Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion
Bullet trains transform into giant robots to defend Japan.
Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion is a toy line from Takara Tomy, developed with Japan Railways Group as a spin-off of the Plarail train series. Debuting in March 2015, the franchise later inspired three anime series: the first by OLM aired from 2018 to 2019, a second ran from 2021 to 2022, and a third by Signal.MD and Production I.G premiered in April 2024 and ended in February 2025.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Mecha, science fiction
Facts from the source article.
Plot
After the mysterious Black Shinkansen appears, a group called Kitoralsus launches monster attacks across Japan. The Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute is formed to investigate, using Shinkalions—bullet trains that turn into giant robots. Grade schooler Hayato Hayasugi, a railfan whose father works at the Railway Museum, accidentally becomes involved during an attack and discovers his father's secret role at the institute. Hayato shows natural skill as a Shinkalion driver, having practiced on a training app he mistook for a mobile game. Despite adult concerns about child drivers, he and other children fight the Kitoralsus. About half a year after that threat is defeated, space invaders led by Nahane and Ohanefu appear. The institute develops the Shinkalion ALFA-X, and a 9-year-old named Hokuto arrives from across time and space to pilot it, assembling teams from all branches. In preparation for new enemies, the institute creates Shinkalion Z robots and Zailiners—enhancement rolling stocks that transform from conventional trains. Children with high compatibility become drivers, working with staff to confront reappearing giant monsters and unknown enemies, leading to the encounter of two boys.
Development
The franchise began in 2012 when Takara Tomy revived the Tomica Hyper series. The earlier Plarail Hyper Series had poor sales and was discontinued in 2013. To redevelop the concept, Takara Tomy hired experts from the Japan Railways Group for new designs. The new concept was a transforming super robot inspired by the Plarail series and directly influenced by anime such as Chō Tokkyū Hikarian. JR East Project and JR East Group, long-time sponsors of Plarail, were joined by other Japan Railways branches. The project was announced as 'Project E5' at the 2014 Tokyo Toy Show, with a promotional animation created with Japan Railways Group and Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment Inc. After the presentation, many changes were made to finalize the toy for retail and ensure compatibility with Plarail tracks. The first wave of toys released on March 16, 2015. An anime was soon announced, airing on TBS from January 6, 2018. The anime featured crossovers with the Vocaloid and Evangelion franchises. Hayato and the E5 appeared in a Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu film. The anime ended in summer 2019, with a sequel film in winter 2019. A new anime series was announced for spring 2021. In late December 2023, a new season titled Shinkalion: Change the World was announced for April 2024, concluding on February 2, 2025.
Media
The original Shinkalion toy line launched as a Plarail spin-off on March 16, 2015. The toys resemble Shinkansen trains with a front train, middle carriage, and back train, compatible with any Plarail track. The three components transform and combine into an 18-inch robot, each with its own weapon and accessories, and parts can be swapped. New figures were released yearly, especially during the anime's run. The 2018 line redesigned models to match the animated designs and real Shinkansen types, except for the Black Shinkalion models, which were original designs for the anime. Most models combine the front and rear trains as upper and lower halves, with the middle carriage storing weapons. The Z anime line added train models forming enhanced limbs and weapons, based on conventional trains. The Change the World line emphasizes combination gimmicks with non-rail vehicle weaponry. Other merchandise includes keychains and novelties. Good Smile Company released Moderoid model kits starting with the Shinkalion E5 Hayabusa in February 2019. A Nendoroid figure of Hatsune Miku in the anime's style was released in August 2019. In November 2025, Bandai released a Soul of Chogokin toy of the original E5 Hayabusa for the franchise's 10th anniversary.
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