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{{short description|Japanese animated franchise}}
{{refimprove|date=March 2008}}
{{Redirect|Gatchaman}}

{{Infobox animanga/Header|
{{Infobox television
title_name=Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
| image = Science Ninja Team Gatchaman.jpg
| caption = Cover art by [[Alex Ross]] for the [[ADV Films]] release (DVD 18)
|image=
| native_name = 科学忍者隊ガッチャマン
|size=250px
| creator = [[Tatsuo Yoshida]]
|caption=Gatchaman art by Alex Ross
| genre = [[Action film|Action]], [[Superhero]]
|ja_name= 科学忍者隊ガッチャマン
| director = [[Hisayuki Toriumi]]
|ja_name_trans=Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman
| producer = [[Ippei Kuri]]
|genre=[[Adventure]], [[Science Fiction]]
| writer = [[Jinzō Toriumi]]
}}
| music = Bob Sakuma<br>Columbia Cradle Club<br>[[Masato Shimon]]
{{Infobox animanga/Anime|
| country = Japan
title=
| language = Japanese
|director=[[Hisayuki Toriumi]]
|studio=[[Tatsunoko Productions]]
| company = [[Tatsunoko Production]]
| network = [[Fuji Network System|FNS]] ([[Fuji Television|Fuji TV]])
|network={{flagicon|Japan}} [[Fuji TV]] <br/>{{flagicon|Philippines}} [[HERO]] <br> {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Canale 5]], [[Italia 1]]
|first_aired=[[October 1]], [[1972]]
| first_aired = {{Start date|1972|10|01}}
| last_aired = {{End date|1974|09|29}}<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp/works/gatchaman |script-title=ja:科学忍者隊ガッチャマン サブタイトルリスト |access-date=20 July 2008 |work=[[Tatsunoko Production]] |language= ja |title=Gatchaman }}</ref>
|last_aired=[[September 29]], [[1974]]
|num_episodes=105
| num_episodes = 105
| list_episodes = List of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Anime
| title = Gatchaman II
| director =[[Hisayuki Toriumi]]
| studio =[[Tatsunoko Productions]]
| network ={{flagicon|Japan}} [[Fuji TV]] <br> {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italia 1]]
| first_aired =[[October 1]], [[1978]]
| last_aired =[[September 23]], [[1979]]
| num_episodes =52
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Anime
| title = Gatchaman F
| director =[[Hisayuki Toriumi]]
| studio =[[Tatsunoko Productions]]
| network ={{flagicon|Japan}} [[Fuji TV]] <br> {{flagicon|Italy}} [[Italia 1]]
| first_aired =[[October 7]], [[1979]]
| last_aired =[[August 31]], [[1980]]
| num_episodes =48
}}
{{Infobox animanga/OVA
| title = Gatchaman
| director =[[Akihiko Nishiyama]]
| studio =[[Tatsunoko Productions]]
| num_episodes = 3
| release_dates =[[October 1]], [[1994]] to [[April 1]], [[1995]]
}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}


{{Nihongo|'''''Science Ninja Team Gatchaman'''''|科学忍者隊ガッチャマン|Kagaku Ninjatai Gatchaman|}}, is a 5-member [[superhero]] team which comprises the main characters in several [[anime]] originally produced in [[Japan]] by [[Tatsunoko Productions]] and later adapted into several English-language versions. It is also known by the abbreviated name ''Gatchaman'' or the English-language name [[G-Force: Guardians of Space|''G-Force'']]. The original series, produced in [[1972]], was eponymously named ''Kagaku ninja tai Gatchaman'' and is most well-known to the English-speaking world as the adaptation titled ''[[Battle of the Planets]]''.
{{Nihongo|'''''Science Ninja Team Gatchaman'''''|科学忍者隊ガッチャマン|Kagaku Ninja-tai Gatchaman, lit. ''Science Ninja Squad Gatchaman''|}} is a [[Japan]]ese animated franchise about a five-member [[superhero]] [[ninja]] team created by [[Tatsuo Yoshida]] and produced by [[Tatsunoko Production]]s. The original [[anime]] series, which debuted in 1972, was eponymously entitled ''Kagaku Ninja-tai Gatchaman'' and is best known in the English-speaking world as the adaptation entitled ''[[Battle of the Planets]]'' (1978).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/16922/gatchaman-vol-1/ |title=Gatchaman Vol 1 : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video |publisher=Dvdtalk.com |access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref> The series had additional English adaptations with ''[[G-Force: Guardians of Space]]'' (1986) and the 2005 [[ADV Films]] uncut release. Tatsunoko also uses the official translation ''Science Commando Gatchaman'' in related products and media.


The original ''Kagaku Ninja-tai Gatchaman'' series was followed by [[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman: The Movie|an animated film]] and two direct sequel series, ''[[Gatchaman II]]'' (1978) and ''[[Gatchaman Fighter]]'' (1979). During the 1990s, episodes from both series were dubbed into English by [[Saban International|Saban]] as ''[[Eagle Riders]]''.
A [[Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (film)|feature film version]] of ''Science Ninja Team Gatchaman'' will be produced by [[Imagi Animation Studios]] for release in 2008.


In the years since, the franchise has spawned many different productions, some that were left unproduced or evolved significantly from its development. This includes a 1994 [[OVA|original animated video]] [[Gatchaman (OVA)|remake]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/gatchaman-collection-dvd |title=Gatchaman Collection DVD |publisher=Anime News Network |date=2002-01-12 |access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref> an unproduced 1998 television remake, a cancelled [[#Canceled Imagi film|2011 animated film]] reboot by [[Imagi Animation Studios]], a 2013 [[Gatchaman (film)|Japanese live-action film]] reboot by Nikkatsu Studios, various spinoffs, re-imaginings, and merchandise.
==Description==
The original [[1972]] ''Kagaku ninja tai Gatchaman'' series was followed by two sequel series, ''[[Gatchaman II]]'' ([[1978]]) and ''[[Gatchaman F]]'' ([[1979]]). In [[1994]], the original series was remade as a condensed [[OVA|OAV]] series. Additionally, the original and sequel series were adapted and translated into several English-language versions, with the most well-known being ''[[Battle of the Planets]]''. Because the English-language versions are notoriously inconsistent not only with one another but also with the original Japanese series, viewers most familiar with the English versions often experience some confusion upon re-examining the series after a long hiatus.


==Original series==
Created in the wake of the hugely successful [[Henshin]] boom started by [[Shotaro Ishinomori]]'s ''[[Kamen Rider]]'' in [[1971]], this series was notable as being one of the most successful anime attempts to emulate the American [[superhero]] genre with many of its conventions such as colorful costumes, powers and [[secret identities]]. It also established the convention of the five member hero team that has been emulated in later series, most notably the successful [[tokusatsu]] ''[[Super Sentai]]'' franchise (which was adapted into English as the ''[[Power Rangers]]'' franchise many years later), in fact, the Sentai series ''[[Choujin Sentai Jetman]]'' was in many ways a homage to ''Gatchaman''.


==Plot and character summary==
===Plot===
Recurring themes of ''Gatchaman'' involve conservation, environmentalism and the responsible use of technology for progress.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/17368/gatchaman-vol-3/ |title=Gatchaman Vol 3 : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video |publisher=Dvdtalk.com |access-date=18 January 2014}}</ref> The series centers around five young [[superhero]] [[ninja]] employed by Kōzaburō Nambu of the fictitious International Science Organization to oppose an international terrorist organization of technologically advanced villains (Galactor) who are trying to control Earth's natural resources, such as water, oil, sugar and uranium. The leader of Galactor is an androgynous, masked antagonist named Berg Katse, who is later revealed to be a shape-shifting mutant acting on the orders of an alien superior (Leader X). Their [[mecha]]s are often animal-based.<ref name="comic book resources" />


Most of the team are in their late teens, except for Jinpei (who is about ten or eleven years old). They include ''Ken Washio'', the team leader and tactical expert; ''Jō Asakura'', his second-in-command marksman and weapons expert; ''Jun'', the team's [[electronics]] and [[demolitions]] expert; ''Jinpei'', the youngest and the [[reconnaissance]] expert as well as an adopted brother of Jun; and ''Ryū Nakanishi'', the ship's pilot. The main characters wear teen clothing with T-shirts numbered to show their rank in the team or caped, birdlike battle uniforms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp/english/box03.html#1 |title= Tatsunoko Pro|access-date=6 October 2008 |work=[[Tatsunoko Productions]] }}</ref> The Science Ninja Team is often aided by a squadron of combat pilots led by the enigmatic Red Impulse, who is later revealed as Ken's father.
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Galactor.jpg|right|thumb|Berg Katse with his numerous subordinates.]] -->
Best described as a sci-fi action [[anime]], recurring themes of ''Gatchaman'' involve conservation of nature, environmentalism, and responsible use of technology for progress and advancement. The series is centered around five young [[superhero]] [[ninja]] in the employ of '''Dr. Kozaburo Nambu''' of the fictitious "International Science Organization" to oppose a group of technologically advanced villains, known as [[Galactor]], from trying to take control of the earth's natural resources. The operational leader of Galactor is an androgynous masked antagonist, [[Berg Katse]], who is later revealed to be a shape-shifting intersex mutant acting on the orders of an alien superior, '''Leader X'''. The most common recurring plot involved ''Gatchaman'' opposing giant monster [[mecha]] dispatched by Galactor to steal or control various natural resources (water, oil, sugar, uranium, etc). These Mechas were often animal based.


The Gatchaman team employs a unique and effective martial art developed by Dr. Nambu, drawing on their ability to perform feats similar to their [[bird|avian]] namesakes, such as high-speed running, flight, high jumping, and silent attacks. This fighting system, known as {{Nihongo|Science Ninja Technique|科学忍法|Kagaku Ninpō|}}, is mentioned in the Japanese lyrics of the ''Gatchaman'' theme. The team members also use signature weapons and mecha-style vehicles, each with a mundane, disguised form. To change modes, each member is equipped with a wrist device that, in addition to communications and tracking, enables a change when the proper gesture and voice command ("Bird, go!") is given.
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:g_force_team.jpg|thumb|right|400px|'''From left to right:''' Jun (swan), Ryu (owl), Jinpei (swallow), Ken (eagle), and Joe (condor) inside the GodPhoenix]] -->The main characters featured always wore either teen fashions with numbered T-shirts showing their rank in the team, or caped battle uniforms styled after various birds.


Their vehicles are docked in the team's main vehicle: the God Phoenix, a supersonic plane capable of underwater travel and space flight. The God Phoenix is armed with Bird Missiles, which are fired from a rack mounted atop the center section. After the original God Phoenix is destroyed by an octopus mecha, an improved version carries a pair of Super Bird Missiles in twin drop-down pods on the bottom center section. The ship also has an energy-beam weapon that opens the nose doors for the weapon apparatus mounted on the frame holding Joe's car; however, its solar power source is unreliable because of its sensitivity to cloud cover. The plane can also temporarily transform into a massive bird of flame (like the legendary [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]]) to escape danger or attack, although the process endangers the team because of extreme pressure in the passenger cabin and it consumes a great deal of fuel.
[[Image:G-Force - group shot2.jpg|right|thumb|From left to right: Ken, Ryu, Jinpei, Jun and Joe.]]
Most of the team were in their late-teens, apart from Jinpei who was about eleven. They included: '''Ken Washio''', the team leader; '''Joe Asakura''', his second-in-command; '''Jun''', the team's [[electronics]] and [[demolitions]] expert; '''Jinpei''', the youngest and [[reconnaissance]] expert; and '''Ryu Nakanishi''', the ship's pilot.


===Characters===
They also used various signature weapons and [[mecha]] style vehicles which each had a more mundane looking disguised form. To change modes, each member is equipped with a special wrist device that, aside from being a communicator and tracking device, enabled the change when the proper gesture and voice command, "Bird Go!", is given. Their vehicles are docked in the team's main vehicle, the GodPhoenix, a supersonic plane capable of underwater travel and minor spaceflight as necessary. The GodPhoenix is armed with an unspecified but large (roughly 30+) number of BirdMissiles that are fired from a rack system mounted atop the center section. After the original GodPhoenix was destroyed by an octopus-based mecha, an improved version carried a pair of Super BirdMissiles in twin drop down pods from the bottom center section. In addition, when necessary, the plane can temporarily transform into a massive bird of flame like the legendary [[Phoenix (mythology)|Phoenix]] to escape danger although the process is highly taxing to the team.
[[File:G-Force - group shot2.jpg|thumb|250px|alt=Five birdlike cartoon characters|Left to right: Ken, Ryu, Jinpei, Jun and Joe]]
{{glossary}}
{{term|term=Ken the Eagle (G-1)|{{nihongo|Ken the [[Steller's Sea Eagle|Eagle]]|大鷲の健|Ōwashi no Ken}}/ G-1}}
{{defn|term=Ken Washio|{{nihongo|Ken Washio|鷲尾 健}}, a pilot, is the leader of the Science Ninja Team. "Gatchaman" designates the team leader. Ken's father disappeared during a flight, becoming Red Impulse. Ken did not know his father and was raised by Dr. Nambu.<ref name="archive1">{{cite web|url=http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp/works/gatchaman/chara.html |title=科学忍者隊ガッチャマン キャラクター |date=2008-09-17 |access-date=2016-01-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917023448/http://www.tatsunoko.co.jp/works/gatchaman/chara.html |archive-date=September 17, 2008 }}</ref>}}
{{term|term=Joe the Condor (G-2)|{{nihongo|Jō the [[Condor]]|コンドルのジョー|Kondoru no Jō}}/ G-2}}
{{defn|1={{nihongo|Joe Asakura|ジョー 浅倉}}, a race car driver of Japanese-Italian descent, he is the sub-leader of the team. Joe was born {{nihongo|George Asakura|ジョージ 浅倉|Jōji Asakura}}, the son of Giuseppe Asakura and his wife Caterina (members of Galactor, who were killed by a Galactor rose bomb when they tried to escape). Dr. Nambu rescued the boy, named him Joe to hide him from Galactor and raised him as his son.<ref name="archive1"/>}}
{{term|term=Jun the Swan (G-3)|{{nihongo|Jun the [[Swan]]|白鳥のジュン|Shiratori no Jun}}/ G-3}}
{{defn|1={{nihongo|Jun|ジュン}} is Japanese-American. Raised in an orphanage, her last name is never disclosed in the anime. In her free time, she enjoys riding her motorcycle and runs Snack Bar J.}}
{{term|term=Jinpei the Swallow (G-4)|{{nihongo|Jinpei the [[Swallow]]|燕の甚平|Tsubakuro no Jinpei}}/ G-4}}
{{defn|1={{nihongo|Jinpei|甚平}} is also an orphan and grew up with Jun. His last name is not disclosed in the anime either, and he lives with Jun in Snack Bar J.}}
{{term|term=Ryu the Owl (G-5)|{{nihongo|Ryu the [[Eared owl|Owl]]|みみずくの竜|Mimizuku no Ryū}}/ G-5}}
{{defn|1={{nihongo|Ryu Nakanishi|中西竜}}, a fisherman's son, he is the manager of a yacht harbor and the main pilot of God Phoenix. He is the only person on the team with a family (parents and a younger brother).}}
{{glossary end}}


===Episodes===
==Adaptations and changes==
[[Image:Gatchaman.png|right|thumb|Gatchaman AKA Ken Washio, leader of the Science Ninja Team]]
{{main|List of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman episodes}}
The original series was shown on American television in [[1978]], in heavily edited form, as ''[[Battle of the Planets]] (BOTP for short)''. The series was shown again on American television in [[1986]] and [[1995]] in translated form as ''[[G-Force: Guardians of Space]]''; while this version cut out much less of the original, and had a much more faithful translation, the voice acting and the background music (not to mention the Americanized names chosen for the characters) were widely panned. The two sequel series, ''Gatchaman II'' and ''Gatchaman F'' were combined into one and translated as ''[[Eagle Riders]]'' in [[1996]], with yet more changes to audio and character names.


