Kaiketsu Lion-Maru
A ninja transforms into a lion warrior in feudal Japan.
Extraordinary Hero Lion-Maru is a Japanese tokusatsu television series in the Lion-Maru franchise that aired from 1972 to 1973. Produced by P Productions, it is set during Japan's Sengoku period (the Age of Warring States). The plot follows a trio of ninja orphans wandering Japan during the late 16th century (September 1, 1567 to December 31, 1600), saving people from evil by battling a villain of the week in each episode, all serving the devil known as Gousan. The main character, Shishimaru, has been granted the ability to transform into a superpowered anthropomorphic white lion, usually wielding a katana.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Tokusatsu
- Superhero fiction, Action/Adventure
- Fantasy
- Runtime
- 25 minutes
- Creator
- Koji Bessho; Tomio Sagisu
- Producer
- Koji Bessho
- Tomio Sagisu
- Shigeru Shinohara
- Composer
- Asei Kobayashi
- Company
- P Productions
- Country
- Japan
- Network
- Fuji Television Network
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The series is set during a specific date range: September 1, 1567 to December 31, 1600.
- In Brazil, the series aired on Rede Manchete in 1990 after its sequel Fuun Lion-Maru had already aired, and only about 22 of 54 episodes were dubbed.
Characters
Shishimaru transforms into Lion-Maru by drawing his sword Kinsachi and shouting "O Wind! O Light! Ninja Art: Lion Change!" Saori is a skilled acrobatic fighter who frequently ends up needing rescue. Kosuke is a boy who summons the pegasus Hikarimaru with his flute. The main villain is Gousan. Tora Jōnosuke appears in episodes 27-30 and 36-54, receiving the sword Ginsachi from Gousan to become Tiger Joe. Kashinkouji is the elderly mentor who raised the three orphans—Shishimaru, Saori, and Kosuke—and trained them. After Gousan's forces kill him, his soul is reborn as the pegasus Hikarimaru.
International broadcasts and home video
The series was released in Japan on DVD on October 25, 2002 to commemorate the series' 30th anniversary broadcasting, via Volume 1. Then on December 25, 2002, Volume 2 of the series was broadcast. A DVD boxset that contains all 54 episodes of the series was released on March 26, 2008. It was broadcast in Thailand around 1974 every Sunday on Channel 5 in Thai dubbed, as Nakak Sing (หน้ากากสิงห์, lit. Lion Mask). The series was broadcast in Italy in 1983, dubbed, as Ultralion. The series was also dubbed into English, but only one episode (the first) surfaced in North America, released on a VHS tape in 1986 distributed by Kids Klassics and also by Remco through other copies, entitled Magic of the Ninja and sold through toy store chains such as Toys R Us. It was aired in Brazil with a Brazilian Portuguese dub under the title Lion Man (or otherwise known as Lion Man Branco as he became known in the region) on Rede Manchete in 1990, following the success of airing its sequel series Fuun Lion-Maru first. But unlike that, this series was reportedly a flop and it did not last long on the network, given that the sequel was more popular and that one actually aired first. Only about 22 out of 54 episodes were dubbed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Kaiketsu Lion-Maru?
Kaiketsu Lion-Maru was created by Koji Bessho and Tomio Sagisu.
Which network aired Kaiketsu Lion-Maru?
Kaiketsu Lion-Maru aired on Fuji Television Network.
When did Kaiketsu Lion-Maru first air?
Kaiketsu Lion-Maru first aired on 1 April 1972.
More in Japanese Television Series with Live Action and Animation
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