Dancougar - Super Beast Machine God
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Chōjū Kishin Dancouga (超獣機神ダンクーガ, Super Beast Machine God Dancougar) is a Super Robot anime television series. The show ran for 38 episodes from 4 April 1985 to 17 December 1985 and was produced by Ashi Pro. (also known for their work in the Dorvack series). After the TV series ended, a number of OVAs were created. Juusenki Tai Songs featured music videos of the various theme and insert songs from the series to TV series footage. The 1986 OVA Requiem for Victims featured a recap of the television series and a newly-animated conclusion to the story. Additionally, there was a 1987 sequel OVA (often mislabeled a movie by American fans because it was animated in widescreen) God Bless Dancougar. In 1989 the four-part Blazing Epilogue OVA series presented a new sequel and currently remains the final Dancougar animation.
Plot
The series is about a team of four soldiers; Shinobu Fujiwara, Sara Yuki, Masato Shikibu, Ryo Shiba, who pilot the mecha Dancougar. They fight to liberate Earth from alien invaders known as the Muge Zorbados Empire.Dancougar is an example of the combining robot type of Super Robot. However, unlike the more traditional "component machines struggle against the monster of the week before combining and easily dispatching the monster" format, Dancougar does not combine until midway through the series. This means that, unlike the previously mentioned type of combining robot, where the components were generally of little use, the Cyber Beast Machines were all capable of effectively combatting their enemies. The main components of the Cyber Beast Mechs were able to follow the emulation of evolution. The mechs started out as four vehicles that could transform into beasts (an eagle, cougar, liger and mammoth respectively) to humanoid robots, and finally combining together to form the Dancougar.
Many of the Dancougar story elements revolve centrally around religion (Mostly Christianity), harmony, and music. The theme of "Gods" are heavily present in most of the episodes.
Cast
Earthlings
- Shinobu Fujiwara(藤原忍): Kazuki Yao: Shinobu was born in the mountain regions of Japan. His blood type is: A. Shinobu was a cadet of the Australian Space Military Academy before the invasion on the Muge Empire forces. After the school was closed due to destruction, he was transferred to the Far East's Special armoured unit, the Bestial Fighter Troop or Jyusenki Tai (Known in the English videos as the Cyber Beast Force). His hobby is hang gliding. Shinobu is an extremely talented pilot, but his rash temper and over confidence tends to land him into situations over his head. Nevertheless he is a straightforward character. Yatte Yaru ze! (Let's do it!) is his, and the series', catchphrase.
- Sara Yuki(結城沙羅): Yoriko Yamamoto: Sara Yuki hails from the Izu peninsula and is blood type: AB. She was assigned to the Far East Armoured Unit a few days later than Shinobu due to several circumstances. During her days at the Australian Military Academy, she had fallen in love with her Commander Shapiro Keats, before he defected to the Zorbados Corps. Ever since then she had been suffering torn loyalties of both love and hatred towards Shapiro. Sara, like a typical redhead, is known for her fiery temper and enjoys swimming and music.
- Masato Shikibu(式部雅人): Shigeru Nakahara: Masato was born in the Iwate Prefecture. He is blood type: B. Masato's father was the President of an arms manufacturing plant, and his family is quite wealthy. Going against his father's wishes Masato entered the academy (6th team trainee). He is the youngest member of the Jyusenki Tai. An active lad, though somewhat immature, Masato's emotional strength makes up for his lack in combat experience. Later Masato's father is killed in an engagement involving a Muge survivor, in "God Bless Dancougar". Masato also is the best friend of Laura Sullivan, and her dog Becky.
- Ryo Shiba(司馬亮): Kaneto Shiozawa: Ryo's blood type is: O. After graduating from the Military Academy, he decided to roam about practicing his Kenpou martial arts. When the Jyusenki Tai was formed General Ross Igor asked him to join the force, he meets with his companions in Kansas City after a major battle has taken place. Born as an orphan, Ryo is a quiet man who practices spirituality according to his Chinese Kenpou disciplines.
- Shapiro Keats(ｼｬﾋﾟﾛ=ｷ-ﾂ): Norio Wakamoto: Shapiro was a former commander of the Australian Military Academy, before he defected to the Muge Zorbados Imperial forces. Stubborn and intelligent Shapiro is obsessed with becoming the ruler of the Universe and has delusions of Godhood. Unlike most anime villains he is extremely competent and has come within a hairs breathe of actually defeating the Jyusenki Tai by exploiting his tactical knowledege of Earth and the human condition. His greatest downfall is his own arrogance which eventually estranges him from his own allies and leads to his downfall.
- Laura Sullivan: Rie Fujiwara: Laura is an American citizen of Sacremento. Her mother was killed during an attack by the Muge forces. She is found by Sara and is soon "adopted" by the Jyusenki Tai. Laura once had an encounter with Shapiro who taught her a song that he composed. She is never seen without her constant companion, small dog named Becky.
- Ross Igor: Masaru Ikeda: Ross Igor is the commander of the Jyusenki Tai of Russian Origin. At first he seems to be harsh and unyeilding in his methods, but it is learned that he plan was to buy time in order for the terrestrial forces to rebuild themselves and plan a direct assault to take the battle to the aliens and their homeworld. He dies in episode 29 "General Attack Pt II" trying to save Laura's life.
- Professor Kotaru Hazuki: Hiroya Ishimaru: Professor Hazuki is the resident genius of the Jyusenki Tai. His greatest accomplishment is the design and construction of the five mecha that form the super robot Dancougar.
- Alan Igor(ｱﾗﾝ=ｲｺﾞ-ﾙ): Hideyuki Tanaka: Alan is the son of General Ross Igor. In the beginning, he is seen more as a nuisance than a help by the Jyusenki Tai. Later however, they grudgingly accept his help. Also known as the "Black Knight". Alan opposes his father's opinions and starts his own elite corp that believes the battle should be taken to space to fight the aliens on their own turf. Alan dies in episode 35, titled "Moon is Hell". Later in "God Bless Dancougar" his troops form a gang of rebels known as the "Bandits", led by his fiancée; Laina, and his second lieutenant Francis.
Muge Empire
- Emperor Muge Zorbados/ Narrator: Shuusei Nakamura: Muge Zorbados is not only the Emperor, but is also the name of the alien race that he rules. It is not until the last episode that the Emperor takes a personal hand in combatting the Jyu Senki Tai himself. His power is so great that when he challenges Dancougar in the area of "Red Space" (An alternate dimension that the Emperor can control at will) he almost manages to destroy it with little effort. It takes the combined determination and will of the entire Dancougar team to deliver the blow that finally defeats him. At first his appearance resembles that of a lion but in the last episode it is revealed that he wears a mask of this design.
- Death Gaia: Yusaku Yara: General Death Gaia is the first occupational leader to invade Earth, and his primary campaign is an initial success. However as time goes by his hold on Earth territory begins to slip as he misjudges the resolve of the human population as well as the potential of the Jyusenki Tai. His only talent is brute force and he suffers from a bad case of arrogance and insubordination. He pilots the Deathgrome, which serves as his personal machine.
- Gildorome: Masaharu Satou: General Gildorome is the second General of the Zorbados corps. His specialty is psionics and mind control. After the defeat of Death Gaia by Dancougar, he assumes command. He is a proud individual and is vehemently opposed to the idea of Shapiro being one of the Emperor's commanders.
- Helmut: Issei Futamata: Helmut is the third and most bloodthirsty of all the generals in the Earth occupation command. While his actions are direct they are well thought out. His weakness is his impatience. While calm and cool while things are going his way he soon starts to break down and lose his rationality once things start straying from his plans. He dies on the Lunar surface in a kamikaze attempt initiated by Alan Igor.
- Luna: Saeko Shimaga: Luna acts as a liaison specially assigned to Shapiro's command after he defects to the Muge. At first she genuinely starts to have feelings for Shapiro, but as he becomes more ruthless, she realizes that her love is unrequited. She eventually betrays him, on the auxiliary base at Mars. She perishes while trying to return to the Muge homeworld when the sonic wake of the Dancougar passes her ship and disintegrates it.
Mechs
Eagle Fighter: The Eagle Fighter was modified by Professor Hazuki from the standard base fighters used at the Australian Space Military. While the fighter is in open mode a powerful barrier is formed that is impenetrable to enemy fire. This system is operated by the pilots anger. When transformed the eagle serves as the Dancougar's head.
Eagle Fighter Pilot: Shinobu Fujiwara
Data:
Fighter mode: Full length: 6.9 m
Total weight: 2.6t.
Flying speed: Mach 1.65
Humanoid mode: Full length: 6.7 m
Armaments: Various missiles and gatling cannons. Aggressive System.
Land Cougar: The Black Cougar is a special tank exclusively for Sara Yuki's use. When transformed into Cougar mode the mech has a leaping locomotive ability that gives it the advantage of covering long distances in a short amount of time. It also has the option of transforming into humanoid mode, and is equipped with the "Aggressive System". It also serves as the Dancougar's left foot.
Cougar Pilot: Sara Yuki
Data:
Tank mode: Full length: 8.3 m.
Total weight: 21.3t.
Top speed: 118 km/h.
Cougar length: 10.2 m.
Humanoid mode: Height: 10.1 m.
Armaments: 1 burst gun. 1 Anti-aircraft beam rapid firing gun. Aggressive System.
Land Liger: The Land Liger is a similar to that of the Cougar. When transformed into Ligar mode the mech also has a leaping locomotive. It also has the option of transforming into humanoid mode, and is equipped with the "Aggressive System". When combined with the other mechs it serves as the Dancougar's right foot.
Liger Pilot: Masato Shikibu
Data:
Tank mode: Full length: 9.75 m.
Total weight: 24.2t.
Top speed: 105 km/h.
Ligar length: 10.2 m.
Humanoid mode: Height: 10.3 m.
Armaments: 1 blaster gun. 2 150 mm cannon. 2Anti-aircraft beam rapid firing gun. Aggressive System.
Big Moth: The Big Moth is derived from the Words "Big" and "Mammoth". Essentially it is a heavy armed tank with the capability of transforming into a gigantic mammoth. In humaniod mode it is the largest mech in the Dancougar arsenal. When combined with the other mechs it serves as Dancougar's Main body.
Big Moth Pilot: Ryo Shiba
Data:
Tank mode: Full length: 13.5 m.
Total weight: 60t.
Top speed: 82 km/h.
Mammoth length: 16.25 m.
Humanoid mode: Height: 18.6 m.
Armaments: Various missiles and heavy cannons. Aggressive System.
Dancougar:The Dancougar is composed of all the combined vehicles of the Jyusenki Tai arsenal. The power is derived from the spiritual energy of all the pilots in unison, which makes the Dancougar greater than the sum of it's parts.
Data:
Length: 34.6 m
Weight: 114 t
Armament: Pulse Laser Gun x4 (placed into the chest), Beam Launcher x2 (from the back), Pulse Laser rifle (DaiGun), Sword blade (DancouKen), Huge Beam Cannon (DancouHo, from the back).
Other Armament:
- DancouHo Formation: fires with Four Pulse Laser Gun, Two Beam Launchers and the Huge Beam Cannon at the same time.
- DancouKoGaKen: Dancouga handles his Sword DancouKen over his head, and, by order from Prof. Hazuki, "DancouHo" is launched from the mouth of Gandor. This Huge beam hits Dancouga, that use this huge energy to create an immense column of energy from his sword; then, slashes the enemy with this huge energy blade, even from great distance.
- Final DancouHo: Attack seen on Super Robot Taisen Alpha 3, when Black Wing combines with Dancouga to form Final Dancouga. Black Wing on Dancouga's back spreads apart, and the aggressive energy from all four pilots is being accumulated into the DancouHo to fire a massive energy beam that cause enemy to almost vanish.
Wing Booster: The final element that gives the Dancougar flight capability.
Data:
Mega booster flightpack.
Armaments: 2 long range pulse cannons.
The Black Wing: The Black Wing fighter, was developed by Ross Igor's son Alan. Like the Jyusenki Tai mechs the Black Wing is transformable and has both a fighter and humanoid mode. One feature that this mech lacks however, is the Aggressive System, since it was not developed by Professor Hazuki. The total length is slightly longer than that of the Eagle.
Black Wing Pilot: Alan Igor
Data:
Armaments: 2 Front Vulcan cannons and various missiles.
Humanoid Mode:
Flight Mode:
It combines with the powerful mech to form the extremely powerful Final Dancougar.
Gandor: A huge, gray spacecraft built and commanded by Prof. Hazuki. It can fire a powerful main energy cannon from its "mouth". It transforms into a huge winged dragon and serves as the new base of operations for the Jyusenki Tai after their original operation center is destroyed.
Data:
Total length: 1.4 km
Total height: 600m
Armaments: 2 long range hyper beam cannons, 26 pulse lasers, 2 Vulcan cannons
Speed: 20km/sec
Trivia
- The Emperor Muge Zorbados is very typical of the "Ren-Jishi" or lion character presented in many Kabuki plays.
- In Episode 7 ("Koichi na Eiyuu (A Kind of Hero)"), the main leader of the youth corp guarding a military outpost is named "Dan Akroyd".
- Many explosions in the series contain visible onomatopoeia in word balloons, which only appear for a few frames.
- The Gandor activation code is THX 1138 which shares the same title as George Lucas' first feature film.
External links
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