Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan

Taiyō Sentai Sun Vulcan
Title Screen
Genre	Tokusatsu
Created by	Toei Marvel Comics
Starring	Ryūsuke Kawasaki Kinya Sugi Asao Kobayashi Shin Kishida Yumi Nemoto Takayuki Godai
Narrated by	Tōru Ōhira
Opening theme	Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan by Akira Kushida
Composer(s)	Michiaki Watanabe
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	50
Production
Producer(s)	Takeyuki Suzuki Yūyake Usui Susumu Yoshikawa
Running time	30 minutes
Production company(s)	TV Asahi NT21 Toei Company Toei Advertising
Release
Original network	TV Asahi
Original release	February 7, 1981 – January 30, 1982
Chronology
Preceded by	Denshi Sentai Denziman
Followed by	Dai Sentai Goggle-V

Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan (太陽戦隊サンバルカン Taiyō Sentai San Barukan, ^{[Note 1]}) is the fifth series in Toei Company's Super Sentai tokusatsu television franchise. It was broadcast from February 7, 1981, to January 30, 1982, and is the only Super Sentai series to serve as a direct sequel to its previous series (Denshi Sentai Denziman). It is also the only series in the franchise to have an all-male Super Sentai team. Its international English title as listed by Toei Company is Sun Vulcan.^[1]

Plot

The threat of the Machine Empire Black Magma causes the United Nations to establish the Solar Sentai at a summit. From the UN's Guardians of World Peace's (GWP) air force, navy, and rangers, Commander Arashiyama assembles three specialists to become Sun Vulcan. When Black Magma learns of this, he attacks the GWP's base, but Sun Vulcan debuts in time to save it. Hell Saturn prays to the Black Solar God and is rewarded with a revived Queen Hedrian, now a cyborg with a mechanical heart and a metallic afro. Black Magma multiple plots, even with Hedrian's aid, fails. Following the death of 01, Amazon Killer, (a Vader) arrives from space, destroying the Sun Vulcan Base. A new Vulcan Base is then built.

The original Vul Eagle, Ryusuke Ohwashi, is replaced by a friend and master of the sword, Takayuki Hiba (who first appeared on episode 21).

Characters

Guardians of World Peace (GWP)

The Japanese branch of the GWP is Sun Vulcan's secret headquarters, with the restaurant Snack Safari and a safari park acting as a front.

Sun Vulcan

Sun Vulcan is the name of the Guardians of World Peace's Taiyo Sentai, they are the first and only Super Sentai core team to be all-male. Each of the Sun Vulcan members identifies himself before the group says "Shine! Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan!" (輝け!太陽戦隊サンバルカン! Kagayake! Taiyō Sentai San Barukan!). Ryusuke, Kinya & Asao's last names include the Japanese names of their totem animals.

• Ryusuke Ohwashi/Vul Eagle I (大鷲 龍介/1初代バルイーグル Ōwashi Ryūsuke/Shodai Baru Īguru, 1-23): A GWP air force officer whose skills made him the top pilot in the organization. He left to pursue space shuttle research for NASA in the United States. Ryosuke appeared in the final episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, receiving his powers back in the form of the Vuleagle Key as the Gokaigers left Earth.
  • Special moves: Eagle Wings (イーグルウイング Īguru Uingu), Eagle Diving (イーグルダイビング Īguru Daibingu), Eagle Fire (イーグルファイヤー Īguru Faiyā)
• Takayuki Hiba/Vul Eagle II (飛羽 高之/2代目バルイーグル Hiba Takayuki/Nidaime Baru Īguru, 23-50): A colleague of Ohwashi and master of kendo. Takayuki took over for Ryusuke after he left for NASA shuttle research. Along with his fellow Red Rangers from Gorenger to Timeranger, Takayuki appeared in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai.
  • Special moves: Hiba Gaeshi (Hiba Return), Shin Hiba Gaeshi (New Hiba Return) Secret Sword Style Cross Cut.
• Kinya Samejima/Vul Shark (鮫島 欣也/バルシャーク Samejima Kin'ya/Baru Shāku): A GWP naval officer who also an oceangrapher, Samejima spent most of his childhood in Africa. Having lost his parents and younger brother during an altercation, Samejima's hatred for any form of violence motivated him to volunteer for the Sun Vulcan project.
  • Special moves: Shark Washer (シャークウォッシャー Shāku Wosshā), Shark Diving (シャークダイビング Shāku Daibingu), Shark Rolling (シャークローリング Shāku Rōringu), Shark Jaws (シャークジョーズ Shāku Jōzu)
• Asao Hyou/Vul Panther (豹 朝夫/バルパンサー Hyō Asao/Baru Pansā): A GWP army officer who can climb any surface. Despite his courage in battle, he has an unusual fear of dogs - especially CC.
  • Special moves: Panther Galaxy (パンサーギャラクシー Pansā Gyarakushī), Panther Claw (パンサークロー Pansā Kurō), Panther Bomber (パンサーボンバー Pansā Bonbā), Panther Mole (パンサーもぐら Pansā Mogura), Rolling Panther (ローリングパンサー Rōringu Pansā), Panther Throw (パンサー投げ Pansā Nage)

