Special Armored Batallion Dorvack
Encyclopedia
is an anime
series aired from 1983 to 1984 in Japan
and Hong Kong
. There were 36 episodes. Other loosely translated names are "Dorvack", "Dolbuk", "Special Powered Armor Troop Dorvack", "Special Machine Army Dorvack", "Machine Corps Dorvack", "Armored Trooper Dorvack", "Tokusou Kihei Dorvack", "Comando Dolbuck" (Brazil), "Dolbuk, Defensores de la Tierra" (Puerto Rico).
The Earth Defense Forces valiantly fight against the enemy's powered armors, but with little success. Only one unit is able to inflict significant damage, the Special Armored Battalion Dorvack. Under the command of Colonel Takagi, Masato Mugen, Pierre Bonaparte and Louise Oberon fight to defeat the invaders. They are equipped with special variable mecha
that are able to convert from rugged all-terrain vehicles to humanoid forms.
, Yomiuri
Director: Masami Annou
Original creator: Takeshi Shudo
Character Design: Osamu Kamijoo
Mechanic design: Katsumi Itabashi, Nobuyoshi Habara
Ending Theme: "Kimi Ni Okuru Lullaby" by WELCOME
series, went under as a result.
American toy company Hasbro
acquired the molds for two of the deluxe toys, the Mugen Calibur and the Oberon Gazette. They were re-released in North America
as part of the Transformers
line, under the name "Roadbuster
" and "Whirl
", respectively. While both featured heavily in British-written stories for Marvel
UK's Transformers comics (even though, ironically, their toys were never released in the UK) neither character, both Autobots, appeared in the American animated series or in U.S. Marvel stories. Due to their fame in the English stories, Dreamwave made use of them in their Transformers comics, produced some 16–17 years later.
The American firm Select also repackaged several color variations of the Variable Machine Collection toys under the name "Convertors
."
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....
series aired from 1983 to 1984 in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. There were 36 episodes. Other loosely translated names are "Dorvack", "Dolbuk", "Special Powered Armor Troop Dorvack", "Special Machine Army Dorvack", "Machine Corps Dorvack", "Armored Trooper Dorvack", "Tokusou Kihei Dorvack", "Comando Dolbuck" (Brazil), "Dolbuk, Defensores de la Tierra" (Puerto Rico).
Story
The year is 1999. The Idelians, whose colony-ship has been wandering space for tens of thousands of years, are nearing exhaustion. Their sole hope is to settle on the nearest habitable planet, Earth. Soon after their arrival in orbit, they launch an invasion, landing a large attack force in the Alps.The Earth Defense Forces valiantly fight against the enemy's powered armors, but with little success. Only one unit is able to inflict significant damage, the Special Armored Battalion Dorvack. Under the command of Colonel Takagi, Masato Mugen, Pierre Bonaparte and Louise Oberon fight to defeat the invaders. They are equipped with special variable mecha
Mecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
that are able to convert from rugged all-terrain vehicles to humanoid forms.
Concept
The show was essentially a showcase for the toyline released by Takatoku. The mecha designs were created by Katsumi Itabashi and Nobuyoshi Habara, while the models were made by the model company Gunze Sangyo. The plot was kept simple, but filled with high levels of animation and action.Staff
Planning, Production: Ashi ProductionsAshi Productions
is a Japanese anime studio, located in Suginami, Tokyo, Japan, known for its four magical-girl anime, especially Magical Princess Minky Momo. It was established by Toshihiko Sato and other artists on December 24, 1975 as...
, Yomiuri
Director: Masami Annou
Original creator: Takeshi Shudo
Takeshi Shudo
was a Japanese scriptwriter. He was best known as chief writer of the Pokémon anime for the Kanto, Orange Islands, and Johto arcs and also wrote the first three films. He departed the series prior to the start of its rehaul as Advanced Generation...
