Jushin Thunder Liger: Fist of Thunder
Encyclopedia
is a 1995 direct-to-video
tokusatsu
wrestling
/superhero
/horror
movie. Produced by Bandai Visual
, this film is a showcase for the popular wrestler Jushin Liger
, who was based upon the anime series Jushin Liger
created by Go Nagai
, who supervised this film's production. In this film, Liger and his arch-enemy Bounty Viper turn into demon-beast versions of themselves, both designed by veteran makeup artist Steve Wang
.
In this film, Jushin Liger
, when unmasked, is played by actor Masaru Matsuda (to protect the real Liger's identity).
is having fits of dizziness and headaches, as he recalls childhood memories of being chased by demons. Helping him is a woman photographer named Miki Aizawa (Reiko Kataoka
).
Liger's fears will be realized when a match is announced that will have him in a three-way bout against an evil gaijin
wrestler named Bounty Viper (played by wrestler Muscle Kitamura) and another wrestler named Riot Orff (played by wrestler Shinjiro Otani). Viper, in particular, has plans for Liger...
While Liger copes with his childhood fears, he gets ready for the three-way wrestling match. When the big fight begins on that night, the fight seems tough for Liger as he realizes that there's something very peculiar about Bounty Viper. He has demonic powers, similar to the demons that persecuted him as a child. In the course of the fight, Viper displays his wickedness by violently maiming Riot Orff. Liger eventually becomes violent, and when he and Viper tear into each other, both wrestlers begin to pulsate and glow with energy. In light speed, they dash out of the ring into a deserted street where they transform into demonic versions of themselves (Liger, of course, resembling his costumed self, and Viper superficially resembling a blue version of the Predator
) and a savage fight to the finish ensues.
V-Cinema
Japanese is the direct-to-video industry that appeared in Japan in the 1980s. The term is a trademark of Toei Company but is widely used in the West to describe any Japanese direct-to-video release. In Japan the term used is...
tokusatsu
Tokusatsu
is a Japanese term that applies to any live-action film or television drama that usually features superheroes and makes considerable use of special effects ....
wrestling
Wrestling
Wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position...
/superhero
Superhero
A superhero is a type of stock character, possessing "extraordinary or superhuman powers", dedicated to protecting the public. Since the debut of the prototypical superhero Superman in 1938, stories of superheroes — ranging from brief episodic adventures to continuing years-long sagas —...
/horror
Horror film
Horror films seek to elicit a negative emotional reaction from viewers by playing on the audience's most primal fears. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer through the means of macabre and the supernatural, thus frequently overlapping with the fantasy and science fiction genres...
movie. Produced by Bandai Visual
Bandai
is a Japanese toy making and video game company, as well as the producer of a large number of plastic model kits. It is the world's third-largest producer of toys . Some ex-Bandai group companies produce anime and tokusatsu programs...
, this film is a showcase for the popular wrestler Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
, who was based upon the anime series Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger (anime)
is an anime superhero TV series created by Go Nagai. Produced by Sunrise Inc. with cooperation of Dynamic Planning , the series was originally broadcast on Nagoya Broadcasting Network /TV Asahi from to with a total of 43 episodes....
created by Go Nagai
Go Nagai
, better known by the penname , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with Meakashi Polikichi, but is best known for creating Cutie Honey, Devilman, and Mazinger Z in the 1970s. In 2005, he became a...
, who supervised this film's production. In this film, Liger and his arch-enemy Bounty Viper turn into demon-beast versions of themselves, both designed by veteran makeup artist Steve Wang
Steve Wang
Steve Wang is an award-winning make-up artist and filmmaker.-Biography:Born in Taiwan, he and his parents moved to the US when he was 9. His greatest inspirations were the tokusatsu superhero TV shows Ultraman and Kamen Rider, as well as Hong Kong kung fu films including Master of the Flying...
.
In this film, Jushin Liger
Jushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
, when unmasked, is played by actor Masaru Matsuda (to protect the real Liger's identity).
Plot
Popular wrestler Jushin LigerJushin Liger
, better known as and later, is a Japanese professional wrestler who primarily works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.He has wrestled and beaten many of the top smaller wrestlers in both Japan and the United States, and is frequently cited as one of the greatest and most revolutionary junior...
is having fits of dizziness and headaches, as he recalls childhood memories of being chased by demons. Helping him is a woman photographer named Miki Aizawa (Reiko Kataoka
Reiko Kataoka
is a Japanese actress. She won the award for best actress at the 45th Blue Ribbon Awards for Hush!.-Filmography:*A Touch of Fever *Kuro no tenshi Vol. 2 *Hush! *Kamen Rider Hibiki -References:...
).
Liger's fears will be realized when a match is announced that will have him in a three-way bout against an evil gaijin
Gaijin
is a Japanese word meaning "non-Japanese", or "alien". This word is a short form of gaikokujin , which literally means "person from outside of the country". The word is composed of two kanji: , meaning "outside"; and , meaning "person". Thus, the word technically means "outsider"...
wrestler named Bounty Viper (played by wrestler Muscle Kitamura) and another wrestler named Riot Orff (played by wrestler Shinjiro Otani). Viper, in particular, has plans for Liger...
While Liger copes with his childhood fears, he gets ready for the three-way wrestling match. When the big fight begins on that night, the fight seems tough for Liger as he realizes that there's something very peculiar about Bounty Viper. He has demonic powers, similar to the demons that persecuted him as a child. In the course of the fight, Viper displays his wickedness by violently maiming Riot Orff. Liger eventually becomes violent, and when he and Viper tear into each other, both wrestlers begin to pulsate and glow with energy. In light speed, they dash out of the ring into a deserted street where they transform into demonic versions of themselves (Liger, of course, resembling his costumed self, and Viper superficially resembling a blue version of the Predator
Predator (alien)
The Predator is a fictional extraterrestrial species featured in the Predator science-fiction franchise, characterised by its trophy hunting of other dangerous species for sport, including humans and its fictional counterparts, Aliens....
) and a savage fight to the finish ensues.
External links
- Jushin Thunder Liger: Fist of Thunder at allcinema
- Jushin Thunder Liger: Fist of Thunder at the Japanese Movie DatabaseJapanese Movie DatabaseThe , commonly referred to as JMDB, is an online database of information about Japanese movies, actors, and production crew personnel. It is similar to the Internet Movie Database, but lists only those films originally released in Japan. The site was started in 1997, and contains movies from Meiji...
- Jushin Thunder Liger: Fist of Thunder at the Japanese Horror Movies Database
- Jushin Thunder Liger: Fist of Thunder at Superheroes Lives website