Arsenal

• Vulcan Brace (バルカンブレス Barukan Buresu): Sun Vulcan's transformation device. The transformation call is "Sun Vulcan!" (or, for individual members, their codename).
• Vulcan Stick (バルカンスティック Barukan Sutikku): The standard-issue weapon for the Sun Vulcans.
• Vulcan Ball (バルカンボール Barukan Bōru): A bomb shaped like a volleyball. Vul Eagle kicks it first ("One!"), Vul Panther then passes it ("Two!") to Vul Shark, who throws it in the air ("Three!"). Vul Eagle then yells, "Go!" before jumping over his partners and spiking the ball towards the target.
• New Vulcan Ball (ニューバルカンボール Nyū Barukan Bōru): Newer, more powerful version of the Vulcan Ball shaped and thrown like an American football. Used by Sun Vulcan to execute the Triple Cross maneuver.

Mecha

• Jaguar Vulcan (ジャガーバルカン Jagā Barukan): The flying fortress. Its jaws open to let the components of the Sun Vulcan Robo launch.
• Sun Vulcan Robo (サンバルカンロボ San Barukan Robo): The first combining Sentai robot, and also the first to "talk" in the form of shouting attack techniques. Cosmo Vulcan and Bull Vulcan combine when the command "Combine! Grand Cross!" (合体グランドクロス Gattai Gurando Kurosu) is given. It is armed with the Solar Sword (太陽剣 Taiyō Ken) and its finishing attack to destroy monsters is the Aurora Plasma Return (オーロラプラズマ返し Ōrora Purazuma Gaeshi). Its other weapons are the Vul Shield (バルシールド Baru Shīrudo), Vul Tonfa (バルトンファ Baru Tonfa), Vul Hand (バルハンド Baru Hando), Vulcan Sun (バルカンサン Barukan San), and Vulcan Cannons (バルカン砲 Barukan Jū).
  • Cosmo Vulcan (コスモバルカン Kosumo Barukan): A jet piloted by Vul Eagle. It is stored in the Jaguar Vulcan's mouth. It forms Sun Vulcan Robo's head, upper arms, and body.
  • Bull Vulcan (ブルバルカン Buru Barukan): A bulldozer-like vehicle with two cockpits; one for the left half and the other for the right half. It is piloted by Vul Shark and Vul Panther and is stored in the rear of the Jaguar Vulcan, divided in half. It forms the Sun Vulcan Robo's legs, with the feet storing the forearms.

Vehicles

• Sand Vulcan (サンドバルカン Sando Barukan): Vul Eagle's Jeep.
• Shark Machine (シャークマシーン Shāku Mashīn): Vul Shark's blue Motorbike.
• Panther Machine (パンサーマシーン Pansā Mashīn): Vul Panther's green Motorbike.

Allies

• Daizaburo Arashiyama (嵐山 大三郎 Arashiyama Daizaburō): The commander of the GWP, who is also an expert at robotics. He designed the team's mecha. He is also the owner of the Snack Safari restaurant and he cares for the animals in the zoo that the SunVulcan base is built on.
• Misa Arashiyama (嵐山 美佐 Arashiyama Misa): The Commander's daughter, serving as his secretary. In Episode 29, she transforms into Belle Swordswoman White Rose Mask (美剣士白バラ仮面 Bikenshi Shiro Bara Kamen) (likely through the quick-change talent that she shares with many Super Sentai heroines) to aid the Sun Vulcans in their battle against Red Rose Mask (Rose Monger).
• CC (シーシー Shīshī): An intelligent dog cared by the Arashiyamas. He is trained by Misa to speak fluent Japanese.

Mechanical Empire Black Magma

Mechanical Empire Black Magma (機械帝国ブラックマグマ Kikai Teikoku Burakku Maguma) is an organization based at the Iron Claw Castle at the North Pole that worships the Black Solar God. Intending to have its Mechahumans rule the world, Black Magma's technology is advanced enough to cause natural disasters and cause global incidents. However, Black Magma targets Japan in order to obtain the cache of geothermal energy there needed to power their arsenal.

• The Omnipotent God (全能の神 Zennō no Kami, 5-50): The true leader of Black Magma, known as the Black Solar God. He is hinted to have connections to the Incan and Mayan civilizations. He normally communicates to Hell Saturn via an idol.
• Führer Hell Saturn (ヘルサターン総統 Heru Satān Sōtō, 1-47, 49-50): Through he rules over Black Magma, he is actually a servant of the Omnipotent God.
• Queen Hedrian (ヘドリアン女王 Hedorian Joō, 4-50): Originally the leader of the Vader Clan, she was found frozen at the North Pole by the Omnipotent God and revived as a cyborg with a mechanical heart. As a result, instead of avenging her Vader Clansmen, Hedrian is forced to serve Black Magma as the Omnipotent God's high priestess with Hell Saturn able to shut down her mechanical heart should she betray them. After Hell Saturn is seemingly destroyed, Hedrian took over the Black Magma leadership until the ghost of her predecessor appeared just when she kidnapped Misa through her sorcery and induced cardiac arrest with the shutdown of her heart She is portrayed by Machiko Soga.
• Zero Girls (ゼロガールズ Zero Gāruzu): A quartet of female spies composed 01 to 04. The black suited 02 with cards, the green suited 03 with twin swords and the purple suited 04 with yo-yos. While Zero Girl 01 died, the remaining three survive until they die piloting King Magma during the final battle.
  • Zero Girl 01 (ゼロガール01 Zero Gāru 01, 1-22): A red suited member of the Zero Girls who functions as the active field commander, armed with throwing knives. She is killed as the result of a cavein.
• Amazon Killer (アマゾンキラー Amazon Kirā, 23-50): A Vader field officer who came from space, loyal only to Hedrian. Taking Zero Girl 01's place as the field commander, Amazon Killer succeeded in destroying the Sun Vulcan's Head Base and did her job very actively in both combat and stealth. After Hedrian's death, Amazon Killer was forced to fight the Sun Vulcan, who came to rescue Daizaburou and Misa. She had them on the ropes, but surviving their combination attack, Amazon Killer took her own life out of a refusal of serve Black Magma.
• Inazuma Gingar (イナズマギンガー Inazuma Gingā, 45-49): A space pirate who is known as the "Galactic Invincible Electric Man" (銀河無敵の電気男 Ginga Muteki no Denki Otoko) who is sought by the Galactic Police. Once Amazon Killer's partner, Inazuma is manipulated into challenging Hell Saturn by her and Queen Hedrian. Inazuma seems to defeat Hell Saturn in the episode, allowing Queen Hedrian to declare herself ruler of Black Magma. However, Hell Saturn returns as a ghost and get his revenge by tossing Inazuma into the monster making machine transforming him into Inazuma Monger who meets his end against the Sun Vulcan team.
• Dark Q (ダークQ Dāku Kyū, 1-4, 6-22): A series of spy mechanoids used by Hell Saturn for infiltration and assassinations, stronger than normal humans. Constructed with care, the mechanoids are placed in a torturous combat testing with the survivors branded as Dark Q and must succeed in their missions or be obliterated for failure. About 96 models were made before the 97th was the created as the finalized model for Black Magma to use in its invasion. The 97th posed as Kagayama, becoming Arashiyama's aide to uncover info on Sun Vulcan Robo before she is exposed and ejected from the base before she self-destructs. The 97th model, armed with claws, aided in stealing a dangerous bacteria in Black Magma's scheme to cause conflict. A 98th model was built to kill various important figures considered national treasures in Japan, only to be stopped in her tracks. The 99th model, equipped with a detachable arm that doubles as flame thrower, poses as an officer to obtain the contents of a vault. But her failure to secure it results in her destruction with the 100th model utilized to complete Black Magma's plan to build a fortress underground before she is destroyed by the SunVulcan group. Eventually, the Dark Q series is discontinued.
• Machinemen (マシンマン Mashinman): The android grunts in black with the red insignia of Black Magma on their faces. Not to be confused with Seiun Kamen Machineman.

Arsenal

• Hell Fighters (ヘルファイター Heru Faitā): Black Magma's black fighter planes with the red insignia of Black Magma.
• King Magmar (キングマグマー Kingumagumâ, 50): giant robot controlled by Zero Girls 02, 03 and 04.