===Production===
[[ADV Films]] released the uncut version of the series with an all-new English 5.1 dub, on [[DVD]] starting [[June 14]] [[2005]]. This release includes all 105 episodes, with all footage left in. The dub aims to be a faithful translation, without attempts to sanitize the show for younger viewers (meaning there is profanity and utterances of the word "kill"). All violent scenes have been left in as they were in the original Japanese broadcast.
Created in the wake of the Henshin (transformation) boom begun by [[Shotaro Ishinomori]]'s ''[[Kamen Rider]]'' in 1971, ''Gatchaman'' was conceived as a blending of ninja adventure with science fiction.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hofius |first1=Jason |last2=Khoury |first2=George |title=G-Force: Animated: The Official Battle of the Planets Guidebook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Agv8Lfp4DvUC |year=2003 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=1-893905-18-7 |pages=7–8}}</ref> It was one of the most successful anime attempts to emulate the American [[superhero]] genre, with many of its conventions (such as colorful costumes).{{Citation needed|date=July 2020}}


===Film version===
In 2007, Sandy Frank's long term contract with Tatsunoko (owners of the "Gatchaman" franchise) for complete domestic rights of the first Gatch series (along with all spin-offs and dubs) elapsed, and now both BotP and "G-Force" are officially in limbo, leaving only the uncut version by ADV Films on the market.
{{main|Science Ninja Team Gatchaman: The Movie}}


In 1978, Tatsunoko released a condensed theatrical compilation of the first two-story arcs in the series with additional new animation.
===Team variations across different versions===

{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
The film was released in English for the first time by [[Sentai Filmworks]] in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title= Sentai Filmworks to Release 1978 Gatchman Film With English Dub|work=Anime News Network|date=July 21, 2015|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-21/sentai-filmworks-to-release-1978-gatchman-film-with-english-dub/.90738|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> The dub featured the cast reprising their roles from the [[A.D. Vision|ADV]] dub of the original TV anime for the film.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gatchaman: The Movie Anime Film's Full English Dub Cast Revealed|work=Anime News Network|date=October 28, 2015|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-10-28/gatchaman-the-movie-anime-film-full-english-dub-cast-revealed/.94717 |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>
! width=200 | ''Gatchaman''

! width=200 | Ken Washio
==Adaptations==
! width=200 | Joe Asakura
After its broadcast in Japan, ''Gatchaman'' was later exported to other countries and translated into several languages. In [[Taiwan]], beginning in 1977 it was known as ''Ke Xue Xiao Fei Xia'' ({{lang|zh-hant|「科學小飛俠」}}/{{lang|zh-hans|“科学小飞侠”}} ''kēxué xiǎofēixiá'', ''Scientific Flying Fantasy Warriors'').
! width=200 | Jun

! width=200 | Jinpei
The original series has seen several English adaptations with varying levels of modifications. Many of these versions later spawned foreign-language releases of their own:
! width=200 | Ryu Nakanishi

|-
! ''Battle of the Planets''
===''Battle of the Planets''===
{{main|Battle of the Planets}}
| Mark
[[Sandy Frank]] and Jameson Brewer syndicated the series on American television in 1978, in heavily edited form, as ''Battle of the Planets'' (''BOTP'').<ref>{{cite news|title= From 'Speed' to outer space|work= [[Japan Times]] |url= http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fq20080711a1.html |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> In this version, the team was known as G-Force and protected the Earth from constant threats from the planet Spectra. Several scenes were replaced with new segments by Gallerie International Films, with additional characters: the robot 7-Zark-7 and his associates, 1-Rover-1 (a robot [[dog]]) and Susan (a sentient computer), all of which were stationed at the outpost Centre Neptune and provided both comic relief and linking narrative to the wider story. Other segments included the Phoenix flying in space.<ref>{{cite news|title= Animation|work= BattleofthePlanets.info |url= http://www.battleoftheplanets.info/animation.html |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> The quality of the new segments did not match the original content, with the G-Force and 7-Zark-7 never actually appearing together. New music by [[Hoyt Curtin]] was blended with the original soundtrack.<ref>{{cite news|title= Music|work= BattleofthePlanets.info |url= http://www.battleoftheplanets.info/music.html |access-date=28 July 2010}}</ref> Although all 105 episodes of ''Gatchaman'' were used as sources, only 85 episodes of BOTP were produced. An animated TV movie was made, combining several episodes into a new storyline. In 2003, Sandy Frank announced a series of eight compilation films that ultimately went unreleased.<ref name="BOTP 2K3 Book">{{cite book |last1=Hofius |first1=Jason |last2=Khoury |first2=George |title=G-Force: Animated: The Official Battle of the Planets Guidebook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Agv8Lfp4DvUC |year=2003 |publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing |isbn=1-893905-18-7 |pages=96}}</ref><ref name="BOTP 2K3">{{cite news|first=Jeff |last=Saylor |title=BATTLE OF THE PLANETS Returns to Television |work=Figures.com |date=February 3, 2003 |url=http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.setup&category=actionfigures&topic=41&show_article=181 |access-date=November 4, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030224054636/http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=fignews2.setup&category=actionfigures&topic=41&show_article=181 |archive-date=February 24, 2003 }}</ref>
| Jason

| Princess
''Battle of the Planets'' was released on VHS and DVD from 2001 to 2003 by [[Rhino Entertainment]] in six volumes and a complete DVD collection. The DVDs included a subtitled version of the corresponding Japanese episodes, alongside a single episode of the later English adaptation, ''G-Force''.<ref name="Rhino DVD">{{cite news|first=Franklin|last=Harris|title='Battle of the Planets' comes to DVD with all the extras|work= Pop Culture Productions |date=April 26, 2001|url=http://home.hiwaay.net/~tfharris/pulpculture/columns/010426.shtml |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> When Sentai Filmworks acquired the rights to ''Gatchaman'' in 2014, ''Battle of the Planets'' became available to stream on [[The Anime Network]] and temporarily on [[Hulu]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Beveridge|title= The Anime Network Adds 'Battle Of The Planets' Series |work= The Fandom Post|date=May 23, 2014|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/05/23/the-anime-network-adds-battle-of-the-planets-series/ |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Beveridge|title= 'Battle of the Planets' Anime Begins Hulu Distribution |work= The Fandom Post|date=May 26, 2014|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/05/26/battle-of-the-planets-anime-begins-hulu-distribution/|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>
| Keyop

| Tiny Harper
====''Battle of the Planets: Phoenix Ninjas''====
|-
''Battle of the Planets: Phoenix Ninjas'' is a scrapped reboot of the first American adaptation of ''Science Ninja Team Gatchaman''. Tatsunoko partnered up with d-rights and [[Nelvana]], a Canadian animation company owned by [[Corus Entertainment]], on the project. The last new information on the project was in 2016 and it appears to be canceled.
! ''G-Force''

| Ace Goodheart
===''G-Force: Guardians of Space''===
| Dirk Daring
{{main|G-Force: Guardians of Space}}
| Agatha June
With ''Battle of the Planets'' ending its syndicated run and broadcast standards becoming laxer, a second English translation from [[Turner Program Services]] and [[Fred Ladd]], by license of Sandy Frank, was produced. Entitled ''G-Force: Guardians of Space'', this adaptation consisted of 85 episodes, spanning episodes 1–87 but skipping episodes 81 and 86. The series aired internationally beginning in 1987, but would not air in its entirety in the U.S until its run on [[Cartoon Network]] in 1995 & Air on toonami's midnight run in 2000. Although this version was less heavily edited and had a relatively faithful translation, the voice acting, background music and the Americanized character names were criticized.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}}
| PeeWee

| Hoot Owl
A single episode from ''G-Force'' was included as a bonus on Rhino's individual ''Battle of the Planets'' DVDs released through 2001 and 2003.<ref name="Rhino DVD" /> Seven more episodes were released in a 2004 best-of collection, making 13 out of the show's 85 episodes available on disc.<ref>{{cite news|first=Gord|last=Lacey|title=G-Force: Guardians of Space – "Best of" DVD Planned|work=TVShowsonDVD.com|date=August 15, 2004|url=http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/G-Force-Guardians-Space/2077|access-date=November 4, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105160751/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/G-Force-Guardians-Space/2077|archive-date=November 5, 2016}}</ref>

===''Battle of the Planets: The New Exploits of G-Force''===
Development began for an uncensored version of ''[[Battle of the Planets]]''. An animated TV movie was made ('''''Battle of the Planets: The Movie''''', featuring David Bret Edgen as Zark), combining several episodes into a new storyline. In 2003, Sandy Frank announced a series of 8 compilation films that ultimately went unreleased.<ref name="BOTP 2K3 Book"/><ref name="BOTP 2K3"/>
Sandy Frank announced a third English adaptation of the series in 2003 that was also never released. ''Battle of the Planets: The New Exploits of G-Force'' was set to be a 52-episode series encompassing content from the first 85 episodes of ''Gatchaman'', the 20 previously unlocalized ones {{clarify|date=March 2024}}, and new CG animation produced by JulesWorld (including 7-Zark-7).<ref name="BOTP 2K3" /><ref>{{cite news|title= Battle of the Planets – Photos|work= Facebook |date=April 9, 2008|url= https://www.facebook.com/Battle-of-the-Planets-11282816228/photos/?tab=album&album_id=11283211228 |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> The series would have been recorded at [[Ocean Studios]] in Vancouver, Canada and would have featured a new score and script to help modernize the show and create a tone in-between the two prior adaptations.<ref name="BOTP 2K3 Book" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Battle of the Planets, New Series Details|work=Anime News Network|date=February 4, 2003|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2003-02-04/battle-of-the-planets-new-series-details|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> While never released, the twenty-second episode of ''Gatchaman'' was adapted into a pilot called ''The Sea Dragon''. It received two forms: one that focused on adventure and action and another that focused on comedy. At the time, this rendition of the show was sold as ''Battle of the Planets: The New Adventures of G-Force''.<ref name="BOTP 2K3 Book" />

==DVD releases==
At [[Anime Central]] 2004, [[ADV Films]] announced that it had acquired the rights to release the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/convention/2004/anime-central/3 |title= Anime Central: ADV – Anime Central 2004 |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref> In 2005, ADV released on [[DVD]] in 18 volumes (and nine limited-edition sets) containing a new uncut English dub and original Japanese audio with English subtitles under the name ''Gatchaman''. This release included all 105 episodes. The dub aimed to be a faithful translation, without attempts to modify the show for younger viewers. The English dub contained creative changes: profanity, 1970s slang and thick, occasionally stereotypical accents were added. The series was released on [[Blu-ray]] and DVD in Japan on October 19, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-09-07/adv-announces-final-gatchaman-collection-october-17 |title=ADV Announces Final Gatchaman Collection October 17 |publisher=Anime News Network |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/22349/gatchaman-collection-6/ |title=Gatchaman Collection 6 : DVD Talk Review of the DVD Video |publisher=Dvdtalk.com |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.us.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2006-04-27/adv-films-june-20-releases-gatchaman-sister-princess-collections |title=ADV Films June 20 Releases Gatchaman, Sister Princess Collections – Anime News Network |publisher=Us.animenewsnetwork.com |access-date=2 September 2013}}</ref>

In 2007, Sandy Frank's long-term contract with Tatsunoko Productions (owners of the ''Gatchaman'' franchise), which gave it all domestic U.S rights to the first ''Gatchaman'' series and its English adaptations, lapsed and all video releases went out of print. [[Sentai Filmworks]], a company founded by the creators of ADV, later signed a contract with Tatsunoko, acquiring the North American home video rights to the ''Gatchaman'' franchise in 2013.<ref name="Sentai TV/OVA License">{{cite web|title=Sentai Filmworks Adds Gatchaman, DiGi Charat, Godanner Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-05-25/sentai-filmworks-adds-gatchaman-di-gi-charat-godannar-anime|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=25 May 2013}}</ref> [[Section23 Films]] released a complete collection of the series on Blu-ray and DVD on December 10, 2013. The Blu-ray set contains 14 discs in three [[keep case]]s, and the DVD set has 22 discs in four cases.<ref>{{cite web|title=SECTION23 Films Announces October Slate |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2013-06-28/section23-films-announces-october-slate|publisher=Anime News Network|access-date=30 June 2013}}</ref> Both sets contain all 105 episodes of the original series (with the ADV English version and Japanese audio).

