Android Kikaider
An android hero battles DARK to protect a scientist's children.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Android Kikaider is a tokusatsu TV show adapted from the manga series *Kikaider* by Shotaro Ishinomori. Toei Company and Ishimori Productions handled production, and it ran on NET (now TV Asahi) in Japan from July 8, 1972, to April 28, 1973, for 43 episodes. It also became one of the first tokusatsu programs broadcast in the United States—specifically in Hawaii—under the title *Kikaida: Android of Justice* on KIKU-TV.
The story follows Dr. Kohmyoji, a robotics expert held captive by the evil organization DARK. He builds the android Kikaider to safeguard his children from the Great Leader of DARK. When the Great Leader learns of this, he dispatches his own androids to attack. Jiro—Kikaider’s human form—rescues Dr. Kohmyoji’s daughter, Mitsuko, but a fire separates him from the doctor. Jiro destroys Gray Rhino King but cannot find Dr. Kohmyoji, who is separated from Jiro and later killed off early in the series.
The series centers on Kikaider’s ongoing battles with DARK’s Destructroids. DARK pursues Dr. Kohmyoji and his children, Mitsuko and Masaru, while detective Hanpei Hattori provides comic relief and aids them. Professor Gill uses an evil flute to prevent Jiro from transforming into Kikaider, but Jiro learns to block or drown out its sound. Dr. Kohmyoji is killed off early and does not reappear; Mitsuko and Masaru often hear of him but never catch up.
Later, Jiro nearly succumbs to Gill’s flute and attacks Dr. Kohmyoji. DARK captures the doctor and frames Jiro for his murder. Jiro, damaged and unable to speak or defend himself, is also hunted by police. A new android, Hakaider, appears. DARK forced Dr. Kohmyoji to build Hakaider, placing the doctor’s own brain inside under an evil circuit—the opposite of Kikaider’s conscience circuit. Kikaider fights Hakaider and is nearly destroyed when Hakaider suddenly leaves. Learning that Dr. Kohmyoji’s brain is inside Hakaider, Jiro realizes he cannot fight him.
Mitsuko and Masaru see a leather-clad android named Saburo walking down a building. Saburo claims to be Dr. Kohmyoji’s creation and says his mission is to destroy Jiro, whom he believes has turned evil. Masaru allies with Saburo, but Saburo secretly reveals he is actually Hakaider. They pursue Jiro but re
- broadcast_period
- July 8, 1972 – April 28, 1973
Lore & Background
Dr. Nobuhiko Kohmyoji, a robotics expert held prisoner by the evil organization DARK, secretly creates the android Jiro, who can transform into Kikaider, to protect his children Mitsuko and Masaru from the Great Leader of DARK. Jiro rescues Mitsuko but loses Dr. Kohmyoji in a fire; the scientist is separated from Jiro and is killed off early, never reappearing. The series follows Kikaider's battles against DARK's Destructroids, while Professor Gill, a high-ranking member of DARK, uses a hypnotic flute to hinder Jiro's transformation. Jiro learns to counter the flute's sound. Dr. Kohmyoji dies early in the series and never returns for repairs.
Reader's Guide
Android Kikaider is significant as a foundational tokusatsu series that brought the superhero genre to television, blending robotics, family drama, and monster-of-the-week action. Its U.S. broadcast in Hawaii marked an early crossover of Japanese tokusatsu to American audiences. The series introduced iconic elements such as Jiro's conscience circuit, the villainous flute, and the tragic antagonist Hakaider, whose brain is transplanted from Dr. Kohmyoji. The show's legacy includes influencing later superhero and mecha narratives, and it spawned a sequel, Kikaider 01. The character of Hanpei Hattori provided comedic relief, while the Destructroids offered varied powers. The series concluded with Dr. Kohmyoji leaving Japan and Jiro staying to improve himself.
Did You Know?
- The series was one of the first tokusatsus to air in the United States.
- Hakaider is a separate android built by Professor Gill, not involving Dr. Kohmyoji's brain.
More in Japanese science fiction television series 1-24
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