Janperson | Tokusou Robo Janperson | ABC-5 90s Filipino-Dubbed Tokusatsu

Tokusou Robo Janperson or simply known as Janperson was a Filipino-dubbed super hero kids show that aired in ABC-5 (now known as TV5) around the late 90s (or early 2000). Janperson had an original title of Tokusou Robo Janperson (特捜ロボ ジャンパーソン Tokusō Robo Janpāson), was a tokusatsu series and 1993 installment in Toei Company Limited's Metal Hero Series; Tokusou Robo Janperson was the 12th in the Metal Hero series. Janperson, produced by Toei originally aired in TV Asahi from January 31, 1993 to January 23, 1994 with a total of 50 episodes with a 30-minute running time. The opening catchphrase of the series is "Janperson Fights For Justice" which has a similar tone and feel to Mobile Cop Jiban. Let's go down memory lane and remember Tokusou Robo Janperson.


Janperson - The Story
About Tokusou Robo Janperson

Tokusou Robo Janperson revolved around Janperson, a purple & silver android robot detective. He was once a prototype combat robot driven berserk by the command to "Destroy Evil," that led to his deactivation and was later stripped of most weaponry and reprogrammed with human emotions by the young female scientist Kaoru Saegusa.


Janperson patrols the streets of Tokyo and fights against three different underworld organizations who used super technology to subjugate the masses. Unlike most Metal Heroes with a monster-of-the-week format, monsters were rarely shown and most of the villains are criminals akin to more television police dramas than tokusatsu or metal hero.

Janperson Opening Theme
Tokusou Robo Janperson Series Intro



"Tokusō Robo Janperson"
Lyrics by Keisuke Yamakawa
Composition by Keisuke Hama
Arrangement by Kei Wakakusa
Artist: Susumu Ōya
Janperson Closing Theme
Tokusou Robo Janperson Series Outro



"Asayake no Lullaby"
Lyrics and composition by Keisuke Yamakawa
Composition by Keisuke Hama
Arrangement by Kei Wakakusa
Artist: Susumu Ōya




What can be said about Janperson's run on ABC-5 back in the late 90s. Janperson was that cool robot detective series shown every Sunday afternoon that made Filipino kids love robotic or android heroes even more. I have to give it to Japan for making quality kids show with a more darker and serious tone. You know some boys don't want to be treated as a child, and Janperson was like that. Recalling it now, I remember it being serious but still retained that tokusatsu charm from prior series shown here. Although it didn't have that many kaijins or monsters for each episode, it made up for good character development and more sinister android villains. It was a Sunday afternoon (to evening) tokusatsu that treated kids with respect (as how I romanticized it).


What other things can be remembered about the show? Well, Janperson has this signature gimmick of throwing these (business) cards which by the way is called "Janperson Cards". Janperson also has a wide array of weapons at his disposal. One can really notice that it draws inspiration from RoboCop from his movement and how he operated (where weapons are drew from) as both are robot police (in Janperson's case, a detective) implementing justice in service of mankind. Of course, it along the series, Janperson acquires various upgrade which is always a good way to make it appear to us that besides the drama, Janperson is also growing and improving into a more badass android. Later on, he acquires a new ally which evens up the playing field since enemies tend to gang up on him with overwhelming force. Maybe I can re-watch it one of these days if it still holds up to today's standards or this was all just nostalgia.


How about you guys, do you have any memorable moments, episodes, experiences, or merchandise from this nostalgic Metal Hero show? Share your thoughts about Tokusou Robo Janperson in the comments section below:

Big Bad Beetleborgs | ABC-5 90s American Super Hero Kids Show

Big Bad Beetleborgs was a syndicated live action show produced by Saban Entertainment (the same creators of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers series) and originally aired in Fox Kids block from September 7, 1996 and March 2, 1998. The Big Bad Beetleborg series adapted combat footage from the Metal Hero Japanese tokusatsu series Juukou B-Fighter on the first season and B-Fighter Kabuto on its second season. In the Philippines, the Associated Broadcasting Company (now known as TV5) aired Big Bad Beetleborgs on a weekend afternoon block.

Big Bad Beetleborgs - The Story
Big Bad Beetleborgs Series Plot

In a town called Charterville, three "typical average kids", Drew (played by Wesley Barker), Jo (Shannon Chandler/Brittany Konarzewski), and Roland (Herbie Baez), enter the supposedly haunted Hillhurst Mansion after accepting a dare from rich snob kids. The three later found out that the house is indead the home of real monsters. The kids accidentally bump a pipe organ, releasing a phasm named Flabber (Billy Forester) that granted them with one wish like a genie. Just like normal geeky children, the three wish to become their favorite comic book heroes, the Big Bad Beetleborgs. This however also brought the Beetleborgs sworn enemies to life: the Magnavores led by the evil Vexor with his three main henchmen Typhus, Noxic, and Jara. Vexor who summons monsters from the comic books to battle the Beetleborgs.

