Mashin Hero Wataru

Mashin Hero Wataru (魔神英雄伝ワタル, Mashin Eiyū Den Wataru, lit. 'Magic God Hero Legend Wataru') is a series of Japanese animated films produced by Sunrise. There are works such as TV series, OVA, web animation, radio drama, and novels. Here, I will show a simple view of the world and types of media mixes related to "Mashin Hero Wataru". For details, refer to the corresponding item and "Characters of Mashin Hero Wataru Series".

All stories seem to be connected, but there are parts where the worldview and background settings are intentionally different depending on the director and writer. For example, the anime "Mashin Hero Wataru" is supposed to be a sequel to "1" and "2", and then lead to "Wataru 3", but as a result of the worldview and settings being added later, it is clearly a contradictory completeness. There are also places that are not connected to.

Synopsis
A 4th grader named Wataru Ikusabe is chosen as the savior of a fantasy world called "Shinbukai (神部界)" and must save its epicenter called Soukaizan (創界山)" from the clutches of many demon overlords and the forces of evil. Together with ninja master Himiko Shinobibe and master swordsman, Shibaraku Tsurugibe, and his mashin companion, Ryuujinmaru, Wataru embark on many cool and interesting adventures while making new allies.

Novel

 * 1) Mashin Hero Wataru ANOTHER STEP
 * 2) Mashin Hero Wataru Tiger King Legend
 * 3) Demon Prince Tiger King Den
 * 4) Tora Bull Dream - Makai Ouji Torao Den Gaiden- (Kadokawa Novels New Fantasy Kingdom II included)
 * 5) Mashin Hero Wataru Gaiden Tiger Bull Fantasy Three stories that won't become a legend
 * 6) Legend of Super Devil (spin-off work. Unfinished due to the bankruptcy of the publisher)
 * 7) Demon God Hero Wataru Seven Souls Ryujinmaru (Yatate Bunko)

Gamebook

 * Mashin Hero Wataru Savior of Another Dimension (Futaba Bunko Adventure Game Book) - Written by: Shinichi Katsunuma, Tetsuya Sukegawa // Game composition: Naomi Inoue.
 * Mashin Hero Wataru Gaiden Savior Again!! (Famicom Adventure Game Book) - Written by: Shinichi Katsunuma // Game composition: Wataru Inukai.

Manga
A manga adaptation drawn by Hideaki Fujii began serialization in Shogakukan's Corocoro Aniki manga magazine in July 2020.


 * 1) Mashin Hero Wataru Gaiden Makai Rush Monogatari Complete Volume 1
 * 2) *Gaiden manga serialized in "Monthly CoroCoro Comic" from the August 1989 issue to the January 1990 issue. Drawing by Takao Aoki, original work by Kennosuke Mizutani (RED) & Sunrise. Like the OVA, it is centered on Majinyama, but it is a story with the original characters Raito and Kid as the main characters. The initial title was "Mashin Hero Wataru: Into the Makai! Raiomaru Monogatari", but the title was changed from the November 1989 issue.
 * 3) Super Majin Hero Wataru (CoroCoro Comic version) Complete 1 volume Author: Koichi Mitaka
 * 4) Super Majin Hero Wataru (Fandera version) All 4 volumes Author: Hozumi Suzuki
 * 5) Super Majin Hero Wataru Gaiden (Monthly Comic Pocket Edition) All 2 Volumes Author: Yuka Matsumoto
 * 6) Mashin Hero Wataru Seven Souls Ryujinmaru (Korokoro Aniki)

Spin Off

 * 1) Mashin Hero Wataru 2 Demon Development Great Decisive Battle
 * 2) *A spin-off manga serialized in "Monthly CoroCoro Comic" from the February 1990 issue. The drawing is by Takao Aoki. It bears the name of "Wataru", but due to the fact that it is an extra edition, the stage is the "real world" where the characters of the main story do not appear at all. "The plaques in Wataru 2 were either created from scratch by the boys, starting with the main character, Wataru Tsubasa, based on various ideas for remodeling past plaques, or by the boys themselves. There is also a computer simulation device that makes them fight.
 * 3) Super Genie Legend
 * 4) *In addition to this, CoroCoro Comic at the time of the anime broadcast published various one-shot comics based on Wataru's main story and Praction, mainly in separate volumes and special issues. In particular, the two works of "Majin Hero Wataru Himitsu Gaiden", which was announced after the anime ended and is a story that leads to Shin Majin Hero Wataru, boosted the momentum of Praction Emperor Dragon (Hagane series) to be released after that.

Staff (SEASON 1)
Mashin Hero Wataru SEASON 1 is a mecha multimedia franchise originally created by Sunrise and Red Entertainment. The first series aired on April 15, 1988, replacing the 17:00–17:30 time slots used for Transformers: The Headmasters. Sunrise credited "Hajime Yatate" for the storyline and Shuji Iuchi directed the series. The series employs a kinetic visual gag style, often employing characters running with their feet over their shoulders derived from Sunrise's previous Super Robot anime series Choriki Robo Galatt.
 * Planning -Sunrise
 * Planning Cooperation - Red Company
 * Original - Hajime Yatate (serialized magazines - "TV Kun", "Separate Volume: CoroCoro Comic")
 * General Director - Hideharu Iuchi
 * Chief Writer - Takao Oyama
 * Composition - Hideharu Inouchi, Yoshimasa Takahashi
 * Character Design - Toyo Ashida
 * Guest Character Design - Mandorirukurubu
 * Mechanical Design - Kazunobu Nakazawa
 * Art Director - Shigemi Ikeda
 * Color setting - Kyoko Yamazaki
 * Cinematographer - Atsushi Okui
 * Editing - Yumiko Fuse
 * Acoustic director - Sadayoshi Fujino
 * Music - Junichi Kanezaki, Satoshi Kadokura
 * Producers - Hidehiko Takei, Hibiki Ito (NTV), Yuko Sagawa (ASATSU), Takayuki Yoshii
 * Assistant Producer - Tamiyuki Tomita
 * Production - ASATSU, Sunrise

Staff (SEASON 2)
Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru 2 is a Japanese TV anime produced by Sunrise. The second work of the "Mashin Hero Wataru Series". Broadcast on Nippon Television and others from March 1990 to March 1991. From episodes 29 to 46, the subtitle "Super Fight" was added. 46 episodes in total.
 * Planning -Sunrise
 * Draft - Hajime Yatate, Prince Hiroi (serialized magazines - "TV Kun", Separate Volume: CoroCoro Comic")
 * Planning Cooperation - Red Company
 * General Director - Hideharu Iuchi
 * Series Composition - Takao Koyama, Yoshimasa Takahashi
 * Character Design - Toyo Ashida
 * Guest Character Design - Studio Live
 * Mechanical Design - Kazunobu Nakazawa
 * Art Director - Shigemi Ikeda
 * Color setting - Reiko Uemura
 * Cinematographer - Atsushi Okui
 * Editing - Yumiko Fuse
 * Acoustic director - Sadayoshi Fujino
 * Music - Satoshi Kadokura, Hayato Kanbayashi, Junichi Kanezaki
 * Producer - Hibiki Ito (NTV), Yuko Sagawa, Tamiyuki Tomita
 * Planning and production - NTV
 * Production - ASATSU Sunrise

Mashin Hero Wataru 7 Pure Passionate Love
A fictitious future adventure that was featured in the December 1990 issue of Monthly Animage, "What will happen to Animage in the 21st century?" At this time, Wataru is 17 years old and wears sleeveless armor based on blue. Himiko is 14 years old, and her appearance is based on the 15 and 6-year-old figures that appeared in the anime. Tiger King and Umiko also appear, but Takeho is noticeably aged, and Shibaraku is the parent of three children called Omatase, Youkoso, and Itadaki. Since this is a fictitious setting of Hatsuyume Kikaku, there is no point of contact with the main story. Character design by Mari Tominaga.

Staff (SEASON 3)
Chou Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru is the 3rd work of the Mashin Eiyuuden Wataru TV series by SUNRISE, and is considered as a "remake" series of the previous Wataru series. It started airing from October 2, 1997, and ended on September 24, 1998, every Thursday from 6:00 to 6:30pm, with a total of 51 episodes.


 * Planning - Sunrise
 * Planning Cooperation - Red Company
 * Original work - Hajime Yatate, Prince Hiroi, Hideharu Inouchi
 * General Director - Hideharu Iuchi
 * Assistant Director - Kiyoshi Fukumoto
 * Character Design - Toyo Ashida
 * Guest Character Design - Mari Tominaga & Studio Live
 * Mechanical Design / Concept Design - Kazunobu Nakazawa
 * Animation Mecha Design - Tsutomu Miyazawa
 * Concept design cooperation - Yoshikazu Asahina
 * Art Setting - Akihiro Hirasawa
 * Art Director - Masaru Sato
 * Color design - Miyuki Sato
 * Director of Photography - Hajime Okeda
 * Editing - Tomoaki Tsurubuchi
 * Acoustic director - Sadayoshi Fujino
 * Music - Tomoyuki Asakawa, Toshihiko Sahashi
 * Producer - Koriko Kobayashi (TV Tokyo), Ritsushi Yamazaki, Eiji Sashida
 * Assistant Producer - Chie Ohashi
 * Production - TV Tokyo, ASATSU, Sunrise

Spin-offs
The franchise has spawned three TV series (Mashin Hero Wataru, Mashin Hero Wataru 2, Cho Mashin Hero Wataru), four radio shows, five OVAs, five novels, five video games, and assorted other merchandise. One of the video games was the original pack-in game for the PC Engine, and was renamed in the United States as Keith Courage in Alpha Zones when localized on TurboGrafx-16.

Staff (Mashin Hero Wataru: The Seven Spirits of Ryujinmaru)
The latest anime, Mashin Hero Wataru: The Seven Spirits of Ryujinmaru was released online on April 10, 2020. On April 24, 2020, it was announced that the anime would be on a hiatus due to COVID-19. On June 12, 2020, it was announced the anime would resume on June 19, 2020.


 * Planning/Production - Sunrise
 * Original work - Hajime Yatate
 * Director - Hiroshi Kojina
 * Series composition - Shingo Nagai
 * Character Design - Momoko Makiuchi
 * Mechanical Design - Manabu Shintani
 * Design Works - Jun Yukawa
 * Key Mecha Animator - Satoshi Shigeta, Kentaro Higashi
 * Art Director - Shigemi Ikeda, Yukiko Maruyama
 * Color design - Miyuki Sato
 * Acoustic director - Sadayoshi Fujino
 * Cinematographer - Yuichiro Nagata
 * Edited - Yukiko Nojiri
 * Music- Junichi Kanezaki, Satoshi Kadokura, Hayato Kanbayashi (from Mashin Hero Wataru, Wataru 2)
 * Music cooperation - Sunrise Music, Flying Dog, Nippon Television Music
 * Planning cooperation - BANDAI SPIRITS
 * Special Thanks (Episode 9) - Hideharu Inuchi, Toyoo Ashida, Oji Hiroi

Web Special
At "TAMASHII Cyber ​​Fes 2020" in February 2020, a talk show with Yuki Ayami (MC), Mayumi Tanaka, and Kazue Ikura was held and distributed, and a program just before the start was also distributed in March. At the virtual event "TAMASHII Features 2020" on July 4, 2020, the talk show and episodes 1-4 will be distributed live. On September 11, 2020, before the second part was distributed, the 4th live distribution was also performed, and the guests were Kono Rei and Wotafa.

Wataru's success prompted Bandai to copy the super-deformed mecha and multi-tiered world concepts in a science fiction setting with Sunrise's 1989 Madō King Granzort TV series.

Born May 5, 1978. He is 131 cm tall and weighs 27.0 kg. He is a Taurus type B.

Character
The story is about a 9-year-old boy named Wataru Ikusabe (戦部 ワタル, Ikusabe Wataru) who is magically transported to a magical realm by a magical dragon named Ryujinmaru (龍神丸, Dragon God Round) - this realm is known as Soukaizan (創界山, Sōkaizan), which he is supposed to save from an evil, magical, demonic ruler.

Wataru Senbe a reincarnation of the legendary savior "Wataru", also a 4th grade elementary school student at Ryujin Elementary School, Wataru is taken to the world of gods called "Shinbukai" by a guardian dragon that appears from a pond called Ryujinike. The evil emperor "Doakdar", who suddenly appeared in the center of the mountain of gods "Soukaizan", ruled over the gods and Sokaisan. Together with Ryujinmaru, who has become a real "Seirei", he sets off on a journey to exterminate Doakuder in order to regain the seven rainbows that symbolize Mt. Sokai.

The series incorporates many elements of RPG games including dungeon levels and quests for magical objects. Soukaizan itself is represented as a series of magical tiered platforms each floating magically above the one beneath it in a rough pyramid shape. In order to progress to the next tier where he will meet the series' ultimate magical villain, the show's heroes must complete some task on the one beneath. In addition to these, he has to defeat the magical ruler of each level along with his many magical henchmen. Each level he completes, rejuvenates one color of the magical gray rainbow over Soukaizan.

In his quest to save the magical realm, Wataru manages to transform a clay sculpture into a somewhat autonomous and small magical Super Robot. He also befriends many of the magical Soukaizan natives, and forms some very strong friendship bonds. The term Sou-kai-zan can be broken down to its three parts: "Sou" (creation), "Kai" (realm, space, world, or universe), and "Zan" (hill or mountain), representing the pyramid shape of the magical world's level.

Abilities
Wataru Ikusabe has medium grades in school. His charm points are his bouncy hair and nose. He has a habit of rubbing his nose with his fist, saying, "Say it straight!" He thinks he is cheerful and cheerful and popular in the class, but Toshi says, "He's good, he's in a good mood, and he has a lot of assumptions.

From an early age, he was known only for his physical strength and was a hero at sports days and other events. In his room, he has a rollerskating trophy and a picture of him from that time. His dream is to be a Little League pitcher and an astronaut.


 * Hero/Savior Wataru
 * "Legendary Savior" originating from "Soukaizan" handed down from "Kanbukai". It wasn't that he could have been anyone, but the name of a boy from the "Senbu Clan" who showed divine power in the battle between the "Demon World" and the "Dark Dragon" that appeared tens of thousands of years ago. Originally, the soul that should have been reincarnated in the "God World" descended to the "Present World" for some reason. The incarnation of the dragon "Majin Ryujinmaru," is also equipped with a mechanism that reacts to the spirit and lineage of the war club, and it is a technique that can be achieved in the previous life when it launches a technique by taking a stance without any preliminary swing.
 * With the power of the Rainbow Dragon, he cut off the head of the Dark Dragon with the Sword of the Dragon King, ending the long-standing battle. It is handed down. On the other hand, since the human body cannot sufficiently demonstrate it to walk through the distorted sanctuary of the gods, it must act in the "Costume of a Hero" except in emergencies.

Cultural Impact
The anime series was a huge hit in Japan, later being imported into Taiwan, Mainland China, South Korea, France, Monaco and Hong Kong (the latter was shown on TVB Jade). Chinese translations were provided. The show became one of the most famous Japanese anime shows in China during the mid-1990s.

Interpretations
The first section of the title's kanji is a pun: the super-deformed mecha of the series are called "Magic Gods" (Kanji: 魔神, Romaji: mashin) - while written with the kanji for "magic" being shortened from "魔法" (mahō) to "魔" (ma) and "god" (神, shin) ("Shin" is one of two spellings for "jin", one of two romaji for "god" - the second romaji is "kami"), "mashin" is also the romaji for the katakana writing of the ordinary English word "machine" (マシン, mashin). The kanji for "legend", 伝説 (densetsu) is shortened to "伝" (den) before being written alongside "hero" (英雄 Eiyū)

Wataru and his friends Shibaraku and Himiko each represent different elements of ancient Japan: Wataru with his magatama and association with dragons represents the pre-Yamato Watari clan. Shibaraku represents samurai. Himiko represents ninja.

Video Game

 * PC Engine (Japan Version) "Mashin Hero Wataru"
 * PC engine Hu card software "Mashin Hero Wataru". A side-scrolling action game released by Hudson on August 30, 1988. The story is based on the anime, and you control Senbu Wataru or Ryujinmaru for each area. However, since the release was during the airing of the anime, the final boss is not Doorakuder, and there are no elements such as Ryujinmaru transforming into Ryuomaru.
 * When fighting the final boss properly, the jumping algorithm was severe and the difficulty was high, making it difficult to capture, but there was a bug that the activation judgment became soft depending on the angle of the player's side, such as jumping into the boss area, and the bug was activated. Then, the boss was in a standing state without moving at all and was easily defeated.
 * PC Engine (North American version) "Keith Courage in Alpha Zones"
 * PC engine port version released on August 29, 1989 with TurboGrafx-16 (North American version PC engine). Although the game content is almost the same, a completely different story was set for North America, and an American-style mini-comic was also included.
 * Story: In 2004, an invasion alien BAD appeared from a huge meteorite that suddenly fell to the earth, and a long battle continued. With the reinforced clothing and Nova Suits created by NICE scientists, he defeats many enemies but is instead killed. The son of a scientist, Keith inherited his father's will and Nova Suit to fight against enemy lands.
 * Mashin Hero Wataru Gaiden (An action role-playing game for the Family Computer released by Hudson on March 23, 1990.)
 * Super Mashin Hero Wataru ANOTHER STEP (A role-playing game for PlayStation released by Banpresto on April 23, 1998.)
 * Super Majin Hero Wataru Mazekko Monster (A monster breeding game for the Game Boy released by Banpresto on December 12, 1997.)
 * Super Majin Hero Wataru Mazekko Monster 2 (A monster breeding game for the Game Boy released by Banpresto on June 7, 1998.)
 * Demon God Hero - God Dragon Warrior (An action RPG for smartphones whose beta version was launched by KINGNET in China on June 23, 2021.)

Crossover Works
In the so-called crossover work where the characters of this work and other works gather in one work world, all works basically appear as the original (base) of the first work (Mujirushi).


 * Robot Pet Battling Harobots (Software for WonderSwan. Released on October 7, 1999.)
 * GB Harobots (Software for Game Boy Color. Released December 1, 2000.)
 * Harobots Action!! (Software for Nintendo DS. Released December 29, 2005.)
 * Sunrise Hero 2 (Software for PlayStation 2. Released December 20, 2001.)
 * SUNRISE WORLD WAR From Sunrise Hero Tan (Software for PlayStation 2. Released September 25, 2003.)
 * SUPER ROBOT WARS X (Released on March 29, 2018 as software for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita. It was also released on Nintendo Switch and Steam on January 10, 2020.)
 * SUPER ROBOT WARS X-Ω (App game for iOS / Android. From November 2018, it will be added as a fourth entry work. In July 2020, for a limited time, "Nanatsu no Ryujinmaru" participated in the event, and a collaboration event was held.)
 * SUPER ROBOT WARS DD (App game for iOS / Android. Added from a major update from March 2021.)

Pachinko

 * CR Mashin Hero Wataru (Toyomaru Sangyo, introduced in February 2014)

Books

 * Mashin Hero Wataru Encyclopedia (Keibunsha Encyclopedia 359) [Keibunsha]
 * Shin Mashin Hero Wataru Encyclopedia (Keibunsha Encyclopedia 389) [Kebunsha]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru 2 Encyclopedia (Keibunsha Encyclopedia 426) [Kebunsha]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru (Keibunsha Encyclopedia Separate Volume Hero Special 13) [Kebunsha]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru Sokaizan Messiah Den (Monthly OUT January special issue) [Minori Shobo]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru Sokaizan Paradise! (Laporte Deluxe) [Laporte, 1990]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru Selections 1 [Movic, 1990/8/1]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru Selections 2 [Movic, 1991/4/1]
 * New Century Magical Eiyuden This is it! [Tokuma Shoten, 1991/8]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru 2 Memorials [Sunrise, March 1992]
 * Super Majin Hero Wataru (Anime Super Bunko) [T2 Publishing, 1998/5]
 * Wataru Characters Collection [Keibunsha, 1998/4]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru Memorial Book [Shinkigensha, 2006/2]
 * Mashin Hero Wataru Genesis Biography [Shinkigensha, July 7, 2012]

Trivia

 * Wataru Ikusabe is have an counterpart in Alpha Zones, he is known as Keith Courage.

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