Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan

Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan
File:Sunvulcan.JPG
Created by	Toei
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	50
Production
Running time	30 minutes
Original release
Network	tv asahi
Release	February 7, 1981 – January 30, 1982

Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan (太陽戦隊サンバルカン, Taiyō Sentai San Barukan), translated into English as Solar Squadron Sun Vulcan, is Toei's fifth entry to its Super Sentai series. It was broadcast in February 7, 1981-January 30, 1982 and is the only sentai to serve as a direct sequel to the one prior, Denshi Sentai Denjiman. It was Toei’s last series with a Marvel copyright, but again with no Marvel involvement in the production.

Sun Vulcan was the smallest Sentai team to date and the only series with a change in team leader.

Plot

The threat machine empire Black Magma causes the EPDS to decide to establish the Solar Squadron at a summit. From the EPDS's air force, navy, and rangers, Commander Arashiyama assembles three specialists to become Sun Vulcan. Harsh training begins. Learning of this, Black Magma attacks the EPDS base, but the Sun Vulcan debuts in time to save it. Hell Saturn prays to the Black Solar God and is rewarded with a revived Queen Hedrian, now a cyborg with a mechanical heart and a metallic afro. But plot after plot of Black Magma, even with Hedrian's aid, fails. Following the death of 01, Amazon Killer, a Vader, arrives from space, destroying the Sun Vulcan Base. A new Vulcan Base is built.

The original Vul-Eagle, Oowashi Ryuusuke, is replaced by a friend and master of the sword, Hiba Takayuki (which first appeared on episode 21). The team successfully defends the psychic descendant of the Denzi, the nun Himiko, from Black Magma. Shortly after this, Lightning Galaxer shows up. Sun Vulcan devises the New Vulcan Ball, but their attacks are no use against Lightning Galaxer until he becomes the gigantic Lightning Monger. Finally, the trio and their commander go to the North Pole to rescue Arashiyama Misa, and succeed not only in doing so (despite a fake Misa to confuse them), but also in defeating the Omnipotent God, the true leader of Black Magma, by feigning surrender and striking when it lowers its guard.

Heroes

Sun Vulcan

"Shine! Taiyou Sentai Sun Vulcan!"

• Ryuusuke Oowashi (大鷲龍介, Ōwashi Ryūsuke) / VulEagle I (初代バルイーグル, Shodai Baru Īguru) (Episodes 1-23): 24 years old. An EPDS air force officer. He left to pursue space shuttle research for NASA in America.
  • Special moves: Eagle Wings (イーグルウイング, Īguru Uingu), Eagle Diving (イーグルダイビング, Īguru Daibingu), Eagle Fire (イーグルファイヤー, Īguru Faiyā)

• Takayuki Hiba (飛羽高之, Hiba Takayuki) / VulEagle II (2代目バルイーグル, Nibanme Baru Īguru) (Episodes 23-50): 23 years old. A colleague of Oowashi. Master of kendo.
  • Special moves: Hiba Gaishi (Hiba Return), Secret Sword Style Cross Cut.

• Kin'ya Samejima (鮫島欣也, Samejima Kin'ya) / VulShark (バルシャーク, Baru Shāku): 25 years old. An EPDS naval officer.
  • Special moves: Shark Washer (シャークウォッシャー, Shāku Wosshā), Shark Diving (シャークダイビング, Shāku Daibingu), Shark Rolling (シャークローリング, Shāku Rōringu), Shark Jaws (シャークジョーズ, Shāku Jōzu)

• Asao Hyou (豹朝夫, Hyō Asao) / VulPanther (バルパンサー, Baru Pansā): 22 years old. An EPDS army officer.
  • Special moves: Panther Galaxy (パンサーギャラクシー, Pansā Gyarakushī), Panther Claw (パンサークロー, Pansā Kurō), Panther Bomber (パンサーボンバー, Pansā Bonbā), Panther Mole (パンサーもぐら, Pansā Mogura), Rolling Panther (ローリングパンサー, Rōringu Pansā), Panther Throw (パンサー投げ, Pansā Nage)

Allies

• Daizaburou Arashiyama (嵐山大三郎, Arashiyama Daizaburō): The commander of the EPDS. He is an expert at robotics. He was the designer of the team's mecha.

• Misa Arashiyama (嵐山美佐, Arashiyama Misa) / Belle Swordswoman White Rose Mask (美剣士白バラ仮面, Bikenshi Shiro Bara Kamen): The Commander's daughter. She was also Commander Arashiyama's secretary and took care of the talking dog CC. In Episode 29, she transforms into White Rose Mask (likely through the quick-change talent that she shares with many Super Sentai heroines) to aid the Sun Vulcans in their battle against Red Rose Mask (Rose Monger).

Machine Empire Black Magma

Machine Empire Black Magma (機械帝国ブラックマグマ, Kikai Teikoku Burakku Maguma) is an organization worshipping the Black Solar God based at the Iron Claw Castle at the North Pole. Intends to have its Mechahumans rule the world.

• Führer Hellsaturn (ヘルサターン総統, Herusatān Sōtō): The leader of Black Magma, draped in black. He was revealed as underling of the Omnipotent God.

• Zero Girls (ゼロガールズ, Zero Gāruzu) (01 through 04): Female spies; cf. the similar girl team in Shaider. 01 ultimately dies mid-series.

• The Omnipotent God (全能の神, Zennō no Kami): The true leader of Black Magma

• Queen Hedrian (ヘドリアン女王, Hedorian Joō) (5 – 50): The main villain from the previous Sentai series Denjiman, now brought back as a cyborg by the Omnipotent God to serve Black Magma.

• Amazon Killer (アマゾンキラー, Amazon Kirā) (23 – 50): A Vader field officer who came from space. Replaced the slain 01.

• Lightning Gingher (イナズマギンガー, Inazuma Gingā) (45 – 49): A space pirate known as the "Invincible Electric Man of the Galaxy" (銀河無敵の電気男, Ginga Muteki no Denki Otoko). He is sought by the Galactic Police. He ends up as the Lightning Monger

• Dark Q (ダークQ, Dāku Kyū): Spy robot able to change its appearance.

• Machinemen (マシンマン, Mashinman): Grunts in black with the red insignia of Black Magma on their faces.

• Hell Fighters (ヘルファイター, Herufaitā): Black Magma's black fighter planes with the red insignia of Black Magma.

Machine Lifeforms/ Mega Mongers

The Machine Lifeforms (also called Mega Mongers (メガモンガー, Megamongā)) are the monsters of Black Magma, a combination of life forms and machine elements created by a monster-making machine. They have enlarging devices built into them.

• Ground Beetle Monger (ジムシモンガー Jimushimongā) (1)
• Dolphin Fish Monger (シーラモンガー Shīramongā) (2)
• Naumann Monger (ナウマンモンガー Naumanmongā) (3)
• Bird Monger (トリモンガー Torimongā) (4)
• Genie Monger (マジンモンガー Majinmongā) (5)
• Machine Monger (キカイモンガー Kikaimongā) (6)
• Baseball Monger (ヤキュウモンガー Yakyūmongā) (7)
• Infinity Monger (ムゲンモンガー Mugenmongā) (8)
• Scorpion Monger (サソリモンガー Sasorimongā) (9)
• Spider Monger (クモモンガー Kumomongā) (10)
• Fern Monger (シダモンガー Shidamongā) (11)
• Diamond Monger (ダイヤモンガー Daiyamongā) (12)
• Iron Monger (アイアンモンガー Aianmongā) (13)
• Armadillo Monger (アルマジロモンガー Arumajiromongā) (14)
• Time Monger (タイムモンガー Taimumongā) (15)
• Tobibako Monger (トビバコモンガー Tobibakomongā) (16)
• Gas Monger (ガスモンガー Gasumongā) (17)
• Camera Monger (カメラモンガー Kameramongā) (18)
• Toad Monger (ガマモンガー Gamamongā) (19)
• Wrestler Monger (レスラーモンガー Resurāmongā) (20)
• Sea Anemone Monger (イソギンモンガー Isoginmongā) (21)
• Horseshoe Crab Monger (カブトガニモンガー Kabutokanimongā) (22)
• Great Octopus Monger (オオダコモンガー Ōtakomongā) (23)
• Water Bug Monger (タガメモンガー Tagamemongā) (24)
• Sea Snake Monger (ウミヘビモンガー Umihebimongā) (25)
• Hungry Monger (ハラペコモンガー Harapekomongā) (26)
• Alien Monger (エイリアンモンガー Eirianmongā) (27)
• Crystal Monger (クリスタルモンガー Kurisutarumongā) (28)
• Rose Monger (バラモンガー Baramongā) (29)
• Buffalo Monger (バッファローモンガー Baffarōmongā) (30)
• Thunder Monger (カミナリモンガー Kaminarimongā) (31)
• Pettan Monger (ペッタンモンガー Pettanmongā) (32)
• Crab Monger (カニモンガー Kanimongā) (33)
• Curse Monger (ノロイモンガー Noroimongā) (34)
• Cockroach Monger (ゴキブリモンガー Gokiburimongā) (35)
• Saturn Monger (サターンモンガー Satānmongā) (36-37)
• Totem Pole Monger (トーテムポールモンガー Tōtemupōrumongā) (38)
• Centipede Monger (ムカデモンガー Mukademongā) (39)
• Bat Monger (コウモリモンガー Kōmorimongā) (40)
• Teakettle Monger (チャガマモンガー Chagamamongā) (41)
• Dragon Monger (ドラゴンモンガー Doragonmongā) (42)
• Mechanic Monger (メカメカモンガー Mekamekamongā) (43)
• Flying Squirrel Monger (ムササビモンガー Musasabimongā) (44)
• Boxer Monger (ボクサーモンガー Bokusāmongā) (45)
• Shinonawa Monger (シノナワモンガー Shinonawamongā) (46)
• Fighter Monger (ファイターモンガー Faitāmongā) (47)
• Mummy Monger (ミイラモンガー Mīramongā) (48)
• Lightning Monger (イナズマモンガー Inazumamongā) (49)
• King Magmar (キングマグマー Kingumagumā) (50)
• Fireworks Monger (ハナビモンガー Hanabimongā) (Movie)

Arsenal

• Vulcan Brace: Sun Vulcan's transformation device. The transformation call is "Sun Vulcan!" (or, for individual members, their codename)
• Vulcan Sticks (バルカンスティック, Barukan Sutikku): The standard-issue weapon for the Sun Vulcans.

White Rose Mask wields an unnamed fencing foil.

Mecha

• Jaguar Vulcan (ジャガーバルカン, Jagā Barukan): The flying fortress. Its jaws open to let the components of the Sun Vulcan Robo launch.

• Sun Vulcan Robo (サンバルカンロボ, San Barukan Robo): The first combining Sentai Robo. Cosmo Vulcan and Bull Vulcan combine when the command "Fusion! Grand Cross!" (合体グランドクロス, Gattai Gurando Kurosu) is given. It is armed with the Solar Sword (太陽剣, Taiyō Ken). Its finishing attack is the Aurora Plasma Return (オーロラプラズマ返し, Ōrora Purazuma Kaeshi). Its other weapons are the VulShield (バルシールド, BaruShīrudo), VulTonfa (バルトンファ, BaruTonfa), VulHand (バルハンド, BaruHando), Vulcan Sun, and Vulcan Cannons (バルカン砲, Barukan Jū).
  • Cosmo Vulcan (コスモバルカン, Kosumo Barukan): Piloted by VulEagle. It is stored in Jaguar Vulcan's mouth. It forms Sun Vulcan Robo's head, arms, and body.
  • Bull Vulcan (ブルバルカン, Buru Barukan): Piloted by VulShark and VulPanther. It is stored in rear of Jaguar Vulcan, divided in half. It forms Sun Vulcan Robo's legs.

