Tatsunoko Productions
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Tatsunoko Production Co., Ltd., often shortened to Tatsunoko Pro., is a Japanese animation company founded by legendary anime pioneer Tatsuo Yoshida along with his brothers Kenji and Toyoharu (Toyoharu adopted the pen name Ippei Kuri to distinguish himself from his brothers). The studio's name has a double Japanese meaning of "Tatsu's child" (Tatsu being a nickname for Tatsuo) and "seadragon" which was the inspiration for its seahorse corporate logo.
The translated and edited versions of their more successful animated series such as Speed Racer, Battle of the Planets, and Robotech is credited with bringing international attention to anime. Although Tatsunoko is best known for the science-fiction and action series which have earned it the nickname of Home of the Heroes, many of the studio's works for younger children, such as The Littl' Bits, Superbook, The Adventures of Pinocchio, and Temple the Balloonist, have also achieved wide distribution and acclaim around the world.
In June 2005 Japanese toy company, Takara Co., Ltd. took a majority stake in the studio and with the subsequent merger of Takara and TOMY Co., Ltd. in 2006, Tatsunoko became a consolidated subsidiary of TOMY (aka TAKARATOMY in Japan).
Tatsunoko's studios are located in the Kokubunji district of Tokyo.
Anime Series
- Space Ace (Uchuu Ace) (1965)
- Mach Go Go (Speed Racer) (original) (1967)
- Guzula (Oraa Guzula Dado) (original) (1967)
- Dokachin the Primitive Boy (or simply, "Dokachin") (1968)
- Judo Boy (Kurenai Sanshiro) (1969)
- The Genie Family (Hakushon Daimaoh) (1969)
- The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee (Minashigo Hutch, or "Honeybee Hutch") (1970)
- The Funny Judo Champion (Inakappe Taisho) (1970)
- Hippo and Thomas (Kabatotto) (1971)
- Animentari Ketsudan(1971)
- Pinocchio (Kashi no Ki Mokku; U.S.: Saban's Adventures of Pinocchio) (1972)
- Kagaku Ninja Tai Gatchaman (G-Force, Battle of the Planets) (1972)
- Tamagon the Counselor (Kaiketsu Tamagon) (1972)
- Demetan Croaker, The Boy Frog (Kerokko Demetan, U.S.: The Brave Frog) (1973)
- Shinzo Ningen Casshan (or simply, "Casshan") (1973)
- Shin Minashigo Hutch (New Honeybee Hutch) (1974)
- Hariken (or "Hurricane") Polymer (or "Polymar") (1974)
- The Song of Tentomushi [Ladybug] [link] (Tentomushi no Uta) (1974)
- Time Bokan (1974)
- Uchuu no Kishi Tekkaman () (1975)
- Goliath the Super Fighter (Gowapper 5 Godam) (1976)
- Paul's Miraclous Adventures (Poru no Mirakuru Daisakusen) (1976) (Very popular in Italy as Il Fantastico Mondo di Paul)
- Yatterman (or Yattaman) (1977)
- Temple the Balloonist (Fuusen Shoujo Tenpuru-chan) (1977) (The heroine is renamed "Sabrina" or "Shirley" in some European dubs.)
- Ippatsu Kanta-kun ("Home Run" Kanta-kun) (1977)
- Tobidase! Machine Hiryuu (1977)
- Kagaku Ninja Tai Gatchaman II (Eagle Riders) (1978)
- Zenderman (or "Zendaman") (1979)
- Gordian the Warrior (Toushi Gordian) (1979)
- Kagaku Ninja Tai Gatchaman F (1979)
- The Littl' Bits (Mori no Yoki wa Kobito-tachi: Berufi to Rirubitto) (1980)
- Rescueman (Time Patrol Tai Otasukeman) (1980)
- Muteking, The Dashing Warrior (Tondemo Senshi Muteking) (1980)
- Firebird (Yattodetaman) (1981)
- Gold Lightan, The Gold Warrior (Ougon Senshi Gold Raitan) (1981)
- Anime Oyako Gekijo (Superbook in the U.S.) (1981)
- Dashu Kappei (Dash! Kappei) (1981) (A very popular series in Italy, as Gigi la Trottola)
- Gyakuten! Ippatsuman (1982)
- The Super Dimension Fortress Macross (1982) (Producer credit only, show created by Studio Nue)
- Time Kyoshitsu: Tondera Haosu no Daiboken (The Flying House in the U.S.) (1982)
- Mirai Keisatsu Urashiman (1983)
- Itadakiman (1983)
- Genesis Climber Mospeada (1983)
- Pasokon Toraberu Tanteidan (Personal Computer Travel Detectives; in U.S.: "Season Two" of Superbook'') (1983)
- Time Bokan: Oudou Fukko (1983)
- Okawari Boy Starzan S (1984)
- Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross (1984)
- (1984) (Production credit only, created by Studio Nue)
- Yoroshiku Mekadokku (What's Up Mechadoc?) (1984)
- Honou no Alpine Rose (a.k.a. Judy and Randy) (1985)
- Shouwa Aho Soushi: Akanuke Ichiban (1985)
- Robotech [An adaptation of Macross, Southern Cross, and Mospeada] (1985)
- Hikari no Densetsu (Legend of Light) (1986) - This gymnastics-themed series was a flop in Japan but a major hit in Europe, as Hilary (Italian) and Cynthia ou le rythme de la vie (French).
- Doteraman (1986)
- ''Outlanders (animated by AIC on Tatsunoko's behalf; is not listed on Tatsunoko's website) (1986)
- Akai Kodan Zillion (1987)
- Guzula (color remake) (1987)
- Zillion: Burning Night (1988)
- Shulato (Tenkuu Senki Shurato) (1989)
- Konchuu Monogatari: Minashigo Hutch (new series) (1989)
- Kyatto Ninden Teyande (Samurai Pizza Cats in the U.S.) (1990)
- Robin Hood no Daibouken (1990)
- Tenkuu Senki Shurato: Sousei e no Antou (1991)
- Uchu no Kishi Tekkaman Blade (Space Knight Tekkaman Blade; Teknoman in the U.S.) (1992)
- Casshan: Robot Hunter (1993)
- Video Girl Ai (1993)
- Time Bokan: Oudou Fukko (Episode 2) (1994)
- Shiroyuki Hime (Snow White) no Densetsu (1994)
- ''Tekkaman Blade II (1994)
- Gatchaman (1994)
- Dokkan! Robotendon (1995)
- Neon Genesis Evangelion (1995) (animation production on the series, created and idealized by Gainax)
- Cinderella Monogatari (1996)
- New Hurricane Polymer (1996)
- Mach Go Go Go (Speed Racer X) (1997)
- Generator Gawl (1998)
- ''Seikimatsu Densetsu: Wonderful Tatsunoko Land (1999)
- Time Bokan 2000: Kaitou Kiramekiman (2000)
- The SoulTaker (2001)
- Yobarete Tobedete! Akubi-chan (2001)
- Nurse Witch Komugi (co-production with Kyoto Animation) (2002)
- Karas (2005)
External links
- [Tatsunoko Productions] (Japanese)
- [Tatsunoko Fan Club USA]
- [SpaceAce Fan Site]
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