Neo-Human Casshern
新造人間キャシャーン (Shinzō Ningen Kyashān)
Genre	Science fiction
TV anime
Shinzō Ningen Kyashān
Director	Hiroshi Sasagawa
Writer	Tatsuo Yoshida
Studio	Tatsunoko Productions
Network	Fuji TV
Original run	October 2, 1973 – June 25, 1974
Episodes	35[1]
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Neo-Human Casshern (新造人間キャシャーン, Shinzō Ningen Kyashān^?), also known as Casshan, is an anime series created by animation studio Tatsunoko Productions in 1973, which was based on a serialization in Kodansha’s Terebi Magazine and Akita Shoten’s “Boken Oh” (Adventure King).^[1]

The Casshern franchise also includes a 1993 original video animation simply titled Casshern, and a 2004 live action adaptation of the same name. In October 2008, a reboot of the franchise titled Casshern Sins premiered; in anticipation of the upcoming series, a DVD box set of the original series, titled Neo-Human Casshern Complete DVD-Box "All Episodes of Casshern", was released in Japan on September 24, 2008. Casshern also appears in Tatsunoko Fight and Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars as a playable character.^[2][3]

Contents 1 Plot 2 Characters 3 Episode Guide 4 Transliteration 5 Influences 6 See also 7 References 8 External links

[edit] Plot

Tetsuya Azuma (東鉄也, Azuma Tetsuya^?), also known as Casshern, is a cybernetic neoroider (新造人間, Shinzō Ningen^?, lit. "neo-human"). Tetsuya turned himself into a cyborg for the purpose of hunting down and destroying robots that have taken over the world. His late biological father, Dr. Azuma, was the inventor of the robots that were originally intended to serve humankind. However the robots mutinied en masse when their cold logic concluded that the good of the Earth Ecosystem required the destruction of the human race.^{[4] [5]}

Casshern and his robotic dog, Friender, join forces with a beautiful girl named Luna to battle the robots led by their brutal boss known as the Braiking Boss.^[6]

[edit] Characters

• Casshern (キャシャーン, Kyashān^?)
• Voiced by: Ikuo Nishikawa, Daisuke Ono (Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars)

The protagonist of the series, Casshern is an android -- the union of Tetsuya Azuma's data with an invincible body. His body features a number of unique android functions, including superhuman speed, agilty and strength, an opening and closing facemask, a golden cresent-shaped solar panel on his forehead and waist-mounted pulsar propellers that can also be used as weapons.

• Luna Kozuki (上月ルナ, Kōzuki Runa^?)
• Voiced by: Emiko Tsukada

A beautiful, 15-year-old girl who fights alongside Casshern. Like Tetsuya, her father is a scientist, and she is essential in the battle against the Andro Army, using a MF (Magnetic Field) pulse gun.

• Midori Azuma (東みどり, Azuma Midori^?)
• Voiced by: Reiko Satō

Tetsuya's mother, who had been captured by the Andro Army and had her data transferred into the body of Swanee (スワニー, Suanī^?), a swan-type robo pet kept by Braiking Boss. She observes the actions of Braiking Boss and appears before Casshern as a hologram to offer her support.

• Kotaro Azuma (東光太郎, Azuma Kōtaro^?)
• Voiced by: Masato Yamanouchi

The genius scientist who invented androids in hopes of helping mankind, and ironically became the architect of mankind's doom.

• Friender (フレンダー, Furendā^?)
• Voiced by: Shōji Katō (Ishida Sound staff member)

Originally Tetsuya's pet dog, Lucky (ラッキー, Rakkī^?), its data was used to revive it as Friender after it was killed. In order to support Casshern, he can transform into a jet, submarine, tank, or a motorcycle, and is even able to breathe flames. Friender is a brave robotic dog capable of standing up to the Andro Army alone.

• Braiking Boss (ブライキング・ボス, Buraikingu・Bosu^?)
• Voiced by: Kenji Utsumi

The antagonist of the series, originally BK-1, the first android created by Dr. Kotaro and designed to help the human race, he was struck by lightning and rebelled, renaming himself Braiking Boss. He leads the Andro Army in a plot to conquer the Earth.

