Choujinki Metalder
Encyclopedia
is the sixth and shortest entry of the Metal Hero Series, running from March 16, 1987, to January 17, 1988, for only 39 episodes. The action footage of Metalder was adaptated for the first two seasons of VR Troopers
. On February 21, 2007, Toei released the complete Metalder TV series and film on a seven-disc DVD set.
For distribution purposes, Toei
refers to this television series as Metalder.
, modeling it after his late son, Second Sub-lieutenant Tatsuo Kōga. However, the pacifistic Dr. Kōga put Metalder to sleep in the Silver Carcass base and left for the America to work for NASA
. During the 42 years, Dr. Kōga's former colleague Major Muraki became the evil God Neros, ruler of Neros Empire. God Neros sends out his massive armies to kill Dr. Kōga, who learned of their organization and returned to Japan to activate Metalder. Kōga desperately tries to activate his android creation, who he named Ryūsei Tsurugi, but the android is unable to understand what to do. In order to give Ryūsei a "purpose", Kōga runs out of the Silver Carcass base, allowing Neros' troops to kill him. Suddenly seeing his creator die, Ryūsei becomes shocked, and soon is beaten by Neros' troops. Ryūsei becomes fueled with rage, evoking the conversion to his 'true' form, the android known as Metalder. After a brief battle with Coolgin (which he loses), Ryūsei goes onward, meeting future friend Mai Ōgi.
originally as a countermeasure against the Americans. He was hidden in a secret base of the Japanese Imperial Army until Dr. Koga activated him years later to fight the Neros Empire. His human guise
, , is directly modeled after that of Dr. Koga's son Tatsuo. Whenever his energies reach a peak from rage, with the cry , he transforms into his metallic form. Like Tatsuo, he loves music and plays the saxophone
from time to time. His Reflection Circuit gave him the same feelings as humans and a sense of right and wrong. Powered by 'super-gravitational energy', his killing techniques include "Laser Arm", "G-Kick", "Metal Tornado" spinning kick, "Head Crash" ram, "Plasma Punch", "Metal Bomber" punching attack from above, And "1000 Hand Punch". At the end of the series he defeats God Neros but in the process is greatly damaged, nearly resulting in his destruction. With Kita's help, Metalder is spared from destruction but at the cost of his human form.
is the leader of the Neros Empire. God Neros has a god complex and wants to rule the world through the arms market. His original identity is that of , a former technical major within the Japanese Army who assisted Dr. Koga in development of the Choujinki project. Testing on prisoners of war led to Muraki's arrest and supposed execution at Singapore, but he managed to fake his death by bribing prison officials. Muraki escapes to America where he joins several criminal syndicates, eventually killing their leaders off and stealing their riches. In addition, he undergoes plastic surgery
to alter his appearance, making himself appear much more youthful than he really is. He then builds the Kirihara Konzern under the name of . As far as the public knows, Gozo is a philanthropist at the head of an international financial empire. When entering the Ghost Bank, Kirihara undergoes a grotesque transformation revealing his true cyborg
form as God Neros. He has Coolgin switch places with him, faking his death and manages to kill Top Gunder. In battle, God Neros can throw a sword like a spear, sprout tentacles from his throne to electrocute and bind opponents, blast lasers from the sphere on his helmet, and create/blast electrical energy from his hands. God Neros was beheaded at the end of the series by Metalder with the Laser Arm attack.
and are Gozo's spies. They are as ruthless and cruel as their boss. S dresses in a black leotard
and wears her hair tied behind her head. K has green leotards and lets her hair drape to the right side of her head. Both die in the collapse of the Ghost Bank, denied their attempt to escape by Coolgin in the guise of God Neros.
are God Neros' primary fighters. Each is led by a , with nine ranks beneath it. From highest to lowest:
Members that are ranked below Light Fighter are given miscellaneous designations such as , , and . The ranks from Keitōshi through Gekitōshi are named after the severity levels of earthquakes in Japanese (i.e. Gekitōshi is derived from , a severe earthquake).
is a first-class strategist, swordsman and God Neros' second-in-command. Though confused by his master's fear for Koga, Coolgin realizes why when Metalder reveals himself. However, Coolgin manages to defeat Metalder with one sword attack during their first confrontation. Coolgin had another brief rematch with Metalder in the Ghost Bank in Episode 19, but Metalder escaped before they could finish. In Episode 26, he gained yet another chance to fight Metalder one-on-one, but lost. Underneath his mask, he looks exactly like Kirihara; the purpose is so that he can be God Neros' shadow to create confusion. When the Ghost Bank self-destructs in Episode 37, Metalder believes he has defeated God Neros, but Coolgin and God Neros had switched places shortly before the battle. Coolgin attempts to kill Metalder and Top Gunder by destroying the Ghost Bank, but this plan backfires as Coolgin finds himself bound to the throne by electrical tentacles. Unable to escape, Coolgin accepts his fate and perishes in the explosion. Coolgin reappears as a ghost in the final episode. When Metalder stabs his fiery life force, he vanishes forever.
Medium Fighters and arehalf-naked, comical wrestling rejects. Mukimukiman has a muscular build and is dressed in white battle gear with white hair; Fuufuuchu is obese and wears a large black helmet and red vest. In the first episode, they fight Metalder during his first battle and are pummeled and tossed aside. Their final appearance is in episode 8, where they are seen arm-wrestling with Hedogross.
is a Samurai
-like master of the katana
and the hook. He led FuuFuuChu, Mukimukiman, Wogger, Gebaros, and Zakembor into killing Dr. Koga and fights Metalder in his first battle. He fought Metalder for a second time in Episode 19, only to be defeated by his Metal Tornado move. He is restored soon afterwards, only to finally be destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack in Episode 37, standing as the final guardian of God Neros.
Brave Generals and are the "Tag Brothers", two swordsmen
. Tagsky wears red and yellow armor and is an expert with the sword while Tagsron wears green and black armor and is a master of the naginata
. Both brothers fight Metalder together and separately. They first appear in battle in Episode 7 where they attack Metalder together. They demonstrate their combined attack to the Emperor on a repair robot outside the Ghost Bank, destroying it. They are defeated when Metalder tricks them into stabbing each other, causing them to retreat. In Episode 10, they appear again. This time they fight Rhapsody in the Ghost Bank and are non-fatally defeated when he breaks both of their weapons. These two appear in Episode 23, during the Four Army relay race. Tagsron fights Metalder with the Shadow Light Fighters, in Episode 25, and is defeated by Metalder's Metal Tornado Move. Tagsky weeps at learning of his brother's defeat, and then seeks vengeance. Before he can do so, he is defeated after landing on a landmine in Episode 26. The two are shown wearing their armor in the background of the Ghost Bank during Episode 27. These warriors are either different than those seen before or perhaps this episode aired out of order. Although Tagsky is killed earlier, his armor is given to Mai's brainwashed father to wear in Episode 36. Tagsky's armor is scrapped afterwards.
is master of the tachi
and the spiked ball. He battles with both of these weapons on a single chain. While engaged in a secret meeting in an active mineshaft
, one of the miners accidentally witnesses the event. Hidouman is assigned to silence the miner, so he takes the miner's family hostage
, which lures Metalder into battle. Metalder confuses him through duplication techniques inspired by a previous fight with Galador, and then strikes his hand to separate him from his weapon. Metalder then destroys him with his Laser Arm attack, which also splits him in half.
is a master of the spear. His entire body looks like a collection of grey tubes. He accompanies Chuubo in his attack on Dr. Koga, which also leads to his first battle with Metalder. In Episode 14 he gains a chance to battle Metalder again, though this time alongside Madonna. He is the first to admit being impressed by Madonna's battle skills and the first to inform her about her promotion. In battle, he discharges electrical energy from the tip of his spear, as well as manipulates enough wind to generate a sandstorm
. He imprisons Metalder in a deep ditch by using this sandstorm attack, and tries to bury him alive, with the help of some projecting and imprisoning bars. After escaping from the trap, Metalder uses one of the bars as a weapon and causes Wogger to lose his footing. In a classic feint, he calls out to Metalder for assistance. When Metalder approaches him, Wogger unleashes more aggressive attacks, until Metalder realizes he was a lost cause and uses his Laser Arm attack to slice Wogger in half. In Episode 27, Wogger II first appears. He is summoned to lead the hunt for a triad of biological experiments called Gorigons which had escaped from the Ghost Bank. He is defeated by Metalder during the hunt, when Metalder uses his Metal Tornado Move on him. He was restored and makes his final appearance, in battle, in Episode 37 while searching the Kirihara building for Metalder and Top Gunder. He is destroyed for good by Metalder's Laser Arm attack.
is an athlete dressed in blue-green tights and a silver mask resembling a Greek warrior. His outfit fits the theme of a scuba
diver. He wields a scythe and chain in his right hand and a clawed gauntlet on his left hand. Barlock was a former decathlon
athlete who sabotaged his rival's chance to enter the Olympics. After his rival committs suicide, he feels shame at his cowardice and seeks out challengers to prove himself. In Episode 8, he battles with Hedogross in the Ghost Bank for the chance to fight Metalder, but loses. He later appears and snags Hedogross' hostage to use as bait to draw Metalder into battle. He is defeated, but not destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack. Redeemed by fighting honorably, he sacrifices himself by taking a tank blast that was meant for Metalder, and possibly the hostage, thus killing him.
is a Ninja
master of magic, equipped with dirty tricks including explosive cards, shurikens, and self-duplication. He also seems to be able to send Metalder into another dimension and throw/summon fire. In Episode 12, he battles Metalder one-on-one, bringing with him the Shadow Light Fighters. He also attacks Wisdom in that episode when she fails to defeat Metalder. In Episode 15, he is assigned by Coolgin to capture Wisdom. He appears in Episode 23, during the Four Army relay race. In Episode 24, he uses all his magical talents to fight Metalder, until he is defeated by Metalder's Laser Arm attack. Restored to full function, he appears in Episode 33, but loses to Top Gunder during an interrupted training exercise. He appears in Episode 37, his final appearance, after being restored, while searching the Kirihara building for Metalder and Top Gunder. He is destroyed for good by Metalder's Laser Arm.
is a camouflage-garbed commando
. He appears in episode 14, falsely attacking Madonna so that Metalder would come to her rescue and fall into a trap. He appears in Episode 14 performing a sneak attack against Metalder. He appears in Episode 19, alongside Chuubo, Jamune, and various members of the Armament Army. Robinken has the rare mentality of not caring about rank. During the Four Army relay race in Episode 23, he captures a camera-toting youth wandering in the area reserved for the race. Robinken leads Metalder along a circuitous path to the Four Army finish line. When Metalder escapes with the hostage, Robinken gives chase, coaxing Metalder into a trap-laden course of his own design. The traps ultimately failed and Robinken is destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack.
is an armored warrior with a large hammer named after the legendary Saitō Musashibō Benkei
. Ben K wins the honor to hunt down Metalder after defeating Gebaros in the Ghost Bank. He secretly attacks Ryusei by throwing a hatchet at his leg. With an injured leg, Ryusei leaves Mai behind and retreats into the woods. Ben K has the advantage with his mighty hammer, but Metalder manages to store just enough power to destroy Ben K's helmet. However, despite Metalder's wish to kill him, he spares Ben K's life upon realizing he was a human. After that, Ben K abandons the Empire. He returns in Episode 13 to help Metalder save Hidouman's captives, the miner and his family. He is killed by the Shadow Light Fighters, whom he simultaneously defeats. Like the legend, Ben K dies standing with arrows in his body.
is a boxer
with expensive upper body padding. In battle, he can launch his boxing glove-shaped fists at his opponents. In Episode 8, he is Barlock's lackey, helping him retrieve the scientist hostage that the Neros Empire had taken. He appears in episode 14, falsely attacking Madonna so that Metalder would come to her rescue and fall into a trap, and sneaks an attack on Metalder later. He also appears alongside Chuubo in Episode 19. In Episode 21, he battles Metalder one-on-one. Metalder defeats him by discovering his weak spot in his legs and knees. Metalder defeats Jamune with his Metal Tornado move, which knocks Jamune into a lake and out of the battle. He was restored to full function in Episode 33, but was defeated by Top Gunder during an interrupted training exercise. In Episode 37, he was restored again and made his final appearance while searching the Kirihara building for Metalder and Top Gunder. He was destroyed for good by a fatal shot from Top Gunder.
is the only female Light Fighter. She's also special for working specifically and only in Coolgin's army. Originally seen as a slave, like Wisdom, she proved to be a strong and brave fighter when she protected an exhausted fellow slave from Wogger's blows. Coolgin, having watched the altercation, was impressed by her combat skills and promoted her to Light Fighter. Before becoming a slave, she was a tennis
player who was "recruited" by The Secretaries to work as a slave by rebuilding damaged robots for the Empire. She had a sister, whom Metalder rescued and took to a hospital, after the girl appeared injured to him. Once promoted, Wogger gave her a flat-bladed sword with which to battle, as well as the new name/title of Madonna and freedom from her slave rank. Also ala Wisdom, she faked being a damsel in distress on the beach, only to turn on and attack Metalder after he tried to help her. Metalder recognized her from her sister's picture and tried to talk some sense into her by telling her that her sister was alive, which caused her to leave the battle. She returned to Wogger after her battle with Metalder and Wogger implanted a device into her armor to help her in her next battle with him. In reality, unknown by her, it was a detonation device. She was then used a decoy, faking a needed rescue, only to be saved by Metalder, luring him into a trap. Once he discovered it was a trap, Metalder used his Laser Arm attack to destroy her weapon and with Springer's help, learned of the bomb in her armor and chucked it out of her before it could harm them. Upon learning that she had been used, and that Metalder was right all along, she attacked Wogger long enough for Metalder to escape. Afterwards, she left the Empire and with Metalder's help was reunited with her sister in the hospital.
was a group of grunts trained in ninjutsu
.
is a silver robot with a golden gear on his forehead that fires beams, and yellow and black stripes on chest and forearm armor. He can also blast energy from his eyeslots, as well as blast missiles from his knuckles when he makes a fist. He is proud of his army and does not move away from it. He fights for his fellow robots and praises them at every turn. In Episode 11, he leads his fellow androids and the Armament Army in an effort to capture the escaped Bigwayne. In Episode 36, he loses to Metalder, though he manages to survive, even after Metalder knocks him into the water. In Episode 38, he returns and gains the ability to assume the forms and use the abilities of his troops, via Lortail's help. Valsky transforms into Gochak, Jars, Bigwayne, Crosslander, and Galdos. But despite being defeated by Metalder's Laser Arm and G-Kick attacks, Valsky seemed impressed by Metalder and made peace with him before he explodes.
is a robotic boxer
with grey, floormat-like plating on his head, shoulders, and thighs. Galdos can discharge electricity through tentacles that sprout from his forehead. In episode 6, Metalder destroys him. He is rebuilt again, appearing in Episode 15, when he leads the initial attack on Metalder until Hedogross Jr. appears. He appears in Episode 23 during the Four Army Relay Race. In Episode 30, he leads the initial scheme. During this battle, Galdos reveals he can launch/detonate warheads from a special glove, blast electricity from the slot on his forehead, and blast energy from a clawed/rod-like device he conceals in his chest. He is destroyed in battle, during the same episode, by Metalder's Laser Arm attack.
dresses in black with grey armor plates. His original nickname is the 'Titan of Legend.' A former Brave General, he retires to become a rankless repair robot. He presumably retired because he became bored, never once losing. He mutinies and escapes from the Empire, and fights Metalder, partially to aid his beloved disciple Gochak. He fires arrows from his right forearm and seems to have super strength. He seems to have a revolver, when he opens the plating on his chest, and can sprout/launch spikes from the plating on his arms. He survives Metalder's Laser Arm, but eventually wears himself out. He falls over from exhaustion and explodes.
is a VIP assassin
dressed in red spandex with white armor. He fancies himself as one of the best, but has ideals on morality very different from Top Gunder's, who he succeeded in the army. A master marksman who wields twin pistols, he worked with American terrorist organizations, killing government officials and receiving a promotion from Explosive Fighter to Violent Spirit before coming to Japan to kill Metalder and deal with Top Gunder. He also obtains a handgun custom-made for battling Metalder. Crosslander loses his first encounter with Top Gunder, but in their second encounter, he defeats and damages the traitor. He originally wore a winged snake ornament on his forehead, but Metalder damaged it during their first encounter. His second, upgraded head is also damaged, this time by Top Gunder, even though it was equipped with a secret blaster that Top Gunder also damages. In Episode 23, he hides in the tall grass near the finish line of the Four Army relay race and shoots Strobe down each time he tries to become airborne. He fights Top Gunder and Metalder again and is destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack in Episode 33.
is a shark
-headed fighter in white tights with twin shoulder cannons and four cannons on his upper arms. In Episode 11, he rats out Gochak when the robot helps Bigwayne escape. In Episode 15, he fights Metalder as part of the Empire's initial assault that day. He also attacks Metalder briefly in the Ghost Bank in Episode 19. In Episode 22, he battles Metalder and leads the day's attack. He is accompanied by Goblit, Dedemos, and Gebaros. Metalder's Metal Tornado move defeats him. He is restored to full function in Episode 33 when he is defeated by Top Gunder during an interrupted training exercise. He is presumably rebuilt/restored soon afterwards, appearing in the background of Episode 36 when he is destroyed for good by a blast from Top Gunder.
is a silver wrestler called to defeat Metalder, after Barbery fails, in Episode 2. His signature move is putting his opponents in headlocks and twisting their heads off, which he demonstrates to the Emperor, in the Ghost Bank, on Damnen. Metalder was losing in battle against him, but managed to gather his last bit of power to crack Gochak's face. Metalder snaps off Gochak's arms and tears off his head. After being beheaded, Gochak sproutd a cannon head. Metalder destroys Gochak for good with a Laser Arm, but collapses after the fight. Gochak was presumably rebuilt, as he reappears in Episode 11 when he tries to help the rebellious Bigwayne escape from the Robotic Warrior Army and the Armored Army. Jars rats him out to Valsky and he is chained up by the others for treason. He escapes too late to help Bigwayne. He turns Bigwayne's spot of destruction into a memorial mound. In Episode 15, he joins Galdos' group during the initial attack on Metalder. In Episode 19, he attacks Metalder in the Ghost Bank. He is decapitated by a blast from Top Gunder in Episode 36.
is silver with thick thighs, high jumping ability, and a featureless black faceplate. He can turn his right hand and forearm into a sword blade and his left hand into pincer claws. He accompanies Chuubo to kill Dr. Koga and fight Metalder. He fights Ben K for the chance to fight Metalder. Ben K smashes his robotic head open with his giant hammer, resulting in a destructive loss. This damage was presumably fixed, as he appears in Episode 11. In Episode 15, he joins Galdos' group during the initial attack on Metalder. He also attacks Metalder in the Ghost Bank, in Episode 19. In Episode 22, he participates in the Four Army relay race. In Episode 36, he battles alongside Valsky, but is destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack.
is a Grim Reaper
-themed fighter with a sickle blade in place of a left hand. In Episode 15, he joins Galdos' group during the initial attack on Metalder. In Episode 18, he had a dream in which Metalder brings down the Ghost Bank. Zargen's scheme to prevent that involves the public abduction of a scientist transporting a briefcase containing valuable information. Metalder takes the bait and retrieves the briefcase. The scientist was a fake, however, but the bomb inside the case fails to destroy Metalder. Before his next battle with Metalder, Zargen asks God Neros to implant him with an explosive device, in order to guarantee his victory. If Metalder struck him directly in close combat, the bomb would destroy them both. During the battle, he lodges his armblade into Metalder's right shoulder and attempts to finish the task with an electric discharge from the spikes on his head. To Zargen's surprise, Metalder severs his own arm to put distance between them. Metalder then throws his severed arm at Zargen's torso, triggering the bomb and destroying him. He appears in the background in the movie.
is a peaceful robot with a Stradivarius
violin. However, when this robot is upgraded and plays his violin, Metalder's circuits go haywire and seem to paralyze his suit. Rhapsody was originally an unranked and friendly robot, like the repair robots, before being upgraded/promoted by the Emperor. He battles Tagsky and Tagsron in the Ghost Bank and wins the chance to fight Metalder. In the battle with the brothers, he breaks both their weapons. Fighting Metalders, he is struck by Metalder's Laser Arm attack, which seems to turn him back into a peaceful violinist. This does not last, as Darbarbo soon appears and blasts him, causing him to fall over and explode. Both Metalder and the Neros Empire remember his memory and musical talents. In Episode 19, it is revealed that he has been rebuilt and is no longer at Fierce Fighter status. He appears when a little girl becomes lost inside the Ghost Bank. He manages to protect her from the other robots and mutants by hiding her behind his cape until Chuubo discovers them together. He also plays the little girl a song for which she gives him a flower. After helping Metalder and Top Gunder rescue the girl, he leaves the Empire. Rhapsody has decided to stay good and is last seen working for what appears to be a carnival/boardwalk by entertaining patrons with his musical talents. He appears again in Episode 31, still working as a peaceful carnival entertainer.
is a white-colored female robot. She aids Valsky before his final battle with Metalder in Episodes 36 and 38. For most of the series, she remains a background character, and doesn't gain her first real mission until Episode 36 when she is chosen to analyze and store all of the data of the robots' fights. It seems she has deep feelings for Valsky and plans to use the uploaded information for/on him so he can defeat Metalder. She manages to successfully transfer the data/her spirit into Valsky after taking a fatal blow from Metalder's G-Kick in Episode 38.
and are Crosslander's assistants. Both are Light Fighters. Goblit is black and silver and armed with a bayonet while Dedemos was blue with horns and uses a handgun and a drill. Goblit and Dedemos are seen in Episode 19, when they battle Metalder in the Ghost Bank. They appear again, alongside Jars and Gebaros in Episode 22. In Episode 23, these two both appeared in the Four Army relay race and in Episode 30, to help Galdos. In Episode 35, they appear one last time in battle with Geldring, assisting him, only to be destroyed together by Top Gunder.
is a green muscular beast with a skull-like head encased in a clear egg-shaped dome that resembles a mutant turtle
. Geldring's other abilities include teleportation, shooting goo out of his fingers, producing electricity from his hands, breathing fire and releasing vine-like appendages from his mouth. He has the most opportunities to battle Metalder personally, but fails. His personality is dirty, treacherous, envious, cowardly, and accommodating. He frequently criticizes the other armies and often takes credit for work accomplished by his fellow mutants. In Episode 9, he teases and taunts Hedogross for his love of Wisdom and soon prompts the other mutants to do the same. In Episode 15, despite Hedogross Jr. fitting into his rank, he does not want the young mutant to represent the Monster Army. In Episode 32, he learns of a rare plant which enhances those who consume it with great power. He puts this newfound strength to use against Metalder, but does not realize the effect is temporary. He is presumably destroyed after this fight, by Metalder, when Metalder uses his Laser Arm. In this battle, Geldring reveals the ability to blast lasers from his eyes as well as breathe fire. Geldring resurfaces in Episode 35, however, to battle alongside Bankora and is finally destroyed in this match, again by Metalder's Laser Arm attack, turning into a puddle of slime.
is a white furred wolf
creature who ains a detachable spider
-like parasite on his back. Bridy is extremely ferocious and uses his claws and fangs to attack Metalder. Bridy can shoot webbing to bind his victims. He is among the monsters sent to capture Top Gunder. In Episode 15, he presents Wisdom as a hostage as well as leading the Monster Army and the Shadow Light Fighters into fighting Metalder and Hedogross Jr. In Episode 19, he fought Metalder and Springer in the Ghost Bank. At one point during that battle, Springer bites him, once freed of imprisonment. He battles and bites Metalder in Episode 23, frying his circuitry. During that same episode, he participates in the Four Army relay race, which the Monster Army wins through heavy cheating. In Episode 28 he reveals he can launch his claws like sharp missiles as well as shapeshift into a humanoid form via the power of a special diamond
. He was thought defeated in Episode 28, melting into a puddle of slime. Restored, he appears in Episode 32. He appears with his parasite in Episode 34 when Metalder learns of this weakness and kills the parasite during their final battle with his Laser Arm attack. This kills Bridy and he dissolves into slime.
is a grey-skinned scorpion
-like monster with white fangs on his chest and legs, and a third arm on his back. He can spew acid
ic saliva
from his mouth and he can teleport. In Episode 5, he is chosen by Geldring to battle Top Gunder in the Ghost Bank. He loses, but survives by forfeiting. He is one of the monsters sent to capture Top Gunder. He later appeared to snag a hostage for Hedogross. He fights Metalder and Springer in the Ghost Bank, only to be viciously attacked and bitten by Springer. He competes in the Four Army relay race in Episode 23. During the battle in Episode 35, he fights alongside Geldring. He is eventually destroyed for good when Metalder binds him with his own arm and then sends him flying with his G-Kick, causing him to collapse and explode.
is a brown-skinned monster with antenna
e and tentacled arms that electrocute enemies. He can also produce green slime on his tongue and spit it at opponents, as well as turning his right hand into a crab-like claw and breathing fire. In Episode 4, he is injured by Metalder when the hero yanks out one of his internal organs and knocks him into the water. He survives and is seen fighting Hedogross Jr. in the Ghost Bank in Episode 15. In Episode 17, he kidnaps Mai to lure Metalder to him and tries to make love to her. He then battles Metalder again and is destroyed by his Laser Arm attack. Gamadone appears as an extra in the Metalder movie.
is a red-eyed lizard
-like mutant. He fights Gochak for the privilege of fighting Metalder in Episode 2, but loses when his head was twisted backwards by Gochak. Battling Gochak, Damnen reveals he can blast lightning-bolt like laser
s from his eyes. Even though he loses to Gochak, he survives. He appears in Episode 5 with Zakembor to spy on Top Gunder. Both are caught and punished by Valsky and Geldring. He is one of the monsters hunting Top Gunder. In Episode 8 he helps Hedogross fight Metalder. Damnen is badly injured fighting Hedogross Jr. in the Ghost Bank in Episode 15. In Episode 19, he fights Metalder in the Ghost Bank. In Episode 32, he appears alongside Geldring in the hunt for the rare plant. He is destroyed when Metalder kicks him off a cliff and explodes after landing at the bottom of the quarry
.
is a red-eyed cicada
-like mutant. He can emit sonic waves by flapping his wings and spit a green, acid-like liquid. He accompanies Chuubo who kills Dr. Koga and first fights Metalder. He and Damnen sneak away to spy on Top Gunder in Episode 5. Both are caught and punished by Valsky and Geldring for sneaking off. In Episode 8, he helps Hedogross battle Metalder. Zakembor fights Hedogross Jr. in the Ghost Bank in Episode 15, and is badly injured. Later, he fights Metalder and Hedogross Jr. again and is destroyed by the latter. Zakembor was an extra in the Metalder movie.
is a green frog
-like mutant who took a female slave, Wisdom, as his wife. Hedogross can dissolve into green slime and first appears in the Ghost Bank arm wrestling with the Medium Fighters and repair robots. In Episode 8, he fights Barlock in the Ghost Bank and wins the chance to fight Metalder. With the help of Bankora, he takes a scientist hostage. Barlock sneaks in on him and knock him out, swiping the hostage in the process. His fellow mutants, including Geldring, mock him for his love of Wisdom. He fantasizes about being promoted in the Empire so that he can both love Wisdom and be a respected and powerful warrior. God Neros promises a promotion, and that his dreams would come true, if he destroys Metalder. However, he dies first. Battling Metalder, he damages his armor. Darbarbo and Bulchek seem to cause interference in the battle. Metalder's combined Laser Arm and G-Kick attacks cause him to fall over and explosde. Before dying, Hedogross spews liquid all over himself and dissolves into slime. Sometime before his death, he conceives a son with his wife Wisdom, who would be named after him.
: A slave married to Hedogross, who later gives birth to Hedogross Jr. She has both a humanoid and a mutant form. When she first appears, in Episode 9, she gives her husband her earring to hold during battle. When he is destroyed, she plucks the earring from his remains and vows revenge on Metalder, getting her chance in Episode 12. She uses her human guise to portray a damsel in distress for Metalder to rescue before revealing her true form and attacking. She flees when her labor pains become too intense. Back at the lab, Metalder learns she is just a pregnant slave. He saves her from Galador, who attacked her because she failed to defeat Metalder and ruined their plan. After Metalder rescues her, he returns her earring which she dropped fighting him, and allows her to escape. Sometime before Episode 15, she bears Hedogross Jr. When Junior attacks Metalder, she becomes angry and informs him that Metalder had saved her life. She tries to steer her son away from the Empire, but in vain. Wisdom is later taken hostage by the Empire, but is rescued by her son. She helps both he and Metalder fight off the Empire before leaving the Neros Empire with him.
is the son of Hedogross and Wisdom. Junior is a green mutant with silver hair who could project three long claws on each hand. Like his father, Junior can dissolve into slime and takes human form like his mother. He first appears in Episode 12 in Wisdom's memory/imagination as a baby. In Episode 15 he is determined to exact revenge on Metalder for his father and wants to take his father's place. Junior is recruited by Galdos and given status after proving himself. He is assigned to kill Metalder by God Neros after thrashing numerous members of the Monster Army in the Ghost Bank. However, during mid-battle with the Metal Hero, Metalder saves him from falling off a cliff. Metalder tries to reason with him. After seeing his mother held hostage, Junior finally realizes God Neros is the true villain, and the two fight off Bridy, Gamadone, Damnen, Zakembor and the Shadow Light Fighters together.
is the end result of Geldring's attempt to revitalize his ranks. Originally a stray German Shepherd Dog
named George, he is captured by God Neros's secretaries and mutated into a member of the Monster Army via a special booth-looking machine. During the battle with Metalder, its memories are restored by the Saint Bernard belonging to Mai and Kita, who had earlier shown it kindness. When it refuses to follow orders and destroy Metalder, Geldring kills him by spraying him with toxic foam.
is red and silver in color, wielding a tachi (longsword) in his right hand and a weaponized shield on his left. Dranger has blades, guns, and lights mounted on his ears. He supervised the Armament Army in carrying out the weapons test in Episode 20. In Episode 19, he fights Metalder in the Ghost Bank. He led the Armament Army ambush, when Metalder and Top Gunder emerge from the ruined Ghost Bank in Episode 37. He stands in disbelief after seeing his entire army wiped out within moments. He loses to Metalder after being struck twice by the Laser Arm attack.
is a humanoid tank
robot with a circular head flanked by twin shoulder cannons. He also has cannons for fingers. He appears during the hunt for Bigwayne in Episode 11 as well as assisting Chuubo in Episode 19. In Episode 20, after the weapons test, he formulates the plan to use the Armament Army's prototype machine against Metalder. He appears during the Four Army Relay Race in Episode 23, and again in Episode 24 helping to blast Metalder during his fight with Galador. He is destroyed alongside Bulchek in Episode 37.
is a humanoid rocket silo
. He has missile launchers on his chest and shoulders. In Episode 8, he trains with the other members of the Empire. In Episode 9, he and Bulchek interfere in Hedogross' battle by firing on him and Metalder. In Episode 10, he destroys Rhapsody after the violinist fails to destroy Metalder. He appears in Episode 11 during the hunt for Bigwayne and again in Episode 19 as backup to Chuubo. In episode 20, he acted as controller of the artillery robot and is used by Metalder to destroy it shortly thereafter. He gets rebuilt and appears in Episode 23, during the Four Army Relay Race. In Episode 24 he helps even the odds during Metalder's clash with Galador. In episode 37, he is destroyed by the second volley fired by Metalder, after the Ghost Bank had collapsed.
