Rainbowman
Encyclopedia
is the name and titular superhero
of the tokusatsu
TV series sometimes known as . Created by Kōhan Kawauchi
, this was the first superhero TV series produced by Toho Company Ltd.
, and was broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi
) from October 6, 1972 to September 18, 1973, with a total of 52 episodes. Mitsuru Adachi
wrote a manga series based on the show which was serialized in TV Magazine Otomodachi from 1972 to 1973.
Just like Kawauchi's earlier 7-Color Mask
(1959), this series has a superhero with 7 different identities, but with a major differences: 7-Color Mask's separate identities were more like human disguises, whereas Takeshi Yamato, the Rainbowman, transformed into 7 different superhero forms (called "Dashes"): Dash 1 is moon, Dash 2 is fire, Dash 3 is water, Dash 4 is wood, Dash 5 is metal, Dash 6 is earth, and the main Dash, 7, is the sun; These seven Dashes represent yin and yang
(the Moon and the Sun) and the five elements (wu xing) of ancient Chinese philosophy. In each Dash form, Rainbowman's appearance takes on the color representing the respective element (Moon-yellow, fire-red, water-blue, wood-green, metal-gold, earth-brown, Sun-white), and he is also endowed with powers related to that element. The powers were
supposed to be yogic in nature, and attained by Takeshi Yamato after training in India with the yogi sage Devadatta.
Both this series and 7-Color Mask are said to be Go Nagai
's inspiration behind his popular creation, Cutey Honey.
In 1982, a 22-episode anime
remake of this series was produced. However, despite the updated version of the original theme song, it was very loosely based on this show (A young man commands 7 giant robots, and teleport into/activate a larger giant robot).
Rainbowman was a proposed name for Capcom
's Mega Man
early in development. This was to be a reference to the character's ability to take on the abilities (and color schemes) of his defeated enemies. A minor recurring character in the Mega Man Battle Network
anime series, ShiningMan, is based on Rainbowman's Dash 7 form - even having the Rainbowman theme song play during his appearances (he does not appear in the video games).
Aitsu no namae wa Rainbowman(あいつの名前はレインボーマン, That Man's Name is Rainbowman, ep.14 - ep.52)
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
of the tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
TV series sometimes known as . Created by Kōhan Kawauchi
Kôhan Kawauchi
, , created various tokusatsu series, including the first, Moonlight Mask, in 1958. He was originally from Hakodate, Hokkaido. His series Rainbowman is considered to be an inspiration for Go Nagai's Cutie Honey....
, this was the first superhero TV series produced by Toho Company Ltd.
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
, and was broadcast on NET (now TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
) from October 6, 1972 to September 18, 1973, with a total of 52 episodes. Mitsuru Adachi
Mitsuru Adachi
is a Japanese manga artist. After graduating from Gunma Prefectural Maebashi Commercial High School in 1969, Adachi worked as an assistant for Isami Ishii. He made his manga debut in 1970 with Kieta Bakuon, based on a manga originally created by Satoru Ozawa...
wrote a manga series based on the show which was serialized in TV Magazine Otomodachi from 1972 to 1973.
Just like Kawauchi's earlier 7-Color Mask
7-Color Mask
is the name and title character of a tokusatsu TV series, later called .Created by Kōhan Kawauchi , this B&W TV show was the first-ever superhero TV series by Toei Company Ltd....
(1959), this series has a superhero with 7 different identities, but with a major differences: 7-Color Mask's separate identities were more like human disguises, whereas Takeshi Yamato, the Rainbowman, transformed into 7 different superhero forms (called "Dashes"): Dash 1 is moon, Dash 2 is fire, Dash 3 is water, Dash 4 is wood, Dash 5 is metal, Dash 6 is earth, and the main Dash, 7, is the sun; These seven Dashes represent yin and yang
Yin and yang
In Asian philosophy, the concept of yin yang , which is often referred to in the West as "yin and yang", is used to describe how polar opposites or seemingly contrary forces are interconnected and interdependent in the natural world, and how they give rise to each other in turn. Opposites thus only...
(the Moon and the Sun) and the five elements (wu xing) of ancient Chinese philosophy. In each Dash form, Rainbowman's appearance takes on the color representing the respective element (Moon-yellow, fire-red, water-blue, wood-green, metal-gold, earth-brown, Sun-white), and he is also endowed with powers related to that element. The powers were
supposed to be yogic in nature, and attained by Takeshi Yamato after training in India with the yogi sage Devadatta.
Both this series and 7-Color Mask are said to be Go Nagai
Go Nagai
, better known by the penname , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with Meakashi Polikichi, but is best known for creating Cutie Honey, Devilman, and Mazinger Z in the 1970s. In 2005, he became a...
's inspiration behind his popular creation, Cutey Honey.
In 1982, a 22-episode anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
remake of this series was produced. However, despite the updated version of the original theme song, it was very loosely based on this show (A young man commands 7 giant robots, and teleport into/activate a larger giant robot).
Rainbowman was a proposed name for Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
's Mega Man
Mega Man (character)
Mega Man, known as in Japan, is a cybernetic video game character, and the main protagonist of what has been referred to as the original Mega Man series developed by Capcom since 1987. The pixel art for the character was created by the designer of the original game in the series, credited under...
early in development. This was to be a reference to the character's ability to take on the abilities (and color schemes) of his defeated enemies. A minor recurring character in the Mega Man Battle Network
Mega Man Battle Network
The Mega Man Battle Network series is one of Capcom's Mega Man series and debuted in 2001 on the Game Boy Advance. It is a spin-off series based on the original Mega Man. In Japan, as of the release of Rockman EXE Transmission in 2003, the series has been known as Rockman EXE; prior to this it was...
anime series, ShiningMan, is based on Rainbowman's Dash 7 form - even having the Rainbowman theme song play during his appearances (he does not appear in the video games).
Cast
:- DevadattaDevadattaDevadatta was by tradition a Buddhist monk, cousin and brother-in-law of Gautama Siddārtha, the Śākyamuni Buddha, and brother of Ānanda, a principal student of the Buddha...
: : : : : : Reiko MutōReiko Mutowas a Japanese voice actress. She is best known for playing the voice of Elizabeth Taylor in Japanese dubbed television and films, and playing main characters in Marvelous Melmo , Astro Boy as Uran , and Moomin...
: : Akihiko HirataAkihiko Hiratawas a Japanese film actor. While Hirata starred in many movies , he is most well known for his work in the kaiju genre, including such films as King Kong vs. Godzilla, The Mysterians, and his most famous role of Dr...
: Machiko SogaMachiko Sogawas a Japanese voice actress and actress.- Life and career :Machiko had humble upbringings and was raised to be a singer, though her talents were with acting. She was “discovered” after doing a play in Tokyo Center...
Opening song
Ike Rainbowman(行けレインボーマン, Go Rainbowman)- Lyrics: Kawauchi Kohan
- Composition: Jun Kitahara
- Singer: Yū MizushimaYu Mizushimais a Japanese voice actor. He is the Japanese voice-over for Sammo Hung, and is the Japanese voice of Wakko.-Notable roles:* .hack//Intermezzo as Male Heavyblade* Black Cat as Doctor * Black Jack* Black Magic M-66 as Leakey...
(as Kenji Yasunaga)
Ending Songs
Yamato Takeshi no uta(ヤマトタケシの歌, Theme of Yamato Takeshi, ep.1 - ep.13)- Lyrics: Kawauchi Kohan
- Composition: Jun Kitahara
- Singer: Yū MizushimaYu Mizushimais a Japanese voice actor. He is the Japanese voice-over for Sammo Hung, and is the Japanese voice of Wakko.-Notable roles:* .hack//Intermezzo as Male Heavyblade* Black Cat as Doctor * Black Jack* Black Magic M-66 as Leakey...
Aitsu no namae wa Rainbowman(あいつの名前はレインボーマン, That Man's Name is Rainbowman, ep.14 - ep.52)
- Lyrics: Kawauchi Kohan
- Composition: Jun Kitahara
- Singers: Cat's Eye and Young Fresh
Other Song
Shineshine-dan no uta(死ね死ね団の歌, Theme of Shineshine-dan)- Lyrics: Kawauchi Kohan
- Composition: Jun Kitahara
- Singers: Cat's Eye and Young Fresh