List of Gatchaman Fighter episodes

This article is a list of episodes from the television show Gatchaman Fighter in order by production number.

Episodes

No.	Title	Original air date
01	"New Dark Clouds" (Japanese: 新たなる暗雲)	October 7, 1979 (1979-10-07)
Weeks after the dust settles from Sosai X's destruction, a tiny fragment of the alien revives and begins to rebuild itself into Leader Zed. Using the remains of an old shipyard, Zed builds a vast mechanical pyramid fortress and levitates it over the ocean. Meanwhile, the rest of the world quits rebuilding from the wreckage of the thwarted Solar Shift Plan and go back to what they do best: waging war. We meet Count Egobossler, successful ruler of a growing number of territories, and an aspiring megalomaniac. Egobossler meets Sosai Zed, who decides to use Egobossler's brilliant military tactics to his own advantage, and the two strike a deal. In the wake of Chief Anderson's death in Gatchaman II, Nambu is promoted to Chief Administrator of the ISO. The Kagaku Ninjatai cope with the unusual peace. Feeling useless during peacetime, Joe wallows in boredom and self pity while Nambu tries to find a way to recharge him after his near-destruction in G-II.
02	"Debut! Gatcha Spartan" (Japanese: 登場! ガッチャ・スパルタン)	October 14, 1979 (1979-10-14)
Egobossler's first attack, backed up by one of Zed's giant mechs, completely startles out heroes. Ken, Jun, Jinpei and Ryu rush to the scene of the battle (leaving Joe behind to quietly expire). The mech is too powerful, and the New Godphoenix is completely trashed in the first skirmish with Egobossler. Fortunately, Chief Engineer Saburo Kamo is waiting in the wings with brand new mechs. With only one problem: the new vehicles need five operators to combine. It's up to Joe, who upon hearing the phrase, "Gallactor has returned," will crawl on his final strength to rejoin the team. The Gatchaspartan saves the day.
03	"A Tainted Oasis" (Japanese: 汚されたオアシス)	October 21, 1979 (1979-10-21)
04	"The Challenge of the Iron Commandos" (Japanese: アイアンコマンドの挑戦)	October 28, 1979 (1979-10-28)
05	"Charge! The Terrible Soldiers" (Japanese: 突撃!わんぱく戦士)	November 4, 1979 (1979-11-04)
06	"Burn! Gatchaman Fencer" (Japanese: 燃えろ!Gフェンサー)	November 11, 1979 (1979-11-11)
Ken asks the same question viewers have probably been asking since the beginning: "Enough battling the little guys--why can't we meet Egobossler head on?" The Team does, but fails miserably. This episode ends in a very disturbing role reversal scene with Ken--now beyond reason--raging at a laughing Egobossler, and Joe finally having to bring all his strength into play to drag Ken back into the Gatchaspartan.
07	"Steal the Giant Iron Beast" (Japanese: 巨大鉄獣を奪え!)	November 18, 1979 (1979-11-18)
The Kagaku Ninjatai continue their tries at direct confrontation by stealing aboard Zed's tower and facing him directly. This doesn't work either (can we say "outnumbered"?), though they do get in a few good punches.
08	"The Desperate Outlaw Squad" (Japanese: 決死のならず者戦隊)	November 25, 1979 (1979-11-25)
09	"Fear of the Extinction Ray Gun" (Japanese: 消滅光線砲の恐怖)	December 2, 1979 (1979-12-02)
10	"Danger! Gatchaman Base" (Japanese: 危うし! ガッチャマン基地)	December 9, 1979 (1979-12-09)
11	"The Saturn Limited Express Z-Press" (Japanese: サタン特急Zプレス)	December 16, 1979 (1979-12-16)
12	"The Order to Destroy the Mantle Base" (Japanese: マントル基地爆破指令)	December 23, 1979 (1979-12-23)
13	"Violence?! The Decisive Battle of Agrika" (Japanese: 激烈?! アグリカ決戦)	December 30, 1980 (1980-12-30)
14	"Destruction by Fire! Egobossler's Palace" (Japanese: 炎上!エゴボスラー宮殿)	January 6, 1980 (1980-01-06)
15	"Hell's Burning Ambition" (Japanese: 地獄で燃える野望)	January 13, 1980 (1980-01-13)
16	"A Deadly Butterfly Dances in the Dark" (Japanese: 地獄で燃える野望)	January 20, 1980 (1980-01-20)
17	"Horror of the Evil Smoke City" (Japanese: 戦慄の魔煙都市)	January 27, 1980 (1980-01-27)
18	"The Spectacular Crash of G-1" (Japanese: G1号華麗なる激突)	February 3, 1980 (1980-02-03)
19	"Don't Touch the Super Stuff!" (Japanese: 超物質に手をだすな!)	February 10, 1980 (1980-02-10)
