Juukou B-Fighter
Insects unite with humanity against dimensional invaders.
In 1995, Toei's Metal Hero Series franchise added Juukou B-Fighter, a tokusatsu show where three United Nations members fight the otherworldly Jamahl Empire. Its name shortens "Beetle Fighter." The U.S. show Big Bad Beetleborgs reused its action footage and props, and a spin-off, B-Fighter Kabuto, followed.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Tokusatsu
- Superhero fiction
- Science fiction
- Military fiction
- Runtime
- 25 minutes
- Country
- Japan
- Language
- Japanese
- Network
- ANN (TV Asahi)
- Episodes
- 53
- Creator
- Saburō Yatsude
- Company
- TV Asahi
- Toei Company
- Asatsu
Facts from the source article.
Storyline
Insects worldwide begin swarming, and other animals and plants act strangely. He encounters the insect elder Guru, who reveals that insects are preparing for battle against invaders from another dimension, the Jamahl. Earth Academia creates suits of armor, which Guru infuses with insect life force to become the B-Commanders. Takuya, Daisaku Katagiri, and Rei Hayama bond with the suits and become the B-Fighters, fighting to drive back Jamahl's forces.
Characters
The B-Fighters use Bio-armor developed by Earth Academia and infused with insect life force. Takuya Kai, a 23-year-old entomologist at the Earth Academia Japan Branch, is the team leader. He is tender-hearted and has a strong sense of responsibility. As Blue Beet, his armor is modeled after a male Japanese rhinoceros beetle. His blood was used to create his evil twin, Shadow, and he later gains the ability to evolve into Super Blue Beet. Daisaku Katagiri, also 23, is an impetuous, nature-loving tree doctor who claims to hear trees and plants dying. He was captured by the Jamahl at the start of the invasion. As G-Stag, his armor is modeled after a stag beetle, and he is strong enough to toss Jamar soldiers like rag dolls. He overcame his aquaphobia to save his father Daitetsu. Reddle is the third member, whose armor is modeled after a ladybug. The original Reddle is Rei Hayama, a 22-year-old animal instructor at Earth Academia's Aquarium. Captured with Daisaku, she received her B-Commander and demolished Jamar soldiers before leaving for the South American branch. Her successor is Mai, a cheerful 19-year-old student chosen by Rei's B-Commander, who loves Daisaku and animals.
International Broadcasting and Home Video
In Japan, Toei Video released the series on VHS from February 1996 to February 1997 across 13 volumes, with four episodes per volume except the final volume containing five. DVD release followed from June 21 to October 21, 2006, across five volumes, each holding two discs; the first two volumes contain ten episodes each, the rest eleven. In Thailand, TIGA Company licensed the series for VCD distribution as Iron Armor B-fighter. In the Philippines, it aired on RPN in 1999 under the title Beetle Fighters with a Tagalog dub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Juukou B-Fighter?
Juukou B-Fighter was created by Saburō Yatsude.
Who stars in Juukou B-Fighter?
Juukou B-Fighter stars Daisuke Tsuchiya, Shigeru Kanai, Reina Hazuki, Chigusa Tomoe, Keisuke Tsuchiya and Takashi Sasano.
Which network aired Juukou B-Fighter?
Juukou B-Fighter aired on ANN (TV Asahi).
How many episodes of Juukou B-Fighter are there?
Juukou B-Fighter has 53 episodes.
More in Japanese Science Fiction Television Series
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced