst (ガルーダバースト, Garūda Bāsuto). Its finishing attack is the Garuda Claw (ガルーダクロー, Garūda Kurō). It was made by Dimensia Fighters Ray, Kanna and Dan. It was destroyed in the final battle, but is shown rebuilt in the sequel manga.
• Great Icarus (グレートイカロス, Gurēto Ikarosu): The combination of the Jet Icarus and the Jet Garuda into a powerful robot, formed from the command "Combine! Great Scramble" (合体! グレートスクラム, Gattai! Gurēto Sukuramu), and armed with Great Beam (グレートビーム, Gurēto Bīmu). It destroys monsters with its ultimate finishing attack, the Bird Maser (バードメーザー, Bādo Mēzā). When the command "Combine! Haken Scramble" (合体! ハーケンスクラム, Gattai! Hāken Sukuramu) is given, it can reform into the Hyper Haken (ハイパーハーケン, Haipā Hāken, Haken is German for "hook" or "mark"). It is armed with the Hyper Buster (ハイパーバスター, Haipā Basutā) and its finishing attack is the Hyper G Attack (ハイパー・G・アタック, Haipā Jī Atakku). It was first used to destroy the monster Semimaru.
• Tetra Boy (テトラボーイ, Tetorabōi): An AI-gifted robot specialized in quick movements and boxing attacks. It can transform into the Tetra Buster (テトラバスター, Tetorabasutā) cannon, used by the Jet Icarus or the Jet Garuda. It is rendered useless by Raguem after he severs the Tetra Boy's arms in the final battle.

Allies

Aya Odagiri

Commander Aya Odagiri (小田切綾長官, Odagiri Aya-chōkan): The first female commander of Sentai. She is good at martial arts, and the inventor of the team vehicles. She can be both caring and severe to the Jetmen, and the most important thing to her is the life of her underlings, so much that she is willing to fight in the line of fire if necessary. Her subordinates call her "Chōkan" (meaning 'chief' or 'commander'). She pilots Jet Garuda when necessary such as in the final battle.

Commander Aya Odagiri is portrayed by Mikiko Miki (三輝 みきこ, Miki Mikiko).

Supreme Commander Ichijō

Supreme Commander Ichijō (一条総司令, Ichijō Sōshirei, 40-41) : A Sky Force officer who cares only for himself and bears a grudge against Aya for being the commanding officer in the Jetmen project. With his Neo-Jetmen, Ichijō takes command of Aya's station, bent on making her suffer while removing her Jetmen from the picture. However, after his true colors are revealed, Ichijō is removed from his position before being attacked by Meteor BEM.

Neo Jetman

• Neo Jetman (ネオジェットマン, Neo Jettoman) (40-41): J1 through J5, team created by Supreme Commander Ichijō to replace the Jetmen, having Birdonic Reactors implanted in bodies. J1 (Yūta Mochizuki who later went on to play Geki/Tyranno Ranger in Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger) armed with the Neo Sword, J2 armed with the Neo Stinger scythe, J4 armed with the Neo Slicer boomerang, all wield Neo Shōoter guns and Neo Mine grenades, and their group attack is the Flare Buster twin cannon. They eventually give the Birdonic energies to the Jetmen in order to restore their powers. In the sequel manga, they are shown repowered and in charge of protecting Japan after the original Jetman's powers have faded over time. Ultimately they make way for the true Jetman once again.

