Trying to Please Everyone: Or Converting multiple Pop Culture Utopias into a Timeline.

[Marco Incognito]

I want to see how euro comics will be handle, specifically bande-dessinee

Thankfully with this new format I'm planning I would be able to touch on more Comics outside the US including French and Belgian, especially with Tintin.

 

[TheDetailer]

What happens to video games in the 2010s and 2020s? Do they suffer any of the problems that are facing the video gaming industry as of today?

 

[Marco Incognito]

There's a lot to unpack here so I'll touch on EA and Bethesda as the main culprits.

For EA, the main POD is the failure of Skate of Die!, dissuading EA from independent work. Trip Hawkins did sign a deal with John Madden but Madden was weary and every game would have to be approved by him, preventing the games from becoming annual. Hawkins did not leave EA and instead tried to launch his 3DO console in their company. Its failure and lacking the Sports license, damages the company, leaving it just weak enough to be on par with the companies it would have bought. EA did fight with Sega over purchasing several rights to Sports companies. The shift in management and different people in charge also further prevents EA from cannibalizing other companies. EA did not gain the Star Wars License ITTL so there is no controversy surrounding Battlefront while Mass Effect Andromeda does not exist ITTL due to Mass Effect Three being a satisfying series finale. DICE did release Battlefield I and ITTL Battlefield II which is set during World War II and is close to Battlefield I's level of quality and did include a Battle Royale mod. Anthem is released as "Beyond" but not on the Frostbyte Engine, leading to most of the OTL cut content remaining. EA took so many hits that by the present day they filed for bankruptcy and went under to much rejoicing.

Bethesda is named "Softwerke" ITTL as the creators wanted the name but it was taken. Softwerke worked with EA on the Madden games, which resulted in a lawsuit that harmed EA. Interplay Entertainment kept Fallout ITTL which resulted in a different game than Fallout 76 being released.

With those two out of the way things are a lot tamer by comparison, even if several of the Problems of the industry remain.

 

[Marco Incognito]

Tarantino approached Abrams about making a potential Star trek film shortly after Star Trek: Enterprise, having his own idea. He'd use the Abrams crew and make essentially a longer episode, where the Enterprise travel to the 1930's. Comparisons were immediately drawn to the episode "A Piece of the Action". Tarantino partnered with Mark L.Smith to write the script. Smith was invited to Tarantino's house to discuss the script and watch gangster movies, both laughing at the bad dialogue. Smith commented that they could include Khan but Tarantino refused as in his head, he saw the films as being prequels to what would become the classic series, not liking to think of it as a reboot. He saw Pine and Quinto as perfect as the Shatner and Nimoy versions and Khan's inclusion would dissuade that notion. Tarantino asked for and got the R rating. A fake Trailer was made using footage from the Original Series in the style of a Grindhouse film with grainy footage.

The plot evolved into a mix of "A Piece of the Action' and "The City on the Edge of Forever". A group of Klingons(led by Samuel L.Jackson as a Klingon) have accidentally discovered the Guardian of Time. The Enterprise confronts them and a battle ensues where the Klingons leap through time. The Klingons attempt to help the Nazis in their conquest, while also helping mobsters to assassinate FDR. Another time period visited is an alternate Nazi Victory Earth in 1962, and then restored to normal with the Klingons shifting their plan to assassinate John F.Kennedy. There are several staples of Tarantino films such as red Apple cigarettes and cameos from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood characters. Tarantino himself plays a Klingon who is shot and killed in a particular gruesome fashion as a malfunctioning Phaser set on Kill basically melts him to a pile of bones and blood red goo.

 

[TheDetailer]

View attachment 735644

Tarantino approached Abrams about making a potential Star trek film shortly after Star Trek: Enterprise, having his own idea. He'd use the Abrams crew and make essentially a longer episode, where the Enterprise travel to the 1930's. Comparisons were immediately drawn to the episode "A Piece of the Action". Tarantino partnered with Mark L.Smith to write the script. Smith was invited to Tarantino's house to discuss the script and watch gangster movies, both laughing at the bad dialogue. Smith commented that they could include Khan but Tarantino refused as in his head, he saw the films as being prequels to what would become the classic series, not liking to think of it as a reboot. He saw Pine and Quinto as perfect as the Shatner and Nimoy versions and Khan's inclusion would dissuade that notion. Tarantino asked for and got the R rating. A fake Trailer was made using footage from the Original Series in the style of a Grindhouse film with grainy footage.

The plot evolved into a mix of "A Piece of the Action' and "The City on the Edge of Forever". A group of Klingons(led by Samuel L.Jackson as a Klingon) have accidentally discovered the Guardian of Time. The Enterprise confronts them and a battle ensues where the Klingons leap through time. The Klingons attempt to help the Nazis in their conquest, while also helping mobsters to assassinate FDR. Another time period visited is an alternate Nazi Victory Earth in 1962, and then restored to normal with the Klingons shifting their plan to assassinate John F.Kennedy. There are several staples of Tarantino films such as red Apple cigarettes and cameos from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood characters. Tarantino himself plays a Klingon who is shot and killed in a particular gruesome fashion as a malfunctioning Phaser set on Kill basically melts him to a pile of bones and blood red goo.

View attachment 735655​

A Quentin Tarantino Star Trek…huh.

 

[Marco Incognito]

A Quentin Tarantino Star Trek…huh.

Tarantino wanted to make it OTL but obviously it didn’t happen.

 

[Marco Incognito]

I needed a break from working on Halo. I think its doing that and Star Trek burning me out on future stuff. so I went back to some old stuff. I'm planning on doing a Year by Year release once I've tackled the big hitters of a genre that would deserve their own page. Here's one for Anime. I went back and changed Anime from 1907 to 1960. Then tweaked an older post to be 1960 to 1964. 1965 is the first year that has enough to devote a post. To limit myself I plan to cover at least ten things per year with some exceptions. For example. A picture for one of these wouldn't work and I'd normally try to give each item a picture to go with it.Movies and TV shows will likely turn into a top ten of the year. Since most of this would likely be same as OTL and seem like a recap of real history, the Notes section will highlight the main differences.

1965 in Anime

Gulliver’s Travels beyond the Moon(1965)
One of the first works by Toei Animation to depart from Asian mythology. The film featured a homeless boy named Ted who is a fan of a film based on Gulliver’s travels, which he sneaks into a theatre to see. In the trash he meets a talking dog and a clockwork toy soldier. They end up meeting an elderly Professor Gulliver, now a professor, who is inventing a rocket ship, which takes them to a planet in which they battle an evil Queen and a purple planet and overthrow her. It is revealed to be a dream. The boy had, the dog cannot talk and the toy soldier is not sentient. However, the three walk down the street looking for more adventures. Despite the film intended for an international audience, it was to date a bigger success than any film focusing on Asian Mythology before it. Fred Ladd once more worked towards promoting it in the US, nabbing Darla Hood of Our Gang fame to play the film’s princess. Ladd when he could tries to get celebrity voices to help better sell the film in the West[1]While Hayao Miyazaki had worked on films for Toei before, this film and his work on the ending stood out to the Higher ups at Toei, resulting in them sitting up and paying attention to the younger animator.

The Wonder Three(1965-1966)
By Osamu Tezuka, the Galactic Federation sends three agents to Earth to determine if the planet is a threat and should be destroyed. The agents take the form of a Squirrel, a horse, and a Duck and befriend a young boy. Behind the scenes an event known as “The Zoran incident” occurred in which the planned series Space Boy Zoran featured a squirrel named Chip too similar to Tezuka Wonder Three character of Bokko. Chip was renamed to Hopps and became a Rabbit instead. Space Boy Soran was moved to Weekly Shonen Sunday instead of Weekly Shonen Magazine where the Wonder Three was published[2].

Space Boy Zoran(1965-1967)
Dr.Tachibana invented a powerful antiproton bomb and fled with his family from Earth. His spaceship is almost destroyed but his two children are rescued by aliens. His son is adopted by the aliens known as the Zoran a name which he takes(i.e. in the alien language they are calling him one of them). Zoran is turned into a cyborg. He learns his sister also survived and goes to Earth to look for her, befriending the scientist Dr.Kotsuki, his daughter Mika and his pet rabbit Hopps.

Super Jetter(1965-1966)
Super Jetter is a hero from the 30th century accidentally sent back in time, where he begins to use his advanced technology to fight crime. The series was released in black and white but when it aired in the US it was colorized by the distributors. Those colorized episodes were then aired back in Japan. Which became a common practice.

Space Ace(1965-1966)
Space Ace followed the adventures of the titular young alien child as he has adventures in the cosmos.

Planet Boy Papi(1965-1966)
A Black and White series. Planet Boy Papi was a heavily merchandised show. Its plot was similar to the the Wonder Three where the Universal Peace Corps came to Earth to determine if it was worthy of joining the interplanetary alliance, while battling both human and alien threats. Many of the same staff on the US dubbing side worked on the Wonder Three and the series was seen as a “boy version” of that show, who’s cute animal designs led to it appealing to girls while “PBP” merchandise such as sneakers. Appealed to boys. The US release had two huge problems, the first was the fade out of monochromatic shows and the cost of colorization while another was the violence as Plant Boy Papi was not above killing his enemies, which was often uncensored.

Obake no Q-Taro(1965-1967)
The series followed a ghost named Q-Taro who lived with the Ohara family. Q-Taro likes to cause mischief by scaring or pranking people though he is afraid of Dogs. The show was a huge hit, especially Among children and for being grounded in everyday life. Pac-Man creator Toru Iwatani has credited the show for inspiring the design for the Pac-Man ghosts. Many Japanese fans believe the American Cartoon “The Ghost and Molly McGee” to be an American remake of the series, or at least will say it "Has its spirit".

Jungle Emperor Leo(1965-1967)
Based on the Manga created by Osamu Tezuka of the same name that ran from 1950 to 1954. This series began by following the White Lion Panja, who projects the Jungle. Hunters kidnap his pregnant mate and use her to lure him into a trap. He chooses a name for his unborn child: Leo, before he is killed. The pregnant mate is then brought on a boat t be transported but gives birth. The cub, Leo is able to slip through the bars. When the ship crashes, he clings onto his mother's cage for safety as she drowns. After being a drift for some time he reaches Africa and makes his way back to the jungle. Leo interacts with humans and then vows to bring civilization to the jungle, seeing it as the only way humans and the Animals can live in peace. Leo grows up in the series into an adult, along the way he battles rival animals, the elements, and human antagonists. The English Dub kept the names and aired the series as Leo the White Lion[3]

Dolphin Prince(1965-1966)
Developed by the company Terebi Doga. The series was set in the future and the titular hero was a member of the Ocean Patrol, tasked with protecting the seas. Three Episodes were filmed in black and white with Terebi Doga intent on turning it into a series in color to maximize its artistic and commercial value Color was still rare due to how expensive the process was and many Japanese networks had not yet converted due to the high costs. It usually only occurred if a US distributor was obtained which would then colorize the show. FujiTV had done this with Jungle Emperor Leo thanks to NBC distributing. FujiTV was reluctant due to the success of the Monochrome show Harris’ Whirlwind but signed off when Stanley R.Jaffe of the US. Distributor Seven Arts Television agreed to distribute and also colorize the show provided 78 episodes were released. The show aired after Harris’ Whirlwind at 7:30pm, riding the wave of its popularity. Ironically its popularity would later surpass Harris’ Whirlwind[4].

Hustle Punch(1965-1966)
Hustle Punch centered on three animals, a Bear, a Mouse and a Weasel who live in a junkyard and thwart the plans of the evil Professor Gagari.

Takakae! Osper(1965-1967)
Known in English as Fight! Osper! The Series revolved around the survivors of the Sunken city of Mu, who built a dome to protect themselves. Two boys named Osper and Drome are discovered to be psychic and a battle between the two is held to determine which is stronger. Osper wins but Drome destroys the surviving city of Mu in revenge and flees to the surface. Osper then has to prevent Drome from destroying the surface world as well.

NOTES
[1] OTL Gulliver’s Travels beyond the Moon did not due well in the west and would be the last Japanese Animated Film to be released there until 1978’s Metamorphoses. ITTL, Japanese films will continue to see distribution in the US.

[2] OTL The production of Space Boy Soran featured a Squirrel named Chip that was similar to Tezuka’s at the time in progress creation of the Wonder Three. Tezuka was the one that changed Bokko into a rabbit. Here due to a swapped production order, the Wonder Three is released first and Space Boy Suran has to change the character instead, and The Wonder Three was moved to Weekly Shonen Sunday. Also there's no picture for Wonder Three as all the ones I could find depicted Bokko as a rabbit as OTL.

[3] The English Dub not changing the name means the name Kimba does not exist ITTL, somewhat cushioning the potential Lion King controversy. The series OTL has a sequel called Onward Leo! which is simply part of the same series ITTL rather than a separate one.

[4] Dolphin Prince, which OTL became Marine Boy when distributed at request of the US distributor, was screwed over twice by Harris’ Whirlwind. The first was that show’s success and it being in black and white led to FujiTV declining the more expensive colorized Dolphin Prince. The second time was when it did find a distributor in TBS, it bombed hard because it was airing opposite the still popular Harris’ Whirlwind. Here due to finding the same OTL distributor much earlier, FujiTV accepts the show and airs it after the more successful show. Ironically, the show that killed it OTL saves its life ITTL by bringing in viewers who stuck around after the show ended.​

 

[Marco Incognito]

The Covenant(2001)​

The Video Game company Bungie was founded in 1991 by Alex Seropian and programmer Jason Jones. Jones completed a fame called Minotaur: The Labyrinths of Crete. The two focused on making Macintosh games due to the market being smaller, allowing for less competition. They would eventually created the game Monkey Nuts(OTL it was renamed to Blam! after the creator couldn't say the title to his mother). Monkey Nuts was set on the world of Solipsis which was a ringworld. After Monkey Nuts was released in 1999, the focus shifted to a third person action game and then a mix of third and first person. Bungie had previously released the first person shooter Marathon series and even another Strategy game in the Myth series. The new game employed the ability to hijack vehicles. It was decided to announce the game at E3. Mere days before the announcement, the developers still lacked a title. Many were suggested and a firm was hired to come up with names. They came up with the name Covenant. The name Halo was also suggested but many didn't like that name, saying that it sounded like a women's shampoo. The staff ultimately settled on The Covenant.

The game's premise centered on a transport ship crashlanding on a mysterious planet with a metal ring. The team leader is Master Chief, who commands his squad, who appear to be the titular Covenant until the aliens of the same name appear, making it clear from their reactions that this is first contact. Gameplay using the squad involves Strategy game tactics mixed with third person shooter elements. The planet also has deadly fauna such as Dinosaur like creatures. The Squad discovers from scientists that the Covenant are seeking a planetary relay known as Halo. The ancient race known as the Forerunners built Halo to stop a parasitic life destroying race called the Flood. Commander Jacob Keyes reveals to Master Chief he was experimented on with Forerunner DNA, turning him into a Super soldier. Keyes accidentally releases the Flood, the species imprisoned on the planet that now that they are released threaten all life. The Halo Array can be used to destroy them at the cost of killing another species. The Covenant intend to use the Halo Array to wipe out humanity. In a twist near the end of the game, the entirety of the squad is killed except for Master Chief and his AI Cortana. The game then becomes single player as Master Chief, the sole survivor fights the Covenant as they try to claim Halo. Chief refuses to wipe out the Covenant and instead attempts to sacrifices himself to stop its activation. The device ends up registering the Forerunner DNA inside Chief. It is revealed via an AI that the Forerunners were an early precursor to Humanity. Chief's Forerunner DNA is destroyed it, meaning Master Chief survives but loses his superhuman abilities, becoming a normal human. Master Chief and Cortana are rescued and are implied to go on to new adventures.

