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KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops

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KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops
File:Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo The Movie DVDcover.jpg
Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo The Movie DVD cover
GenreComedy, Police, Shonen
Manga
Written byOsamu Akimoto
Published byJapanShueisha
China
South Korea
Anime
Directed byTetsuo Yasumi
Noboru Misawa
Shinji Takamatsu
Norihiro Takamoto
Akira Shigino
StudioStudio Gallop
Anime
Directed byShinji Takamatsu
StudioToho
Anime
The Movie 2: UFO Shūrai! Tornado Daisakusen!!
Directed byShinji Takamatsu
StudioToho

Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo (こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所), nicknamed Kochikame (こち亀), is a manga by Osamu Akimoto, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump, which was adapted into an anime series, produced by Studio Gallop, which was broadcast across Japan by the anime satellite television network Animax, and Fuji Television. The title literally translates to This Is the Police Station in Front of Kameari Park in Katsushika Ward. In continuous publication since 1976 with over 1400 chapters, Kochikame is the longest-running manga series in history (Golgo 13 and Doraemon have been around longer, but neither has been in continuous publication). As of volume 151 the series has sold over 135,000,000 copies[1]

Kochikame takes place in the present day, in and around a neighborhood police station (koban) in the old part of Tokyo, and revolves around the misadventures of a middle-aged cop, Kankichi Ryotsu.

Each chapter of the manga is not numbered, and has "no Maki" as part of the name.

Plot

The typical Kochikame plot involves Ryo-san coming up with a money-making scheme by inventing a new gadget or capitalizing on a fad, achieving great success, calling on Nakagawa's help as things turn sour, and finally losing it all as the fad runs out of steam or out of control. While the plots are gag-driven, much of the humor comes from the combination of mundane characters with the bizarrely out of place characters as Nakagawa who has wealth and Maria who has appeal. What they have in common is that everyone's lack of actual police work, most of which is never explained or rationalized in the slightest.

Kochikame has a broad audience, ranging from adolescent boys to middle-aged salarymen. Much like Homer Simpson, Ryo-san's antics appeal to children who can laugh at an old buffoon and to men fearing that they are becoming old buffoons themselves. The stories are generally innocent in content, and what little violence appears is comical, while the occasional risqué subjects are included strictly for laughs rather than to titillate. In another parallel to The Simpsons, Kochikame's immense popularity has led to guest appearances in the strip by Japanese celebrities such as Tetsuya Komuro.

For creator Osamu Akimoto, Kochikame is an ongoing homage to the working-class people and districts of old Tokyo, and most episodes open with an elaborate full-page illustration of a shitamachi (down-town) street scene, typically with old wooden buildings and boys playing in the streets.

Characters

Main Characters

File:Statue-of-Ryotsu-Kankichi.jpg
A statue of Kankichi Ryotsu
File:Statue of Happi Coat of Ryotsu Kankichi.jpg
Another statue of Kankichi Ryotsu

Kankichi Ryotsu (両津 勘吉, Ryōtsu Kankichi)

"Ryo-san" is a thirty-six year old police officer with the personality of a twelve-year old. His laziness when it comes to work is matched only by his zeal and cleverness in hatching money-making schemes, the fruits of which are invariably squandered on toys, gadgets, and cheap entertainment. He is the stereotypical street-smart "shitamachi" type, sporting a Crew cut and stomping about in ratty sandals (even in uniform), and narrow-minded towards the outside world, as he makes his rounds on a creaky old bicycle. At the same time, he is a super-otaku, up on all the latest fads in popular culture and consumer technology. While most of his interests are of the juvenile sort (such as videogames and collectibles), he also indulges in more typically salaryman-type pastimes such as drinking, pachinko, and gambling (especially horse-racing). Despite his undisciplined lifestyle, he possesses superhuman strength and stamina, which he is forced to depend on at times. Ryotsu is a bachelor and seems relatively uninterested in women, yet occasionally attracts the attention of naïve young female acquaintances, though never with any eventual success.

Keiichi Nakagawa (中川 圭一, Nakagawa Keiichi)

A young, handsome cop who serves as Ryo's comic foil. While holding down a day job in the police station, Nakagawa is the son of a wealthy industrial magnate, and often has to zip off to board meetings in his exotic sports cars and private helicopters. His policeman's uniform is an expensive yellow pinstripe suit made by Pierrl Caldone. Though constantly surrounded by beautiful women throughout his duties, Nakagawa appears indifferent and his tendencies are somewhat ambiguous. He hates natto.

Reiko Katherine Akimoto (秋本･カトリーヌ･麗子, Akimoto Katorīnu Reiko)

A female counterpart to Nakagawa, Reiko's wealth is inherited from European nobility and she juggles her commitments to the police job with those of high society. Reiko is half French, raised in the U.S., and is multilingual. With her flowing blonde hair and stunningly large breasts (which have enlarged as the series has progressed), Reiko is often courted by the rich and famous, but has never found the right man.

Secondary characters

Daijiro Ohara (大原 大次郎, Ōhara Daijirō)

He usually called "Buchō" or "Division Head" (部長) and is Ryotsu's boss. He is a typical grizzled middle manager senior cop. Sporting a small trimmed mustache, Bucho is often out of touch or exasperated with his younger staff, but always ready to give out punishment to Ryo-san for his laziness. He is father-like figure for Ryoutsu, Reiko, and Nakagawa.

Yōichi Terai (てらい よういち、寺井洋一)

A plump man. He is not something a girl would fall for. He wants to live his life as an "ordinary policeman" but is rather poor and unintellighent though sensible.

Hayato Honda (本田速人, Honda Hayato)

The station's motorcycle policeman, and Ryotsu's underling, often reluctantly dragged into his schemes. A shy young man who still sports a pompadour from his teenage motorcycle gang days, immediately turning into an aggressive man with a deeper voice and a very intimidating face when he mounts a motorcycle. No motor gangster is a match against him, as he was once a bike gangster(and still thinks like one). Honda's father runs a garage specializing in Kawasaki cycles named Honda Ringyo. His brother-in-law Kawasaki rides only Honda cycles.

Rika Saotome (早乙女リカ, Saotome Rika)

One of the many young policewomen of the district, and Ryotsu's arch-enemy. Saotome thinks Ryotsu is a disgusting, rude, hooligan. Ryotsu thinks Saotome and her colleagues are pampered weaklings and a waste of the force's budget. Saotome and her fellow bachelorettes live in a luxury dormitory resembling a French chateau.

Ai Asato (麻里愛, Asato Ai)

Reiko’s occasional partner on the force, who pet name is "Maria". Like Reiko, Maria is tall, sexy, and buxom. Unlike Reiko, Maria is a) a brunette and b) a man. He is in love with Ryotsu and becomes jealous whenever another girl comes near him. He was a Muay Thai (kickboxing) champion. After one magical incidence, he became a female at last. (See also the real TS kickboxing champion Parinya Kiatbusaba)

Other recurring characters

Other recurring characters include transvestite cops from other districts, martial-arts masters, and Ryo's various shady business acquaintances

Matoi Giboshi (擬宝珠纏, Giboshi Matoi)

  • Voiced by: Yuuko Doi)
  • The grandchild of Geparuto, who works in a traffic division. She has the ability with which a quarrel is strong in manlike character, and a quarrel also talks down Ryotsu, and a top and MENKO also excel Ryotsu. In girlhood, baseball and their school days were giving the softball. On the other hand, she also has the whole surface that Japanese dance was being taught by the mother from childhood. Although the marriage talk has occurred about 2 times, all serve as Ryotsu to cancellation.

Haya Isowashi (磯鷲早矢, Isowashi Haya)

Works a traffic division. Born as the eldest daughter of the distinguished Bushido house in Kyoto, and is well versed in all Bushido. In addition, the name of "Haya" originates in a kyudo term (reference). Haya is 21 years old. Her birthday is on January 3.

Haru Mido (御堂春, Midō Haru)

It works in the Osaka Prefectural-Police Tsuten-kaku station traffic division. A parents' home is a spitted cutlet store. The thing of Ryotsu calls it "TOKYOMON" and the thing of Nakagawa calls "the direction in Tokyo" (incidentally Tokyo dislike). Moreover, it is unyielding. Height is 145 cm and a but splendid adult short in stature. Although height was not meeting the standard of police officer adoption regulation, by consideration of the Tsuten-kaku station chief, it became "policewoman apprenticeship of the track record evaluation added to height actual whenever it arrests a criminal one person 1 cm", cleared the standard splendidly, and formal adoption was carried out (seemingly, incidentally she is a 4 m giant now). The bronze medal has been gained by the shooting game of the Olympic Games (intentionally took the bronze medal). Her birthday is on January 1 and she is 20 years old. She has six younger brothers.

Remon(Lemon) Giboshi (擬宝珠檸檬, Giboshi Remon)

The younger sister of Matoi. Kindergartener. She has a way of speaking such as "～Ja" and "～Janou", and likes historical plays "Mito Komon", shogi, Ojarumaru, etc. Her taste is excellent, so that is nicknamed "the tongue of God", and she will be judged to a maker's mental condition. She is unyielding like her elder sister Matoi. It is appropriate for the elder sister in contact with her younger sister Mikan. She is 4 years old. Her birthday is on December 11. She originally hates toast but later overcame it. She has a crush on Ryotsu, much to her grandmother's dismay.

Volvo Saigo (ボルボ西郷, Borubo Saigō)

Policeman who works for new Katsushika station. It has the experience of wandering in the battlefield in the world as a mercenary before. All arms are always acquired probably because of Though there is a habit of firing indiscriminately when the danger of the body is felt. It settled down considerably now though there was a habit of firing indiscriminately when the danger of the body was felt when having appeared. Life in the man society was long and immunity to the woman is weak (By bleeding at the nose at once) probably because of. The bee is not good of great. The lineage of the parents' family in Kyushu is a ninja. The birthday is December 31. Height 182 cm and 95 kg in weight. The blood type is A type.

Ryunosuke Sakonji (左近寺竜之介, Sakonji Ryuunosuke)

Policeman who works for new Katsushika station. It has an excellent skill for all combative sports (especially, judo). Moreover, it waits in the love game recently also though it was a combative sports game player. Recently, it got a girlfriend through the chat. The birthday is December 31. Height 182 cm and 95 kg in weight. The blood type is A type. The chest is 180 cm, and the waist is 78 cm. The hobby is a TV game and collects the figure.

Gomesu Tonda (屯田五目須, Tonda Gomesu)

Head in new Katsushika station. The class is a police inspector. It renamed it in the name onomancy because of "Tsurukichi Kamemori (亀森鶴吉, Kamemori Thurukichi)" before. Shibamata living. Children are three people, and there are six grandchildren. The estimated age is 58 years old. The birthday is July 7.

Huang Liang Zhu Zhen Duan Dao Yu Yan Dao Bu Duan Heng Bao Ying Guo Yin Liuan An Hua Ming Mei San Hua Zhong Wu Zhen Pan Da Peng Gui Mu Yu Ling Chang Long You Chang Kuang Qi Ba Zhuan Qi Tai Duo Zhen Zhen (晃両猪禎断道語言道歩断横報応果因柳暗花明昧三華中舞振盤大朋圭睦郁玲昌龍酉暢匡起八転七台多鎮珍, Kōryan Chotei Dandō Gogon Dōho Dan'ō Hōō Gain Ryūan Kameimai Zanka Chūmai Buruban'ō Hōkei Bokuiku Reishō Ryūyū Chōkyōki Hattenshi Chidai Ōchinchin)

Famous Chinese archaeologist. Her voice is mysterious and pretty.

Adaptations and alternate media

The manga has spawned an animated television series, two animated movies, a live-action movie, and several stage adaptations. In addition, various toys and collectibles have been created, including some items that first appeared in the manga as creations of Ryo-san.