Others

• Back Dimension Dimensian Soldiers (裏次元ディメンシアンの戦士, Urajigen Dimenshia no Senshi) (23-24): The last three warriors of Dimensia, a realm destroyed by Vyram. The group composed of Ray (レイ, Rei) (played by Yasuhiro Ishiwata, who previously played Bun/Blue Flash from Chōshinsei Flashman), his lover Kanna (カンナ, Kanna)(Kanako Maeda, formerly Momoko/Pink Mask in Hikari Sentai Maskman), and the youthful Dan (ダン, Dan) (Hideki Fujiwara, who went on to play Dan/Tricera Ranger in Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger), they chased Vyram to Earth with the Bird Garuda. While Ray and Kanna work with the Jetmen in their fight against Semimaru, Dan becomes romantically interested at Ako when they meet, causing him to express his feelings in a comical fashion. After Ray and Kanna are killed by Radiguet when he hijacks Jet Garuda, Dan assumes his fighting form and is mortally wounded taking the robot back from Radiguet. He dies soon after Ako expresses her feelings about him.
• Back Dimension Berserker Soldiers (裏次元ベルセルクの戦士, Urajigen Beruseruku no Senshi) (29): The two warriors from Berserk, a realm destroyed by Vyram force under Radiguet whose people can transmutate any item into weapons, though they can disard that very power to heal. Arriving to Earth, while Duran (デュラン, Dyuran) is cared for by the Jetmen, Lou (ルー, Rū) attempts to kill Radiguet. However, after Lu realizes the error of her ways and Duran is saved from the control of the monster Armor Snake, the two leave Earth to find a world they can find peace in.

Dimensional War Party Vyram

The Dimensional War Party Vyram (次元戦団バイラム, Jigen Sendan Bairamu) appears as a clan of outer-dimensional nobles, who conquered many worlds in the Back Dimension, and are now moving on to Front Dimension, ours. They boast about having achieved godhood, while they despise humans and see them as stupid and worthless. Their base of operations is the Vylock (バイロック, Bairokku), a brain-shaped castle capable of traversing dimensions and sending its forces to Earth due to its Dimensional Transfer Machine. After their leader got lost in the Back Dimension, its four leading members compete in a game to defeat the Jetmen with the prize being full-leadership. Tran eventually becomes powerful enough to assume command, but is deposed by Radiguet, who leads Vyram up to its destruction.

Back Dimensional Count Radiguet

Back Dimensional Count Radiguet (裏次元伯爵ラディゲ, Urajigen Hakushaku Radige): A cold-hearted officer who is the nearest presence to a leader of Vyram, refusing to acknowledge anyone above and will do anything to accomplish his goals including being the one who kills the Jetmen. In battle, Radiguet wields the Demon Sword Bloody Gate (魔剣ブラディゲート, Maken Buradi Gēto) and can transform into his true form, Evil Beast Radigan (凶獣ラディガン, Kyōjū Radigan), when enraged. When Juuza returned to power, Radiguet attempts to kill her and ends being punished for his treachery by living as a human with no memory of his life in Vyram. Cared for by Saki, a girl on the verge of death, Radiguet unconsciously saves her life with his power. But though he wanted nothing to do with his past, Radiguet eventually regains his memories and helps the Jetmen in fighting Juuza. After killing Juuza to acquire Semimaru, Radiguet kills Saki to discard his humanity before nurturing Semimaru to assume its adult form though it was destroyed by the Great Icarus. Radiguet later attempt to bring the Majin under his control, managing to succeed with Ramon when he absorbed Gorg. When Tranza takes over the Vyram throne, Radiguet attempts to kill him off, only to be made an example of by the stronger opponent and forced into humbling himself before Tranza. Baring a terrible grudge against Tranza since then, Radiguet allied himself with Maria and Grey to summon the meteor used to create Meteor BEM to take out the Jetmen, enraged to find Tranza used his plan as a springboard from his own scheme. Attempting to sabotage Veronica, Radiguet is hooked up to have his life force sucked out. However, instead of having the life sucked out of him, Radiguet drains Veronica's power. Later, after using the Jetmen to do his dirty work, Radiquet tortures Tranza before breaking his mind and leaving him powerless, becoming Vyram's leader. Ultimately, the side effects of his power boost manifest in his newly gained giant form, the armored Raguem (ラゲム, Ragemu) (48), (50-51). After killing Rie so Red Hawk could not have her, Radiguet battles him until the other Jetmen arrive. After the five Jetmen defeat him, Radiguet assumes his Raguem form which not even the Great Icarus is a match for until the Tetra Boy exposes the weak point Rie made. To counter their advantage over him, Raguem assimilates the Vylock into armor that he uses to overpower the Tetra Boy. The Great Icarus separates and Ryu uses the Jet Garuda to rip the armor off and the others destroy both the Jet Garuda and Raguem. Radiguet says that he will continue to curse the Jetmen for eternity from the Back Dimension before he explodes.

