Chargeman Ken!
{{Short description|1974 sci-fi anime TV series}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| name = Chargeman Ken!
| image = ChargeKenDVD1.jpg
| caption = Cover for the First DVD Volume.
| ja_kanji = チャージマン研！
| ja_romaji = Chājiman Ken!
| genre = Science fiction
| creator = Eiji Tanaka
Tetsuji Suzukawa
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| director = Noboru Miura
| producer = Hiromichi Mogaki
| writer = Masaaki Wakuda
Toyohiro Andō
Yoshio Tamado
| music = Kunio Miyauchi
| studio = Knack Productions
Tama Production
| licensee = {{English anime licensee|NA=Discotek Media}}
| network = First-run syndication
| first = April 1, 1974
| last = June 28, 1974
| episodes = 65
| episode_list =
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
|type=manga
|author=Kiyotaka Arashi (1-2)
Ryū Morio (3-6)
|publisher=Tokuma Shoten
|magazine=TV Land
|first=March 1, 1974
|last=August 1, 1974
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
|type=manga
|author=Ikuo Miyazoe
|publisher=Akita Shoten
|demographic=Shōnen
|magazine=Bōken Ō
|first=April 1, 1974
|last=July 1, 1974}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer}}
{{nihongo|Chargeman Ken!|チャージマン{{Ruby|研|けん}}！|Chājiman Ken!}} is a science fiction anime series created by Tetsuji Suzukawa and Eiji Tanaka and animated by Knack Productions (now ICHI Corporation) and Tama Production. It was directed by Noboru Miura and written by Masaaki Wakuda, Toyohiro Andō and Yoshio Tamado, with the characters designed by Tanaka. A total of 65 episodes were broadcast in syndication in various networks (it was broadcast in the Kantō region on TBS) from April 1 to June 28, 1974, in 10-minute slots from 5:30 to 5:40 PM, Monday through Friday. Each episode of the series is a self-contained story. Discotek Media currently licenses the series outside Japan.{{cite web|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2016/08/13-1/discotek-licenses-charge-man-ken-urusei-yatsura-beautiful-dreamer-arcadia-of-my-youth-and-more-lupin|title=Discotek Licenses "Charge Man Ken", "Urusei Yatsura: Beautiful Dreamer", "Arcadia of My Youth" and More "Lupin"|first=Scott|last=Green|website=Crunchyroll|date=2016-08-14|access-date=2021-02-09}}
Plot
The story takes place in the year 2074, in a futuristic city where science has developed by leaps and bounds, and the Duralian aliens are planning to invade Earth. 10-year-old Ken Izumi disguises himself as Chargeman and struggles to protect the Earth from the threat of the Duralians.
Characters
=Izumi family=
; {{Nihongo|Ken Izumi|泉 研|Izumi Ken}}
:voiced by Setsuko Takemoto
: The protagonist of the franchise, a 5th grade student at Yoi Elevator school, somewhere in Japan. Ken is extremely powerful, able to inflict debilitating punches on a Juralian who has been credibly disguised as a boxing champion. He has the ability to transform into Chargeman Ken when exposed to even a minuscule amount of light, though the total lack of it has prevented him from transforming several times. As Chargeman Ken, he has the mount Sky Rod and carries the Alpha Gun, both of which can instantly kill Duralians by a beam-like attack, and wears the Vizum Belt that can make a lethal vortex of wind. He kills Duralians indiscriminately, even if they are not attacking or are running away. There are several instances of his dispensing with large amounts of hostages in ruthless attacks on Duralian fortifications and transports. Ken's only admitted weakness per se is mathematics, but his hatred for tomato juice has been used to identify his imposter.
; {{Nihongo|Caron Izumi|泉 キャロン|Izumi Kyaron}}
: Ken's 7-year-old sister. She has compassion for animals and is often supportive of her brother.
; {{Nihongo|Barican|バリカン|Barican}}
: voiced by Fuyuki Takahashi
: Ken's robot companion.
; {{Nihongo|Hiroshi Izumi|泉 博|Izumi Hiroshi}}
:voiced by Kiyoshi Kawanishi
: Ken and Caron's father. He is described as a physician, though he has never been shown practicing medicine in the anime series. Indeed, his wife has forgotten his profession, and he himself commented on a mental hospital in a derogatory fashion.
; {{Nihongo|Saori Izumi|泉 さおり|Izumi Saori}}
:voiced by Yuki Aida
: Ken and Caron's mother and Hiroshi's wife.
=Duralians=
; {{Nihongo|Maou|魔王|Maō}}
:voiced by Noboru Sato
: The chief antagonist of the franchise, leader of the Duralians invading Earth. Atypical for Duralians, Maou has two eyes.
; {{Nihongo|Duralians|ジュラル星人|Juraru seijin}}
: Duralians are vaguely humanoid, maroon-colored, with a slim waist, broad chest, long, tentacle-like limbs, and have a single eye capable of emitting a beam-like attack that can disintegrate any life form it hits and do severe damage to structural members of buildings and towers. They have the ability to transform into other lifeforms, such as humans or horses. Duralians do not have reflections in mirrors, a characteristic used by Ken and other protagonists to distinguish them from humans and robots.
Episode list
| class="wikitable" width="65%"
! style="background: #CCF" width="3%" | # ! style="background: #CCF" | Title ! style="background: #CCF" width="15%" | Original air date {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 1 | Title = Danger!! The Children's Space Station | NativeTitle = 危機!! 子供宇宙ステーション | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|1}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 2 | Title = Safe by a Hair! | NativeTitle = 危機一髪!! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|2}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 3 | Title = The Butterfly Swarm Flutters! | NativeTitle = 蝶の大群が舞う | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|3}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 4 | Title = The Mysterious Handsome Boy | NativeTitle = 謎の美少年 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|4}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 5 | Title = Terror! The Mummy Comes by Carriage! | NativeTitle = 恐怖! ミイラが馬車でやってくる | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|5}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 6 | Title = Uncanny! The Space Botanical Garden | NativeTitle = 怪奇! 宇宙植物園 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|8}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 7 | Title = Man of the West Ken! | NativeTitle = 西部の男・研! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 8 | Title = Duralian X-6 | NativeTitle = ジュラル星人X-6号 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|10}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 9 | Title = Enter, the Duralmons! | NativeTitle = ジュラルモンス登場 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|11}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 10 | Title = Barican Runs Amuck! | NativeTitle = バリカン大暴れ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|12}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 11 | Title = Save the Earth! | NativeTitle = 地球を守れ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|15}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 12 | Title = We Can't Eat Vegetable Salad | NativeTitle = 野菜サラダが食べられない | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|16}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 13 | Title = Showdown! The Undersea City | NativeTitle = 対決! 海底都市 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|17}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 14 | Title = The Great Buddha that Vanished Into the Night | NativeTitle = 闇夜に消えた大仏 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|18}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 15 | Title = The Art Gallery Mystery! | NativeTitle = 美術館の怪! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|19}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 16 | Title = Murder Record, Melody of Terror! | NativeTitle = 殺人レコード 恐怖のメロディー | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|22}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 17 | Title = Find Ken's Secret! | NativeTitle = 研の秘密を探れ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|23}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 18 | Title = The Great Escape from Prison Island | NativeTitle = 囚人島大脱走 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|24}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 19 | Title = Bank Gang - Caron's in Danger! | NativeTitle = 銀行ギャング キャロンが危ない | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|25}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 20 | Title = Ken Gets a Girlfriend | NativeTitle = ガールフレンドが出来た | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|26}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 21 | Title = Caron's Present | NativeTitle = キャロンへの贈り物 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|29}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 22 | Title = Time Bomb Fax TV | NativeTitle = 時限爆弾電送テレビ | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|4|30}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 23 | Title = Mental Hospital Terror | NativeTitle = 恐怖! 精神病院 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|1}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 24 | Title = An Invitation to the Robot Club | NativeTitle = ロボットクラブへの招待状 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|2}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 25 | Title = Save Young Yuuichi! | NativeTitle = 雄一少年を救え! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|3}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 26 | Title = The Girl Who Lost Her Memory | NativeTitle = 記憶を無くした少女 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|6}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 27 | Title = The Burning Poison Mushroom House | NativeTitle = 燃える毒きのこの家 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|7}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 28 | Title = Space Rocket Z9 | NativeTitle = 宇宙ロケットZ9号 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|8}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 29 | Title = Rub Out the Fashion Model! | NativeTitle = ファッションモデルを消せ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|9}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 30 | Title = Save Caron From the Top of the Tower! | NativeTitle = 塔上のキャロンを救え! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|10}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 31 | Title = Crisis! One Second to Blast | NativeTitle = 危機! 爆破1秒前 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|13}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 32 | Title = The Master Safe Cracker | NativeTitle = 金庫破りの名人 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|14}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 33 | Title = Is My Dad Old-Fashioned? | NativeTitle = 僕のパパは時代おくれ? | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|15}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 34 | Title = Sky Rod, Burrow into the Earth's Depths! | NativeTitle = スカイロッド 地底に突っこめ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|16}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 35 | Title = Dynamite in the Brain! | NativeTitle = 頭の中にダイナマイト | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|17}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 36 | Title = Shudder! The Devil's Hospital | NativeTitle = 戦慄! 悪魔の病院 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|20}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 37 | Title = Beat the Hijack | NativeTitle = ハイジャックをやっつけろ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|21}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 38 | Title = Operation Duralian Fake Friendship | NativeTitle = ジュラルのニセ友情作戦 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|22}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 39 | Title = The Pretty Boy Robot is a Herald of Death | NativeTitle = 美人ロボットは殺しの使者 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|23}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 40 | Title = Race on Murder Highway | NativeTitle = 疾走! 殺人ハイウェイ | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|24}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 41 | Title = Cinderella Girl | NativeTitle = シンデレラの少女 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|27}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 42 | Title = The Air Force Base is Targeted! | NativeTitle = 空軍基地が狙われている! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|28}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 43 | Title = Peer Through the Camera Viewfinder! | NativeTitle = カメラのファインダーを覗け! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|29}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 44 | Title = Beat the Fake Ken! | NativeTitle = 研の偽者をやっつけろ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|30}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 45 | Title = When the Cuckoo Clock Strikes Three | NativeTitle = 鳩時計が3時を指したら | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|5|31}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 46 | Title = Terror! The House of the White-Haired Crone! | NativeTitle = 恐怖! 白髪老婆の家 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|3}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 47 | Title = The Great Duralian Counterattack | NativeTitle = ジュラルの大逆襲 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|4}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 48 | Title = Showdown on the Solitary Island! | NativeTitle = 孤島の対決! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|5}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 49 | Title = The Delinquent's True Colors | NativeTitle = 不良少年の正体は! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|6}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 50 | Title = Save the Orphan Center! | NativeTitle = みなし子センターを救え! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|7}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 51 | Title = Stray Dog Koro | NativeTitle = 捨て犬コロ | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|10}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 52 | Title = Blow Up the Undersea Oil Field! | NativeTitle = 海底油田を爆破しろ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|11}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 53 | Title = The Suspicious Bride | NativeTitle = 怪しい花嫁 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|12}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 54 | Title = Spooky! The Waxwork Museum | NativeTitle = 怪奇! ロウ人形館 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|13}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 55 | Title = The Ones They Met in Egypt | NativeTitle = エジプトで出会ったやつ | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|14}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 56 | Title = Runaway! Horseback Ken | NativeTitle = 暴走! 馬上の研 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|17}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 57 | Title = The Antarctic Amusement Park | NativeTitle = 南極遊園地 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|18}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 58 | Title = Circus of Fiends | NativeTitle = 悪魔のサーカス団 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|19}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 59 | Title = Forest of Terror | NativeTitle = 恐怖の森 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|20}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 60 | Title = Tsunami Attack | NativeTitle = 大津波の襲撃 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|21}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 61 | Title = Barican's Old Friend Pays a Visit | NativeTitle = バリカンの旧友が尋ねて来た | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|24}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 62 | Title = Crisis at the Agricultural Complex! | NativeTitle = 農業コンビナートの危機 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|25}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 63 | Title = Defeat the Murderous Boxer! | NativeTitle = 殺人ボクサーを倒せ! | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|26}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 64 | Title = Explosion! The Mammoth Control Center | NativeTitle = 爆発! マンモスコントロールセンター | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|27}} }} {{Episode list | EpisodeNumber = 65 | Title = Victory! Chargeman Ken! | NativeTitle = 勝利! チャージマン研 | NativeTitleLangCode = ja | OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1974|6|28}} }} |
Broadcast in Japan
Production and cult status
Chargeman Ken! features several staff from Astroganger, including Seiichi Nishino, Eiji Tanaka, Toyohiro Andō, and Hiromichi Mogaki. As a result, the anime features similar character designs, story composition and characterization. According to Nishino, the show was produced with the aim of depicting life in the future, based on an illustrated futuristic story by Hiroshi Manabe.Animage, April 1979, p.79
Chargeman Ken! was produced on a budget of 500,000 yen per episode, far lower than the average of 4—5 million yen for a 30-minute episode by 1974. The low budget caused Knack Productions's staff to become apathetic toward the show and largely skip work on it in favor of going to the beach.{{Cite book | author = Toshio Okada, Nao Minda, Shunichi Karasawa | title = オタクアミーゴスの逆襲 | date = May 2009 | publisher = Rakkousha | isbn = 978-4903063300 | pages = 10–21 | chapter = 狂気の低予算アニメ チャージマン研}} Much information about the show is still unknown, including the voice actors, who are only listed as "Kindaiza Troupe" (劇団近代座 Gekidan Kindaiza).
Chargeman Ken! remained obscure until 2007, when a two-part DVD box set was released by Line Communications, with the episodes collected on a different order from the initial broadcast. The series became a viral hit on 2channel and Niconico, where users found unintentional comedic value in the show's flaws—including opportunistic and incoherent storytelling, poor pacing, animation inconsistencies, poor voice acting, and artifacts including hairs that appear on the film.{{Cite web|title=「チャージマン研！」コラボイベントが「CHUNITHM CRYSTAL PLUS」で10月1日にスタート。毎日ドゥンドゥンやろうじゃねぇか|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/519/G051961/20200928110/|website=4Gamer.net|date=2020-09-28|accessdate=2020-10-08}} It then became an Internet meme, leading to dozens of video remixes and AMVs.{{Cite web |url=https://cartoonresearch.com/index.php/worst-anime-ever-chargeman-ken-1974/ |title=Worst Anime Ever: "Chargeman Ken" (1974) |author=Cartoon Research |accessdate=19 February 2014}} On August 20, 2010, almost 40 years after the original broadcast, the first official website for the anime was opened, and on October 27, 2010, the official soundtrack and tribute album "Chargeman Ken! Tribute to Soundtracks vol.1" was released.{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B0044XD4ES |author=Amazon Japan |accessdate=19 February 2014 |title=Chargeman Ken! Tribute to Soundtracks. Vol. 1}} In response to the boom on the Internet, the show was rebroadcast on AT-X{{Cite web|title=チャージマン研！|url=https://www.at-x.com/program/detail/2333|website=AT-X|accessdate=2020-01-14}} from 2008 to 2009, and on Kids Station{{Cite web|url=http://www.kids-station.com/program/program.119551.html|title=チャージマン研！|accessdate=2020-01-14|publisher=Kids Station|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110703160111/http://www.kids-station.com/program/program.119551.html|archivedate=2011-07-03|url-status=dead}} from July 2011 to January 2012, with the airing order being the same as that of the original broadcast. Discotek Media released the entire series on DVD in North America on October 31, 2017.{{cite tweet |user=discotekmedia |number=887067318852796417 |date=2017-07-17 |title=The action-packed unintended comedy CHARGEMAN KEN Complete series set, coming to DVD on Halloween Day (Oct 31)!}}
A stage musical based on the series ran from October 31 to November 6, 2019, at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2019-05-30/chargeman-ken-anime-gets-stage-musical-adaptation-this-fall/.147287|title=Chargeman Ken! Anime Gets Stage Musical Adaptation This Fall|author= Anime News Network|accessdate=May 30, 2019}}{{Cite news|url=https://natalie.mu/stage/news/333482|title=アニメ「チャージマン研！」舞台化、主人公・研は4人|newspaper=Stage Natalie|publisher=Natalie|date=2019-05-30|accessdate=2019-11-05}} The second musical was staged at Shinjuku FACE in Tokyo from October 10 to October 18, 2020.{{Cite news|url=https://natalie.mu/stage/news/400250|title=「チャージマン研！」第2弾開幕に安達勇人「全力で口パクの可能性を追求」|newspaper=Stage Natalie|publisher=Natalie|date=2020-10-12|accessdate=2021-01-07}}
On August 3, 2020, ICHI, the production company of the anime, started a crowdfunding campaign on Readyfor to restore and archive the original film reels, which had deteriorated significantly over the years.{{Cite web|url=https://readyfor.jp/projects/cha-ken|title=チャージマン研！伝説の名(迷)作を守るためアーカイブ化を急げ!!|publisher=Readyfor|accessdate=2020-08-05}}{{Cite web|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/390523|title=「チャージマン研！」を未来に残すためのクラファン、フィルムの経年劣化受けて|publisher=Comic Natalie|date=2020-08-04|accessdate=2020-08-05}} A Blu-ray box of the show, published by Best Field, was released on June 30, 2021. The release includes all 65 episodes of the anime, including a bonus DVD containing ICHI's pilot films and a slideshow of the characters' model sheets, as well as a booklet featuring an interview with the producer.{{cite web|url=https://www.tc-ent.co.jp/products/detail/BFTD-0390|title=チャージマン研! Blu-ray|author= TC Entertainment, Inc.|accessdate=March 19, 2021}}
Discotek Media released the series on Blu-ray in North America on November 28, 2023.https://www.cbr.com/fist-of-the-north-star-lovely-complex-discotek-remaster/
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://cha-ken.com/}}
- [https://www.discotekmedia.com/Chargeman-Ken-Complete.htm Chargeman Ken! The Complete Series - Discotek Media]
- {{anime News Network|anime|1242}}
Category:1974 anime television series debuts
Category:1974 Japanese television series endings
Category:1970s science fiction television series
Category:Television series set in the 2070s
Category:Japanese children's animated science fiction television series
Category:Science fiction anime and manga