Zone Fighter
Encyclopedia
Zone Fighter, known in Japan as , is a tokusatsu
science fiction
superhero
television series. Produced by Toho Company Ltd.
, the show aired on Nippon Television
from April 2 to September 24, 1973, with a total of 26 episodes, it was cancelled due to the oil crisis of 1973. This was Toho's answer to not only the popular Ultra Series
, but the Henshin Hero
phenomenon started by shows like Kamen Rider
and Android Kikaider. The previous year, Toho
had just made their successful first superhero show, Rainbowman
. The series was also notable for its guest appearance by Toho's own Godzilla
, as well as two other Toho monsters, King Ghidorah
and Gigan
.
" pose) is "Zone Fight Power".
. They operate in a huge satellite in space.
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 ....
science fiction
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
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 —...
television series. Produced by Toho Company Ltd.
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
, the show aired on Nippon Television
Nippon Television
is a television network based in the Shiodome area of Minato, Tokyo, Japan and is controlled by the Yomiuri Shimbun publishing company. Broadcasting terrestrially across Japan, the network is commonly known as , contracted to , and abbreviated as "NTV" or "AX".-Offices:*The Headquarters : 6-1,...
from April 2 to September 24, 1973, with a total of 26 episodes, it was cancelled due to the oil crisis of 1973. This was Toho's answer to not only the popular Ultra Series
Ultra Series
The is the collective name for all the shows produced by Tsuburaya Productions featuring Ultraman, his many brethren, and the myriad Ultra Monsters. The Ultra Series is one of the prominent tokusatsu superhero genre productions from Japan, along with Toei produced series Kamen Rider, Super...
, but the Henshin Hero
Henshin
is the Japanese word for "transformation," literally meaning, "to change or transform the body." This word is primarily used in manga, anime, and tokusatsu dramas for when a character transforms into a superhero. usually have a "henshin call", a catchphrase which they recite when they transform...
phenomenon started by shows like Kamen Rider
Kamen Rider
, is a weekly science fiction story created by Japanese manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. It debuted as a tokusatsu television series on April 3, 1971 and ran until February 10, 1973, airing on the Mainichi Broadcasting System and NET TV . A manga adaptation was also featured in Shōnen Magazine...
and Android Kikaider. The previous year, Toho
Toho
is a Japanese film, theater production, and distribution company. It is headquartered in Yūrakuchō, Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group...
had just made their successful first superhero show, Rainbowman
Rainbowman
is the name and titular superhero of the tokusatsu TV series sometimes known as . Created by Kōhan Kawauchi, this was the first superhero TV series produced by Toho Company Ltd., and was broadcast on NET from October 6, 1972 to September 18, 1973, with a total of 52 episodes...
. The series was also notable for its guest appearance by Toho's own Godzilla
Godzilla
is a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
, as well as two other Toho monsters, King Ghidorah
King Ghidorah
is a kaiju, a fictional Japanese monster featured in several of Toho Studios' Godzilla films...
and Gigan
Gigan
is a kaiju from the Godzilla series, introduced in the 1972 film Godzilla vs. Gigan. Gigan is a cybernetic monster sporting a buzzsaw weapon in its frontal abdominal region and large metallic hooks for hands. Gigan is considered Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponent, alongside Destroyah,...
.
Sakimori/Zone family
The Sakimori/Zone family resembles a normal Japanese family, but they are an alien family that came to Earth after their home planet, Peaceland was destroyed by the evil Garoga aliens. To stop the Garoga army's invasion on Earth, the Sakimori family's three children, Hikaru (the oldest son), Hotaru (the teenage sister) and Akira (the young boy) transform into the superheroes Zone Fighter, Zone Angel, and Zone Junior. Their transformation code (associated with a "henshinHenshin
is the Japanese word for "transformation," literally meaning, "to change or transform the body." This word is primarily used in manga, anime, and tokusatsu dramas for when a character transforms into a superhero. usually have a "henshin call", a catchphrase which they recite when they transform...
" pose) is "Zone Fight Power".
- Hikaru Sakimori/Zone Fighter is the oldest of the siblings. He works as a test driver for cars. As Zone Fighter, upon uttering the command "Zone Double Fight", he can also grow to giant size (with a streamlined metallic head) to fight the Garoga's Fearbeasts. His killing attacks are the "Meteor Missile Might" where he shoots a monster with missiles mounted on his wrists, and the "Meteor Proton Beam" which he fires from his head crest to destroy tougher monsters. Just like UltramanUltramanis Japanese television series that first aired in 1966. Ultraman, the first and best-known of the "Ultra-Crusaders," made his debut in the tokusatsu SF/kaiju/superhero TV series, , a follow-up to the television series Ultra Q...
, he can only become giant sized for a limited time, and the meter light on his belt buckle changes from blue (normal) to yellow (caution) to red (danger). He was played by Kazuya Aoyama.
- Hotaru Sakimori/Zone Angel is the second oldest of the siblings. She attends high school. She was played by Kazumi Kitahara.
- Akira Sakimori/Zone Junior is the youngest of the siblings. He attends grade school. He was played by Kenji Sato.
- Yoichiro Sakimori is the father of the three children. He is the proprietor of the Toy Research Institute, which explains the family's penchant for toys. He invents the gadgets and vehicles used by the Zone siblings to fight the Garoga army. He was played by Shoji Nakayama.
- Tsukiko Sakimori is Yoichiro's wife and the mother of the three children. She was played by Sachiko Kozuki.
- Raita Sakimori/Zone Great is Yôichirô's father and the grandfather of the three children. When his grandchildren are in a terrible predicament, he uses the Great Raideki satellite to get them out of trouble. He was played by Shiro Amakusa.
- GodzillaGodzillais a daikaijū, a Japanese movie monster, first appearing in Ishirō Honda's 1954 film Godzilla. Since then, Godzilla has gone on to become a worldwide pop culture icon starring in 28 films produced by Toho Co., Ltd. The monster has appeared in numerous other media incarnations including video games,...
the King of the Monsters himself is Zone Fighter's occasional ally in fighting the Garoga Terro-Beasts. He is usually called forth by the Zone Family to assist Zone Fighter when he is outmatched or injured, and as the series progresses becomes a close friend to Zone Fighter. The Zone Family even built a "Godzilla Cave" for the mutant dinosaur to live in and come out of when needed for an emergency, (however he was seen using it only in episode 21.) Godzilla appeared in Episodes 4, 11, 15, 21 and 25 in the series. He was played by Toru Kawai and Isao Zushi. Zushi would play Godzilla in Godzilla vs. MechagodzillaGodzilla vs. Mechagodzilla, originally known in the United States as Godzilla vs. Bionic Monster and subsequently Godzilla vs. Cosmic Monster, is a 1974 science fiction kaiju film. This was the 14th of the Toho studio's Godzilla series , it was directed by Jun Fukuda with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano and the...
in 1974 and Kawai would don the Godzilla costume for 1975's Terror of MechagodzillaTerror of MechagodzillaTerror of Mechagodzilla, released in Japan as , is a 1975 science fiction kaiju film. The film was titled The Terror of Godzilla in its original American theatrical release. The 15th film in Toho's Godzilla series, it was directed by Ishirō Honda with special effects by Teruyoshi Nakano...
.
Zone arsenal
- Mighty Liner is Zone Fighter's car. Transforms from his racecar Skyline GT. It can also fly.
- Smokey is the mini-aircraft Zone Angel and Junior ride. So named because it resides in a cloud until called upon. Zone Angel and Junior can recharge Fighter's energy with an emergency battery that comes with the aircraft.
- Bolt Thunder/Great Raideki is the cloud controlled by Raita Sakamori from the control panel in the family's house. Shoots destructive lightning bolts that can damage a Terro-Beast.
Garoga army
The Garogas are a race of space aliens from the planet Garoga. They have red, black, blue and yellow bodies, along with the same colors for the eyes and faces and floppy antennas. Their appearance seems very similar to the aliens that appear in the film Mars Attacks!Mars Attacks!
Mars Attacks! is a 1996 American science fiction film directed by Tim Burton and based on the cult trading card series of the same name. The film uses elements of black comedy, surreal humour, and political satire, and claims to be also a parody of multiple science fiction B movies...
. They operate in a huge satellite in space.
- Gold Garoga - He is the leader of the Garoga Army. He wears a cape to signify his authority. He is sometimes known as "Baron Garoga." He was Voiced by the Late Munemarou Kouda who would later Play Dr. Man in the 1984 sentai series Choudenshi BiomanChoudenshi Biomanis Toei Company's eighth installment in the Super Sentai series. It was aired on TV Asahi from February 4, 1984 to January 26, 1985, with a total of 51 episodes, as well as a movie. Its international English title as listed by Toei is simply Bioman.-Plot:...
and Gorma Emperor XV in the 1993 Sentai Series Gosei Sentai DairangerGosei Sentai Dairangeris a Japanese tokusatsu television series. It was the seventeenth production in the long-running Super Sentai franchise of television tokusatsu dramas produced by Toei Company, following Kyōryū Sentai Zyuranger. It was originally broadcast from February 19, 1993 to February 11, 1994...
- Silver Garoga - They are the Garoga henchmen.
- Red Garoga - They are the Garoga generals. When there is a pack of hencemen, they act as the leaders of the packs.
- White Garoga - They are the Garoga scientists. They create the Terro-Beasts that fight Zone Fighter.
- Garoga X-Agents - They are a squadron of Garogas that were highly trained for any situation. They were the last weapons sent to kill Zone Fighter. During the series finale they merge to create the monster, Grotogauros.
- Terro-Beasts are the various giant monsters sent by the Garoga army to attack the Earth. They are sent in various ways:
- They are launched to Earth from the Garoga satellite via a Terro-Beast missile.
- A Garogan transforms into a Terro-Beast while spying on Earth.
- A certain group of Garogas can merge together to become Terro-Beasts in desperate times.
Terro-Beasts
- Red Spark (Episode 1)
- Jikiro (Episodes 1, 22, 25)
- Destro-King (Episodes 2 and 12)
- Dorola (Episode 3)
- Wagilar (Episode 4)
- Spyler (Episodes 4 and 12)
- Dragon King (Episodes 7 and 12)
- Gilmoras (Episode 7)
- Gellderah (Episode 8)
- Garoga Spider (Episode 9)
- Goro-Gorilla (Episode 9)
- Spider Uros (Episodes 9 and 25)
- Jipudoro (Episode 10)
- Shadorah (Episode 10)
- Barakidon (Episode 12)
- Garoborg (Episodes 13 and 25)
- Dedragon (Episode 14)
- Zandolla (Episode 15)
- Moguranda (Episodes 16 and 25)
- Barugas (Episode 17)
- Gondargilas (Episodes 18 and 19)
- Goramu (Episode 20)
- Jellar (Episode 21)
- Kastam-Jellar (Episode 21)
- Bakugon (Episode 23)
- Needlar (Episode 24)
- Kabutoji (Episode 25)
- Grotogauros (Episode 26)
- King GhidorahKing Ghidorahis a kaiju, a fictional Japanese monster featured in several of Toho Studios' Godzilla films...
appeared in Episodes 5 and 6. In these appearances the space dragon was discovered being controlled by the Garogas. He is also the only monster in the series (excluding Godzilla) that didn't die in the series.
- GiganGiganis a kaiju from the Godzilla series, introduced in the 1972 film Godzilla vs. Gigan. Gigan is a cybernetic monster sporting a buzzsaw weapon in its frontal abdominal region and large metallic hooks for hands. Gigan is considered Godzilla's most brutal and violent opponent, alongside Destroyah,...
appears in Episode 11. The cyborg has lost the ability to fly or use his buzzsaw, but has been given the power to cause explosions with his scythes. He fights and is briefly defeated by Godzilla, but after reviving he is killed by Zone Fighter at the end of the episode.