Back Dimensional Count Radiguet is portrayed by Daisuke Tachi (舘 大介, Tachi Daisuke). He changed his name to Masaki Tachi (舘正貴Tachi Masaki).^[2]

Tran

Tran (トラン, Toran) (1-36) / Emperor Tranza (帝王トランザ, Teiō Toranza) (36-47): A psychokinetic child who suggested a game to settle who would be Vyram's new leader. He specialized into creating toy-ish monsters to satisfy his fun desires, and thought both enemy or ally fatalities as "just part of the fun". Being the youngest of the Vyram was a big complex to him until his failed attempt to take out the Jetmen during their retreat to the Yamada Ranch was the last straw. The constant anger became unbearable to the point of Tran using it energy to undergo a super-rapid growth. With his new-found power and maturity, Tranza easily defeats both his comrades and Jetmen for underestimating him before seizing leadership of Vyram. In addition to his psychokinetic powers, and new-found arrogant nature, he can now assume disguises and wields the Boltranza (ボルトランザ, Borutoranza) rapier. After his Veronica scheme was ruined by Radiguet, after completing his new Bio Gun, Tranza heads out to hunt both him and Jetmen down. Fighting the entire Jetman team on his own, Tranza uses his Bio Gun to turn each Jetman member into a trophy portrait until only Ryu remained. However, with Radiguet aiding Red Hawk before betraying him, the Bio Gun is destroyed and the others are freed as they use Jet Bazooka on Tranza. Though he survives the attacks, Radiguet tortures Tranza before sparring him to live in misery in a catatonic state at a mental institution.

Tran is portrayed by Miku Kuga (久我 未来, Kuga Miku). Emperor Tranza is portrayed by Yutaka Hirose (広瀬 裕, Hirose Yūtaka).

Maria

Maria (マリア, Maria) (1-49): She was formerly known as Rie Aoi (藍リエ, Aoi Rie), ranked Sky Forcer W3, a love interest of Ryu's who plays the piano. Though originally to be a Jetman, Vyram's attack on the Earth Ship resulted with Rie being sucked into space. However, Rie is saved by Radiguet, who brainwashed her to be devoid of her memories as a human and made an official of Vyram. However, though he loved her and tells her that she is his, Maria defies Radiguet to suit her own agenda to be leader of Vyram. She loves to battle, and her methods are cruel and cold. She is armed with the Necrod, which has sword, gun, and whip modes. The monsters created by her were often motivated by envy, and attacked mainly women. Since the Camera Jigen incident, unconsciously playing the piano, Maria develops a relationship with Grey. Since then, she played piano music for Grey despite not knowing why, until her identity was found out and the relationship got difficult. Grey was willing to let her go if it made her happy. During the Majin incident, Maria momentarily reverted to Rie until Radiguet forced her back to her Vyram persona with a vendetta against Red Hawk. Eventually forfeiting their contest, Maria accepts Radiguet's proposal of ruling by his side in return of becoming even stronger than she is now. As a result, Maria is infected by a parasite born from Radiguet's blood that turns her into a vampiric being as she targets men, though unaware that she would transform into mindless puppet overtime. While fighting Ryu, Maria assumes her monstrous form as she battles Red Hawk before assuming Rie's appearance to catch him off guard as the parasite transfers itself to Ryu in order to have him take out the Jetmen. While Ryu manages to return to normal, Maria is in the final stage of her transformation as she defeats the other Jetmen before Ryu arrives and manages to reach Rie, causing Maria to remember her true self as she reverts to her true form. When Radiguet comes to reclaim her, Rie pretends that she will go with him, only to stab him in the back before he mortally wounds her. Before her death, Rie asks Ryu to leave her out of it before being spirited away by Grey. Her ghost later appeared in the finale, saying farewell to Ryu after his marriage to Kaori.

Maria is portrayed by Maho Maruyama (丸山 真穂, Maho Maruyama).