Theme music

  • Opening Themes
  1. "Natsu ga Kita Diamond Head! ~Nagisa no Ojou-sama yori~(夏が来た Diamond Head! ~=渚の女王様」より~" by Ojou-sama (eps 1-12)
  2. "Everybody Can Do!" by TOKIO (eps 13-38)
  3. "Katsushika Rhapsody (葛飾ラプソディー)" by Kouhei Doushima (eps 39-145)
  4. "Kochira Kameza no Onna (こちら亀座の女, This is the Pisces Woman)" (eps 146-154)
  5. "Oide yo Kameari (おいでよ亀有, Come to Kameari)" (eps 155-206)
  6. "Damatte Ore ni Tsuite koi (だまって俺についてこい)" (eps 207-324)
  7. "Katsushika Rhapsody ~Yam yam version~ (葛飾ラブソディー～ヤムヤムversion～)" (eps. 325-367)
  • Ending Themes
  1. "Smile (スマイル)" (eps 1-12)
  2. "Ii koto aru sa (いいことあるさ)" (eps 13-38)
  3. "Lady no Yume wa Mangekyō (淑女（レディー）の夢は万華鏡, A Lady's Dream is a Kaleidoscope)" (eps 39-72)
  4. "ブウェーのビヤビヤ" (eps 73-124)
  5. "Kyun" (eps 125-145)
  6. "君と僕" (eps 146-153)
  7. "気持ちだよ" (eps. 154-163)
  8. "毎日、ノープロブレム" (eps. 164-206)
  9. "おいでよ亀有" (eps. 207-247)
  10. "Nice na Kokoroiki (ナイスな心意気)" by ARASHI (eps. 248-274; 282-293, 335-353)
  11. "Diamond Head! ~=渚の女王様」より~" by Danny Hamilton (eps. 275-281)
  12. "Tetsu and Tomo's Nandedarō ~Ryō-san version~ (テツandトモのなんでだろう～両さんバージョン～)" by Tetsu and Tomo (eps. 294-305)
  13. "Tetsu and Tomo's Nandedarō ~Kochikame version~ (テツandトモのなんでだろう～こち亀バージョン～)" by Tetsu and Tomo (eps. 306-315)
  14. "Hai, Irasshai" by Nice Guy Jin (eps. 316-325)
  15. "語れ! 涙!" by Sex Machinegun（eps. 326-334)
  16. "ジュゲム～こち亀バージョン～" (eps. 354-366)

The real-life Kochikame

File:Statue-of-Ryotsu-Kankichi.jpg
Statue of Kankichi Ryotsu in front of Kameari Station.

Kameari Koen is an actual park in Tokyo's Katsushika ward; the police box is fictional but modeled after a real one located on the north side of Kameari railway station. The manga has brought considerable fame to the neighborhood, and draws sightseers from all over Japan to a (usually vacant) police box in a nondescript residential neighborhood. There is only a vacant lot where the police station is actually supposed to be located.

In February 2006, a life-size bronze statue of Ryo-san was erected in front of Kameari station.

September, 2006: Kochikame Anniversary

On the 30th anniversary of Kochikame's serialization in September, 2006, Ryo-san made a cameo in every serialized manga currently in Weekly Jump; most notably, he had a full appearance as a marine in One Piece (chapter 427), as a spectator of the Taiyo/Hakushuu football game in Eyeshield 21, and drinking alongside Don Patch in Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo. At the same time, a special manga known as Super Kochikame (超こち亀,, Chou Kochikame) was published featuring the Kochikame characters in special chapters of series such as Golgo 13, Lupin III, Kinnikuman and Dragon Ball, as well as congratulatory pics from over 80 mangaka, many from Weekly Jump authors past and present, but also from other Shueisha mangaka and even from manga artists not associated with Shueisha such as Hiromu Arakawa (Fullmetal Alchemist) and Jyoji "George" Morikawa (Hajime no Ippo). Other notable congratulatory drawings include a Bankai challenge with Ichigo in Bleach (saying his pistol is his Bankai because of the "BANG!!" sound of his pistol), having his face on the Hokage Mountain of Leaf Village in Naruto and even solving the "Kira" crisis in Death Note.

Special Chapters

  • 1. Golgo 13 (The Holiday Runner) - Ryo-san and Nakagawa are on vacation in France when Ryo-san's luggage gets mixed up with Golgo 13's. So they chase after him in order to retrieve it.
  • 2. Lupin III (Kankichi Ryotsu vs. Lupin III) - Ryo-san, Nakagawa, Reiko, and Bucho must prevent Lupin and the gang from stealing a diamond from a museum.
  • 3. Kinnikuman (Seigi Choujin's Great Rendezvous in Kameari) - Kinnikuman and the Idol Choujins head to Kameari in order to fight Akuma Choujins, but each end up getting arrested for various reason.
  • 4. Dragon Ball (Kochira Namek-Sei Dragon Kōen-mae Hashutsujo) - Ryo-san, having been reassigned to Planet Namek, runs across Freeza and tries to arrest him for parking his UFO illegally. Vegeta and Goku make appearances as well.
  • 5. Shinsetsu Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo, Pyuu to Fuku! Jaguar, Taizo Mote King Saga, Maison de Penguin (Ryo-san vs. Don Patch!! Jump Gag All Stars' Great Panic in Katsushika) - Don Patch, jealous of the attention Ryo-san is getting during the 30th Anniversary Celebration, tries to steal Ryo-san's statue. So Bo-bobo, Jaguar, and Taizo help Ryo-san stop him.
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