The game included Multiplayer on Xbox Live and an open world, though arrows were added for story missions, of which there are 25. The Covenant was shown at E3 in June 2000. In dire straits at the time, Microsoft bought Bungie with the plan to release The Covenant as the tentpole launch of the Xbox. Two ideas pitched during the creation process would be repurposed into the later games. Upon release The Covenant was a massive hit. Now considered one of the greatest games of all time.

The Covenant II(2003)​

While not planned, a sequel was inevitable after the first game's success. Like its predecessor the creation process proved rough, forcing Jason Jones and Alex Seropian to cancel their departures and vacations to see it completed. Multiplayer was kept on for as long as possible due to many fans still playing on Xbox Live. One new element was two types fo gameplay, strategy or first person with squads of Spartans or Covenant Elites. The first person mode was called Warfare Mode.

The game's story begins with the trial of the Covenant Elite, who served as the final boss of the first game. He is given the chance to gain the title of Arbiter. The Covenant launch a full scale invasion of Earth, where half of the game takes place, as Master Chief travels across various futuristic but apocalyptic cities from New York, Tokyo, France, London, Johannesburg, Beijing and others. Chief collects weapon upgrades and augmentations throughout the game including a Forerunner tank and several special Covenant species that serves as bosses, as well as being able to control drop pods and reinforcements. The High Prophets release the Flood on the Planet, forcing Master Chief and Cortana to head back to Halo with the plan of using it to destroy the Covenant and save Earth. Halo is crawling with the Covenant and Cortana is corrupted by the Flood and begins to attack him. The Flood is revealed to be the corrupted remains of the Forerunners and speak via Cortana, of how they view both Humanity and the Flood as beyond saving and seek to destroy both. Part of the story now being taken up by a new player character, the Arbiter. In the end, Master Chief and the Arbiter came together to defeat the Prophets on Earth when they are revealed to have released the Flood, which the Arbiter cannot forgive. He also learns Humanity's connection to the Forerunners and Master Chief's actions to risk his own life to save the Covenant in the previous game and this motivates his change. They then head to Halo and bring it into Earth's orbit, using the planet's defenses to devastate the Flood. As the Covenant forces and the Prophets engage Chief and Arbiter in battle, Master Chief reveals his intent to stop the threat and teleports the exploding planet Halo away, where it goes off in a blast. The Covenant is forced to retreat due to the immense destruction they suffered and Master Chief is mourned, though he is revealed in a post credit scene to be alive. Unfortunately, Cortana is also alive and flashes red for a moment, implying they are still under Flood control.

Gameplay wise. More vehicles like the Warthog and ATVs were added. To promote the game an Alternate Reality Game called I Love Bees was released, a website about Beekeepers which appeared to be hacked by an AI from the future trying to fix itself with 3 million players participating. The game was also a mega hit upon release.

The Covenant III(2006)​

Like the Second game, Jason Jones and Joseph Statten cancelled vacations to work on it and Bungie, dissatisfied with Microsoft's ownership, made a deal to depart and keep the Covenant License to prevent Microsoft from releasing Covenant games without their involvement. The first Cinematic trailer was shown at E3 in 2005. The game's plot took Master Chief across different planets battling the Covenant while the corrupted Cortana tries to free the Flood in a conclusion to the series. Master Chief and the Arbiter also battle the Guardians in a boss battle. Master Chief finally succeeds in freeing Cortana and the Arbiter vows to reform Covenant society towards peaceful coalition following the end of the war. Unfortunately, Master Chief himself is left stranded on the planet Reach as it is about to be glassed to permanently destroy the remaining Covenant forces there. The player as Master Chief is given one objective: Survive. The player then controls Master Chief fighting endless swarms of enemies from the ship. When he loses health his last act is to activate the bomb. His allies plead him to evacuate but he insists he is "Finishing the Fight" before the bomb is set off, ending the franchise in a bittersweet moment and one of gaming's most tragic deaths[1].

The Covenant(2009 Film)​

Produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Neil Blomkamp. The Live Action film adapted the first game though put more focus on the Arbiter, ultimately including elements from later installments such as the two teaming up to stop the Flood's release by Keyes and the Prophet. While fairly self contained, it was a hit, with the effects being greatly praised. Bungie rereleased several the first three games together to help promote the film[2].

Notes

[1] Most of the modern OTL Halo Games Post 2010, were not made by Bungie but other companies and included elements cut from the First two Halo Games that have been added back in ODST focused on the cut focus on combat on Earth while including the Squad combat cut from the first game. Reach has been butterflied away as has Halo: Wars and games not made by Bungie since they own the license ITTL and have not made a new Halo game since 2010. As such here the series concludes with three entries. As a consequence of this, the emotional end of Reach hits much harder as it is the death of Master Chief instead.

[2] The Covenant Films may be touched on at a later time. I'd need some time to find Directors and release dates and that can wait so there's one film for now. In case you're wondering, no, Master Chief's face is never seen throughout the entire series even in live action. OTL the Halo Film was cancelled and became OTL's District 9, which does not exist ITTL...sort of...It was a short film before it was adapted by Blomkamp.

Red vs Blue still exists ITTL

​

 

[Marco Incognito]

I have found I can knock these out much faster. This one actually covers two years as I didn't have much to cover for 1966.

1966-1967 in Anime

Osamatsu-kun(1966-1967)
Based on the comedy manga by Fujio Akatsuka that ran from 1962 to 1969 and won the Shogakukan Manga Awards[1]. The series followed a group of mischievous identical sextuplets. The Series established Akatsuki as a gag manga artist. The same animation would often be used six times due to how similar the protagonists looked.

Rainbow Sentai Robin(1966-1967)
Created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei Douga. It was the first anime to depict a 5 person team. Hayao Miyazaki was a key animator on several episodes. In the show, the Planet Palta is facing destruction in two years and attacks the Earth to obtain resources and take it over to provide a new home. A young boy named Robin learns his father was an alien from Palta named Dr.Polto that fell in love with a human woman named Sumiko and stayed on Earth. Robin’s parents are abducted back to Palta and he is joined by Dr.Polto’s robot creations in fighting the people of Palta to rescue his parents.

Harris No Kase(1966-1967)
Known as Harris’s Wind in English. The Anime revolving around a young boy named Kunimatsu Ishida who got into fights and was constantly expelled from schools until he entered Harris Academy where the principal convinced him to try various sports teams as a way to vent his anger, leading the boy to become a great athlete.

Cyborg 009(1966)
Based on the Manga by Shotato Ishinomori that ran from 1964 to 1981. nine people are abducted by the evil Black Ghost Organization, led by the evil Skull. They are turned into cyborgs before the scientist Dr.Isaac Gilmore helps them escape. They then vow to oppose Black Ghost and other threats to the world. Released in the US as Cyborg 9. The series premiered with a film before being followed by a TV show. Several more films would be released for the series afterwards.

Robotan(1966-1968)
The Series revolves around a household robot. The show was produced by Daiko Advertising. The Manga by Kenji Morita aired at the same time.It aired on Fuji TV and was also colorized.

Sally the Witch(1966-1968)
Based on the Manga created by Mitsuteru Yokoyama that ran from 1966 to 1967. Sally the Witch revolved around a Teenage Witch Princess who is accidentally transported to the mortal world, where she befriends teenagers Yoshiko Hanamura and Sumire Kasugano. Like in the american show Bewitched, she must keep her powers hidden while living a normal life. In the Series finale she must return him and reveals her abilities to her friends. They don't believer her until she saves the school from a fire with her powers. She then says goodbye and leaves Earth. The show enjoyed a success akin to that of Hannah Barbera Characters in the West.

Jack and the Witch(1967)
A film by Tōei Dōga. Jack and the Witch is about a young boy who meets a girl that is later discovered to be a witch named Allegra and brings him to her world where Jack is forced to fight to survive and defeat the evil Witch. Allegra is reformed by the story's end and becomes more human, preventing the film from a potential side effect of portraying an evil witch during a popular example of a good Witch due to Sally the Witch's popularity at the time[2].

Ōgon Bat(1967)
Known as Golden bat in English. Ōgon Bat is possibly the first Superhero. Originally debuting in 1931. Created by 16 year old Takeo Nagamatsu and 25 year old Suzuki Ichiro and named after the Golden Bat cigarette brand. Inspired by drawings of mythological figures. At the time he appeared in Kamishibai, a traveling show using pictures and a storyteller. The character was so popular that he survived the end of Kamishibai and made the transition smoothly into Manga, even being written by Osamu Tezuka, and finally into anime in 1967. His origin was retold for a new generation, animated for the first time. He was a being from Atlantis sent into his future and our present to battle evil, including his evil counterpart the Dark Bat and the evil Dr.Erich Nazo. In the Anime Film, The Golden Bat was voice dby legendary actor and Martial Artist Sonny Chiba[3].

Perman(1967-1970)
Perman is a comedy manga about a boy Superhero created by the duo of Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motoo Abiko, known together as Fujiko Fujio. The series was aired in black and white and then transitioned to color. It was podcast on TBS.

Mach Go Go Go(1967-1968)
Based on the Manga created by Tatsuo Yoshida that ran from 1966 to 1968, based on his love for Racing and cars fueled by films like Viva Las Vegas and Goldfinger, both popular films in Japan at the time. The title is a triple pun. Mach Go referring to the main character's car, the Mach 5, Go referring to protagonist Go Mifune, and the english word Go, as well as sounding like a car engine rumbling. The series depicted the exploits of the titular hero, Go Mifune in his advanced car as he participates in several major races, often being forced to battle criminals, who are normally after the Mach 5, his father's work, or seek to eliminate Mifune himself. The show boasted a strong supporting cast including Mifune's father, his girlfriend Trixie Tang and the Mysterious Masked Racer, who may or may not be Mifune's long lost brother who allegedly died in a crash during a dangerous race[4].

Princess Comet(1967-1968)
A Magical Girl series by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, creator of Tetsuji-28-go. The series dealt with a magical girl from a distant nebula searching for their long lost love on Earth. The series was in live action and ran for two seasons. [5].

Princess Knight(1967-1968)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1954 to 1956. At the time Tezuka was already famous for Jungle Emperor Leo in 1950 and The Mighty Atom in 1952 and was asked by his editor if he could write something for girls. He took inspiration from the Takarazuka Revue. An all women group who reenected myths, Western stories and plays, including impersonating men. His mother was a fan of Takarazuka and he often watched the shows as a child. He created the character of Sapphire and created the character of Think, modeled after Puck in Takarazuka’s version of A Midsummer Knight’s Dream’s version of the story. Sapphire is a Princess in a Medieval setting who is forced to pretend to be a prince due to the next in line being an evil man named Duke Duralumin. The angel Tink helps Sapphire keep her disguise. Sapphire is shown to develop a type of split personality representing their two genders. Among the adventures the two have are fighting Satan, gaining the help of the seemingly evil but actually kind Hecate and masquerading as a Zorro sequel vigilante. She also gets involved with Franz Charming a Prince who loves her in her Princess guise, is friends with her Prince disguise and hates het costumed vigilante identity. In the finale, the secret villain Mr.X, the boss of Duke Duralumin, is able to enter the castle with his help only to kill the Duke and seize power. Sapphire tries to save the King and Queen but fails and they are killed in front of her. A final battle ensued due which Tink is killed. Sapphire takes a sword slash meant for Franz which cuts her armor in half, causing it to fall off, revealing the deception. Sapphire is ultimately able to kill Mr.X. In the epilogue she is accepted and marries Franz while Tink is revealed to have gained his wings thanks to his self sacrifice. Princess Knight aired in the US on NBC and became a feminist icon at the time. Nowadays many argue she was transgender, which many in Japan find offensive as it foes against the series narrative and Tezuka's intentions[6].

Ora Buzura Dado(1967-1968)
Translated to “Hey! I’m Guzura, also known as Gazula the amicable Monster. A Comedy manga series about a short child sized friendly monster who hatches from an egg recovered from a volcano. The creature in question resembles a red Godzilla with a horn on its nose, a bowtie and a top hat. The character was quite popular at the time.

NOTES

[1] Shogakukan Manga Award Winners OTL:​

1955: Butan, Noboru Baba
1956: Oyama No Kaba-chan, Eijo Ishida
1957: Manga Seminar on Biology and Biiko-chan, Osamu Tezuka
1958: Little Black Sambo and Shiawase no Ōji, Tarō Senba
1959: Korisu no Pokko, Jirō Ōta and Bonko-chan and Fuichin-san, Toshiko Ueda(Tie).
1960: No award Given
1961: Science-kun no Sekai Ryokō, Reiji Aki
1962: Susume Roboketto and Tebukuro Tecchan, Fujio Fujiko.
1963: Fight Sensei and Stop! Nii-chan, Hisashi Sekitani
1964: Osomatsu-kun, Fuji Akatsuka
1965: Paki-chan to Ganta, Kazuo Maekawa

Shogakukan Manga Award Winners ITTL:
​

1955: Princess Knight, Osamu Tezuka
1956: Tetsujin 28-go, Mitsuteru Yokoyama
1957: Phoenix: Rome, Osamu Tezuka
1958: Twin Knight, Osamu Tezuka(The sequel to Princess Knight following Sapphire’s Twin children).
1959: GeGeGe no Kitarō, Shigeru Mizuki
1960: Captain Ken, Osamu Tezuka
1961: Judo Boy, Yasuo Yoshida
1962: Osomatsu-kun, Fuji Akatsuka
1963: 8 Man, Mazumasa Hirai and Jiro Kuwata
1964: Cyborg 009, Shotaro Ishinomori
1965: Wonder 3, Osamu Tezuka

[2] While Jack and the Witch faced no problems with this OTL. Similar events have happened. For example, the release of John Carpenter's The Thing so close to E.T. hurt that film's performance as people were thinking of a friendly alien and so a film depicting a monstrous won didn't do as well.

[3] Sonny Chiba OTL passed away in 2021 due to complications from Covid-19. Due to the pandemic being contained he would still be alive as of 2022 ITTL.

[4] The original Title of Mach Go Go Go being kept means the name Speed Racer doesn’t exist ITTL. The theme song is slightly different but no less memorable:
​

Here he comes
There's Go Migune
He's a demon on wheels
He's a demon and he's gonna be chasin' after someone.

He's gainin' on you so you better look alive.
He's busy revvin' up the powerful Mach 5.

And when the odds are against him
And there's dangerous work to do
You bet that Go Mifune
Will see it through.

Go Mifune
Go Mifune
Go Mifune, Go!

He's off and flyin' as he guns the car around the track
He's jammin' down the pedal like he's never comin' back
Adventure's waitin' just ahead.

Mach Go Go Go
Mach Go Go Go
Mach Go Go Go Go!

(The singer holds on the last Go. The song has a fun way of emphasizing the Mach in the last verse of the song)

[5] OTL Princess Comet became an Anime after it was Live Action. ITTL it remained Live Action. It's kept on here because it was an Anime OTL.