Grey

Grey (グレイ, Gurei) (1-50): A robot who ironically was always the most reasoning member of the Vyram. He is armed with the Grey Cannon (グレイキャノン, Gurei Kyanon), Mulshot Gun (マルショットガン, Marushotto Gan), and Hand Greyzer (ハンドグレイザー, Hando Gureizā). Despite being a robot, he showed human feelings, especially love for wine, music, cigars, and particularly Maria, learning to play the piano from example. As a result, Grey supports Maria in shielding her when fighting Jetman, seeing Gai Yuki as an ideal rival. Learning of Radiguet's plan for her, Grey attempts to talk Maria out of it to no avail. This forces Grey to ask the Jetmen to save Maria. However, he instead takes her dying body away as he takes her death hard. With nothing to live for other than his code as a soldier, Grey calls Gai out in a final match. Eventually, Grey is mortally damaged as Gai lit his one last cigar as a sign of acknowledgment as a worthy rival before Grey shuts down.

Grey is portrayed by Hideaki Kusaka (日下 秀昭, Kusaka Hideaki).

Empress Juuza

Empress Juuza (女帝ジューザ, Jotei Jūza) (17-18): The previous ruler of Vyram, referring to herself as the mother of all creation, Juuza along her underlings Radiguet, Grey, and Tran had conquered the Reverse dimension's worlds. While able to use telekinesis and breathe fire in her human form, Juuza can assume a Demon Beast form where she fires bullets from her fingers and shock-waves and beams from her mouth. Thought to be dead in the last battle in the back dimension, she actually went under a long sleep to regain her strength after acquiring the Semimaru and incubating it, and came to Earth via a meteorite. She makes her presence known by causing a momentary blackout across the city. By the time the Jetmen investigate, finding Radiguet as he was about to kill her while asleep, Juuza emerges and resumes control of Vyram. She then proceeds to turn every human in the city into a crystal pillar so she can feed Semimaru. The Jetmen nearly lose to her as Gai is affected by Juuza's spell. After banishing Radiguet for his treachery, Juuza resumes her attack as the Jetmen battle her before Gai succumbs to Juuza's spell. With some unexpected assistance from Radiguet, the Jetmen destroy her forehead crystal to free everyone she turned into crystal. Enraged that her face is scarred, Juuza assumes her Demon Beast form as the rest of Vyram and Black Condor join the fight against her as the Jetmen use the Fire Bazooka to defeat her. Near death, she is killed by Radiguet when he jabs his sword onto her throat just before Semimaru hatched.

Grinam Soldiers

Grinam Soldiers (グリナム兵, Gurinamu Hei): The black-skinned grunts born from Grinam seeds. They are armed with axes and capable of launching explosive shells from their hands. The group were later summoned by Zaigan during Super Sentai World.

