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| Zone Fighter(1973); Discuss the TV series here. | |
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| Topic Started: Jun 17 2006, 09:05 AM (918 Views) | |
| packmule | Jun 17 2006, 09:05 AM Post #1 |
Site founder - Searching for Cropsy
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In 1973 Toho entered the "sci-fi superhero" craze, joining Tsuburaya Productions(Ultraman) and Toei(Kamen Rider). The series has various titles, the unofficial one being, among fans, perhaps the most recognized: Zone Fighter. The series debuted on television in Japan on April 2, 1973, and had a 26 episode run, ending with the final half-hour episode on September 24, 1973. The series revolves around the Sakimori family, all upstanding and honorable individuals from a planet called Peaceland. The family consists of a father(played by the way by Shoji Nakayama, who was also "Captain Kiriyama" of the ULTRA-GARRISON in Ultaseven), a mother, and three siblings, these siblings comprising the Zone Fighter Trio. The siblings consist of one female, and two males, the older male(and primary hero) Hikaru, able to morph himself into a giant, to battle kaiju. The primary villain in this fun, entertaining TV series is an alien called Gold-Garoga, leader of a malevolent race of aliens known as the Garoga-Baran. These aliens have destroyed "Peaceland", the Sakimori's home world, and now set their sights on Earth. This series is great fun. There are plenty of shootouts, great monster battles, and some new "wrinkles" thrown in, regarding the weaponry-example: the flying car(used by the Zone Fighters), and the capsule missiles that themselves turn into monsters. The villains in this series, the Garoga-Baran, are no joke, and are pretty good fighters in their own right. In addition, several Toho monsters make appearances in this series, including Godzilla(as an ally to Zonefighter), in episodes 4, 11, 15, 21 and 25. Gigan and King Ghidorah also appear, as villain monsters. Discuss this television series here, and anything related to it. All replies welcome. For more detailed info on this series click the link: Zone Fighter |
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| Ro-Dan | Jun 19 2006, 03:17 PM Post #2 |
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Yet another Japanese fantasy show that I've sadly never seen. I really wish some company (BCI, maybe?) would release it on DVD. I'd buy it in a heartbeat just for the Godzilla, Gigan, and Ghidorah appearances! |
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| packmule | Jun 25 2006, 10:22 PM Post #3 |
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Site founder - Searching for Cropsy
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Here is Hikaru Sakimori, in his giant form, employing one of his primary weapons, his wrist-mounted cannons |
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Packmule's Pen Latitude Zero(1969) The Relic(1997) | |
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| Ro-Dan | Jun 27 2006, 08:06 PM Post #4 |
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How cool! AND he existed in the same universe as Godzilla and his monster brethren. How awesome is that?! I'm assuming ULTRAMAN was a hit here in the States when it was picked up for syndication. Too bad ZONE FIGHTER and ULTRASEVEN weren't imported for domestic audiences. I feel like I've really missed out on some great entertainment as a kid. |
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| packmule | Jun 27 2006, 09:26 PM Post #5 |
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I know I did. No one can turn back the clock but I still want to enjoy kaiju and Asian superhero DVD's before I'm put out to pasture, so I get what I can, when I can. thumbs up Click this link Dan: Japan Hero Regarding Zonefighter, this television series, like it's Ultraman counterparts, had varying monster designs, some good, and some that require, as August Ragone might say, "Suspension of belief". The monster in the image below might require application of the latter crazy |
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| Ro-Dan | Jun 27 2006, 09:58 PM Post #6 |
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LOL...no doubt that's a funny monster. Return of Ultraman had a lot of whacky kaiju as well. Godzilla's kaiju all look realistic and plausible when compared to the monsters on these sentai shows. |
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| Ro-Dan | Jul 19 2006, 07:32 PM Post #7 |
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I downloaded the Zone Fighter series via bittorrent. It wasn't subtitled or dubbed but the plots were simple enough to follow. I was disappointed. And since I didn't grow up with the show I have no nostalgic attachment. I really didn't like it at all. The main heroes (the Zone Family) wore some really dopey superhero costumes and Zone Fighter was just another in a long line of Ultraman wannabes. Even the appearances of Godzilla, Ghidorah, and Gigan couldn't save this show for me. |
