Fansub Guide – Metal Heroes
Uchuu Keiji Gavan 1982-1983
Earth is invaded by the criminal organization known as Makuu, led by Don Horror, who had first destroyed a space colony near Earth. Don Horror wants to dominate the whole universe, and the Earth represents an obstacle that he has to overcome by turning it into haven for all evil. In response to Makuu’s attack, Space Sheriff Gavan of the Galactic Union Police is deployed to Earth to defend his mother’s home world. Gavan is helped by Mimi, the daughter of Commander Qom, and is given information by Qom, assisted by Marin on his home planet. Gavan goes to Earth to defend it against Don Horror and his devilish schemes. He settles on Earth incognito as Retsu Ichijouji, taking a job at the Avalon Youth Club in Japan to track Makuu’s forces down.
Subbing Status: [Bunny Hat] 1-5 | [Dead Fish Fansubs] 1, 15, 17, 41
Notes on Subs: Dead Fish did random episodes as per their M.O. Bunny Hat’s translator is insanely busy at the moment, but the project will be finished… eventually.
Uchuu Keiji Sharivan 1983-1984
Initially appearing in Space Sheriff Gavan, Den Iga is attacked by a monster called Buffalo Doubler, member of the crime organization, Makuu Empire. Den is seriously injured in the attack when he is found by Gavan, who takes him to Planet Bird for medical assistance. Qom, leader of the Galactic Union Police, is impressed by Den’s courage. Den returns in the final episode of Gavan, saving Gavan himself in his newly acquired form of Space Sheriff Sharivan during Gavan’s final battle. After Don Horror is defeated, Sharivan is assigned to Earth and is partnered together with Lily from the planet Bird as he deals with the threat of the Madou Space Crime Syndicate on Earth.
Subbing Status: [Midnight Crew Subs] 1-7
Notes on Subs: I have no idea what the status is on this particular project. But just to be safe, let’s say it’s on hiatus at the moment.
Uchuu Keiji Shaider 1984-1985
In college studying archaeology, Dai Sawamura deciphers the figures on the Nazca Plain in Peru. Impressed by this feat, the Galactic Union Police recruit and train him to be Earth’s third Space Sheriff. He is given the code name ‘Shaider’ in memory of an ancient warrior who defeated the villain Emperor Kubilai and brought down the Fuuma 12,000 years ago. When the Fuuma returns, Dai is deputized as he returns to Earth to battle the Fuuma.
Subbing Status: [Hikari-Senshi] 1 | [Hi no Tori] 1-4
Notes on Subs: Hikari-Senshi has put this project on hold due to scripts needing a translation check. Unsure of the status of this project is for Hi no Tori.
Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion 1985-1986
While reading the Galaxy Bible, Ejin learns of a shocking prophecy: When the dark god Satan Gorth awakens, the universe will be ravaged by giant monsters filled with rage. After Satan Gorth appears and the prophecy is set in motion, Ejin orders Juspion, who Ejin has been tutoring, to stop him and combat the corrupted Megabeasts. He travels with his friends in the Daileon.
Subbing Status: [Dead Fish Fansubs] 1-2, 4-7, 12-13, 44-46 | [Mega Beast Empire] 1-16
Notes on Subs: Dead Fish disbanded. Mega Beast Empire has begun doing the show.
Jikuu Senshi Spielvan 1986-1987
The Waller Empire destroys the planet Clin in search of water for its deity. Two Clinian children, Spielban and Diana, escape to Earth aboard the Grand Nasca. The two grow up during the long journey and don High Tech Crystal Suits to defeat the Waller who have come to Earth in search of more water. Spielban must avenge his dead mother Anna and his homeworld, and find his missing father Ben and older sister Helen. Unknown to Spielban at the start of the series his father and sister have been made members of the Waller against their will.
Subbing Status: [Dead Fish Fansubs] 1
Notes on Subs: Grown Ups In Spandex has expressed a passing interest in this series.
Choujinki Metalder 1987-1988
In 1945, Dr. Ryūichirō Kōga 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 Kōga. However, the pacifistic Dr. Kōga put Metalder to sleep in the Silver Carcass base and left for the America to work for NASA. During the 42 years, Dr. Kōga’s former colleague Major Muraki became the evil God Neros, ruler of Neros Empire. God Neros sends out his massive armies to kill Dr. Kōga, who learned of their organization and returned to Japan to activate Metalder. Kōga desperately tries to activate his android creation, who he named Ryūsei Tsurugi, but the android is unable to understand what to do. In order to give Ryūsei a “purpose”, Kōga runs out of the Silver Carcass base, allowing Neros’ troops to kill him. Suddenly seeing his creator die, Ryūsei becomes shocked, and soon is beaten by Neros’ troops. Ryūsei becomes fueled with rage, evoking the conversion to his ‘true’ form, the android known as Metalder. After a brief battle with Coolgin (which he loses), Ryūsei goes onward, meeting future friend Mai Ōgi.
Subbing Status: [Dead Fish Fansubs] 1-30
Notes on Subs: Group died with only 9 episodes to go. Hikari-Senshi has expressed a passing interest in finishing this series.
Sekai Ninja Sen Jiraiya 1989-1989
The Sorcerers Clan, led by the centuries-old Org Ninja Dokusai, has make its move to retrieve the treasured map of Pako that has been in possession by the Yamaji family for generations. Tetsuzan Yamaji, the 34th grandmaster of the Togakure Ryū Ninpō, entrust his son and daughter, Toha and Mei, to protect the Pako from the forces of the Sorcerers Clan. By donning the Jiraiya Suit inherited from his father, Toha becomes Jiraya, Master of the Togakure School, who must face against the evil Sorcerers Clan, as well as numerous ninjas from different parts of the world.
Subbing Status: [WorldWarNinja] 1-2
Notes on Subs: No updates since January last year. Group probably died.
Kido Keiji Jiban 1989-1990
Naoto Tamura, a new detective in Central City, is killed by a Bionoid Monster in the line of duty. Doctor Kenzou Igarashi, a man whose experiments had been responsible for the Biolon syndicate’s existence, brought the man back to life as a robot detective, Jiban.
Subbing Status: None
Notes on Subs: No one has expressed interest in this series.
Tokkei Winspector 1990-1991
It takes place in modern day Japan. As the country is facing a great threat from criminals, new methods of protecting people are created. The Winspector squad consisting of the robot brothers Walter and Bikel along with Ryouma wearing the Fire Tector armor defend against super powered threats ranging from mob attacks to scientific experiments gone terribly wrong.
Subbing Status: [TnTSubs] 1
Notes on Subs: Based on the Portuguese script. No plans on the rest of the series due to no other scripts available.
Tokkyu Shirei Solbrain 1991-1992
After the Winspector police team leaves Japan to fight crime in France, Chief Shunsuke Masaki realizes he must create a new police team to defend Tokyo from crime. He creates Solbrain – a high-tech special rescue force, expert in missions requiring rescue and firepower. Its leader is Daiki Nishio, a rookie detective who can use the Plus Up command in his car to transform into SolBraver. Other members are Reiko Higuchi, also able to use the Plus Up command to transform into SolJeanne, SolBraver’s female counterpart; and SolDozer, a yellow bulldozer robot.
Subbing Status: None
Notes on Subs: No one has expressed interest in this series.
Tokusou Exceedraft 1992-1993
Part of the Rescue Police triology of shows. No plot summary because no one has seen the damn thing apparently.
Subbing Status: None
Notes on Subs: No one has expressed interest in this series.
Tokusou Robo Janperson 1993-1994
He was once a killing machine known as the MX-A1, that was deactivated due to him becoming out of control but was later rebuilt with human emotions by the young female scientist Kaoru Saegusa.
Subbing Status: [Daigeki-Subs] Movie
Notes on Subs: They did the movie. It’s unclear whether they’ll try the series. No one else has expressed interest in the series, in any case.
Blue SWAT 1994-1995
When Earth is tearing itself apart by means of crime, pollution and war, aliens choose the time to invade, taking advantage of the lowering of everyone’s guard. The Japanese government establishes an elite police organization known as Blue SWAT to combat the aliens, known as the Space Mafia. The aliens attack by possessing humans to obtain their goals. When an alien possesses the chief of the Blue SWAT unit to infiltrate the organization, it manages to completely demolish their building of operations and murder all but three SWAT members; Show, Sara and Sig.
Subbing Status: [Daigeki-Subs/Hikari-Senshi] Movie
Notes on Subs: Hikari-Senshi has expressed interest in this series.
Juukou B-Fighter 1995-1996
Insects all over the world begin to swarm for unknown reasons, with other animals and plants acting strange as well. To investigate this, Takuya Kai is dispatched with an Earth Academia group. Investigating independently, Takuya finds Guru who reveals that insects are preparing for battle against invaders from another dimension. Offering their aid, the Earth Academia create suits of armor to combat the threat as the Jamahl arrive to Earth to enslave humans. Though they have trouble perfecting the Bio-Machinery, Guru arrives to infuse the armor with the life force of many insects. Once the suits become the B-Commanders, one suit chooses Takuya while the other two bond to Daisaku Katagiri and Rei Hayama. With their newfound power, the B-Fighters fight to drive back Jamahl’s forces.
Subbing Status: [Hi no Tori] 1-3
Notes on Subs: Project seems to be on hiatus due to lack of updates for a while.
B-Fighter Kabuto 1996-1997
In 2006 (Ten years after the destruction of Jamahl), Earth has returned to peace again. The Earth Academia has become the Cosmo Academia, a scientific research organization, where Takuya Kai works with Sage Guru on a new generation of Insect Armor in the event of another threat to the Earth. This threat is realized when a Cosmo Academia exploration submarine comes across a fissure in the ocean floor, out of which rises a huge flying fortress of the ancient tribe Melzard. This clan has been resting for millennia and seeks to destroy mankind. Matriarch Mother Melzard sends her oldest sons Raija and Dezzle to lead the attack with Raija’s Elebamamoth. By then, Guru has infused the Neo Insect Armor with Insect Power, creating the three Command Voicers to link three humans with the armor. Kengo Tachibana and Ran Ayukawa, who have been selected to wear the new armor, ready themselves and become B-Fighter Kuwagar and B-Fighter Tentou. But the person to become B-Fighter Kabuto had not been chosen when the remaining Command Voicer flies out the window. Ran and Kengo follow it to meet Kouhei Toba, a star athlete at his school who is losing badly to Elebammoth who froze the boy’s sister as the last Command Voicer flies into his hand. Kengo and Ran are shocked that this high school student is to be B-Fighter Kabuto, but they go to him and teach him how to transform. He changes into Kabuto and the three of them attack Elebammoth and several henchmen, with Kabuto killing Elebammoth. Refusing to accept defeat, Mother Melzard continues her attacks, with Raija and Dezzle working against each other in their attacks on the B-Fighters.
Subbing Status: None
Notes on Subs: No one has expressed interest in this series.
B-Robo Kabutack 1997-1998
Dr. Torahiko Koenji is an eccentric genius who dug out the ancient writings from the oldest layer of the earth. He translated the writings and learned the existence of 13 “Star Pieces” that had been hidden across the planet. If one should obtain all the Star Pieces, any wish could be granted. To that end, Dr. Koenji built search robots, known as “B-robots”, to find the Star Pieces. However a trio of such robots, led by Cobrander, were activated without their sleep-education program being completed and thus started to commit bad deeds across the town. Fortunately, a team, composed of three “good” B-robots, had completed the whole course of sleep-learning, and befriended Yuzuru Koenji, Dr. Koenji’s grandson. With Yuzuru, and his friends Sayuri Mitaka and Kuranosuke Kichijouji, the three good B-robots and the gang begin their search of the “Star Pieces” while overcoming the misdeeds of the three “bad” B-robots.
Subbing Status: None
Notes on Subs: Hi no Tori DID do the Christmas special, but it’s unclear if they want to try their hand at this series.
Tetsuwan Tantei Robotack 1998-1999
The story begins when the Ruling Elder of Harappa Land sent a few of his robotic people to seek out the sacred treasure of their kingdom: The Landtool. Two such robots, Robotack and Kamerock, arrived to a place called Yumegaoka. It was there that Robotack befriended a boy named Kakeru and aided the boy’s uncle, Kaoru Sugi, in his Private Investigation business. But also on the quest for the LandTool is DarkCrow and his lacky Kabados, who were exiled and intend to make money off the LandTool.
Subbing Status: None
Notes on Subs: No one has expressed interest in this series.
Article written by Anthony Vega aka GekiKnight, a fansubber for Imagination Station who has also worked with Hikari-Senshi and Grown Ups in Spandex, among others. Summaries are courtesy of Wikipedia and used under a Creative Commons license.