Episodes

No.	Title	Original air date
1	"Seek the Warriors" "Senshi o Sagase" (戦士を探せ)	February 15, 1991
2	"The Third Warrior" "Daisan no Senshi" (第三の戦士)	February 22, 1991
3	"The Power of Five" "Itsutsu no Chikara" (五つの力)	March 1, 1991
4	"The Fighting Bride" "Tatakau Hanayome" (戦う花嫁)	March 8, 1991
5	"Fall for Me" "Ore ni Horero" (俺に惚れろ)	March 15, 1991
6	"Get Angry, Robo!" "Ikare Robo!" (怒れロボ！)	March 22, 1991
7	"Ryu's Marriage!?" "Ryū no Kekkon!?" (竜の結婚！？)	March 29, 1991
8	"The Laughing Diamond" "Warau Daiya" (笑うダイヤ)	April 5, 1991
9	"Muddy Love" "Doronko no Koi" (泥んこの恋)	April 12, 1991
10	"Cup Noodles" "Kappu Men" (カップめん)	April 19, 1991
11	"A Dangerous Game" "Kiken na Asobi" (危険な遊び)	April 26, 1991
12	"Hellbound Bus" "Jigokuyuki Basu" (地獄行バス)	May 3, 1991
13	"Maze of Love" "Ai no Meiro" (愛の迷路)	May 10, 1991
14	"Love's Deadly Bazooka" "Ai no Hissatsu Bazūka" (愛の必殺砲 (バズーカ))	May 17, 1991
15	"High School Student Warrior" "Kōkōsei Senshi" (高校生戦士)	May 24, 1991
16	"The Papers' Revolution" "Kamigami no Hanran" (紙々の叛乱)	May 31, 1991
17	"The Revived Empress" "Fukkatsu no Jotei" (復活の女帝)	June 7, 1991
18	"Gai Dies!" "Gai, Shisu!" (凱、死す！)	June 14, 1991
19	"I Can See!" "Miemasu!" (見えます！)	June 21, 1991
20	"Marriage Vacuum Cleaner" "Kekkon Sōjiki" (結婚掃除機)	June 28, 1991
21	"Walking Garbage" "Aruku Gomi" (歩くゴミ)	July 5, 1991
22	"Exploding Love" "Bakuhatsu Suru Koi" (爆発する恋)	July 12, 1991
23	"A New Squadron Debuts" "Shin Sentai Tōjō" (新戦隊登場)	July 19, 1991
24	"Launch, Super Robot" "Shutsugeki Sūpā Robo" (出撃超 (スーパー)ロボ)	July 26, 1991
25	"The Laughing Shadow-People" "Warau Kage Ningen" (笑う影人間)	August 2, 1991
26	"I'm a Primitive" "Boku wa Genshijin" (僕は原始人)	August 9, 1991
27	"The Great Escape From Hell" "Makai Dai Dasshutsu" (魔界大脱出)	August 16, 1991
28	"The Founding Dimensional Beast" "Ganso Jigenjū" (元祖次元獣)	August 23, 1991
29	"The Final Battle" "Saigo no Tatakai" (最後の戦い)	August 30, 1991
30	"The Three Majin Stand" "San Majin Tatsu" (三魔神起つ)	September 6, 1991
31	"The Squadron Disbands" "Sentai Kaisan!" (戦隊解散！)	September 13, 1991
32	"Wings!! One More Time" "Tsubasa yo! Futatabi" (翼よ！再び)	September 20, 1991
33	"It's a Cockroach" "Gokiburi Da" (ゴキブリだ)	September 27, 1991
34	"Traitorous Ryu" "Uragiri no Ryū" (裏切りの竜)	October 4, 1991
35	"The Fighting Courage Given by a Dove" "Hato ga Kureta Tatakau Yūki" (鳩がくれた戦う勇気)	October 11, 1991
36	"A Walking Appetite! Ant-People" "Aruku Shokuyoku! Ari Ningen" (歩く食欲！アリ人間)	October 18, 1991
37	"Birth! Emperor Tranza" "Tanjō! Teiō Toranza" (誕生！帝王トランザ)	October 25, 1991
38	"Sudden Hammer!" "Ikinari Hanmā!" (いきなりハンマー！)	November 1, 1991
39	"Spin, Roulette of Life" "Mawase Inochi no Rūretto" (廻せ命のルーレット)	November 8, 1991
40	"Command! Change the Squadron" "Meirei! Sentai Kōtai Seyo" (命令！戦隊交代せよ)	November 15, 1991
41	"Transformation Impossible! The Base Destroyed" "Henshin Funō! Kichi Kaimetsu" (変身不能！基地壊滅)	November 22, 1991
42	"Sleep on My Chest!" "Ore no Mune de Nemure!" (おれの胸で眠れ！)	November 29, 1991
43	"Sneak into the Commander's Body" "Chōkan no Karada ni Sennyū Seyo" (長官の体に潜入せよ)	December 6, 1991
44	"Majin Robot! Veronica" "Majin Robo! Beronika" (魔神ロボ！ベロニカ)	December 13, 1991
45	"Victorious Hot Milk" "Shōri no Hotto Miruku" (勝利のホットミルク)	December 20, 1991
46	"The Tomato Field's Great Demon King" "Tomato-batake no Daimaō" (トマト畑の大魔王)	January 10, 1992
47	"Emperor Tranza's Glory" "Teiō Toranza no Eikō" (帝王トランザの栄光)	January 17, 1992
48	"A Kiss That Calls Death" "Shi o Yobu Kuchizuke" (死を呼ぶくちづけ)	January 24, 1992
49	"Maria... Her Love and Death" "Maria… Sono Ai to Shi" (マリア…その愛と死)	January 31, 1992
50	"Respective Battles to the Death" "Sorezore no Shitō" (それぞれの死闘)	February 7, 1992
51	"Flap Your Wings! Birdmen!" "Habatake! Chōjin yo" (はばたけ！鳥人よ)	February 14, 1992