Episodes

1. The Machine Empire of the North Pole (北極の機械帝国 Hokkyoku no Kikai Teikoko)
2. The Day Mankind Lapses (人類が消滅する日 Jinrui ga Shōmetsu Suru Hi)
3. Challenging Japan, Iron Claw (日本に挑む鉄の爪 Nihon ni Idomu Tetsu no Tsume)
4. Boy, Detective Work and Spy (少年探偵とスパイ Shōnen Tantei to Supai)
5. The Wicked Sun God (邪悪な太陽神 Jaaku na Taiyōshin)
6. The House Dominated by Machines (機械の支配する家 Kikai no Shihai Suru Uchi)
7. Beast Batter Tears (野獣バッターと涙 Yajū Battā Namida)
8. The Song of Diligence Sung by Father (父が歌う手まり唄 Chichi ga Utau Temameri Uta)
9. Papa Became a Monster (怪物になったパパ Kaibutsu ni Natta Papa)
10. The Ambushing Poison Spider Mansion (待ちぶせ毒ぐも館 Machibuse Doku Kumo Kan)
11. The Mecha Girl of Sadness (哀しみのメカ少女 Kanashimi no Meka Shōjo)
12. The Queen Who Eats Diamonds (ダイヤを食う女王 Daiya o Kū Joō)
13. The Living Black Ball (生命を持つ黒い玉 Seimei o Motsu Kuroi Tama)
14. The Day the Earth Surrenders (地球が降伏する日 Chikyū ga Kōbuku Suru Hi)
15. The Queen's Greed Dance (女王の欲ばり踊り Joō no Yokubari Odori)
16. A Demon Runs the Schoolyard (悪魔が校庭を走る Akuma ga Kōtei o Hashiru)
17. Ghost Story! The Valley of Goblins (怪談! お化けの谷 Kaidan! Obake no Tani)
18. The Surprising Big Star (びっくり大スター Bikkuri Dai Sutā)
19. The Dangerous 100-Point Boys (危険な100点少年 Kiken na Hyakuten Shōnen)
20. The Machine Wrestler's Trap (機械レスラーの罠 Kikai Resurā no Wana)
21. Love Brought by the Sea Breeze (潮風がはこぶ愛 Shiokaze ga Hakobu Ai)
22. Tokyo Big Panic! (東京大パニック! Tōkyō Dai Panikku)
23. The Female Commander of Galaxy Haunts (銀河魔境の女隊長 Ginga Makkyū no Onna Taichō)
24. Hamanako's Nessie (浜名湖のネッシー Hamanako no Nesshī)
25. The Hole of the Shocking Sea Serpent (ドッキリ海蛇の穴 Dokkiri Umihebi no Ana)
26. Starving Filling Cooking (ハラペコ満腹料理 Harapeko Manpuku Ryōri)
27. A Midsummer Night's Great Fear (真夏の夜の大恐怖 Manatsu no Yoru no Dai Kyōfu)
28. Are the Help Eight Enemies or Allies? (助八は敵か味方か Suke Hachi wa Teki ka Mikata ka)
29. Pretty Swordsman, White Rose Mask (美剣士白バラ仮面 Bikenshi Shiro Bara Kamen)
30. The Giant Monster of the Big Riot Dream (大暴れ夢の大怪獣 Dai Abare Yume no Daikaijū)
31. Big Tokyo Numbing Ondo (大東京シビレ音頭 Dai Tōkyō Shibire Ondo)
32. Arrest the Face-Thief (顔泥棒を逮捕せよ Kao Dorobō o Taima Seyo)
33. The Hateful, Stylish Thief (憎いおしゃれ泥棒 Nikui Oshare Dorobō)
34. The Cursed Dead (呪われた亡霊た Norowareta Hōreitachi)
35. Friends!? La Cucaracha (友達!? クカラッチャ Tomodachi!? Kukaratcha)
36. The ESPer (エスパー Esupā)
37. Himiko! (日見子よ Himiko yo)
38. Asao Hyou's Dad-Lord (豹朝夫のおやじ殿 Hyō Asao no Oyaji Dono)
39. Falling on Her Rear, Tomboy Daughter (尻もちおてんば娘 Shirimochi Otenba Musume)
40. The Best Friend Assassination Angel (なかよし暗殺天使 Nakayoshi Ansatsu Tenshi)
41. Seven Changing Doronpa Raccoon-Dogs (七化けドロンパ狸 Shichi Bakeru Doronpa Tanuki)
42. Daydreams of Boys Who Sleep In (寝坊少年の白昼夢 Nebō Shōnen no Hakuchūmu)
43. You too Can Become a Genius (君も天才になれる Kimi mo Tensai ni Nareru)
44. The Great Escape - Heli Explosion (大脱走・ヘリ爆破 Dai Dassō - Heri Bakuha)
45. The Galaxy's Invincible Electric Man (銀河無敵の電気男 Ginga Muteki no Denki Otoko)
46. The Female Commander's (Secret) Plan (女隊長の（秘）作戦 Onna Taichō no (Hi) Sakusen)
47. The Machine Empire's Rebellion (機械帝国の反乱 Kikai Teikoku no Hanran)
48. The Giant Aircraft Carrier has been Stolen (奪われた巨大空母 Ubawareta Kyodai Kūbo)
49. The Queen's Last Appirition Art (女王最期の妖魔術 Joō Saigo no Yōma Jutsu)
50. Shine, North Pole Aurora (輝け北極オーロラ Kagayake Hokkyoku Ōrora)

Special

• Taiyou Sentai Sunvulcan Movie

Trivia

• "San", the Japanese pronunciation of "sun", is also the word for "three", since there are Three Vulcans.
• Machiko Soga, the actress who played Queen Hedrian, also played Witch Bandora in 1992's Kyoryuu Sentai ZyuRanger and Heavenly Arch Saint Magiel in 2005's Mahou Sentai Magiranger, her last tokusatsu role before her death in the following year.
• Naomi Morinaga, who played Red Rose Mask (Rose Monger's human form) is famous to played Annie in Uchuu Keiji Shaider and Helen/Hellvira/Helen Lady in Jikuu Senshi Spielban. She also sang many of the sentai singles for the 1985-1986 installment.
• Queen Hedrian is the only character to appear in more than one series of Super Sentai. Other characters have done this but only in movies and specials.
• Recently, in the anime/manga series Negima!?, there is a parody sentai called the Mahora Sentai Baka Rangers. Among the five members; Asuna Kagurazaka, Kū Fei, and Kaede Nagase, in chronological order, did the poses of VulEagle, VulPanther, and VulShark. Also VulPanther made a cameo appearance in one of the episodes.
• Was one of four Super Sentai shows choosen to be adapted into Mighty Morphin Power Rangers by Saban Entertainment along side Choudenshi Bioman, Choujin Sentai Jetman and Kyouryuu Sentai Zyuranger in the end Zyuranger was choosen.

External links

• Henshin Hall of Fame's Sun Vulcan page