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Based on the 1976 manga series by Shinji Wada which was serialized
in the girl’s magazine “Hana To Yume”.
Shares some similarities with the movie “Zero Ka No
Onna: Akai Techou [Wappa]” (Woman Of Zero Division:
Red Handcuffs AKA Zero Woman; Toei, 1974). In the story Rei
(Sugimoto Miki) is a Sukeban who is recruited by a clandestine
Police Department Division that is charged with stopping radicals
and foreign criminals, with “whatever means necessary”.
Tetsuro Tanba played Rei’s direct supervisor and handler.
Like Asamiya Saki, Rei was also equipped with specialized
weaponry (in this case “red handcuffs” which were
connected with a long chain). She would use these handcuffs
to strangle her opponents and ensnare them. Being one of Toei’s
more rougher 70’s “sexploitation” films,
“Zero Woman” would also include Rei using her
body to seduce criminals. It was directed by Noda Yukio (a
mentor to Miike Takahashi).
Former 80’s J_Pop Idol, Saito Yuki had a string of
hits during the 80’s including “Soutsugyo”
[Graduation] (1985), “Hatsukoi” [First Love] (1985),
“Aozora No Kakera” [Piece of Blue Sky] (1986),
“Oracion – Inori” [Oracion – Prayer]
(1988), and “Yume No Naka E” [In Your Dreams]
(1989).
Her catchy single “Kanashimi O Konichiwa” [Hello
Sadness] (1986) was used as the title song for the popular
Anime series “Maison Ikkoku” (Kitty/Fuji TV; 1986).
In addition to her singing career, Saito also starred in
a string of dramas and movies including “Hachidai Shogun
Yoshimune” (The Eighth Shogun – Yoshimune; NHK,
1995), “Dousoukai” (Reunion; NTV, 1989), “Koisuru
Onna Tachi” (Women In Love; Toho, 1987), “Yushun
– Orashion” (Toho, 1988), “Hong Kong Paradise”
(Toho, 1990), and “Ah Haru” (Ah, Spring; Shochiku,
1998). She was most recently seen in the movie “Inochi”
(Life; 2002).
Saito’s single the haunting “Shiroi Hono”
[White Flame] was used as the theme song for Season One of
“Sukeban Deka”. The lyrics were written for her
by another 80’s J-Pop icon, singer-song writer Tamaki
Koji, lead member of the then popular group Anzenchitai.
With her cute face and trademark mole, J-Pop Idol Minamino
Yoko AKA “Nanno” was a huge idol music star during
the mid 80’s. Beginning with her debut single “Hazukashisugite”
[Too Shy] (1985), she has a sting of hits including “Rakuen
No Door” [Door To Heaven] (1987), “Aki No Indication”
[Indication of Fall] (1987), “Hai Kara San Ga Toru”
(1987), “Toiki De Netto” (1988), and “Aki
Kara Mo Soba Ni Itte” [Stay With Me Even In The Fall]
(1988).
She was seen in a number of Japanese Commercials (“CM”)
including those for Glico Candies, Fuji Color Film, Kirin
Beverages (Kirin Lemon 2101), Kanebo Cosmetics, Fujitsu Electronics
and “House” Commodities.
In addition, like Saito Yuki before her, see branched out
into films with a number of projects including “Shiroi
Te“ (White Hands; Toei, 1990), “Kantsubaki”
(Toei, 1992), “Watashi O Daite Soshite Kiss O Shite”
(Hold Me and Kiss Me; Toei, 1992), “San Tabi No Kaikyo”
(Three Travel Along The Japan Channel; Toei, 1995), “June
Bride” (1998), “Hashire! Ichiro” (Run! Ichiro;
2001), “Sennen No Koi – Hikaru Genji Monogatari”
(A Thousand Year Love – The Story of Genji; 2001), and
“Shin Yuki Guni” (New Snow Country; 2002).
Minamino also continued working on TV projects, starring
in such series as “Takeda Shingen” (NHK, 1988),
“Aitsu Wa Trouble” (He’s In Trouble; CX,
1989), “Manuke Sensei” (The Absent Minded Teacher;
TBS, 1998), “Big Wing” (TBS, 2001) and “Ikkakusenkin
Ai Kazoku” (The “Get Rich Quick” Family;
TBS, 2002).
Yoshizawa Akie was a member of the all-girl idol super group
“Onyanko Club” (AKA “Nyan Nyan” or
the Kitty Cat Club). They were the precursor to day’s
“Morning Musume” group.
With over 25 members in its ranks, Onyanko Club was one of
the biggest girl groups and produced a veritable who’s
who of future singing stars including Sayuri Kokusho, Sayuri,
Watanabe Marina, Kudo Shizuka, Ikuina Akiko, Saito Makiko,
Watanabe Minayo, Takai Mamiko, Fukunaga Satomi, Kawai Sonoko,
Nitta Eri, Iwai Yukiko (AKA Yuyuu).
The Onyanko Club had their own variety TV show called “Yuyake
Nyan Nyan” (means "Sunset Meow Meow") where
they would showcase their latest songs and interview other
idols similar to MTV’s “Top Ten” Show.
