Supergirl      (By Jmaruyama)

Japanese Title:

Supergirl
 

Air Dates:

4/2/1979 - 3/17/1980

 

Number of Episodes:

51
 

While PLAYGIRL may be the more recognized and familiar "All-Woman" Cop Show, SUPERGIRL in my opinion is the better series by far. Clearly SUPERGIRL has many similarities with America's CHARLIE's ANGELS. This was done by design. During the late 70's, as in America, Charlie's Angels was slowly grabbing attention in Japan. Hoping to come up with another hit "All-Women" Cop Show to follow up the hugely successful PLAYGIRL, Toei Studios decided to make their own variation of "Charlie's Angels". While still retaining the "Tit & Ass" appeal that made PLAYGIRL a hit, Toei decided to make SUPERGIRL a bit more gritty than its predecessor. Granted the series still had it's light hearted and comical interactions, the cases that these beautiful detectives went on were more darker and shadier. Most of the episodes involved the members of SG7 going undercover as models, dancers, prostitutes and called for them to either dress in sexy clothes or go semi-nude. The episode titles do seem to sound awfully close to Nikkatsu's Roman Porno titles but I would hazard to guess that the episodes themselves weren't as bawdy and risqué as they sound. While the Japanese TV censorship rules aren't as stringent as America, they none-the-less stopped short of resorting to having women totally naked in the episodes.

The series itself boasted a cast of familiar actresses and models from other Toei shows and movies and also featured several actresses from the Nikkatsu Adult Movie (Roman <Romance> Porno) stable, much to the delight of the male dominant audience.

 

While the titles do hint at Nikkatsu "Roman" Porno films, the episodes themselves do not seem to be as blatantly pornographic. The Story Titles were purposely "exploitive" but were just that. In fact most of the series writers were ex-Nikkatsu studio staff, which might also explain the bawdy feel of the episodes. In typical Japanese Drama fashion most of the episodes seemed to have incorporated a fair amount of sexual innuendo, bathroom humor and of course "Tits and Ass". The SUPERGIRLS like their counterparts in CHARLIE's ANGELS had to go undercover in a variety of situations and often masqueraded as High School Students, Call Girls, Showgirls and the like. Perhaps some of the episodes went a bit too far in the humor category as some of the earlier episodes seemed to emulate the "tongue-in-cheek" approach of PLAYGIRL. Later, however the episodes relied less on "camp" and became more in line with the other "harder edged" Japanese Police Dramas.

