is a Japanese
tokusatsu
is a Japanese term for live-action films or television programs that make heavy use of practical special effects. Credited to special effects director Eiji Tsuburaya, ''tokusatsu'' mainly refers to science fiction film, science fiction, War fi ...
Kyodai Hero
is a television subgenre in ''tokusatsu'' that involves Japanese superheroes or robots either with the ability to grow to immense heights to fight kaiju, giant monsters or who are originally giant as a part of their lives. The Kyodai Hero is th ...
kaiju
is a Japanese term that is commonly associated with media involving giant monsters. Its widespread contemporary use is credited to ''tokusatsu'' (special effects) director Eiji Tsuburaya and filmmaker Ishirō Honda, who popularized the ''kaiju'' ...
television series
A television show, TV program (), or simply a TV show, is the general reference to any content produced for viewing on a television set that is broadcast via over-the-air, satellite, and cable, or distributed digitally on streaming plat ...
by
Toho
is a Japanese entertainment company that primarily engages in producing and distributing films and exhibiting stage plays. It is headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, and is one of the core companies of the Osaka-based Hankyu Hanshin Toho Group. ...
. It ran from October 5, 1972, to April 10, 1973. It was pulled from reruns on September 28, 1973, and it was replaced by ''
Ike! Greenman''.
While on air Monday through Saturday, with only one or two episodes per week, each episode consisted of six (or three) parts and each part was five minutes long. The entire series ran for twenty-six episodes.
On every Monday (or Thursday), the Kaiju for the particular set of episodes would appear, with the plot for the set advancing through each successive day of the week, with the battle ending on Saturday with Godman being victorious. Each set follows a similar structure, with people calling for Godman's aid and the hero coming to assist them.
Aya Hirano
is a Japanese actress and singer. Beginning in the entertainment industry as a child actor in television commercials, she appeared in her first Voice acting in Japan, voice acting role in the anime television series ''Angel Tales'' (2001).
In ...
, as Konata Izumi from the anime ''
Lucky Star'', sang this show's theme song on the ''Lucky Star'' music compilation CD.
List of monsters
The following is a list of the monsters from the series:
Returning Monsters
Famously, numerous previous monsters from Toho's library of Kaiju made appearances in the series.
*2.
Gabara from ''
All Monsters Attack''
*6.
Gorosaurus from ''
King Kong Escapes''
*10.
Kamoebas from ''
Space Amoeba''
*16.
Sanda from ''
The War of the Gargantuas''
*17.
Gaira from ''
The War of the Gargantuas''
*20. Bat People from
''Latitude Zero''
Other Monsters
*1. Kinger
*3. Gosthon
*4. Yasugon and Tsunokeler
*5. Tsunosilver
*7. Madalan
*8. Gattlar
*9. Momongolar
*10. Folgon
*11. Volpes
*12. Imgoras
*13. Bullman
*14. Dongolar
*15. Skeleton Man No.1 and No.2
*18. Trunker and Hotter
*19. Green Mask and Hundler
*20. Kappalge
*21. Alien Tiborus and Osutotam
*22. Tsunozillas and Elephanter
*23. Totosaurus and Shilarji
*24. Wolfar and Gejilba
*25. Torilorn and Ibogiller
*26. Stegodzillas and Akumon
Movie Monster Changes
The Toho movie monsters that appear in this series are not related to their theatrical counterparts in terms of continuity. The suits were changed since their appearances in the original movies.
*Gabara, the Gargantuas, Tieborasu, Tsunzaurasu, ''Totosaurus'', Akumon, and Tsurazuu later appeared in ''
Ike! Greenman''.
*Gabara's suit was green instead of blue. He was also green in ''
Ike! Greenman''.
*Some of the Toho suits were in really bad shape. The Gargantuas' suits appeared to be rotting (especially Gaira), despite the fact that both suits were repainted. They were also wearing new masks (with wigs).
*The Gorosaurus suit was in such poor shape that the inner support seemed to be deteriorating. It made Gorosaurus' torso look like it was caving in.
*Kamoebas had a flatter head and darker color.
Theme Songs
These are the theme songs from the show:
*''Ike! Godman'' (''Go Forth! Godman'')
**Sung by: Yamamoto Ichiro
**Lyrics by: Fuji Konosuke
**Music by: Yamashita Takeo
**Arrangement by: Hirose Masakazu
-Note: "Ichiro Yamamoto" is another professional name of
Ichirou Mizuki. This song plays during the show's openin
*''Bokura No Godman'' (''Everyone's Godman'')
**Sung by: Yamamoto Ichiro & ‘Green Peace’
**Lyrics by: Fuji Konosuke
**Music by: Yamashita Takeo
**Arrangement by: Hirose Masakazu
1972 Japanese television series debuts
1973 Japanese television series endings
Toho tokusatsu
Tokusatsu television series
Godzilla television series
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