Golden Warrior Gold Lightan
| Golden Warrior Gold Lightan | |
 Screenshot showing Gold Lightan reaching his hand out to Hiro. | |
| 黄金戦士ゴールド・ライタン (Ōgon Senshi Gōrudo Raitan) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Mecha |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Kōichi Mashimo |
| Produced by | Tomoyuki Miyata |
| Written by | Akiyoshi Sakai |
| Music by |
Masaaki Jinbo Masayuki Yamamoto |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Original network | Tokyo 12 TV |
| Original run | 1 March 1981 – 18 February 1982[1] |
| Episodes | 52[1] |
Golden Warrior Gold Lightan (黄金戦士ゴールド・ライタン Ōgon Senshi Gōrudo Raitan) is a mecha anime television series that aired from 1981 to 1982 in Japan. The show was also popular in Hong Kong and was aired there around the same time. There are 52 episodes that were aired at 30 minutes each.[2]
Original story
The story is about a young boy named Hiro Taikai who finds a gold lighter which turns out to be the giant Golden Warrior Gold Lightan, who has the mission to save the earth from an invasion by King Ibalda. Gold Lightan joined forces with his robot teammates to ruin the plots of King Ibalda and destroy invading alien robots by using his surpassing hand and leg strikes. Hiro also founded a group called the "Bratty Rangers" with his friends.[1]
Concept
The robot is usually disguised as a tiny gold Zippo-style lighter in Hiro's pocket. When called upon, Gold Lightan transforms into a giant robot towering at 30 meters and weighing 200 tons. All robots in the show are sentient and do not require pilots. Usually the robot ends a battle with a trademark golden hand stab move which drives a hand strike cutting the enemy robots body, pulling out and smashing the heartbox energy device.[3]
Staff
- Presenter: Kenji Yoshida[1]
- Planners: Ippei Kuri, Shigeru Yanagawa
- Producer: Tomoyuki Miyata
- Chief Director: Koichi Mashimo
- Character Design: Ippei Kuri
- Mecha Establishment : Masaharu Kawamori
- Music: Masayuki Jinbo, Masayuki Yamamoto
- Animation director: Takashi Nakamura (Episode 6, 22, 30, 41, 48)
- Key Animation: Takashi Nakamura (Episode 41)
Characters
| Japanese name | Japanese full name | English name | Voices by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiro | Hiroshi Taikai | Hiro | Yō Inoue |
| Samu | Osamu Nanjo | Sam | Yūji Mitsuya |
| Emi | Emi Takakura | Emi | Saeko Shimazu |
| Monki | Monkichi Kokarashi | Monkey | Reiko Suzuki |
| Tonbo | Tomokazu Gokuraku | Donbo | Satomi Mashima |
| Bikku | Futoshi Mizumi | Big / Rikku | Minoru Inaba |
| Ohina | Hinako Taikai | Ohina | Yūko Mita |
| Aburazemi | Happei Aburada | Akira Murayama | |
| Momiji Akino | Takumi Miura | ||
| Gold Lightan | Issei Futamata | ||
| King Ibaruda | King Ibaruda | King Ibalda | Kazuya Tatekabe |
| Mannakka | Mannakka | Naoko Terada | |
| Uyokka | Uyokka | Shōzō Iizuka |
Lightan Robots
| Name | Toy release number | Toy release date | Transform to | TV show colors | Original toy colors | Reissue toy colors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Lightan (ゴールドライタン Gōrudo Raitan) | GB-37 | 1981 | Lighter | Gold | 1. Gold 2. Gold body, black head, arm, legs | 1. Gold with black arm 2. Gold |
| Gold Lightan is the leader of the Golden Warrior team.[4] He was the first robot found by Hiro, the lead boy character in the story. In times of crisis, he makes the decision to call upon his fellow robot friends for assistance. His trademark hand stab move of reaching into the heart of the enemy to grab the heart energy device makes him a leader and finisher in battle. | ||||||
| Scope Lightan (スコープライタン Sukōpu Raitan) | GB-38 | 1981 | Scope | Silver | Gold | 1. Gold 2. Silver |
| Scope Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a scope device. In battle he specializes in searching for enemies or locating their weak focal points. | ||||||
| Time Lightan (タイムライタン Taimu Raitan) | GB-40 | 1981 | Timer | Silver | Gold | 1. Gold 2. Silver |
| Time Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a timer capable of freezing time for a 30 seconds at most. He is a limited as a fighter in combat, though his ability to manipulate time would prove to be useful for the team. | ||||||
| Denji Lightan (デンジライタン Denji Raitan) | GB-41 | 1981 | Magnify glass and Compass | Gold | Gold pyramid surface on chest | 1. Gold pyramid surface on chest 2. Gold smooth surface on chest |
| Denji Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He is often referred to as Map Lightan though the translation is more of an Electromagnetic Lightan. He transforms into a reconnaissance device containing a magnifying glass and a compass. He provides directional help as a reconnaissance expert. | ||||||
| Mechanic Lightan (メカニックライタン Mekanikku Raitan) | GB-42 | 1981 | Tool Chest Box | Gold | Gold | Gold |
| Mechanic Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a tool chest box containing the necessary equipment for damage repair and other mechanical functions. He is perhaps the least mobile in the group, but acts as a handy repairman at any given time. | ||||||
| Coin Lightan (コインライタン Koin Raitan) | GB-81 | 1982 | Coin Case | Silver | Silver | 1. Silver 2. Gold |
| Coin Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a coin case. | ||||||
| Print Lightan (プリントライタン Purinto Raitan) | GB-82 | 1982 | Print Stamp | Gold | Gold | Gold |
| Print Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a print stamp. | ||||||
| Light Lightan (ライトライタン Raito Raitan) | GB-83 | 1982 | Light | Gold | Gold | Gold |
| Light Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a light source. | ||||||
| Cutter Lightan (カッターライタン Kattā Raitan) | GB-84 | 1982 | Pencil Sharpener | Gold | Gold | Gold |
| Cutter Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a pencil sharpener. | ||||||
| Meter Lightan (メートルライタン Mētoru Raitan) | GB-85 | 1982 | Measurement Device | Gold | Gold | Gold |
| Meter Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He is often referred to as Metal Lightan. He transforms into a measurement device. | ||||||
| I.C. Lightan (アイシーライタン Aishī Raitan) | GB-86 | 1982 | Processing Unit | Black and Silver | Black and Silver | Black and Silver |
| I.C. Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a processing unit. The I.C stands for "Interpret Computer". He is essentially a robotic computer acting as a translator and database for biological or any other type of Information. | ||||||
Episodes
This is a list of episodes from the television show Golden Warrior Gold Lightan in order by production number.[5]
| # | Episode Name | Original air date |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | "Demon of mechanic dimension" (メカ次元の悪魔) | March 1, 1981 |
| 02 | "Sudden attack of super Namazurobo" (超ナマズロボの奇襲) | March 8, 1981 |
| 03 | "Good bye Yukigon" (さよならユキゴン) | March 15, 1981 |
| 04 | "As for amusement park Mechanic Underworld" (レジャーランドはメカ地獄) | March 22, 1981 |
| 05 | "Thermal optical chestnut star man" (熱光クリスタマン) | March 29, 1981 |
| 06 | "The informer is who?" (密告者はだれだ?) | April 2, 1981 |
| 07 | "Reckless driving robot of demon" (魔の暴走ロボット) | April 9, 1981 |
| 08 | "Subway centipede panic" (地下鉄ムカデパニック) | April 16, 1981 |
| 09 | "Town of mechanic cosmos" (メカコスモスの街) | April 23, 1981 |
| 10 | "UFO of dragonfly" (トンボのUFO) | April 30, 1981 |
| 11 | "Bomb mechanic swan" (爆弾メカ白鳥) | May 7, 1981 |
| 12 | "Mysterious person of world forgetting village" (世忘れ村の怪人) | May 14, 1981 |
| 13 | "Ohina narrow squeak" (オヒナ危機一発) | May 21, 1981 |
| 14 | "Rebellion Mechanic Underworld" (反乱メカ地獄) | May 28, 1981 |
| 15 | "Mechanic demon dragon of skies" (大空のメカ魔竜) | June 4, 1981 |
| 16 | "Mini spy of demon" (悪魔のミニスパイ) | June 11, 1981 |
| 17 | "Good-bye day of dolphin" (さらばイルカの日) | June 18, 1981 |
| 18 | "Garibenda large maneuvers" (ガリベンダー大作戦) | June 25, 1981 |
| 19 | "As for Ohina circus star" (オヒナはサーカススター) | July 2, 1981 |
| 20 | "Niyutonda of love" (恋のニュートンダー) | July 9, 1981 |
| 21 | "Mechanic patience method shadow offshoot" (メカ忍法影分身) | July 16, 1981 |
| 22 | "The doll which has lived" (生きている人形) | July 23, 1981 |
| 23 | "As for the fine arts thief Mekaso" (美術泥棒はメカソ) | July 30, 1981 |
| 24 | "Array 6 human Lightan" (勢揃い6人ライタン) | August 6, 1981 |
| 25 | "The nessie raging traveling" (ネッシーあばれ旅) | August 13, 1981 |
| 26 | "It is the large storm to be, the manner dust" (大嵐だいふうじん) | August 20, 1981 |
| 27 | "The dracula panic" (ドラキュラパニック) | August 27, 1981 |
| 28 | "Jungle gym of puzzle" (謎のジャングルジム) | September 3, 1981 |
| 29 | "Beauty contest of fear" (恐怖の美人コンテスト) | September 10, 1981 |
| 30 | "Puzzle of Ibaruda Palace" (イバルダ宮殿の謎) | September 17, 1981 |
| 31 | "Surprise Nezumogura" (びっくりネズモグラ) | September 24, 1981 |
| 32 | "Snow woman Koranka" (雪女コーランカ) | October 1, 1981 |
| 33 | "Trouble maneuvers of love" (愛のトラブル作戦) | October 8, 1981 |
| 34 | "Mermaid princess of demon human promontory" (魔人岬の人魚姫) | October 16, 1981 |
| 35 | "The trap of puzzle doctor" (パズル博士の罠) | October 22, 1981 |
| 36 | "With respect to detective going/participating" (わんぱく探偵参上) | October 29, 1981 |
