Hikarian
Encyclopedia
, also called Hikarian: Great Railroad Protector, is a Japan
ese anime
and toy franchise by Tomy
.
The first television series, is about a series of bullet train
s that are turned into robots. The robots, along with two humans named Tetsuyuki Shinbashi (新橋 テツユキ Shinbashi Tetsuyuki) and Minayo Kanda (神田 ミナヨ Kanda Minayo), have to stop an alien invasion.
A second television series, , was later created. The new series stars a new Hikarian, Lightning West, and a new human lead, Kenta Hijiribashi (聖橋 ケンタ Hijiribashi Kenta).
Enoki Films
has licensed the series for an English release. The company has suggested name changes (e.g. Tetsuyuki becomes Terry and Minayo becomes Mina) but the series is not yet available in English, and Enoki may sublicense the series to another company who may decided to keep the original Japanese names, use Enoki's suggested English names, or use original English names.
All of the character, save for the Black Express, are base on real life train model. Interestingly, the series also depict them operate like one during time of peace.
would be working with Carloon Animation to create a CGI cartoon about trains called Train Hero (高铁侠).. In July, 2011, Chinese viewers of previews were shocked that it was a shot-for-shot knockoff
of Hikarian.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and toy franchise by Tomy
Takara Tomy
is a Japanese toy, children's merchandise and entertainment company created from the March 2006 merger of two companies: Tomy and long-time rival, Takara...
.
The first television series, is about a series of bullet train
Shinkansen
The , also known as THE BULLET TRAIN, is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan operated by four Japan Railways Group companies. Starting with the Tōkaidō Shinkansen in 1964, the network has expanded to currently consist of of lines with maximum speeds of , of Mini-shinkansen with a...
s that are turned into robots. The robots, along with two humans named Tetsuyuki Shinbashi (新橋 テツユキ Shinbashi Tetsuyuki) and Minayo Kanda (神田 ミナヨ Kanda Minayo), have to stop an alien invasion.
A second television series, , was later created. The new series stars a new Hikarian, Lightning West, and a new human lead, Kenta Hijiribashi (聖橋 ケンタ Hijiribashi Kenta).
Enoki Films
Enoki Films
Enoki Films Co., Ltd. is a producer of anime based in Tokyo.Enoki Films also has a North American division, established in 1986, headquartered in the Encino area of Los Angeles, California, United States called Enoki Films USA, Inc.. Enoki Films USA acts as a middle-man between Japanese companies...
has licensed the series for an English release. The company has suggested name changes (e.g. Tetsuyuki becomes Terry and Minayo becomes Mina) but the series is not yet available in English, and Enoki may sublicense the series to another company who may decided to keep the original Japanese names, use Enoki's suggested English names, or use original English names.
Characters
The main characters in Hikarians are the Hikarians who fight against the Bratchet gang and their plan operation Darkness.All of the character, save for the Black Express, are base on real life train model. Interestingly, the series also depict them operate like one during time of peace.
Hikarians
- Nozomi300 Series ShinkansenThe is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type introduced in 1992 on the Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen lines, initially for use on the fastest Nozomi services, being capable of...
： The most dynamic hero of the entire Hikarian members. He is full of fighting spirit. He uses a shield and sword. - Tsubasa400 Series ShinkansenThe was a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company between 1992 and 2010 on Tsubasa services on Japan's first Mini-shinkansen line, the Yamagata Shinkansen branch from the main Tōhoku Shinkansen....
： He is very sharp and agile even in narrow places or on highlands. - MaxE1 Series ShinkansenThe is a Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan since 1994. They were the first double-deck trains built for Japan's Shinkansen...
： The biggest Hikarian. He has strong muscles and uses a huge hammer. - Hikari100 Series ShinkansenThe is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1984 and 1991 for the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and Sanyō Shinkansen high-speed lines. The earliest units have now been withdrawn from service, and the series was retired from the Tōkaidō Shinkansen line in September 2003...
：The Captain of Hikarians. Always resourceful and calm. - WindashWIN350"WIN350" was the name given to the 6-car experimental Shinkansen train developed in 1992 by the West Japan Railway Company in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in next-generation shinkansen trains expected to operate at speeds of from 1994...
