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Revision as of 17:01, 9 December 2007 editNanami Kamimura (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Rollbackers23,730 edits Revert last two edits that are unrelated to subject← Previous edit Revision as of 05:29, 13 December 2007 edit undo61.5.68.130 (talk) →Cultural Impact beyond JapanNext edit →
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==Cultural Impact beyond Japan== ==Cultural Impact beyond Japan==
The ] 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 ], one can still find very active forums discussing the show. The ] 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 ], one can still find very active forums discussing the show. remade in 2003 on ] and ] as ]


==Cast== ==Cast==

Revision as of 05:29, 13 December 2007

Mashin Hero Wataru
GenreMecha, Comedy, Fantasy
Anime
魔神英雄伝ワタル
Directed byHideharu Iuchi
StudioSunrise
Anime
真魔神英雄伝ワタル　魔神山編
StudioSunrise
Anime
魔神英雄伝ワタル2
StudioSunrise
Anime
魔神英雄伝ワタル 終わりなき時の物語
StudioSunrise
Anime
超魔神英雄伝ワタル
StudioSunrise

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. remade in 2003 on Televisa and DiC as Strawberry Shortcake

Cast

Spinoffs

The franchise has spawned three TV series (Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru, Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru 2, Chou Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru), four radio shows, five OVAs, five novels, five video games, and assorted other merchandise. The most notable video game was renamed in the U.S as Keith Courage in Alpha Zones for the TurboGrafx-16.

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, Brave Story is a novel 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

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

Categories: