Golden Warrior Gold Lightan

Golden Warrior Gold Lightan (黄金戦士ゴールド・ライタン, Ōgon Senshi Gōrudo Raitan) is a mecha anime television series that aired from 1981 to 1982 in Japan. The show was also popular in Hong Kong and was aired there around the same time. There are 52 episodes that were aired at 30 minutes each.[2]

Golden Warrior Gold Lightan
Screenshot showing Gold Lightan reaching his hand out to Hiro.
黄金戦士ゴールド・ライタン
(Ōgon Senshi Gōrudo Raitan)
GenreMecha
Anime television series
Directed byKōichi Mashimo
Produced byTomoyuki Miyata
Written byAkiyoshi Sakai
Music byMasaaki Jinbo
Masayuki Yamamoto
StudioTatsunoko Production
Licensed bySentai Filmworks
Original networkTV Tokyo
Original run 1 March 1981 18 February 1982[1]
Episodes52[1] (List of episodes)
Manga
Ōgon Senshi Gold Lightan Camp!
Written byRuma Onbutsu
Illustrated by
  • Lotus
  • Rena Mikami
MagazineComic Polca
Original runDecember 23, 2022 – present

Original story

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The story is about a young boy named Hiro Taikai who finds a gold lighter which turns out to be the giant Golden Warrior Gold Lightan, who has the mission to save the Earth from an invasion by King Ibalda. Gold Lightan joined forces with his robot teammates to ruin the plots of King Ibalda and destroy invading alien robots by using his surpassing hand and leg strikes. Hiro also founded a group called the "Bratty Rangers" with his friends.[1]

Concept

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The robot is usually disguised as a tiny gold Zippo-style lighter in Hiro's pocket. When called upon, Gold Lightan transforms into a giant robot towering at 30 m (98 ft) and weighing 200 tons. All robots in the show are sentient and do not require pilots. Usually the robot ends a battle with a trademark golden hand stab move which drives a hand strike cutting the enemy robots body, pulling out and smashing the heartbox energy device.[3]

Staff

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Characters

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Japanese name Japanese full name Voices by
Hiro Hiroshi Taikai Yō Inoue
Sam Osamu Nanjo Yūji Mitsuya
Emmy Emi Takakura Saeko Shimazu
Monkey Monkichi Kogarashi Reiko Suzuki
Tonbo Tomokazu Gokuraku Satomi Majima
Big Futoshi Mizuki Minoru Inaba
Ohina Hinako Taikai Yūko Mita
Aburada Happei Aburada Akira Murayama
Momiji Momiji Akino Takumi Miura
Gold Lightan Gold Lightan Issei Futamata
King Ivalda King Ivalda Kazuya Tatekabe
Mannakka Mannakka Naoko Koda
Uyokka Uyokka Shōzō Iizuka
Sayokka Sayokka Daisuke Gōri
Mister Mecha X Mister Mecha X Tomomichi Nishimura

Lightan robots

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Name Toy release number Toy release date Transform to TV show colors Original toy colors Reissue toy colors
Gold Lightan (ゴールドライタン, Gōrudo Raitan) GB-37 1981 Lighter Gold 1. Gold
2. Gold body, black head, arm, legs
1. Gold with black arm
2. Gold
Gold Lightan is the leader of the Golden Warrior team.[4] He was the first robot found by Hiro, the lead boy character in the story. In times of crisis, he makes the decision to call upon his fellow robot friends for assistance. His trademark hand stab move of reaching into the heart of the enemy to grab the heart energy device makes him a leader and finisher in battle.
Scope Lightan (スコープライタン, Sukōpu Raitan) GB-38 1981 Scope Silver Gold 1. Gold
2. Silver
Scope Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a scope device. In battle he specializes in searching for enemies or locating their weak focal points.
Time Lightan (タイムライタン, Taimu Raitan) GB-40 1981 Timer Silver Gold 1. Gold
2. Silver
Time Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a timer capable of freezing time for a 30 seconds at most. He is a limited as a fighter in combat, though his ability to manipulate time would prove to be useful for the team.
Denji Lightan (デンジライタン, Denji Raitan) GB-41 1981 Magnify glass and Compass Gold Gold pyramid surface on chest 1. Gold pyramid surface on chest
2. Gold smooth surface on chest
Denji Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He is often referred to as Map Lightan though the translation is more of an Electromagnetic Lightan. He transforms into a reconnaissance device containing a magnifying glass and a compass. He provides directional help as a reconnaissance expert.
Mechanic Lightan (メカニックライタン, Mekanikku Raitan) GB-42 1981 Tool Chest Box Gold Gold Gold
Mechanic Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a tool chest box containing the necessary equipment for damage repair and other mechanical functions. He is perhaps the least mobile in the group, but acts as a handy repairman at any given time.
Coin Lightan (コインライタン, Koin Raitan) GB-81 1982 Coin Case Silver Silver 1. Silver
2. Gold
Coin Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a coin case.
Print Lightan (プリントライタン, Purinto Raitan) GB-82 1982 Print Stamp Gold Gold Gold
Print Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a print stamp.
Light Lightan (ライトライタン, Raito Raitan) GB-83 1982 Light Gold Gold Gold
Light Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a light source.
Cutter Lightan (カッターライタン, Kattā Raitan) GB-84 1982 Pencil Sharpener Gold Gold Gold
Cutter Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a pencil sharpener.
Meter Lightan (メートルライタン, Mētoru Raitan) GB-85 1982 Measurement Device Gold Gold Gold
Meter Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He is often referred to as Metal Lightan. He transforms into a measurement device.
I.C. Lightan (アイシーライタン, Aishī Raitan) GB-86 1982 Processing Unit Black and Silver Black and Silver Black and Silver
I.C. Lightan is one of the assistant robots. He transforms into a processing unit. The I.C stands for "Interpret Computer". He is essentially a robotic computer acting as a translator and database for biological or any other type of information.

Media

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Anime

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Episodes

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This is a list of episodes from the television show Golden Warrior Gold Lightan in order by production number.[5]

