Science Ninja Team Gatchaman

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (科学忍者隊ガッチャマン Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman) is the original installment of the Gatchaman series that ran from 1972 through 1974 and written by Jinzo Toriumi. The popularity of the show led to the sequel series Gatchaman II.  

In 2005, the series was released on DVD in the US by ADV Films. The boxsets featured artwork by DC Comics alumni Alex Ross, who was a fan of the series.

On October 29, 2013, the series was re-released on Blu Ray by Section 23 Films/Sentai Filmworks, along with a redub of the three-episode OVA remake from 1994.

Episode List

1. Gatchaman Versus Turtle King
2. The Monstrous Aircraft Carrier Appears
3. The Giant Mummy that Summons Storms
4. Revenge on the Iron Beast Mechadegon

Adaptations

The original series is also known, somewhat infamously, for its multiple English dubs (including the aforementioned release by ADV). It first had a US release in 1978 by Sandy Frank Entertainment, under the title Battle of the Planets. This version was heavily altered to adhere to the 1970s' standards of childrens' animation, as well as employ a "space" theme to tie into the popularity of the recently-released Star Wars. Sandy Frank utilized 85 episodes of the series for this adaptation, as that was the standard amount needed for syndication in that era. A new character, 7-Zark-7, was used as a way to fill in the gaps left behind by cutting scenes, as well as to explain to viewers that there were no deaths involved in the plot. As Tatsunoko Productions wound up sending the production team the film reels for episodes out of order, this adaptation is also known for having a much different viewing order.

In 1985, after "Battle of the Planets" had aired in reruns on TBS, Sandy Frank sought a new way to market the Gatchaman license. Turner Program Services sub-licensed the series for a new English adaptation, titled G-Force: Guardians of Space. After the initial test dub by Media 360 Group (an Atlanta, Georgia-based studio) was rejected due to concerns of cost, Turner contacted Fred Ladd and his "Sparklin' Entertainment" studio for a new pitch. Episodes 18 and 87 of Gatchaman were dubbed as pilots, and further episodes followed suit. However, as Turner only bought 85 episodes for syndication, only episodes 1-87 were utilized for this version, with episodes 81 and 86 skipped. 81 was skipped due to Tatsunoko being unable to find the simple English script for the producers, and 86 was skipped as the dub had already reached 85 episodes. This version stuck closer to the original Gatchaman with less censorship, although death was still toned down in some cases and the dub was criticized for its name changes, as well as a backbeat that was used to fill all silent moments. "G-Force" aired on TBS for a week in July 1987, to clear a contractual agreement so it could also be aired overseas. The entirety of the series would later be broadcast on the Cartoon Network from 1995 to 1997, returning briefly on Toonami's Midnight Run in 2000.

ADV Films' 2005 dub of the series came about as a result of sub-licensing the series from Sandy Frank (as SFE still held the master license to Gatchaman), and is uncensored, as well as keeping the character names and terminology. However, this version has also been criticized by long-time fans for some mistranslations in the dub track, such as changing "Utoland" (the city that the team lives in) to "Jutland", as well as some slang used by the characters.

ADV's release went out of print in 2007, after Sandy Frank's license to the series expired, but was re-released by Sentai Filmworks after they became the new licensor of the series in 2013.

Notes

• Gatchaman had its earliest roots in Tatsuo Yoshida's 1963 comic "Boy Ninja Squad Moonlight" (Shonen Ninja Butai Gekko), and its live-action TV adaptation "Ninja Squad Moonlight", which ran from 1964-1966. An English dub of the series aired in Australia in 1966, under the title "Phantom Agents".

• During the pre-production planning stages, which came as early as mid-1969, the series went through several name changes. Jinzo Toriumi's 1969 draft for the series called it "Science Ninja Squad 5" (Kagaku Ninja Butai Faibu). Later names considered through production included "Secret Seven" and "Shadow", and finally "Birdman" (Not to be confused with the Hanna Barbera superhero of the same name). "Birdman" was close to being the series' actual name when it was ready to go into production, until a meeting occurred between Tatsunoko Productions and Yomiuri Telecasting. A Yomiuri producer (Tsurayuki Matsuyama) suggested "Gatchaman". This name is a play-on-words of the Japanese onomatopoeia "Gaccha!", which is the sound of two mechas clashing and man, which is a common western format for superhero names. (Ex. Superman, Spider-Man etc.).

References

http://www.experts123.com/q/what-does-gatchaman-mean.html