[edit] Episode Guide

1. Immortal Challenger (不死身の挑戦者, Fujimi no Chōsensha^?)^[7]
2. Stake Victory on the Moonlight (月光に勝利をかけろ, Gekkō ni Shōri wo Kakero^?)
3. Call to the Tomorrow Within the Ruins (廃墟の中に明日を叫べ, Haikyo no Naka ni Ashita wo Sakebe^?)
4. Channel Anger into the MF Gun (ＭＦ銃に怒りをこめろ, Emu Efu Jyū ni Ikari wo Komero^?)
5. Don't Erase the Lantern of Battle (戦いの灯を消すな, Tatakai no Tō wo Kesuna^?)
6. Raging Wind Friender (疾風フレンダー, Reppū Furendā^?)
7. The Oath for the Hero Kikero (英雄キケロへの誓い, Eiyū Kikero he no Chikai^?)
8. The Wild Beast Robot Roars (野獣ロボが吠える, Yajū Robo ga Hoeru^?)
9. The Concerto That Shines the Flames of War (戦火に響け協奏曲, Senka ni Kagayake Kyōsōkyoku^?)
10. Stake Life in the Desert of Death (死の砂漠に命をかけろ, Shi no sabaku ni inochi wo kakero^?)
11. Evil Virtual Image (悪魔の虚像, Akuma no Kyozō^?)
12. The Villainous Iron Train (鉄の悪党列車, Tetsu no Akutō Ressha^?)
13. Traitorous Robot #5 (裏切りロボット五号, Uragiri Robotto Gogō^?)
14. The Casshern-Proof City (キャシャーン無用の街, Kasshān Muyō no Machi^?)
15. The Puppy Runs in Vengeance (復讐に子犬は駆ける, Fukushū ni Koinu wa Kakeru^?)
16. Suwani: Wings of Love (スワニー・愛の翼, Suwanī Ai no Tsubasa^?)
17. Robot Lullaby (ロボット子守歌, Robotto Komoriuta^?)
18. Giant Elephant VS Andro Army (巨象対アンドロ軍団, Kyozō Tai Andoro Gundan^?)
19. The Terrifying Clown Robot (恐怖のピエロロボット, Kyōfu no Piero Robotto^?)
20. Casshan's Death Penalty Stand (死刑台のキャシャーン, Shikeidai no Kasshān^?)
21. Robot Hijack (ロボット・ハイジャック, Robotto Haijakku^?)
22. The Escaping Robot: Romeo (脱走ロボット・ロメオ, Dasshū Robotto Romeo^?)
23. Robot Factory's Big Deployment (ロボット工場大脱出, Robotto Kōjō Dai Dasshutsu^?)
24. Bounder: Robo's Challenge (バウンダー・ロボの挑戦, Baundā Robo no Chōsen^?)
25. Immortal Casshan (不死身のキャシャーン", Fujimi no Kasshān^?)
26. Casshan's Secrets (キャシャーンの秘密, Kasshān no Himitsu^?)
27. The MF Gun that Disappeared (消えたＭＦ銃, Kieta Emu Efu Jyū^?)
28. The Cavalry of Anger (怒りの騎馬隊, Ikari no Kibatai^?)
29. Overzealous Robo: Neotaros (高熱ロボ・ネオタロス^?)
30. Robo Withdrawal Number One (ロボ退治ナンバーワン, Robo Taiji Nanbā Wan^?)
31. The City That Will Create a Neo-Human (新造人間を造る街, Shinzō ningen wo tsukuru machi^?)
32. Tearful Lightning Punch (涙の電光パンチ, Namida no Denkō Panchi^?)
33. Suwani Close Shave (スワニー危機一髪, Suwanī Kiki Ippatsu^?)
34. VS Robot Ace (対ロボットエース, Tai Robotto Ēsu^?)
35. The Greatest Decisive Battle on Earth (地球最大の決戦, Chikyū Saidai no Kessen^?)

[edit] Transliteration

The American publisher performed an awkward katakana to romaji transcription, by translating "kyashān" (キャシャーン^?) as "Casshan" instead of "Casshern". "Casshern" is the romanization used in Japan and in other countries, and is used as the romanized title of the film adaptation.

[edit] Influences

Starting with the third game, Rockman also featured a robotic hero with a dog as a partner which could transform into different vehicles.

[edit] See also

• Casshern - A four-episode OVA produced in 1993, released in English as Casshan: Robot Hunter.
• Casshern - A 2004 live-action tokusatsu film adaptation.
• Casshern Sins - A 2008 anime series and franchise reboot.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Casshan.com
• Shinzō Ningen Kyashān at the Internet Movie Database (TV series)
• Casshern at the Internet Movie Database (Live-action movie)
• Shinzo Ningen Casshan (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia (TV series)
• Casshern (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia (Live-action movie)