Bismark (TV series)
A Japanese anime adapted into Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, with 52 episodes total.
Star Musketeer Bismarck (星銃士ビスマルク, Sei Jūshi Bismarck), often shortened to simply Bismarck, is a Japanese anime series produced by Studio Pierrot. The show borrows elements from the Super Sentai and Metal Hero Series franchises, and is often described as a tribute to those genres. It originally aired on Nippon TV and its affiliates from October 7, 1984, to September 24, 1985, for a total of 51 episodes. In 1986, the rights were acquired by the American company World Events Productions (WEP), which adapted the series by reworking most of the original episodes and adding six new ones, releasing it under the title Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, for a total of 52 episodes.
The story is set in the year 2069, when humanity begins terraforming and colonizing the solar system. To protect the colonies and keep order, the Earth Federation Government (EFG) is established. Tensions soon arise as many settlers grow resentful of the EFG’s influence, straining relations between Earth and the colonies. In 2084, a race of non-human creatures called the Deathcula invades the system without warning, attacking colonies and killing many colonists. The EFG finds itself outmatched by the Deathcula’s superior technology. To fight back, Dr. Charles Louvre develops a transformable starship called the Bismarck. A team of specialists is assembled to operate the ship and protect the outer colonies from further attacks.
The Bismarck team consists of four members. Shinji Hikaru, a 17-year-old Japanese motoracing driver, serves as the team leader. He is energetic, optimistic, and impulsive, with a tendency to clash with authority, which led to his dismissal from military service. He becomes the youngest racing champion of all time but is nervous around women, though he eventually develops a romantic relationship with Marianne Louvre, whom he has known since childhood. Shinji is also curious about his father, who left when he was young, and often seeks information from General Domes, a former comrade of his father.
Richard Lancelot is an 18-year-old Scottish agent assigned to the team by English Royalty’s special intelligence division. He is a calm, tactical gentleman, skilled with swords and horses, and is considered legendary for his marksmanship. Proud of his Scottish heritage, he plays the bagpipes and longs to return home to his girlfriend, Sincia.
Bill Willcox is a 16-year-old
- original run
- October 7, 1984 – September 24, 1985
- episodes
- 51 (original Japanese); 52 (American adaptation, including 6 new episodes)
Lore & Background
Set in the year 2069, humanity begins terraforming and colonizing the Solar System. The Earth Federation Government (EFG) is created to maintain law and order, but tensions rise between the central government and the colonies. In 2084, a race of non-human creatures known as Deathcula invades the system, attacking colonies and killing many colonists. The EFG, outmatched technologically, develops a transformable starship called the Bismarck, designed by Dr. Charles Louvre. Four specialists are assembled to operate the Bismarck and protect the outer colonies.
Reader's Guide
The Bismarck team consists of Shinji Hikari, a 17-year-old Japanese motoracing driver and team leader; Richard Lancelot, an 18-year-old Scottish agent and gentleman; Bill Willcox, a 16-year-old American jet pilot and sharpshooter; and Marianne Louvre, the 15-year-old daughter of Professor Charles Louvre, a computer genius and engineer. The Deathcula are aliens who destroyed their own planet and now seek to conquer the Solar System. Their leader, Hyuza, is a cyborg who lost his body in battle 15 years prior. The series ran for 51 episodes in Japan before being adapted for American audiences as Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, which aired 52 episodes between 1987 and 1988. The adaptation moved the setting to the galaxy, changed character names, and altered scenes to fit American broadcast standards.
Did You Know?
- The series was created by Studio Pierrot, the same studio behind Naruto and Bleach.
- The Deathcula physically resemble humans but have pointed ears and canine teeth, allowing them to infiltrate human colonies.
- In the American adaptation, defeated Outriders (Deathcula equivalents) were shown to 'jump' back to their own dimension instead of dying.
- Shinji Hikari's name was changed to Fireball in the American version, and Richard Lancelot became the titular Saber Rider.
More in Japanese science fiction television series 1-24
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