Ronin Warriors, known in Japan by its original title Armor Legend Samurai Troopers (鎧伝サムライトルーパー, Yoroiden Samurai Torūpā), is a Japanese anime series created by Hajime Yatate and animated by Sunrise. The television series, co-produced by Nagoya TV, aired across Japan on the All-Nippon News Network from April 30, 1988, to March 4, 1989 for a total of 39 episodes. A manga adaptation was serialized on Kodansha’s Comic BomBom from November 17, 1988 to April 5, 1990 and the chapters collected into 2 tankōbon volumes.
| Ronin Warriors | |
 North American cover of the first DVD volume | |
| 鎧伝サムライトルーパー (Yoroiden Samurai Torūpā) | |
|---|---|
| Created by | Hajime Yatate |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by |
|
| Chief screenwriter | |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Produced by |
|
| Music by | Osamu Totsuka |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Licensed by |
|
| Original network | ANN (Nagoya TV) |
| English network | |
| Original run | April 30, 1988 – March 4, 1989 |
| Episodes | 39 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Ryūichi Hoshino |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| Magazine | Comic BomBom |
| Demographic | Kodomo |
| Original run | November 17, 1988 – April 5, 1990 |
| Volumes | 2 |
| Original video animation | |
| Gaiden | |
| Directed by | Kazuki Akane |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Fuyunori Gobu |
| Music by | Osamu Totsuka |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Licensed by |
|
| Released | April 30, 1989 – June 1, 1989 |
| Runtime | 25 minutes |
| Episodes | 2 |
| Original video animation | |
| Legend of the Inferno Armor | |
| Directed by | Mamoru Hamatsu |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Masashi Ikeda Fuyunori Gobu |
| Music by | Osamu Totsuka |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Licensed by |
|
| Released | October 8, 1989 – January 11, 1990 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Episodes | 4 |
| Original video animation | |
| Message | |
| Directed by | Masashi Ikeda |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Masashi Ikeda Fuyunori Gobu |
| Music by | Osamu Totsuka |
| Studio | Sunrise |
| Licensed by |
|
| Released | March 21, 1991 – August 23, 1991 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Episodes | 5 |
| Manga | |
| Shin Yoroiden Samurai Troopers | |
| Written by | Izumi Nikaidō |
| Illustrated by | Yūji Hosoi |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| Magazine | Monthly Shōnen Magazine |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Published | 1992 |
| Volumes | 1 |
Plot
editTalpa, ruler of the Dynasty, is bent on conquering the Earth. Standing against Talpa and his four Dark Warlords are the five Ronin Warriors, each in possession of mystical armor and weapons. They are assisted by Mia Koji, a young student-researcher, Ully, a child, and a mysterious warrior-mystic known only as the Ancient One.
Media
editAnime
editThe examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with the US version and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (December 2022) |
Ronin Warriors was originally licensed in the United States by Graz Entertainment and distributed by Cinar (now WildBrain), and it was recorded by the Vancouver-based Ocean Productions cast. Ronin Warriors first aired on American television during the summer of 1995 and subsequently appeared through syndication, as well as the USA Network (1995), Sci-Fi Channel (1996) and later on Cartoon Network (1999).[1]
The series was released on DVD in 2002, including the original Japanese version with English subtitles on the reverse side of the disc.[2] On September 4, 2014, North American anime licensor Discotek Media announced their license of the original Japanese anime (Yoroiden Samurai Troopers), and planned to release the series on DVD in 2015.[3] Discotek has said that on their Facebook page that they have no plans to release Ronin Warriors until they clear issues with the dub.[4] Discotek has also licensed the OVAs and includes both Japanese and English audio as well as English subtitles. By 2021, the issues were resolved and the series' English dub had a Blu-ray release on December 28, 2021.[5]
Crunchyroll later added the anime series for its streaming.[6] The English dub was legally available on streaming services such Amazon Prime Video, RetroCrush, and Tubi.
The opening and ending sequences and the eyecatches were replaced with new ones, and the Japanese title cards were removed; there were no substantial cuts to the bodies of the episodes and the episodes retained most of the original music.
A line of action figures based on the anime was released by Playmates Toys in 1999, with a limited rerelease by Re:Play in 2001.[7]
Three OVA sequels were produced: Gaiden (Side Story), The Legend of the Inferno Armor, and Message. There are numerous novels and audio dramas based on the anime. While all the sequels have been released on DVD, the manga and audio dramas have not been made available in English.
Music
edit- Yoroiden Samurai Troopers Debut Album: Kimi o Nemurasenai (King Records, December 21, 1988, 4 weeks on Oricon chart).[8] (4 weeks on Oricon chart, ranked as high as 44).[9]
- Yoroiden Samurai Troopers: Best Friends (King Records, June 5, 1989).[10] (4 weeks on Oricon chart, ranked as high as 12).[11]
- "Stardust Eyes" is the opening theme for episodes 1-20 is while the ending theme is "Faraway". Both were composed by Mariko Uranishi.[12]
- "Samurai Heart" is the opening theme from episodes 21-39, while the ending is "Be Free" both were composed by Hiroko Moriguchi.[12]
- Gaiden would have "Stardust Eyes" and "Faraway" for its opening and closing theme for its first episode, and have "Samurai Heart" and "Be Free" for its second.[13]
- Legend of the Inferno Armor would have "Stardust Eyes" for its opening theme and "Samurai Heart" as its closing theme for every episode.[14]
- For Message, the opening theme is "Tsukamae Teite" and its solo on episode 5 is "Hoshi no Lullaby", both by Kaori Futenma.[15]
Video game
editIn July 2020, a crossover with Ragnarok Mobile was launched.[16]
References
edit- ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 688. ISBN 978-1476665993.
- ^ Shepard, Chris (July 12, 2002). "Ronin Warriors DVD 1: The Call". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ Loo, Egan (September 5, 2014). "Discotek Adds Samurai Troopers, Bokurano, Comic Party, 3rd Lupin III TV Special". Anime News Network.
- ^ "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers getting a re-release!". September 6, 2014. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ Lacerna, Michael (May 25, 2021). "Classic Ronin Warriors Anime Gets Blu-ray Release". Comic Book Resource. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ Ressler, Karen (January 18, 2017). "Crunchyroll Adds Samurai Troopers Anime Streaming". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Ronin Warriors Toys". Virtual Toy Chest. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
- ^ 鎧伝サムライトルーパー／デビューアルバム「君を眠らせない」 (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ 鎧伝サムライトルーパー 君を眠らせない (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ 鎧伝サムライトルーパー／ＢＥＳＴ ＦＲＩＥＮＤＳ (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ 鎧伝サムライトルーパー ＢＥＳＴ ＦＲＩＥＮＤＳ (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived from the original on January 31, 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
- ^ a b "Legendary Armor Samurai Troopers (TV)". Anime News Network. November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Ronin Warriors: Gaiden (OAV)". Anime News Network. November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Ronin Warriors: Legend of the Inferno Armor (OAV)". Anime News Network. November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Ronin Warriors: Message (OAV)". Anime News Network. November 8, 2021.
- ^ "Ragnarok Mobile X Samurai Tropper Crossover Event". GamingPH.com. July 31, 2020. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
External links
edit
- Ronin Warriors (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Yoroiden Samurai Troopers at IMDb
See Also
edit