==Other anime series==

===''Gatchaman II''===
{{main|Gatchaman II}}
A sequel, filmed with a different color process, was released four years later. Resembling the Blue Hawk, the new God Phoenix is larger and painted with the face of a bird. The personal mecha are also upgraded, with similar bird-designed paint jobs. Ryu has a tank-like mecha and a Pilot Machine to assist him.

''Gatchaman II'' sees Sosai X turn a young shipwreck survivor into his newest commander Gel Sadoma and resumes his plot to destroy the Earth. Gatchaman reunites with Joe, now a cyborg, after Galactor sends a spy to serve as his replacement on the team. The group is also aided by Dr. Pandora, who is revealed to be Gel Sadoma's mother.

In the end, Sosai X is destroyed by Joe and Gel Sadoma dies after betraying Sosai X, after the villain murders her mother.

Episodes from this series and ''Gatchaman Fighter'' were combined and translated into English as ''[[Eagle Riders]]'' in 1996 by [[Saban Entertainment]]. ''Gatchaman II'' served as the bulk of the series, though its ending is changed to have Gel Sadora turn into Gatchaman Fighter villain Egoblauser.

Another release in South Korea is '''''Eagle 5 Brothers (독수리 5 형제, Dokksuri Hyeongje)''''' which does not contain unusual changes in audio. Instead, it contains visual changes.

===''Gatchaman Fighter''===
{{main|Gatchaman Fighter}}
This series aired in 1979, immediately after ''Gatchaman II''. Here, the team's mecha bear no resemblance to birds. Earth is again threatened by evil; the mad tyrant Egoblauser (who has usurped control over the shattered forces of Galactor) and Sosai X, who has been reborn as Sosai Z.

Unlike ''Gatchaman II'', ''Gatchaman Fighter'' is a much darker series, especially in the final episodes with regards to casualties and deaths of longtime series characters. The ending itself has Gatchaman presumed dead, sacrificing their lives to destroy Sosai X once and for all.

Select episodes from this series and ''Gatchaman II'' were combined and translated into English as ''[[Eagle Riders]]'' in 1996 by [[Saban Entertainment]].

===''Gatchaman'' (OVA)===
{{main|Gatchaman (OVA)}}
A 1994 [[original video animation]] remake series produced in association with [[Artmic]] that featured updated character designs and altered backgrounds.<ref>{{cite news |title= Gatchaman Collection |work= Mania |url= http://www.mania.com/gatchaman-collection_article_73598.html |access-date= 15 August 2010 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081122090408/http://www.mania.com/gatchaman-collection_article_73598.html |archive-date= 22 November 2008 }}</ref>

[[Urban Vision]] released it on VHS in 1997 and DVD in 2001 with an English dub produced by [[Harmony Gold USA|Harmony Gold]] and Japanese audio with English subtitles.<ref>{{cite news|title=Harmony Gold Entertainment Catalog |work=Harmony Gold |url=http://www.harmonygold.com/gatchaman/ |access-date=November 4, 2016 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051231035646/http://www.harmonygold.com/gatchaman/ |archive-date=December 31, 2005 }}</ref> In 2013, Sentai Filmworks licensed the series and produced a new English dub from Seraphim Digital with the same cast as their ADV/Sentai's releases of the original series and film.<ref name="Sentai TV/OVA License" /><ref>{{cite news|first=Mark|last=Thomas|title= Gatchaman Complete Collection Anime DVD Review |work= The Fandom Post|date=March 26, 2014|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/03/26/gatchaman-complete-collection-anime-dvd-review-2/ |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> The new dub was released on DVD and Blu-Ray and is available for streaming on The Anime Network.<ref>{{cite news|first=Chris|last=Beveridge|title= 'Gatchaman' OVAs Begin Digital Distribution On The Anime Network |work= The Fandom Post|date=September 12, 2014|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2014/09/12/gatchaman-ovas-begin-digital-distribution-on-the-anime-network/|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title= Sentai Filmworks' Gatchaman DVD & Blu-ray Delays Listed|work=Anime News Network|date=October 12, 2013|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-12/sentai-filmworks-gatchaman-dvd-and-blu-ray-delays-listed|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>

===''New Gatchaman''===
{{nihongo|'''''New Gatchaman'''''|新ガッチャマン|Shin Gatchaman}} is a project that was attempted around the same time that ''[[Speed Racer X|Mach Go Go Go '97]]'' was made. This version of ''Speed Racer'' was not so successful and as a result, it was canceled along with the project of ''Gatchaman '98''.

===''NTT/SMAP Gatchaman''===

NTT Gatchaman was a series of commercials that were made to promote the Internet service provider [[Nippon Telegraph and Telephone|NTT]]-East in fall 2000. Some of the commercials featured Japanese boy band group [[SMAP]] portraying live action versions of the characters, while the other two were animated by Tatsunoko Production and featured modernized costume redesigns of the Science Ninja Team. The animated commercials were directed by [[Keiichi Sato]], with character designs by Kenji Hayama. A light novel based on these commercials were sent by e-mail by NTT-East as a gift for new subscribers. To this date, the contents of this light novel remain unknown.
Based on sketches found on the Internet, fans have speculated if the commercials were an attempt to revive the franchise with a new anime. However, no such series was made at that time, and the franchise would not receive any new animated material for thirteen years until ''[[Gatchaman Crowds]]''.

===''Good Morning Ninja Team Gatchaman''===

In 2011, Tatsunoko produced a series of 200 two-minute animated shorts called {{nihongo|''Good Morning Ninja Team Gatchaman''|おはよう忍者隊ガッチャマン |Ohayō Ninja Tai Gatchaman|}} for broadcast on [[Nippon TV|NTV]]'s ''Zip!'' television series. While the series used the original's designs, it was more comedic in nature and featured none of the original actors. The characters were instead voiced by [[Scha Dara Parr]]'s Bose and Ani, along with actor Tomu Miyazaki.<ref>{{cite news|title= Science Ninja Team Gatchaman Gets New TV Flash Shorts|work=Anime News Network |date= April 18, 2011|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-04-18/science-ninja-team-gatchaman-gets-new-tv-flash-shorts |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>

Additional shorts were produced in promotion of the Japanese launch of ''[[Monster Hunter Tri#Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate|Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate]]''.<ref>{{cite news|title=This is madness: Gatchaman promotes Monster Hunter Tri 3G|work=Destructoid|date= September 15, 2011|url=https://www.destructoid.com/this-is-madness-gatchaman-promotes-monster-hunter-tri-3g-211448.phtml |access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>

===''Gatchaman Crowds''===
{{Main|Gatchaman Crowds}}
A reboot of the Gatchaman series premiered in July 2013 on NTV. The story is set in [[Tachikawa|Tachikawa City, Tokyo]], where some of its residents have been chosen to join a team to confront a mysterious entity known as MESS. The series follows Hajime Ichinose, a 16-year-old girl who is the team's newest member.<ref>{{cite news|title=Maaya Uchida Stars in ''Gatchaman Crowds'' Anime|work=[[Anime News Network]] |url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-06-04/maaya-uchida-stars-in-gatchaman-crowds-anime |access-date=4 June 2013}}</ref> A second season, titled ''Gatchaman Crowds insight'', started airing on July 6, 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Gatchaman Crowds'' Anime Gets 2nd Season|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-10-26/gatchaman-crowds-anime-gets-2nd-season|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>

As it aired in Japan, both seasons of the show were simulcast on [[Crunchyroll]].<ref>{{cite web|date=July 9, 2013|title=Crunchyroll to Stream ''Gatchaman Crowds'' TV Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-07-09/crunchyroll-to-stream-gatchaman-crowds-tv-anime|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=July 4, 2015|title=Crunchyroll to Stream ''Monster Musume'', ''Million Doll'' This Summer; ''The Perfect Insider'' in October |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-07-04/crunchyroll-to-stream-monster-musume-million-doll-this-summer-the-perfect-insider-in-october/.90083|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> Sentai Filmworks licensed and dubbed both seasons. They released them on home video between 2014 and 2016.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 5, 2013|title= Sentai Filmworks Adds ''Gatchaman Crowds'' TV Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2013-09-05/sentai-filmworks-adds-gatchaman-crowds-tv-anime|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=August 20, 2015|title= Sentai Filmworks Licenses Gatchaman Crowds Insight Anime|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2015-08-20/sentai-filmworks-licenses-gatchaman-crowds-insight-anime/.91929|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=October 12, 2016|title= Gatchaman Crowds Insight's English Dub Cast, Preview Clip Unveiled |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-10-12/gatchaman-crowds-insight-english-dub-cast-preview-clip-unveiled/.107569|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>

===Crossovers===

Ken the Eagle and Jun the Swan, along other Tatsunoko superheroes were featured on the PlayStation video game ''[[Tatsunoko Fight]]'' developed by Takara and released in 2000.

[[Super deformed]] animal versions of the ''Gatchaman'' team appeared alongside similar renditions of Tatsunoko's ''[[Casshan]]'' and ''[[Golden Warrior Gold Lightan|Golden Lightan]]'' in {{nihongo|''Tachimals Theater''|たちゅまる劇場 |Tachumaru Gekijō|}}. The 26-episode anime series ran on [[Yomiuri TV]] between from October 4, 2010 and March 28, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|date=August 17, 2010|title= Tatsunoko's Tachumaru Zukan SD Project Gets TV Anime |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-08-17/tatsunoko-tachumaru-zukan-sd-project-gets-tv-anime|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>

On March 26, 2016, Tatsunoko announced a collaboration with [[Digital Frontier]] to create the ''Infini-T Force'' 3D [[computer generated imagery|CGI]] anime project.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 26, 2016|title= Infini-T Force Manga Gets 'Full 3DCG' Anime |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-03-26/infini-t-force-manga-gets-full-3dcg-anime/.100286|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref> The team features members from ''Gatchaman'' alongside ''[[Tekkaman: The Space Knight|Tekkaman]]'', ''Casshan'' and ''[[Hurricane Polymar]]''. Set for release in 2017 alongside Tatsunoko's 55th anniversary, the project will contain an original story and will not be an adaptation of [[Ukyō Kodachi]] and [[Tatsuma Ejiri]]'s {{nihongo|''Infini-T Force: Writing Line of the Future''|Infini-T Force 未来の描線|Infini-T Force ~Mirai no Byōsen~|}} [[manga]] series.<ref>{{cite web|date=April 8, 2016|title= Infini-T Force 'Full 3DCG' Anime's 1st Promo Video Teases Gatchaman |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2016-04-08/infini-t-force-full-3dcg-anime-1st-promo-video-teases-gatchaman/.100854|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=November 4, 2016}}</ref>

=={{anchor|Film adaptations}}Film adaptations==

==={{anchor|Imagi film (canceled)}}Canceled Imagi film===
[[Imagi Animation Studios|Imagi]] began developing a film version in 2004, with producer Tom Gray saying that it would have a [[Motion picture rating system#The PG-13 rating is adopted|PG-13]] or [[Motion picture rating system#Restricted|R]] rating.<ref name="ms1"/> A ''Gatchaman'' film was first announced in February 2006,<ref name="sfj"/> with an expected 2008 release.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2007-04-10/cite-yatterman/cite-cite-gatchaman/cite-live-action-movies-green-lit |title= Yatterman, Gatchaman Live-Action Movies Green-Lit|access-date=20 July 2008 |work=[[Anime News Network]] |date=2008-07-10 }}</ref><ref name="v1"/><ref name="otakia1"/> [[Kevin Munroe]] (''[[TMNT (film)|TMNT]]'') was scheduled to write and direct,<ref name="awn1"/> with Lynne Southerland (co-director of ''[[Mulan 2]]'') as producer,<ref name="u1"/> and an initial treatment was begun.<ref name="iesb"/> However, in 2008 Munroe was taken off the project to direct ''[[Dylan Dog]]''.<ref name="bd1"/> Although early scripts were written by [[Paul Dini]],<ref name="sh1"/> in fall 2007 he was released from the project.<ref name="411m"/> In June 2007, Robert Mark Kamen was signed to write the screenplay in preparation for a 2008 release.<ref name="aa1"/><ref name="sd1"/>

At the July 2008 [[San Diego Comic-Con International|Comic-Con]], Imagi introduced a Paul Dini-scripted trailer. In August, [[art director]] Felix Ip began posting screenshots from the trailer. At the July 2009 [[Anime Expo]], Imagi shared another 45-second, Dini-scripted trailer. Although it did not reveal much plot, it was the first public look at the 3D characterizations of the main villain Galactor and the Gatchaman team in and out of costume. The trailer also introduced the film's theme: "A world in chaos, an alien evil, a lone warrior is found; Earth's last hope, five shall rise, Gatchaman."<ref name="mtv1"/> In July 2009 Imagi posted a new one-minute trailer for ''Gatchaman'' on its company website, with a release date of 2011.<ref>{{cite news|title= Gunpla Builders, CG Gatchaman Promo Videos Streamed|work= [[Anime News Network]] |url= https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-07-15/gunpla-builders-cg-gatchaman-promo-videos-streamed |access-date=19 July 2010}}</ref>

In December 2009, auditors reported growing concerns with the half-year results posted by Imagi. Although the company said that it was on course for the release of ''[[Astro Boy]]'', according to the audit firm "It is uncertain whether the group will have the necessary financial resources to complete [the films] ''Gatchaman'', ''Tusker'', and ''[[Cat Tale]]''."<ref name="v2"/> In January 2009 the auditing firm announced that the studio lacked funding for the release of ''Tusker'', ''Cat Tale'' and ''Gatchaman'',<ref name="hmm1"/> although Felix Ip reported that ''Gatchaman'' was expected to be released later in 2009.<ref name="otakia1"/> In June 2009, Imagi opened ''Gatchaman'' for licensing and announced a planned [[3-D film|3-D]] theatrical release in 2011.<ref name="hmm1"/> On December 11, 2009 Imagi's Hong Kong-based parent company, [[Imagi International Holdings Limited]], laid off 100 employees.<ref name="ann2"/> In January 2010 it announced that although the ''Gatchaman'' project would be delivered in 100-percent stereoscopic 3D, to safeguard working capital it would close its U.S. subsidiaries. The U.S. closure was finalized in late January, with about 30 staffers laid off and a few key personnel continuing as consultants as Imagi sought $30&nbsp;million from investors for its animation projects.<ref name="ann1"/><ref name="am1"/><ref name="hs1"/> In February 2010 the parent company laid off another 300 employees, calling the layoffs temporary as it sought new investors.<ref name="ann2"/> On June 21, 2011, Imagi announced in its annual report that the ''Gatchaman'' film project was cancelled.<ref>{{cite news | last=Green | first=Scott | url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2011/06/21-1/imagi-gatchaman-cg-movie-looked-dead-coffin-now-nailed-shut | title=Imagi Gatchaman CG Movie... Looked Dead... Coffin Now Nailed Shut | publisher=[[Crunchyroll]] | date=2011-06-21 | access-date=5 July 2011}}</ref>

==={{anchor|Nikkatsu live-action film}}Nikkatsu film===
{{Main|Gatchaman (film)}}
Nikkatsu Studios produced a live-action version of ''Gatchaman'' for Japan, which was released in August 2013.<ref>{{cite news | last=Brown | first=Todd | url=https://screenanarchy.com/2012/10/live-action-gatchaman-aka-battle-of-the-planets-g-force-hits-japanese-screens-summer-2013.html | title=Live Action GATCHAMAN (aka BATTLE OF THE PLANETS, G-FORCE) Hits Japanese Screens Summer 2013 | publisher=Twitch Films | date=2012-10-12 | access-date=12 October 2012 }}</ref>

===American live-action film===
It was announced at [[San Diego Comic-Con]] in July 2019 that [[Russo Brothers|Joe and Anthony Russo]] are producing a live-action ''Battle of the Planets'' film through their production company, AGBO Studios with the possibility of directing.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2019/07/russo-brothers-agbo-studios-developing-grimjack-comics-adapting-japanese-anime-battle-of-the-planets-comic-con-1202649229/|title=Russo Brothers' AGBO Studios Developing 'Grimjack Comics' & Japanese Anime 'Battle Of The Planets' – Comic-Con|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=July 19, 2019|work=Deadline|language=en|access-date=July 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZkD4j3R-F0 Battle of the Planets, Magic: The Gathering, and Grimjack Updates from Joe Russo]</ref>

==Character variations==
==={{anchor|Team variations across different versions}}Team variations in different versions===
{| class=wikitable
|- valign=bottom
! ''Gatchaman'' !! ''Battle of the Planets'' !! ''G-Force'' !! ''Eagle Riders'' !! [[Original video animation|OVA]] (Harmony Gold dub)!! Rank !! Bird Uniform !! Weapon !! Mecha !! [[Voice actor]] (Gatchaman) !! [[Voice actor]] (Gatchaman OVA) !! [[Voice actor]] (''BOTP'') !! [[Voice actor]] (''G-Force'') !! [[Voice actor]] (Harmony Gold OVA dub) !! [[Voice actor]] (''Eagle Riders'') !![[Voice actor]] (ADV TV/Sentai OVA dub)
|-
|-
| '''Ken Washio''' || Mark || Ace Goodheart || Hunter Harris || Ken the Eagle|| G1 || Eagle || Razor boomerang || Airplane || [[Katsuji Mori]] || [[Masaya Onosaka]] || [[Casey Kasem]] || Sam Fontana || [[Eddie Frierson]] || [[Richard Cansino]] || [[Leraldo Anzaldua]]
! ''Eagle Riders''
| Hunter Harris
| Joe Thax
| Kelly Jennar
| Mickey Dugan
| Ollie Keeawani
|-
|-
| '''George "Joe" Asakura''' || Jason || Dirk Daring || Joe Thax || Joe the Condor|| G2 || Condor || Pistol || Race Car || [[Isao Sasaki]] || [[Kōji Ishii]] || [[Ronnie Schell]] || [[Cam Clarke]] || [[Richard Cansino]] || [[Bryan Cranston]] || [[Brian Jepson]]
! OVA (Dub)
| Ken the Eagle
| Joe the Condor
| June the Swan
| Jimmy the Falcon‡
| Rocky the Owl
|-
|-
| '''Jun''' || Princess || Agatha "Aggie" June || Kelly Jennar || June the Swan|| G3 || Swan || Yo-yo || Motorcycle || [[Kazuko Sugiyama]] || [[Michiko Neya]] || [[Janet Waldo]] || [[Barbara Goodson]] || Lara Cody || [[Heidi Noelle Lenhart]] || [[Kim Prause]]
! Rank
| G1
| G2
| G3
| G4
| G5
|-
|-
| '''Jinpei''' || Keyop || Pee Wee || Mickey Dugan ||Jimmy the Falcon|| G4 || Swallow || Bolo || Dune Buggy || [[Yoku Shioya]] || [[Rica Matsumoto]] || [[Alan Young]] || Barbara Goodson ||[[Mona Marshall]] || Mona Marshall || [[Luci Christian]]
! Bird Uniform
| Eagle
| Condor
| Swan
| Swallow
| Owl
|-
|-
| '''Ryu Nakanishi''' || Tiny Harper || Hoot "Hooty" Owl || Ollie Keeawani ||Rocky the Owl|| G5 || Owl || Pistol || God Phoenix || [[Shingo Kanemoto]] || [[Fumihiko Tachiki]] || Alan Dinehart || [[Jan Rabson]]/ [[Gregg Berger]] || [[Richard Epcar]] || [[Paul Schrier]] || [[Victor Carsrud]]
! Weapon
| Razor [[boomerang]]
| [[Pistol]]
| [[Yo-yo]]
| [[Bolas|Bolo]]
| [[Pistol]]
|-
! Mecha
| Airplane
| Race Car
| Motorcycle
| Dune Buggy
| God Pheonix
|-
! [[Japanese language|Japanese]] [[seiyū]]
| [[Katsuji Mori]]
| [[Isao Sasaki]]
| [[Kazuko Sugiyama]]
| [[Yoku Shioya]]
| [[Shingo Kanemoto]]
|-
! [[Japanese language|Japanese]] [[seiyū]] (OVA)
| [[Masaya Onosaka]]
| [[Kōji Ishii]]
| [[Michiko Neya]]
| [[Rica Matsumoto]]
| [[Fumihiko Tachiki]]
|-
! [[Voice actor]] (BOTP)
| [[Casey Kasem]]
| [[Ronnie Schell]]
| [[Janet Waldo]]
| [[Alan Young]]
| [[Alan Dinehart]]
|-
! [[Voice actor]] (G-Force)
| [[Sam Fontana]]
| [[Cam Clarke]]
| colspan="2" | [[Barbara Goodson]]
| [[Jan Rabson]]
|-
! [[Voice actor]] (OVA Dub)
| [[Eddie Frierson]]
| [[Richard Cansino]]
| [[Lara Cody]]
| rowspan="2" | [[Mona Marshall]]
| [[Richard Epcar]]
|-
! [[Voice actor]] (Eagle Riders)
| [[Richard Cansino]]
| [[Bryan Cranston]]
| [[Heidi Noelle Lenhart]]
| [[Paul Schrier]]
|-
! [[Voice actor]] (ADV Dub)
| [[Leraldo Anzaldua]]
| [[Brian Jepson]]
| [[Kim Prause]]
| [[Luci Christian]]
| [[Victor Carsrud]]
|}
|}
‡Although he was obviously the Swallow, Jimmy called himself the Falcon.


===Other character variations across different versions===
==={{anchor|Other character variations across different versions}}Other character variations in different versions===
{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable
|- valign=bottom
|- valign=bottom
! Gatchaman !! Battle of the Planets !! G-Force !! Eagle Riders!! OVA (Dub)
! ''Gatchaman'' !! ''Battle of the Planets'' !! ''G-Force'' !! ''Eagle Riders'' !! OVA (Harmony Gold Dub) !! [[Voice actor]] (Gatchaman) !! [[Voice actor]] (''BOTP'') !! [[Voice actor]] (''G-Force'') !! [[Voice actor]] (Gatchaman OVA) !! [[Voice actor]] (''Eagle Riders'') !! [[Voice actor]] (Harmony Gold OVA dub) !![[Voice actor]] (ADV TV/Sentai OVA dub)
|-
|-
| Dr. Kozaburo Nambu || Chief Anderson || Dr. Benjamin Brighthead || Dr. Thaddeus Keane||Dr. Kozaburo Nambu
| '''Dr. Kozaburo Nambu-hakase''' || Chief Anderson || Dr. Benjamin Brighthead || Dr. Thaddeus Keane || Dr. Kozaburo Nambu || Tōru Ōhira || Alan Dinehart || [[Jan Rabson]]/[[Gregg Berger]] || [[Ikuya Sawaki]] || [[Michael McConnohie]] || [[Greg O'Neill]] || [[Andy McAvin]]
|-
|-
| ISO Director Anderson || President Kane || Anderson/Cmdr. Todd (some episodes) || Anderson || Director Anderson
| '''ISO Director Anderson''' || President Kane || Anderson / Cmdr. Todd (some episodes) || Anderson || Director Anderson || [[Teiji Ōmiya]] || [[Edward Andrews]] || [[Jan Rabson]]/[[Gregg Berger]] || [[Yonehiko Kitagawa]] || [[Michael Forest]] || || Marty Fleck
|-
|-
| Red Impulse / <br />Kentaro Washio || Col. Cronos || Red Impulse || Harley Harris || Red Spectre
| '''Red Impulse''' / '''Kentaro Washio''' || Col. Cronos || Red Impulse / Kendrick Goodheart || Red Impulse / Harley Harris || Red Spectre / Kentaro Washio || || [[Keye Luke]] || [[Cam Clarke]] || [[Unshō Ishizuka]] || Bob Papenbrook || || John Tyson
|-
|-
| Berg Katse || Zoltar || Galactor || Lukan || Solaris
| '''Berg Katse''' || Zoltar || Galactor || Lukan || Solaris || Mikio Terashima || [[Keye Luke]] || [[Bill Capizzi]] || [[Kaneto Shiozawa]] || [[R. Martin Klein]] || || [[Edwin Neal]]
|-
|-
| Sosai (Leader) X || O Luminous One / <br />The Great Spirit || Computor || Cybercom || Lord Zortek
| '''Sosai (Leader) X''' || O Luminous One / <br />The Great Spirit || Computor || Cybercom || Lord Zortek || Nobuo Tanaka || [[Keye Luke]] || [[Jan Rabson]]/[[Gregg Berger]] || Nobuo Tanaka || Ralph Votrais || [[Peter Spellos]] || [[Charles C. Campbell (voice actor)|Winston Parish]]
|-
|-
| '''Gel Sadra''' || || || Mallanox || || [[Masaru Ikeda]] || || || || || || [[R. Martin Klein]]
| Galactor || Planet Spectra || || Vorak ||
|-
|-
| '''Sylvie Pandora-hakase''' || || || Dr. Francine Aikens || || Dr. Sylvie Pandora || Miyuka Ieda || || || || || Lara Cody
| Gel Sadra <br /> (Gatchaman 2) || || || Mallanox ||
|-
| '''Announcer''' || || || || || Hideo Kinoshita/[[Shūsei Nakamura]] || [[William Woodson]] (Main) / [[Alan Young]] (Zark) || [[Norm Prescott]] || || || || [[George Manley]]
|}
|}


===Other notable changes===
==={{anchor|Other notable changes}}Other changes===
{| class=wikitable
{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center;"
|-
|- valign=bottom
! width=150 | Variations
! Gatchaman<br>Identity change command !! Battle of the Planets <br>Identity change command!! G-Force<br>Identity change command !! Eagle Riders change command !! OVA change command (English)
! width=150 | ''Gatchaman'' (Japanese)
! width=150 | ''Battle of the Planets''
! width=150 | ''Guardians of Space''
! width=150 | ''Eagle Riders''
! width=200 | OVA (English, Harmony Gold)
! width=150 | ''Gatchaman'' (English)
|-
|-
! Identity change command
| Bird, Go! || Transmute! || Transform! || Eagle Mode, NOW! ||
| Bird, go!‡
| Transmute!
| G-Force, transform!
| Eagle Mode, now!
|
{| border="0"
{| border="0"
|-valign="top"
|- valign="top"
| ''Ken''
| ''Ken''
| Eagle One Transform
| Eagle One, transform!
|-valign="top"
|- valign="top"
| ''Joe''
| ''Joe''
| Shapeshift, Condor
| Shapeshift, Condor!
|-valign="top"
|- valign="top"
| ''June''
| ''June''
| Swan Mode, Now
| Swan Mode, now!
|-valign="top"
|- valign="top"
| ''Jimmy''
| ''Jimmy''
| Falcon Tracker Transform
| Falcon Tracker, transform!
|}
|}
| Bird, go!
|-
! Enemy planet
| Selectol
| Spectra
| Galactor
| Vorak
| Galactor
| Selectol
|-
! Enemy civilization
| Galactor (Gyarakutā)
| Spectra
| Galactor
| Vorak
| Galactor
| Galactor
|}
|}
‡The original Japanese-language version of ''Gatchaman'' features a few words in English.


===Gatchaman 94 OVA===
==Video games==
{{expand section|date=June 2013}}
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Gatchaova.jpg|thumb|250px|right|DVD cover of Gatchaman OVA]] -->
{{main|List of Gatchaman video games}}
Ken, Jun and Berg appear as playable characters in ''[[Tatsunoko Fight]]''. Ken and Jun appear as playable fighters in ''[[Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars|Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes]]'', and Joe joins Ken and Jun in ''[[Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars]].''


