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) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Mecha |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Kōichi Mashimo |
| Produced by | Tomoyuki Miyata |
| Written by | Akiyoshi Sakai |
| Music by | Masaaki Jinbo Masayuki Yamamoto |
| Studio | Tatsunoko Production |
| Licensed by | Sentai Filmworks |
| Original network | TV Tokyo |
| Original run | 1 March 1981 – 18 February 1982[1] |
| Episodes | 52[1] |
| Manga | |
| Ōgon Senshi Gold Lightan Camp! | |
| Written by | Ruma Onbutsu |
| Illustrated by |
|
| Magazine | Comic Polca |
| Original run | December 23, 2022 – present |
Original story
editThe 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
editThe 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
edit- Presenter: Kenji Yoshida[1]
- Planners: Ippei Kuri, Shigeru Yanagawa
- Producer: Tomoyuki Miyata
- Series composition: Akiyoshi Sakai
- Chief director: Koichi Mashimo
- Character design: Ippei Kuri
- Mecha design: Shoji Kawamori
- Music: Masayuki Jinbo, Masayuki Yamamoto
- Animation director: Takashi Nakamura (Episode 6, 22, 30, 41, 48)
- Key animation: Takashi Nakamura (Episode 41)
Characters
edit| 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
edit| 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
editAnime
editEpisodes
editThis 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 Mashimo | Akiyoshi Sakai | March 1, 1981 |
| 02 | "Kai! Namazu ga Damu wo Ku" (Japanese: 怪! ナマズがダムを食う) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Keiji Kubota | March 8, 1981 |
| 03 | "Goodbye Yukigon" "Sayonara Yukigon" (Japanese: さよならユキゴン) | Koichi Mashimo Mizuho Nishikubo | Akiyoshi Sakai | March 15, 1981 |
| 04 | "Jigoku no Rejarando" (Japanese: 地獄のレジャーランド) | Yukihiko Uchida | Kazuo Sato | March 22, 1981 |
| 05 | "Netsu Ko Kuristaman" (Japanese: 熱光クリスタマン) | Futoshi Takano | Takeshi Shudo | March 29, 1981 |
| 06 | "Mikkokusha wa Dare da?" (Japanese: 密告者はだれだ?) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Keiji Kubota | April 2, 1981 |
| 07 | "Ma no Boso Robotto" (Japanese: 魔の暴走ロボット) | Yukihiko Uchida Shohei Ishida | Akiyoshi Sakai | April 9, 1981 |
| 08 | "Chikatetsu Mukade Sakusen" (Japanese: 地下鉄ムカデ作戦) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Takeshi Shudo | April 16, 1981 |
| 09 | "Meka Kosumosu no Machi" (Japanese: メカコスモスの街) | Koichi Mashimo | Akira Momoi | April 23, 1981 |
| 10 | "Tonbo no UFO" (Japanese: トンボのUFO) | Mizuho Nishikubo | Kazuo Sato | April 30, 1981 |
| 11 | "Bakudan Meka Hakucho" (Japanese: 爆弾メカ白鳥) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Masaaki Sakurai | May 7, 1981 |
| 12 | "Yo Wasuremura no Kaijin" (Japanese: 世忘れ村の怪人) | Mizuho Nishikubo | Takeshi Shudo | May 14, 1981 |
| 13 | "Ohina Kiki Ippatsu" (Japanese: オヒナ危機一発) | Yukihiko Uchida Koji Sawai | Tomomi Tsutsui | May 21, 1981 |
| 14 | "Hanran Meka Jigoku" (Japanese: 反乱メカ地獄) | Shohei Ishida | Mitsuo Aimono | May 28, 1981 |
| 15 | "Ozora no Meka Maryu" (Japanese: 大空のメカ魔竜) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Akiyoshi Sakai | June 4, 1981 |
| 16 | "Akuma no Mini Supai" (Japanese: 悪魔のミニスパイ) | Mizuho Nishikubo | Akiyoshi Sakai | June 11, 1981 |
| 17 | "Saraba Iruka no Hi" (Japanese: さらばイルカの日) | Yoriyasu Kogawa Shohei Ishida | Takeshi Shudo | June 18, 1981 |
| 18 | "Garibenda Daisakusen" (Japanese: ガリベンダー大作戦) | Asuma Kusa Koji Sawai | Mitsuo Aimono | June 25, 1981 |
| 19 | "Ohina wa Sakasu Suta" (Japanese: オヒナはサーカススター) | Koichi Mashimo Yoriyasu Kogawa | Masaaki Sakurai | July 2, 1981 |
| 20 | "Koi no Nyutonda" (Japanese: 恋のニュートンダー) | Yasuo Ishikawa Shohei Ishida | Takeshi Shudo | July 9, 1981 |
| 21 | "Meka Ninpo Kage Bunshin" (Japanese: メカ忍法影分身) | Mizuho Nishikubo | Keiji Kubota | July 16, 1981 |
| 22 | "Ikite Iru Ningyo" (Japanese: 生きている人形) | Mizuho Nishikubo Koji Sawai | Takeshi Shudo Tomoyuki Miyata | July 23, 1981 |
| 23 | "Bijutsu Dorobo wa Mekaso" (Japanese: 美術泥棒はメカソ) | Shohei Ishida | Kazuo Sato | July 30, 1981 |
| 24 | "Seizoroi Rokunin Raitan" (Japanese: 勢揃い6人ライタン) | Yasuo Ishikawa Hiroyuki Kino | Keiji Kubota | August 6, 1981 |
| 25 | "Neshi Abare Tabi" (Japanese: ネッシーあばれ旅) | Koichi Mashimo | Akiyoshi Sakai Tomoyuki Miyata | August 13, 1981 |
| 26 | "Orashi Daifujin" (Japanese: 大嵐だいふうじん) | Yoriyasu Kogawa Shohei Ishida | Takeshi Shudo | August 20, 1981 |
| 27 | "Dracula Panic" (Japanese: ドラキュラパニック) | Rei Maruwa Koji Sawai | Mitsuo Aimono | August 27, 1981 |
| 28 | "Mysterious Jungle Gym" "Nazo no Janguru Jimu" (Japanese: 謎のジャングルジム) | Asuma Kusa Takaaki Ishiyama | Akiyoshi Sakai | September 3, 1981 |
| 29 | "Kyofu no Bijin Kontesuto" (Japanese: 恐怖の美人コンテスト) | Mizuho Nishikubo Hiroko Tokita | Tomomi Tsutsui | September 10, 1981 |
| 30 | "Mysterious Ibaruda Palace" "Ibaruda Kyuden no Nazo" (Japanese: イバルダ宮殿の謎) | Koichi Mashimo Yoriyasu Kogawa | Takeshi Shudo | September 17, 1981 |
| 31 | "Bikkuri Nezumogura" (Japanese: びっくりネズモグラ) | Aritoki Sugiyama Shohei Ishida | Mitsuo Aimono | September 24, 1981 |
| 32 | "Snow Woman Koranka" "Yukionna Koranka" (Japanese: 雪女コーランカ) | Yasuo Ishikawa | Tomomi Tsutsui | October 1, 1981 |
| 33 | "Ai no Toraburu Sakusen" (Japanese: 愛のトラブル作戦) | Rei Maruwa Koji Sawai | Tomomi Tsutsui | October 8, 1981 |
| 34 | "Majin Misaki no Ningyo Hime" (Japanese: 魔人岬の人魚姫) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Keiji Kubota | October 16, 1981 |
| 35 | "Pazuru Hakase no Wana" (Japanese: パズル博士の罠) | Mizuho Nishikubo | Takeshi Shudo Kaoru Kinoshita | October 22, 1981 |
| 36 | "Wanpaku Tantei Sanjo" (Japanese: わんぱく探偵参上) | Koji Sawai | Tomomi Tsutsui | October 29, 1981 |
| 37 | "Raitan Gundan no Jakuten" (Japanese: ライタン軍団の弱点) | Koichi Mashimo Takaaki Ishiyama | Akiyoshi Sakai | November 1, 1981 |
| 38 | "Daiheigen no Dobutsutachi" (Japanese: 大平原の動物たち) | Yasuo Ishikawa Masayuki Kojima | Tomomi Tsutsui | November 12, 1981 |
| 39 | "Meka Jigen Icchokusen" (Japanese: メカ次元一直線) | Shohei Ishida Koji Sawai | Keiji Kubota | November 19, 1981 |
| 40 | "Nazo no Kaitei Kyuden" (Japanese: 謎の海底宮殿) | Takaaki Ishiyama | Takeshi Shudo Kaoru Kinoshita | November 26, 1981 |
| 41 | "Daimajin no Namida" (Japanese: 大魔神の涙) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Akiyoshi Sakai | December 3, 1981 |
| 42 | "Makai Gundan no Kyofu" (Japanese: 魔界軍団の恐怖) | Mizuho Nishikubo | Akiyoshi Sakai | December 10, 1981 |
| 43 | "Meka Jigen Saidai no Kiki" (Japanese: メカ次元最大の危機) | Koichi Mashimo Koji Sawai | Keiji Kubota | December 17, 1981 |
| 44 | "Kazanto no Hyoryusha" (Japanese: 火山島の漂流者) | Mizuho Nishikubo Hiroko Tokita | Akiyoshi Sakai | December 24, 1981 |
| 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 |
| 46 | "Maguma Kyojin no Ketto" (Japanese: マグマ巨人の決斗) | Koji Sawai | Keiji Kubota Akiyoshi Sakai | January 7, 1982 |
| 47 | "Koi no Aburada Daishori" (Japanese: 恋のアブラダ大勝利) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Takeshi Shudo | January 14, 1982 |
| 48 | "Hyoteki! Mannakka" (Japanese: 標的！マンナッカー) | Mizuho Nishikubo | Koichi Mashimo Mizuho Nishikubo | January 21, 1982 |
| 49 | "Meka Kyuden no Hanran" (Japanese: メカ宮殿の反乱) | Koichi Mashimo Takaaki Ishiyama | Akiyoshi Sakai | January 28, 1982 |
| 50 | "Misuta Meka X no Chosen" (Japanese: ミスターメカXの挑戦) | Yoriyasu Kogawa | Akiyoshi Sakai | February 4, 1982 |
| 51 | "Meka Kyuden Saigo no Hi" (Japanese: メカ宮殿最期の日) | Yasuo Ishikawa | Akiyoshi Sakai | February 11, 1982 |
| 52 | "Goodbye Lightan Corps" "Sayonara Raitan Gundan" (Japanese: さよならライタン軍団) | Koichi Mashimo Koji Sawai | Akiyoshi Sakai | February 18, 1982 |
Manga
editA 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
editIn 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
edit- ^ 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.
- ^ "Tatsunoko Pro". Tatsunoko Production. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
- ^ "Gold Warrior Gold Lightan". Tatsunokousa.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 27, 2022). "Gold Lightan Robot Anime Gets 'Heartwarming Camp' Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "GX-32 ゴールドライタン". Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2016.