[6]Princess Knight’s dub was delayed until the 1970’s due to the “Sex Switch” angle and released as the renamed “Choppy and the Princess”. ITTL the difference is more mental rather than magical, which also makes Princess Knight more of a feminist icon. As a result, the series popularity is on par with Jungle Emperor Leo and The Mighty Atom in the West as well. The discourse over Princess Knight being Transgender ITTL is similar to the belief that Mulan is Transgender, which many Chinese fans of the character find offensive. That's a whole can of worms but the short story is that it implies that a girl who acts a way that is perceived as masculine must therefore be "a boy trapped in a girl's Body" which can come off as Sexist. That's all I will say about that. I only brought it up because such a discussion is bound to happen when the show is released in the 1960's US ITTL.​

 

[Marco Incognito]

1968 in Anime

The World of Hans Christian Anderson(1968)
A Japanese-American film revolving around Hans Christian Anderson as a child encountering the characters that he will one day write about as an adult. Released By Toei Doga. The film was largely seen as an Ok kid’s film that would satisfy the small children. The film was dubbed by Hal Roach studios, named after its founder Hal Roach Sr, a studio known for “Coloring” films and TV[1]

Star of the Giants(1968-1971)
A Manga that ran from 1966 to 1971. The series follows the real life Yomiuri Giants but features mostly fictional characters. The Yomiuri Group at the time owned the newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun and the Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation. The series followed young baseball player Hyūma Hoshi as he rose to fame. His father was a baseball player who was forced to retire after being injured in World War II and was brutal towards Hyūma and his sister Akiko. Real life Baseball players who appear(and voice themselves) include Tetsuharu Kawakami and Masaichi Kaneda. The show was immensely popular, due to the popularity of baseball(America redubbed the series as focusing on the New York Giants). Baseball Player Ichiro Suzuki claimed the Anime was very similar to his own childhood. It also received an Indian Remake called Suraj: The Rising Star, though it switched Baseball for Cricket.

Akane-Chan(1968)
Translated to “Little Miss Akane”. The Show began in Monochrome in 1968 as a Toei production and released on Fuji TV. The Anime was intentionally slice of lice, similar to My Neighbor Totoro.

The Sun Above Chikisani(1968)
Based upon a story told by the Ainu people of Hokkaido. The film was made with the intent of being aimed at an adult audience. The film was directed by Isao Takahata. At the time Animated films by Toei lasted 8 to 10 months but Takahata’s perfectionism delayed the film from a 1965 release until 1968. Hayao Miyazaki was also heavily involved in the production and he and Takahata would work together again for almost 50 years after the film. Takahata had invited the animators and story boarders to pitch ideas and Miyazaki was one of the most outspoken. The film was the most expensive made at the time at 100 Million Yen or $278,000 US dollars. Equivalent to $2,200,000 in 2021).

The film depicts a young boy who begins by fleeing from a pack of wolves. He accidentally wakes up a sleeping stone Giant. The Giant feels a pain and asks the boy to remove the splinter annoyer him after he helps save him, only for it to turn out to be a giant sword which the boy asks to keep after removing. The giant claims the weapon is the Sword of the Sun and though its broken, the Giant promises that if the sword is reforged h will come to help him. The boy returns to his village and finds his father dying. The village is under attack by an evil Ice Devil. The boy finds a young girl being controlled by the Ice Wizard and tries to free her, going on a quest through an enchanted forest to defeat the Wizard, free the girl and reforge the Sword. In the end, the boy returns home as the Ice Devil attacks. The Villagers start a fire to barricade the village during the final battle, which the boy uses tor forge the sword. The complete sword is held up and reflects light from the sun. The Giant arrives, keeping his promise and helps defeat a monster summoned by the Ice Devil while the Boy fights the Ice Devil himself on the Stone Giant’s back. When the Ice Devil is defeated, the Boy saves the girl and she is freed.

Upon release, the film was a commercial and critical success. Many American and British critics expressed their belief that Japan was now a powerhouse that has surpassed Disney following the film’s release. Toei removed the film after only 10 days. It is unclear why but its theorized to be either an oversight or revenge as Miyazaki and Takahata were forming a union. Both men left the company to find their own with most of the staff. The film was still a massive hit despite its short time in theaters. In fact what contributed to its success was advertisements by the crew about how you should “See it in theaters before it’s gone” and its release internationally, where Toei had no control and it ran longer. Miyazaki, Takahata and Yoichi Katabe departed the studio and would find their own Studio: Studio Ghibli [2].

GeGeGe no Kitarō(1968-1969)
Kitaro began life in 1933 as a Kamishibai story by Masami Itō (伊藤正美) and illustrated by Keiyō Tatsumi (辰巳恵洋). This version was called Hakaba Kitarō (墓場奇太郎ハカバキタロー, "Kitarō of the Graveyard”). The story borrowed heavily from many Japanese folk tales and legends. In 1954, Shigeru Mizuki was asked to continue the series. The design was changed due when the original story was published in manga but seen as too scary for children. It was therefore changed into the known version which ran from 1960 to 1969. It then appeared in Shonen Magazine after an editor saw the Manga and offered Mizuki a contract. The series was made by Toei and airs don Fuji TV with Mizuki’s direct involvement. The series followed a boy who’s two parents are killed shortly before he is to be born. He is born anyway from his mother’s corpse. His father attempted a spell to keep himself alive but this failed and he essentially possessed his own eye, which gained a small body and now walks around, often doing odd things such as bathing in tea. Kitaro himself would lose an in one adventure and his father would at times replace it. In the present day, the. Modern Kitaro story is a normal person in Japan encounters a Yokai from Japanese mythology that causes problems. Kitaro arrives to help and expels the danger. The series is often praised for its extensive research into Japanese mythology with some stories even including creatures from other mythologies that were also well researched such as Vampires or the Baba Yaga. It was translated into English as Ghost boy Kitaro, despite that not being exactly accurate.

Dokachin the Primitive Boy(1968-1969)
An Anime by Tatsunoko Productions. The series depicts a scientist accidentally bringing a chunk of land from the past, which includes Cavemen and Dinosaurs. It is played for comedy.

Sabu to Ichi Torimono Hikae(1968-1969)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1966 to 1967. The Manga won the 1968 Shogakukan Manga Award. Translated to English as Sabu and Ichi’s Detective Stories. It aired on NET and was a period drama series. The main character are investigator Sabu and his blind master Ichi(while not confirmed, implied to be beloved film character Zatoichi).

Humanoid Monster Bem(1968-1969)
Released on Fuji TV. The series follows three yoke named Ben, Bela and Belo, who come to a city plagued by evil monsters and Yokai and decide to become its defenders even as human fear and hate them for their appearance.

Dororo(1968-1969)
Based on the Manga by Osamu Tezuka that ran from 1967 to 1969. The series follows a ronin who was born limbless and missing facial features and internal organs. His father made a deal with Demons and granted the Demons 48 parts of his son in exchange for power. The baby was put in a basket that was sent down the river by his mother Nui no Kata He was found by Jukai-sensei, an alchemist who was able to build artificial body parts to replace those Dororo lacked. Dororo left home as Demons were attacking his adopted father trying to get him, attracted to him like a moth to a flame. Dororo goes out to hunt the Demons. Each time he kills one. His false body part falls off and the true organ magically regrows, leading to moments of body horror. After a Demon is killed text informs the reader how many Demons are left. Dororo meets a boy on his quest named Hyakkimaru, who joins him after Demons kill his family. Hyakkimaru is eventually revealed to be a girl. The Final boss of the series is Dororo’s own father, now transformed into a Demon. The show gained a massive following in the US[3].

Sazae-San(196
Based on the manga created by Machiko Hasegawa, one of the first female Mangaka. The manga ran from 1946 to 1974, originally seeing print in Newspapers. A slice of life Manga where real life events inspired the plot, such as the protagonist moving to Tokyo because Hasegawa got a job to continue the strip in a Newspaper in that city. The Manga also tackled current issues. The series ended in 1974 when Hasegawa chose to retire, concluding with an older Sazae, now a mother and grandmother, retiring. The series revolved around Sazae, who had an interest in Western culture and loved horses, living in then post-war Japan and watching the world change around her. Her neighbors usually disapprove of her attitude and actions, including early Feminism. The Anime series continues to run, making it the longer running animated series[4].