==Comics==
A series reboot, it used updated character designs and altered backgrounds.
In July 2023, it was announced that [[Mad Cave Studios]] partnered with Tatsunoko Productions to publish a new comic book <ref name="mad cave studios">{{cite web|url=https://madcavestudios.com/mad-cave-studios-and-tatsunoko-announce-partnership-to-publish-gatchaman-comics/ |title=Mad Cave Studios and Tatsunoko Announce Partnership to Publish Gatchaman Comics |date=14 July 2023 }}</ref>


==Reception==
===Gatchaman Movie===
{{expand section|date=June 2013}}
In 2001, the Japanese magazine ''[[Animage]]'' listed the 1972 ''Gatchaman'' TV series the 10th-best anime production of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2001-01-15/animage-top-100-anime-listing|title=Animage Top-100 Anime Listing|date=January 15, 2011|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=10 March 2013}}</ref>


==Legacy==
{{main|Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (film)}}


===Impact===
==In popular culture==
''Gatchaman'' helped establish the convention of the five-member hero team emulated in later series, notably in the successful [[tokusatsu]] ''[[Super Sentai]]'' franchise (a genre exemplified by the English series adaptation of the ''[[Power Rangers]]'' franchise many years later). The Sentai series ''[[Chōjin Sentai Jetman]]'' was, in many ways, a homage to ''Gatchaman''.<ref name="comic book resources">{{cite web |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16367 |title= GATCHAMAN! The story of Tatsuo Yoshida and his greatest creation|access-date=25 June 2008 |work=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date= 2008-05-11|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081204192904/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=16367|archive-date= 2008-12-04}}</ref><ref name="Animation World Network">{{cite web |url=http://mag.awn.com/index.php?ltype=search&sval=battle+of+the+planets&article_no=938&page=2 |title= New from Japan: Anime Film Reviews|access-date=25 June 2008 |work=[[Animation World Network]] }}</ref>
* It is agreed among both anime and [[tokusatsu]] fandoms that Gatchaman was the originator of the [[Sentai]] concept and set the bar for all transforming hero teams; from [[Super Sentai]] to [[Mahou Shoujo|Magic Girls]] and beyond.
* In 2000, NTT East produced two animated and two live-action television commercials for their [[ISDN]] service featuring a more updated version of Gatchaman, featuring members of the [[J-Pop]] boy group [[SMAP]].
* In 2003 this anime series was aired in Taiwan which the opening song was performed by famous hip pop boyband ENERGY.
* Gatchaman is one of many anime series in which its five main heroes have different features wherein two of its members, one of them the leader are both thin and of the same height, another one being the most overweight, one being the shortest and youngest and another one being the only female member. Other anime featuring the same line-up are [[Golion]] and its American heavily edited version [[Voltron]], [[Combattler V]] and its sequel [[Chōdenji Machine Voltes V|Voltes V]], [[Digimon Frontier]] and [[Flame of Recca]].
* Gatchaman became the inspiration of [[Choujin Sentai Jetman]] in the order, except the swallow is a girl in the later years. Before that, it seemed to have inspired the idea of [[Himitsu Sentai Goranger|Goranger]].
* Gatchaman receives an homage from the animé-inspired ''[[Teen Titans (TV series)|Teen Titans]]'' series. In one episode, Robin dons a "flight suit" resembling the Science Ninja team's bird-like uniforms after ejecting from his R-cycle. In another episode Robin is seen throwing a red and gold "Razor boomerang" at the leader of the "Hive Academy" while trying to save Cyborg from an undercover mission.
* The opening credits of Gatchaman began with the five heroes' silhouettes flying across the screen at high speed. At the beginning of each episode of [[The Powerpuff Girls]] the three titular heroines dart across the screen in a similar manner before that episode's title card.
* [[The D.O.C.]] titled the ninth track of his 1989 release, [[No One Can Do It Better]], "Whirlwind Pyramid" in an homage to Gatchaman. He even shouts "Transform" (a-la the G-Force dub) during a break-down section midway through the track.
* The original Character Designer for the Gatchaman characters is [[Yoshitaka Amano]], who later went on to create designs for [[Vampire Hunter D]], and [[Final Fantasy]], among other projects.
* In the [[webcomic]] [[Sluggy Freelance]], the main characters, Torg and Riff, accidentally teleport to a dimension filled with [[anime]] characters filled with parodies of the main characters from "Battle of the Planets" as well as "[[Voltron]]" and other anime of the same genre.
* On the [[Gachapin]] website, the character can be seen dressed in the outfit of Eagle.<ref>[http://gatchapin.com/ ガッチャピン公式サイト<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* On The Simpsons December 14, 2003 couch gags - The couch is a street bench in Japan, and everyone is a famous anime or [[tokusatsu]] character: Homer is [[Ultraman]], Marge is '''Jun''' from ''Science Ninja Team Gatchaman'', Lisa is [[Sailor Moon (character)|Usagi Tsukino]], the protagonist from ''[[Sailor Moon]]'', Bart is [[Astro Boy (character)|Astro Boy]] and Maggie is [[Pikachu]] from ''[[Pokémon]]''.
* The mecha parody cartoon [[Megas XLR]] features a Gatchaman-like team in one episode, "Bad Guy".


===Guest appearances and pop culture references===
==Episodes list==

{{Cleanup|date=February 2007}}
* The Italian cartoon ''[[Winx Club]]'' parodied Gatchaman in the episode "Battle on Planet Eraklyon" when several characters form the superhero quintet "Patchamen," with uniforms and mannerisms bearing striking resemblances to those of the Science Ninja Team.
# {{nihongo|Gatchaman Versus Turtle King|ガッチャマン対タートル・キング|Gacchaman Tai Tātoru Kingu|}}
*In 1994, the Science Ninja Team and Dr. Nambu appeared in a crossover OVA, ''[[Time Bokan: Royal Revival]]''.
# {{nihongo|The Evil Ghostly Aircraft Carrier Appears|魔のお化け空母現わる|Ma no Obake Kūbo Arawaru}}
*In 2000, [[Nippon Telegraph and Telephone#Regional|NTT East]] produced two animated and two live-action television commercials for their [[ISDN]] service with an updated version of ''Gatchaman'', featuring members of the [[J-Pop]] boy group [[SMAP]].<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060305021248/http://www.ntt-east.co.jp/GOGO/|archive-date=March 5, 2006|url=http://www.ntt-east.co.jp/GOGO/|title=Gatchaman Returns Starring SMAP|publisher=www.ntt-east.co.jp|language=ja|access-date=September 8, 2016}}</ref>
# {{nihongo|The Giant Mummy That Summons Storms|嵐を呼ぶミイラ巨人|Arashi wo Yobu Mīra Kyojin}}
*They appeared in several episodes of the 2008 reboot of ''[[Yatterman]]'' as background characters and played a minor speaking role in the hour-long "Episode 12.5" TV special.
# {{nihongo|Return of the Iron Beast Mecchadegon|鉄獣メカデゴンに復しゅうだ|Tetsujū Mekadegon ni Fukushū da}}
*The third episode of ''[[Sket Dance]]'' has Jun as a playable character in a re-enactment of ''Tatsunoko vs. Capcom''.
# {{nihongo|Ghost Fleet From Hell|地獄の幽霊艦隊|Jigoku no Yūrei Kantai}}
*The face of one of the characters appears in episode 252 of the ''[[Gin Tama]]'' anime.
# {{nihongo|The Grand Mini-Robot Operation|ミニ・ロボット大作戦|Mini Robotto Dai Sakusen}}
*Archie's ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog (comics)|Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' comic series parodied ''Gatchaman'' in ''Sonic Super Special'' issue #12.
# {{nihongo|Galactor's Giant Airshow|ギャラクターの大航空ショー|Gyarakutā no Dai Kōkū Shō}}
*A parody of ''Gatchaman'' was used in the cartoon ''[[Megas XLR]]'' as the S-Force, appearing in two episodes.
# {{nihongo|The Secret of the Crescent Coral Reef|三日月のサンゴ礁の秘密|Mikadzuki no Sangoshō no Himitsu}}
*Joe is the reference of the ''[[Yu-Gi-Oh!]]'' TCG card, "Swift Birdman Joe".
# {{nihongo|A Demon From the Moon|月よりの悪魔|Tsuki Yori no Akuma}}
*The character Ushiwaka in the Clover Studios video game ''[[Ōkami]]'' wears a hood that resembles that of the Gatchaman cast members.
# {{nihongo|The Massive Underground Monster War|地底怪獣大戦争|Chitei Kaijū Dai Sensō}}
*The [[American comic book|Ame-Comi]] version of [[Batgirl]] has a costume with design similarities to the Gatchaman costume. She is also equipped with [[Batarang]]s that look identical to Ken the Eagle's Birdrangs.
# {{nihongo|The Mysterious Red Impulse|謎のレッド・インパルス|Nazo no Reddo Inparusu}}
*The character of Lord Viper in the 90s cartoon ''[[King Arthur and the Knights of Justice]]'' appears to be based on the design of Spectra foot soldiers.
# {{nihongo|The Giant Eating Monster Ibukron|大食い怪獣イブクロン|Ōgui Kaijū Ibukuron}}
# {{nihongo|The Riddle of the Red Sand|謎の赤い砂|Nazo no Akai Suna}}
# {{nihongo|The Fearful Ice-Kandar|恐怖のアイスキャンダー|Kyōfu no Aisu Kyandā}}
# {{nihongo|The Fearful Jellyfish Lens|恐怖のクラゲレンズ|Kyōfu no Kurage Renzu}}
# {{nihongo|Mechanica, The Indestructible Machine|無敵マシン メカニカ|Muteki Mashin Mekanika}}
# {{nihongo|The Grand Insect Operation|昆虫大作戦|Konchū Dai Sakusen}}
# {{nihongo|Revenge! The Whale Operation|復讐!くじら大作戦|Fukushū! Kujira Dai Sakusen}}
# {{nihongo|Hell's Speed Race|地獄のスピード・レース|Jigoku no Supīdo Rēsu}}
# {{nihongo|A Critical Moment for the Science Ninja Team|科学忍者隊危機一髪|Kagaku Ninja Tai Kiki-Ippatsu}}
# {{nihongo|Who is Leader X?|総裁Xは誰だ|Sōsai Ekkusu wa Dare da}}
# {{nihongo|The Firebird Versus The Fire Eating Dragon|火の鳥対火食い竜|Hi no Tori Tai Hikui Ryū}}
# {{nihongo|Massive Violence of the MechaBall|大暴れメカ・ボール|Dai Abare Meka Bōru}}
# {{nihongo|The Neon Giant Laughing in the Dark|闇に笑うネオン巨人|Yami ni Warau Neon Kyojin}}
# {{nihongo|The Magma Giant, Emperor of Hell|地獄の帝王マグマ巨人|Jigoku no Teiō Maguma Kyojin}}
# {{nihongo|The God Phoenix Reborn|よみがえれゴッドフェニックス|Yomigaere Goddo Fenikkusu}}
# {{nihongo|Galactor's Witch Racer|ギャラクターの魔女レーサー|Gyarakutā no Majo Rēsā}}
# {{nihongo|The Invisible Demon|見えない悪魔|Mienai Akuma}}
# {{nihongo|Galack X the Devil Man|魔人ギャラックX|Majin Gyarakku Ekkusu}}
# {{nihongo|Kamisorar, The Guillotine Iron Beast|ギロチン怪獣カミソラール|Girochin Kaijū Kamisorāru}}
# {{nihongo|The Plan to Assassinate Dr. Nambu|南部博士暗殺計画|Nanbu-Hakase Ansatsu Keikaku}}
# {{nihongo|The Grand Gezora Operation (1st Part)|ゲゾラ大作戦(前編)|Gezora Dai Sakusen (Zenpen)}}
# {{nihongo|The Grand Gezora Operation (2nd Part)|ゲゾラ大作戦(後編)|Gezora Dai Sakusen (Kōhen)}}
# {{nihongo|The Evil Aurora Operation|魔のオーロラ作戦|Ma no Ōrora Sakusen}}
# {{nihongo|The Angry Blazing Desert|燃えろ砂漠の炎|Moero Sabaku no Honō}}
# {{nihongo|Little Gatchaman|ちびっこガッチャマン|Chibikko Gacchaman}}
# {{nihongo|Renjira, the Electron Iron Beast|電子怪獣レンジラー|Denshi Kaijū Renjirā}}
# {{nihongo|The Riddle of the Mechanic Jungle|謎のメカニックジャングル|Nazo no Mekanikku Janguru}}
# {{nihongo|Jigokiller, the People-Eating Flowers (1st Part)|人喰い花ジゴキラー(前編)|Hitokui Hana Jigokirā (Zenpen)}}
# {{nihongo|Jigokiller, the People-Eating Flowers (2nd Part)|人喰い花ジゴキラー(後編)|Hitokui Hana Jigokirā (Kōhen)}}
# {{nihongo|Killer Music|殺人ミュージック|Satsujin Myūjikku}}
# {{nihongo|The Great Breakout Trick Operation|大脱走トリック大作戦|Dai Dassō Torikku Dai Sakusen}}
# {{nihongo|A Romance, Destroyed by Evil|悪に消えたロマンス|Aku ni Kieta Romansu}}
# {{nihongo|Galactor's Challenge|ギャラクターの挑戦状|Gyarakutā no Chōsenjō}}
# {{nihongo|The Sea Lion Ninja Team of the Night Fog|夜霧のアシカ忍者隊|Yogiri no Ashika Ninja Tai}}
# {{nihongo|Gatchaman in the Valley of Death|死の谷のガッチャマン|Shi no Tani no Gacchaman}}
# {{nihongo|The Devil's Airline|悪魔のエアーライン|Akuma no Eārain}}
# {{nihongo|The Camera Iron Beast, Shutterkiller|カメラ鉄獣シャッター・キラー|Kamera Tetsujū Shattā Kirā}}
# {{nihongo|The Fearful Mechadokuga|恐怖のメカドクガ|Kyōfu no Mekadokuga}}
# {{nihongo|Trachadon, the Dinosaur Skeleton|白骨恐竜トラコドン|Hakkotsu Kyōryū Torakodon}}
# {{nihongo|The Revolving Cateroller Beast|回転獣キャタローラー|Kaitenjū Kyatarōrā}}
# {{nihongo|Red Impulse's Secret|レッド・インパルスの秘密|Reddo Inparusu no Himitsu}}
# {{nihongo|Farewell Red Impulse|さらばレッド・インパルス|Saraba Reddo Inparusu}}
# {{nihongo|Gatchaman's Blazing Rage|怒りに燃えたガッチャマン|Ikari ni Moeta Gacchaman}}
# {{nihongo|Desperation of the Mini-Submarine|決死のミニ潜水艦|Kesshi no Mini Sensuikan}}
# {{nihongo|The Hated Bird Missile|うらみのバードミサイル|Urami no Bādo Misairu}}
# {{nihongo|The Evil White Sea|魔の白い海|Ma no Shiroi Umi}}
# {{nihongo|The Fearsome Mecha-Buttha|恐怖のメカブッタ|Kyōfu no Mekabutta}}
# {{nihongo|The Secret Monster Mecha Factory|怪獣メカ工場|Kaijū Meka Kōjō}}
# {{nihongo|Science Ninja Team, G-6|科学忍者隊G-6号|Kagaku Ninja Tai Jī-Roku-Gō}}
# {{nihongo|The Phantom of Red Impulse|幻のレッド・インパルス|Maboroshi no Reddo Inparusu}}
# {{nihongo|The Snow Devil, Blizzarder|雪魔王ブリザーダー|Yuki Maō Burizādā}}
# {{nihongo|Massacre of the Mecha Curve Ball|殺人メカ魔球|Satsujin Meka Makyū}}
# {{nihongo|A Christmas Present of Death|死のクリスマスプレゼント|Shi no Kurisumasu Purezento}}
# {{nihongo|Super Bem, the Synthetic Iron Beast|合成鉄獣スーパーベム|Gōsei Tetsujū Sūpā Bemu}}
# {{nihongo|The Devil's Fashion Show|悪魔のファッションショー|Akuma no Fasshon Shō}}
# {{nihongo|Certain Death! The Gatchaman Fire|必殺!ガッチャマンファイヤー|Hissatsu! Gacchaman Faiyā}}
# {{nihongo|Particle Iron Beast, Micro-Saturn|粒子鉄獣ミクロサターン|Ryūshi Tetsujū Mikuro Satān}}
# {{nihongo|A Cemetery in the Moonlight|月下の墓場|Gekka no Hakaba}}
# {{nihongo|United! Death Girls|合体!死神少女|Gattai! Shinigami Shōjo}}
# {{nihongo|Leader X, the Immortal|不死身の総裁X|Fujimi no Sōsai Ekkusu}}
# {{nihongo|A Swarm! Invasion of the Mini Iron Beasts|大群!ミニ鉄獣の襲来|Taigun! Mini Tetsujū no Shūrai}}
# {{nihongo|Pursuing Katse!|カッツェを追撃せよ!|Kattse wo Tsuigeki Seyo!}}
# {{nihongo|Secret of the Birdstyles|バードスタイルの秘密|Bādosutairu no Himitsu}}
# {{nihongo|Jumbo Shakora, the Ocean Devil King|海魔王ジャンボシャコラ|Umi Maō Janbo Shakora}}
# {{nihongo|The Bracelets Exposed|あばかれたブレスレット|Abakareta Buresuretto}}
# {{nihongo|The Successful Berg Katse|成功したベルクカッツェ|Seikō Shita Beruku Kattse}}
# {{nihongo|Mortal Combat! 10,000 Meters Under the Sea|死斗!海底1万メートル|Shitō! Kaitei Ichiman Mētoru}}
# {{nihongo|Stealing the Gatchaman Information|奪われたガッチャマン情報|Ubawareta Gacchaman Jōhō}}
# {{nihongo|Revive! Boomerang|よみがえれ!ブーメラン|Yomigaere! Būmeran}}
# {{nihongo|Duel on Galactor Island|ギャラクター島の決闘|Gyarakutā-Tō no Kettō}}
# {{nihongo|Aim for the Crescent Coral Reef!|三日月サンゴ礁を狙え!|Mikadzuki Sangoshō wo Nerae!}}
# {{nihongo|A Desperate Ring of Fire|炎の決死圏|Honō no Kesshi Ken}}
# {{nihongo|Smog Fiber, the Spiderweb Iron Beast|くもの巣鉄獣スモッグファイバー|Kumo no Su Tetsujū Sumoggu Faibā}}
# {{nihongo|That's G-4|G-4号はあいつだ|Jī-Yon-Gō wa Aitsu da}}
# {{nihongo|Galactor's Plan to Corner the Market|ギャラクターの買占め作戦|Gyarakutā no Kaishime Sakusen}}
# {{nihongo|Patogiller, the Triple United Iron Beast|三段合体鉄獣パトギラー|Sandan Gattai Tetsujū Patogirā}}
# {{nihongo|Iron Beast Snake 828|鉄獣スネーク828|Tetsujū Sunēku Hachi-Ni-Hachi}}
# {{nihongo|A Trap Sprung in the Crescent Base|三日月基地に罠を張れ|Mikadzuki Kichi ni Wana wo Hare}}
# {{nihongo|Matangar, the Armored Iron Beast|装甲鉄獣マタンガー|Sōkō Tetsujū Matangā}}
# {{nihongo|The Plan to Destroy Crescent Base, Complete|三日月基地爆破計画完了|Mikadzuki Kichi Bakuha Keikaku Kanryō}}
# {{nihongo|The End of the Crescent Base|三日月基地の最後|Mikadzuki Kichi no Saigo}}
# {{nihongo|Counterattack! The Underground Torpedo Operation|逆襲!地中魚雷作戦|Gyakushū! Chichū Gyorai Sakusen}}
# {{nihongo|Electric Devil Beast Angura|電魔獣アングラー|Den Majū Angurā}}
# {{nihongo|Giant Devil Men, United Ninjas|合体忍者大魔人|Gattai Ninja Dai Majin}}
# {{nihongo|Now, the Invasion of Galactor's Headquarters|ギャラクター本部に突入せよ|Gyarakutā Honbu ni Totsunyū Seyo}}
# {{nihongo|Leona 3, the Spaceship With No Tomorrow|明日なき宇宙船 レオナ3号|Ashita Naki Uchūsen Reona San-Gō}}
# {{nihongo|Grape Bomber, the Spherical Iron Beast|球形鉄獣グレープボンバー|Kyūkei Tetsujū Gurēpu Bonbā}}
# {{nihongo|The Wounded G-2|傷だらけのG-2号|Kizudarake no Jī-Ni-Gō}}
# {{nihongo|Gatchaman, 20 Years Later|20年後のガッチャマン|Nijū Nengo no Gacchaman}}
# {{nihongo|The Sniper Group Hebi-Cobra|狙撃集団ヘビーコブラ|Sogeki Shūdan Hebī Kobura}}
# {{nihongo|Countermove! Checkmate X|逆転!チェックメイトX|Gyakuten! Chekkumeito Ekkusu}}
# {{nihongo|G-2's Death Wager|死を賭けたG-2号|Shi wo Kaketa Jī-Ni-Gō}}
# {{nihongo|The Evil Grand Black Hole Operation|魔のブラックホール大作戦|Ma no Burakku Hōru Dai Sakusen}}
# {{nihongo|Earth's Destruction! 0002|地球消滅!0002|Chikyū Shōmetsu! Zero-Zero-Zero-Ni}}