: He is a test car called "Win 350." He possesses the power to see the future. - E2 JetE2 Series ShinkansenThe is a Japanese high-speed Shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company on the Tōhoku and Nagano Shinkansen high-speed lines in Japan since 1997. They are formed in 8- and 10-car sets. The 8-car sets are used on the Nagano Shinkansen, and the 10-car sets on Tōhoku Shinkansen...
: He flies at tremendous speed. He scrambles to rescue friends like fighter planes. He uses turbine lasers that pack a punch. - Police-WinWIN350"WIN350" was the name given to the 6-car experimental Shinkansen train developed in 1992 by the West Japan Railway Company in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in next-generation shinkansen trains expected to operate at speeds of from 1994...
: Patrol Train of the Railroad Police. He uses a laser that helps him sticky situations. - Fire N'exNarita Express, abbreviated as N'EX, is a limited express train service operated since 1991 by East Japan Railway Company , serving Narita International Airport from various Greater Tokyo Area stations. Services are approximately half-hourly in the mornings and evenings, and hourly through the middle of the day...
: Fire Engine of the Railroad. - Sniper SonicSonic (train)is the name used by Kyushu Railway Company for the limited express train service operating between Hakata and Ōita via Kokura and Beppu along the Kagoshima Main Line and Nippō Main Line in Kyūshū, Japan...
: Defense Force of railroad. He has a big cannon. - Dr. 300X300X"300X" was the name given to the 6-car experimental Shinkansen train developed in 1994 by the Central Japan Railway Company in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in future shinkansen trains operating at speeds of or higher.-Design:...
: A test car. He is a very intelligent scientist and invents special cars. - Nankai Rapi:tRapi:tis a rapid train service between Kansai International Airport and Namba Station in Osaka, Japan. It is operated by Nankai Electric Railway, and the train service uses on the Nankai Main Line and the Airport Line....
: A ninja Hikarian. He uses a ninja sword with a shuriken shield. His attacks are super fast and ninja style. - AzusaE351 seriesThe is a DC electric multiple unit operated by East Japan Railway Company on Chūō Main Line Super Azusa Limited express services in Japan. First introduced in December 1993 , the trains feature a tilting mechanism...
: The rescue car of the railroad. - West500 Series ShinkansenThe is a Shinkansen high-speed train type operated by West Japan Railway Company on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen and Sanyō Shinkansen lines in Japan. They were designed to be capable of although they currently operate at a maximum of in service...
: A most advanced super express. He runs on rails at the highest speed in the world. The wing sensor on his back gives him the power to search the time tunnel. Main character of the second series. Can combine with Sky GarudaGarudaThe Garuda is a large mythical bird or bird-like creature that appears in both Hindu and Buddhist mythology.From an Indian perspective, Garuda is the Hindu name for the constellation Aquila and...
to form Lightning Garuda. - Doctor YellowDoctor Yellowis the nickname for the high-speed test trains that are used on the Japanese Shinkansen dedicated express passenger train routes.The trains have special equipment on board to monitor the condition of the track and overhead wire, including special instrumented bogies and observation blisters.The...
: An engineer of Hikarian Headquarters. He assists Dr. 300X. - E3 RacerE3 Series ShinkansenThe is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built for Komachi services which commenced on 3 June 1997, coinciding with opening of the new Akita Shinkansen 'mini-shinkansen' line, a regular narrow-gauge line between Morioka and Akita upgraded to . Later versions of the E3 series were also...
- E4 PowerE4 Series ShinkansenThe is a high-speed shinkansen train type operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan. They were the second series of completely bi-level Shinkansen trainsets to be built in Japan . They operate on the Tōhoku and Jōetsu Shinkansen, and occasionally on the Nagano Shinkansen...
: Max's friend - Yamabiko and K-kun200 Series ShinkansenThe is a Shinkansen high-speed train type introduced by Japan National Railways for the Tōhoku Shinkansen and Jōetsu Shinkansen high-speed rail lines in Japan, and currently operated by East Japan Railway Company . They actually predate the 100 series trains, having been built between 1980 and 1986...
