The Rundown

It's 1971, and the great and prosperous nation of Japan is on a mission to pollute the world. Wanton industrial production and meager government regulations lead to the daily vomiting and belching of sludge and smog into the sea and sky. Against this grim backdrop bursts the evil Space Apeman Dr. Gori! Late of Planet E, where a failed coup d'etat nearly cost him his mind and his medical license, Dr. Gori stumbles across a most fascinating jewel… Earth! Judging Earthlings to be grossly inferior, he sets out to wipe them out in a most devious and fitting manner: by using the their own toxic agents against them! All seems lost for the hapless denizens of Earth. How can they combat a mutant Space Doctor? But then, from the dark recesses of space, comes a savior: The Space Alliance of the Pleasure Planet Nebula 71! Nebula 71, an artificial planetoid created by the Universal Federation eons ago to protect inferior planets, sends the golden cyborg Spectreman to stop the evil Dr. Gori! But Dr. Gori and his superior intellect harness the combined powers of the Monster Graveyard and Japan's pollution, summoning some of the greatest pre-historical monsters ever! Gigantic battles ensue! Human dramas unfold! The powerful giant Satan King destroys a city! Incompetent subordinate Karas apes karate-chop gestures! Poor Professor Ogaki is turned into a pollution monster! A famous boxer's brain is stolen! Finally, after 63 episodes, Spectreman defeats Dr. Gori with his patented Double-Flash in the cyborg vs. Space Ape combat to end all cyborg vs. Space Ape combats. Rather than face punishment, a humiliated Dr. Gori jumps from a cliff and explodes! Spectreman returns victorious to Nebula 71, no doubt for some much deserved pleasure.



The Facts

Original Title: Space Apeman Gori
Title for international release: Spectreman
Broadcast dates: January 2, 1971 to March 25, 1972
Format: 30 minute weekly television series
Number of episodes: 63
Writers: Masaki Tsuji, Susumu Takaku, Haruya Yamazaki, Keisuke Fujikawa, Shoji Nemoto, Kazuo Koya, Kazuichi Tsumi
Directors: Keinnosuke Tsuchiya, Kouichi Ishiguro, Higuchi Higuchi, Takeo Sakai, Yasuharu Hasebe, Kanji Otsuka



The Characters

Spectreman
A giant superhero from the cold depths of space, Spectreman is sent to Earth by The Space Alliance of the Pleasure Planet Nebula 71 to stop the evil Dr Gori. Whenever danger rears its rubber head, Spectreman materializes as a cyborg in a golden suit, complete with a tremendous codpiece and a masked helmet topped with a dorsal fin spike. Our hero defends all of humanity from cosmic enemies with an arsenal of weaponry: a mighty sword, dazzling SpectreFlashes, freeze rays, and of course good old-fashioned pummelings. When not battling gargantuan monsters, Spectreman cleverly hides itself among the humans as the mild mannered Johji 'George' Gamoh.

Johji 'George' Gamoh
George, a handsome and brilliant employee of the Pollution Research Bureau, is actually space cyborg Spectreman in disguise. He often draws the suspicions of his colleagues by disappearing when monsters appear, only to reappear elsewhere with a thin explanation and no car. While his disguise proves helpful, especially with the ladies, it sometimes interferes with his orders from Nebula 71 Headquarters, as his proximity to Earthlings gets him emotionally involved with their silly mortal plights.

Evil Space Apeman Dr. Gori
A mutant gorilla from far away Planet E, Dr. Gori is equipped with the deadly combination of super-intellect and blond ambition in the form of Kurt Cobain hair. From the shelter of his powerful spacecraft the simian fiend judges the numskullery of Earthlings unforgivable, and efforts to wipe them out by creating enormous monsters from humanity’s own pollution. The character of Dr. Gori plays a complex role in the series. First, as chief antagonist/social critic, Dr. Gori opposes the continued existence of human society specifically because of its propensity to destroy the beauty of nature. This raises the paradoxical question: is Evil Space Apeman Dr. Gori evil? His second role is one of comic relief, as Dr. Gori and his henchman Karas play the straight man and goofy sidekick, respectively.

