Matchless Raijin-Oh (絶対無敵ライジンオー, Zettai Muteki Raijin-Oh; lit. Absolutely Invincible Raijin-Oh) is a 51 episode Japanese anime television series, and the first generation Eldran franchise funded by Tomy and produced by Sunrise. It aired in Japan from April 3, 1991 to March 25, 1992 and later be succeeded by the second generation of the Eldran series Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger. The story revolves around a group of elementary school children who are given command of a mecha named Raijin-Oh and their efforts to defend the Earth from the evil Jaaku (evil) Empire. There is also a four-episode OVA sequel.
Anime Midstream, Inc. announced in December, 2008, that it acquired the license for and planned to release the anime series Matchless Raijin-Oh in the U.S. sometime in 2009 as their first anime release. The company began selling the first volume of the series direct from their website, as well as several other online retailers as of late December 2009. The first volume contained episodes 1–5. The second volume, containing episodes 6–10, was released in September 2010, and translated the title beginning with this volume (and current printings of the first volume are now also marketed under that title). The third volume was released on July 12, 2011, containing episodes 11–15. Each volume contains English and Japanese audio, as well as special features such as music videos, clean openings/closings, voice bloopers, and the third volume contains an audio commentary with several of the English voice actors. Two more volumes were released on June 30, 2012 for volume four and July 1, 2013 for volume five.
The rest of the series was released as a five-disc boxset; the Season 2 Collection, released on September 30, 2014. However, this set is in Japanese with English subtitles only.
Contents
Plot
Prior to Ganbaruger arriving to Earth, an evil organization which was named the Evil Empire (ジャーク帝国, Jāku Teikoku) comes to Earth with the intent to conquer and despoil it. From their fortress they launch a missile that will flood the world with (Akudamas (アークダーマ, Ākudama)), eggs of darkness which hatch into evil monsters called (Evil Beasts (邪悪獣, Jāku Jyū)) based on things that annoy or frustrate humans.
The "guardian of light" Eldran appears, an Ultraman-like entity who is sworn to protect the universe and Earth in particular then appears. Using the heroic robot Raijin-Oh, Eldran attempts to thwart the Evil Empire by preventing a missile from striking Earth. What happens instead is that the missile detonated against Eldran, throwing Raijin-Oh down to Earth. The robot crashes into Japan's Hinobori city (日昇町 (Hinobori Chō)) a neighboring town to Aozora and Harukaze, elementary school Hinobori Academy.
Eldran must leave to continue protecting the Earth, so he leaves the duty of defeating the Evil Beasts to a 5th grade classroom full of children, Earth Defense Class (地球防衛組, Chikyuu Bouei Gumi) in the school where he crashed. He entrusts the children with Raijin-Oh, granting each child a different role to perform in either operating or supporting Raijin-Oh. Eldran also transforms their school itself, so it can transform into a command center when Raijin-Oh is needed.
Jin, Asuka and Kouji are chosen to lead Raijin-oh, but every day they have many amusing experiences in the school. Jin does not want to study, while his friends do and force him to do it by tickling him.
Whenever Belzeb and Taida obtain Jaku Satan and power up the Evil Beasts into Super Evil Beasts, the auxiliary robot Bakuryuu-Oh will show up and both mecha will form into God Raijin-Oh and must use their forces to defeat the Evil Empire Emperor Warusa and defeat the organization once and for all.
Characters
Earth Defense Class (地球防衛組, Chikyuu Bouei Gumi)
Jin Hyuga (日向 仁, Hyuuga Jin)
Voiced by: Rica Matsumoto
Jin Hyuga is the main pilot of Ken-oh and Raijin-Oh and God Raijin-Oh. He is brash, a braggart, and very good at sports. He has spiky hair, is boss of the kids, and has a strong sense of justice. His student number is the eighth. He often quarrels with Maria, but they trust each other. His father, Chuutarou Hyuuga and his wife run a sake shop, the Hyuga Store, which is used as a front for the Hyuga home. Jin's room is on top of the Hyuga Store. His cousin's name is "Youtarou Hyuuga".