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| packmule | Jul 23 2006, 01:15 AM Post #8 |
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Site founder - Searching for Cropsy
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Sorry you were disappointed Dan. I can understand why. In my opinion the Zonefighter TV series is not quite as enjoyable to watch as it's Ultraman counterpart TV series. There were, for me anyway, far too many outlandish monster suits, and the rendering of the aliens in the Zonefighter series was not, IMO, very good. I always expect the aliens in these TV shows to look different, quirky, even amusing at times. The aliens in the "Zonefighter" show looked about as ridiculous as some of the alien renderings in the Power Ranger shows, the latter a series of shows I detest. Aside from the outrageous monster suits there was always the lack of a sufficient quantity of high-speed filming, and I think the addition of Godzilla to this series was one clearly aimed at appealing to kids-it did not appeal at all to me, and had the same effect on me as watching Godzilla and Jet Jaguar "shake hands" in 1973's Godzilla Vs Megalon-I cringed. What enables me to enjoy Zonefighter is the action Dan-there is a lot of violence among the human and alien characters in this TV series, and it reminds me somewhat of the 70's martial arts flicks that were popular at that time. I also liked many of the weapons deployed by the Zonefighter Trio, including the wrist-mounted cannon of Zonefighter himself. Very cool. thumbs up |
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| Ro-Dan | Jul 23 2006, 01:50 PM Post #9 |
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Yeah, I liked Zone's wrist rockets. Those were very cool in much the same way Giant Robot's finger rockets are in JOHNNY SOKKO. I just didn't much care for the sister and the little brother. I thought they looked silly in their veiled superhero costumes. And, like you said, Lee, I didn't like the aliens very much either. |
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| packmule | Aug 16 2006, 10:39 PM Post #10 |
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Site founder - Searching for Cropsy
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MTV, will you please "Pimp My Ride?" Pictured: the vehicle used by the Zonefighter Trio. |
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Packmule's Pen Latitude Zero(1969) The Relic(1997) | |
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| KexMex | Jul 18 2007, 04:15 PM Post #11 |
Transgendered transcultural transracial transspeciesist
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I want to watch Zone Fighter. All I've seen of it is a few clips on YouTube. It just feels like something to do, regardless if you guys liked it or not. ^_^ |
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| packmule | Jul 18 2007, 07:18 PM Post #12 |
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Site founder - Searching for Cropsy
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Though I don't enjoy it as much as Ultraman(1966-1967) I like watching Zonefighter episodes. As to it's availability on disc there are several websites on the internet where it can be had in DVD-R format. I believe it can be purchased on Region 2 DVD at Yesasia.com, but the volumes are pricey. I've sent you a PM with a link to what I believe is the best DVD-R site for giant superhero TV series. :) |
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| josh TX | Jul 29 2007, 09:08 AM Post #13 |
Monsterland Hall Of Famer
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Nice discussion here. I think some of the things you guys didnt like too much about the show were things I did like...the more ridiculous looking kaiju to me were fun to watch get the snot beat out of, and since Im a sucker for the cheese Showa era, the Godzilla appearances fit right in with me. Particularly hilarious was the episode where Godzilla ripped off an enemies tail and proceeded to beat him to death with it. That was a priceless moment of cinema right there. :lol: |
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| KexMex | Oct 26 2007, 01:08 PM Post #14 |
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Gagh, I couldn't manage to find a good download for this series apart from a few episodes. ;_; How frustrating. It appears as if I cannot reach this series without money. And with money, I only end up losing my money! |
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| packmule | Nov 17 2007, 11:04 PM Post #15 |
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Site founder - Searching for Cropsy
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For those of you who like watching Zone Fighter and Godzilla fight together against other monsters then this video is for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkESkRvukxE I liked the video...except for the ending where Zonefighter and Godzilla shake hands. Bleh. |
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7:29 AM Nov 23