Original Source

Andrew "Drew" McCormick is the Blue Stinger Beetleborg who stand as the leader of the Beetleborgs. He was granted with the ability of telekinesis by Flabber, that he activates by pointing at an object and nodding his head. Roland Williams is the Green Hunter Beetleborg. His family owns a local comic book shop named Zoom Comics, where he, Jo, and Drew usually hang out. He was granted with the ability of super speed by Flabber, which he activates by snapping his fingers. Josephine "Jo" McCormick is the Red Striker Beetleborg. She is Drew's little sister, and was granted with the ability of super strength by Flabber, which she simply activates by cracking her knuckles. The trio was later joined by Josh Baldwin, the White Blaster Beetleborg. He was granted the ability of invisibility by Flabber, which he activates by dusting his hands. He was on the team for a very short period of time.

Big Bad Beetleborgs Opening Theme
Big Bad Beetleborgs Series Intro

If my memory serves me right, I believed that the Big Bad Beetleborg aired every Sunday nights at either on a 5:30 or 6:00 PM schedule which was followed up by Janperson on the Associated Broadcasting Company or ABC-5. The show also had a nice ring to its opening theme, but looking at it now I can surely say that the Power Rangers have a more serious tone to it which is probably why more kids prefer it, but the Big Bad Beetleborgs has more charming characters which sometimes can be the show's double edge sword. Sadly the Big Bad Beetleborg's Philippine television run ended with the Shadowborg and wasn't even resolved. The show was eventually cancelled here in the country and we were not able to watch the Beetleborgs Metallix, the show's second season. But hey it fun while it lasted. I am no purist then, and was not even aware that the show just utilized clips from a Japanese Metal Hero series. As what I have proven now as an adult, the original source material will always be better than the Americanized version, but since I was not able to see the original source material back then, then these American kids show still holds a much better place in my mind and heart. They may look ridiculous and corny now, but one time in my life I make sure to be home and tuned into ABC-5 just to watch the Bid Bad Beetleborgs.

How about you guys, have you watched the Big Bad Beetleborgs back in ABC back in the days? Any favorite episodes, memorabilias, characters, or merchandise that you have on the Americanized kids show? Share your thoughts in the comments section below:

Mobile Cop Jiban | Kidou Keiji Jiban | IBC 90s Tokustatsu

Mobile Cop Jiban or simply Jiban was a Filipino dubbed super hero kids show that aired in Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation or IBC around the 90s. Jiban had an original title of The Mobile Cop Jiban (機動刑事ジバン Kidō Keiji Jiban), a Japanese tokusatsu television series and the eighth entry in the Metal. Jiban was produced by Toei which originally aired on TV Asahi from January 29, 1989 to January 28, 1990 with 52 episodes and one feature movie. According to Jiban's creator Keita Amemiya, the premise for the series was almost entirely based on American character Robocop, as Jiban is often considered as RoboCop's Japanese counterpart. The opening catchphrase of the series is "This is the drama of a girl's and a young man's hearts which love people and protect justice." ("Kore wa Hito o Aishi, Seigi o Mamoru Wakamono to Shōjo no Kokoro no Dorama de aru."). Let's go down memory lane with The Mobile Cop Jiban.

Mobile Cop Jiban - The Story
Mobile Cop Jiban Series Plot

Naoto Tamura, a new detective in Central City, was killed by a Bionoid Monster in the line of duty. Doctor Kenzou Igarashi, a man whose experiments had been responsible for the Biolon syndicate's existence, brought the man back to life as a cyborg detective, Jiban. Mayumi Igarashi is the only person who knows the identity of Jiban and calls Jiban/Naoto her "big brother". Harry Boy on the other hand is Jiban's
robotic assistant along with Mayumi in their Secret Base. Jiban communicated with them via the Jiban's Badge.

Jiban gos against the Criminal Syndicate Bioron lead by Doctor Giba. The Bioron intends to take over Japan by means of narrow and more specified attacks rather than a more large-scale destruction. The use biochemistry as a means of their diabolical goals.

Following the theme of a police theme, Jiban follows (or is programmed to abide) a certain set of rules. He literally cite out this code reminiscent of the Miranda Warning (Miranda Rights) when Jiban corners the villain of the episode.

