Bioman was an English dubbed super hero kids show which first aired in ABS-CBN back in 1986 and later in Intercontinental Broadcasting Company (IBC) around the 90s. Bioman was originally Choudenshi Bioman (超電子バイオマン Chōdenshi Baioman), a Japanese tokusatsu television series by Toie Company and the 8th super sentai series title which originally aired on TV Asahi from February 4, 1984 to January 26, 1985. Bioman was the last super sentai series that got an English dubbed, the localized sentai series that followed are all dubbed in Filipino. Even in its 90s rerun, it was still dubbed in English. But it was the series that most 90s Filipino kids are familiar with and has the same charm as Maskman. Let's go down memory lane as we look back at Bioman.
Choudenshi Bioman - The Story
Choudenshi Bioman Series Plot
The once prosperous Bio Star is destroyed after a world war erupted over the use of a scientific discovery called "Bio Particles". The Bio Star Peacekeeping Alliance, which sought to use Bio Particles for peaceful purposes, sends the giant robot Bio Robo and an assistant robot named Peebo in order to prevent the same tragedy from happening to Earth. Bio Robo arrives on 15th century Japan, where it showers Bio Particles on five young individuals. Centuries later, the descendants of these individuals, infused with Bio Particles, are chosen by Peebo and Bio Robo to become the Bioman team: Shiro Go became Red One, Shingo Takasugi became Green Two, Ryuta Nanbara became Blue Three, Mika Koizumi, who was later replaced by Jun Yabuki became Yellow Four, and Hikaru Katsuragi became Pink Five.
The Bioman team are asked to protect the Earth from the Neo Gear Empire, an organization led by the cyborg mad scientist Doctor Man from his Neo Grad fortress at the South Pole. Doctor Man believe that Neo Gear Empire to be a technologically advanced society with the right to rule Earth. Big Three (Mason, Farrah, and Monster), Farrah Cat, Prince and Mecha Clones.
Bioman Opening Theme
Choudenshi Bioman Series Intro
"Choudenshi Bioman" (超電子バイオマン Chōdenshi Baioman)
Lyrics by Chinfa Kan.
Composition by Kunihiko Kase.
Arrangement by Tatsumi Yano.
Artist: Takayuki Miyauchi
Takayuki Miyauchi Live Perfomance of Bioman Opening Theme
Takayuki Miyauchi Sings Choudenshi Bioman - Series Intro
Bioman Closing Theme
Choudenshi Bioman Series Outro
The only Bioman Closing Theme I found that showed the original TV Ending Theme Sequence. This Closing Theme is in French but stayed true to its original arrangement.
"Biomic Soldier" (バイオミック・ソルジャー Baiomikku Sorujā)
Lyrics by Chinfa Kan.
Composition by Kunihiko Kase.
Arrangement by Tatsumi Yano.
Artist: Takayuki Miyauchi.
Takayuki Miyauchi Live Perfomance of Bioman Closing Theme
Takayuki Miyauchi Sings Biomic Soldier - Series Intro
For a 90s kid, I have considered Bioman as the "bio brain" of all super sentai series during its run. Of course this was not true, but you really can't blame a kid who has just started to grow awareness about his surrounding during the 90s. We don't have Wikis or the internet to inform us that time, so this was really my first exposure to the super sentai (tokusatsu) series. Besides the usual storyline, monsters, mechas and story, Bioman's greatest and lasting influence was both its memorable catchy opening and closing themes. As a sign of its lasting influence, I still seldom randomly hear its theme everytime I'm out doing my regular stroll. Whether it is in a form of a ring tone or a music being played in a CD, Bioman truly has became a part of everyone (mostly its male audience) who grew up with the series. I am bit ashamed to say that I never really got into the series due to the fact that it was dubbed in English and it has erratic airing television schedule back in IBC-13. I believe I have never seen the show's finale. I preferred Maskman later, because of the obvious... being in Filipino. I somewhat understood Maskman "more" back then(?). I wasn't that fully into Star Wars back as well, so Peebo was my first lovable gold robot. CRPO was just a runner up. Bioman became memorable a series and probably a part of my childhood now. Thus it always brings me back to the worry-free moments of my life when I was just watching retro tokusatsu shows in our local Philippine television.
What about you guys? What's your fondest memories, favorite episode, character or merchandise about the Bioman? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below:
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