The Space Alliance of the Pleasure Planet Nebula 71
Appearing as an artificial planetoid piloted by strange space beings, the even-headed Overlords of Nebula 71 protect underdeveloped planets like Earth from evil space conquers such as Dr. Gori. With the cold benevolence of an Elder Race, Nebula 71 exerts its mysterious powers against the probably evil Dr. Gori and his monstrous creatures. Nebula 71 also has the incredible ability to reverse time, which may explain its very relaxed attitude.

Karas
Henchman Karas is an ape in full military regalia who does much of Dr. Gori's dirty work. On several occasions Dr. Gori transforms Karas into a giant in order to directly confront Spectreman; always with ignominious results. Although Karas is a bumbling fool and is obviously a great liability, Dr. Gori repeatedly excuses his errors. Some theorists propose this is due to the fact that Karas was instrumental in helping Dr. Gori escape from the vengeance of Planet E. This is unlikely, however, as most Evil Doctors find gratitude an altogether alien emotion. I suggest that, perhaps, Dr. Gori, though his tremendous ego would never allow him to admit it, simply likes having a friend.



The Cast

Tetsuo Narikawa as Joji 'George' Gamou
Toru Ohira as Chief Kurata
Takamitsu Watanabe as Nobuyoshi Kaga
Kazuo Arai as Takashi Ota
Koji Ozaki as Toshio Arito
Takanobu Toya as Dr. Gori
Kyoji Kobayashi as The Voice of Nebula 71
Koji Uenishi as Spectreman



The Episodes

01. GORI TARGETS THE EARTH!
        Japanese title: Gori, Chikyu o Nerau!
        Monster: Hedoron

02. DESTROY THE POLLUTION MONSTER HEDORON!
        Japanese title: Kougai-kaiju Hedoron o Taose!
        Monster: Hedoron

03. TERROR OF BLUE SCUM
        Japanese title: Ao-midoro no Kyoufu
        Monster: Midoron, Zeron

04. RAH SEARCHES AMONG THE EARTHLINGS
        Japanese title: Rah, Chikyu-jin o Saguru
        Monster: Zeron

05. TERROR OF POLLUTED HUMAN
        Japanese title: Kyoufu no Kougai-ningen
        Monster: giant Rah

06. SAVE THE BEAUTIFUL EARTH!!
        Japanese title: Utsukusii Chikyu no Tameni!!
        Monster: giant Rah #2

07. THE BLACK TERROR
        Japanese title: Kuro no Kyoufu
        Monster: Gokinosaurus

08. DUEL!! GOKINOSAURUS
        Japanese title: Ketto!! Gokinozaurusu
        Monster: Gokinosaurus

09. THE TERRIFYING NEZUBIRDON
        Japanese title: Kyoufu no Nezubahdon
        Monster: Nezubahdon

10. STOP THE MONSTER TRAIN
        Japanese title: Kaiju-ressha o Soshi Seyo
        Monster: Nezubahdon

11. THE TITANIC MONSTER DUSTMAN APPEARS
        Japanese title: Kyodai-kaiju Dustman Shutsugen
        Monster: Titanic Monster Dustman

12. TERROR RISES FROM THE DEAD
        Japanese title: Yomigaeru Kyoufu
        Monster: Titanic Monster Dustman

13. GREAT HEDORON STRIKES BACK
        Japanese title: Hedoron Dai-gyakushu Zenpen
        Monster: Neo-Hedoron

14. GREAT HEDORON STRIKES BACK AGAIN
        Japanese title: Hedoron Dai-gyakushu Kouhen
        Monster: Neo-Hedoron

15. MASSIVE EARTHQUAKE LEVELS TOKYO
        Japanese title: Dai-jishin Tokyo o Osou
        Monster: Mognetudon

16. THE RETALIATION OF MOGUNETUDON!
        Japanese title: Mogunechudon no Hangeki!
        Monster: Mognetudon

17. THUNDER-GAI THE FLYING WHALE!
        Japanese title: Sora-tobu Kujira Thunder-gei!
        Monster: Thunder-Gai

18. INFILTRATE MONSTER ISLAND
        Japanese title: Kaiju-tou ni Sennyu Seyo
        Monster: Thunder-Gai

19. BLOOD-DRINKING MONSTER BAKULAH APPEARS!!
        Japanese title: Kyuuketsu-kaiju Bakulah Arawaru!!
        Monster: Bakulah

20. FIND BAKULAH'S NEST!
        Japanese title: Kaiju Bakurah no Su o Tsubuse!
        Monster: Bakulah

21. THE ENIGMATIC ALIEN ZUNOU VS GILAGIND
        Japanese title: Nazo no Zunou-seijin Tai Giragindo
        Monster: Enigmatic Alien Zunou, Giragindo

22. VIOLENT CHARGE OF THE DUAL-BLADED MONSTER GILAGIND!!
        Japanese title: Nitou-ryu Kaiju Giragindo oh-abare!!
        Monster: Enigmatic Alien Zunou, Giragindo

23. TRAFFIC ACCIDENT MONSTER: KURUMANIKURAS!
        Japanese title: Koutsuu-jiko Kaiju Kurumanikurasu!
        Monster: Kurumanikuras Baaronsaurus

24. DANGER! KURUMANIKURAS
        Japanese title: Ayaushi! Kurumanikurasu
        Monster: Kurumanikuras Baaronsaurus

25. GRAND DOUBLE OPERATION: MAGULAH & SATAN-KING!
        Japanese title: Magurah, Satanking Nidai-sakusen!
        Monster: Magurah, Satan-King

26. TWO GIANT MONSTERS BATTLE IN TOKYO!
        Japanese title: Nidai-kaiju Tokyo Dai-kessen!
        Monster: Magurah, Satan-King

27. TITANIC BATTLE! SEVEN GIANT MONSTERS
        Japanese title: Dai-gekisen! 7 dai-kaiju
        Monster: Silver Robo, Baronsaurus, Satan-King, Gokinosaurus, Mognitudon, Nezubierdon, Moggus

28. THE TERRIFYING ATTACK OF SALAMANDAR
        Japanese title: Saramandah Kyoufu no Shuhgeki
        Monster: Salamandar

29. KILL THE VICIOUS MONSTER SALAMANDAR
        Japanese title: Kyouaku-kaiju Saramandah o Korose
        Monster: Salamandar

30. TERROR COMES ASHORE: MONSTER TAG-MATCH!!
        Japanese title: Tag Match Kaiju Kyoufu no Jouriku!!
        Monster: Zariganindo Spincobra

31. PROTECT THE LIGHTHOUSE!
        Japanese title: Ano Toudai o Sukue!
        Monster: Zariganindo Spincobra

32. THE THREE-HEADED DRAGON RISES AGAIN
        Japanese title: Yomigaeru Mitsu-kubi-ryu
        Monster: Mitsukubi-ryuh

33. SOS!! THE UNDERSEA OIL FIELD
        Japanese title: SOS!! Kaitei-yuden
        Monster: Mitsukubi-ryuh

34. THE WRATH OF MOONTHUNDER
        Japanese title: Moonthunder no Ikari
        Monster: Moonthunder

35. IS SPECTREMAN DEAD!?
        Japanese title: Spectreman ga Shinda!?)
        Monster: Moonthunder

36. DEATH-MATCH! G-MEN VS MONSTER VEGARON
        Japanese title: Shitou! G-men tai Kaiju Begaron
        Monster: Bagaron, Alien Nebula

37. OPERATION: DESTROY GORI'S SAUCER BASE
        Japanese title: Gori no Enban-kichi Bakuha Dai-sakusen
        Monster: Bagaron, The Minus Humans

38. ADVANCE TOWARDS THE SPHINX
        Japanese title: Sphinx Zensin seyo
        Monster: Sphinx, Spider Monster, Egyptan Mutant

39. OPERATION: BREAK INTO THE MONSTER-ZONE
        Japanese title: Kaiju-chiku Toppa-sakusen
        Monster: Spider Monster

40. THE GRASS-WHISTLING MONSTER
        Japanese title: Kusa-bue o fuku Kaiju
        Monster: Methanodon Magmasaurus

41. VAPOR MONSTER DIES AT DAWN
        Japanese title: Gas Kaiju Akatsuki ni Shisu
        Monster: Methanodon Magmasaurus

42. SOLAR MASK ARRIVES FROM SPACE
        Japanese title: Uchu kara kita Taiyou-mask
        Monster: Tengudon, Kabagon, Solar Mask

43. APPEARANCE OF THE MONSTER KABAGON!!
        Japanese title: Kaiju Kabagon no Shutsugen!!
        Monster: Kabagon, Solar Mask

44. ALIEN KYUDORA - COSMIC PLUNDERER
        Japanese title: Uchu no Tohri-ma Kyudorah-seijin
        Monster: Alien Kyudora, Alien Pal

45. ALIEN PAL FOREVER!!
        Japanese title: Pal-yuusei-jin yo Eien nare
        Monster: Alien Kyudora, Alien Pal

46. INVITATION FROM THE DEAD
        Japanese title: Shisha kara no Shoutai-jou
        Monster: Alien Gama, Gama Monster

47. ALIEN GAMA COMMENCE THE ATTACK!!
        Japanese title: Gama-seijin Kougeki Kaishi!!
        Monster: Alien Gama, Gama Monster

48. BOBBY, DON'T BECOME A MONSTER!
        Japanese title: Bobby yo Kaiju ni Naruna!
        Monster: Dog Monster

49. TRAGIC GENIUS MONSTER: NOMAN
        Japanese title: Kanashiki Tensai-kaiju Noman
        Monster: Noman

50. SMASH ALIEN IGORL!
        Japanese title: Igohru-seijin o Taose!
        Monster: Black Dragon, Alien Igohru, Pseudo-Spectreman

51. RIDDLE OF THE COBALT MONSTER
        Japanese title: Cobalt Kaiju no Nazo
        Monster: Black Dragon, Alien Igohru, Pseudo-Spectreman

52. OPERATION: CAPTURE MONSTER MOUND-DRAGON!!
        Japanese title: Mount Dragon Yusou Dai-sakusen!!
        Monster: Mound Dragon, Birdman

53. THE IRON CLAWS OF HORROR
        Japanese title: Kyoufu no Tetsu no Tsume
        Monster: Computer Monster, Grass Monster

54. PULVERISE! THE COMPUTER-MONSTER!
        Japanese title: Datou-seyo! Computer-kaiju
        Monster: Computer Monster, Grass Monster

55. ORDER: ASSASSINATE SPECTREMAN!!
        Japanese title: Spectreman Ansatsu-shirei
        Monster: Alien Killer, Meteor Mask

56. COSMIC HITMAN - METEOR MASK
        Japanese title: Uchu no Korosi-ya Ryusei-kamen
        Monster: Alin Killer, Meteor Mask

57. RESSURECTION OF GREAT SATAN - THE WITCH
        Japanese title: Majo Great Satan no Fukkatsu
        Monster: Great Satan, Alien Satan, Goruda

58. GORUDA - THE PHANTOM MONSTER
        Japanese title: Maborosi no Kaiju Goruda
        Monster: Great Satan, Alien Satan, Goruda

59. ALIEN GENOS - THE MESSENGER OF HELL
        Japanese title: Jigoku no Shisha Genos-seijin
        Monster: Dokuron, Alien Genos

60. DEADLY DANCE OF THE MONSTER DOKURON
        Japanese title: Kaiju Dokuron Shi no Odori
        Monster: Dokuron, Alien Genos

61. THE TERRIFYING MONSTER SHOW
        Japanese title: Kyoufu no Kaiju-show
        Monster: Kihtotto, Alien Migeru

62. THIS IS GORI'S FINAL DEATH-MATCH
        Japanese title: Saigo no Shitou da Enjin Gori
        Monster: Moggus

63. GOODBYE SPECTREMAN
        Japanese title: Sayounara Spectreman
        Monster: Evil Space Apeman Dr. Gori

BONUS!! Unreleased Episode What Was A Secret!
xx. DON'T SHOOT THAT BUTTERFLY!
        Japanese title: Sono Cho o Utsuna!
        Monster: Butterfly Monster



translations from 70s Special Effects Graphic: Superheroes Album