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
{{reflist}}
<ref name="awn1">{{cite news|url=http://www.awn.com/news/films/imagi-prepares-new-cg-animated-gatchaman-feature|title=Imagi Prepares New CG-Animated Gatchaman Feature|last=DeMott|first=Rick|date=9 June 2006|publisher=[[Animation World Network]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="ann2">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-06/cg-astro-boy-imagi-studio-lays-off-300+employees|title=CG Astro Boy's Imagi Studio Lays Off 300+ Employees|date=February 6, 2010|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=8 February 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="u1">{{cite news|url=http://www.unificationfrance.com/spip.php?article3039
|title=Gatchaman : Robert Mark Kamen à l'écriture|date=19 July 2007|publisher=Unification France|language=fr|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="sfj">{{cite web|url=http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2006/06/10/gatchaman-returns-to-the-big-screen/|title=Gatchaman Returns... To The Big Screen|last=Saint John|first=Robert|date=10 June 2006|publisher=SciFi Japan|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="iesb">{{cite web|url=http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3966&Itemid=99 |title=IESB Gets a Sneak Peek at Gatchaman Plus Exclusive Images! |last=Staff |date=17 December 2007 |publisher=[[IESB]] |access-date=30 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090417141354/http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3966&Itemid=99 |archive-date=17 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="bd1">{{cite web|url=https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/11822|title=Director Signed on for 'Dylan Dog' Adaptation!|date=4 April 2008|publisher=[[Bloody-Disgusting]]|access-date=30 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101016231521/http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/11822|archive-date=16 October 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="sh1">{{cite web|url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6325|title=Paul Dini Penning Gatchaman |date=21 September 2007|publisher=[[Superhero Hype]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="411m">{{cite web|url=http://www.411mania.com/games/columns/115909/411-Games-Interviews:--Batman---Arkham-Asylum.htm|title=Interview with writer, Paul Dini|last=Harris|first=Jeffrey|date=11 September 2009|publisher=411mania|access-date=30 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108181545/http://www.411mania.com/games/columns/115909/411-Games-Interviews:--Batman---Arkham-Asylum.htm|archive-date=8 November 2011}}</ref>
<ref name="aa1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.activeanime.com/html/content/view/1077/36/ |title=Robert Mark Kamen to write new "Gatchaman" film |date=13 June 2007 |publisher=Active Anime |access-date=29 January 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121220354/http://www.activeanime.com/html/content/view/1077/58/ |archive-date=21 November 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="v1">{{cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-163063309.html
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624034548/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-163063309.html
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=24 June 2011
|title=Nikkatsu draws on toons|last=Schilling|first=Mark|date=11 April 2007|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="otakia1">{{cite web|url=http://www.otakia.com/news/3073/Astro+Boy+maintenu,+Gatchaman+sur+la+corde+raide.|title=Astro Boy maintenu, Gatchaman sur la corde raide|date=9 January 2009|publisher=Otakia|language=fr|access-date=29 January 2010}}<!-- Zombie link. --></ref>
<ref name="ann1">{{cite news|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-01-27/imagi-animation-studio-closes-los-angeles-office|title=Imagi Animation Studio Closes Los Angeles Office|date=27 January 2010|publisher=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=29 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="hmm1">{{cite news|url=http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/imagi-seeks-licensing-deals-gatchaman-15994|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110807201520/http://www.homemediamagazine.com/news/imagi-seeks-licensing-deals-gatchaman-15994|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 August 2011|title=Imagi Seeks Licensing Deals for 'Gatchaman'|last=Tribbey|first=Chris|date=3 June 2009|publisher=[[Home Media Magazine]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="ms1">{{cite news|url=http://www.star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2009/1/4/movies/2931245&sec=movies|title=What's getting made|date=4 January 2009|publisher=[[Malaysia Star]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="am1">{{cite news|url=http://www.animationmagazine.net/article/11113
|title=Imagi Closes L.A. Studio|last=McLean|first=Thomas J.|date=29 January 2010|publisher=[[Animation Magazine]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="hs1">{{cite web |url=http://www.hotstocked.com/article/1861/imagi-international-holdings-ltd-otcbb-iinhy.html |title=Imagi International Holdings Ltd (OTCBB: IINHY) Still In Talks To Raise Capital |last=Gediminas |first=J. |date=26 January 2010 |publisher=HotStocked.com |access-date=30 January 2010 |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708182019/http://www.hotstocked.com/article/1861/imagi-international-holdings-ltd-otcbb-iinhy.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="mtv1">{{cite web|url=http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/07/07/gatchaman-teaser-trailer-debuts-at-anime-expo/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090710003544/http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/07/07/gatchaman-teaser-trailer-debuts-at-anime-expo/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 10, 2009|title='Gatchaman' Teaser Trailer Debuts At Anime Expo|last=Goellner|first=Caleb|date=7 July 2009|work=[[MTV]]|publisher=[[MTV.com]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="sd1">{{cite news|url=http://www.screendaily.com/kamen-signs-to-write-screenplay-for-imagis-cg-animated-gatchaman/4033125.article|title=Kamen signs to write screenplay for Imagi's CG-animated Gatchaman|last=Kay|first=Jeremy|date=14 June 2007|publisher=[[Screen Daily]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>
<ref name="v2">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2008/biz/asia/imagi-has-auditors-concern-1117997808/|title=Imagi has auditors' 'concern'|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=29 December 2008|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=30 January 2010}}</ref>}}


==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb title|0068792}}
*[http://www.advfilms.com/titles/gatchaman/ ADV Films official Gatchaman site]
*{{anime News Network|anime|4|Kagaku Ninja-Tai Gatchaman}}
*[http://www.chronicsite.com/gatchaman/ Gatchaman - Home of the White Shadow]
*[http://www.gatchaman.com/ Gatchaman]
*[http://www.vacuform.com/Gatchaman/GatchMain.htm Gatchaman,BotP, G-Force]
*[http://www2.angulang.org.uk/ Gatchaman Links List]
*[http://www.gatchamania.net Gatchamania.net - Gatchaman, BotP, G-Force Fic and Fanart Forums]
*[http://junsjoint.com/ Jun's Joint] Gatchaman/BOTP Animations, Screenshots and Fanfic
*[http://paratime.ca/gatcha_funnies.html Gatcha-Funnies] Humorous Gatchaman Screen Captures
*[http://paratime.ca/v_and_v/gforce_stamps.html Japanese Gatchaman Stamps]
*[http://com4.runboard.com/bgatchamanarchives Gatchaman Archives Message Boards]
*[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068792/ IMDB Entry]
* {{ann anime|id=4|title=Kagaku Ninja-Tai Gatchaman}}
*[http://www.scienceninjateam.co.uk/ Tribute band]
*[http://www.myspace.com/mazandcoms Hip Hop tribute band]
*[http://fly.to/gatchaman Kena's Gatchaman Base-Under the sea]
*[http://www.sluggy.com/daily.php?date=010617 Sluggy Freelance Parody]


{{Gatchaman}}
[[Category:Adventure anime and manga]]
{{Hiroshi Sasagawa}}
[[Category:Science fiction anime and manga]]
{{Tatsunoko Production}}
[[Category:Superheroes by team]]
{{Super Sentai}}
[[Category:Japanese superheroes]]
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:Anime series]]
[[Category:Anime with original screenplays]]
[[Category:Anime of the 1970s]]
[[Category:Japanese television series]]
[[Category:1972 television series debuts]]
[[Category:Fictional ninjas]]


