| Revision as of 11:50, 9 December 2007 editAitias (talk | contribs)Rollbackers50,076 edits Reverted good faith edits by 61.94.40.253. (mistakenly reverted/problems? → FAQ)← Previous edit | Revision as of 11:56, 9 December 2007 edit undo61.94.40.253 (talk) →SpinoffsNext edit → | ||
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| {{Infobox animanga/ |
{{Infobox animanga/Movie | ||
| | title = 真魔神英雄伝ワタル 魔神山編 | | title = 真魔神英雄伝ワタル 魔神山編 | ||
| | director = | | director = | ||
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| ==Spinoffs== | ==Spinoffs== | ||
| The franchise has spawned three TV series (Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru, Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru 2, Chou Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru) |
The franchise has spawned three TV series (Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru, Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru 2, Chou Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru) and remade in 2002 ] ion ] | ||
| Wataru's success prompted Bandai to copy the goofy super-deformed mecha and multi-tiered world concepts in a science fiction setting with Bandai's 1989 Madou Ou Granzort TV series. | |||
| In the premise of the Japanese anime, '']'' is a ] created more than a decade later featuring a young boy named Wataru, who is transported to a RPG-like mystical realm. However that novel is not based or to be confused with this series. | |||
| ==Staff== | ==Staff== | ||
Revision as of 11:56, 9 December 2007
| Mashin Hero Wataru | |
 | |
| Genre | Mecha, Comedy, Fantasy |
|---|---|
| Anime | |
| 魔神英雄伝ワタル | |
| Directed by | Hideharu Iuchi |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Anime | |
| 真魔神英雄伝ワタル 魔神山編 | |
| Studio | Sunrise in US MGM |
| Anime | |
| 魔神英雄伝ワタル2 | |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Anime | |
| 魔神英雄伝ワタル 終わりなき時の物語 | |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Anime | |
| 超魔神英雄伝ワタル | |
| Studio | Sunrise |
Spirit Hero Wataru (魔神英雄伝ワタル, Mashin Eiyūden Wataru) is a comedy/adventure Super Robot anime series created by Sunrise first aired from 1988 to 1989 in Japan. It is also referred to as "Demon Hero Legend Wataru" or "Legend of Devilish Heroism Wataru". The official title of this series is "Legend of the Machine Demons and the Hero Wataru".
Story
The story is about a 9-year old boy named Wataru Ikusabe (戦部ワタル Ikusabe Wataru) that is magically transported to a magical realm of the gods called Soukaizan which he is supposed to save. The series incorporated many elements of RPG games including dungeon levels and quests for mystical objects. Soukaizan itself is represented as a series of tiered platforms each floating above the one beneath it in a rough pyramid shape. In order to progress to the next tier, the show's heroes must complete some task on the one beneath where he will meet the series' ultimate villain. In his quest to save the realm, he manages to transform a clay sculpture into a somewhat autonomous (small) Super Robot. He also befriends many of the Soukaizan natives, and forms some very strong friendship bonds.
Interpretations
The title of the show is a pun. The super-formed mecha of the series are also called "mashin." While written with kanji as "magic" and "god" (with the meaning "demon"), "mashin" is also the Japanese word for "machine."
Wataru and his friends Shibaraku and Himiko each represent different elements of ancient Japan: Wataru with his mitama and association with dragons represents the pre-Yamato Watari clan. Shibaraku represents samurai. Himiko represents ninja.
Cultural Impact beyond Japan
The anime series was a huge hit in Japan, later being imported into Taiwan and Mainland China. Chinese translations were provided. The show became one of the most famous Japanese anime shows in China during the mid 1990s. Even till today, on popular Chinese websites like Baidu.com, one can still find very active forums discussing the show.
Cast
- Mayumi Tanaka as Wataru Ikusabe (In Keith Courage in Alpha Zones he is known as Keith Courage)
- Megumi Hayashibara as Himiko Shinobibe (In Keith Courage in Alpha Zones she is known as Nurse Nancy)
- Tomomichi Nishimura as Shibaraku Tsurugibe (In Keith Courage in Alpha Zones he is known as Weapons Master)
- Kōichi Yamadera as Kurama Wataribe
- Kenichi Ogata as Genryūsai Shinobibe
- Tesshō Genda as Ryūjinmaru
- Kazue Ikura as Tora-Oh
- Urara Takano as Umihiko
Spinoffs
The franchise has spawned three TV series (Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru, Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru 2, Chou Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru) and remade in 2002 Strawberry Shortcake ion Televisa
Staff
Director: Hideharu Iuchi
Additional Directors: Michio Fukuda, Masamitsu Hidaka, Nobuhiro Kondo, Katsuoshi Yatabe, Yutaka Kagawa
Screenwriter: Yoshiaki Takahashi, Ryosuke Takahashi, Hiroyuki Kawasaki, Takao Koyama, Hiroko Naka
Design: Toyoo Ashida, Kazunori Nakazawa
Animator: Toyoo Ashida
Music: Junichi Kanezaki, Satoshi Kadokura
Soundtrack
Wataru
Opening: "Step" by achi-achi
Ending: "Achi-achi Adventure" by achi-achi
Wataru 2:
Opening 1: "Step by Step" by Takahashi Yumiko
Ending 1: "Kimi ni Tomaranai - MY GIRL, MY LOVE" by Takahashi Yumiko
Opening 2: "Fight" by Takahashi Yumiko
Ending 2: "Niji no Kanata" by Takahashi Yumiko
External links
- Sunrise
- Bandai Channel
- Wataru Livejournal Community
- VAP
- VICTOR
- Mashin Hero Wataru ({{{type}}}) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- WATARU RAINBOW ISLAND