1. Shichinin No Sexy Cats Ga Ima Gekiteki Ni ("Seven Sexy Cats Make Their Explosive Debut")
2. Pink No Hada Wa Kira Nama Ni Maeta ("Her Pink Flesh Was Burned Raw")
3. Osoku Memo - Hadaka No Onna Otoshi Ana ("Corruption Memo -Cave of The Nude Woman")
4. Fever No Yoru - Model Wa Zennan De Shinu ("Night Fever - A Model Dies Naked")
5. Thiller! Nureta Hadaka Onna Ga Yami Ni Koku ("Thriller! A Wet Nude Woman Wails In The Dark")
6. Nerawareta Ring No JouOh ("To Steal The Queen's Ring")
7. Jiyoshu Tatsukoku Niyotai Ni Shitaketa Wana ("Jail Break From The Woman's Prison. A Woman's Trap")
8. Onna Ou Nerau Kuroi Kage Ou Ouu ("A Black Shadow Stalks The Woman")
9. Shinkoku Shoya Ijou Na Dekikoto ("A Newly Wed's Strange First Night Experience")
10. Baishunfu Koroshi Kiyushi Keibu ("A Prostitute's Death - An Uneasy Inspector")
11. Onna Wa Ipatsu Jiyobu Suru ("A Woman's Instant Victory")
12. Shiroi Niyubo Ga Tama Ou Yobu ("A Woman's White Breast Call Forth The Spirits")
13. Onna Dragon Kurenai No Onna Hitsatsu Ken ("Female Dragon - The Crimson Death Fist")
14. Hakuchu No Akumu Rape Sareta Hitozuma (Midday Nightmare - A Housewife's Rape)
15. Kokosei Baishun Keshi No Sennin Sousa (High School Prostitution - The Unrelenting Infiltration Investigation)
16. Hadaka De Jiyuko No Mae Ni Tate (Standing Naked In Front of the Barrel of a Gun)
17. Jiyoshu Tatsukoku Fukushu Ni Moeta Nikutai (Escape From The Female Prison - The Woman's Burning Vengence)
18. Joshidaisei No Ijou Na Taiken (Witness To THe College Coed's Strange Abnormality)
19. Hadaka De Okami No Mure To Tattakae (Nude Battle Against the Wolf Pack)
20. Onna No Inochi Wa Hadaka De Mamoru (To Stand Naked To Protect The Life Of A Woman)
21. Tomari Panic Mayonaka No Kyofu (Phantom Killer Panic - Midnight Terror)
22. Hanayome Gotatsu Koroshi No Mae Ni Hadaka Ou Ubae (To Steal The Nude Body Before The Kill)
23. Boryoku No Machi Ni Niyotai Ou Kakeru (Streets of Violence - To Risk The Woman's Body)
24. Hitozuma Baishun Onna Ga Naita Rape No Wanna (Housewife Prostitution - The Woman's Tears In The Rape Trap)
25. Saraba Onna Hyo Onna Ga Subete Ou Kakeru Toki (Goodbye Female Panther - The Moment Where She Risks       Everything)
26. Shin Taitei Baishun Soshiki No Wanna Ou Abaku (New Assignment - To Expose The White Slavery Ring)
27. Yoru No Shinsatsu Shitsu - Uroki Moeru Hitozuma (The Night Examination Room - The Wanton Housewife)
28. Jiyudan Baishun Jikoku No Mitsugo Route (The White Slavery Ring - The Path To Evil)
29. Zenra Satsujin Nazo No Massage Shi (The Naked Murderer - The Mysterious Masseur)
30. Osouwareta Jyoshidaise Kiyofu No 24 Jikan (The Stalked College Coed - The 24 Hour Terror)
31. Ijou Fufu No Kiken Na Rape (The Abnormal Couple Is In Danger of Rape)
32. Kokubaku Jiyoshi Daisei Shiyogeki Na Eros (Confessions of a College Coed - Love Shock)
33. Hitozuma Jiyohatsu Uragiri No Hada Wa Moeru (The Housewife's Disappearance To Burn with Treachery)
34. Hitozuma Kokubaku Futari No Otto Wa Matsu Onna (Confessions of a Housewife - Waiting For Her Two Husbands)
35. Uwaki Chiyosa - Onna No Mishutsu Gozen Reiji (Infidelity Investigation - The Woman's Secret Room at 1 A.M.)
36. Yoru No Jyoshi Ryo - Newarareta Cheergirl (The Shadowy Woman's Dormitory - Stalking of the Cheerleader)
37. Yoru No Shiyokei Dai Rape Sareta Onna Keiji (Dark Execution Room - The Policewoman's Rape)
38. Kekon Sagi Yuwaku No Amai Melody (The Wedding Swindle - Temptation's Sweet Allure)
39. Hitozuma Baishun Himitsu Group No Kuroi Kage (The Housewife's Prostitution - The Secret Organization's Sinister       Trap)
40. Zenran Satsujin Mayonaka No Homon (Nude Murderer - Midnight Caller)
41. Onna No Hada Wa 3 Oku Yen No Himitsu Kinko (The Secret of the 3 Million Yen Woman)
42. Hitoyozuma Omoide No Ai Ni Moeru (A One Night Stand - To Burn In Love's Memory)
43. Turko Musume Satsujin Jiken (The Turkish Bath House Girl Murder)
44. Yoru No Tehaigaki Onna Wa Ketsuyo Ni Uso O Tsuku (The Midnight Letter - She Lied On A Monday)
45. Jiyoshu Elegy Ai No Shuchaku Eki (A Female Convict's Elegy - Destination Love)
46. Yoru No Shudoen Kuroi Gi Ni Himeta Shiroi Hada (Dark Monetary - Dressed In Black)
47. Yoru No Kagai Jigyo Kiken Ou Uru Shojo (Night School - The Girl's Dangerous Moonlighting)
48. Yoru Ga Nikui Kuroi Wana Ni Kakata "OL" ("I Hate The Night" - The Secretary (Office Lady) Falls Into A Sinister       Trap
49. Niyushi Jikoku Wa Sagi No Kisetsu (Examination (Entrance) Exams Are The Season of Fraud
50. Uwaki No Daisho - Okane Tou Inochi (Compensation For Infidelity - Money & Love)
51. Jiken Bakudan "Time Limit" Itu Pun Mai (Time Bomb - Time Limit Is One Minute)
 

Hirose, Yuko (Nagiwa, Yoko)
"The Cool Headed Leader"

Lead a brilliant career as a Police Inspector and solved many cases. Left the Police Department to start her own Detective Agency. Established the All-Women Detective Agency SG7 (Supergirl Seven). She acts as an advisor to KPO (Kokusai Police Organization - read InterPol). She is the typical leader - calm, cool, collective and very good at deduction and reasoning. She never lets herself be intimidated by a man. She is proficient in various skills - foreign language, sports, music etc. She was mostly seen at the office giving direction but occasionally went on the field. Actress Nagiwa also starred in the cult Detective Series KEYHUNTER.




  

Eimoto, Ritsuko (Janet Hata)
"The SG7 Field Commander"

Former Police Woman and associate of Hirose. Was an Olympic hopeful in Target Shooting. Is Field Commander for the SG7 Team. Calm under stress, she uses her strong intuitions to help the team solve cases. She was tragically murdered (Episode 25) while trying to protect her fiance from the bullet of an assassin sent by a vengeful Drug Lord. Eurasian actress Hata was a Toei Movie regular.

  


  

Fujimura, Mari (Yamamoto, Linda)
"SG7's Informant/Intelligence Gatherer"

Fujimura was a professional photographer before she joined SG7. Always with camera in hand, she uses her sharp photographic instincts to capture clues at the seen of a crime. Provided invaluable assistance in gathering evidence against criminals. Was a former showgirl, dancer and singer. Retired from the team (Episode 26) to open up a pub called "Albatross", which the Supergirls later frequented. Statuesque Eurasian beauty Yamamoto, Linda is best known as a Japanese Pop singer and dancer. She's had success in the Japanese Pop Charts of in the 70's and 80's and has also appeared in other Toei shows such as KAMEN RIDER (as "Rider Girl " Mari). She is still seen frequently on Japanese TV.





  

Nagatani, Rie (Maki, Rei)
"SG7's Wild Cat"

Former Traffic Division Officer. Hand-to-hand combat expert. A bit reckless and "lonewolf" in style, she often gets into serious and dangerous situations. She is however fiercely loyal to her teammates and often risks her own life to save them in times of need. Maki, Rei should be very familiar to '70's Tokusatsu Fan. She played SSI agent *** in Super Robot Red Baron (1973), and was an agent of 10-4-10-10 (1972). Provided much of the action scenes in this series.


   

Sasaki, Kaoru (Tatsu, Reiko)
"SG7's Cry Baby"

Former Juvenile Crimes Division Officer. Joined SG7 along with Nagatani. Has model looks but is a deadly fighter (has a Blackbelt in Judo). She has a soft spot for women, and children. Her string of failed romances and dates provided a lot of the comic relief in the show, as did her constant emotional out bursts. Tatsu, Reiko was a Japanese fashion model before starring in this series.

 
  

Shiraishi, Mika (Izumi, June)
"SG7's Troublemaker"

Former Account with the Government Management Division. Manages the finances of the SG7 agency. Can't see anything without her glasses. Little bit of a clutz and a ditz, but when the team needs her she always comes through in the end. Later in the series, her nearsightedness was fixed with contact lenses. Often gets into all sort of trouble along with fellow troublemakers SASAKI and NAGATANI. Nikkatsu Roman Porno actress Izumi, June surprised everyone by appearing in this TV series. She provided much of the "T&A" in the series. Izumi starred previously in the Nikkatsu Movie, KANJIRUN DESU ("I Am Arosed" -1976) and and went on to do other movies such as MOMOE NO KUCHIBRU: AIJU ("Momoe's Lips: Love Beast"-1980) AIJU: AKAI KUCHIBIRU (Love Beast: Red Lips-1981) and TENSHI NO HARAWATA: AKAI INGA (Angel Guts: Red Porno-1981).





   

Namiki, Etsuko (Tanaka, Naomi)
"SG7's Youngest"

Namiki had always had an interest in becoming a detective. While inexperienced and young (20 years old) she had a matureness beyond her years. She often tagged along at first with the rest of the team but soon graduated to full membership after proving herself on cases. Later became proficient in Kick Boxing. Like Tatsu, Tanaka was a former model and covergirl for Japanese magazines and commercials.

   

Hayakawa, Noriko (Shindo, Megumi)
"SG7's Undercover Specialist"

Took over Eimoto's position after her death. Former Missing Persons Division Detective. Quit the Police Force when she married her husband, a Trading Company Salesman. Three years later, her husband passes away and she then joins SG7. She is a brilliant Investigator whose expertise is in disguises and voice impersonations. Hayakawa is another Toei veteran actress and talent.


  

Mizuki, Mayumi (Hyuga, Akiko)
"SG7's Sukeban (Juvenile) Idol"

Former show dancer, stripper and gang member. She was set straight by Hayakawa during her time at the Police Department. A skilled knife thrower and driver. Her lover was killed in a motorcycle accident. Hyuga was often exploited by Nikkatsu due to her similarity to 70's Pop Idol Yamaguchi, Momoe. She starred in such Nikkatsu Roman Porno films as Momoko Fujin No Boken ("Lady Momoko's Adventure" -1980), HIRUSAGARI NO ONNA: CHOHATSU ("Women of the Afternoon:Incite! -1979), and WAKAZAMA KANNO CLUB: ZECCHO YUGI (Young Wives Sensual Club: Orgasm Game" -1980).



  
 

Aside from the inclusion of Maki, Rei Supergirl had another interesting connection to Japanese Tokusatsu. The Supergirl Opening Teaser featured an animated sequence showing the Supergirl mascot, a pink sexy cat, flying around and saving the city from a bomb. This character was designed by none-other-than Ishinomori, Shotaro who is considered the father of Japanese Tokusatsu. He originated and designed everyone from KAMEN RIDER to KIKAIDER. He also produced and supervised many Tokusatsu shows from the 70s. He did not produce this show by the way.

Onna Hissatsu Ken Returns!?

In Episode 13, Nagatani, Rie reveals that she knows the art of the Hitsatsu Ken when she goes solo to take on a bunch of counterfeiters and gangsters. Toei wanted to exploit the popularity of their Japanese Martial Arts exploitation film ONNA HISATSU KEN and thus incorporated it in this episode which featured Maki, Rei doing her best Shiomi, Etsuko imitations. Too bad Shiomi didn't make a cameo.

The Ending Theme "MAGICAL NIGHT" was sung by Kumiko Onogi, who also sang the theme "Venus Ace" in the children's animation GREAT MAZINGER