Video Warrior Laserion
Official DVD cover
ビデオ戦士レザリオン
(Bideo Senshi Rezarion)
GenreAction, adventure, Mecha, science fiction
Created bySaburō Yatsude
Anime television series
Directed byKozo Morishita
Music byMichiaki Watanabe
StudioToei Animation
Licensed by
Original networkTBS
Original run March 4, 1984 February 3, 1985
Episodes45

Video Warrior Laserion (Japanese: ビデオ戦士レザリオン, Hepburn: Bideo Senshi Rezarion) is a Japanese anime television series animated by Toei Animation. It aired on TBS from March 4, 1984, to February 3, 1985. It is also referred to as Rezarion, Laserion and its literal translation Video Senshi Laserion. It was broadcast in Latin America as El Super Lasser.

In South Korea, a pirated version was made based on the Japanese footage and aired under the title Video Ranger 007.[1]

Overview

Story

The anime is set in the future where the Earth is unified under a world government called the Earth Federation; and is centered on young middle school student Takashi Katori and his classmate/best friend/love interest, Olivia Lawrence. Takashi, who began as a mere online game fan, developed a small virtual world with his friend David from New York City, in which they played their robot combat game. They would play by sending data to each other using satellite technology. One day while they were playing, a scientific experiment using the same satellite was being conducted involving teleporting an American plane from New York to Japan. In a freak accident caused by an explosion during a rebellion by people of the moon who attacked Earth, the plane that was converted into digital information was sent to the virtual world while Takashi's robot information was rematerialized into a real robot.

Takashi was arrested, but later the Earth Government discovered that Dr. Godheim, an evil, broken-hearted genius scientist from the Moon (now a sort of abandoned colony with restricted access) was behind the revolt. The government forces Takashi to pilot the virtual robot Laserion and protect the Earth alongside robot pilots Sarah and Charles and their G1 and G2 robots.

Soon things change, due to the entry of an extraterrestrial named Erefan. He has been captured by the Earth forces and brought in to answer their questions about who he is, and what kind of mission he was carrying. But Erefan proves he is benevolent, somehow refusing to talk about his past. But Olivia with her kindness and intellect helps him to express his suppressed recollections, the way was her encouragement to him to draw on a notebook.

It's the arrival of the extraterrestrial Jack Empire makes all things very complicated (episode 26), Erefan reveals he knows them, and a lot about their evil thinking, tactics and goals. Plus he was dragged to the pits, he witnessed their cruelty, and the Jack prime minister in the Hall of Throne. The specific notebook (containing his drawings) where the Jacks are illustrated about their appearances, mecha, and behavior. Everyone sees these images: Blueheim, General Sylvester, Takashi, Olivia, Charles Danner, and Sarah see what he had experienced, thus they realizing the dire danger the Jacks bring. So he enters the Earth mecha forces (particularly on the good side of Takashi, Charles, and Sarah) to help out the people of Earth against the Jacks as the pilot of the newly made G5 robot.

For Takashi as well, the war against the Jacks becomes personal as he and Olivia have fallen in love, only for her father Steve (who has been brainwashed through torture into becoming a Jack minion) to take her away and effectively let her be kidnapped by the Jacks. From Episodes 34 to 42 Takashi and Olivia are thus separated. Takashi follows the Jacks and the Lawrences to Kyoto, then to Africa (the jungles of East Africa and then the Sahara Desert, where Sahara's sister Sofia attempts to help them by blowing up the Jacks' base, only for them to move toward the Moon, as well as an attempt by Olivia to escape with her father, only to be thwarted by Gario, pulled in by her brainwashed father and locked up in a cell in the Jacks' fortress, separating them again). In Episode 42, seeing how Takashi's fury is making Laserion destroy their base and lose a lot of robots, Gario lets her go over Jack grunts' orders and they are reunited.

After several skirmishes and intense fights between Earth and Jack forces (including an ultimate duel between Takashi and Gario on their robots) the Earthlings win the war on the moon and finally rescue all the hostages remaining, including Steve, who is last seen recovering with his daughter's help. Erefan with his space craft in full capacity, thanks to the efforts of the scientists, bids farewell to his Earth friends, and departs for his home world in episode 45.

Laserion

Height: 35 meters; Weight: 200 metric tons.

Being a robot originating in virtual reality, Laserion incorporates various abilities and techniques out of the ordinary for giant robots, including the ability to teleport at will to avoid attacks, and conjure weapons out of nowhere. All weapons are summoned to materialize.

  • Fists: Laserion's hands can both physically and electrically (shock) punch foes and things.
  • Beam Bazooka/Rifle: Laserion's main firearm.
  • Laser Sword: Laserion's means of splitting foes in two. It incorporates Takashi's own Kendo abilities. The handle can also summon a Rod and a Whip.
  • Laser Cutters: Shuriken/throwing stars.
  • Laser Battle Gear: Additional armor gained after Episode 28 to fight against Gario Sabang, a robot from the Jaku Empire built to be a counter to Laserion. Resembling an American football helmet and padding, it increases the power of the existing weapons and adds new ones.

Laserion can also transform into two modes: a jet fighter plane capable of space flight, and a tank. However, the "transformation" is done by disassembling and reassembling Laserion's parts in virtual reality, as opposed to simply folding and locking, as in Transformers and many other such anime robots of the era.

Staff

  • Planner: Itaru Orita, Hiroshi Kominato. (Episodes 1-23), Susumu Yoshikawa (Episodes 24–45)
  • Original Creator: Saburo Yatsude
  • Music by: Michiaki Watanabe
  • Theme Song Writer: Chuumei Watanabe
  • Theme Song Performance Opening "Video Senshi Laserion": Takayuki Miyauchi
  • Theme Song Performance Ending "Heartful Hotline": Kumiko Kaori
  • Character Draft: Shinji Imura
  • Character Design: Hideyuki Motohashi
  • Mechanical Design: Kamio Ohara (Kaname Prodcuton), Akira Hio, Koichi Ohata
  • Planning Cooperation: Momiji Akino, Satoshi Konishi (Y&K)
  • Art Settings: Fumihiro Uchikawa
  • Chief Director: Kozo Morishita
  • In Charge of Production: Tokiji Kabuki
  • Produced by: Toei Animation, Asatsu-DK

Characters

Main protagonists

Japanese Name English Name Voices by
Takashi Katori (香取敬, Katori Takashi)Takashi KatoriTōru Furuya
Olivia Lawrence (オリビア・ローレンス, Oribia Rōrensu)Olivia LawrenceKeiko Han

Earth Federation and other allies

Japanese Name English Name Voices by
Sahara (サハラ, Sahara)SarahEiko Hisamura
Sylvester (シルベスタ, Sirubesutaa)General SylvesterKeiichi Noda
Blueheim (ブルーハイム, Burūhaimu)Dr. BlueheimMasaya Taki
Kensuke Katori (香取研介, Katori Kensuke)Kensuke KatoriEiji Kanie
Yoko Katori (香取容子, Katori Yōko)Yoko KatoriEiko Hisamura
Monroe (モンロー, Monrō)MonroeYoko Kawanami
Charles Danner (チャールズ・ダナー, Chāruzu Danā)Charles DannerNorio Wakamoto
David (デビット, Debitto)DavidYoku Shioya
Steve Lawrence (スチーブ・ローレンス, Suchību Rōrensu)Steve LawrenceKōji Yada
Elefan (エレファン, Erefan)ElephanMichitaka Kobayashi

Rebel Army

Japanese Name English Name Voices by
Godheid (ゴッドハイド, Goddo Haido)Professor GodheidEiji Kanie
Inspire (インスパイア, Insupaia)InspireKatsuji Mori
Eric Sid (エリック・シッド, Erikku Shiddo)Eric SidMichitaka Kobayashi
Katie (ケティ, Keti)Katie SidMasako Katsuki
Rudolf (ルドルフ, Rudorufu)RudolfBanjō Ginga

Jack Empire (ジャーク帝国, Jāku Teikoku)

Japanese Name English Name Voices by
Leader[lower-alpha 1] Prominence (プロミネンス総統, Purominensu Sōtō)ProminenceMasaya Taki
Gario (ギャリオ, Gyario)GarioKatsuji Mori
Geppler (ゲプラー参謀, Gepurā Sanbō)Officer GepplerKōji Yada
Ganymede (ガニメデ, Ganimede)GanymedeNorio Wakamoto
Io (イオ, Io)IoMika Ishizawa
Callisto (カリスト, Karisto)CallistoKōzō Shioya
Jack Emperor (ジャーク大帝, Jāku Taitei)Emperor of the JackEiji Kanie

Episodes

Episode titles Directed by Written by
1. My Dream Robot Game Kozo Morishita Akiyoshi Sakai
2. Fleeing David Hideki Takayama
Keiji Namisato
Takeshi Shudo
3. Don't Cry, Mother Masao Ito Yoshiharu Tomita
4. Don't Let The Death Flower Blossom Toshihiko Arisako Keiji Kubota
5. Letter From The Moon Directed by: Hiromichi Matano
Storyboarded by: Masamune Ochiai
Katsuhisa Nakao
6. Foe? Friend? UFO?? Shigeyasu Yamauchi Katsuhisa Nakao
7. Friendship Melody Masao Ito Keiji Kubota
8. Powerful Enemy! Eric Sid! Kozo Morishita
Keiji Namisato
Hiroshi Okawa
9. Input To Victory Directed by: Hiromichi Matano
Storyboarded by: Kazuhiro Ochi
Yoshiaki Ishikawa
10. The Fragrance Whose Peace Is Sweet Toshihiko Arisako Keiji Kubota
11. Demon's Birthday Shigeyasu Yamauchi Tadashi Matsui
12. So Long, Friend of Thermal Sand Keiji Namisato Keiji Kubota
13. Holiday War Kozo Morishita Takeshi Shudo
14. Running Olivia Directed by: Toshihiko Arisako
Storyboarded by: Kazuhiro Ochi
Haruya Yamazaki
15. Fleeing Victory Directed by: Shigeyasu Yamauchi
Storyboarded by: Kozo Morishita
Katsuhisa Nakao
16. The Nervous Reunion Tadao Okubo Keiji Kubota
17. Mystery of Sid's Disappearance Toshihiko Arisako Keiji Kubota
18. Hello, Transfer Student Shigeyasu Yamauchi Yuho Hanazono
19. Harapeko War Hiromichi Matano Keiji Kubota
20. Black Cloud of Stealth Directed by: Toshihiko Arisako
Storyboarded by: Kazuhiro Ochi
Haruya Yamazaki
21. Special Training For Cover!! Directed by: Keiji Namisato
Storyboarded by: Johei Matsura
Akiyoshi Sakai
22. Laserion Seizure Plan Toshihiko Arisako Haruya Yamazaki
23. When Mars Is Bitten Shigeyasu Yamauchi Shozo Uehara
24. At That Time, Father's Voice... Keiji Namisato Shozo Uehara
25. Rebels on the Spacecraft Johei Matsura Shozo Uehara
26. The Approaching Jack Empire Directed by: Keiji Namisato
Storyboarded by: Yasuo Yamayoshi
Shozo Uehara
27. Death Match of 12 Hours Hiromichi Matano Shozo Uehara
28. Song of Love For Victory Shigeyasu Yamauchi Shozo Uehara
29. The Twin Brothers of Illusion Directed by: Keiji Namisato
Storyboarded by: Nobutaka Nishizawa
Haruya Yamazaki
30. Day of Hawaii Battle Directed by: Masahiro Hosoda
Storyboarded by: Tomoharu Katsumata
Haruya Yamazaki
31. A Solitary Attack Toshihiko Arisako Haruya Yamazaki
32. Desperate Defense Shigeyasu Yamauchi Haruya Yamazaki
33. Great Empire Appears Masao Ito Shozo Uehara
34. Father Who Returns From The Moon Directed by: Masahiro Hosoda
Storyboarded by: Kozo Morishita
Shozo Uehara
35. Dream of the Illusive Monk Toshihiko Arisako Shozo Uehara
36. Fortress in Savanna Directed by: Keiji Namisato
Storyboarded by: Kazuhiro Ochi
Shozo Uehara
37. The Friendship Which Burns in the Desert Shigeyasu Yamauchi Shozo Uehara
38. Golden Pyramid Masao Ito Haruya Yamazaki
39. Emperor Jack, Move!! Toshihiko Arisako Haruya Yamazaki
40. Olivia Rescue Mission Directed by: Keiji Namisato
Storyboarded by: Kazuhiro Ochi
Haruya Yamazaki
41. The Desperate 380,000 Kilometres Directed by: Masahiro Hosoda
Storyboarded by: Kozo Morishita
Haruya Yamazaki
42. Life Or Death Escape Shigeyasu Yamauchi Haruya Yamazaki
43. The Emperor, Arrival At The Moon Directed by: Masahiro Hosoda
Storyboarded by: Tomoharu Katsumata
Shozo Uehara
44. Rebellion Directed by: Keiji Namisato
Storyboarded by: Tomoharu Katsumata
Shozo Uehara
45. Final Countdown Toshihiko Arisako Shozo Uehara

Media

Video Warrior Laserion officially received its first release on DVD on March 11, 2020, in two volumes with a retail price of 22,000 yen (US$202).[2] Volume 1 covered episodes 1-22, while volume 2 covered episodes 23–45.[2][3] The series will have a Blu-ray release in North America in 2021 by Discotek Media.[4]

Notes

  1. The term sōtō (総統) is equivalent to Führer in Nazi Germany or Duce in Fascist Italy

References

  1. "Ziksir".
  2. 1 2 Morrissy, Kim (October 21, 2019). "Video Senshi Lezarion Anime From 1984 Gets Its First DVD Release in 2020". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
  3. "「ビデオ戦士 レザリオン」特集 | 東映ビデオオフィシャルサイト". 20 October 2019.
  4. Pineda, Rafael Antonio (December 14, 2020). "Discotek Licenses Kodocha, KenIchi, Daimos, Black Rock Shooter". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 13, 2021.
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