Asuka Tsukishiro (月城 飛鳥, Tsukishiro Asuka)
Voiced by: Rie Iwatsubo
Asuka Tsukishiro is the main pilot of Hou-oh, and flight and altitude controller for Raijin-Oh, God Raijin-Oh. He is a handsome, smart, rich, realist, but a vain and timid boy. He is very popular with girls in the class, and has his own fan club. His student number is seventh. Hiryu Tsukishiro is his cousin, who is the pilot of Ryu-Oh. His father takes him skiing every winter and his mother's name is called Ayako.
Koji Hoshiyama (星山 吼児, Hoshiyama Kouji)
Voiced by: Mari Maruta
Koji Hoshiyama is the main pilot of Jyu-oh, also the power controller for both Raijin-Oh and God Raijin-Oh, and all-weapon controller. He is kind-hearted, timid but courageous, has a pair of binoculars, and he believes in UFOs and aliens. His student number is ninth.
Maria Shiratori (白鳥 マリア, Shiratori Maria)
Voiced by: Konami Yoshida
Maria Shiratori is a commander in the Earth Defense Class, and the main pilot of Bakuryu-oh. She is smart, strong-willed, daring, has a ponytail, and is half Japanese and half French.
Other
Shuntaro Shinoda (篠田 俊太郎, Shinoda Shuntarou)
Voiced by: Kiyoyuki Yanada
The 25-year-old Homeroom teacher of 5th Grade Class 3 in Hinobori Elementary School, known as the Earth Defense Class. Mr. Shinoda is a young passionate teacher who loves the students, but he has often been disturbed a lesson by Evil Beasts.
Ruruko Himeki (姫木 るる子, Himeki Ruruko)
Voiced by: Megumi Hayashibara
A 23 year old kind, beautiful public health doctor in Hinobori Elementary School. Mr. Shinoda has a crush on her.
Eikichiro Yazawa (矢沢 永吉郎, Yazawa Eikichirou)
Voiced by: Toshiro Ishii
The 65-year-old principal of Hinobori Elementary who is a good supporter for 5th Grade Class 3. he's master of Tai Chi, also adviser of Kenpo club. He has a pet goat that is named Carol.
Carol (キャロル, Kyaroru)
The Goat of Hinobori School who eats grass in the schoolyard every single day in a year. She is the very good pet of Eikichiro Yazawa.
General Takeda (武田長官, Takeda Choukan)
Voiced by: Tomomichi Nishimura
General of the Defense forces. He had objected to the children fight but cooperates with them later. In Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger, he has a daughter who went by the name of Katsura. He appears in all of the Eldran franchise when the years went on progressing, such as dealing the cases of The Demon World in Aozora, the Mechanization Empire in Harukaze and the Onigashima in Gokuraku.
Jark Empire (ジャーク帝国, Jāku Teikoku)
Emperor Warusa (皇帝ワルーサ, Koutei Wruusa)
Voiced by: Shigezō Sasaoka
Ruler of the Jark Empire, that exists in the five dimensions.
Belzeb (ベルゼブ, Beruzebu)
Voiced by: Kiyoyuki Yanada
Commander in Jark Empire, also main pilot of Jark Satan. Belzeb is a handsome, quick temper, strict warrior with long purple hair. The creatures in five dimension are able deform their own bodies like the amoeba, and have the power of teleportation.
Falzeb (ファルゼブ, Faruzebu)
Voiced by: Megumi Hayashibara
Belzeb's Alter ego, Falzeb is small woman look-like fairy with silver-haired and kimono. living in sub-space in Belzeb's chest, Falzeb turns devil face at the time irradiation the Jark Power.
Taidar (タイダー, Taidaa)
Voiced by: You Yoshimura, Mahito Tsujimura(since episode 39)
Belzeb's subordinates. Taidar is a happy-go-lucky, leisurely, faithfulness, bearded plump man with punk fashion. He often gets an outburst of anger from Belzeb and Falzeb. Taidar is hired at Hyuga Store later, he appeared as a minor character also Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger frequently.
Gokudo (ゴクドー, Gokudoo)
Voiced by: Akio Ōtsuka
Appears at the OVA during the Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger arc, a new evil guy from Jark Empire.
The Robots
Ken-Oh (剣王, Ken-Oo)
Specs
Height: 15.4 meters
Weight: 10.0 tons
Top Speed: 420 kilometers per hour
Power Output: 5,500 metric horsepower (4,000 kW)
Ken-Oh (literally "Sword King") is a humanoid robot, piloted by Jin, the leader of the trio. It has a sword called the Ken-Oh Blade, which protrudes from the shield on Ken-Oh's back when needed. It forms the torso of the Raijin-Oh.
Hou-Oh (鳳王, Hou-Oo)
Specs
Length: 35.7 meters
Weight: 15.5 tons
Ground Movement Speed: 80 kilometers per hour
Top Flying Speed: Mach 9
Power Output: 38,000 metric horsepower (28,000 kW)
Hou-Oh (literally "Phoenix King") resembles a phoenix. It is piloted by Asuka, and is the fastest of the trio. Hou-Oh forms the arms and wings of Raijin-Oh.
Juu-Oh (獣王, Juu-Oh)
Specs
Length: 30.5 meters
Weight: 28.5 tons
Top Speed: 640 kilometers per hour
Power Output: 99,000 metric horsepower (73,000 kW)
Juu-Oh's (literally "Beast King") appearance is that of a lion, and is controlled by Kouji. It forms the legs of the Raijin-Oh and the lion head is used as a shield which contains the Raijin Sword. Juu-Oh is the strongest of the trio.
Raijin-Oh (ライジンオー/雷神王, Raijin-Oo)
Specs
Height: 25 meters
Weight: 54 tons
Ground Movement Speed: 880 kilometers per hour
Top Flying Speed: Mach 10
Power Output: 200,000 metric horsepower (150,000 kW)
Raijin-Oh (literally thunder god king) is the first Eldran robot before Ganbaruger was the second. If the enemy becomes too powerful for the trio to handle individually, all three robots will combine, and they form into Raijin-Oh, a large humanoid robot with wings. In the early parts of the series, Raijin-Oh will trap its opponent with a beam from the Raijin Shield and finish it off with the Raijin Sword.
Bakuryu-Dragon (バクリュウドラゴン, Bakuryuu-Doragon)
Specs
Length: 58 meters
Weight: 70 tons
Ground Movement Speed: 130 kilometers per hour
Top Flying Speed: Mach 20
Power Output: 380,000 metric horsepower (280,000 kW)
After the evil commander Belzeb (short for Beelzebub or Satan) was given a giant crystal robot named Jaaku Satan by Emperor Warza (literally "evil emperor") to assists the Jaaku Beasts in destroying Raijin-Oh, the Raijin-Oh soon realized that it was unable to defeat its enemies alone. At the brink of defeat, the Earth Defense Class managed to uncover one last robot, Bakuryu-Dragon bears the appearance of a dragon but can transform into a humanoid robot, Bakuryu-Oh.
Bakuryu-Oh (バクリュウオー, Bakuryuu-Oh)
Specs
Height: 27.5 meters
Weight: 62 tons
Ground Movement Speed: 800 kilometers per hour
Top Flying Speed: Mach 14
Power Output: 320,000 metric horsepower (240,000 kW)
Bakuryu-Dragon's humanoid form.
As strong as Raijin-oh, its arsenal includes a cannon and a shield.
God Raijin-Oh (ゴッドライジンオー, Goddo Raijin-Oo)
Specs
Height: 41 meters
Weight: 116 tons
Ground Movement Speed: 1,200 kilometers per hour
Top Flying Speed: Mach 22
Power Output: 830,000 metric horsepower (610,000 kW)
The Raijin-Oh and Bakuryu-Oh can further combine to form the ultimate robot, God Raijin-Oh. In the early parts of its appearance, God Raijin-Oh finishes off Jaaku Beasts with a cannon. Soon after the God Raijin-Oh Sword is discovered and is used since then to defeat Super Jaaku Beasts (Jaaku Satan combined with a powered-up Jaaku Beast).
Cultural impact
Raijin-Oh was a tremendously popular series at the time of its release, spawning two similar sequels and OVAs. This led to waves of similar TV shows in the early 90s, where a child or children were made into the pilots of giant robots. This was a significant change of pace for the mecha genre, which usually pursued an older demographic and used teenage or adult characters as pilots.
Raijin-Oh success would inspire future shows like Gear Fighter Dendoh, Machine Robo Rescue, Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu, and Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion. The spiritual successors contain many plot elements that directly similar to Raijin-Oh's premise, characters, but, with the exception of not having a school to house the robots or an Eldran-like being to create them. Otherwise, Raijin-Oh had little worldwide impact, despite some success in Southeast Asian countries like China and Taiwan.
Raijin-Oh was featured in the New Century Brave Wars game, along with several of the Yuusha series robots, also created by Sunrise at around the same time. The reason for this was likely to have been the similarities between the Yuusha series and the Eldran trilogy, that and both series were animated by Sunrise. The toy company which made the Yuusha series, Takara would later merge with Tomy and thus both companies had access to each other's toy ideas, hence why Raijin-Oh was part of the video game. However the other two Eldran series, Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger and Nekketsu Saikyo Go-Saurer were not included; in fact, a few of the Yuusha series robots were also left out of the game. Raijin-oh, Ganbaruger, and Gosaurer may have been included in the Brave Saga New Asteria game.
Raijin-Oh has appeared in several installments of Banpresto's Super Robot Wars series of games. It has appeared in Super Robot Wars GC and its remake, Super Robot Wars XO, Super Robot Wars NEO, and Super Robot Wars BX. This is in part due to the fact that the Super Robot Wars series largely concerned itself with '70s and '80s series at the time the game series began in the early '90s. As of 2009, Raijin-Oh is nearly 20 years old and therefore old enough to be nostalgic to adult gamers. It is not clear why Raijin-Oh had only appeared in the 3D Super Robot Wars games that appear on Nintendo consoles, as opposed to the more popular 2D games that appear on PlayStation systems and Nintendo handhelds until the release of BX.
Game appearances
The series first appeared on Sunrise Eiyuutan for the Dreamcast. Later on, it was included on Super Robot Wars GC for the GameCube and again in Super Robot Wars XO for the Xbox 360.
Raijin-Oh is again included as an entry in the Super Robot Wars series of video games, beginning with Super Robot Wars NEO for the Wii along with the other 3 Eldran robots.
It also appeared in New Century Brave Wars on the PlayStation 2 in Japan to establish the first official connection between the Eldran and Yuusha series, following the merger of Takara and Tomy.
It would later appear as one of the various Sunrise animated robots as a playable character in the RPG Battle of Sunrise, to celebrate the studio's 30th anniversary, released on the PlayStation 2.
There also exists a Game Boy fighting game published by Tomy in 1991, which has been translated into English through a fan-made patch.
Raijin-Oh, once again, is included in the Super Robot Wars series in Super Robot Wars OE and Super Robot Wars BX. BX is notable to be the first time Raijin-Oh appeared in a 2D Super Robot Wars game.
External links and references
Eldran's official website (Japanese)
Sunrise's introduction page(Japanese)
Matchless Raijin-Oh (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
foxdragon's introduction page Archived 2006-07-18 at the Wayback Machine