Cast

• Ryu Tendoh (天堂 竜, Tendō Ryū): Kōtarō Tanaka (田中 弘太郎, Tanaka Kotaro)
• Kaori Rokumeikan (鹿鳴館 香, Rokumeikan Kaori): Rika Kishida (岸田 里佳, Kishida Rika)
• Raita Oishi (大石 雷太, Ōishi Raita): Ikko Tadano (ただの いっこ, Tadano Ikko) (Credited under Tomihisa Naruse (成瀬 富久, Naruse Tomihisa))
• Ako Hayasaka (早坂 アコ, Hayasaka Ako): Sayuri Uchida (内田 さゆり, Uchida Sayuri)
• Gai Yuki (結城 凱, Yūki Gai): Toshihide Wakamatsu (若松 俊秀, Wakamatsu Toshihide)
• Commander Aya Odagiri (小田切綾長官, Odagiri Aya-chōkan): Mikiko Miki (三輝 みきこ, Miki Mikiko)
• Jiiya: Yuzo Hayakawa (早川 雄三, Hayakawa Yūzō)
• Rie Aoi (藍リエ, Aoi Rie)/Maria (マリア, Maria): Maho Maruyama (丸山 真穂, Maho Maruyama)
• Back Dimensional Count Radiguet (裏次元伯爵ラディゲ, Urajigen Hakushaku Radige): Daisuke Tachi (舘 大介, Tachi Daisuke)
• Tran (トラン, Toran): Miku Kuga (久我 未来, Kuga Miku)
• Emperor Tranza (帝王トランザ, Teiō Toranza) : Yutaka Hirose (広瀬 裕, Hirose Yūtaka)
• Grey (グレイ, Gurei): Hideaki Kusaka (日下 秀昭, Kusaka Hideaki, also Voice)
• Narrator: Tsutomu Tareki (垂木 勉, Tareki Tsutomu)

Songs

Opening theme

• "Chōjin Sentai Jetman" (鳥人戦隊ジェットマン, Chōjin Sentai Jettoman)
  • Lyrics: Toyohisa Araki (荒木 とよひさ, Araki Toyohisa)
  • Composition and Arrangement: Gōji Tsuno (つの ごうじ, Tsuno Gōji)
  • Artist: Hironobu Kageyama

Ending theme

• "Kokoro wa Tamago" (こころはタマゴ, "The Heart is an Egg")
  • Lyrics: Toyohisa Araki
  • Composition: Kōji Tsuno
  • Arrangement: Kenji Yamamoto
  • Artist: Hironobu Kageyama

Development

Chōjin Sentai Jetman is the first Sentai series that paid homage to another series, Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Developed before the ending of Chikyu Sentai Fiveman, Toei chose Keita Amemiya to be the series's director. During its development, the series is once called "Chōjin Sentai Birdman" (超人戦隊バードマン, Chōjin Sentai Bādoman, Lit. Superhuman Task Force Birdman),^[3] and searched for actors who would play the main characters. One of them were Toshihide Wakamatsu who would go on to play Gai Yuki/Black Condor. Before the series, the members were all referred to by their color but both Amemiya and Suzuki said that "this [was] unnatural" and decided the characters to refer each other by their names instead of their colors. Episodes without the characters transforming and fighting were also proposed, but seriously opposed by Bandai until the later half of the series.

The more mature themes such as drama, romantic love triangles and tragedy were in the series's after Takeyuki Suzuki watched Tosho Daimos, and wanted to capture its "high romance". Both the comedy and dramatic tones influenced the series's overall popularity and had become its defining part.

