Rainbowman

 

# of DVDs 8
# of Episodes All - 52
Language

Entirely in Spoken Japanese
Quality A+
Region No Region Encoding
Format NTSC (not PAL)
Bonus Materials Yes.
Other Full and Uncut

 

Actual Screen Shots from these DVDs:

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The Good Guy

 

 

Yamato, Takeshi was an undisciplined wrestler who didn't care how he won a match. After being kicked off the team, for being too violent, he goes to India looking for Daibadatta, a former wrestling champion who had become a hermit.  He finds Daibadatta who not only teaches him discipline but gives him the magical power to transform into Rainbowman: Warrior Of Love, (episodes 1 and 2). The first thing Takeshi does with his new powers is fly back to Japan. Daibadatta will show up in Japan when Rainbowman needs help (episodes 3, 18, 21, 44, 52).

Rainbowman has seven forms, based on the Japanese days of the weeks [Monday through Sunday], each with different abilities:

 

Rainbow Dash 1

Dash 1 - Moonman can deflate himself in order to squeese through small spaces. In episode 21 he's given the ability to cause a thunderstorm.


Rainbow Dash 2

Dash 2 - Fireman can spray fire out of his fingers.


Rainbow Dash 3

Dash 3 - Waterman can spray water or cold air out of his fingers and he can breath underwater.


Rainbow Dash 4

Dash 4 - Leafman (or Treeman) can generate windnumbing wind noise, shoot pine needles from his fingers or cause a windstorm to blow leaves and twigs to blind his enemies, he can also merge into a tree to hide.


Rainbow Dash 5

Dash 5 - Goldman fires lightning bolts out of his fingers and can fly (short distances).


Rainbow Dash 6

Dash 6 - Earthman (as in soil) can drill himself into the ground, to hide from the Shine Shine Dan or to travel underground. Dash 6 can also cause the earth to crack open under his enemies to swallow them.


Rainbow Dash 7

Dash 7 - Sunman has several powers. The most commonly used is "kanashibari" (binding hand & foot), the ability to temporarily paralyze his enemies. Others include "Rainbow Barrier" (a protective shield), and "Rainbow Flash" (bolts of energy from his fingers).

 

The sun on his forehead can fire a devastating light ray, "Solar [Taiyo] Flash", and two sunbeams can be removed, transforming into swords. Dash 7 can also fly, and was the form used for long distance travel. When flying long distances Dash 7 would transform into a white ball, often followed by a rainbow. Dash 7 is the form Yamato, Takeshi uses the most. Normally he transforms into Dash 7 before switching to one of the other forms. From any of the other forms he will transform back into Dash 7 before becoming Yamato, Takeshi again.

To transform into Rainbowman Takeshi says the magic words "Anokutara Sanmyakusanbodai" (Supreme Correct Wisdom) Rainbow Dash 7". Then to switch forms Rainbowman says "Rainbow Dash x" where "x" is the number of the form he wishes to switch to.

In episode 44 Rainbowman gains the ability to split himself into three forms, dash 7 and any two others then combine the three together. Called "Rainbow Cross" this ability gives him different powers with each combination. Combining dash 2, 5, 7 allows Rainbowman to use lighting bolts or fire. Combining dash 4, 6 and 7 allows Rainbowman to merge with trees and rocks. Combining dash 3, 5 and 7 allows him to cause a windstorm inside a building and fire lightning bolts. When this power is used the sun on Rainbowman's forehead changes to reflect the combination. Example, combining 2, 6 and 7 would make one third of the sun red, one third gold and one third brown striped. The combination of forms lasts until Rainbowman transforms directly into any single form.

When Rainbowman is wounded or drained of energy from over use of his powers, he becomes Yamato, Takeshi and goes into a trance to heal himself. In this trance his body freezes. In this state he is not aware of what is happening around him and is vulnerable to his enemies, if they can find a way to penetrate his frozen skin. When he thaws out he will be totally healed and rested.

 

Rainbowman battles the evil Mr. K's Shine Shine Dan (Die Die Army), a group of wealthy foreigners (mostly Chinese) seeking revenge against Japan for the second world war.   Mr. K knows that Yamato, Takeshi's is Rainbowman and is not above attacking his mother Tami, younger sister Miyuki or his "koibito" (sweetheart) Mizuno, Toshie. Miyuki was hit by a car, resulting in having to wear a leg brace. Takeshi blames himself for the accident. At first none of Takeshi's family know he's Rainbowman, but later in the series they seem to have figured it out.

Takeshi's father

Takeshi's father Yamato, Ichiro disappeared years ago (apparently on a trip to Africa). When the Shine Shine Dan discovers were he is (an African prison), Mr K has him brought to Japan, holding him hostage in an attempt to force Rainbowman to surrender (episodes 22-24, 26).

Starting with episode 40, Rainbowman has to battle both the Shine Shine Dan and Iguana's mother God Iguana who needs his blood to bring Iguana back to life. This sorceress is not working for the Shine Shine Dan, and she doesn't care if her attacks on Rainbowman interfere with Mr. K's plans. God Iguana is weakened by bright light or seeing her own reflection. She creates two monsters from her own blood, Bad Sister [episodes 46 and 47] (height: 170cm weight: 41kg) and Miira Sister [episode 48] (height: 178 cm weight: 70kg). When the monsters are killed she is weakened. It was originally planned that the first Iguana would return but when it came time to film the last 13 episodes Shiozawa, Toki was no longer available, so Soga, Machiko (voice of Dr Kate in Kamen Rider Stronger episodes 27, 29, 30) was hired to play her mother instead.

Episodes

 

Episode Broadcast Episode Title Villain/Mecha Debut
Date
1 10/6/1972 The Miraculous Holy Man  
(Kiseki no Seija)
2 10/13/1972 The Birth of Rainbowman  
(Rainbowman no Tanjou)
3 10/20/1972 Rainbow Dash 7  
(Reinboo Dasshu Sebun)
4 10/27/1972 Makao's Murderer Show Shine Shine Dan (aka Die Die Army)
(Makao no Satsujin Shou)
5 11/3/1972 Plot of the Shine Shine Dan  
(Shine Shine Dan no Inbou)
6 11/10/1972 The Evil 5 O'Clock has Come!  
(Ma no Go Jikan ga Kita!)
7 11/17/1972 Operation Cat's Eye Comes Ashore  
(Kyattsu Ai Sakusen Jou Rikusu)
8 11/24/1972 Lonely War  
(Hitoribotchi no Tatakai)
9 12/1/1972 Let's Drive Takeshi Mad  
(Takeshi o Kuruwasero)
10 12/8/1972 Kill The Bastards!  
(Yatsura o Korose!)
11 12/15/1972 Let's Spring the Trap!  
(Wana o Kakero!)
12 12/22/1972 Critical Moment!! Cathy
(Kiki Ippatsu!!)
13 12/29/1972 Mission: Rainbow Shine Shine Dan Fighter Plane Squadron (Kantoukitai)
(Reinboo Dai Sakusen)
14 1/5/1973 Terror Operation M Iguana (~26), Fudora (~15), Professor Gurudo
(Kyoufu no Emu Sakusen)
15 1/12/1973 Murder Professional Garuma (~16)
(Satsujin Purofesshonaru)
16 1/19/1973 Murder Pro Garuma's Revenge  
(Satsujin Puro Garuma no Fukushuu)
17 1/26/1973 Witchcraft-Human Petrification!! Icelee (~18), Herodenia III, Hedoron
(Youjutsu-Ningen Kaseki!!)
18 2/2/1973 Hoshikko (character's name?) Catastrophic Change  
(Hoshikko Taihenka)
19 2/9/1973 Racing! Giant Flying Squirrel Killing Technique Geno-Bat (Jenobaado)
(Kuuten! Musasabi Satsu Tou)
20 2/16/1973 Abandon Operation M!! L-Banda (Erubanda) (~21)
(Emu Sakusen o Futtobase!!)
21 2/23/1973 Let's Attack the Electric Current People!!  
(Denryuu Ningen o Yattsukero!!)
22 3/2/1973 Rescue One Hundred Million People!! Malinda (~24), Norma (~23)
(Ichi Oku Nin o Sakue!!)
23 3/9/1973 That Over There is the Bastards' Base!!  
(Yatsura no Kichi wa Are Da!!)
24 3/16/1973 A Man's Promise  
(Otoko no Yakusoku)
25 3/23/1973 In the Morning Sun, the Witch Disappeared  
(Asahi ni Majo wa Kieta)
26 3/30/1973 The Secret Big Ground Explosion  
(Himitsu Chi Daibakuhatsu)
27 4/6/1973 The Resurrected Shine Shine Dan Mogurard
(Yomigaetta Shine Shine Dan)
28 4/13/1973 Hold Back the Underground Tank Mogurard! Olga, DAC
(Chitei Sensha Moguraado o Hikaese!)
29 4/20/1973 The Demonic Corps DAC  
(Akuma no Butai DAC)
30 4/27/1973 Operation Mogurard Wreak Havoc  
(Moguraado Taiha kai Sakusen)
31 5/4/1973 The Terrifying Sequential Explosions  
(Kyoufu no Renzoku Bakuha)
32 5/11/1973 The Cyborg Pagora* Lolita, Pagora
(Kaizou Ningen Bagora)
33 5/18/1973 Dakaa Airforce, Sortie!! Dakkaa
(Dakkaa Hikoutai Shutsugeki Se yo!)
34 5/25/1973 The Vacuum Waterspout Technique  
("Shinkuu Tastsumaki no Jutsu")
35 6/1/1973 The Invisible Black Hand  
(Sugatanaki Kuroi Te)
36 6/8/1973 Your Sweetheart is an Assassin  
(Koibito wa Ansatsusha)
37 6/15/1973 X Zone Destruction Order!!  
(Ekusu Zoon Hakai Meirei!!)
38 6/22/1973 Big Explosion on the ABCD Line  
(ABCD Rain Dai Bakuhatsu)
39 6/29/1973 The Final Sun in the Capitol of Tokyo  
(Shuto Toukyou Saigo no Hi)
40 7/6/1973 Operation Diamond Plunder"(Daiamondo Ryakudatsu Sakusen) Doctor Borg (~45), God Iguana (~52)
41 7/13/1973 The Battle With Cyborg Mark 1  
(Saiboogu Ichi gou to no Tatakai)
42 7/20/1973 Pursuit 1000 km!  
(Tsuiseki Sen Kiro!)
43 7/27/1973 I Swear by the Sun and the Green!  
(Taiyou to Midori ni Chikau!)
44 8/3/1973 The Rainbow Combination Technique  
(Reinboo Gattai no Jutsu)
45 8/10/1973 Doctor Borg's Tenacity  
(Dokutaa Boogu no Shuunen)
46 8/17/1973 The Cyborg Slave Corps Bad Sister (~47)
(Saiboogu Dorei Butai)
47 8/24/1973 The Black Star is an Accursed Mark  
(Kuroi Hoshi wa Noroi no Maaku)
48 8/31/1973 A Bluff is the Only Decision Miira Sister
(Kimen no Ketsu Bakari)
49 9/7/1973 Burn! Great Victory or Defeat Youjutsushi Dokuroman (Master Sorceror Death's Head Man) (~50)
(Moero! Taishoubu)
50 9/14/1973 The Bullet That Went Insane Kamakiri Otoko (Praying Mantis Man) (~51)
(Kurutta Juudan)
51 9/21/1973 The Cross of the Mission  
(Shimei no Juujika)
52 9/28/1973 The Rainbow Soars, Warrior of Love  
(Niji ni Kakeru Ai no Senshi)