# Episode name Directed by Written by Original air date
01"Meka Jigen no Akuma" (Japanese: メカ次元の悪魔)Koichi MashimoAkiyoshi SakaiMarch 1, 1981 (1981-03-01)
02"Kai! Namazu ga Damu wo Ku" (Japanese: 怪! ナマズがダムを食う)Yoriyasu KogawaKeiji KubotaMarch 8, 1981 (1981-03-08)
03"Goodbye Yukigon"
"Sayonara Yukigon" (Japanese: さよならユキゴン)
Koichi Mashimo
Mizuho Nishikubo
Akiyoshi SakaiMarch 15, 1981 (1981-03-15)
04"Jigoku no Rejarando" (Japanese: 地獄のレジャーランド)Yukihiko UchidaKazuo SatoMarch 22, 1981 (1981-03-22)
05"Netsu Ko Kuristaman" (Japanese: 熱光クリスタマン)Futoshi TakanoTakeshi ShudoMarch 29, 1981 (1981-03-29)
06"Mikkokusha wa Dare da?" (Japanese: 密告者はだれだ?)Yoriyasu KogawaKeiji KubotaApril 2, 1981 (1981-04-02)
07"Ma no Boso Robotto" (Japanese: 魔の暴走ロボット)Yukihiko Uchida
Shohei Ishida
Akiyoshi SakaiApril 9, 1981 (1981-04-09)
08"Chikatetsu Mukade Sakusen" (Japanese: 地下鉄ムカデ作戦)Yoriyasu KogawaTakeshi ShudoApril 16, 1981 (1981-04-16)
09"Meka Kosumosu no Machi" (Japanese: メカコスモスの街)Koichi MashimoAkira MomoiApril 23, 1981 (1981-04-23)
10"Tonbo no UFO" (Japanese: トンボのUFO)Mizuho NishikuboKazuo SatoApril 30, 1981 (1981-04-30)
11"Bakudan Meka Hakucho" (Japanese: 爆弾メカ白鳥)Yoriyasu KogawaMasaaki SakuraiMay 7, 1981 (1981-05-07)
12"Yo Wasuremura no Kaijin" (Japanese: 世忘れ村の怪人)Mizuho NishikuboTakeshi ShudoMay 14, 1981 (1981-05-14)
13"Ohina Kiki Ippatsu" (Japanese: オヒナ危機一発)Yukihiko Uchida
Koji Sawai
Tomomi TsutsuiMay 21, 1981 (1981-05-21)
14"Hanran Meka Jigoku" (Japanese: 反乱メカ地獄)Shohei IshidaMitsuo AimonoMay 28, 1981 (1981-05-28)
15"Ozora no Meka Maryu" (Japanese: 大空のメカ魔竜)Yoriyasu KogawaAkiyoshi SakaiJune 4, 1981 (1981-06-04)
16"Akuma no Mini Supai" (Japanese: 悪魔のミニスパイ)Mizuho NishikuboAkiyoshi SakaiJune 11, 1981 (1981-06-11)
17"Saraba Iruka no Hi" (Japanese: さらばイルカの日)Yoriyasu Kogawa
Shohei Ishida
Takeshi ShudoJune 18, 1981 (1981-06-18)
18"Garibenda Daisakusen" (Japanese: ガリベンダー大作戦)Asuma Kusa
Koji Sawai
Mitsuo AimonoJune 25, 1981 (1981-06-25)
19"Ohina wa Sakasu Suta" (Japanese: オヒナはサーカススター)Koichi Mashimo
Yoriyasu Kogawa
Masaaki SakuraiJuly 2, 1981 (1981-07-02)
20"Koi no Nyutonda" (Japanese: 恋のニュートンダー)Yasuo Ishikawa
Shohei Ishida
Takeshi ShudoJuly 9, 1981 (1981-07-09)
21"Meka Ninpo Kage Bunshin" (Japanese: メカ忍法影分身)Mizuho NishikuboKeiji KubotaJuly 16, 1981 (1981-07-16)
22"Ikite Iru Ningyo" (Japanese: 生きている人形)Mizuho Nishikubo
Koji Sawai
Takeshi Shudo
Tomoyuki Miyata
July 23, 1981 (1981-07-23)
23"Bijutsu Dorobo wa Mekaso" (Japanese: 美術泥棒はメカソ)Shohei IshidaKazuo SatoJuly 30, 1981 (1981-07-30)
24"Seizoroi Rokunin Raitan" (Japanese: 勢揃い6人ライタン)Yasuo Ishikawa
Hiroyuki Kino
Keiji KubotaAugust 6, 1981 (1981-08-06)
25"Neshi Abare Tabi" (Japanese: ネッシーあばれ旅)Koichi MashimoAkiyoshi Sakai
Tomoyuki Miyata
August 13, 1981 (1981-08-13)
26"Orashi Daifujin" (Japanese: 大嵐だいふうじん)Yoriyasu Kogawa
Shohei Ishida
Takeshi ShudoAugust 20, 1981 (1981-08-20)
27"Dracula Panic"
(Japanese: ドラキュラパニック)
Rei Maruwa
Koji Sawai
Mitsuo AimonoAugust 27, 1981 (1981-08-27)
28"Mysterious Jungle Gym"