Related media

Novels

Following the conclusion of the TV series, the series main screenwriter, Toshiki Inoue, wrote a trilogy of Jetman novels from 1992 to 1995 that retold the events of the TV series. The novels were written specifically for adult fans of the TV series and included mature content, such as detailed descriptions of sexual intercourse between Ryū and Rie, Gai and Kaori, and Radiguet and Maria. Empress Jūza, a one-off villain in the series, had an extended role while the Dimensional Beasts and giant robots were eliminated, with the Jetmen fighting humans subjected to the Vyram's experiments instead.^[4][5][6]

Manga

A manga sequel to Jetman was published in 1996 authored by Akiko Fujii, in cooperation with the series' writing team (still under the Saburo Yatsude pen name). It was titled Chōjin Sentai Jetman: Toki o Kakete (鳥人戦隊ジェットマン 時を駆けて, "Time Flies"). Set five years after the series (and, therefore, two years after the story ends), it shows the four remaining Jetmen rejoining to battle a revived Radiguet, who had possessed Tranza's broken body. Radiguet kidnaps Ryu and Kaori's one-year-old daughter Aya Tendoh and, much in the same way he turned Rie into Maria before, he accelerates her growth and brainwashes her into becoming Ruma, whom he considers a daughter. Meanwhile, Gai's empty spot in the team is filled by a young rock guitarist called Jeffrey "Jeff" Kenzaki (ジェフリィ剣崎, Jefuryi Kenzaki), who is empowered by Birdonic Waves after a meteorite crashes next to him, and becomes Green Eagle (グリーンイーグル, Gurīn Īguru). In this manga series, the Jetmen uniform is slightly different, with the helmets more closely resembling those of Gatchaman (translucent, protruding visors, and uncovered faces).

Video game

A video game version of Chōjin Sentai Jetman was released for the Famicom on December 21, 1991. The game was published by Angel (a subsidiary of Bandai) and developed by Natsume. It is a single-player side-scrolling action game where the player assumes role one of the Jetmen members as they fight against the forces of Vyram. The player can choose which Jetman they want to control at the start of each stage, each having their own weapon and maximum hit points:

• Red Hawk and Black Condor: Bringer Sword, 8 hit points
• Yellow Owl: Wing Gauntlet, 7 hit points
• Blue Swallow and White Swan: Bird Blasters, 6 hit points

The initial five stages, Area A to Area E, can be played in any order, while the sixth and final stage, Area F, becomes available once the others have cleared. Each stage begins with a standard side-scrolling level in which the player fight their way to the end of the level in order to reach the stage's boss. Each Jetman has three types of attack: a weapon attack, a kick, and a special attack that destroys all enemies, but can only be used once (unless a replenishment is found). The boss segments consists of one-on-one battles between the team's giant robot, the Great Icarus, and a giant monster (all based on monsters from the show). The player has a four-level power gauge that will gradually fill up during the course of battle, which can be used to perform one of four possible special attacks.

The following is a list of bosses in the game and the stages where they appear:

• Mirror Jigen (Area A)
• Camera Jigen (Area B)
• Bus Jigen (Area C)
• Light Armadillo (Area D)
• Dimensional Mammoth (Area E)
• Destruction Beast Semimaru (Area F)

The game features four difficulty settings, a password option, and a Battle Mode where the player can fight against any of the first five bosses.

Reception

As of 2015, the series has become one of the most popular and darkest entries in the Super Sentai Franchise. It officially gained a much wider audience and got a rating of 7.1% average, beating Fiveman's 6.5%. Despite the series also receiving criticism for adding "romance drama to a children's show", Gai Yuki became an instant hit with Japanese mothers; who sent clemency pleas to TV Asahi so that they did not kill him off. It is still today considered to Sentai fans a masterpiece and topped the number 1 popular vote in both Bandai's B-CLUB magazine and Toei's "Super Sentai Request Tournament".

In the end, total revenue from the series greatly exceeded over 15 billion yen.

Jetman was originally going to be adapted into the first season of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

Notes

References

External links

• Chōjin Sentai Jetman at the official Super Sentai website (in Japanese)