Gate Keepers
Defenders with dimensional gates battle alien invaders.
Gate Keepers began as a tactical role-playing game for the PlayStation, developed by Entertainment Software Publishing and published by Kadokawa Shoten. It later inspired a manga and an anime series by Gonzo, which debuted on April 3, 2000. A six-episode OVA sequel, Gate Keepers 21, arrived in 2002, featuring the next generation of characters.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Harem
- science fiction
- mecha
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The story takes place in 1969, during Japan's economic and social growth after World War II. Alien or interdimensional beings called Invaders send agents to wreak havoc and turn people into robotic minions. The secret organization A.E.G.I.S. (Alien Exterminating Global Intercept System) fights them using Gate Keepers, individuals who can open dimensional gates of paranormal energy granting superpowers. The series centers on the Far East division in Japan, whose headquarters lies beneath Tategami High School. This facade allows recruitment of student Gate Keepers, who attend school while remaining ready for missions.
Characters
Shun Ukiya, the main focus, is a schoolboy with a bandage over his nose and a passion for kendo. He opens the Gate of Gales after an Invader attack and joins A.E.G.I.S. His abilities include Ultra Senpuu Kiri and Shinkuu Missile. He secretly loves childhood friend Ruriko Ikusawa, and they become a couple. Ruriko controls the Gate of Life, using a healing light and a bow and arrow. Reiji Kageyama convinces her to hate others, transforming her Gate into the Minus Gate of Genocide, but her love for Shun restores it. Reiko Asagiri is another Gate Keeper. The game character Francine Allumage is absent from the anime, and Misao Sakamori is replaced by anime-original Megumi Kurogane, though Misao appears near the anime's end.
Media
A three-volume manga series by Keiji Goto, following the video game plot, was published by Kadokawa Shoten; two volumes were released in the United States by Tokyopop. The 24-episode anime aired on WOWOW from April 3 to September 8, 2000. Geneon Entertainment USA released it on DVD and VHS in 2001, with a re-release in 2004 under the Signature Series label. The series went out of print after Geneon USA dissolved in 2007. The opening theme is Asu no Egao no Tameni by Yumi Matsuzawa, and the ending theme is Kyō Kara Asu E by the same artist.
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