| 37 | "Weak point of team Lightans" (ライタン軍団の弱点) | November 1, 1981 |
| 38 | "Animal of large plain" (大平原の動物たち) | November 12, 1981 |
| 39 | "Mechanic dimensional straight line" (メカ次元一直線) | November 19, 1981 |
| 40 | "Seabed palace of puzzle" (謎の海底宮殿) | November 26, 1981 |
| 41 | "Tear of large demon God" (大魔神の涙) | December 3, 1981 |
| 42 | "Fear of demon boundary corps" (魔界軍団の恐怖) | December 10, 1981 |
| 43 | "Mechanic dimensional largest crisis" (メカ次元最大の危機) | December 17, 1981 |
| 44 | "Drifting person of volcanic island" (火山島の漂流者) | December 24, 1981 |
| 45 | "Yamaterasu country of vision" (幻のヤマテラス国) | December 31, 1981 |
| 46 | "Decision of magmatic giant" (マグマ巨人の決斗) | January 7, 1982 |
| 47 | "Horsefly ladder large victory of love" (恋のアブラダ大勝利) | January 14, 1982 |
| 48 | "Target! Mannatsuka" (標的！マンナッカー) | January 21, 1982 |
| 49 | "Rebellion of mechanic palace" (メカ宮殿の反乱) | January 28, 1982 |
| 50 | "Challenge of Mr. mechanic X" (ミスターメカXの挑戦) | February 4, 1982 |
| 51 | "Day of mechanic palace last moment" (メカ宮殿最期の日) | February 11, 1982 |
| 52 | "Good bye team Lightans" (さよならライタン軍団) | February 18, 1982 |
Merchandise
In 2005, Hong Kong Bandai reissued the semi-original robots as part of the Soul of Chogokin label. The individual robots were released with a hard plastic display case, robot footstand, red carpet storage box, interchangeable gold hands pieces, and an enemy's heartbox energy device. This version also feature the robots with high quality 18K gold plating. The toys can be purchased individually or as a set. There are 2 known sets in the reissues. one is the first generation grey box, available in Hong Kong and Japan, featuring 6 of the robots; the other is an exclusive redcarpet wooden box set, known to be available only in Japan, featuring all 11 robots.
Later, in 2005, replicas were re-released by Hung Hing toys in Hong Kong and Macau featuring the robots built in cheaper die-cast metals. The texture and few minor details were inconsistent between the products. Multiple variations of the toys were sold as well. One such version is the large toy Gold Lightan measuring at 11.5 inches in height when standing in robot form, although only 2,000 were manufactured. Additionally, at the base of the foot, of the toy, is a label counting the manufactured number out of 2,000. Other variations include team robots in different colors or grey low weight plastic/silver exclusive to Hong Kong and Macau.
There are more variations and replicas of Gold Lightan than any others because it is the lead robot in the series. There are other design variations. For example, older models of I.C. Lightan uses AA batteries to light up its LED eye, while newer reissues of the toy uses flat button or coin batteries. None of these re-releases are completely identical to the original 1980s GB series Chogokin toy launch from 1979 to 1983, by Popy Pleasure. The originals are valued at a higher price, as they were constructed with different grades of diecast metals as well as high quality acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
In 2006, Bandai released a new version of the Gold Lightan in their Soul of Chogokin line-up - GX 32 The Gold Lightan.[6] Not only were they considered to be one of the most detailed and sophisticated Gold Lightan toys yet, they were plated with 18K gold, as their predecessors were. Aside from being able to transform into a lighter, just like the original toys, its joints were well structured. The package comes with a stand, interchangeable hands, and a heartbox energy device. The toy was a success and was well received by fans in Japan and Hong Kong. This caused Bandai Hong Kong to make a singular stand showcase just for the Gold Lightan, itself.
The titular robot is a playable character in the fighting game Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. When he fights, he can only be single as opposed to character doubles, since he is so big and powerful.
References
- 1 2 3 4 黄金戦士ゴールド・ライタン. Tatsunoko Productions (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-06-01.
- ↑ "Tatsunoko Pro". Tatsunoko Production. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ↑ "Gold Warrior Gold Lightan". Tatsunokousa.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
- ↑ "ゴールドライタン キャラクター". Web.archive.org. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "ゴールドライタン サブタイトルリスト". Web.archive.org. 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
- ↑ "GX-32 ゴールドライタン". Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