While her career never reached the success of Saito Yuki
or Minamino Yoko, Asuka Yui was none-the-less a popular idol
of the 80’s (mostly due in part to her casting in Sukeban
Deka). She had a string of moderately successful singles among
which “C-Girl” (1988) was her best known. She
didn’t star in as many movies as her successors but
played the lead role of Ikuma Yawara in the movie “Yawara!”
(Toho/My CAL Group; 1989).
While their singing talents left much to be desired, they
none-the-less produced a string of smash hits during the 80’s
including “Sailor Fuku O Nuganaide” [Don’t
Take Off Your Sailor Uniform] (1985), “Oyoshi Ni Natte
Yo Teacher” [Please Teach Me Teacher] (1985), “Otto
Chikan” [Oh No, A Pervert] (1986), “Katatsumuri
No Samba” [Snail Samba] (1987) and “No More Rei
Ai Gokko” [No More Love Games] (1986).
As with “Morning Musume”, additional sub-groups
also emerged (Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi and Ushirogami Hikaretai).
Ushiroyubi Sasaregumi’s hit song “Banana No Namida”
[Banana Tears] (1986) was used as the OP Theme Song for the
animation “High School Kimengumi”.
The Onyanko Club disbanded in September 1987 so that its
various members could pursue their own individual projects.
Tokusatsu Fans should remember Naka Koji better as Master
Kaku in the Sentai Series “Go Sei Sentai Dai Ranger”
(Toei; 1993).
Early in his long career, gruff veteran Actor Nagato Hiroyuki
had been a child actor. After he graduated from Ritsumeikan
University, he was made a contract player with Nikkatsu studios
where he stared in a number of Imamura Shouhei films, "Nusumareta
Yokujou" (1958), "Hateshinaki Yokubou" (1958),
"Nianchan" (1959) and "Buta To Gunkan"
(1960). He has since been seen in numerous movies and TV series
among which include “Ningen No Shomei” (AKA Proof
of Man; Kadokawa/Toei, 1977) and the recent Miike Takashi
horror-fest “Gokudo Kyofu Dai-Gekijo: Gozu” (Klock
Worx Co., 2003).
Miyauchi Hiroshi is probably one of the most recognized faces
in Tokusastu TV happening appeared and starred in a number
of Tokusatsu shows. Among the characters he’s portrayed
are Kazami Shiro/Kamen Rider V3 (Kamen Rider V3 – Toei/Ishinomori
Pro, 1973), Shimei Akira/Ao Ranger (Himitsu Sentai Go-Ranger
– Toei/Ishinomori Pro, 1975), Banba Sokichi/Big One
(JAKQ Dengeki Tai – Toei/Ishinomori Pro, 1977), Hayakawa
Ken/Zubat (Kaiketsu! Zubat – Toei/Ishinomori Pro, 1977),
Commander Masaki Shunsuke (Tokkei WindSpector <Special
Command WindSpector> Toei/Ishinomori Pro, 1989); (Tokushu
Shirei Soulbain <Special Directive Soul Bain> –
Toei/Ishinomori Pro, 1991) and Captain Miura (Choriki Sentai
OhRanger - Ishinomori Pro, 1995)
Sakamoto Taro is no stranger to the Japanese Tokusatsu genre,
having directed episode installments for such series as “Go
Sei Sentai Dai Ranger” (Toei; 1993), “Cho Kou
B-Fighter” (Toei, 1995), “Bi Shojo Powatoreen”
(Toei, 1990), “Ninja Sentai Kaku Ranger” (Toei,
1994) and Hyakujyu Sentai Gao Ranger” (Toei, 2001) among
others.
Writer Tsuchiya Tokio also provided the script for the live-action
adaptation of the Anime “Cat’s Eye” (Toho,
1997).
Director Tanaka Hideo has also directed many episodes for
such Tokusatsu shows as “Uchu Keiji Gavan” (Toei,
1982), “Uchu Keiji Shariban” (Toei, 1983), “Uchu
Keiji Shader” (Toei, 1984), and “Kaiketsu Zubat”
(Toei, 1977).
Writer Hashimoto Izo is best known for his work on the Otomo
Katsuhiro project “Akira” (Toho, 1988). He also
wrote and directed the sequel to the chilling cult firm “Shiro
No Wana AKA Evil Dead Trap” film “Shiro No Wana
2 – Hideki” (Japan Home Video, 1992). He also
the screenplay for the films “Hyoryu Kiyoshitsu AKA
The Drifting Classroom” (Toho, 1987) and “Kujaku
Oh AKA The Peacock King” (Toho, 1988).
Director Oi Toshio has also directed episodes of the Sentai
series “Ninpu Sentai HurriCangers” (Toei, 2002).
Toda Hiroshi has also penned stories for such Anime series
as “Tatakae! Otokojuku” (1988), “Hokutou
No Ken 2” (1987), “Majou No Tenshi – Creamy
Mami” (1983) and Ranma ½ (1989).
Writer Azuma Masayoshi also penned the scripts for such projects
as “Toriko” (Image Factory/IM; 1995) and its subsequent
sequels. He also is the screenwriter behind such “direct-to-video”
films as “Koroshi No Gundan” (Cinema Paradise;
2001).
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