Choujinki Metalder
A war android awakened decades later to fight the Neros Empire.
Choujinki Metalder is a war android created by Dr. Ryūichirō Koga near the end of World War II, originally intended as a weapon against American forces. The android was stored in a hidden Imperial Army base until Koga later reactivated him to oppose the Neros Empire. Metalder is the central character of *Super Android Metalder*, the sixth series in the Metal Hero franchise and its shortest, airing for 39 episodes from March 16, 1987, to January 17, 1988, on TV Asahi. The show initially occupied the Monday 7:00 PM slot for its first 24 episodes before moving to Sunday 9:30 AM. Its themes, characters, and hero design share strong similarities with Shotaro Ishinomori's *Android Kikaider* and *Kikaider 01*. Footage from the series was later used in *VR Troopers*. Toei distributes the series under the title *Metalder*.
In the story, Dr. Koga designed Metalder in 1945 as a top-secret project for the Japanese Imperial Army, modeling him after his late son, Second Sub-lieutenant Tatsuo Koga. The pacifistic Koga, however, placed Metalder in stasis at the Silver Caucus base and moved to the United States to work for NASA. Forty-two years later, Koga's former colleague Kunio Muraki had become the evil God Neros, ruler of the Neros Empire, a death-dealing organization. God Neros sent armies to kill Koga, who had learned of the empire and returned to Japan to activate Metalder. Koga named the android Ryūsei Tsurugi but struggled to make him understand his purpose. To give Ryūsei a reason to act, Koga ran from the base, allowing Neros's troops to kill him. Witnessing his creator's death, Ryūsei was shocked and beaten, but rage triggered his transformation into Metalder. After a brief defeat by Coolgin, Ryūsei continued on and met Mai Ougi.
Metalder is a "Choujinki," a powerful war android. His human form, Ryūsei Tsurugi, is modeled after Dr. Koga's son Tatsuo. When his energy peaks from rage, he cries "Enrage!" and transforms into his metallic form. Like Tatsuo, he loves music and plays the saxophone. His Reflection Circuit grants him human emotions and a sense of right and wrong. Powered by super-gravitational energy, his techniques include Laser Arm, G-Kick, Metal Tornado, Head Crash, Plasma Punch, Metal Bomber, and 1000 Hand Punch. At the series' end, he defeats God Neros but damages his own energy source, threatening to explode and destroy the world. With Kita's hel
- field
- Fictional android superhero
- known_for
- Starring in the 1987–1988 series Super Android Metalder
- affiliation
- Neros Empire (opponent), later allies with humans
- creator
- Dr. Ryūichirō Koga
- human_guise
- Ryūsei Tsurugi
Lore & Background
In 1945, Dr. Ryūichirō Koga designed Metalder as a top-secret weapon for the Japanese Imperial Army for use in the Pacific War, modeling it after his late son, Second Sub-lieutenant Tatsuo Koga. However, the pacifistic Dr. Koga put Metalder to sleep in the Silver Caucus base and left for the United States to work for NASA. Forty-two years later, Dr. Koga's former colleague Kunio Muraki had become evil God Neros, ruler of the Neros Empire. Dr. Koga returned to Japan to activate Metalder, naming his android creation Ryūsei Tsurugi. When Dr. Koga allowed himself to be killed by Neros' troops to give the android a purpose, Ryūsei became enraged and transformed into Metalder.
Metalder's human guise, Ryūsei Tsurugi, is directly modeled after Dr. Koga's son Tatsuo. Like Tatsuo, he loves music and plays the saxophone. His Reflection Circuit gives him human feelings and a sense of right and wrong. Powered by super-gravitational energy, his killing techniques include Laser Arm, G-Kick, Metal Tornado, Head Crash, Plasma Punch, Metal Bomber, and 1000 Hand Punch. At the end of the series he defeats God Neros but his super-gravitational energy is severely damaged; with Kita's help, Metalder is spared from destruction but at the cost of his human form and his ability to fight as a Choujinki.
Reader's Guide
Choujinki Metalder is the central figure of Super Android Metalder, the sixth and shortest Metal Hero Series franchise, running for only 39 episodes from March 16, 1987, to January 17, 1988. The series was broadcast on TV Asahi, initially in the Monday 7:00PM time slot before switching to Sunday 9:30AM. Metalder bears many similarities to Shotaro Ishinomori's Android Kikaider and Kikaider 01 in themes, characters, and costume design. Footage from the show was later used in VR Troopers. For distribution purposes, Toei refers to this television series as simply Metalder.
The character's story explores themes of purpose, sacrifice, and redemption. Metalder's allies include Springer, a robot dog built by Dr. Koga as his 'older brother'; Mai Ougi, a tomboyish camerawoman; and former Neros Empire fighters such as Ben K, Barlock, Madonna, and Rhapsody, who each undergo redemption arcs. The series ends with Metalder losing his human form and fighting ability to prevent a catastrophic explosion.
Did You Know?
- Metalder is the sixth and shortest entry of the Metal Hero Series franchise, running for only 39 episodes.
- The series initially aired on Monday 7:00PM before switching to Sunday 9:30AM for its final episodes.
- Footage from Super Android Metalder was used in the American series VR Troopers.
- Metalder's human guise, Ryūsei Tsurugi, is modeled after Dr. Koga's son Tatsuo, who died during the war.
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