Yaiba | Kenyuu Densetsu Yaiba | ABC 90s English Dubbed Anime Retrospective

Legend of the Swordmaster Yaiba or commonly known here in the Philippines as Yaiba was an English dubbed Japanese animated series (anime) that aired in ABC-5 (now known as TV5) during the 90s. Yaiba (Ken'yū Densetsu Yaiba) was first a manga created by Gosho Aoyama the same creator and artist who brought us two other popular manga/ anime with Kaito Kid and Detective Conan. The Yaiba anime aired simultaneously on TV Tokyo (where it was titled as Kenyuu Densetsu YAIBA), TV Hokkaido, and TV Aichi from April 9, 1993~April 1, 1994 with 52 episodes. Let's take a look back at the adventure of the legendary swordsman, Yaiba Kurogane here at Retro Pilipinas.


Yaiba - The Story
Yaiba - Series Plot

Yaiba Kurogane is a samurai-in-training living together with his father (Kenjurou) and his two animal friends (Kagetora and Shonosuke). One day they were attack by gorillas where they barely escape and eventually found themselves in the big city where Yaiba found out that he is a legendary warrior's incarnation able to wield the Raijin-ken or commonly known in the English dubbed series as "Sword of Thunder God" and has to be Onimaru. He is then set on a quest to become the Samurai that he has always dreamt of through the power of the legendary sword and its powers.

Yaiba Opening Theme
Yaiba Series Intro





"Yuuki ga Areba" (If You Have Courage)
Performed by Kabuki Rocks

tatakau kotoba ikiru sadame dato iu naru
kachi tsuzukeru koto dake tada hitotsu no nozomi

kami ga ataeta shiden o koete
henka no PAWAA furishi boru sa

* yuuki ga areba dekiru hazu
yume to iu na no katana o nuite
tatakae! subete no chikara de kimi o mamotte miseru

kaze kiru kata ni tooku tobi satta ano koro
tsuyoku naritai dake tabidatta kokyou

furi kaeritai toki mo aru kedo
henka no PAWAA yomi ga eru sa

* repeat

kami ga ataeta shiden o koete
henka no PAWAA furishi boru sa

tatakae! subete no namida to kaeranu toki o sutete
yuuki ga areba dekiru hazu
yume to iu na no katana o nuite
yuuki ga areba wakaru hazu
ai o shinjiru koto o
Yaiba Closing Theme
Yaiba Series Outro



"Shinjigakunaki Tatakai" (Battle Without Theosophy)
Performed by Kabuki Rocks

Nna yatsu inai yo doko datte
MAKUNBA kamashita onna no ko
TAFUna yarou ga daisuki na no
Hanfuku yokotobi kimeteru ze!

Aaa nan darou kono yume dou yuu kokoro
Aaa senazaiishiki no araware nanda na
JUNG fuu ni kaishaku suru naraba

TORA TORA UMA TORA TORA UMA
RIBI-LIBIDOU (RIBI-LIBIDO)
KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI
KOGI KOGI COGITO (ERGO SUM)
Nna koto bakkari no tamau hima nado
Samurai nya nai no da!

Nna yatsa inai yo doko datte
KOKKURI uto-uto onna no ko
CARISMA yarou ga daisuki na no
Fumitai shoukou kimeteru ze!

Aaa nan darou kono yume wo dou yuu kokoro
Aaa shinsou shinri no araware nanda na
KAFKA fuu ni byousha wo suru naraba

TORA TORA UMA TORA TORA UMA
RIBI-LIBIDO (RIBI-LIBIDO)
KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI
KOGI KOGI COGITO (ERGO SUM)
Nna koto bakkari no tamau yatsu nado
Samurai nya narenai!

TORA TORA UMA TORA TORA UMA
RIBI-LIBIDOU (RIBI-LIBIDO)
KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI KOGI
KOGI KOGI COGITO (ERGO SUM)
Nna koto bakkari no tamau hima nado
Samurai nya nai no da!




Yaiba is one of the many masterpiece which came from the brilliant mind of Gosho Aoyama who is also the creator of Kaito Kid, and one of the longest running anime Detective Conan (Maitantei Conan). There is a special anime episode in Detective Conan where Yaiba, Conan, and Kid were featured. You can check it out here:


What is there to NOT say about The Legendary Brave Swordsman Yaiba? It is only just one of the most kick ass anime series of the 90s!!! Okay, I've calmed down. I plan to re-watch the series online again to see as how well it lives up up to this day. I am also thinking of getting this on DVD or Bluray as part of a collection. So what made Yaiba so great? It is probably the Dragon Ball-esque like elements where Yaiba and the crew starts hunting magical spheres or orbs to power up the "Sword of the Thunder God" (Raijin-ken) to defeat the forces of Onimaru and Princess Kaguya (last arc). It started light-hearted and later became more action-packed which is perfect for a growing 90s boy like myself at that time. I also remember doing the "whirlwind sword technique" a.k.a. Senpūken, in which Yaiba spins the sword like a lawnmower blade by inserting his fingers in the hole where the orbs would usually go then twirls it, using everyday household materials just to emulate Yaiba's technique. I usually use a clothes hanger for this deed. I like at how some villains eventually became Yaiba's most trusted friends like Spiderman, Frogman, Slugman, Starman, and Grasshopperman (Wew! and I haven't rewatched it and I still remember them). I also love the twist in the Princess Kaguya story in the end. If ever there is something that local television station like GMA, ABS-CBN, and TV5 should pick up again, it is Yaiba.


How about you guys, what are your fondest memory of Yaiba? Do you have any favorite episode(s), memorabilia, and experiences with the Gosho Aoyama masterpiece? Share your thoughts about the phenomenal 90s English-dubbed anime Yaiba in the comments section below:

Beakman's World | RPN 9's 90s Educational Children's Show

Beakman's World was a popular educational children's show that locally aired (initially) every Sunday afternoon at around 5:00 on RPN-9 during the 90s. Beakman's World which was based on the Universal Press Syndicate syndicated comic strip "You Can with Beakman and Jax" created by Jok Church that originally run from September 18, 1992 – December 6, 1997 distributed by Sony Pictures Television in the U.S. and in other countries. The edutainment show premiered on The Learning Channel (TLC) cable network and was later moved to CBS Saturday morning children’s block on September 18, 1993. Just like any kids show of the past, it suddenly came to a halt as it was cancelled around 1998 but not without leaving a mark to the countless of kids who grew up watching this very educational and entertaining world of Science through the eyes and world of Beakman. The series ran for 4 Seasons with each Season featuring more humor and four female assistant changes. Let's take a look back on this very educational and entertaining Beakman's World from the 90s.


Beakman's World - The Show
About Beakman's World

Beakman's World featured an eccentric Scientist called Beakman (played by Paul Zaloom) who answers generally Science-related mail by televiewers where he then gives a thorough and comical explanation, demonstrations, and experimentation.


Throughout the series run, Beakman's female assistant has been changed with Josie (played by Alanna Ubach) for season 1; Liza (played by Eliza Schneider) for seasons 2 and 3; and Phoebe (played by Senta Moses) for season 4. Besides the lovely female assistant, one show staple is that clueless guy in the rat suit a.k.a "Lester The Rat" (played by Mark Ritts). There is also unseen cameraman "Ray" (played by prop-master Ron Jancula's hands) occasionally assists beakman and is very "handy" and "Beakmon" (played by actress Jean Stapleton) which rarely appeared on the show as Beakman's mother. There are also two "lovable" puppet penguins Don (voiced by Bert Berdis) and Herb (voiced by Alan Barzman) who are usually seen at the beginning, before or after commercial breaks and end of the show commentating in their home at the South Pole watching Beakman on their television.


Beakman's world is memorable for its many colorful characters usually played by Paul and Mark (e.g. when they bring in famous and generally deceased scientist to explain about their theories). There is also "The Beakman's Challenge", a show's regular segment where Beakman challenge Lester to do a stunt that he clumsily can't execute but will later be flawlessly executed by a basic scientific feat.

Beakman's World Opening Theme
Beakman's World Series Intro



Beakman's World Theme
Composed by Mark Mothersbaugh
As a kid growing up in the 90s, Beakman's World was awesome! It was perfectly placed in the afternoon Sunday time slot. I usually tune in to the funny antics of Beakman and Lester and the many characters the cast plays. This was the show that got me hooked up to Science which I eventually adored all the way up to high school but then it suddenly became way tougher come College with Chemistry and Physics XD. Now that I am an adult in the real world, it is fun going back to this world of Science initially introduced to me by Paul Zaloom and the rest of the Beakman's World cast.


I mostly remember the fun brought by the show. The characters like Art Burn, Meekman, Don and Herb, and the many guest Scientists also portrayed by Paul Zaloom. I also grew fond of expressions like "Ba-Da-Bing... Ba-Da-Bang... Ba-da-Boom!" and "Zaloom!" usually muttered by Beakman.


I love how Beakman has opened up the wondrous world of Science to kids (like myself back in the days) in a fun and unique way. The humor that the show has can still be appreciated up to this day and I can say is in par with some troll humor (highly subjective by I find most of them really funny) of today. Beakman has truly left a lasting impression to me. Although there have been quite a few contemporary local Science-related edutainment shows, nothing comes close to what Beakman has left in my mind. Kids might be more hooked to AHA!, I Bilib, or Matanglawin. Probably it is a generation thing or my nostalgia talking.


Ever wondered what happened to the cast of Beakman's World or what is it like to work behind the scenes? Well, wonder no more! There are a series of Youtube videos featuring Paul Zaloom touring around the world and speaking in conventions talking about Beakman's World. Check out these series of clips from The Funday Pawpet Show's Megaplex 2010 Weird Weird Science! featuring Paul Zaloom as a special guest and just like Beak Mania, he answered them all in an unadulterated honest to goodness manner (Just like Beak's):











How about you guys? What are your fondest memories, favorite episode(s), characters, or segment on Beakman's World? Share your thoughts and experiences about this popular 90s edutainment children's television show called Beakman's World in the comments section below: