Skull Man 1452837 223254862 2008-07-03T07:37:39Z Shadzar 2366211 /* Anime */ {{for|the [[Mega Man]] enemy|Robot Master}} {{Infobox animanga/Header | name = Skull Man | image = | caption = | ja_name = スカルマン | ja_name_trans = Sukaru Man | genre = [[Shōnen]] }} {{Infobox animanga/Manga | author = [[Shotaro Ishinomori]] | publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Kodansha]] | demographic = | magazine = [[Shōnen Magazine]] | first = 1970 | last = | volumes = 1 }} {{Infobox animanga/Manga | author = [[Kazuhiko Shimamoto]] | publisher = {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Media Factory]] | publisher_other = {{flagicon|Canada}} {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tokyopop]] | demographic = | magazine = | first = [[April 7]], [[1998]] | last = May, 2001 | volumes = 7 }} {{Infobox animanga/Anime | director = [[Takeshi Mori]] | studio = [[Bones (studio)|Bones]] | network = [[Fuji TV]] | first = [[April 28]], [[2007]] | last = [[July 22]], [[2007]] | episodes = 13 }} {{Infobox animanga/Footer}} {{nihongo|'''''Skull Man'''''|スカルマン|Sukaru Man}} was a [[manga]] series created by [[Shotaro Ishinomori]] which first appeared in [[Shōnen]] Magazine in 1970 and immediately caused a sensation, selling over 1.5 million copies. The hero, orphaned when his parents were [[murdered]], grows up to use his peculiar powers to take his revenge. The original Skull Man was one of [[manga|manga's]] first anti-heroes, someone who would sacrifice the lives of innocents in his quest for vengeance. This darkness is what made the Skull Man so magnetic and successful.{{Fact|date=May 2008}} While the TV series [[Kamen Rider]] (Masked Rider) was still in development, Ishinomori, who created that series with producer Toru Hirayama, made this manga as his own personal version, which the producers at Toei Company Ltd. used as the basis for the show. Several changes in content were made, as this 100-page one-shot story was too dark and gruesome (even cerebral) for a children's show. In the late 90s, before Ishinomori's death, the ill cartoonist contacted young mangaka [[Kazuhiko Shimamoto]] to do a remake (ambiguously a continuation) of his original one-shot manga. This remake boasted an extensive, continuing storyline and more complex artwork (along with a tribute to Ishinomori in the final issue, with several of his famous characters gathered together). This was the manga that was presented in the US by [[TOKYOPOP]]. The original 1970 version has yet to be released in America. An [[anime|animated]] TV series adaptation, produced by [[Bones (studio)|Bones]] and directed by [[Takeshi Mori]], has been airing on [[Fuji TV]] since [[April 28]][[2007]]. ==Story== === 1970 version === There are mass murders and catastrophes all over Japan, committed by a masked/caped psychic madman called the '''Skull Man''', and his shape-shifting aide '''Garo''' (named after the manga ninja Garo created by [[Sanpei Shirato]]), who can turn into various powerful mutant monsters. The calamities caused by the Skull Man are investigated by the '''Tachiki Detective Agency''', with the help of a young man named '''Tatsuo Kagura''', the son of a [[yakuza]] in the '''Kagura Clan'''. Eventually, later in the story, '''Police Chief Tachiki''', who heads the Tachiki Detective Agency, suspects Tatsuo to be the Skull Man, who, in turn, suspects the detective to be part of a public conspiracy that has been after him for fifteen years. It turns out that he was ''adopted'' by the Kagura Clan, and his ''real'' parents were murdered, and for those fifteen years, Tatsuo was hunting for the mastermind, who manipulates all industry, finance and even politics. Tatsuo, the Skull Man, threateningly demands Tachiki to tell him the name of the mastermind, but just as he mutters the culprit's