"Nazo no Janguru Jimu" (Japanese: 謎のジャングルジム)
Asuma Kusa
Takaaki Ishiyama
Akiyoshi SakaiSeptember 3, 1981 (1981-09-03)
29"Kyofu no Bijin Kontesuto" (Japanese: 恐怖の美人コンテスト)Mizuho Nishikubo
Hiroko Tokita
Tomomi TsutsuiSeptember 10, 1981 (1981-09-10)
30"Mysterious Ibaruda Palace"
"Ibaruda Kyuden no Nazo" (Japanese: イバルダ宮殿の謎)
Koichi Mashimo
Yoriyasu Kogawa
Takeshi ShudoSeptember 17, 1981 (1981-09-17)
31"Bikkuri Nezumogura" (Japanese: びっくりネズモグラ)Aritoki Sugiyama
Shohei Ishida
Mitsuo AimonoSeptember 24, 1981 (1981-09-24)
32"Snow Woman Koranka"
"Yukionna Koranka" (Japanese: 雪女コーランカ)
Yasuo IshikawaTomomi TsutsuiOctober 1, 1981 (1981-10-01)
33"Ai no Toraburu Sakusen" (Japanese: 愛のトラブル作戦)Rei Maruwa
Koji Sawai
Tomomi TsutsuiOctober 8, 1981 (1981-10-08)
34"Majin Misaki no Ningyo Hime" (Japanese: 魔人岬の人魚姫)Yoriyasu KogawaKeiji KubotaOctober 16, 1981 (1981-10-16)
35"Pazuru Hakase no Wana" (Japanese: パズル博士の罠)Mizuho NishikuboTakeshi Shudo
Kaoru Kinoshita
October 22, 1981 (1981-10-22)
36"Wanpaku Tantei Sanjo" (Japanese: わんぱく探偵参上)Koji SawaiTomomi TsutsuiOctober 29, 1981 (1981-10-29)
37"Raitan Gundan no Jakuten" (Japanese: ライタン軍団の弱点)Koichi Mashimo
Takaaki Ishiyama
Akiyoshi SakaiNovember 1, 1981 (1981-11-01)
38"Daiheigen no Dobutsutachi" (Japanese: 大平原の動物たち)Yasuo Ishikawa
Masayuki Kojima
Tomomi TsutsuiNovember 12, 1981 (1981-11-12)
39"Meka Jigen Icchokusen" (Japanese: メカ次元一直線)Shohei Ishida
Koji Sawai
Keiji KubotaNovember 19, 1981 (1981-11-19)
40"Nazo no Kaitei Kyuden" (Japanese: 謎の海底宮殿)Takaaki IshiyamaTakeshi Shudo
Kaoru Kinoshita
November 26, 1981 (1981-11-26)
41"Daimajin no Namida" (Japanese: 大魔神の涙)Yoriyasu KogawaAkiyoshi SakaiDecember 3, 1981 (1981-12-03)
42"Makai Gundan no Kyofu" (Japanese: 魔界軍団の恐怖)Mizuho NishikuboAkiyoshi SakaiDecember 10, 1981 (1981-12-10)
43"Meka Jigen Saidai no Kiki" (Japanese: メカ次元最大の危機)Koichi Mashimo
Koji Sawai
Keiji KubotaDecember 17, 1981 (1981-12-17)
44"Kazanto no Hyoryusha" (Japanese: 火山島の漂流者)Mizuho Nishikubo
Hiroko Tokita
Akiyoshi SakaiDecember 24, 1981 (1981-12-24)
45"Maboroshi no Yamaterasu Koku" (Japanese: 幻のヤマテラス国)Yasuo Ishikawa
Masayuki Kojima
Shigeru Sato
Akiyoshi Sakai
December 31, 1981 (1981-12-31)
46"Maguma Kyojin no Ketto" (Japanese: マグマ巨人の決斗)Koji SawaiKeiji Kubota
Akiyoshi Sakai
January 7, 1982 (1982-01-07)
47"Koi no Aburada Daishori" (Japanese: 恋のアブラダ大勝利)Yoriyasu KogawaTakeshi ShudoJanuary 14, 1982 (1982-01-14)
48"Hyoteki! Mannakka" (Japanese: 標的!マンナッカー)Mizuho NishikuboKoichi Mashimo
Mizuho Nishikubo
January 21, 1982 (1982-01-21)
49"Meka Kyuden no Hanran" (Japanese: メカ宮殿の反乱)Koichi Mashimo
Takaaki Ishiyama
Akiyoshi SakaiJanuary 28, 1982 (1982-01-28)
50"Misuta Meka X no Chosen" (Japanese: ミスターメカXの挑戦)Yoriyasu KogawaAkiyoshi SakaiFebruary 4, 1982 (1982-02-04)
51"Meka Kyuden Saigo no Hi" (Japanese: メカ宮殿最期の日)Yasuo IshikawaAkiyoshi SakaiFebruary 11, 1982 (1982-02-11)
52"Goodbye Lightan Corps"
"Sayonara Raitan Gundan" (Japanese: さよならライタン軍団)
Koichi Mashimo
Koji Sawai
Akiyoshi SakaiFebruary 18, 1982 (1982-02-18)

