Choujinki Metalder

Did You Know?

• A film version set between episodes 17 and 18 premiered on July 18, 1987 at the Toei Manga Matsuri film festival.
• The film was shown alongside Dragon Ball: Sleeping Princess in Devil's Castle, Saint Seiya: The Movie, and the film version of Hikari Sentai Maskman.
• Footage from the show was used in VR Troopers.

Story

In 1945, Dr. Ryūichirō Koga built Metalder as a secret weapon for the Japanese Imperial Army, modeling him after his late son Tatsuo. The pacifistic doctor placed Metalder in the Silver Caucus base and left for the United States to work for NASA. Forty-two years later, Dr. Koga's former colleague Kunio Muraki had become the evil God Neros, ruler of the Neros Empire. Learning of the empire's threat, Dr. Koga returned to Japan to activate Metalder, naming him Ryūsei Tsurugi. When the android could not understand his purpose, Dr. Koga sacrificed himself to Neros' troops. Enraged by his creator's death, Ryūsei transformed into Metalder. After a brief battle with Coolgin, he met Mai Ougi.

Characters

Metalder, a Choujinki (super android), was built by Dr. Koga at the end of World War II as a countermeasure against the Americans. His human guise, Ryusei Tsurugi, is modeled after Dr. Koga's son Tatsuo. When his energies peak from rage, he cries "Enrage!" and transforms into his metallic form. He loves music and plays the saxophone. His Reflection Circuit gives him human emotions and a sense of right and wrong. Powered by super-gravitational energy, his techniques include Laser Arm, G-Kick, Metal Tornado, Head Crash, Plasma Punch, Metal Bomber, and 1000 Hand Punch. After defeating God Neros, his super-gravitational energy is damaged; with Kita's help, he is spared destruction but loses his human form and fighting ability. Springer is a robot dog built by Dr. Koga as Metalder's "older brother," capable of human speech, who repairs Metalder and enjoys watching anime. Mai Ougi is a tomboyish camerawoman for Weekly Up magazine and Metalder's first human friend. Ben K is an armored Sōhei warrior with a large hammer who initially hunts Metalder but spares him upon realizing he is human. Ben K later helps Metalder and dies standing with arrows in his body.

Mechanics

The Silver Caucus is Metalder's secret base hidden within the Wind Caves of Fuji, under the ruins of the former Imperial Army's Headquarters. It rises to the surface when Metalder needs a vehicle. Springer remains there for repairs. When the Neros Empire neared discovery, Metalder relocated part of the base. Side Phantom is Metalder's motorcycle with a detachable side-car. Metal Charger is a transforming four-wheel flying car based on a sixth-generation Mazda Familia. Ghost Bank is the Neros Empire's mobile lair, usually under the Kirihara Konzern headquarters; each army member has a warp gate. The Armored Army uses Miragehasha motorcycles, the Robotic Warrior Army uses Circulader, and the Monster Army uses Captron (also ridden by Coolgin in the first episode). Drygun is a combat jeep produced for each Neros army, carrying its division's flag. Dark Guncarry is a station wagon used to transport troops. Dester X1 is an advanced military machine tested by the Armament Army, equipped with weapons and heat sensors; Metalder disables it using a heated stone and destroys it by throwing Darbarbo onto it.

International Broadcasts & Home Video

In Japan, Toei Video released the series on VHS from January 1991 to September 1992, but only 21 of 39 episodes were made available due to a policy change at Toei Video; Space Sheriff Shaider and MegaBeast Investigator Juspion were also stopped midway. All 39 episodes were released on DVD on February 21, 2007, in a seven-disc box set. A Blu-ray release remastered from a 4K scan of the original film negatives was announced for March 2027. In Thailand, the series aired on Channel 3 with a Thai dub as Superhuman Robot Metalder from 1989 to 1990. In the Philippines, a Tagalog dub aired on ABS-CBN from 1990 to 1991. In France, it aired as Metalder on TF1's Club Dorothee on July 24, 1989, with a French dub by Studio SOFI; the original music was replaced by Shuki Levy, though episodes 17 and 18 kept the saxophone variant of the original theme. In Brazil, a Portuguese dub aired as Metalder, o Homem Máquina on Rede Bandeirantes from April 21 to December 21, 1990. In Hong Kong, a Cantonese dub aired on TVB Jade as Silver Warrior on November 22, 1994. In Indonesia, an Indonesian dub aired on RCTI in 1996. In South Korea, a Korean dub was released on VHS as Superhuman Metalder.