Kikaida Vol. 1

Rating:
Summary: Talkin' 'bout my generation!
Review: A thousand mahalos to GenerationKikaida for making this DVD and its sequels available, for I am a charter member of the Kikaida generation. I was about 7 years old when the show debuted on KIKU in Hawaii, and was caught up in the excitement. Kikaida was one of my heroes, and when my family moved back to the mainland several years later, this show was one of the things I missed the most. Even years later, I never forgot about it. That's why I was so excited to see this DVD had been produced, and even more excited to get a copy of my own.

Of course, things look a little different from my grown-up perspective. The plotline is even thinner than I remembered, the monsters even more rubbery, the music even more repetitive (even as a kid, I knew the hightop-wearing androids were ridiculous) -- and Kikaida himself is somewhat less preposessing a hero to a 36 year old than he was to a 7 year old (for one thing, he's a lot less muscular than I remember).

But who cares? Anyone who loved the show in his or her youth will remember exactly why as soon as the theme music starts again, and the nostalgic trip is sure worth taking. Switch on!

Rating:
Summary: All members of Generation Kikaida, this is a must have!
Review: I was 5 years old when Kikaida first appeared on Hawaiian televisions. Eh, old timers... remember the channel? KIKU Channel 13, before they became KHNL 13. I remember Kikaida meeting then Governor Ariyoshi. I got this for Christmas from my mom... she called before she sent the DVD to me on the mainland saying, "you going get a kick outta this gift!" It just started a memory flood in my brain... I used to have the toys, the shirt, etc... also watched the show religiously, and would hate when the normal japanese programming came on. This DVD is great quality, and I remember all of the episodes. It's cheesier, because I've grown up some, but it's still as fun as I remember it. As of Christmas '03, I now own volumes 1 to 3 (Mom sends me a new volume every Christmas), and know what I'll be getting every Christmas until I have it all. Can't wait until Kikaida 01 comes out too! My kids... well... they love it as much as I did when I was their age; amazing!

Rating:
Summary: Oh, the memories!
Review: Kikaida has a very special place in my heart. This TV show is responsible for my burning curiosity, fascination, and love of Japanese pop-culture that I've had since I first saw the show in 1975 or so. When I was in the first grade, a kid moved here (So. California) from Hawaii. One day he brought an amazing red, blue and yellow action figure (we still called them "dolls" back then) to school. "WHO'S THAT?" "He's Kikaida." "WOW HE'S NEAT!" "He's on TV every Sunday at 6 on channel 22." "REALLY????" That was how I started watching Kikaida. KWHY 22 was a local channel aimed towards L.A.'s Little Tokyo populace. I soon came to love Kikaida better than Superman, Batman, Spiderman, or any other American superhero. (Kikaida basically means "Machine-man," by the way.) He rides a cool motorcycle, he plays the guitar, and he KICKS ***. I remember being profoundly upset when they stopped running Kikaida episodes. The series ended and was replaced by an anime (we called them "Japanese cartoons" back then) called Brave Raideen, and after that Getta Robo G. In my wildest dreams, these series are also released on DVD here in the US.

I don't know how satisfying Kikaida would be to an adult seeing it for the first time, as the episodes are quite repetitive, always following the same formula- Evil leader creates new bad guy for Kikaida to fight, almost always named in a "color/animal" fashion. Green Scorpion, Crimson Tiger, etc. The bad guy kidnaps one of the good guys, Kikaida goes to save them, evil leader paralyzes Kikaida with his evil flute playing, Kikaida somehow breaks free and kills the bad guy with the same deathblow, "The End"... and everyone lives happily ever after. Until the next episode.

At any rate, this is very fun, very classic Japanese live action superhero hub-bub. It belongs in your collection right next to Kamen Rider, Ultraman, and Go Rangers.

Rating:
Summary: Well Done!
Review: The Kikaida dvd's are excellent. Video is remastered, subtitles are done very well, great extras. The show really good too, lots of crazy Destuctiods for Kikaida to do battle with. The story is closer to the Kamen Rider series than the Ultraman shows.

This is a dvd release that should be supported by all fans of Japanese sci fi. Kamen Rider V3 will be released by the same company in late 2005.