[[es:Fuerza G (anime)]]
[[Category:1972 anime television series debuts]]
[[it:Gatchaman]]
[[Category:ADV Films]]
[[Category:Japanese children's animated action television series]]
[[ja:科学忍者隊ガッチャマン]]
[[Category:Japanese children's animated space adventure television series]]
[[ko:독수리오형제]]
[[Category:Japanese children's animated science fiction television series]]
[[pl:Gatchaman]]
[[Category:Japanese children's animated superhero television series]]
[[zh:科學小飛俠]]
[[Category:Anime with original screenplays]]
[[Category:Fuji Television original programming]]
[[Category:Gatchaman]]
[[Category:Mecha anime and manga]]
[[Category:Ninja in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Sentai Filmworks]]
[[Category:Superheroes in anime and manga]]
[[Category:Tatsunoko Production franchises]]

Latest revision as of 22:19, 20 December 2024

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman
Cover art by Alex Ross for the ADV Films release (DVD 18)
科学忍者隊ガッチャマン
GenreAction, Superhero
Created byTatsuo Yoshida
Written byJinzō Toriumi
Directed byHisayuki Toriumi
Music byBob Sakuma
Columbia Cradle Club
Masato Shimon
Country of originJapan
Original languageJapanese
No. of episodes105 (list of episodes)
Production
ProducerIppei Kuri
Production companyTatsunoko Production
Original release
NetworkFNS (Fuji TV)
ReleaseOctober 1, 1972 (1972-10-01) –
September 29, 1974 (1974-09-29)[1]

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (科学忍者隊ガッチャマン, Kagaku Ninja-tai Gatchaman, lit. Science Ninja Squad Gatchaman) is a Japanese animated franchise about a five-member superhero ninja team created by Tatsuo Yoshida and produced by Tatsunoko Productions. The original anime series, which debuted in 1972, was eponymously entitled Kagaku Ninja-tai Gatchaman and is best known in the English-speaking world as the adaptation entitled Battle of the Planets (1978).[2] The series had additional English adaptations with G-Force: Guardians of Space (1986) and the 2005 ADV Films uncut release. Tatsunoko also uses the official translation Science Commando Gatchaman in related products and media.

The original Kagaku Ninja-tai Gatchaman series was followed by an animated film and two direct sequel series, Gatchaman II (1978) and Gatchaman Fighter (1979). During the 1990s, episodes from both series were dubbed into English by Saban as Eagle Riders.

In the years since, the franchise has spawned many different productions, some that were left unproduced or evolved significantly from its development. This includes a 1994 original animated video remake,[3] an unproduced 1998 television remake, a cancelled 2011 animated film reboot by Imagi Animation Studios, a 2013 Japanese live-action film reboot by Nikkatsu Studios, various spinoffs, re-imaginings, and merchandise.

Original series

[edit]

Plot

[edit]

Recurring themes of Gatchaman involve conservation, environmentalism and the responsible use of technology for progress.[4] The series centers around five young superhero ninja employed by Kōzaburō Nambu of the fictitious International Science Organization to oppose an international terrorist organization of technologically advanced villains (Galactor) who are trying to control Earth's natural resources, such as water, oil, sugar and uranium. The leader of Galactor is an androgynous, masked antagonist named Berg Katse, who is later revealed to be a shape-shifting mutant acting on the orders of an alien superior (Leader X). Their mechas are often animal-based.[5]

Most of the team are in their late teens, except for Jinpei (who is about ten or eleven years old). They include Ken Washio, the team leader and tactical expert; Jō Asakura, his second-in-command marksman and weapons expert; Jun, the team's electronics and demolitions expert; Jinpei, the youngest and the reconnaissance expert as well as an adopted brother of Jun; and Ryū Nakanishi, the ship's pilot. The main characters wear teen clothing with T-shirts numbered to show their rank in the team or caped, birdlike battle uniforms.[6] The Science Ninja Team is often aided by a squadron of combat pilots led by the enigmatic Red Impulse, who is later revealed as Ken's father.

The Gatchaman team employs a unique and effective martial art developed by Dr. Nambu, drawing on their ability to perform feats similar to their avian namesakes, such as high-speed running, flight, high jumping, and silent attacks. This fighting system, known as Science Ninja Technique (科学忍法, Kagaku Ninpō), is mentioned in the Japanese lyrics of the Gatchaman theme. The team members also use signature weapons and mecha-style vehicles, each with a mundane, disguised form. To change modes, each member is equipped with a wrist device that, in addition to communications and tracking, enables a change when the proper gesture and voice command ("Bird, go!") is given.

Their vehicles are docked in the team's main vehicle: the God Phoenix, a supersonic plane capable of underwater travel and space flight. The God Phoenix is armed with Bird Missiles, which are fired from a rack mounted atop the center section. After the original God Phoenix is destroyed by an octopus mecha, an improved version carries a pair of Super Bird Missiles in twin drop-down pods on the bottom center section. The ship also has an energy-beam weapon that opens the nose doors for the weapon apparatus mounted on the frame holding Joe's car; however, its solar power source is unreliable because of its sensitivity to cloud cover. The plane can also temporarily transform into a massive bird of flame (like the legendary phoenix) to escape danger or attack, although the process endangers the team because of extreme pressure in the passenger cabin and it consumes a great deal of fuel.

Characters

[edit]
Five birdlike cartoon characters
Left to right: Ken, Ryu, Jinpei, Jun and Joe
Ken the Eagle (G-1)
Ken Washio (鷲尾 健), a pilot, is the leader of the Science Ninja Team. "Gatchaman" designates the team leader. Ken's father disappeared during a flight, becoming Red Impulse. Ken did not know his father and was raised by Dr. Nambu.[7]
Joe the Condor (G-2)
Joe Asakura (ジョー 浅倉), a race car driver of Japanese-Italian descent, he is the sub-leader of the team. Joe was born George Asakura (ジョージ 浅倉, Jōji Asakura), the son of Giuseppe Asakura and his wife Caterina (members of Galactor, who were killed by a Galactor rose bomb when they tried to escape). Dr. Nambu rescued the boy, named him Joe to hide him from Galactor and raised him as his son.[7]
Jun the Swan (G-3)
Jun (ジュン) is Japanese-American. Raised in an orphanage, her last name is never disclosed in the anime. In her free time, she enjoys riding her motorcycle and runs Snack Bar J.
Jinpei the Swallow (G-4)
Jinpei (甚平) is also an orphan and grew up with Jun. His last name is not disclosed in the anime either, and he lives with Jun in Snack Bar J.
Ryu the Owl (G-5)
Ryu Nakanishi (中西竜), a fisherman's son, he is the manager of a yacht harbor and the main pilot of God Phoenix. He is the only person on the team with a family (parents and a younger brother).

Episodes

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Created in the wake of the Henshin (transformation) boom begun by Shotaro Ishinomori's Kamen Rider in 1971, Gatchaman was conceived as a blending of ninja adventure with science fiction.[8] It was one of the most successful anime attempts to emulate the American superhero genre, with many of its conventions (such as colorful costumes).[citation needed]

Film version

[edit]

In 1978, Tatsunoko released a condensed theatrical compilation of the first two-story arcs in the series with additional new animation.

The film was released in English for the first time by Sentai Filmworks in 2015.[9] The dub featured the cast reprising their roles from the ADV dub of the original TV anime for the film.[10]

Adaptations

[edit]

After its broadcast in Japan, Gatchaman was later exported to other countries and translated into several languages. In Taiwan, beginning in 1977 it was known as Ke Xue Xiao Fei Xia (「科學小飛俠」/“科学小飞侠” kēxué xiǎofēixiá, Scientific Flying Fantasy Warriors).

The original series has seen several English adaptations with varying levels of modifications. Many of these versions later spawned foreign-language releases of their own:

Battle of the Planets

[edit]

Sandy Frank and Jameson Brewer syndicated the series on American television in 1978, in heavily edited form, as Battle of the Planets (BOTP).[11] In this version, the team was known as G-Force and protected the Earth from constant threats from the planet Spectra. Several scenes were replaced with new segments by Gallerie International Films, with additional characters: the robot 7-Zark-7 and his associates, 1-Rover-1 (a robot dog) and Susan (a sentient computer), all of which were stationed at the outpost Centre Neptune and provided both comic relief and linking narrative to the wider story. Other segments included the Phoenix flying in space.[12] The quality of the new segments did not match the original content, with the G-Force and 7-Zark-7 never actually appearing together. New music by Hoyt Curtin was blended with the original soundtrack.[13] Although all 105 episodes of Gatchaman were used as sources, only 85 episodes of BOTP were produced. An animated TV movie was made, combining several episodes into a new storyline. In 2003, Sandy Frank announced a series of eight compilation films that ultimately went unreleased.[14][15]

Battle of the Planets was released on VHS and DVD from 2001 to 2003 by Rhino Entertainment in six volumes and a complete DVD collection. The DVDs included a subtitled version of the corresponding Japanese episodes, alongside a single episode of the later English adaptation, G-Force.[16] When Sentai Filmworks acquired the rights to Gatchaman in 2014, Battle of the Planets became available to stream on The Anime Network and temporarily on Hulu.[17][18]

Battle of the Planets: Phoenix Ninjas

[edit]

Battle of the Planets: Phoenix Ninjas is a scrapped reboot of the first American adaptation of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Tatsunoko partnered up with d-rights and Nelvana, a Canadian animation company owned by Corus Entertainment, on the project. The last new information on the project was in 2016 and it appears to be canceled.

G-Force: Guardians of Space

[edit]

With Battle of the Planets ending its syndicated run and broadcast standards becoming laxer, a second English translation from Turner Program Services and Fred Ladd, by license of Sandy Frank, was produced. Entitled G-Force: Guardians of Space, this adaptation consisted of 85 episodes, spanning episodes 1–87 but skipping episodes 81 and 86. The series aired internationally beginning in 1987, but would not air in its entirety in the U.S until its run on Cartoon Network in 1995 & Air on toonami's midnight run in 2000. Although this version was less heavily edited and had a relatively faithful translation, the voice acting, background music and the Americanized character names were criticized.[citation needed]

A single episode from G-Force was included as a bonus on Rhino's individual Battle of the Planets DVDs released through 2001 and 2003.[16] Seven more episodes were released in a 2004 best-of collection, making 13 out of the show's 85 episodes available on disc.[19]

Battle of the Planets: The New Exploits of G-Force

[edit]

Development began for an uncensored version of Battle of the Planets. An animated TV movie was made (Battle of the Planets: The Movie, featuring David Bret Edgen as Zark), combining several episodes into a new storyline. In 2003, Sandy Frank announced a series of 8 compilation films that ultimately went unreleased.[14][15] Sandy Frank announced a third English adaptation of the series in 2003 that was also never released. Battle of the Planets: The New Exploits of G-Force was set to be a 52-episode series encompassing content from the first 85 episodes of Gatchaman, the 20 previously unlocalized ones [clarification needed], and new CG animation produced by JulesWorld (including 7-Zark-7).[15][20] The series would have been recorded at Ocean Studios in Vancouver, Canada and would have featured a new score and script to help modernize the show and create a tone in-between the two prior adaptations.[14][21] While never released, the twenty-second episode of Gatchaman was adapted into a pilot called The Sea Dragon. It received two forms: one that focused on adventure and action and another that focused on comedy. At the time, this rendition of the show was sold as Battle of the Planets: The New Adventures of G-Force.[14]

DVD releases

[edit]

At Anime Central 2004, ADV Films announced that it had acquired the rights to release the series.[22] In 2005, ADV released on DVD in 18 volumes (and nine limited-edition sets) containing a new uncut English dub and original Japanese audio with English subtitles under the name Gatchaman. This release included all 105 episodes. The dub aimed to be a faithful translation, without attempts to modify the show for younger viewers. The English dub contained creative changes: profanity, 1970s slang and thick, occasionally stereotypical accents were added. The series was released on Blu-ray and DVD in Japan on October 19, 2012.[23][24][25]

In 2007, Sandy Frank's long-term contract with Tatsunoko Productions (owners of the Gatchaman franchise), which gave it all domestic U.S rights to the first Gatchaman series and its English adaptations, lapsed and all video releases went out of print. Sentai Filmworks, a company founded by the creators of ADV, later signed a contract with Tatsunoko, acquiring the North American home video rights to the Gatchaman franchise in 2013.[26] Section23 Films released a complete collection of the series on Blu-ray and DVD on December 10, 2013. The Blu-ray set contains 14 discs in three keep cases, and the DVD set has 22 discs in four cases.[27] Both sets contain all 105 episodes of the original series (with the ADV English version and Japanese audio).

Other anime series

[edit]

Gatchaman II

[edit]

A sequel, filmed with a different color process, was released four years later. Resembling the Blue Hawk, the new God Phoenix is larger and painted with the face of a bird. The personal mecha are also upgraded, with similar bird-designed paint jobs. Ryu has a tank-like mecha and a Pilot Machine to assist him.

Gatchaman II sees Sosai X turn a young shipwreck survivor into his newest commander Gel Sadoma and resumes his plot to destroy the Earth. Gatchaman reunites with Joe, now a cyborg, after Galactor sends a spy to serve as his replacement on the team. The group is also aided by Dr. Pandora, who is revealed to be Gel Sadoma's mother.

In the end, Sosai X is destroyed by Joe and Gel Sadoma dies after betraying Sosai X, after the villain murders her mother.

Episodes from this series and Gatchaman Fighter were combined and translated into English as Eagle Riders in 1996 by Saban Entertainment. Gatchaman II served as the bulk of the series, though its ending is changed to have Gel Sadora turn into Gatchaman Fighter villain Egoblauser.

Another release in South Korea is Eagle 5 Brothers (독수리 5 형제, Dokksuri Hyeongje) which does not contain unusual changes in audio. Instead, it contains visual changes.