Character Design: Osamu Kamijoo
Mechanic design: Katsumi Itabashi, Nobuyoshi Habara
Music
Opening Theme: "Chikyuu Ni I Love You" by WELCOMEEnding Theme: "Kimi Ni Okuru Lullaby" by WELCOME
Characters
| Name | Japanese Name | Voiced by |
|---|---|---|
| Masato Mugen | 無限真人 | Tōru Furuya Toru Furuya is a veteran narrator and seiyū born on July 31, 1953 in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. As a child, he was a member of Gekidan Himawari, a children's acting troupe... |
| Louise Oberon | ルイ・オベロン | Hiromi Tsuru Hiromi Tsuru is a Japanese voice actress from Kanagawa Prefecture. She is currently affiliated with Aoni Production.She is most known for the roles of Bulma , Ukyo Kuonji , Dokin-chan , Madoka Ayukawa , Miyuki Kashima , Reiko Mikami and Naomi Hunter is a Japanese voice actress from Kanagawa Prefecture. She... |
| Pierre Bonaparte | ピエール・ボナパルト | Sukekiyo Kameyama Sukekiyo Kameyama is a seiyū born on November 9, 1954 in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. He has played many supporting roles in Japanese television dramas. Kameyama is employed by the talent management firm Kiraboshi.-TV:*Anpanman... |
| Stanley Hilton | スタンレー・ヒルトン | Hirotaka Suzuoki Hirotaka Suzuoki was a Japanese voice actor and actor from Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture who graduated from Tokyo Keizai University.His best known roles include Mobile Suit Gundam , Captain Tsubasa , Saint Seiya , Dragon Ball Z , The Transformers , Ranma ½ , Rurouni Kenshin , Pokémon... |
| Col. Yōichi Takagi | 高城洋一 | Kiyoshi Kobayashi Kiyoshi Kobayashi is a Japanese actor, seiyū and narrator from Tokyo. He is currently attached to the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society... |
| Bob Floyd | ボブ・フロイド | Yutaka Shimaka |
| Jackie Frank | ジャッキー・フランク | Asami Mukaidono |
| Peter | ピーター | Masako Katsuki Masako Katsuki is a Japanese voice actress who was born in Hachinohe, Aomori. Formerly from Theater Echo, she is currently employed by 81 Produce and has voiced in several notable films and tv series... |
| Henry | ヘンリー | Yūsaku Yara Yusaku Yara is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Tokyo. He is currently affiliated with Vi-Vo. His real name is ', and his former stage name was .He is best known for his roles in Chibi Maruko-chan as Hiroshi Sakura, Kiteretsu Daihyakka as Kiteretsu's Papa, the 1989 version of Sally, the Witch as Sally's... |
| Idel | イデル | Show Hayami Show Hayami , born is a veteran seiyū and singer who was born in Takasago, Hyōgo. He is mainly known for his smooth, deep voice, and he has played a wide range of characters from sweet heroes to seductive sociopaths... |
| Amov | アモフ | Osamu Saka Osamu Saka is a Japanese voice actor who works for Aoni Production.He is most known for the roles of Wheeljack in the Japanese dub of , as well as Seitaro Sakaki , Jotaro Honma , and Daisuke Aramaki .-Anime:* Noah Van Hellsing in Blade* Dr... |
| Aroma | アロマ | Keiko Toda Keiko Toda is a Japanese actress and seiyū. Her most famous role is being the voice of the children's hero Anpanman on the long running anime Soreike! Anpanman... |
| Zelar | ゼラー | Eiji Kanie Eiji Kanie was a Japanese voice actor born in Tokyo. He is most remembered for being the first voice of Ramenman in Kinnikuman and for playing Vrlitwhai Kridanik in The Super Dimension Fortress Macross. He died in 1985 of a subarachnoid hemorrhage... |
Technology
| Vehicle | Vehicle Name | Pilot | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep | VV-54 AR Mugen Calibur | Masato Mugen | |
| Tank | VT-61 LC Bonaparte Tulcas | Pierre Bonaparte | twin-barreled tank featuring a gerwalk-like humanoid mode. |
| Helicopter | VH-64 MR Oberon Gazzette | Louise Oberon | |
| Bio-Suit | PA-36HD Powered Armor Nove | Any human | One of many models |
Merchandise
The series featured some solid mechanical designs, but the slow-moving storyline failed to move fans. The line of 1/24, 1/72 and 1/100 scale toys and models sat on Japanese toy store shelves. Toymaker Takatoku, already suffering from the poor performances of the merchandise lines from the previous Orguss and SasuraigerSasuraiger
was an anime series aired from 1983 to 1984 in Japan. There were 43 episodes aired. Other loosely translated names include "Sasuraiger", "Galactic Gale Sasuraiger", "Galaxy Whirlwind Sasuraiger" and "Wonder Six." It is the sequel to Baxinger and is the final member of the J9 Series.-Original...
series, went under as a result.
American toy company Hasbro
Hasbro
Hasbro is a multinational toy and boardgame company from the United States of America. It is one of the largest toy makers in the world. The corporate headquarters is located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, United States...
acquired the molds for two of the deluxe toys, the Mugen Calibur and the Oberon Gazette. They were re-released in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
as part of the Transformers
Transformers (toy line)
The is a line of toys produced by the American toy company Hasbro. The Transformers toyline was created from toy molds mostly produced by Japanese company Takara in the toylines Diaclone and Microman. Other toy molds from other companies such as Bandai were used as well...
line, under the name "Roadbuster
Roadbuster
Roadbuster is the name of three fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Roadbuster's bio described him as happiest when he is in battle destroying Decepticons. While he is an inspiring presence and natural leader in battle, he doesn't adapt well to...
" and "Whirl
Whirl (Transformers)
Whirl is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. All are blue Autobot helicopters.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
", respectively. While both featured heavily in British-written stories for Marvel
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
UK's Transformers comics (even though, ironically, their toys were never released in the UK) neither character, both Autobots, appeared in the American animated series or in U.S. Marvel stories. Due to their fame in the English stories, Dreamwave made use of them in their Transformers comics, produced some 16–17 years later.
The American firm Select also repackaged several color variations of the Variable Machine Collection toys under the name "Convertors
Convertors
The Convertors were a line of action figures manufactured by Select in the 1980s.Often compared to the more famous Gobots and Transformers, the Convertors were a line of toys which came out at about the same time and featured robots who changed form....
."