Akumaizer 3: Difference between revisions
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The program frequently alludes to the famous [[Alexandre Dumas, père]] novel ''[[The Three Musketeers]]''. |
The program frequently alludes to the famous [[Alexandre Dumas, père]] novel ''[[The Three Musketeers]]''. |
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Due to the inhuman nature of the main characters, the primary protagonists and antagonists were portrayed exclusively by [[stuntmen]], with only their voices being portrayed by professional actors. Because of this, an unusual number of well-known [[seiyuu]] star in the series, as the voices of the main characters. [[Makio Inoue]] portrays Xavitan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fcti.multiply.com/photos/photo/310/120=According to S.I.C. Saga Vol. 2, the official name is "Xavitan", not Zabitan.=2008-01-25}}</ref>, [[Kōji Yada]] plays Evil, and [[Jōji Yanami]] provides Gabra's<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fcti.multiply.com/photos/photo/310/120=According to S.I.C. Saga Vol. 2, the official name of the two is "Evil" and "Gabra".=2008-01-25}}</ref> gravelly intonation. |
Due to the inhuman nature of the main characters, the primary protagonists and antagonists were portrayed exclusively by [[stuntmen]], with only their voices being portrayed by professional actors. Because of this, an unusual number of well-known [[seiyuu]] star in the series, as the voices of the main characters. [[Makio Inoue]] portrays Xavitan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fcti.multiply.com/photos/photo/310/120|title=According to S.I.C. Saga Vol. 2, the official name is "Xavitan", not Zabitan.=2008-01-25}}</ref>, [[Kōji Yada]] plays Evil, and [[Jōji Yanami]] provides Gabra's<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fcti.multiply.com/photos/photo/310/120|title=According to S.I.C. Saga Vol. 2, the official name of the two is "Evil" and "Gabra".=2008-01-25}}</ref> gravelly intonation. |
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==Merchandise== |
==Merchandise== |
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Revision as of 11:05, 25 January 2008
Akumaizer 3 (アクマイザー３, Akumaizā Surī) is a Japanese science fiction tokusatsu television series, created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei Company. The series premiered on Tuesday October 7, 1975 at 7:30, and ran for 38 episodes in that timeslot on NET, now known as TV Asahi. The series remains obscure outside of Japan, but was popular and renowned in its home country.
Plot summary
The program follows the adventures of three mutant superhero-refugees from the "Akuma Clan" ("Devil Clan", in English), a vast empire that exists below the surface of the Earth, and their efforts to stop the Akumas from attacking the surface world. The three warriors are Zabitan, a half-demon swordsman, Iberu ("evil"), a somewhat vain and foppish sharpshooter, and Gabura ("gobbler"), a slow-and-dim-witted strongman wielding a mighty mace. Together, they make up the superheroic team of the show's title. At the end of the series, the heroes' bodies are destroyed, but their souls survive to be reincarnated in the direct sequel to the show, Choujin Bibyun
Production
The program frequently alludes to the famous Alexandre Dumas, père novel The Three Musketeers.
Due to the inhuman nature of the main characters, the primary protagonists and antagonists were portrayed exclusively by stuntmen, with only their voices being portrayed by professional actors. Because of this, an unusual number of well-known seiyuu star in the series, as the voices of the main characters. Makio Inoue portrays Xavitan.[1], Kōji Yada plays Evil, and Jōji Yanami provides Gabra's[2] gravelly intonation.
Merchandise
The series was released on Region 2 DVD in October 2005.[3] In December of the same year, a boxed set of action figures of slightly redesigned versions of the three characters was released as part of Bandai's Super Imaginative Chogokin series.[4][5]
See also
Both Go Nagai's Devilman and Ryōsuke Takahashi's Blue Comet SPT Layzner share many themes with Akumaizer 3, such as the rebellion against an evil empire that the protagonist is also a part of, and being forced into combat against former friends, allies, and family members. Devilman also has the particular similarity of featuring a protagonist who fits the more traditional image of a monster or a demon than a hero.
References
- Akumaizer 3 at the Japan Hero Encyclopedia.
- A review of Akumaizer 3 at Japan Hero.
- Akumaizâ surî at IMDb
Footnotes
<div="footnotes-small">
- ^ "According to S.I.C. Saga Vol. 2, the official name is "Xavitan", not Zabitan.=2008-01-25".
- ^ "According to S.I.C. Saga Vol. 2, the official name of the two is "Evil" and "Gabra".=2008-01-25".
- ^ Akumaizer 3 at "Asian DVD Guide"
- ^ SIC Akumaizer 3 at Hobby Links Japan.
- ^ A gallery of the Akumaizer 3 figures