Gatchaman Fighter

[edit]

This series aired in 1979, immediately after Gatchaman II. Here, the team's mecha bear no resemblance to birds. Earth is again threatened by evil; the mad tyrant Egoblauser (who has usurped control over the shattered forces of Galactor) and Sosai X, who has been reborn as Sosai Z.

Unlike Gatchaman II, Gatchaman Fighter is a much darker series, especially in the final episodes with regards to casualties and deaths of longtime series characters. The ending itself has Gatchaman presumed dead, sacrificing their lives to destroy Sosai X once and for all.

Select episodes from this series and Gatchaman II were combined and translated into English as Eagle Riders in 1996 by Saban Entertainment.

Gatchaman (OVA)

[edit]

A 1994 original video animation remake series produced in association with Artmic that featured updated character designs and altered backgrounds.[28]

Urban Vision released it on VHS in 1997 and DVD in 2001 with an English dub produced by Harmony Gold and Japanese audio with English subtitles.[29] In 2013, Sentai Filmworks licensed the series and produced a new English dub from Seraphim Digital with the same cast as their ADV/Sentai's releases of the original series and film.[26][30] The new dub was released on DVD and Blu-Ray and is available for streaming on The Anime Network.[31][32]

New Gatchaman

[edit]

New Gatchaman (新ガッチャマン, Shin Gatchaman) is a project that was attempted around the same time that Mach Go Go Go '97 was made. This version of Speed Racer was not so successful and as a result, it was canceled along with the project of Gatchaman '98.

NTT/SMAP Gatchaman

[edit]

NTT Gatchaman was a series of commercials that were made to promote the Internet service provider NTT-East in fall 2000. Some of the commercials featured Japanese boy band group SMAP portraying live action versions of the characters, while the other two were animated by Tatsunoko Production and featured modernized costume redesigns of the Science Ninja Team. The animated commercials were directed by Keiichi Sato, with character designs by Kenji Hayama. A light novel based on these commercials were sent by e-mail by NTT-East as a gift for new subscribers. To this date, the contents of this light novel remain unknown. Based on sketches found on the Internet, fans have speculated if the commercials were an attempt to revive the franchise with a new anime. However, no such series was made at that time, and the franchise would not receive any new animated material for thirteen years until Gatchaman Crowds.

Good Morning Ninja Team Gatchaman

[edit]

In 2011, Tatsunoko produced a series of 200 two-minute animated shorts called Good Morning Ninja Team Gatchaman (おはよう忍者隊ガッチャマン, Ohayō Ninja Tai Gatchaman) for broadcast on NTV's Zip! television series. While the series used the original's designs, it was more comedic in nature and featured none of the original actors. The characters were instead voiced by Scha Dara Parr's Bose and Ani, along with actor Tomu Miyazaki.[33]

Additional shorts were produced in promotion of the Japanese launch of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate.[34]

Gatchaman Crowds

[edit]

A reboot of the Gatchaman series premiered in July 2013 on NTV. The story is set in Tachikawa City, Tokyo, where some of its residents have been chosen to join a team to confront a mysterious entity known as MESS. The series follows Hajime Ichinose, a 16-year-old girl who is the team's newest member.[35] A second season, titled Gatchaman Crowds insight, started airing on July 6, 2015.[36]

As it aired in Japan, both seasons of the show were simulcast on Crunchyroll.[37][38] Sentai Filmworks licensed and dubbed both seasons. They released them on home video between 2014 and 2016.[39][40][41]

Crossovers

[edit]

Ken the Eagle and Jun the Swan, along other Tatsunoko superheroes were featured on the PlayStation video game Tatsunoko Fight developed by Takara and released in 2000.

Super deformed animal versions of the Gatchaman team appeared alongside similar renditions of Tatsunoko's Casshan and Golden Lightan in Tachimals Theater (たちゅまる劇場, Tachumaru Gekijō). The 26-episode anime series ran on Yomiuri TV between from October 4, 2010 and March 28, 2011.[42]

On March 26, 2016, Tatsunoko announced a collaboration with Digital Frontier to create the Infini-T Force 3D CGI anime project.[43] The team features members from Gatchaman alongside Tekkaman, Casshan and Hurricane Polymar. Set for release in 2017 alongside Tatsunoko's 55th anniversary, the project will contain an original story and will not be an adaptation of Ukyō Kodachi and Tatsuma Ejiri's Infini-T Force: Writing Line of the Future (Infini-T Force 未来の描線, Infini-T Force ~Mirai no Byōsen~) manga series.[44]

Film adaptations

[edit]

Canceled Imagi film

[edit]

Imagi began developing a film version in 2004, with producer Tom Gray saying that it would have a PG-13 or R rating.[45] A Gatchaman film was first announced in February 2006,[46] with an expected 2008 release.[47][48][49] Kevin Munroe (TMNT) was scheduled to write and direct,[50] with Lynne Southerland (co-director of Mulan 2) as producer,[51] and an initial treatment was begun.[52] However, in 2008 Munroe was taken off the project to direct Dylan Dog.[53] Although early scripts were written by Paul Dini,[54] in fall 2007 he was released from the project.[55] In June 2007, Robert Mark Kamen was signed to write the screenplay in preparation for a 2008 release.[56][57]

At the July 2008 Comic-Con, Imagi introduced a Paul Dini-scripted trailer. In August, art director Felix Ip began posting screenshots from the trailer. At the July 2009 Anime Expo, Imagi shared another 45-second, Dini-scripted trailer. Although it did not reveal much plot, it was the first public look at the 3D characterizations of the main villain Galactor and the Gatchaman team in and out of costume. The trailer also introduced the film's theme: "A world in chaos, an alien evil, a lone warrior is found; Earth's last hope, five shall rise, Gatchaman."[58] In July 2009 Imagi posted a new one-minute trailer for Gatchaman on its company website, with a release date of 2011.[59]

In December 2009, auditors reported growing concerns with the half-year results posted by Imagi. Although the company said that it was on course for the release of Astro Boy, according to the audit firm "It is uncertain whether the group will have the necessary financial resources to complete [the films] Gatchaman, Tusker, and Cat Tale."[60] In January 2009 the auditing firm announced that the studio lacked funding for the release of Tusker, Cat Tale and Gatchaman,[61] although Felix Ip reported that Gatchaman was expected to be released later in 2009.[49] In June 2009, Imagi opened Gatchaman for licensing and announced a planned 3-D theatrical release in 2011.[61] On December 11, 2009 Imagi's Hong Kong-based parent company, Imagi International Holdings Limited, laid off 100 employees.[62] In January 2010 it announced that although the Gatchaman project would be delivered in 100-percent stereoscopic 3D, to safeguard working capital it would close its U.S. subsidiaries. The U.S. closure was finalized in late January, with about 30 staffers laid off and a few key personnel continuing as consultants as Imagi sought $30 million from investors for its animation projects.[63][64][65] In February 2010 the parent company laid off another 300 employees, calling the layoffs temporary as it sought new investors.[62] On June 21, 2011, Imagi announced in its annual report that the Gatchaman film project was cancelled.[66]

Nikkatsu film

[edit]

Nikkatsu Studios produced a live-action version of Gatchaman for Japan, which was released in August 2013.[67]

American live-action film

[edit]

It was announced at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2019 that Joe and Anthony Russo are producing a live-action Battle of the Planets film through their production company, AGBO Studios with the possibility of directing.[68][69]

Character variations

[edit]

Team variations in different versions

[edit]
Gatchaman Battle of the Planets G-Force Eagle Riders OVA (Harmony Gold dub) Rank Bird Uniform Weapon Mecha Voice actor (Gatchaman) Voice actor (Gatchaman OVA) Voice actor (BOTP) Voice actor (G-Force) Voice actor (Harmony Gold OVA dub) Voice actor (Eagle Riders) Voice actor (ADV TV/Sentai OVA dub)
Ken Washio Mark Ace Goodheart Hunter Harris Ken the Eagle G1 Eagle Razor boomerang Airplane Katsuji Mori Masaya Onosaka Casey Kasem Sam Fontana Eddie Frierson Richard Cansino Leraldo Anzaldua
George "Joe" Asakura Jason Dirk Daring Joe Thax Joe the Condor G2 Condor Pistol Race Car Isao Sasaki Kōji Ishii Ronnie Schell Cam Clarke Richard Cansino Bryan Cranston Brian Jepson
Jun Princess Agatha "Aggie" June Kelly Jennar June the Swan G3 Swan Yo-yo Motorcycle Kazuko Sugiyama Michiko Neya Janet Waldo Barbara Goodson Lara Cody Heidi Noelle Lenhart Kim Prause
Jinpei Keyop Pee Wee Mickey Dugan Jimmy the Falcon G4 Swallow Bolo Dune Buggy Yoku Shioya Rica Matsumoto Alan Young Barbara Goodson Mona Marshall Mona Marshall Luci Christian
Ryu Nakanishi Tiny Harper Hoot "Hooty" Owl Ollie Keeawani Rocky the Owl G5 Owl Pistol God Phoenix Shingo Kanemoto Fumihiko Tachiki Alan Dinehart Jan Rabson/ Gregg Berger Richard Epcar Paul Schrier Victor Carsrud

Other character variations in different versions

[edit]
Gatchaman Battle of the Planets G-Force Eagle Riders OVA (Harmony Gold Dub) Voice actor (Gatchaman) Voice actor (BOTP) Voice actor (G-Force) Voice actor (Gatchaman OVA) Voice actor (Eagle Riders) Voice actor (Harmony Gold OVA dub) Voice actor (ADV TV/Sentai OVA dub)
Dr. Kozaburo Nambu-hakase Chief Anderson Dr. Benjamin Brighthead Dr. Thaddeus Keane Dr. Kozaburo Nambu Tōru Ōhira Alan Dinehart Jan Rabson/Gregg Berger Ikuya Sawaki Michael McConnohie Greg O'Neill Andy McAvin
ISO Director Anderson President Kane Anderson / Cmdr. Todd (some episodes) Anderson Director Anderson Teiji Ōmiya Edward Andrews Jan Rabson/Gregg Berger Yonehiko Kitagawa Michael Forest Marty Fleck
Red Impulse / Kentaro Washio Col. Cronos Red Impulse / Kendrick Goodheart Red Impulse / Harley Harris Red Spectre / Kentaro Washio Keye Luke Cam Clarke Unshō Ishizuka Bob Papenbrook John Tyson
Berg Katse Zoltar Galactor Lukan Solaris Mikio Terashima Keye Luke Bill Capizzi Kaneto Shiozawa R. Martin Klein Edwin Neal
Sosai (Leader) X O Luminous One /
The Great Spirit
Computor Cybercom Lord Zortek Nobuo Tanaka Keye Luke Jan Rabson/Gregg Berger Nobuo Tanaka Ralph Votrais Peter Spellos Winston Parish
Gel Sadra Mallanox Masaru Ikeda R. Martin Klein
Sylvie Pandora-hakase Dr. Francine Aikens Dr. Sylvie Pandora Miyuka Ieda Lara Cody
Announcer Hideo Kinoshita/Shūsei Nakamura William Woodson (Main) / Alan Young (Zark) Norm Prescott George Manley

Other changes

[edit]
Variations Gatchaman (Japanese) Battle of the Planets Guardians of Space Eagle Riders OVA (English, Harmony Gold) Gatchaman (English)
Identity change command Bird, go!‡ Transmute! G-Force, transform! Eagle Mode, now!
Ken Eagle One, transform!
Joe Shapeshift, Condor!
June Swan Mode, now!
Jimmy Falcon Tracker, transform!
Bird, go!
Enemy planet Selectol Spectra Galactor Vorak Galactor Selectol
Enemy civilization Galactor (Gyarakutā) Spectra Galactor Vorak Galactor Galactor

‡The original Japanese-language version of Gatchaman features a few words in English.

Video games

[edit]

Ken, Jun and Berg appear as playable characters in Tatsunoko Fight. Ken and Jun appear as playable fighters in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Cross Generation of Heroes, and Joe joins Ken and Jun in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars.

Comics

[edit]

In July 2023, it was announced that Mad Cave Studios partnered with Tatsunoko Productions to publish a new comic book [70]

Reception

[edit]

In 2001, the Japanese magazine Animage listed the 1972 Gatchaman TV series the 10th-best anime production of all time.[71]

Legacy

[edit]

Impact

[edit]

Gatchaman helped establish the convention of the five-member hero team emulated in later series, notably in the successful tokusatsu Super Sentai franchise (a genre exemplified by the English series adaptation of the Power Rangers franchise many years later). The Sentai series Chōjin Sentai Jetman was, in many ways, a homage to Gatchaman.[5][72]

Guest appearances and pop culture references

[edit]
  • The Italian cartoon Winx Club parodied Gatchaman in the episode "Battle on Planet Eraklyon" when several characters form the superhero quintet "Patchamen," with uniforms and mannerisms bearing striking resemblances to those of the Science Ninja Team.
  • In 1994, the Science Ninja Team and Dr. Nambu appeared in a crossover OVA, Time Bokan: Royal Revival.
  • In 2000, NTT East produced two animated and two live-action television commercials for their ISDN service with an updated version of Gatchaman, featuring members of the J-Pop boy group SMAP.[73]
  • They appeared in several episodes of the 2008 reboot of Yatterman as background characters and played a minor speaking role in the hour-long "Episode 12.5" TV special.
  • The third episode of Sket Dance has Jun as a playable character in a re-enactment of Tatsunoko vs. Capcom.
  • The face of one of the characters appears in episode 252 of the Gin Tama anime.
  • Archie's Sonic the Hedgehog comic series parodied Gatchaman in Sonic Super Special issue #12.
  • A parody of Gatchaman was used in the cartoon Megas XLR as the S-Force, appearing in two episodes.
  • Joe is the reference of the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG card, "Swift Birdman Joe".
  • The character Ushiwaka in the Clover Studios video game Ōkami wears a hood that resembles that of the Gatchaman cast members.
  • The Ame-Comi version of Batgirl has a costume with design similarities to the Gatchaman costume. She is also equipped with Batarangs that look identical to Ken the Eagle's Birdrangs.
  • The character of Lord Viper in the 90s cartoon King Arthur and the Knights of Justice appears to be based on the design of Spectra foot soldiers.

References

[edit]
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