Mercenary scientist Professor Gordon develops an indestructible material called Neophryte and decides to sell it to the highest bidder. So he summons agents from both Gallactor (Egobossler's first officer, Kempler) and the ISO (the Gatchaman, naturally) to meet alone on a spot he specifies. Of course Kempler doesn't come alone, but much to both his and Ken's surprise, neither does Ken. While the Gallactors and the rest of the Kagaku Ninjatai take part in a snarling standoff outside, Gordon, Kempler and Ken negotiate. Kempler offers money, while Ken refuses to haggle, stating honor and decency as his reasons (and knowing as Gordon does that once he withdraws his protection, Gallactor will simply take what they want by force). Worried about his father, Gordon's son finally ends the standoff and uncovers the compound for both sides to fight over. Joe uses a bazooka loaded with Neophryte to blow a hole in the monstermech that appears at the end.
20	"Appearance! Terror of the Triple Iron Beast" (Japanese: 出現!トリプル鉄獣の恐怖)	February 17, 1980 (1980-02-17)
21	"Angry Joe! Fright of the Flaming Bird" (Japanese: 怒れジョー!戦慄の炎鳥)	February 24, 1980 (1980-02-24)
22	"Order to Blast the Satellite" (Japanese: 魔のメカランド)	March 2, 1980 (1980-03-02)
23	"The Evil of Mechaland" (Japanese: 魔のメカランド)	March 9, 1980 (1980-03-09)
24	"A Warrior's Pride" (Japanese: 誇り高き戦士)	July 16, 1980 (1980-07-16)
25	"Sky Riders from Hell" (Japanese: 地獄のスカイライダー)	March 23, 1980 (1980-03-23)
One of Egobossler's old friends and colleagues Oncain, is also the last man on Earth who knows Count Egobossler's deep, dark secrets. The Kagaku Ninjatai get to Oncain first and try to convince him to stay away from Egobossler, but the man will have nothing of it. He invites the Team to go fox-hunting and with his two children, Michael and Mary, and as they're distracted, arranges to meet with Egobossler. The inevitable showdown with Egobossler and his special Skyrider command is spectacular, but even Ken and Joe at their best can't prevent Ego from gunning down his man. Joe comes round the corner just in time as Ego shoots Oncain right before Michael and Mary's eyes (triggering a flashback where you almost see the faces of Joe's parents). In the final scene, Joe kneels down and has a little heart-to-heart talk with Michael. You don't hear what he says, only Michael's reactions.
26	"G-1 Enraged! A New Way to Kill" (Japanese: G1号怒りの新殺法)	March 30, 1980 (1980-03-30)
27	"The Mystery of Egobossler's Birth" (Japanese: エゴボスラー出生の謎)	April 6, 1980 (1980-04-06)
Egobossler orders his men to kill Zelda and her husband to prevent his secret from coming to light. His past is revealed to be a man named Efren an illegitimate son of Count Caspary Egobossler and a maid named Margot. Due to his lower background, he was treated horribly by both father and his older half-brother, Kassel. After Margot died revealing her secret, Egobossler dyed both his skin blue and his hair white. He killed his father and imprisoned Kassel in retribution for her death. This secret is found out by Marsota, a rival of Egobossler's whose seeking to overthrow him as the leader of Galactor.
28	"Desperate Fight! Valley of Betrayal" (Japanese: 死闘!裏切りの谷)	April 13, 1980 (1980-04-13)
29	"Cruelty! The Separation of Brother and Sister" (Japanese: 非情!引き裂かれた兄妹)	April 20, 1980 (1980-04-20)
Marsota continues his plans to overtake Egobossler by using his own secret against him in order to force his cooperation. Leader Zed pools his support for him due to their previous history when he was Leader X
30	"The Creeping Alien" (Japanese: 忍び寄るエイリアン)	April 27, 1980 (1980-04-27)
31	"Runaway! The Great Train Chase" (Japanese: 激走!トレインチェイス)	May 4, 1980 (1980-05-04)
32	"Mystery of the Space Pulse" (Japanese: 宇宙パルスの謎)	May 11, 1980 (1980-05-11)
33	"A Promise Kept" (Japanese: はたされた約束)	May 18, 1980 (1980-05-18)
34	"Egobossler's Strategy" (Japanese: エゴボスラーの策略)	May 25, 1980 (1980-05-25)
35	"The Shadow of Death Approaches G-1" (Japanese: 死の影せまるG1号)	June 1, 1980 (1980-06-01)
36	"Hypershoot Crisis" (Japanese: ハイパーシュートの危機)	June 8, 1980 (1980-06-08)
Nambu finally reveals that Ken is dying from the exposure of the Hypershoot. Joe demanded to know why he wasn't chosen for this, explaining he had died once. Nambu explains that even if he chosen Joe, his cybernetics would never be able to handle such stress and Ken volunteered.
37	"Revive Gatchaman" (Japanese: よみがえれガッチャマン)	June 15, 1980 (1980-06-15)
38	"Bracelet of Friendship" (Japanese: 友情のブレスレット)	June 22, 1980 (1980-06-22)
39	"Downfall! Count Egobossler" (Japanese: 失脚!エゴボスラー伯爵)	June 29, 1980 (1980-06-29)
Nambu rebuilds the ISO observatory to decipher the Space Pulse mystery. Meanwhile, Kempler discovers information found by Marsota regarding Egobossler's secret. He betrays Egobossler by releasing Kassel and helping him retake control of his rightful position. Most of the forces side with Kempler, strips Efren from power, imprisons him and begin their invasion with the help of Leader Zed's new mecha. However, on the way to being jailed in the north prison, Mechandol and the remaining forces releases him. Mechandol explains that even though Kassel's the rightful heir, he refuses to swear loyalty to him like Kempler did. Instead, he pronounces Efren as the real Count Egobossler and both marches forward to the Artic base to destroy ISO's new facility and kill Nambu. They almost succeed in defeating Gatchaman with their might until Kempler's forces arrive to intervene and unwittingly turned the tide of battle against them. Forced to retreat, Efren orders his men to shoot Kassel. Even though Gatchaman is able to beat Zed's newest mecha, they were unable to stop the loss of life caused by the warring Egobosslers. While pursuing Efren, the bullet hits Kassel and he dies. Efren is satisfied that he finally got rid of Kassel, though he is also aware that Kempler will remain a threat.
40	"Surprise Attack of the Mecha Waterspout" (Japanese: メカ竜巻の急襲!)	July 5, 1980 (1980-07-05)
In the wake of Kassel's death, the government put their trust in Kempler to bring them victory. Meanwhile after seeing his failure, Leader Zed returns to Count Egobossler and entrusts him with his newest mecha. He and Mechandol sets a trap for Kempler who is seeking to avenge Kassel. The newest mecha attacks him and his forces while it disguises itself as a destructive waterspout. It soon makes its way to New Jork and Jinpei is sent to help with the evacuations. He must however convince the children to evacuate safely.
41	"Collapse! Gatchaman Base" (Japanese: 崩壊!ガッチャマン基地)	July 12, 1980 (1980-07-12)
Ken's treatment to prevent his cell deterioration is successful, but Nambu knows it's only temporary. Meanwhile, Kempler is finally captured by Efren and his men. He knows the latter can't live as long as he remains a threat to his position in Galactor. Mechandol is informed from their spy where the Gatchaman base is and Efren is pleased. With her help, Efren brings down the base and captures Nambu.
42	"The Death of Chief Nambu" (Japanese: 南部長官の最期)	July 19, 1980 (1980-07-19)
Efren begins his interrogation against Nambu. When he takes a sip of his wine, he finds out too late that Nambu not only switched the cups, but laced his own with the truth serum packet. He demands answers for the Space Pulse mystery and barricaded them inside his office. Under the effects of the serum, Egobossler confessed that AQ3 is exactly an anti-matter process meant to destroy Earth. This confirms Nambu's suspicions as the team arrives to rescue him. Before they could collect him, Mechandol shoots him. Before dying, Nambu explains what Galactor's plan is to Ken.
43	"The Destruction of Gallatown" (Japanese: ギャラタウンの壊滅)	July 26, 1980 (1980-07-26)
Egobossler executes Kempler and the government accepts Efren as the real count.
44	"The Space Devil Draws Near" (Japanese: 迫り来る宇宙の悪魔)	August 3, 1980 (1980-08-03)
45	"Threat of the Antimatter Planet" (Japanese: 脅威の反物質惑星)	August 10, 1980 (1980-08-10)
46	"G-1 Desperate for High Power" (Japanese: G1号決死のハイパワー)	August 17, 1980 (1980-08-17)
47	"Earth Extinction! 3 2 1" (Japanese: 地球消滅!321…)	August 24, 1980 (1980-08-24)
48	"Gatchaman Eternal" (Japanese: 永遠のガッチャマン)	August 31, 1980 (1980-08-31)
The Team searches for Zed in his tower, and are thrown around like playthings. When they finally meet up, they discover what happened to Egobossler: his corpse is pinned against a wall in Zed's main chamber, run through by his own sword. At this point, Joe picks up on Zed's vital signs (as Rafael had designed him to) and tracks the alien to his last refuge, where the Kagaku Ninjatai battle to destroy him... and fall. Chief Nambu's mysterious pendant (an unanalyzed device he'd instructed Kamo to give to the Team before the last battle) comes into play then, activating the Gatchaspartan and swallowing the fallen ninjas with light... The final scene is of an enormous firebird breaking free of Zed's exploding tower and flying around the Earth, leaving the viewers to analyze the wide-open ending.

Further reading

• G-Force: Animated (TwoMorrows Publishing: ISBN 978-1-893905-18-4)