Reource

Mobile Cop Jiban Opening Theme
Mobile Cop Jiban Series Intro



"Kidō Keiji Jiban"

Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
Composition: Kisaburō Suzuki
Arrangement: Kazuya Izumi
Artist: Akira Kushida
Mobile Cop Jiban Closing Theme
Mobile Cop Jiban Series Outro



"Ashita Yohō wa Itsumo Hare" - "Tomorrow's Forecast is Always Sunny"

Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
Composition: Kisaburō Suzuki
Arrangement: Kazuya Izumi
Artist: Akira Kushida

Jiban is best remembered as that primetime metal hero series reminiscent of Robocop that aired after Ghost Fighter (Yu Yu Hakusho) back in IBC-13 during the 90s. If my memory served me right, Jiban was aired at a time when they stopped airing Masked Rider Black, so we 90s kid who grew fund watching the exploits of the "Black Son" were kept hanging. Jiban somehow addressed the longing... but not really quite to teh level of Masked Rider Black. I think the airing of Jiban was also cancelled in IBC-13. Correct me if I'm wrong fellow Filipinos, but I missed out the opportunity to watch this series up to the very end. It might be because of my poor memory or it was really cancelled. And during those times, when a show is cancelled, there is really no immediate way of us getting the whole series that time. Like any other tokusatsu series, Jiban had a very memorable opening and closing them which up to this day still keeps playing in my head from time to time. I remember back in grade school that we imitate Jiban by having our very own Jiban Badge and roleplaying that we are kicking each other butts just like in the show (Note: there were no physical harm applied to any of the parties involved :D)

How about you guys, do you have any memorable moments, experiences, or merchandise from the nostalgic show? Share your thoughts about Kidou Keiji Jiban - The Mobile Cop Jiban in the comments section below:

Shaider | Space Sheriff Shaider | ABS-CBN 80s, IBC 90s

Shaider was a Filipino dubbed super hero kids show that first aired in ABS-CBN from 1988 to 1991 and later at Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation or IBC from 1992 to 1994 which was the very first Japanese Tokusatsu series dubbed in Tagalog (Filipino). Shaider had an original title of Space Sheriff Shaider (宇宙刑事シャイダー Uchū Keiji Shaidā), a Japanese tokusatsu television series and the third part of the Metal Hero Series (the last of the Space Sheriff Trilogy) which originally aired on TV Asahi from March 2, 1984 to March 1, 1985. Being the first ever Taalized tokusatsu series, Shaider holds a very special place in Philippine television. There had been reruns of the show but the series was never finished due to its contsant cancellation by the television stations that hosted it. It suffered the same fate as the Masked Rider Black series run.

Space Sheriff Shaider - The Story
Shaider Plot

In college studying archaeology, Dai Sawamura, known in the Philippines as Alexis deciphered the figures on the Nazca Plains in Peru. Impressed by this feat, the Galactic Union Police recruited him and trained him to be Earth's third Space Sheriff, after which he was given the code name 'Shaider' in memory of an ancient warrior who defeated the villain Emperor Kubilai and brought down the Fuuma 12,000 years ago. When the Fuuma returns, Alexis is deputized as he returns to Earth to battle the Fuuma with the help of Annie, Alexis' classmate, whose homeworld of Mount was annihilated by Fuuma.

The Fuuma aspires to ultimately conquer the universe through psychological attacks on many planets using fushigi beasts hatched from pearls which are given birth to by the Great Emperor Kubilai (Fuuma-Lear) ultimately destroying worlds. Together with other followers of Fushigi World Fuuma religion followers like Priest Poe (Babaylang Ida), Kubilai's 15,000 year old transvestite grandson who serves as advisor, high priest and strategist known for his "Phantom Showtime" or most popularly known as the Time-Space Warp... the "Time Space Warp Ngayon Din!" become an iconic pop culture line; Commander Hessler (Drigo), and the Girls' Army (Amasona).

Space Sheriff Shaider Opening Theme
Shaider Intro



"Uchū Keiji Shaider"
Lyrics by Keisuke Yamakawa.
Composition and Arrangement by Michiaki Watanabe.
Artist: Akira Kushida





Space Sheriff Shaider Closing Theme
Shaider Outro



"Hello! Shaider"
Lyrics by Keisuke Yamakawa.
Composition and Arrangement by Michiaki Watanabe.
Artist: Akira Kushida

I watched the first rerun of Shaider around the 90s and like everyone else I was hooked with this weekly superhero show just like Masked Rider Black. It featured interesting characters especially Annie and her yellow and white attire (winks), Ida known for her time- space warps and odd monotone voice, catchy opening and closing theme songs (seen above), and who can not forget that psychedelic, mysterious, creepy and kick-ass all at the same time theme of the "Fushigi Song" that plays everytime Lear/Kubilai gives birth to a Fushigi Monster:

Looking back at Shaider, the show might look silly. Imagine an ancient alien religious sect who wants to conquer the universe through psychological attacks? But Shaider will forever be part of Filipino geek pop culture history.

What about you guys? Share your fondest memories of the Filipinized Metal Hero series? Do you have any favorite fushigi monsters, episodes, or memorabilias? Share your thoughts and experiences on Space Sheriff Shaider on the comments section below: