BIRDIE – Daisakusen (By Jmaruyama)


Images Source and Episode Guide

Japanese Title:

BIRDIE – Daisakusen
 

English Title:

Operation: BIRDIE
 

Air Dates:

5/11/1974 – 5/17/1975
 

Number of Episodes:

54
 


Director(s):

Sato Junya, Yamauchi Kai, Takemoto Hirokazu, Konishi Michio, Sato Hajime, Murayama Shinji, Fukusaku Kinji, Takemoto Ryuichi, Yamauchi Kazuhiko, Kobayashi Yoshiaki
 


Screenwriter(s):

Osanai Mieko, Ikeda Yuichi, Takahisa Shin, Sato Hajime, Kondo Masatake, Sato Junya, Ikeda Etsuko, Tomari Hitomi
 

Producer(s):

Kondo Teruo, Motohiro Dan (TBS)
 

Music:

Kikuchi Shunsuke
 

Produced by:

Tokyo Broadcasting Systems – TBS and Toei
 

Broadcast by:

TBS
 


Theme Song:

“Ai To Shi No Passport” (Passport To Love & Death)
Composer: Kikuchi Shunsuke
Lyrics: Sato Junya
Performed by: Shimazaki Yuri

 

- Tanba Testuro (Sakurada Seisaburo)
- Tani Hayato (Ibuki Yuji)
- Oki Masaya (Ida Norisuke)
- Kawaguchi Atsushi (Harada Sanpei)
- Matsuoka Kitko (Iguchi Mari)
- Wada Akiko (Coco)
- Kurata Yasuaki (Dragon)
- Okamoto Fujita (Ichijou Goro)
- Anzai Maria (Mitchie)
- Konomi Nana (Sakaki Saeko)
- Fujiki Yuu (Oizu Taigoro)
- Kobayashi Nenji (Detective Godai)
- Maki Reika (Officer Kano Hiroko)
- Sato Rika (Kano Megumi)
 

After Kishi Kyoko left Japan to go abroad, Inspector Sakurada recruits the remnants of the EYEFUL team and sets up his own Investigation Agency – BIRDIE – Tanteikyoku (BIRDIE – Detective Agency) so that they can continue to solve cases and fight crime.

 

Who are the Birdie?

As the introduction goes…

“Birdie…Ippatsu Manjite Nice Shot! Oh! Guts na ume, Birdie!”

“Birdie…One Stroke – Nice Shot! Oh! A Gutsy Dream – Birdie!”

After the events of EYEFUL, Inspector Sakurada recruits the students of the EYEFUL Agency and promotes them to full-fledged detectives. They are now working for his independent Investigation Agency which he calls BIRDIE (after a golfing term). Together they investigate cases that go beyond the scope of what the Tokyo Police can handle.

The BIRDIE team consisted of the following:

Sakurada Seisaburo – Former Inspector with the Criminal Investigation Division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Force. Became disillusioned with how his Supervisors were handling cases and resigned. Became a unemployed drunkard for a while until he was asked to take over Kishi Ryoko’s EYEFUL Detective School. Feeling a sense of purpose, Sakurada brought himself back up and remolded the school into a true Detective Agency which he named BIRDIE. He promoted the EYEFUL students to full Detective status and recruited some additional former officers to help diversify the team.
Is proficient in Karate and Judo and is

Ibuki Yuji: Former lecturer with EYEFUL. Was promoted to Assistant Manager of the BIRDIE Detective Agency. Has a sharp eye and is very quick with his hands. Fell in love with fellow student Mari but was never able to act on his emotions. In the Final Episode both he and Mari died together in a bomb explosion.

Ida Norisuke: Former student of the EYEFUL School. Is both athletic and stylish. Shows a bit of a wild disposition but mostly has a bright demeanor. Disappeared with no explanation mid-season.

Harada Sanpei: Former student of the EYEFUL School. Determined to become a good detective. Ambitious and full of drive. Older women tended to have a soft spot for him. One of the most likeable detectives on the team. Often was deceived by suspects but in the end always gave them the benefit of the doubt.

Iguchi Mari: Former student of the EYEFUL School. Only daughter of a Wealthy Izu Prefecture family. Her beauty and tender disposition made her the “sweetheart” of the team. Never showed any hatred towards the suspects she apprehended. In the Final Episode both she and Yuji died in a bomb explosion while trying to save a group of children.

Detective Godai: Was an Associate of Detective Minamijo Keitaro (AKA Dou Deka). Shared his partner’s intensity and determination. Hot blooded and impulsive, he tended to go headfirst into situations. Was a very strong individual.

Detective Minamijo Keitaro (AKA Dou Deka): After Sakurada resignation from the Police Force, “Dou Deka” was promoted to Inspector and took over his position. Used his authority to cause no-end-of-trouble for the BIRDIE team. Was romantically involved with Coco for a time.

Coco: Manages the register for the Game Center that resides in the same building as the BIRDIE Detective Agency Office. Was a former juvenile delinquent whom Sakurada mentored when he was a Police Officer. Has since been indebted to him for his help. Has a bit of a tough demeanor but is quite lovable when in the right mood. Was romantically involved with “Dou Deka” for a time. Mysteriously disappeared in mid-season with no explanation.

“Dragon”: His real name is unknown as is his nationality and origin of birth. Was an international thief who specialized in robbing the greedy. Is a master of Chinese Martial Arts. Met Sakurada during one of his “jobs”. Sakurada convinced him to use his skills in a more responsible manner. Helps Sakurada and his BIRDIE team in times of great need.

Ichijou Goro: Former Amateur Racer. Manages a Driving School. Yearns to be a great Pro F1 Racer one day. In order to save his best friend from a Criminal Syndicate, he got involved with the BIRDIE team. Harada Sanpei in particular has become somewhat of a mentor to the young would-be detective. Has a good sense about others and can read people fairly well.

Mitchie: Also known as “Yasakure Mitchie” (Thin Mitchie) and “Nanahengei Mitchie” (Seven Disguises Mitchie). Mysterious and fashionable female detective. Was raised by private tutors and exclusive Boarding Schools. Was a former juvenile delinquent whom Sakurada mentored when he was a Police Officer. Acts as the team’s undercover agent and infiltration specialist. Among her many talents include singing. Tends to get very emotional which sometimes contributes to her getting into trouble.
 


Oki Masuya portrayed National Defense Flight Instructor Muroi Resuke in the Toho space action film “Wakusei Dai Sensou” (AKA War In Space; Toho, 1977).

Veteran TV and Movie actor Kobayashi Nenji was most recently seen in the movie “Tasogare Seibei” (AKA Twilight Samurai, Shochiku, 2002). He also starred in such projects as “Hotaru” (Toei, 2001), “Abunai Deka Returns” (Toei, 1996), “Shin – Jyoshu Sasori” (New Female Convict Scorpion; Toei, 1976), “Jyoshu Sasori – Dai 41 Zakkyo Bu” (Female Convict Scorpion – Jailhouse 41; Toei, 1972). Kobayashi would also star in a number of TV Dramas including “Kamen No Onna” (TBS, 1998), “Good News” (TBS, 1999), “Fuzoroi No Ringo Tachi II” (TBS, 1985) and “Kasouken No Onna II” (AKA Investigator Mariko II; TBS, 2000). Kobayashi would also reunite with Tamba in the Ishinomori Shoutaro comedy series “Hotel” (TBS, 1990).

Next to Kitano “Beat” Takeshi, comedian/singer Wada Akiko is perhaps the most recognized face on Japanese TV. Since debut in 1968 has had a string of hit Ballad singles including “Hoshizora No Kodoku” (Alone Under The Starry Sky), “Warate Yurusu” (Forgive Me With A Laugh), “Ano Kane O Narasu No Wa Anata” (You Will Ring That Bell For Me) and “Furui Nikki” (Old Diary). With her gruff Osaka mannerisms, tomboy looks and tall stature (175 cm / 5.9 Feet) she soon found herself starring in several movies and TV programs including “Furyo Bancho – Ikkakusenkin” (Juvenile Boss – Get Rich Quick; Toei, 1970) and “Onna Bancho Noraneko Rock” (Toei, 1970). Wada was also a frequent fixture on TV starring in such variety programs and comedies as “Tsumatach No Kagai Jigyo” (TBS, 1985), “School Wars” (TBS, 1980), “Akko Ni Makase” (TBS, 2000), and “Shiawase KazokuKeikaku” (AKA Happy Family Plan; TBS 2000). She also hosts her own radio program “DJ Akko No Panic Studio” (DJ Akko’s Panic Studio; Tokyo-FM).

Eurasian singer/actress Anzai Maria while not as well known as her contemporaries like Yamamoto Linda, did have some moderately successful Pop singles during the ‘70s. Her best known hit was “Namida No Taiyo” (Tears of the Sun). She only appeared in a couple of movies including “Boryoku Kiyoshitsu” (Violent Classroom; Toei, 1976).

Okamoto Fujita would also go on to star in the cult detective series “G-Men ‘75”.

Kurata Yasuaki has made a career of playing bad guys in Hong Kong cinema. On screen, he has fought the likes of Jet Li in “Fist of Legend” (1994), Sammo Hung in “Eastern Condors” (1986) and Karen Mok and Vicki Zhao in “So Close” (2002). In Japan he has appeared in movies such as “Onna Hissatsu Ken” (AKA Sister Street Fighter; 1974) and “Chokugeki! Jigoku Ken” (AKA Executioner, 1974). He starred in the cult TV action series “Tatakae! Dragon” (1974) as well as the cult detective series “G-Men ‘75”.
Most recently he has been seen in the French martial arts film “Samurai” (2002) and is producing his own movie “Yellow Dragon”.

Kurata has the following Martial Arts degrees: 5th Dan – Karate, 3rd Dan – Judo, and 2nd Dan – Aikido.