- Kodama0 Series ShinkansenThe trains were the first Shinkansen trainsets built to run on Japan's new Tōkaidō Shinkansen high-speed line which opened in 1964. The last remaining trainsets were withdrawn in 2008.-History:...
: Oldest of the Hikarians. - STAR21STAR21"STAR21" was the name given to the 9-car experimental Shinkansen train developed in 1992 by the East Japan Railway Company in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in next-generation shinkansen trains operating at speeds of or higher...
: Experimental engineer - Buster Seven700 Series ShinkansenThe is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed train type built between 1997 and 2006, and entering service in 1999. Originally designated as "N300", they formed the next generation of shinkansen vehicles jointly designed by JR Central and JR West for use on both Tōkaidō and Sanyō Shinkansen...
- EurostarEurostarEurostar is a high-speed railway service connecting London with Paris and Brussels. All its trains traverse the Channel Tunnel between England and France, owned and operated separately by Eurotunnel....
Blue Euro - Hitachi BrothersE653 seriesThe is an AC/DC dual-voltage electric multiple unit operated by East Japan Railway Company in Japan.-Operations:Trains operate on Fresh Hitachi limited express services between in Tokyo and via the Jōban Line as 7-, 7+4-, and 7+7-car formations....
- Odakyū RomancecarOdakyu 10000 series HiSEThe EMU operated by the Odakyu Electric Railway in the Tokyo area of Japan.-Lines used:The 10000 HiSE travels mainly between Shinjuku Station and Hakone-Yumoto Station .-Transfer:...
- SkylinerKeisei AE100 seriesThe is a DC electric multiple unit operated by Keisei Electric Railway on City Liner limited express services to and from Narita International Airport in Japan. First delivered in 1990, the trains replaced the earlier AE series EMUs operating on Skyliner services.From July 17, 2010, all AE100...
- Rescue: American Hikarian Road Fire Engine.
- Hikarian X/Shadow X: Combines with SphinxSphinxA sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head or a cat head.The sphinx, in Greek tradition, has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face of a woman. She is mythicised as treacherous and merciless...
and NazcaNazca LinesThe Nazca Lines are a series of ancient geoglyphs located in the Nazca Desert in southern Peru. They were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. The high, arid plateau stretches more than between the towns of Nazca and Palpa on the Pampas de Jumana about 400 km south of Lima...
to form God X.
Humans
- Tetsuyuki Shinbashi (Terry): A train maniac. He is a good friend of the Hikarians.
- Minayo Kanda (Mina): Terry's girlfriend.
Blatcher Gang
- Black Express: The boss of the Blatcher Gang. He uses an electric maces and most times hides in black smoke.
- DozilasD51 steam locomotiveThe is a type of 2-8-2 steam locomotive built by the Japanese Government Railways, the Japanese National Railways and various manufacturers from 1936 to 1951...
: The henchmen of Black Express. They have a mild heart and likes to play with children. - Wookary: A careless and daydreaming guy.
- Silver Express Mastermind of the Blatcher Gang.
- Smoke Jo: The gigantic locomotive made by the Blatchers. When it passes by, everything will turns totally black.
- Baron EuroEurostarEurostar is a high-speed railway service connecting London with Paris and Brussels. All its trains traverse the Channel Tunnel between England and France, owned and operated separately by Eurotunnel....
- StarSTAR21"STAR21" was the name given to the 9-car experimental Shinkansen train developed in 1992 by the East Japan Railway Company in Japan to test technology to be incorporated in next-generation shinkansen trains operating at speeds of or higher...
Chinese CGI Knockoff
In January 2011 it was announced Pat LeePat Lee
Patrick "Pat" C.K. Lee is a Canadian comic book artist, publisher, former President and co-founder of the now defunct Dreamwave Productions.-Biography:...
would be working with Carloon Animation to create a CGI cartoon about trains called Train Hero (高铁侠).. In July, 2011, Chinese viewers of previews were shocked that it was a shot-for-shot knockoff
Mockbuster
A mockbuster is a film created with the apparent intention of piggy-backing on the publicity of a major film with a similar title or theme and are often made with a low budget. Often these films are created to be released direct-to-video at the same time as the mainstream film reaches theaters or...
of Hikarian.