is a humanoid torpedo
robot. He is mobile and red and grey. He is armed with a spear gun. In Episode 4, he self-destructs in an attempt to blow up Metalder on a boat. He was presumably rebuilt, as he appears briefly in Episode 11, during the hunt for Bigwayne. He takes over for Bulchek midway through the relay race in Episode 23, but has some difficulty, as he is better suited for water than land. He is destroyed with Darbarbo, in Metalder's second volley, after the Ghost Bank collapses in Episode 37.
is a humanoid helicopter
. He shoots explosive missiles from his wrists. His first encounter with Metalder in Episode 2 results in a mid-air collision which damages him considerably. Barbery is spared by God Neros and ordered to be repaired. He usually appears alongside Strobe in battle and missions. He is destroyed in mid-air by Top Gunder in Episode 37.
is a humanoid jet
plane. He shoots exploding missiles from his wings and is often sent on missions/appears alongside Barbery. In Episode 23, he uses his air superiority to assist Bulchek, Agmis, and Megadron by carrying them across difficult sections of the course. He is destroyed in mid-flight by Top Gunder in Episode 37.
is a humanoid tank
. He has a long cannon-like nose that can launch artillery. In Episode 8, he trains with fellow members of the Empire. In Episode 9, alongside Darbarbo, he blasts Hedogross and Metalder while they battle together. He appears in Episode 11 during the hunt for Bigwayne and again in Episode 19 as backup to Chuubo. He discovers the boxful of abandoned puppies in Episode 20 during the weapons test cleanup and protects them, even when they are designated as bait because he loves all animals. While attempting to rescue a puppy wandering amid the mines, Bulchek accidentally triggers one and is heavily damaged. The puppy is unharmed, and he leaves it in Metalder's care. He is the Armament Army's first choice for the Four Army relay race in Episode 23. In Episode 24, he helps Galador by blasting at Metalder during their scuffle. He is finally destroyed in Episode 37, alongside Megadron, during Metalder's first volley.
is Metalder's motorcycle vehicle with a detachable side-car.
is a transforming, four-wheel flying car based on a sixth-generation Mazda Familia
that Metalder drives.
is a motorcycle with a sidecar used exclusively by the Armored Army.
is a motorcycle used exclusively by the Robotic Warrior Army.
is a motorcycle usually used exclusively by the Monster Army, except when ridden by Coolgin in the first episode.
is a combat jeep that has been produced for each of Neros Army. When one is deployed, it carries the flag of its division.
is a station wagon that has been produced for each of Neros Armies. It is mainly used to transport troops.
is an advanced military machine tested by the Armament Army during a demonstration to potential buyers. Equipped with a variety of weapons and heat sensors, by coincidence it is used against Metalder. When the Armament army realizes Metalder was in the area looking for abandoned puppies, these puppies were then used as bait and placed in a minefield guarded by the robot. Metalder deceives the machine using a heated stone which gives him an opening to disable it. It is finally destroyed when Metalder throws Darbarbo onto it, the impact presumably causing his shoulder-mounted artillery to detonate.
and the film version of Hikari Sentai Maskman
.
Ending theme
VR Troopers
VR Troopers was a syndicated live action show produced by Saban from 1994 to 1996...
. On February 21, 2007, Toei released the complete Metalder TV series and film on a seven-disc DVD set.
For distribution purposes, Toei
Toei Company
is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution corporation. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan, a modest vertically-integrated studio system by the standards of the 1930s United States; operates studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a...
refers to this television series as Metalder.
Story
In 1945, Dr. Ryūichirō Kōga designed Metalder as a top-secret weapon for the Japanese Imperial Army for use in the Pacific WarPacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
, modeling it after his late son, Second Sub-lieutenant Tatsuo Kōga. However, the pacifistic Dr. Kōga put Metalder to sleep in the Silver Carcass base and left for the America to work for NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
. During the 42 years, Dr. Kōga's former colleague Major Muraki became the evil God Neros, ruler of Neros Empire. God Neros sends out his massive armies to kill Dr. Kōga, who learned of their organization and returned to Japan to activate Metalder. Kōga desperately tries to activate his android creation, who he named Ryūsei Tsurugi, but the android is unable to understand what to do. In order to give Ryūsei a "purpose", Kōga runs out of the Silver Carcass base, allowing Neros' troops to kill him. Suddenly seeing his creator die, Ryūsei becomes shocked, and soon is beaten by Neros' troops. Ryūsei becomes fueled with rage, evoking the conversion to his 'true' form, the android known as Metalder. After a brief battle with Coolgin (which he loses), Ryūsei goes onward, meeting future friend Mai Ōgi.
Metalder
is an android built by Dr. Koga at the end of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
originally as a countermeasure against the Americans. He was hidden in a secret base of the Japanese Imperial Army until Dr. Koga activated him years later to fight the Neros Empire. His human guise
Guise
Guise is a commune in the Aisne department in Picardy in northern France.-Population:-Sights:The ruins of the medieval castle of Guise, seat of the Dukes of Guise, are located in the commune.-Miscellaneous:...
, , is directly modeled after that of Dr. Koga's son Tatsuo. Whenever his energies reach a peak from rage, with the cry , he transforms into his metallic form. Like Tatsuo, he loves music and plays the saxophone
Saxophone
The saxophone is a conical-bore transposing musical instrument that is a member of the woodwind family. Saxophones are usually made of brass and played with a single-reed mouthpiece similar to that of the clarinet. The saxophone was invented by the Belgian instrument maker Adolphe Sax in 1846...
from time to time. His Reflection Circuit gave him the same feelings as humans and a sense of right and wrong. Powered by 'super-gravitational energy', his killing techniques include "Laser Arm", "G-Kick", "Metal Tornado" spinning kick, "Head Crash" ram, "Plasma Punch", "Metal Bomber" punching attack from above, And "1000 Hand Punch". At the end of the series he defeats God Neros but in the process is greatly damaged, nearly resulting in his destruction. With Kita's help, Metalder is spared from destruction but at the cost of his human form.
Allies
- is a robotRobotA robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
dogDogThe domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
that guards the Silver Carcass. He was built by Dr. Koga before Metalder as his "older brother". Capable of human speech, he repairs Metalder and runs the machines inside the Silver Carcass. Springer enjoys watching TV, particularly anime.
- is a tomboyish camerawoman who works for the Weekly Up magazine. She is Metalder's first human friend and constant companion.
- is a Grand PrixGrand Prix motorcycle racingRoad Racing World Championship Grand Prix is the premier championship of motorcycle road racing currently divided into three distinct classes: 125cc, Moto2 and MotoGP. The 125cc class uses a two-stroke engine while Moto2 and MotoGP use four-stroke engines. In 2010 the 250cc two-stroke was replaced...
motorcyclist who was originally head of a motorcycleMotorcycleA motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
gang. He first appears in episode 16, where he meets Ryusei and Mai on a photo shoot for a new motorcycle magazine, and gets involved in the fighting. Calling himself the 'Neros Hunter', Kita saw himself as Mai's bodyguard and has feelings for her. Though Kita was willing to aide Ryusei's war against the Neros Empire, his efforts almost always result in a comedic or humiliating defeat.
- is a soldier who initially serves the Robotic Warrior Army. Top Gunder is a lone gunman in black tights and a single red-eye who believes in fair play. He was built after the manga character Golgo 13Golgo 13is a manga series written and illustrated by Takao Saito, published in Shogakukan's Big Comic magazine since January 1969. In 1976, the manga won the 21st Shogakukan Manga Award for general manga...
. Though he originally intended to kill Metalder in a one-on-one fight, Top Gunder later gained respect for Metalder and became close allies with him. In Episode 33, a fake robotic Top Gunder was created to bait Metalder into a rescue, as the real Top Gunder had been captured by the armies of God Neros. The fake robot attacked Metalder shortly after being rescued, only to be shot and destroyed by the real Top Gunder when Crosslander exposed the deception. Also, in Episode 33, Top Gunder revealed that he, like Zargen, was capable of dreaming. He helped Metalder to bring down the Ghost Bank in Episodes 35-37, only to be killed by God Neros, who was in Coolgin's old armor.
- is a leading authority in Robotic Engineering and the man who created Metalder. After World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Dr. Koga went to America and became a staff member at NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
. He returned to Japan when he learned of the existence of the Neros Empire and its ties to his past actions, prompting him to activate Metalder. Battered from Strobe's attempt on his life, Koga makes it to the base and activates the android from his rest. Soon after, in order to give Ryusei a sense of purpose, Koga allows himself to be killed by Chuubo and the Neros Empire members at the end of the first episode.
- is Dr. Koga's only son, whom Metalder was modeled after. He died in October 1944 as the first member of the Kamikaze Special Attack Squads. He loved music and played the violin with the potential to be a great violinist.
- (34-39) is Mai's father, who lives in Washington DC as a news reporter. As a favor to Mai, he investigates Dr. Koga's past and learns about God Neros' identity. In Episode 35, he is abducted by the Secretaries and taken to the Ghostbank. In Episode 36, he is brainwashed by God Neros and forced to wear the armor of the late Tagsky to battle Metalder. Shingo becomes free from the brainwashing when Metalder strikes him with his Laser Arm.
Neros Empire
The is the underbelly of the Corporation. Located at Shinjuku, it covertly controls all activities of the world's criminal organizations, including terrorists and finance. The Neros Empire's goal is world domination with economic and military might. The leaders meet at the Ghost Bank, a ring of gates containing key army officers surrounding God Neros' throne. The area enclosed by the gates and throne serves as both an arena and as a strategy room. Divided into four Units: Armored, Robotic Warrior, Monster and Armament.is the leader of the Neros Empire. God Neros has a god complex and wants to rule the world through the arms market. His original identity is that of , a former technical major within the Japanese Army who assisted Dr. Koga in development of the Choujinki project. Testing on prisoners of war led to Muraki's arrest and supposed execution at Singapore, but he managed to fake his death by bribing prison officials. Muraki escapes to America where he joins several criminal syndicates, eventually killing their leaders off and stealing their riches. In addition, he undergoes plastic surgery
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgery is a medical specialty concerned with the correction or restoration of form and function. Though cosmetic or aesthetic surgery is the best-known kind of plastic surgery, most plastic surgery is not cosmetic: plastic surgery includes many types of reconstructive surgery, hand...
to alter his appearance, making himself appear much more youthful than he really is. He then builds the Kirihara Konzern under the name of . As far as the public knows, Gozo is a philanthropist at the head of an international financial empire. When entering the Ghost Bank, Kirihara undergoes a grotesque transformation revealing his true cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
form as God Neros. He has Coolgin switch places with him, faking his death and manages to kill Top Gunder. In battle, God Neros can throw a sword like a spear, sprout tentacles from his throne to electrocute and bind opponents, blast lasers from the sphere on his helmet, and create/blast electrical energy from his hands. God Neros was beheaded at the end of the series by Metalder with the Laser Arm attack.
and are Gozo's spies. They are as ruthless and cruel as their boss. S dresses in a black leotard
Leotard
A leotard is a skin-tight one-piece garment that covers the torso but leaves the legs free. It was made famous by the French acrobatic performer Jules Léotard ....
and wears her hair tied behind her head. K has green leotards and lets her hair drape to the right side of her head. Both die in the collapse of the Ghost Bank, denied their attempt to escape by Coolgin in the guise of God Neros.
are God Neros' primary fighters. Each is led by a , with nine ranks beneath it. From highest to lowest:
Members that are ranked below Light Fighter are given miscellaneous designations such as , , and . The ranks from Keitōshi through Gekitōshi are named after the severity levels of earthquakes in Japanese (i.e. Gekitōshi is derived from , a severe earthquake).
Armored Army
The is a grouping consists of cyborgs and humans wearing armor. In the final episode, the helmets of every member (with the exception of Ben K) were revived to prevent Metalder from reaching God Neros. The heads crash into a wall and explode to damage Metalder.is a first-class strategist, swordsman and God Neros' second-in-command. Though confused by his master's fear for Koga, Coolgin realizes why when Metalder reveals himself. However, Coolgin manages to defeat Metalder with one sword attack during their first confrontation. Coolgin had another brief rematch with Metalder in the Ghost Bank in Episode 19, but Metalder escaped before they could finish. In Episode 26, he gained yet another chance to fight Metalder one-on-one, but lost. Underneath his mask, he looks exactly like Kirihara; the purpose is so that he can be God Neros' shadow to create confusion. When the Ghost Bank self-destructs in Episode 37, Metalder believes he has defeated God Neros, but Coolgin and God Neros had switched places shortly before the battle. Coolgin attempts to kill Metalder and Top Gunder by destroying the Ghost Bank, but this plan backfires as Coolgin finds himself bound to the throne by electrical tentacles. Unable to escape, Coolgin accepts his fate and perishes in the explosion. Coolgin reappears as a ghost in the final episode. When Metalder stabs his fiery life force, he vanishes forever.
Medium Fighters and arehalf-naked, comical wrestling rejects. Mukimukiman has a muscular build and is dressed in white battle gear with white hair; Fuufuuchu is obese and wears a large black helmet and red vest. In the first episode, they fight Metalder during his first battle and are pummeled and tossed aside. Their final appearance is in episode 8, where they are seen arm-wrestling with Hedogross.
is a Samurai
Samurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
-like master of the katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
and the hook. He led FuuFuuChu, Mukimukiman, Wogger, Gebaros, and Zakembor into killing Dr. Koga and fights Metalder in his first battle. He fought Metalder for a second time in Episode 19, only to be defeated by his Metal Tornado move. He is restored soon afterwards, only to finally be destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack in Episode 37, standing as the final guardian of God Neros.
Brave Generals and are the "Tag Brothers", two swordsmen
Swordsmanship
Swordsmanship refers to the skills of a swordsman, a person versed in the art of the sword. The term is modern, and as such was mainly used to refer to smallsword fencing, but by extension it can also be applied to any martial art involving the use of a sword...
. Tagsky wears red and yellow armor and is an expert with the sword while Tagsron wears green and black armor and is a master of the naginata
Naginata
The naginata is one of several varieties of traditionally made Japanese blades in the form of a pole weapon. Naginata were originally used by the samurai class in feudal Japan, and naginata were also used by ashigaru and sōhei .-Description:A naginata consists of a wooden shaft with a curved...
. Both brothers fight Metalder together and separately. They first appear in battle in Episode 7 where they attack Metalder together. They demonstrate their combined attack to the Emperor on a repair robot outside the Ghost Bank, destroying it. They are defeated when Metalder tricks them into stabbing each other, causing them to retreat. In Episode 10, they appear again. This time they fight Rhapsody in the Ghost Bank and are non-fatally defeated when he breaks both of their weapons. These two appear in Episode 23, during the Four Army relay race. Tagsron fights Metalder with the Shadow Light Fighters, in Episode 25, and is defeated by Metalder's Metal Tornado Move. Tagsky weeps at learning of his brother's defeat, and then seeks vengeance. Before he can do so, he is defeated after landing on a landmine in Episode 26. The two are shown wearing their armor in the background of the Ghost Bank during Episode 27. These warriors are either different than those seen before or perhaps this episode aired out of order. Although Tagsky is killed earlier, his armor is given to Mai's brainwashed father to wear in Episode 36. Tagsky's armor is scrapped afterwards.
is master of the tachi
Tachi
The is one type of traditional Japanese sword worn by the samurai class of feudal Japan.-History and description:With a few exceptions katana and tachi can be distinguished from each other if signed, by the location of the signature on the tang...
and the spiked ball. He battles with both of these weapons on a single chain. While engaged in a secret meeting in an active mineshaft
Mineshaft
Mineshaft may refer to:* A long vertical tunnel giving access to a mine's workings: see shaft mining* Mineshaft , an American thoroughbred racehorse and successful stallion* Mineshaft Magazine, an independent international art magazine, started in 1999...
, one of the miners accidentally witnesses the event. Hidouman is assigned to silence the miner, so he takes the miner's family hostage
Hostage
A hostage is a person or entity which is held by a captor. The original definition meant that this was handed over by one of two belligerent parties to the other or seized as security for the carrying out of an agreement, or as a preventive measure against certain acts of war...
, which lures Metalder into battle. Metalder confuses him through duplication techniques inspired by a previous fight with Galador, and then strikes his hand to separate him from his weapon. Metalder then destroys him with his Laser Arm attack, which also splits him in half.
is a master of the spear. His entire body looks like a collection of grey tubes. He accompanies Chuubo in his attack on Dr. Koga, which also leads to his first battle with Metalder. In Episode 14 he gains a chance to battle Metalder again, though this time alongside Madonna. He is the first to admit being impressed by Madonna's battle skills and the first to inform her about her promotion. In battle, he discharges electrical energy from the tip of his spear, as well as manipulates enough wind to generate a sandstorm
Sandstorm
Sandstorm can refer to:* Dust storm, a storm caused by strong winds and blowing sand or dust* "Sandstorm" , a trance song by Darude* "Sandstorm" , a song on Cast's debut album, All Change...
. He imprisons Metalder in a deep ditch by using this sandstorm attack, and tries to bury him alive, with the help of some projecting and imprisoning bars. After escaping from the trap, Metalder uses one of the bars as a weapon and causes Wogger to lose his footing. In a classic feint, he calls out to Metalder for assistance. When Metalder approaches him, Wogger unleashes more aggressive attacks, until Metalder realizes he was a lost cause and uses his Laser Arm attack to slice Wogger in half. In Episode 27, Wogger II first appears. He is summoned to lead the hunt for a triad of biological experiments called Gorigons which had escaped from the Ghost Bank. He is defeated by Metalder during the hunt, when Metalder uses his Metal Tornado Move on him. He was restored and makes his final appearance, in battle, in Episode 37 while searching the Kirihara building for Metalder and Top Gunder. He is destroyed for good by Metalder's Laser Arm attack.
is an athlete dressed in blue-green tights and a silver mask resembling a Greek warrior. His outfit fits the theme of a scuba
Scuba
Scuba is an acronym for self-contained underwater breathing apparatus. It may also refer to:* Scuba diving, the use of a self-contained breathing set to stay underwater for periods of time* Scuba set, the equipment used to do scuba diving...
diver. He wields a scythe and chain in his right hand and a clawed gauntlet on his left hand. Barlock was a former decathlon
Decathlon
The decathlon is a combined event in athletics consisting of ten track and field events. The word decathlon is of Greek origin . Events are held over two consecutive days and the winners are determined by the combined performance in all. Performance is judged on a points system in each event, not...
athlete who sabotaged his rival's chance to enter the Olympics. After his rival committs suicide, he feels shame at his cowardice and seeks out challengers to prove himself. In Episode 8, he battles with Hedogross in the Ghost Bank for the chance to fight Metalder, but loses. He later appears and snags Hedogross' hostage to use as bait to draw Metalder into battle. He is defeated, but not destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack. Redeemed by fighting honorably, he sacrifices himself by taking a tank blast that was meant for Metalder, and possibly the hostage, thus killing him.
is a Ninja
Ninja
A or was a covert agent or mercenary of feudal Japan specializing in unorthodox arts of war. The functions of the ninja included espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination, as well as open combat in certain situations...
master of magic, equipped with dirty tricks including explosive cards, shurikens, and self-duplication. He also seems to be able to send Metalder into another dimension and throw/summon fire. In Episode 12, he battles Metalder one-on-one, bringing with him the Shadow Light Fighters. He also attacks Wisdom in that episode when she fails to defeat Metalder. In Episode 15, he is assigned by Coolgin to capture Wisdom. He appears in Episode 23, during the Four Army relay race. In Episode 24, he uses all his magical talents to fight Metalder, until he is defeated by Metalder's Laser Arm attack. Restored to full function, he appears in Episode 33, but loses to Top Gunder during an interrupted training exercise. He appears in Episode 37, his final appearance, after being restored, while searching the Kirihara building for Metalder and Top Gunder. He is destroyed for good by Metalder's Laser Arm.
is a camouflage-garbed commando
Commando
In English, the term commando means a specific kind of individual soldier or military unit. In contemporary usage, commando usually means elite light infantry and/or special operations forces units, specializing in amphibious landings, parachuting, rappelling and similar techniques, to conduct and...
. He appears in episode 14, falsely attacking Madonna so that Metalder would come to her rescue and fall into a trap. He appears in Episode 14 performing a sneak attack against Metalder. He appears in Episode 19, alongside Chuubo, Jamune, and various members of the Armament Army. Robinken has the rare mentality of not caring about rank. During the Four Army relay race in Episode 23, he captures a camera-toting youth wandering in the area reserved for the race. Robinken leads Metalder along a circuitous path to the Four Army finish line. When Metalder escapes with the hostage, Robinken gives chase, coaxing Metalder into a trap-laden course of his own design. The traps ultimately failed and Robinken is destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack.
is an armored warrior with a large hammer named after the legendary Saitō Musashibō Benkei
Saito Musashibo Benkei
, popularly called Benkei, was a Japanese warrior monk who served Minamoto no Yoshitsune. He is commonly depicted as a man of great strength and loyalty, and a popular subject of Japanese folklore.-Biography:...
. Ben K wins the honor to hunt down Metalder after defeating Gebaros in the Ghost Bank. He secretly attacks Ryusei by throwing a hatchet at his leg. With an injured leg, Ryusei leaves Mai behind and retreats into the woods. Ben K has the advantage with his mighty hammer, but Metalder manages to store just enough power to destroy Ben K's helmet. However, despite Metalder's wish to kill him, he spares Ben K's life upon realizing he was a human. After that, Ben K abandons the Empire. He returns in Episode 13 to help Metalder save Hidouman's captives, the miner and his family. He is killed by the Shadow Light Fighters, whom he simultaneously defeats. Like the legend, Ben K dies standing with arrows in his body.
is a boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
with expensive upper body padding. In battle, he can launch his boxing glove-shaped fists at his opponents. In Episode 8, he is Barlock's lackey, helping him retrieve the scientist hostage that the Neros Empire had taken. He appears in episode 14, falsely attacking Madonna so that Metalder would come to her rescue and fall into a trap, and sneaks an attack on Metalder later. He also appears alongside Chuubo in Episode 19. In Episode 21, he battles Metalder one-on-one. Metalder defeats him by discovering his weak spot in his legs and knees. Metalder defeats Jamune with his Metal Tornado move, which knocks Jamune into a lake and out of the battle. He was restored to full function in Episode 33, but was defeated by Top Gunder during an interrupted training exercise. In Episode 37, he was restored again and made his final appearance while searching the Kirihara building for Metalder and Top Gunder. He was destroyed for good by a fatal shot from Top Gunder.
is the only female Light Fighter. She's also special for working specifically and only in Coolgin's army. Originally seen as a slave, like Wisdom, she proved to be a strong and brave fighter when she protected an exhausted fellow slave from Wogger's blows. Coolgin, having watched the altercation, was impressed by her combat skills and promoted her to Light Fighter. Before becoming a slave, she was a tennis
Tennis
Tennis is a sport usually played between two players or between two teams of two players each . Each player uses a racket that is strung to strike a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over a net into the opponent's court. Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society at all...
player who was "recruited" by The Secretaries to work as a slave by rebuilding damaged robots for the Empire. She had a sister, whom Metalder rescued and took to a hospital, after the girl appeared injured to him. Once promoted, Wogger gave her a flat-bladed sword with which to battle, as well as the new name/title of Madonna and freedom from her slave rank. Also ala Wisdom, she faked being a damsel in distress on the beach, only to turn on and attack Metalder after he tried to help her. Metalder recognized her from her sister's picture and tried to talk some sense into her by telling her that her sister was alive, which caused her to leave the battle. She returned to Wogger after her battle with Metalder and Wogger implanted a device into her armor to help her in her next battle with him. In reality, unknown by her, it was a detonation device. She was then used a decoy, faking a needed rescue, only to be saved by Metalder, luring him into a trap. Once he discovered it was a trap, Metalder used his Laser Arm attack to destroy her weapon and with Springer's help, learned of the bomb in her armor and chucked it out of her before it could harm them. Upon learning that she had been used, and that Metalder was right all along, she attacked Wogger long enough for Metalder to escape. Afterwards, she left the Empire and with Metalder's help was reunited with her sister in the hospital.
was a group of grunts trained in ninjutsu
Ninjutsu
or may be:*the arts associated with espionage and assassination in feudal Japan, see Ninja*modern schools of martial arts claiming to be based in these traditions, see Modern Schools of Ninjutsu*fictional depictions, see Ninja in popular culture...
.
Robotic Warrior Army
The consists of androids that make up the Neros Army. They were developed from the same technology used to create Metalder.is a silver robot with a golden gear on his forehead that fires beams, and yellow and black stripes on chest and forearm armor. He can also blast energy from his eyeslots, as well as blast missiles from his knuckles when he makes a fist. He is proud of his army and does not move away from it. He fights for his fellow robots and praises them at every turn. In Episode 11, he leads his fellow androids and the Armament Army in an effort to capture the escaped Bigwayne. In Episode 36, he loses to Metalder, though he manages to survive, even after Metalder knocks him into the water. In Episode 38, he returns and gains the ability to assume the forms and use the abilities of his troops, via Lortail's help. Valsky transforms into Gochak, Jars, Bigwayne, Crosslander, and Galdos. But despite being defeated by Metalder's Laser Arm and G-Kick attacks, Valsky seemed impressed by Metalder and made peace with him before he explodes.
is a robotic boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
with grey, floormat-like plating on his head, shoulders, and thighs. Galdos can discharge electricity through tentacles that sprout from his forehead. In episode 6, Metalder destroys him. He is rebuilt again, appearing in Episode 15, when he leads the initial attack on Metalder until Hedogross Jr. appears. He appears in Episode 23 during the Four Army Relay Race. In Episode 30, he leads the initial scheme. During this battle, Galdos reveals he can launch/detonate warheads from a special glove, blast electricity from the slot on his forehead, and blast energy from a clawed/rod-like device he conceals in his chest. He is destroyed in battle, during the same episode, by Metalder's Laser Arm attack.
dresses in black with grey armor plates. His original nickname is the 'Titan of Legend.' A former Brave General, he retires to become a rankless repair robot. He presumably retired because he became bored, never once losing. He mutinies and escapes from the Empire, and fights Metalder, partially to aid his beloved disciple Gochak. He fires arrows from his right forearm and seems to have super strength. He seems to have a revolver, when he opens the plating on his chest, and can sprout/launch spikes from the plating on his arms. He survives Metalder's Laser Arm, but eventually wears himself out. He falls over from exhaustion and explodes.
is a VIP assassin
Assassination
To carry out an assassination is "to murder by a sudden and/or secret attack, often for political reasons." Alternatively, assassination may be defined as "the act of deliberately killing someone, especially a public figure, usually for hire or for political reasons."An assassination may be...
dressed in red spandex with white armor. He fancies himself as one of the best, but has ideals on morality very different from Top Gunder's, who he succeeded in the army. A master marksman who wields twin pistols, he worked with American terrorist organizations, killing government officials and receiving a promotion from Explosive Fighter to Violent Spirit before coming to Japan to kill Metalder and deal with Top Gunder. He also obtains a handgun custom-made for battling Metalder. Crosslander loses his first encounter with Top Gunder, but in their second encounter, he defeats and damages the traitor. He originally wore a winged snake ornament on his forehead, but Metalder damaged it during their first encounter. His second, upgraded head is also damaged, this time by Top Gunder, even though it was equipped with a secret blaster that Top Gunder also damages. In Episode 23, he hides in the tall grass near the finish line of the Four Army relay race and shoots Strobe down each time he tries to become airborne. He fights Top Gunder and Metalder again and is destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack in Episode 33.
is a shark
Shark
Sharks are a type of fish with a full cartilaginous skeleton and a highly streamlined body. The earliest known sharks date from more than 420 million years ago....
-headed fighter in white tights with twin shoulder cannons and four cannons on his upper arms. In Episode 11, he rats out Gochak when the robot helps Bigwayne escape. In Episode 15, he fights Metalder as part of the Empire's initial assault that day. He also attacks Metalder briefly in the Ghost Bank in Episode 19. In Episode 22, he battles Metalder and leads the day's attack. He is accompanied by Goblit, Dedemos, and Gebaros. Metalder's Metal Tornado move defeats him. He is restored to full function in Episode 33 when he is defeated by Top Gunder during an interrupted training exercise. He is presumably rebuilt/restored soon afterwards, appearing in the background of Episode 36 when he is destroyed for good by a blast from Top Gunder.
is a silver wrestler called to defeat Metalder, after Barbery fails, in Episode 2. His signature move is putting his opponents in headlocks and twisting their heads off, which he demonstrates to the Emperor, in the Ghost Bank, on Damnen. Metalder was losing in battle against him, but managed to gather his last bit of power to crack Gochak's face. Metalder snaps off Gochak's arms and tears off his head. After being beheaded, Gochak sproutd a cannon head. Metalder destroys Gochak for good with a Laser Arm, but collapses after the fight. Gochak was presumably rebuilt, as he reappears in Episode 11 when he tries to help the rebellious Bigwayne escape from the Robotic Warrior Army and the Armored Army. Jars rats him out to Valsky and he is chained up by the others for treason. He escapes too late to help Bigwayne. He turns Bigwayne's spot of destruction into a memorial mound. In Episode 15, he joins Galdos' group during the initial attack on Metalder. In Episode 19, he attacks Metalder in the Ghost Bank. He is decapitated by a blast from Top Gunder in Episode 36.
is silver with thick thighs, high jumping ability, and a featureless black faceplate. He can turn his right hand and forearm into a sword blade and his left hand into pincer claws. He accompanies Chuubo to kill Dr. Koga and fight Metalder. He fights Ben K for the chance to fight Metalder. Ben K smashes his robotic head open with his giant hammer, resulting in a destructive loss. This damage was presumably fixed, as he appears in Episode 11. In Episode 15, he joins Galdos' group during the initial attack on Metalder. He also attacks Metalder in the Ghost Bank, in Episode 19. In Episode 22, he participates in the Four Army relay race. In Episode 36, he battles alongside Valsky, but is destroyed by Metalder's Laser Arm attack.
is a Grim Reaper
Death (personification)
The concept of death as a sentient entity has existed in many societies since the beginning of history. In English, Death is often given the name Grim Reaper and, from the 15th century onwards, came to be shown as a skeletal figure carrying a large scythe and clothed in a black cloak with a hood...
-themed fighter with a sickle blade in place of a left hand. In Episode 15, he joins Galdos' group during the initial attack on Metalder. In Episode 18, he had a dream in which Metalder brings down the Ghost Bank. Zargen's scheme to prevent that involves the public abduction of a scientist transporting a briefcase containing valuable information. Metalder takes the bait and retrieves the briefcase. The scientist was a fake, however, but the bomb inside the case fails to destroy Metalder. Before his next battle with Metalder, Zargen asks God Neros to implant him with an explosive device, in order to guarantee his victory. If Metalder struck him directly in close combat, the bomb would destroy them both. During the battle, he lodges his armblade into Metalder's right shoulder and attempts to finish the task with an electric discharge from the spikes on his head. To Zargen's surprise, Metalder severs his own arm to put distance between them. Metalder then throws his severed arm at Zargen's torso, triggering the bomb and destroying him. He appears in the background in the movie.
is a peaceful robot with a Stradivarius
Stradivarius
The name Stradivarius is associated with violins built by members of the Stradivari family, particularly Antonio Stradivari. According to their reputation, the quality of their sound has defied attempts to explain or reproduce, though this belief is controversial...
violin. However, when this robot is upgraded and plays his violin, Metalder's circuits go haywire and seem to paralyze his suit. Rhapsody was originally an unranked and friendly robot, like the repair robots, before being upgraded/promoted by the Emperor. He battles Tagsky and Tagsron in the Ghost Bank and wins the chance to fight Metalder. In the battle with the brothers, he breaks both their weapons. Fighting Metalders, he is struck by Metalder's Laser Arm attack, which seems to turn him back into a peaceful violinist. This does not last, as Darbarbo soon appears and blasts him, causing him to fall over and explode. Both Metalder and the Neros Empire remember his memory and musical talents. In Episode 19, it is revealed that he has been rebuilt and is no longer at Fierce Fighter status. He appears when a little girl becomes lost inside the Ghost Bank. He manages to protect her from the other robots and mutants by hiding her behind his cape until Chuubo discovers them together. He also plays the little girl a song for which she gives him a flower. After helping Metalder and Top Gunder rescue the girl, he leaves the Empire. Rhapsody has decided to stay good and is last seen working for what appears to be a carnival/boardwalk by entertaining patrons with his musical talents. He appears again in Episode 31, still working as a peaceful carnival entertainer.
is a white-colored female robot. She aids Valsky before his final battle with Metalder in Episodes 36 and 38. For most of the series, she remains a background character, and doesn't gain her first real mission until Episode 36 when she is chosen to analyze and store all of the data of the robots' fights. It seems she has deep feelings for Valsky and plans to use the uploaded information for/on him so he can defeat Metalder. She manages to successfully transfer the data/her spirit into Valsky after taking a fatal blow from Metalder's G-Kick in Episode 38.
and are Crosslander's assistants. Both are Light Fighters. Goblit is black and silver and armed with a bayonet while Dedemos was blue with horns and uses a handgun and a drill. Goblit and Dedemos are seen in Episode 19, when they battle Metalder in the Ghost Bank. They appear again, alongside Jars and Gebaros in Episode 22. In Episode 23, these two both appeared in the Four Army relay race and in Episode 30, to help Galdos. In Episode 35, they appear one last time in battle with Geldring, assisting him, only to be destroyed together by Top Gunder.
- is a robotic grunt trained by Bigwayne, who resembles a Shadow Light Fighter, but with a blue outfit. He is destroyed by Metalder in episode 11.
Monster Army
The is composed of genetically altered–engineered mutants. After being killed, they tend to melt into a puddle of green slime:is a green muscular beast with a skull-like head encased in a clear egg-shaped dome that resembles a mutant turtle
Turtle
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines , characterised by a special bony or cartilaginous shell developed from their ribs that acts as a shield...
. Geldring's other abilities include teleportation, shooting goo out of his fingers, producing electricity from his hands, breathing fire and releasing vine-like appendages from his mouth. He has the most opportunities to battle Metalder personally, but fails. His personality is dirty, treacherous, envious, cowardly, and accommodating. He frequently criticizes the other armies and often takes credit for work accomplished by his fellow mutants. In Episode 9, he teases and taunts Hedogross for his love of Wisdom and soon prompts the other mutants to do the same. In Episode 15, despite Hedogross Jr. fitting into his rank, he does not want the young mutant to represent the Monster Army. In Episode 32, he learns of a rare plant which enhances those who consume it with great power. He puts this newfound strength to use against Metalder, but does not realize the effect is temporary. He is presumably destroyed after this fight, by Metalder, when Metalder uses his Laser Arm. In this battle, Geldring reveals the ability to blast lasers from his eyes as well as breathe fire. Geldring resurfaces in Episode 35, however, to battle alongside Bankora and is finally destroyed in this match, again by Metalder's Laser Arm attack, turning into a puddle of slime.
is a white furred wolf
Gray Wolf
The gray wolf , also known as the wolf, is the largest extant wild member of the Canidae family...
creature who ains a detachable spider
Spider
Spiders are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, and chelicerae with fangs that inject venom. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species diversity among all other groups of organisms...
-like parasite on his back. Bridy is extremely ferocious and uses his claws and fangs to attack Metalder. Bridy can shoot webbing to bind his victims. He is among the monsters sent to capture Top Gunder. In Episode 15, he presents Wisdom as a hostage as well as leading the Monster Army and the Shadow Light Fighters into fighting Metalder and Hedogross Jr. In Episode 19, he fought Metalder and Springer in the Ghost Bank. At one point during that battle, Springer bites him, once freed of imprisonment. He battles and bites Metalder in Episode 23, frying his circuitry. During that same episode, he participates in the Four Army relay race, which the Monster Army wins through heavy cheating. In Episode 28 he reveals he can launch his claws like sharp missiles as well as shapeshift into a humanoid form via the power of a special diamond
Diamond
In mineralogy, diamond is an allotrope of carbon, where the carbon atoms are arranged in a variation of the face-centered cubic crystal structure called a diamond lattice. Diamond is less stable than graphite, but the conversion rate from diamond to graphite is negligible at ambient conditions...
. He was thought defeated in Episode 28, melting into a puddle of slime. Restored, he appears in Episode 32. He appears with his parasite in Episode 34 when Metalder learns of this weakness and kills the parasite during their final battle with his Laser Arm attack. This kills Bridy and he dissolves into slime.
is a grey-skinned scorpion
Scorpion
Scorpions are predatory arthropod animals of the order Scorpiones within the class Arachnida. They have eight legs and are easily recognized by the pair of grasping claws and the narrow, segmented tail, often carried in a characteristic forward curve over the back, ending with a venomous stinger...
-like monster with white fangs on his chest and legs, and a third arm on his back. He can spew acid
Acid
An acid is a substance which reacts with a base. Commonly, acids can be identified as tasting sour, reacting with metals such as calcium, and bases like sodium carbonate. Aqueous acids have a pH of less than 7, where an acid of lower pH is typically stronger, and turn blue litmus paper red...
ic saliva
Saliva
Saliva , referred to in various contexts as spit, spittle, drivel, drool, or slobber, is the watery substance produced in the mouths of humans and most other animals. Saliva is a component of oral fluid. In mammals, saliva is produced in and secreted from the three pairs of major salivary glands,...
from his mouth and he can teleport. In Episode 5, he is chosen by Geldring to battle Top Gunder in the Ghost Bank. He loses, but survives by forfeiting. He is one of the monsters sent to capture Top Gunder. He later appeared to snag a hostage for Hedogross. He fights Metalder and Springer in the Ghost Bank, only to be viciously attacked and bitten by Springer. He competes in the Four Army relay race in Episode 23. During the battle in Episode 35, he fights alongside Geldring. He is eventually destroyed for good when Metalder binds him with his own arm and then sends him flying with his G-Kick, causing him to collapse and explode.
is a brown-skinned monster with antenna
Antenna (biology)
Antennae in biology have historically been paired appendages used for sensing in arthropods. More recently, the term has also been applied to cilium structures present in most cell types of eukaryotes....
e and tentacled arms that electrocute enemies. He can also produce green slime on his tongue and spit it at opponents, as well as turning his right hand into a crab-like claw and breathing fire. In Episode 4, he is injured by Metalder when the hero yanks out one of his internal organs and knocks him into the water. He survives and is seen fighting Hedogross Jr. in the Ghost Bank in Episode 15. In Episode 17, he kidnaps Mai to lure Metalder to him and tries to make love to her. He then battles Metalder again and is destroyed by his Laser Arm attack. Gamadone appears as an extra in the Metalder movie.
is a red-eyed lizard
Lizard
Lizards are a widespread group of squamate reptiles, with nearly 3800 species, ranging across all continents except Antarctica as well as most oceanic island chains...
-like mutant. He fights Gochak for the privilege of fighting Metalder in Episode 2, but loses when his head was twisted backwards by Gochak. Battling Gochak, Damnen reveals he can blast lightning-bolt like laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
s from his eyes. Even though he loses to Gochak, he survives. He appears in Episode 5 with Zakembor to spy on Top Gunder. Both are caught and punished by Valsky and Geldring. He is one of the monsters hunting Top Gunder. In Episode 8 he helps Hedogross fight Metalder. Damnen is badly injured fighting Hedogross Jr. in the Ghost Bank in Episode 15. In Episode 19, he fights Metalder in the Ghost Bank. In Episode 32, he appears alongside Geldring in the hunt for the rare plant. He is destroyed when Metalder kicks him off a cliff and explodes after landing at the bottom of the quarry
Quarry
A quarry is a type of open-pit mine from which rock or minerals are extracted. Quarries are generally used for extracting building materials, such as dimension stone, construction aggregate, riprap, sand, and gravel. They are often collocated with concrete and asphalt plants due to the requirement...
.
is a red-eyed cicada
Cicada
A cicada is an insect of the order Hemiptera, suborder Auchenorrhyncha , in the superfamily Cicadoidea, with large eyes wide apart on the head and usually transparent, well-veined wings. There are about 2,500 species of cicada around the world, and many of them remain unclassified...
-like mutant. He can emit sonic waves by flapping his wings and spit a green, acid-like liquid. He accompanies Chuubo who kills Dr. Koga and first fights Metalder. He and Damnen sneak away to spy on Top Gunder in Episode 5. Both are caught and punished by Valsky and Geldring for sneaking off. In Episode 8, he helps Hedogross battle Metalder. Zakembor fights Hedogross Jr. in the Ghost Bank in Episode 15, and is badly injured. Later, he fights Metalder and Hedogross Jr. again and is destroyed by the latter. Zakembor was an extra in the Metalder movie.
is a green frog
Frog
Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura , formerly referred to as Salientia . Most frogs are characterized by a short body, webbed digits , protruding eyes and the absence of a tail...
-like mutant who took a female slave, Wisdom, as his wife. Hedogross can dissolve into green slime and first appears in the Ghost Bank arm wrestling with the Medium Fighters and repair robots. In Episode 8, he fights Barlock in the Ghost Bank and wins the chance to fight Metalder. With the help of Bankora, he takes a scientist hostage. Barlock sneaks in on him and knock him out, swiping the hostage in the process. His fellow mutants, including Geldring, mock him for his love of Wisdom. He fantasizes about being promoted in the Empire so that he can both love Wisdom and be a respected and powerful warrior. God Neros promises a promotion, and that his dreams would come true, if he destroys Metalder. However, he dies first. Battling Metalder, he damages his armor. Darbarbo and Bulchek seem to cause interference in the battle. Metalder's combined Laser Arm and G-Kick attacks cause him to fall over and explosde. Before dying, Hedogross spews liquid all over himself and dissolves into slime. Sometime before his death, he conceives a son with his wife Wisdom, who would be named after him.
: A slave married to Hedogross, who later gives birth to Hedogross Jr. She has both a humanoid and a mutant form. When she first appears, in Episode 9, she gives her husband her earring to hold during battle. When he is destroyed, she plucks the earring from his remains and vows revenge on Metalder, getting her chance in Episode 12. She uses her human guise to portray a damsel in distress for Metalder to rescue before revealing her true form and attacking. She flees when her labor pains become too intense. Back at the lab, Metalder learns she is just a pregnant slave. He saves her from Galador, who attacked her because she failed to defeat Metalder and ruined their plan. After Metalder rescues her, he returns her earring which she dropped fighting him, and allows her to escape. Sometime before Episode 15, she bears Hedogross Jr. When Junior attacks Metalder, she becomes angry and informs him that Metalder had saved her life. She tries to steer her son away from the Empire, but in vain. Wisdom is later taken hostage by the Empire, but is rescued by her son. She helps both he and Metalder fight off the Empire before leaving the Neros Empire with him.
is the son of Hedogross and Wisdom. Junior is a green mutant with silver hair who could project three long claws on each hand. Like his father, Junior can dissolve into slime and takes human form like his mother. He first appears in Episode 12 in Wisdom's memory/imagination as a baby. In Episode 15 he is determined to exact revenge on Metalder for his father and wants to take his father's place. Junior is recruited by Galdos and given status after proving himself. He is assigned to kill Metalder by God Neros after thrashing numerous members of the Monster Army in the Ghost Bank. However, during mid-battle with the Metal Hero, Metalder saves him from falling off a cliff. Metalder tries to reason with him. After seeing his mother held hostage, Junior finally realizes God Neros is the true villain, and the two fight off Bridy, Gamadone, Damnen, Zakembor and the Shadow Light Fighters together.
is the end result of Geldring's attempt to revitalize his ranks. Originally a stray German Shepherd Dog
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
named George, he is captured by God Neros's secretaries and mutated into a member of the Monster Army via a special booth-looking machine. During the battle with Metalder, its memories are restored by the Saint Bernard belonging to Mai and Kita, who had earlier shown it kindness. When it refuses to follow orders and destroy Metalder, Geldring kills him by spraying him with toxic foam.
Armament Army
The consists of walking arsenal robots.is red and silver in color, wielding a tachi (longsword) in his right hand and a weaponized shield on his left. Dranger has blades, guns, and lights mounted on his ears. He supervised the Armament Army in carrying out the weapons test in Episode 20. In Episode 19, he fights Metalder in the Ghost Bank. He led the Armament Army ambush, when Metalder and Top Gunder emerge from the ruined Ghost Bank in Episode 37. He stands in disbelief after seeing his entire army wiped out within moments. He loses to Metalder after being struck twice by the Laser Arm attack.
is a humanoid tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
robot with a circular head flanked by twin shoulder cannons. He also has cannons for fingers. He appears during the hunt for Bigwayne in Episode 11 as well as assisting Chuubo in Episode 19. In Episode 20, after the weapons test, he formulates the plan to use the Armament Army's prototype machine against Metalder. He appears during the Four Army Relay Race in Episode 23, and again in Episode 24 helping to blast Metalder during his fight with Galador. He is destroyed alongside Bulchek in Episode 37.
is a humanoid rocket silo
Launch facility (ICBM)
A launch facility , also known as a missile silo, is an underground vertical cylindrical container for the storage and launching of intercontinental ballistic missiles . They typically have the missile some distance under the surface, protected by a large "blast door" on top...
. He has missile launchers on his chest and shoulders. In Episode 8, he trains with the other members of the Empire. In Episode 9, he and Bulchek interfere in Hedogross' battle by firing on him and Metalder. In Episode 10, he destroys Rhapsody after the violinist fails to destroy Metalder. He appears in Episode 11 during the hunt for Bigwayne and again in Episode 19 as backup to Chuubo. In episode 20, he acted as controller of the artillery robot and is used by Metalder to destroy it shortly thereafter. He gets rebuilt and appears in Episode 23, during the Four Army Relay Race. In Episode 24 he helps even the odds during Metalder's clash with Galador. In episode 37, he is destroyed by the second volley fired by Metalder, after the Ghost Bank had collapsed.
is a humanoid torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
robot. He is mobile and red and grey. He is armed with a spear gun. In Episode 4, he self-destructs in an attempt to blow up Metalder on a boat. He was presumably rebuilt, as he appears briefly in Episode 11, during the hunt for Bigwayne. He takes over for Bulchek midway through the relay race in Episode 23, but has some difficulty, as he is better suited for water than land. He is destroyed with Darbarbo, in Metalder's second volley, after the Ghost Bank collapses in Episode 37.
is a humanoid helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
. He shoots explosive missiles from his wrists. His first encounter with Metalder in Episode 2 results in a mid-air collision which damages him considerably. Barbery is spared by God Neros and ordered to be repaired. He usually appears alongside Strobe in battle and missions. He is destroyed in mid-air by Top Gunder in Episode 37.
is a humanoid jet
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
plane. He shoots exploding missiles from his wings and is often sent on missions/appears alongside Barbery. In Episode 23, he uses his air superiority to assist Bulchek, Agmis, and Megadron by carrying them across difficult sections of the course. He is destroyed in mid-flight by Top Gunder in Episode 37.
is a humanoid tank
Tank
A tank is a tracked, armoured fighting vehicle designed for front-line combat which combines operational mobility, tactical offensive, and defensive capabilities...
. He has a long cannon-like nose that can launch artillery. In Episode 8, he trains with fellow members of the Empire. In Episode 9, alongside Darbarbo, he blasts Hedogross and Metalder while they battle together. He appears in Episode 11 during the hunt for Bigwayne and again in Episode 19 as backup to Chuubo. He discovers the boxful of abandoned puppies in Episode 20 during the weapons test cleanup and protects them, even when they are designated as bait because he loves all animals. While attempting to rescue a puppy wandering amid the mines, Bulchek accidentally triggers one and is heavily damaged. The puppy is unharmed, and he leaves it in Metalder's care. He is the Armament Army's first choice for the Four Army relay race in Episode 23. In Episode 24, he helps Galador by blasting at Metalder during their scuffle. He is finally destroyed in Episode 37, alongside Megadron, during Metalder's first volley.
Metalder
is Metalder's secret base of operation, hidden within the Wind Caves of Fuji, underneath the ruins of the former Imperial Army's Headquarters. It is the place where Metalder has lain dormant for over 40 years until his activation at the start of the series. The Silver Carcass is usually kept underground until Metalder needs to dispatch a vehicle, when it rises to the surface. Springer remains there for standby in case Metalder needs him, particularly when Metalder needs repair. When the Neros Empire drew closer to locating the Silver Carcass, Metalder relocates a portion of the base at another cave with Springer.is Metalder's motorcycle vehicle with a detachable side-car.
is a transforming, four-wheel flying car based on a sixth-generation Mazda Familia
Mazda Familia
Mazda's automotive plans for the early sixties consisted of growing alongside the Japanese economy. To achieve this goal, they began by building an extremely cheap Kei car, the R360 in 1960, planning on introducing gradually larger and pricier cars as the Japanese customers became able to afford them...
that Metalder drives.
Neros Empire
is the secret lair of the Neros Empire, where the Four Armies gather. It can move anywhere, but its usual location is underneath headquarters building of the Kirihara Konzern. Each member of Neros Army has their own warp gate used to transport themselves to the Ghost Bank.is a motorcycle with a sidecar used exclusively by the Armored Army.
is a motorcycle used exclusively by the Robotic Warrior Army.
is a motorcycle usually used exclusively by the Monster Army, except when ridden by Coolgin in the first episode.
is a combat jeep that has been produced for each of Neros Army. When one is deployed, it carries the flag of its division.
is a station wagon that has been produced for each of Neros Armies. It is mainly used to transport troops.
is an advanced military machine tested by the Armament Army during a demonstration to potential buyers. Equipped with a variety of weapons and heat sensors, by coincidence it is used against Metalder. When the Armament army realizes Metalder was in the area looking for abandoned puppies, these puppies were then used as bait and placed in a minefield guarded by the robot. Metalder deceives the machine using a heated stone which gives him an opening to disable it. It is finally destroyed when Metalder throws Darbarbo onto it, the impact presumably causing his shoulder-mounted artillery to detonate.
Episodes
Movie
A film version of Choujinki Metalder premiered on July 18, 1987 at the "Toei Manga Matsuri" film festival, where it was shown as part of a quadruple feature alongside Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle, Saint Seiya: The MovieSaint Seiya: The Movie
, retitled on its home video release, is the first in a series of anime films produced by Toei Animation based on the manga Saint Seiya by Masami Kurumada...
and the film version of Hikari Sentai Maskman
Hikari Sentai Maskman
is Toei's eleventh entry of the Super Sentai Series. It aired on TV Asahi from February 28, 1987 to February 20, 1988, with a total of 51 episodes. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Maskman.-Plot:...
.
Cast
- Ryūsei Tsurugi, Tatsuo Koga: (credited as )
- Metalder (voice):
- Mai Ougi:
- Hakkō Kita: (credited as )
- Springer (voice):
- Mukimukiman: (credited as )
- Fuufuuchu: (credited as )
- Beautiful Secretary K:
- Beautiful Secretary S:
- Shingo Ougi:
- Gozo Kirihara:
- God Neros (voice):
- Dr. Ryūichirō Koga: (credited as )
- Narrator:
Suit actors
- Metalder: ,
Songs
Opening theme-
- Lyrics:
- Composition:
- Arrangement: Kōhei TanakaKohei Tanaka (composer)is a Japanese composer, arranger and singer. He is affiliated with the music production company Imagine. He has created numerous musical scores for famous anime TV series, OVAs, movies, computer games and tokusatsu series. Tanaka was born in Ebisubashi, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture on February 14,...
- Artist: Isao SasakiIsao Sasakiis a Japanese seiyū, actor, and vocalist. He has had voice roles in anime such as Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Space Battleship Yamato, and Gatchaman. He has also performed the opening themes for anime such as Yamato, Star of the Giants, Getter Robo, Casshan, Grendizer, Gaiking and tokusatsu...
Ending theme
-
- Lyrics: James Miki
- Composition: Takashi Miki
- Arrangement: Kōhei Tanaka
- Artist: Ichirou MizukiIchirou Mizuki, better known by his stage name , is a Japanese vocalist, lyrist, composer, voice actor and actor best known for his work on theme songs for anime and tokusatsu. For over 40 years, he has recorded over 1200 songs for Japanese film, television, video and video games. He is referred to by fans and...
, Koorogi '73Koorogi '73were a Japanese backing vocals group best known for their contributions to the Super Robot series and Toei's Super Sentai series. The group was disbanded after 1990.The Japanese word means "a cricket."...