Episodes

No.	Title	Original air date
1	"The Machine Empire of the North Pole" "Hokkyoku no Kikai Teikoku" (北極の機械帝国)	February 7, 1981
2	"The Day Mankind Is Annihilated" "Jinrui ga Shōmetsu Suru Hi" (人類が消滅する日)	February 14, 1981
3	"The Iron Claw Challenges Japan" "Nihon ni Idomu Tetsu no Tsume" (日本に挑む鉄の爪)	February 21, 1981
4	"The Boy Detective And The Spy" "Shōnen Tantei to Supai" (少年探偵とスパイ)	February 28, 1981
5	"The Wicked Sun God" "Jāku na Taiyōshin" (邪悪な太陽神)	March 7, 1981
6	"The House Ruled by Machines" "Kikai no Shihai Suru Ie" (機械の支配する家)	March 14, 1981
7	"Tears of the Beast Batter" "Yajū Battā to Namida" (野獣バッターと涙)	March 21, 1981
8	"Father Sings a Song of Diligence" "Chichi ga Utau Temameri Uta" (父が歌う手まり唄)	March 28, 1981
9	"Papa Became a Monster" "Kaibutsu ni Natta Papa" (怪物になったパパ)	April 4, 1981
10	"The Poison Spider Mansion Ambush" "Machibuse Doku-gumo Yakata" (待ちぶせ毒ぐも館)	April 11, 1981
11	"The Mecha Girl of Sadness" "Kanashimi no Meka Shōjo" (哀しみのメカ少女)	April 18, 1981
12	"The Queen Who Eats Diamonds" "Daiya o Kuu Joō" (ダイヤを食う女王)	April 25, 1981
13	"The Living Black Ball" "Seimei o Motsu Kuroi Tama" (生命を持つ黒い玉)	May 2, 1981
14	"The Day the Earth Surrenders" "Chikyū ga Kōfuku Suru Hi" (地球が降伏する日)	May 9, 1981
15	"The Queen's Greed Dance" "Joō no Yokubari Odori" (女王の欲ばり踊り)	May 16, 1981
16	"A Demon Runs the Schoolyard" "Akuma ga Kōtei o Hashiru" (悪魔が校庭を走る)	May 23, 1981
17	"Ghost Story! The Valley of Goblins" "Kaidan! Obake no Tani" (怪談！お化けの谷)	May 30, 1981
18	"The Surprising Big Star" "Bikkuri Dai Sutā" (びっくり大スター)	June 6, 1981
19	"The Dangerous 100-Point Boy" "Kiken na Hyakuten Shōnen" (危険な100点少年)	June 13, 1981
20	"The Machine Wrestler's Trap" "Kikai Resurā no Wana" (機械レスラーの罠)	June 20, 1981
21	"Love Brought by the Sea Breeze" "Shiokaze ga Hakobu Ai" (潮風がはこぶ愛)	June 27, 1981
22	"Tokyo Big Panic!" "Tōkyō Dai Panikku!" (東京大パニック！)	July 4, 1981
23	"Galaxy Haunts' Female Commander" "Ginga Makkyō no Onna Taichō" (銀河魔境の女隊長)	July 11, 1981
24	"Hamanako's Nessie" "Hamanako no Nesshī" (浜名湖のネッシー)	July 18, 1981
25	"The Hole of the Shocking Sea Serpent" "Dokkiri Umihebi no Ana" (ドッキリ海蛇の穴)	August 1, 1981
26	"Starving Filling Cooking" "Harapeko Manpuku Ryōri" (ハラペコ満腹料理)	August 8, 1981
27	"A Midsummer Night's Great Fear" "Manatsu no Yoru no Dai Kyōfu" (真夏の夜の大恐怖)	August 15, 1981
28	"Is Sukehachi Friend or Foe?" "Sukehachi wa Teki ka Mikata ka" (助八は敵か味方か)	August 22, 1981
29	"Pretty Swordsman, White Rose Mask" "Bikenshi Shiro Bara Kamen" (美剣士白バラ仮面)	August 29, 1981
30	"Dream of the Giant Monster's Big Riot" "Ōabare Yume no Daikaijū" (大暴れ夢の大怪獣)	September 5, 1981
31	"Big Tokyo Numbing Ondo" "Dai Tōkyō Shibire Ondo" (大東京シビレ音頭)	September 12, 1981
32	"Arrest the Face-Thief" "Kao Dorobō o Taiho Seyo" (顔泥棒を逮捕せよ)	September 19, 1981
33	"The Hateful, Stylish Thief" "Nikui Oshare Dorobō" (憎いおしゃれ泥棒)	September 26, 1981
34	"The Cursed Dead" "Norowareta Bōrei Tachi" (呪われた亡霊たち)	October 3, 1981
35	"Friends!? La Cucaracha" "Tomodachi!? Kukaratcha" (友達！？クカラッチャ)	October 10, 1981
36	"The Esper" "Esupā" (エスパー)	October 17, 1981
37	"Himiko!" "Himiko yo" (日見子よ)	October 24, 1981
38	"Asao Hyou's Master Father" "Hyō Asao no Oyaji Dono" (豹朝夫のおやじ殿)	October 31, 1981
39	"Falling on Her Rear, Tomboy Daughter" "Shirimochi Otenba Musume" (尻もちおてんば娘)	November 7, 1981
40	"The Best Friend Assassination Angel" "Nakayoshi Ansatsu Tenshi" (なかよし暗殺天使)	November 14, 1981
41	"Seven Changing Doronpa Raccoon-Dogs" "Shichi Bake Doronpa Tanuki" (七化けドロンパ狸)	November 21, 1981
42	"Daydreams of Boys Who Sleep In" "Nebō Shōnen no Hakuchūmu" (寝坊少年の白昼夢)	November 28, 1981
43	"You Can Become a Genius" "Kimi mo Tensai ni Nareru" (君も天才になれる)	December 5, 1981
44	"The Great Escape: Helicopter Explosion" "Dai Dassō: Heri Bakuha" (大脱走・ヘリ爆破)	December 12, 1981
45	"The Galaxy's Invincible Electric Man" "Ginga Muteki no Denki Otoko" (銀河無敵の電気男)	December 19, 1981
46	"The Female Commander's (Secret) Plan" "Onna Taichō no Maruhi Sakusen" (女隊長の（秘）作戦)	December 26, 1981
47	"The Machine Empire's Rebellion" "Kikai Teikoku no Hanran" (機械帝国の反乱)	January 9, 1982
48	"The Stolen Giant Aircraft Carrier" "Ubawareta Kyodai Kūbo" (奪われた巨大空母)	January 16, 1982
49	"The Queen's Last Apparition Art" "Joō Saigo no Yōma Jutsu" (女王最期の妖魔術)	January 23, 1982
50	"Shine, North Pole Aurora" "Kagayake Hokkyoku Ōrora" (輝け北極オーロラ)	January 30, 1982

