Game Hero Tengen

  

Game Hero Tengen
ゲーム・ヒーロー天元
Genre	Tokusatsu Superhero fiction Science fantasy
Created by	Kotaro Fujiwara
Directed by	Tsutomu Mishima
Starring	Kenta Seki Akira Hayakawa Takehito Kuroda Mari Samejima Akane Saotome
Narrated by	Chikao Ohtsuka
Composer(s)	Yukihide Takekawa
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	39
Production
Executive producer(s)	Hiroshi Yamauchi
Producer(s)	Joji Sugita Hirofumi Tezuka
Location(s)	Japan (Tokyo and Kyoto)
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	Nintendo Toho Yomiko Advertising
Distributor	Toho
Release
Original network	Fuji Television Network (Fuji Television)
Original release	September 23, 1989 (1989-09-23) – July 21, 1990 (1990-07-21)
Website
https://example.com/

Game Hero Tengen (ゲーム・ヒーロー天元, Gēmu Hīrō Tengen) is a 1989 Tokusatsu series produced by Nintendo and Toho. It aired on Fuji TV's Fuji National Network, with a toy line by Takara.

Conceived by Kotaro Fujiwara as a celebration of Nintendo's 100th anniversary, the show's premise revolves around a collision between our world and the video game world. Mamu, the main antagonist of Yume Kojo: Doki Doki Panic/Super Marco Bros. 2, leads a coalition of villains from various Nintendo games, as well as a select few from Hudson Soft games, in an attempt to subjugate the human race. Mamoru Shibata, a playtester working for Nintendo, is given a special device to transform into Game Hero Tengen. Soon, more game heroes start appearing as well. The show is similar in certain themes to Toei's Denji Sentai Megaranger.

The show would be remade in the Kingdom of Sierra as The Game Masters.

Plot

In the Nintendo office in Kyoto, designers are working on a new game for the Family Computer, when a freak accident damages most of the equipment. Though everyone is left unharmed, something bizarre happens: a monster jumps out of the mainframe. Proclaiming himself to be Mamu, the main antagonist of Doki Doki Panic, the figure announces that he intends to conquer this new world he's encountered, starting with Japan. Escaping into the city, chaos ensues as Mamu's Nightmare Clan appears. Among those in the Nintendo office is Mamoru Shibata, who works as a playtester for the developer. Not wanting to do nothing while the monsters attack, Mamoru runs out to confront them. In the process, he comes across the Game Changer, a secret device that enables him to transform into Gem Hero Tengen. With his new equipment, he vows to defeat the Nightmare Clan and restore peace to Japan. Soon, three more Game Heroes appear, aiding Mamoru. Eventually, the four game heroes are able to defeat Mamu at the cost of one of their own, only for another enemy, Hakkai from Hyrule Fantasy, to appear, leading to Tengen to unlock a new power to defeat the Nightmare Clan once and for all.

Characters

Game Heroes

Game Heroes (ゲーム・ヒーロー, Gēmu Hīrō) are select individuals from the Human World who have been chosen to fight back against the Nightmare Clan. They are given Game Changers (ゲーム・チェンジャー, Gēmu Chenjā), transformation devices modeled after Pocket Game portable consoles. With a cry of "Game On!" (ゲームオン！, Gēmu On !), they are equipped with superpowered Famicon Suits (ファミコンスーツ, Famikon Sūtsu), changing them into their Game Hero alter egos.

Mamoru Shibata

Mamoru Shibata/Tengen (柴田 守/天元, Heaven Origin, 1-39): 20 years old, Mamoru is a Kyoto native who works as a playtester for Nintendo, though initially seeming to be little more than a game nerd, he soon shows his bravery when he confronts Mad Ox, though he gets beaten back, he quickly earns his Game Changer. As Tengen, Mamoru's Famicom Suit is modeled after the original Family Computer, and he wields the "Light Ray Gun" (光線銃, Kōsenjū), a gun that shoots out rays of light to attack his enemies, and the Computer Sword (コンピューターソード, Konpyūtā Sōdo), a sword that enables him to kill Game Monsters with his finishing move: "End Slash" (エンド・スラッシュ, Endo Surasshu). Eventually, he gains the Shin-Cassete (進化セット, Shinkasetto, "Evolution Game Pak") to become Game Master Super Tengen (ゲーム・マスター超（スーパー）天元, Gēmu Masutā Sūpā Tengen), with the cry Power UP! (パワーアップ！, Pawā Appu!) He wields a stronger Famicon Suit based off the then upcoming Super Famicom, the "Light Ray Sniper" (光線スナイパー, Kōsen Sunaipã), a sniper rifle equivalent of the Light Ray Gun, and the Legend Sword (レジェンドソード, Rejendo Sōdo), a powered-up Computer Sword with the ultimate finishing move: "Game Over Finish" (ゲームオーバー・フィニッシュ, Gēmu Ōbā Finisshu).

Kenji Kitagawa

Kenji Kitagawa/Tenmon (喜多川 謙二/天門, Heaven Gate, 3-39): 21 years old, an Osaka resident who was visiting family in Kyoto when the Nightmare clan attacked. Though initially wanting to hide from the monsters, the abduction of you little cousin forces him to act, gaining him his own Game Changer. Tenmon is based on the Disk System game The Mysterious Murasame Castle, as such, his Famicom Suit is modeled after Samurai armor. He wields the "Video Shuriken" (ビデオ手裏剣, Bideo Shuriken), used as a long range weapon, and the "Disk Katana" (ディスク刀), used for short range, and his finishing move: "Lightning Cut" (電光切り, Denkō-giri)

Tenki

Tenki (天機, Tenki, Heaven Machine): A game hero modeled after Nintendo Wars, with their Famicon suit resembling the Powered Infantry's exoskeletons. Wields two guns, the "Hyper Rifle (ハイパー・ライフル, Haipā Raifuru), a special long range weapon even more powerful than the Light Ray Gun, and the "Saver Gun" (セイバー銃, Seibājū), a special pistol used only as a last resort to perform the finishing move "Saver Shooting" (セイバー・シューティング, Seibā Shūtingu). There were two Tenkis, one male, the other female:

Hiroshi Sato

Hiroshi Satō (佐藤 浩, 5-25): 25 years old, a private investigator from Tokyo who came to Kyoto to investigate the disappearance of Hiromi Morimoto, only to end up entangled in the conflict with the Nightmare clan. Getting a Game Changer, he eagerly joins the fight and becomes a staunch ally of the other Game Heroes, serving as a pseudo father figure. He gives his life to protect the other Game Heroes from Mamu's suicide charge in episode 25.

Hiromi Morimoto

Hiromi Morimoto (森本 ひろみ, 5-39): 16 years old, a local High School student who was kidnapped by the Devil from Devil World, only to be rescued by Hiroshi and the other Game Heroes. As thanks, she became an assistant to Sato, helping him find out where the Game Monsters are. After Hiroshi's death, she inherits his Game Changer, enabling her to become Tenki.

Kaori Ōba

Kaori Ōba/Tenkō (大庭 かおり/天光, Heaven Light, 7-39): 18 years old, a high school graduate wondering what to do with her life, when she suddenly comes across a Game Changer. Being forced to use it to fight back when she is attacked by a game monster, she eventually starts to become attached to being a hero, perhaps a bit obsessed even. Tenko is based off of Myths and Monsters, as such, she wields the Light Arrow (ライト・アロー, Raito Arō), a bow that can shoot arrows of light, and the Heaven Blade (ヘブン・ブレード, Hebun Burēdo), a golden blade that can kill her enemies with the "Holy Final" (ホーリー・ファイナル, Hōrī Fainaru) finisher.

Allies

Game World

The Game World (ゲーム世界, Gēmu Sekai) is a world created from the thoughts of humans, connected to the human world through their dreams.

Famicom Robo

Famicom Robo (ファミコン ロボ, Famicon Robo, 2-15; 24-26; 32-39): A sapient robot based on Nintendo's Family Computer Robot (ファミリーコンピュータ ロボット, Famirī Konpyūta Robotto). He explains the Game World and the nature of the Game Changers to the heroes. Is heavily damaged in episode 15, and thus spends the rest of the series under repair by Nintendo, though still interacts with the characters from time to time.

Professor Hector

Professor Hector (ヘクター博士, Hekutā-hakase, 15-39): The inventor of Famicom Robo, and a replacement mentor to the Game Heroes. Helps create the Shin-Casette. During the Final episodes, he and Famicom Robo manage to reverse Hakkai's spell as it is being completed, splitting the two worlds forever.

Speed Rider

The Speed Rider (スピード・ライダー, Supīdo Raidā, 8): The biker from the Famicom game of the same name, who is the fastest biker in all of existence. Using his speed, he helps the game heroes chase down Monster Biker, and kill him. After that, he returns to the game world.

Balloon Fighter

The Balloon Fighter (バルーン・ファイター, Barūn Faitā, 13): A child like human in a balloon suit that enables him to fly, the main hero from Balloon Fight. He is engaged in a battle with the Nightmare Clan, and his rival Balloon Imp. Gives his life to destroy the Imp.

Popopo

Popopo (ポポポ, 16): A pink "puff-ball" from the Land of Dreams Pupupu; the main star of his self titled series. He is summoned into the world to serve as another Game Monster, only to be rejected when he starts eating the Hey Hos, forcing them to summon another Game Monster, King DeDeDe the Great. Popopo soon meets up with the game heroes, helping them defeat DeDeDe.

Dumbo Kong Junior

Dumbo Kong Junior (ダンボコングJr., Danbo Kongu Juniā, 24, 30, 39): The son of Dumbo Kong, and the star of his own game. Appearing alongside his father, and is kidnapped by the Hey-Hos to force him to work for them. Is freed by the end of the episode.

Nintendo

The game company plays only a secondary role in the show, to avoid taking focus away from the heroes.

Hiroshi Yamauchi

Hiroshi Yamauchi (山内 溥, 1, 39): Appears in the first episode and the last, to report on the development of Nintendo's latest game console.

Hirofumi Tezuka

Hirofumi Tezuka (手束 弘文, 1, 25, 39): Helps the heroes take out Mamu.

Nightmare Clan

The Nightmare Clan (悪夢族, Akumu-zoku): A coalition of enemies and bosses from a variety for Nintendo games. They seek the domination of the Human World, and will stop at nothing to crush the Game Heroes who stand in their way. Under Mamu, they send out Game Monsters to attack specific people, find the Game Heroes and destroy them, or just drain energy from sources. Under Hakkai, however, they have a much more sinister plan, to gather enough energy to merge the Human and Game World into one, which would create a state in which they could rule.

Mamu

Mamu, the Demon King of Dreams (夢の魔王マムー, Yume no Maō Mamū, 1-25): The first leader of the Nightmare clan, a giant frog king. Brining all the enemies to the main world, including his own army, Mamu plots to conquer the Human World with the help of his Nightmare clan. He frequently sends out game monsters to defeat the Game Heroes; however after each one fails to destroy them, and after Tenko personally befriends Dumbo Kong, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Welding a series of bombs, Mamu hopes to blow away his enemies once and for all. He meets his end when he is forced to swallow one of his own bombs, his last act is to try and take Tengen with him, only to be tackled away by Tenki.

Mad Ox

Mad Ox (マッド・オックス, Maddo Okkusu, 1-36): One of the many boxers featured in Ring Battle, a big, bald man from Anatolia (albeit played by a Japanese professional wrestler). Mad Ox serves as the muscle of the Nightmare Clan, often helping the Hey-hos to battle the Game Heroes, and to do the necessary heavy lifting in Mamu and Hakkai's schemes. Develops a rivalry with Tengen, after the last Game Monster is destroyed, Mad Ox decides to face him one on one, tro finish him off once and for all. Is destroyed in a way that references an actual trick from his game of origin, but his death furthers Hakkai's goal.

Tomato Warlock

Tomato Warlock (トマト使い, Tomato-tsukai, 1-37): A recurring enemy from Myths and Monsters, a red wizard with the head of a tomato. He has the power to turn others into tomatoes, which he often wishes to use on Tenko, another reference to his game of origin. In the endgame of the series, he helps Hakkai cast his final spell, and decides to take care of the Game Heroes one and for all to give Hakkai the power he needs. He is beaten by Tenko, after which he sacrifices himself to give Hakkai more power.

Cathy Sisters

The 3 Catherine Sisters (キャサリン3姉妹, Kyasarin San Shimai, 1-38): A trio of three prehistoric dinosaurs: Pink Cathy (ピンクキャサリン, Pinku Kyasarin), Red Cathy (レッドキャサリン, Reddo Kyasarin), and Green Cathy (グリーンキャサリン, Gurīn Kyasarin). They serve as commentators and gossiper for the Nightmare Clane, and appear as main adversaries in episode 6. They are destroyed one by one after attacking the Game Heroes in a last ditch effort to prevent from stopping Hakkai.

Hakkai

Sorcerery King Hakkai (魔道王ハッカイ, Madō Ō Hakkai, 26-39): A powerful, pig-like sorcerer, the main antagonist of The Hyrule Fantasy. He is summoned into the human world to replace the deceased Mamu and help them beat the Game Heroes. Once he arrives, he begins planning a spell to merge to two worlds, sending Game Monsters to either gather energy or sacrifice the Game Heroes. As he gets closer to gaining enough energy, his forces drain thin. When he starts to cast the spell, it is just down to him and a few Hey-hos. Forced to finally face the Game Heroes himself, he proves even a match for Super Tengen, until all four heroes begin attacking him at the same time. Overwhelmed, he is finally beaten when they all use their finishing moves on him at the same time, ending the Nightmare Clan once and for all.

Game Monsters

Game Monsters (ゲーム怪人, Gēmu Kaijin): Enemies and bosses from video games, summoned into the Human World to serve the Nightmare clan. There are a variety that are released through the show's run:

1. BugMite (バグマイト, Bagumaito, 2)
2. Murasame (村雨, 3)
3. Bad Duck (ワルアヒル, Waruahiru, 4)
4. The Devil (悪魔, Akuma, 5)
5. Super Tank #6 (超戦車6号, Chōsensha Roku-gō, 6)
6. The Dark Rider (暗黒ライダー, Ankoku Raidā, 8)
7. Medusa (メドゥーサ, Medūsa, 9)
8. Rhino King (サイキング, Sai Kingu, 10)
9. Don Churuge (ドン・チュルゲ, 11)
10. Balloon Piranha (バルーン・ピラニア, Barūn Pirania, 12)
11. King Egger (エッガー大王, Eggā Daiō, 13)
12. Famiclone Robo (ファミクロンロボ, Famikuron Robo, 14 & 15)
13. Professor Vector (ベクトル博士, Bekutoru Hakase, 14 & 15)
14. DeDeDe The Great (デデデ大王, Dedede Daiō, 16)
15. Gabucho (ガブチョ, 17)
16. King Cura (キュラ大王, Kyura Daiō, 18)
17. Mr. Dreamer (ミスター・ドリーマー, Misutā Dorīmā, 19)
18. Hibobo (ヒーボーボー, Hībōbō, 21)
19. Binbōgami (貧乏神, 22)
20. Dumbo Kong (ダンボ・コング, Danbo Kongu, 23)
21. Dodongo (ドドンゴ, Dodongo, 27)
22. Shadow Racer (シャッドー・レーサー, Shadō Rēsā, 28)
23. Dark Link (ダーク・リンク, Dāku Rinku, 29)
24. Sydney (シドニ, Shidoni, 30)
25. Grand Fighter (グランド戦闘機, Gurando Sentōki, 31)
26. Black Bomberman (ブラックボンパーマン, Burakku Bonbāman, 32 & 33)

Hey-hos

Hey-hos (ヘイホー, Heihō): Foot Soldiers of the Nightmare Clan, they attack in large groups, but are often easy to defeat by the Game Heroes.

Episodes

1. A Hundred Year Game Start (百年GAMESTART, Hyaku-nen Gēmu Sutāto) (Aired September 23, 1989)
2. My name is Famicom Robo (私の名はファミコンロボ, Watashi no Na wa Famicon Robo) (Aired September 30, 1989)
3. The Transforming Samurai is Here! (変身侍参上！, Henshin Samurai Sanjō!) (Aired October 7, 1989)
4. Search for the Target (TARGETを探せ, Tāgetto o Sagase) (Aired October 14, 1989)
5. The Soldier Private Detective (兵探偵, Heitantei) (Aired October 21, 1989)
6. The Eggs Are... (タマゴは…, Tamago wa...) (Aired October 28, 1989)
7. The Angel of Myth (神話の天使, Shinwa no Tenshi) (Aired November 4, 1989)
8. Run, Speed Rider! (走れ、スピード・ライダー ！, Hashire, Supīdo Raidā!) (Aired November 11, 1989)
9. Medusa, Goddess of Darkness (暗黒の女神メドゥーサ, Ankoku no Megami Medūsa) (Aired November 18, 1989)
10. Rhino of the Ring (リングのサイ, Ringu no Sai) (Aired November 25, 1989)
11. The Great Bomb Operation (大爆弾（ボム）作戦, Dai Bomu Sakusen) (Aired December 2, 1989)
12. Day of the Balloons (バルーンの日, Barūn no Hi) (Aired December 9, 1989)
13. Road to Tokyo (東京への道, Tokyō e no Michi) (Aired December 16, 1989)
14. The Christmas S.O.S. (クリスマスSOS, Kurisumasa Esu ō Esu) (Aired December 23, 1989)
15. New Year's Professor (新年の博士, Shinnen no Hakase) (Aired January 6, 1990)
16. Return of the Spring Breeze (帰ってきた春風, Kattekita Harukaze) (Aired January 13, 1990)
17. The Three Headed Dragon (三つ頭のドラゴン, Mittsu Atama no doragon) (Aired January 20, 1990)
18. Master Takahashi and Master Takahashi (高橋名人&（と）高橋名人, Takahashi Meijin to Takahashi Meijin) (Aired January 27, 1990)
19. An Unbeatable Dreamer (無敵なDREAMER, Muteki na Dorīmā) (Aired February 2, 1990)
20. The God of Death (死に神, Shinigami) (Aired February 9, 1990)
21. Burn Flame-man (燃えろ炎人, Moero Enjin) (Aired February 16, 1990)
22. It's a God of Poverty! (貧乏神だ！, Binbōgami da!) (Aired February 23, 1990)
23. The Gorillas' Father-Son-Bonds (ゴリラの父子愛（きずな）, Gorira no Kizuna) (Aired March 2, 1990)
24. Mamu's Last Day (マムーの最後の日, Mamū no Saigo no Hi) (Aired March 9, 1990)
25. Thank you, Hiroshi (ありがと、浩さん, Arigato, Hiroshi-san) (Aired March 15, 1990; Re-cap episode)
26. Sorcery Resurrection (魔道復活, Madō Fukkatsu) (Aired March 22, 1990)
27. A Miraculous Power-up (奇跡の超進化（パワーアップ）, Kiseki no Pawā-appu) (Aired March 29, 1990)
28. Running at The Highest Speeds, Captain Hayabusa (激走、キャプティン・ハヤブサ, Gekisō, Kyaputen Hayabusa) (Aired April 5, 1990)
29. The Lengendary Hero (伝説の英雄, Denestsu no Eiyū) (Aired April 12, 1990)
30. Cosmo Ranger Samus (宇宙狩人（コズモレンジャー）サムス, Cosumo Renjā Samusu) (Aired April 19, 1990)
31. Fly Fighter (飛べFIGHTER, Tobe Faitā) (Aired April 26, 1990)
32. Close Call! Part One (危機一髪！前編, Kiki Ippatsu! Zenpen) (Aired May 3, 1990)
33. Close Call! Part Two (危機一髪！続編, Kiki Ippatsu! Zokuhen) (Aired May 10, 1990)
34. A Recap (要約, Yōyaku) (Aired May 17, 1990; Recap episode)
35. The Final Plan (最後の作戦, Saigo no Sakusen) (Aired May 24, 1990)
36. Ring Out! (死闘（リングアウト）！, Ringu Auto!) (Aired May 31, 1990)
37. The Tomato's Trap (トマトの罠, Tomato no Wana) (Aired June 7, 1990)
38. Destroy the Base (基地を破壊せよ, Kichi o hakai seyo) (Aired June 14, 1990)
39. Our Game Over (ボクらのGAMEOVER, Boku-ra no Gēmu Ōbā) (Aired June 21, 1990)

Songs

Opening theme

• NEVER STOP Power of the Game Heroes (NEVER STOPゲーム・ヒーローの力, Nebā Sutoppu Gēmu Hīrō no Chikara)
  • Composition: Koji Kondo (近藤 浩治)
  • Arrangement: Yukihide Takekawa (タケカワ ユキヒデ)
  • Lyrics: Hirofumi Tezuka (手束 弘文)
  • Performance: MIO

Ending theme

• It's not A Game! (ゲームじゃないわよ！, Gēmu Janai wa yo !)
  • Composition: Koji Kondo (近藤 浩治)
  • Arrangement: Yukihide Takekawa (タケカワ ユキヒデ)
  • Lyrics: Hirofumi Tezuka (手束 弘文)
  • Performance: Yumi Hiroko (弘妃 由美)

Cast

• Kenta Seki (関 健太) as Mamoru Shibata
• Akira Hayakawa (早川 章) as Kenji Kitagawa
• Takehito Kuroda (黒田 武人) as Hiroshi Sato
• Mari Samejima (鮫島 真理) as Hiromi Morimoto
• Akane Saotome (早乙女 茜) as Kaori Ohba
• Strong Kongō (ストロング金剛) as Mad Ox
• Jon Lee as Professor Hector

Guests

• Hiroshi Yamauchi (山内 溥) as Himself
• Joe Hayashi (林 丈) as Speed Rider
• Hirofumi Tezuka (手束 弘文) as Himself
• Takahashi Meijin (高橋名人) as Himself/Game self
• Naoko Hayashibara (林原 尚子) as Link
• Niibori Mari (新堀 まり) as Samus

Voice Actors

• Tōru Ōhira (大平 透) as Mamu
• Hirotaka Suzuoki (鈴置 洋孝) as Tomato Warlock
• Jun Donna (呑奈 純) as Pink Cathy
• Rika (梨花) as Red Cathy
• Akemi (あけみ) as Green Cathy
• Kaoru Shinoda (篠田 薫) as Professor Hector (Dubbing Jon Lee)
• Mitsuo Yamaguchi (山口 光雄) as Link (Dubbing Naoko Hayashibara)

Stunts/Suit actors

Most of the suit actors came from Kurata Promotion (倉田プロモーション); after filming was complete, several of them left Kurata Pro to form their own company, Hyper Stunts (ハイパースタント). Most of the female characters were portrayed by short stuntmen.

• Ryūtarō Sanada (真田 龍太郎) as Tengen, Tomato Warlock
• Jun Midorikawa (緑川 隼) as Tenmon
• Kenta Sakurai (櫻井 健太) as Tenki, Pink Cathy
• Kotarō Nakamura (中村 光太郎) as Tenko, Red Cathy
• Ryūichi Tendō (天童 竜一) as Mamu, Hakkai
• Hirokazu Sugita (杉田 博一) as Game Monsters, Green Cathy
• Naoko Hayashibara (林原 尚子) as Famicom Robo, Samus Power Suit

Production

Staff

• Creator: Kotaro Fujiwara (藤原 耕太郎)
• Planning: Fuji Television (フジテレビジョン)
• Production: Toho (東宝株式会社), Nintendo (任天堂株式会社), Yomiko Advertising (読売広告社)
• Developed by: Kotaro Fujiwara (藤原 耕太郎) (Toho) and Hirofumi Tezuka (手束 弘文) (Nintendo)
• Directed: Tsutomu Mishima (三島 勉)
• Action Director: Yasuaki Kurata (倉田 保昭)
• Sponsors: Nintendo (任天堂株式会社), Hudson Soft (株式会社ハドソン), Takara Co, Ltd. (株式会社タカラ)

See also

• The Game Masters
• Project S.E.G.A.