Manga

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A spin-off manga written by Ruma Onbutsu and illustrated by Lotus and Rena Mikami began serialization on the Comic Polca website in December 2022.[6]

Merchandise

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In 2005, Hong Kong Bandai reissued the semi-original robots as part of the Soul of Chogokin label.[citation needed] The individual robots were released with a hard plastic display case, robot footstand, red carpet storage box, interchangeable gold hands pieces, and an enemy's heartbox energy device. This version also feature the robots with high quality 18K gold plating.[citation needed] The toys can be purchased individually or as a set. There are 2 known sets in the reissues. One is the first generation grey box, available in Hong Kong and Japan, featuring 6 of the robots, while the other is an exclusive redcarpet wooden box set, known to be available only in Japan, featuring all 11 robots.

Later, in 2005, replicas were re-released by Hung Hing toys in Hong Kong and Macau featuring the robots built in cheaper die-cast metals. The texture and few minor details were inconsistent between the products. Multiple variations of the toys were sold as well. One such version is the large toy Gold Lightan measuring at 11.5 inches in height when standing in robot form, although only 2,000 were manufactured. Additionally, at the base of the foot, of the toy, is a label counting the manufactured number out of 2,000. Other variations include team robots in different colors or grey low weight plastic/silver exclusive to Hong Kong and Macau.

There are more variations and replicas of Gold Lightan than any others because it is the lead robot in the series. There are other design variations. For example, older models of I.C. Lightan uses AA batteries to light up its LED eye, while newer reissues of the toy uses flat button or coin batteries. None of these re-releases are completely identical to the original 1980s GB series Chogokin toy launch from 1979 to 1983, by Popy Pleasure. The originals are valued at a higher price, as they were constructed with different grades of diecast metals as well as high quality acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.

In 2006, Bandai released a new version of the Gold Lightan in their Soul of Chogokin line-up - GX 32 The Gold Lightan.[7] Not only were they considered to be one of the most detailed and sophisticated Gold Lightan toys yet, they were plated with 18K gold, as their predecessors were. Aside from being able to transform into a lighter, just like the original toys, its joints were well structured. The package comes with a stand, interchangeable hands, and a heartbox energy device. The toy was a success and was well received by fans in Japan and Hong Kong. This caused Bandai Hong Kong to make a singular stand showcase just for the Gold Lightan, itself.

The titular robot is a playable character in the fighting game Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. When he fights, he can only be single as opposed to character doubles, since he is so big and powerful.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Gold Lightan the Golden Warrior" 黄金戦士ゴールド・ライタン. Tatsunoko Productions (in Japanese). Retrieved 2009-06-01.
  2. ^ "Tatsunoko Pro". Tatsunoko Production. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
  3. ^ "Gold Warrior Gold Lightan". Tatsunokousa.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  4. ^ "ゴールドライタン キャラクター". 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  5. ^ "ゴールドライタン サブタイトルリスト". 2008-12-18. Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  6. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 27, 2022). "Gold Lightan Robot Anime Gets 'Heartwarming Camp' Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
  7. ^ "GX-32 ゴールドライタン". Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
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