Bismark (TV series)
A transformable starship defends the Solar System.
Studio Pierrot produced the anime Star Musketeer Bismark, often shortened to Bismark. Airing on Nippon TV from October 1984 to September 1985, its 51 episodes drew from the Super Sentai and Metal Hero Series. The show was later reworked by World Events Productions into Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Space Western
- Director
- Masami Anno
- ja
- 案納正美
- Akira Shigino
- ja
- 鴫野彰Chief director
- Executive producers
- Yuji Nunokawa, Yoshitaka Suzuki
- Producer
- Norio Hatsukawa
- ja
- 初川則夫 (NTV)
- Yuko Mitsumori (Pierrot)
- Editor
- Seiji Morita
- Developer
- Mitsuru Majima
- Music
- Osamu Totsuka
- Company
- Studio Pierrot
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In the year 2069, humanity begins terraforming and colonizing the Solar System. The Earth Federation Government (EFG) is created to protect the colonies and maintain law and order. Many settlers resent the EFG, straining relations. In 2084, a race of non-human creatures called Deathcula invade the System without provocation, attacking colonies and killing many colonists. The EFG realizes the Deathcula are technologically superior. Dr. Charles Louvre develops a transformable starship called the Bismarck. Four specialists are charged with keeping the outer colonies safe from further Deathcula attacks.
Characters
Shinji Hikari, 17, is the Japanese team leader. A motoracing driver, he is optimistic, energetic, hot-headed and impulsive. He follows his father's footsteps as a military pilot but is dismissed due to problems with authority. He becomes the youngest champion racer. He is nervous around women but becomes romantically involved with Marianne Louvre, whom he has known since childhood. He wants to learn about his father, who left him young, and approaches General Domes, his father's former comrade. Richard Lancelot, 18, is a Scottish agent assigned by the English Royalty's special intelligence division. He is a gentleman with a cool head for tactics, an expert with swords and horses, and legendary for his marksmanship. He plays the bagpipes and yearns to return to his girlfriend Sincia. Bill Willcox, 16, is an American jet pilot and sharpshooter with near-infallible accuracy. His parents were killed by the Deathcula, and he devotes his life to avenging them. He is the group's jokester, a friendly charmer and flirt who makes unsuccessful passes at women. Marianne Louvre, 15, is the daughter of Professor Charles Louvre, of French nationality, and the engineer who led the Bismarck's construction. A computer genius, she was chief envoy from the colonies to Earth. During a meeting of colony leaders, she is chosen for the Bismarck team. She is technically minded and helps from her station aboard the Bismarck. She is repulsed by killing, even Deathcula, and becomes romantically involved with Shinji.
Adaptation
In 1986, World Events Productions (WEP) purchased the rights to Bismark. WEP reorganized and rewrote the series, incorporating most original episodes and creating six new ones, releasing it in 1987 as Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs. Saber Rider ran for 52 episodes between 1987 and 1988. The action was moved out of the solar system into the galaxy. The characters became part of a major military enforcement group called the Star Sheriffs. Scenes of characters drinking alcohol were explained as visiting a soda shop. Since showing death was less accepted in American cartoons, defeated Outriders jumped back to their own dimension. Shinji became Fireball, a professional race car driver with a crush on April Eagle. Richard became Saber Rider, the leader. Bill became Colt, a former rodeo performer. Marianne became April Eagle, a former tennis pro with three love interests. Professor Charles Louvre became Commander Eagle, leader of Cavalry Command. The Deathcula became the Outriders, humanoids from another dimension called the Vapor Zone who wanted to conquer mankind. When wounded, they performed a dimension jump to reform. Hyuza became Nemesis, the evil genius in charge of the Outriders. Perios became Jesse Blue, a cadet who turned against the Star Sheriffs after April rejected him, joining the Outriders. Zatola became Gattler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Bismark (TV series)?
Bismark was created by Mitsuru Majima.
When did Bismark (TV series) first air?
Bismark first aired on 7 October 1984.
When did Bismark (TV series) end?
Bismark last aired on 29 September 1985.
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