Movie

A Sun Vulcan movie was released on July 18, 1981 at the Toei Manga Festival (on the same day episode 24 aired). It takes place some time after episode 23.

Cast

• Ryusuke Ohwashi: Ryūsuke Kawasaki (川崎 龍介 Kawasaki Ryūsuke)
• Takayuki Hiba: Takayuki Godai (五代 高之 Godai Takayuki)
• Kinya Samejima: Kin'ya Sugi (杉 欣也 Sugi Kin'ya)
• Asao Hyou: Asao Kobayashi (小林 朝夫 Kobayashi Asao)
• Daizaburo Arashiyama: Shin Kishida (岸田 森 Kishida Shin)
• Misa Arashiyama: Yumi Nemoto (根本 由美 Nemoto Yumi)
• Führer Hell Saturn (Voice): Shōzō Iizuka
• Queen Hedrian: Machiko Soga
• Inazuma Gingar (Voice): Takeshi Watabe
• Zero One: Kitagawa Takako
• Zero Two: Hikashi Mariko
• Zero Three: Udagawa Yuki
• Zero Four: Takashima Toshiko (1-4) and Hiro Kyoko (5-50)
• Narration: Tōru Ōhira
• Amazon Killer: Yukie Kagawa
• Sun Vulcan Robo: Eiji Kanie

Songs

Opening theme

• "Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan" (太陽戦隊サンバルカン Taiyō Sentai Sanbarukan)
  • Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Composition: Michiaki Watanabe
  • Artist: Akira Kushida, Koorogi '73

Ending themes

• "Wakasa wa Plasma" (若さはプラズマ Wakasa wa Purazuma, "Youth is a Plasma")
  • Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Composition: Michiaki Watanabe
  • Artist: Akira Kushida
  • Episodes: 1-33
• "Ichi tasu Ni tasu Sun Vulcan" (1たす2たすサンバルカン Ichi tasu Ni tasu Sanbarukan, "One plus Two plus Sun Vulcan")^{[Note 2]}
  • Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Composition: Michiaki Watanabe
  • Artist: Akira Kushida
  • Episodes: 34-50

Notes

1. Taiyō (太陽^?) literally translates as "Sun". In the case of the series' title, "Solar" is a closer translation.
2. The song's title is a play on the word "Sun", which is pronounced the same as San (三^?) (the Japanese word for "three").

References

1. "Library -- English Titles -- TOEI TV Website". Retrieved 2009-01-13.

External links

• Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan at the Super Sentai website (Japanese)