first name, Chisato, he suddenly expires. Skull Man realizes who it is, and he and Garo race off to finally meet him. The duo race to the estate of a reclusive old man named '''Chisato Kogetsu''', who lives with a girl named '''Maya''', who is mute and blind (she has perpetually closed eyes). With psychotic rage, Skull Man threatens to kill Chisato, who not only kindly welcomes him, but has been looking forward to his arrival. But Maya telepathically persuades him not to kill Chisato, and she reveals a shocking secret: Chisato is Skull Man's grandfather and Maya his younger sister. Chisato tells his shocked grandson the whole story: his own son, Tatsuo's father, was a scientific genius beyond geniuses. In fact, he was so intelligent and unearthly that he was a [[mutant]], a being of '''Newmanity''' (''Shinjinrui'' - similar to that in Ishinomori's later creation, ''[[Inazuman]]''). His wife, whom he married and had Tatsuo with, was a mutant also. The couple conducted bizarre experiments that could be capable of destroying humanity as we know it. Chisato feared this greatly, so when Maya was born, he killed his own son and daughter-in-law, and also sought to kill his grandson Tatsuo, who was rescued and raised by Garo. He couldn't bring himself to kill Maya, however, and raised her to be his faithful servant. Maya then told Skull Man that Chisato wanted to bring him back before he could do anything. Chisato then traps himself with Skull Man, Garo and Maya in glass walls, proceeding to set himself and all the others ablaze, sadly stating that "We were born in the wrong era!". Along with his entire "family", Tatsuo, the Skull Man, dies a tragic, horrible death in the inferno, thus ending the original story. ===1990s version=== Skull Man revolves around Tatsuo Kagura, who early in his life was subjected to several mutating science experiments that ended up giving him amazing powers and skills. Longing revenge for the murder of his parents he becomes Skull Man, a shadowy crusader who battles The Syndicate and its evil leader Rasputin. The story begins abruptly with a woman who possesses immense psychic powers killing a man, only to then be attacked herself by a man who can become a [[bat]], a [[wolf]] or an [[alligator]] named Garo. Garo is revealed to be Skull Man’s childhood protector and present ally in the coming war against Rasputin and his hordes of evil mutants. Skull Man makes allies, loses comrades and dies in combat with a lethal mutant just in the first book. What follows is a trip into the world of shadows and the evil within all of us. Throughout his journey Skull Man will face [[spider]]s, [[wasp]]s, [[scorpion]]s, [[plant]]s, [[cobra]]s, [[vulture]]s, [[grasshopper]]s (all based on monsters also featured in the first [[Kamen Rider]] series), and finally Rasputin himself. ==Creation== While based on Ishinomori's original manga story, the 1990s version was actually put together by well known mangaka [[Kazuhiko Shimamoto]], who had been a fan of Ishinomori's work since childhood. Ishinomori contacted Shimamoto towards the end of the former's life, requesting him to work with him on reviving the story of The Skull Man. In accomplishing this, Ishinomori faxed Shimamoto the story premise and plot notes, while Shimamoto put it all together and did the artwork. As well, Shimamoto had previously worked on a Kamen Rider story in the past. ==Hero cameos== The Skull Man manga features a myriad of cameos of other famous Ishinomori heroes, although this is mainly contained in the final few pages of the manga's last chapter. They include: *[[Joe Shimamura]]: Joe Shimamura/[[Cyborg 009]] makes his appearance in Chapter 36 and is seen punching out a mugger after rescuing the mugger's victim. During this event, he and Ryuusei, the Skull Man, meet and debate evil and the nature of man over coffee. After the two part company for the evening, they meet again by chance at the docks to stop an illegal deal between corrupt politicians, Ryuusei in his Skull Man garb and Joe in his 00 Cyborg uniform (albeit only seen in silhouette aside from close ups on his face). *[[Kamen Rider]]: Detective Hioka, who pursued the Skull Man, was changed into a Reconstructed Human by the Syndicate. After being rescued by Maria and brought back to Tatsuo/The Skull Man, he then further reconstructed him to be more advanced than the other grasshopper mutants the Syndicate created. In his original mutant form Hioka closely resembles the designs of Kamen Riders ZO and J, and grows his antennae after a battle with Syndicate grunts; his upgraded form is based heavily on the designs of Kamen Rider #1, [[Hongo Takeshi]], Hioka's Kamen Rider rides a motorcycle very much like the original Cyclone motorcycle, possesses a scarf around his neck, and his head appears to be a helmet instead of physically becoming the grasshopper head. However, unlike Kamen Rider #1, his costume is much closer to a motorcycle jacket and pants than the cloth pants and "armored" tunic that costumed Kamen Rider #1, and is seen using a laser pistol in his rescue of The Skull Man *[[Henshin Ninja Arashi]]: In the Skull Man manga, he is seen as a young ninja in the city who is almost killed by an ape-like Syndicate mutant, who stabs him in the chest with a knife. He is found on the brink of death by The Skull Man, and taken back to his laboratory. As The Skull Man's thoughts are heard, the scene transitions in a burst of feathers, revealing the young man has become Henshin Ninja Arashi, with several other Ishinomori heroes behind him. *[[Himitsu Sentai Goranger|Goranger]]: The five members of Himitsu Sentai Goranger can be seen in the hero collage at the end of the manga's final chapter. *[[Robotto Keiji]]: Robotto Keiji, in his civilian clothing, can be seen directly in front of Ki Ranger in the hero collage at the end of the manga's final chapter. *[[Inazuman]]: Inazuman can be seen directly in front of Momo Ranger in the hero collage at the end of the manga's final chapter. *[[Kikaider]]: Kikaider can be seen in his android form in front of and between both Robot Detective K and Inazuman in the hero collage at the end of the manga's final chapter *[[Uchuu Tetsujin Kyodain]]: Sky Zero and Ground Zero can both be seen behind and to the right of Henshin Ninja Arashi in the hero collage at the end of the manga with Sky Zero on the right and Ground Zero on the left. ==Anime== [[Bones_(studio)|Studio BONES]] has adapted Skull Man into a TV anime series which premiered on [[Fuji TV]] in April 2007. The series is directed by Takeshi Mori and written by [[Yutaka Izubuchi]]. A live action "Episode Zero" was shown on April 21st, titled "Skullman: Prologue of Darkness," staring Ami Suzuki and [[Kamen Rider Hibiki]] and [[Death Note]]'s [[Shigeki Hosokawa]].<ref>''[http://henshinjustice.com/?p=447 Skullman Prologue of Darkness]'' - ''[[Henshin Justice Unlimited]]''</ref> It was also set up to be a pseudo prequel of [[Cyborg 009]]. Unlike previous stories of Skull Man past, the story closely focuses on a journalist name Hayato Mikogami who returns to his hometown at Otomo to investigate strange rumors of killings done by a man wearing a skull mask. Tailed tightly by a young photographer, Kiriko Mamiya, the two soon uncover the many strings of connections between the victims, a local pharmaceutical company, a mysterious new religious sect and strange half human, half animal creatures which roam the night streets out for blood. ===Characters=== ;Skull Man {{anime voices|Hiroshi Tsuchida}} :A mysterious man in skull shaped mask making appearances in Ōtomo City and rumored to have been killing numerous victims in the city, especially those roaming at night. ;Hayato Mikogami {{anime voices|Makoto Yasumura}} :A journalist who returns to his hometown, Ōtomo City, in order to investigate the Skull Man. ;Kiriko Mamiya {{anime voices|Ayako Kawasumi}} :A young girl aspiring to be a photographer. Hayato helps her get into the city, and she decides to stick to him and help him in his work. She actually enters the city to look for a friend of hers, Jin, who was with her in the resistance and disappeared two years ago. ;Kyōichirō Tachigi {{anime voices|Katsunosuke Hori}} :A private investigator who arrives in town on the same train as Kiriko and Hayato. ;Father Yoshio Kanzaki {{anime voices|Masayuki Katou}} :A priest working at an orphanage, and a childhood friend of Hayato. ;Hitomi Tachibana :An actress who is killed days prior to the start of the story. ;Yui Onizuka {{anime voices|Sayaka Ohara}} :Another actress and a friend of the late Hitomi. ;Sayoko Karasuma {{anime voices|Yumi Kakazu}} :Yui's assistant. A mutant who transformed to protect Yui, but is killed by the Skull Man. ;Gōzō Kuroshio {{anime voices|Osamu Saka}} :An old acquaintance of Hayato and leader of the Ōtomo Concern. While he pretends to be a philanthropist on the outside, he is directly involved with the incident ten years ago, and is not below using dirty means such as assassination to advance his own agenda. ;Sara Kuroshio :Gōzō's wife. She is the chairwoman of the religious organization ''Byakureikai''. ;Maya Kuroshio {{anime voices|Fumiko Orikasa}} :Gōzō's daughter. Despite her weak health she secretly helps out at the orphanage, apparently due to her attraction to Kanzaki. She is also deeply involved with the Byakureikai sect. ;Tatsuo Kagura :Allegedly killed in an arson case ten years ago, but rumored to be alive and seeking revenge. Hayato believes this person to be the prime suspect for the identity of the Skull Man. ===Episodes=== {|class="wikitable" width="100%" |- ! # !! Title !! Original air date |- | colspan="150" bgcolor="#CCCCFF"| |- {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=00 |JapaneseTitle= |KanjiTitle= |EnglishTitle= Skullman: Prologue of Darkness |OriginalAirDate= [[April 21]][[2007]] |ShortSummary=Live action prequel episode. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=01 |JapaneseTitle=Kamen ga odoru machi |KanjiTitle=仮面が踊る街 |EnglishTitle= The town where the mask dances |OriginalAirDate= [[April 28]][[2007]] |ShortSummary=Journalist Hayato Mikogami arrives in his hometown and begins investigating the enigmatic Skull Man. However, he runs into his target sooner than expected. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=02 |JapaneseTitle=Kako kara kita otoko |KanjiTitle=過去からきた男 |EnglishTitle= The Man From the Past |OriginalAirDate= [[May 5]][[2007]] |ShortSummary=Hayato, temporarily a murder suspect, is released from police custody due to his connections. His further investigations reveal a possible connection between the Skull Man and an arson case ten years ago. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=03 |JapaneseTitle=Shinkō no ame wa gogo ni furu |KanjiTitle=深紅の雨は午後に降る |EnglishTitle= Crimson Rain Falls in the Afternoon |OriginalAirDate= [[May 12]][[2007]] |ShortSummary=Yui receives a threatening letter and later becomes the target of blackmail. Kiriko follows Yui and Sayoko to the theater. However, the real target of the Skull Man is Sayoko, who turns out to be a mutant. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=04 |JapaneseTitle=Sanpo suru yūrei |KanjiTitle=散歩する幽霊 |EnglishTitle= Wandering Phantom |OriginalAirDate= [[May 19]][[2007]] |ShortSummary=A dead body hung from a railroad bridge makes Hayato investigate the legend of the Phantom Monorail. However, once on board, he becomes the target of the Skull Man. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=05 |JapaneseTitle=Itsuwari no shikaku |KanjiTitle=偽りの死角 |EnglishTitle= Fabricated Blindspot |OriginalAirDate= [[May 26]][[2007]] |ShortSummary=Usami, the Skull Man impostor, tries to eliminate the original. Meanwhile, Kiriko discovers a person from her past among the Byakureikai members. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=06 |JapaneseTitle=Shinigami-tachi no utage |KanjiTitle=死神たちの宴 |EnglishTitle= Grim Reaper's Banquet |OriginalAirDate= [[June 2]][[2007]] |ShortSummary=Hayato and Kiriko run across yet another Skull Man killing the town mayor. With other trails getting cold, the two decide to investigate the Byakureikai from the inside. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=07 |JapaneseTitle=Jinjuu tsukai shi |KanjiTitle=人獣使い師 |EnglishTitle= Human-beast Tamer |OriginalAirDate= [[June 9]][[2007]] |ShortSummary=Hayato and Kiriko are discovered and kicked out of Byakureikai, but Hayato discovers that one of the disciples there is an old acquaintance of Kiriko and the reason for her entering the town. That person - Jin - is masquerading as the Skull Man in order to carry out assassinations for Gōzō Kuroshio. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=08 |JapaneseTitle= Gekkou ni otome wa sasayaku |KanjiTitle= 月光に乙女はささやく |EnglishTitle= The Maiden Whispers in the Moonlight |OriginalAirDate= [[June 16]][[2007]] |ShortSummary= }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=09 |JapaneseTitle=Etareshimono ni shukufuku o |KanjiTitle= 穢れしものに祝福を |EnglishTitle= Blessing Be Upon The Tainted |OriginalAirDate= [[June 23]][[2007]] |ShortSummary= }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=10 |JapaneseTitle= sākasu wa mayonaka ni warau |KanjiTitle= サーカスは真夜中に嗤う |EnglishTitle= The Circus Laughs at Midnight |OriginalAirDate= [[June 30]][[2007]] |ShortSummary= Hayato and Kiriko hide out in the woods, since Hayato is now a wanted criminal now. It is finally announced that Father Kanzaki is the Skull man, and with his Lost Numbers he would fight the new enemy cyborgs. }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=11 |JapaneseTitle= yami yo, waga te o toritamae |KanjiTitle= 闇よ、我が手を取りたまえ |EnglishTitle= O Darkness, Take My Hand |OriginalAirDate= [[July 7]][[2007]] |ShortSummary= }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=12 |JapaneseTitle= chi no seiya |KanjiTitle= 血の聖夜 |EnglishTitle= Holy Night of Blood |OriginalAirDate= [[July 14]][[2007]] |ShortSummary= }} {{Japanese episode list |EpisodeNumber=13 |JapaneseTitle= kuroi gūwa~aishikimono wa subete sariyuku |KanjiTitle= 黒い寓話~愛しきものは全て去りゆく |EnglishTitle= Black Allegory ~ All That I Love Vanishes |OriginalAirDate= [[July 21]][[2007]] |ShortSummary= }} |} ===Cast=== {| |- |Skull Man: |[[Hiroshi Tsuchida]] |- |Kiriko Mamiya: |[[Ayako Kawasumi]] |- |Maya Kuroshio: |[[Fumiko Orikasa]] |- |Akira Usami: |[[Hiroyuki Yoshino]] |- |Hayato Minagami: |[[Makoto Yasumura]] |- |Yoshio Kanzaki: |[[Masayuki Katou]] |- |Masaki Kumashiro: |[[Toshiyuki Morikawa]] |- |Tetsurou Shingyouji: |[[Hideki Tasaka]] |- |Kyouichirou Tachigi: |[[Katsunosuke Hori]] |- |Reina Shingyouji: |[[Michiko Neya]] |- |Gouzou Kuroshio: |[[Osamu Saka]] |- |Tsuyoshi Shinjou: |[[Tomokazu Seki]] |} ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *{{ja icon}} [http://www.skullman.jp/ Official Website] *[http://www.tokyopop.com/S-1028/ 'Creator profile page'] - Tokyopop's creator profile page for ''The Skull Man'' *{{ann anime|id=7467}} *{{ann manga|id=1576}} </div> [[Category:Shotaro Ishinomori]] [[Category:2007 television series debuts]] [[Category:2007 television series endings]] [[Category:Anime of 2007]] [[Category:Bones (studio)]] [[Category:Shōnen]] [[Category:Tokyopop titles]] [[fr:The Skull Man]] [[ja:スカルマン]] [[zh:鬼面騎士]]