NOTES
[1] OTL Roach Sr passed his studio to his son Roach Jr in 1955 when he retired and his son then ran it to the ground and it filed for bankruptcy in 1961. Roach Sr came back to try and save it but by then it was too late. The World of Hans Christian Anderson was the last film they worked on. ITTL Roach Sr held off on his retirement largely due to the entirely new market of Japanese companies wanting their Black and White series made into color. Him remaining in the business is not impossible since he was still active for decades afterwards and considered returning to comedy at 96. He died in 1992 at 100 years old. Fitting someone named Roach would take a long time to die.

[2]OTL the film’s story was moved to Scandinavia and he characters renamed. ITTL the story is kept in Hokkaido, its original setting and so the names do not change. Partly why the characters names are not mentioned ITTL as what those named would have been are lost with the film crew likely coming up with new ones. OTL the film’s titled were The Great Adventure of Horus: Prince of the Sun, or The Little Norse Prince. OTL it was in theaters for only 10 days due to Toei pulling it despite its success and leading it to be a failure. As stated theorized reasons why are either stupidity or a dislike for the creators as Miyazaki and Takahata organized a worker’s union. ITTL the film is saved due to the overseas market, mainly America. OTL no Japanese theatrical Animated film was released in the country until 1978, which is not the case here.

Myazaki and Takahata both formed Studio Ghibli much later in 1985 OTL, meaning Studio Ghibli has formed 17 years earlier ITTL. Fittingly Horus, Prince of the Sun is considered an unofficial Studio Ghibli film to some OTL. ITTL Toei’s actions in alienating Miyazaki and Takahata and their founding of Studio Ghibli is seen as one of the great “ hoist by their own Petard” moments in in Anime, similar to Nintendo’s rejection of Sony leading them to swear revenge and create the Playstation, which does not happen OTL. Miyazaki and Takahata OTL left the company in 1973 and simply went to another while here they found their own much earlier. As for Ghibli, I originally considered naming it something like “Prince of the Sun” based on the success of their first film but since Miyazaki and Takahata don’t own that film it would be unlikely to be used. Ghibli is kept. It was Miyazaki’s idea and means “Wind” in Italian, meant to symbolize Studio Ghibli being a changing wind for Anime. A statement even more true here as its founding gives the largely unchallenged Toei direct competition and represents a “For the Art” element over Toei’s more business focused approach.

[3] The name of the two main characters are swapped ITTL. The pilot was released at this point with the series following. The popularity of the series ITTL is alluding to the OTL popularity of Demon Slayer. Dororo and Tanjiro, protagonists of both series in face off in an episode of the web series Death Battle, with their respective companions also joining the fight. Dororo ITTL has some elements from the 2019 remake that greatly improve the story. For example Dororo regaining a body part plays a role in the plot. When he regains his ears he suddenly struggles with sound and falls in love with a woman because her singing voice is the first pleasant thing he hears until she is murdered and he flies into a rage. Hyakkimaru is trapped under a rock and Dororo lacks arms and cannot lift the rock until he gets them, and so on.

[4] I had a free space here as I usually make at least 10 entries. As such Sazae-san was moved to debuting a year earlier. This means the longest running animated series has now been running even longer…by one year.​

 

[Marco Incognito]

1969 in Anime

Himitsu no Akko-chan(1969-1970)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1963 to 1969 by Fujiko Akatsuka. Translated in English as “The Secrets of Akko”. The Anime adaptation was done by Toei and broadcast on NET. The series follows Atsuko Kagami, a girl who discovers a magic mirror given to her by mother that grants her magical abilities. The series has an interesting relationship with Sally the Witch. The Manga was released before Sally’s but the Anime was adapted second. Making Akko-chan the first Magical girl in Manga but Sally the first magical girl in Anime. Ironically, when Akko-chan was adapted, promotions for the series had Sally the Witch appear and promote Akko-chan’s show, calling Akko-chan a friend of hers.

The Wonderful World of Puss ’n Boots(1969)
A film directed by Kimio Yabuki. Based on the European Fairy Tale, though it includes elements from many others fairy tales. The film was released under Studio Ghibli when in reality, it was in development at Toei at the time and most of the animators practically took it when they left it. Many of the Ghibli staff worked on it including Otsuka, Yoichi Kotabe and Hayao Miyazaki . Other animators such as Reiko Okuyama and Yasuji Mori chose to stay and became extremely valuable at Toei[1]

Judo Boy(1969)
Based on the Manga that ran briefly in 1969. The series followed Sanshiro, a martial artist who’s father is murdered by a man who left a glass eye at the scene of the crime. He now travels in search of the killer. Many enemies in the show are one eyed, or are wearing eye patches, making them possibly the killer.

Mōretsu Atarō(1969-1970)
Translated as Furious Ataro. Based on the Manga that ran from 1967 to 1970. The Manga followed Atarō, a boy who is forced to take care of the family store after his father suddenly dies. The ghost of his father helps him along with his friend Dekkoppachi, a former Yakuza leader named Butamatsu and an alley cat named Nyarome who help him battle gang leader Kokoro Boss.

Kamui(1969)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1964 to 1971. Kamui follows a ninja who chose to leave his clan and his now hunted by its former members, who consider him a traitor.

A Thousand and One Nights(1969)
A Thousand and One Nights by Osamu Tezuka and directed by Eiichi Yamamoto is an adult animated fantasy, born out of a desire by Tezuka to challenge the notion that animation was just for kids, or at least that Tezuka himself only wrote for kids. It was the first of a trilogy of films, the other two being Cleopatra and Belladonna of Sadness. The film was a hit but had a limited release due to its erotic nature. The film holds the title of the first ever X-Rated animated film, predating Fritz the Cat by three years. The film follows Aldin, a street rat who falls in love with a slave named Miriam at an auction. The cruel King Havasalakum buys her but. Sandstorm allows Aldin to save Miriam and hide her. The two have sex before Havasalakum finds them and separates the. One year later, Aldin is freed by the evil Badli in exchange for going into a magic cavern to steal the treasure of Kamahakim and the Forty Thieves. Aldin is caught sneaking into the cave but is rescued by a female member of the Thieves named Madia, revealed to be tasked with helping him and they escape on a magic carpet before crash-landing on an island filled with sirens. Aldin is seduced and Madia takes the Carpet and leaves. The Sirens transform into Lamia and then snakes and nearly eat Aldin. Aldin flees and is rescued by passing sailors, when he boards their boat. He is able to save them from the sirens and goes with then. Their boat arrives on an island where a Giantess kills or eats most of the crew while Aldin escapes on their boat. 15 years later, a subplot has a Genie family arrive on an island for a vacation. The female Genie falls in love with a shepherd named Aslan. The father of the family brings a princess named Jalis in order to dissuade Aslan from becoming romantically involved with his daughter, saying he could have her instead. This doesn’t work as Jalis and Aslan don’t get along and the Genie disappears in anger and frustration, abandoning his Genie Daughter and Jalis. The Genie Daughter and Aslan bring Jalis back to her kingdom(This counts as one of three wishes she can grant). Aldin meanwhile has gained riches and launches a coup to become King, succeeding but when he finds a dying Havasasalakum, he reveals that his love Miriam died after having a daughter with him. Aldin kills Havasalakum in anger. Jalis is returned at that time but is taken hostage as Havasalakum’s daughter. Aldin refuses to kill or force himself on Havasalakum’s daughter, Jalis, as she looks too much like her mother. Aslan and the female Genie learn of Jalis being imprisoned and launch a rescue which stops when they explain everything to Aldin. Aldin allows Jalis to leave but he proves to be such a bad leader that the people turn on him and when he sees Aldin and the female Genie again, he asks to have her change his appearance so he can go back to being a poor man again, seeing the value of freedom and peace. His wish is granted. The final wish the Female Genie has is used to free her so she and Aslan can live together[2].

Flying Phantom Ship(1969)
A Film by Toei. The city follows a boy named Hayato who’s home city is attacked by a giant robot. His parents are killed. He and his dog join the resistance led by Kuroshio, against the Phantom Ship which sent the giant Robot[3].

Tiger Mask(1969-1971)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1968 to 1971. The series was by Toei Animation and aired on Yomiuri TV and TV Asahi. As a gimmick a wrestler mirroring the backstory of the main character debuted at around the same time. The series followed Naoto Date, a heel wrestler in America known for his brutality in the ring. When a young boy was inspired by his Wrestling persona to be cruel and evil, Date decides to change and become a hero instead, moving to Japan. However he is pursued by other wrestlers employed by the evil owner, who sends the wrestlers to attempt to kill him in the ring. The Tiger Mask became iconic and instantly recognizable, thanks to promotions in which Tiger Mask was played by Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki. Inoki as suggested for the role by his sensei Rikidozan, wrestler, head of the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance and a fan of the Anime. Rikidozan had connections in the US as well. He’d become a hero in Japan due to defeat many American Wrestlers in the Post war era where Japan needed someone like him. Outside of the ring, Rikidozan got along well with wrestlers like Lou Thesz, who agreed to hype him up. Now he was pulling in favors to get Inoki as Tiger Mask to crash the party in America as well to really “Sell the idea” where Tiger Mask acted much more violent and villainous in his American matches but heroic in his Japanese matches. The truth was Rikidozan had started off playing villains when in American Matches but became a Hero in Japan. Similar to Tiger Mask’s story in the Manga[4].

The success of this strategy led Toei to adopt a logo similar to Tiger Mask, which would come to be known as the Toei Tiger[5].

Moomin(1969-1970)
Based on the book series by Finnish Author Tove Jansson. Moomin was produced by Zuiyo Enterprise and animated by Mushi Production, airing on Fuji TV. The series remained fairly faithful to the books while translating them[6].

World Masterpiece Theatre(1969-1997)
Beginning with Moomin. World Masterpiece Theatre was a series by Mushi Productions and Zuiyo Eizo, which retold classic literature stories. Usually from the west, and usually broken up into about 50 episodes, usually covering one story per season. Moomin was the first of these[7]

The Genie Family(1969-1970)
A Tatsunoko series about a boy who finds a magic lamp containing a family of Genies. The show aired on Fuji TV[8].

Attack No.1(1969-1970)
Based on the manga by Chikako Urano. It is the first female sports anime in the Shojo category, or aimed at teen girls. The series follows teenager Kozue Ayuhara who dreams of becoming a champion Volleyball player. The series was popular in European countries. The show was a hit and started a genre of Shojo series. There were many imitators, usually changing the sport. It also inspired several real life volleyball players, including Italian professional player Francesca Piccinini.

Lupin III(1969-1970)
Where it all began. The Companies of TMS and Toho came together to adapt Lupin III, a manga by Kazuhiko Katō, under the pen name Eiji Gamuta. A 12 minute film was made and released as a pilot. The short was based on the manga chapter Camera Tricks. The series introduced the three protagonists of Lupin III, Daisuke Jigen and Fujiko Mine, as well as three antagonists hunting down the thieves in Inspector Zenigata, Kogoro Akechi and Goemon Ishikawa. While many were reluctant to accept it. The new Studio, Studio Ghibli was indeed interested in making it a series, lacking a show. Miyazaki considered making a movie as well after his current project was completed. Most of the original voice actors would be kept on including Taichirō Hirokawa as Lupin III, Kiyoshi Kobayashi as Daisuke Jigen, Eiko Masuyama as Fujiko Mine, Shinsuke Chikaishi as Inspector Zenigata, Goro Naya as Goemon Ishikawa, and Hitoshi Takagi as Kogoro Akechi. Miyazaki found his footing with the series. One episode that is amusing in hindsight is "Wings of the Albatross" which features a robot on a rampage in a city which resembles those from Castle in the Sky and a woman named Naussica. The series ended with a story arc titled "The Castle of Cagliostro" which concluded with Lupin and his allies driving off with Zenigata's team in pursuit, promising more adventures. For now though, Miyazaki now focused on completing his dream project, an adaptation of Astrid Lindgen’s Pippi Longstocking[9].

NOTES
[1] OTL Miyazaki hadn’t left yet and so did work on this film. The butterflies of this event means that Toei loses its OTL Mascot Pierre, the titular Puss in Boots, so Studio Ghibli managed to steal the company’s mascot.

[2] A weird one to write as I consider myself largely asexual. Still its Osamu Tezuka so I felt I had to give it attention. I decided to approach it the way Tezuka did, or in an Alan Moore’s Lost Girls direction, basically try to make it art. Of course I didn’t go into too much detail besides outlining the plot for obvious reasons but you can use your imagination as to where certain unmentioned details occur. ITTL this film is considered the first X-Rated animated film, which is technically was OTL but it was not as known about before Fritz the Cat came along.

[3] OTL it was made with Miyazaki’s involvement, who designed the robot and was the key animator. Not the case OTL due to him leaving Toei. The film also has the distinction of being the first Animated film released in the Soviet Union OTL but does not ITTL. Without those two factors, this film essentially falls into the dustbin of history.

[4] Several butterflies have hit Japanese Professional Wrestling. The major won is the sport’s most famous wrestler Rikidōzan, is not stabbed by yakuza member Katsushi Murata when Murata stepped on the wrestler’s shoe and refused to apologize at a nightclub there were both on. Since this is a random, albeit tragic, incident which resulted in the wrestler’s tragic death, It is butterflied away fairly easily. Rikidozan received a call that night about a potential match and so decided not to go to the night club that night and instead stayed at worked. Now not dead, Rikidōzan continued to manage the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance he founded, which OTL went under without him and pushed away his protégées, including Inoki. Speaking of Inoki, he was chosen to become Tiger Mask(which OTL did not have a wrestler take the persona until the 1980’s) ITTL because in 1968 he was still not as well known and had just returned from touring in the United States in 1964. Rikidozan also toured in the US as a villain and likely helped Inoki in the role. As Tiger Mask his identity was hidden so long as the mask was on. He could keep acting as Inoki. If he ever chose to retire the Tiger Mask role it would either be passed on to another wrestler or he would have the mask yanked off in a match and be forced to retire the persona.

[5] Due to lacking their OTL Puss in Boots film from which their logo comes from. Toei instead adopted a Tiger Mask as their logo, which ITTL became the Toei Tiger. I love alliteration.

[6] OTL the Japanese Anime Moomin Adaptation from 1969 was not faithful at all and disowned by the author of the Moomin’s. This harmed it in the long run as it was never aired outside of Japan and Taiwan with Blu-Ray releases unlikely due to the author’s family preventing this. ITTL the adaptation is more faithful so all this is averted and the series is more widely available. It's also longer as OTL the Author pulled out of the contract and went to another studio. The unfaithfulness of this version of Moomin OTL included giving every character a gun. Snufkin lived up to his name.

[7] Wold Masterpiece Theater began OTL with Osamu Tezuka’s Dororo, which was an odd addition and the only time a manga was adapted, with the series completed earlier, their second choice,and second episode, is Moomin.

[8] OTL The Genie Family was dubbed by Saban as “Bob in a Bottle in 1992” and that version aired across the world. ITTL that name “Bob in the Bottle” does not exist due to its much earlier distribution.

[9] . You may know the artist by his OTL pen name Monkey Punch, which is a name forced on him by his editor that he admitted he didn't like but became stuck with when the series became popular. ITTL he gets to keep his old pseudonym from previous works instead. OTL the Lupin short film was reworked into a tv pilot with some of the voice actors replaced. Here it’s picked up as is. Miyazaki and Takahata picking it up so earlier means that Miyazaki’s style will be seen as the true start of the series while OTL there were some early installment much darker episodes where the protagonists brutally murder their enemies in contrast to Miyazaki’s more lighthearted fun and whimsical tone. As such, at least currently there is less of a separation between what we call Red Jacket Lupin(which is more willing to kill) and Green Jacket Lupin(where Miyazaki focuses on his humanity and character development). The Red vs Green debate becomes a debate of Manga vs Anime. Miyazaki is also more used to having complete creative control even when he is adapting an established story and his work on Lupin III was a rare exception. You can tell he preferred Zenigata, emphasizing his humanity, more so than with Lupin who he tried to make softer despite the character's normal selfish qualities. Here because he's essentially in charge of the series from the start. Lupin as we know him will be...well...a Miyazaki character. As for Miyazaki’s Pippi Pet Project. Yes, Miyazaki did want to make this film but was told no by the author of the books. A book has been published containing all the concept art from what this film would have been, but more on that when I get to it.​

 

[Marco Incognito]

1970-1971 In Anime

Tomorrow’s Joe(1970-1971)
Based on the Boxing Manga that ran from 1968 to 1973. The series followed Joe Yabuki in his boxing career as he rose to success. Most of the main characters were working class people and college students. It is considered one of the most influential mangas of all time. Joe trains under boxing trainer Danpei Tange. He is arrested and put in juvenile Hall where he meets and fights boxing protégée Rikishi to a draw. The two vow to meet and fight again when they get out. Rikishi loses much weight to be in Joe’s weight class and during the match Joe accidentally kills Rikishi due to a combination of Rikishi’s health from losing so much weight and the brutal match. This leaves Joe traumatized, but he pushed through thanks to Danpei’s help and eventually rises after defeating several opponents to face off against the world championship. The match is brutal. All of Joe’s friends and former opponents are in attendance. It lasts all 15 rounds and both Joe and the Champion are beaten so badly they appear to almost die. At the end of the match, and after seemingly winning, Joe collapses and people run screaming to check on him as he closes his eyes and smiles. The Series ends there. This left many fans demanding to know what happened. Did Joe win, did he lose, did he die, did her live? Creator Ikki Kajiwara, creator of Tiger Mask and Star of the Giants told fans that they would never know on his deathbed in 1987, dying with a smile. The Series was a massive hit and is known to have inspired Naruto, Code Geass and Kyo Kusanagi from the King of Fighters Video Game series. However, it also has a dark connotation as the Haneda Hijackers shouted " “We Are Ashita No Joe!” during their takeover of the plane[1].

Maya the Bee(1970-1975)
A Series by Tatsunoko Productions based on the German 1912 children’s book by Waldemar Bonsels. Maya is a bee who decided to break the rules and leave the Hive, abandoning her mother the Queen. As Maya travels alone she befriends other insects. The Show was notable for its surprising level of cruelty and violence for a children’s show, which became a staple of Tatsunoko shows of the 70’s. Maya would make a new friend and it was entirely possible they would die by the episode’s end. In the last two episodes, Maya learns of a Hornet attack on the Hive and debates going back to warn the Hive despite the risk of being put to death as fleeing the Hive is a serious crime to the Bees. She ultimately risks her own life and is allowed to help repel the Hornet attack on the Hive in the finale, leading to Maya being pardoned[2].

Cleopatra: Queen of Sex(1970)
The Second part of the Adult oriented Mushi Animerama trilogy. Also directed by Osamu Tezuka after A Thousand and One Nights. The film began in the future where Humanity is being invaded by a race of alien women seeking to enslave Earth via brainwashing and hypnosis. The Human Resistance discovers the aliens are seeking the beauty of the most beautiful woman that ever lived: Cleopatra and have travelled back in time to possess her body and disrupt human history. A single resistance member is sent back to protect her, while also wishing to seduce her. The film then follows a loose version of historical events. Cleopatra is sent to seduce and murder Julius Caesar when he attacks and conquers Egypt, but Cleopatra ends up falling for Caesar. Cleopatra is then possessed by the alien entity, but remains somewhat in control as she was granted the ability to magically seduce any man by the Egyptian Gods for this mission, which also granted some resistance to the alien mind control. The agent sent back in time finds himself in the body of a slave named Ionius and helps stage a revolution, including building hand grenades from ancient technology. Ionius becomes a popular gladiator and tries to get close to Caesar and Cleopatra as the two fall in love. Caesar is murdered by his own senators when Cleopatra refuses to assassinate him. His son Augustus takes over. Cleopatra attempts to seduce him but he is revealed to be homosexual and immune to her charms. Augustus spares Ionius and keeps him alive as much as possible due to being attracted to him. Cleopatra meanwhile finds herself falling in love with Caesar’s right hand man Marc Antony. A battle ensues between Augustus and Antony’s forces where Antony kills himself to avoid capture. Cleopatra learns about this and in sadness, kills herself with an asp soon after. Soon after the Time traveller is returned to the future, with the alien plot having been foiled.

By this time, Mushi Productions was in trouble financially and facing bankruptcy. The studio was helmed by Osamu Tezuka and had created the Mighty Atom, Princess Knight, Kimba the White Lion, Dororo and Tomorrow’s Joe. All massive hits in Japan and abroad. However Tezuka’s desire to go into Adult oriented films out of a desire to challenge himself proved disastrous after this film, while a thousand and One Nights had been a success. Part of the problem was the marketing, in the US it was expected to get an X-rating, which would allow support it, but shortly before the film was released Fritz the Cat, another X-rated film, debuted and stole its thunder. The MPAA did not rate the film until after it was released due to the distributors pushing it as an X-rated film. They ended up giving it an R-rating. When it did aired, many considered it a disappointment due to being billed as a pornographic movie. Those that saw it as it was advertised as pornographic wanted refunds. Essentially the film was not explicit enough to warrant an X-rating but also not enough to compete with other R rated films that did far more. It’s failure nearly bankrupted the studio[3].

“Look Japan, take it from America. Making a movie about Cleopatra is a bad idea. It’s just going to end up nearly bankrupting your studio”
-Brad Jones during his review of the film, alluding to the 1963 Cleopatra film, a disaster for MGM.

Magical Mako(1970-1971)
Released by Toei Animation. While billed as the first ever collaboration between Osamu Tezuka and Walt Disney, Disney himself had little involvement and simply distributed, having previously done so with Tezuka’s Jungle Emperor Leo, though promotion for the series on Disney’s end would keep Tezuka’s Mushi studios afloat. It did result in a friendship between Tezuka and Disney. It would be a conversation between the two that would convince Tezuka to abandon the Animerama trilogy that was bankrupting his studio. Disney pulled his support for Tezuka. When Tezuka confronted him about it, Disney told him that Tezuka’s focus on Adult animation threatened to alienate their connection. Tezuka argued that he needed to elevate Animation to something beyond just something for children. Disney proved to be compassionate, relating a story in which Disney watched To Kill a Mockingbird an regretted that it was a movie he could never make, but he also reiterated that Disney didn’t make animated movies for children. They made animated movies for everyone. Tezuka considered it. It was a dream of his to work with Mr.Disney and his company was falling apart. Finally he decided to cease production on The Belladonna of Sadness.

The Magical Mako series was a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid” but set in then Modern Japan, with the titular mermaid falling in love with a boy she saves from drowning and making a deal with a sea witch to become human and talk to him, only to find him falling in love with someone else[4].

Anpanman(1970-)
Created by Takashi Yamase. Anpanman’s manga and anime ran concurrently with each other. The manga being written until Yamase’s death in 2013. The animated adaptation was by OSamu Tezuka and done by Mishi Productions. Anpanman was a character created for children based on the popular Japanese Anpan treat, bread with red bean(a very sweet type of been similar to some cream filling). The idea came from Yamase’s childhood, as he was starving during World War II, he hallucinated the idea of eat an Anpan and then imagined it as a superhero coming to save him. He then turned this traumatic experience into a children’s character[5].

Anderson Monogatari(1971)
A Series produced by Mushi Productions and Zuiyo Enterprise as part of World Masterpiece Theatre. The series told Hans Christian Anderson stories, usually one per episode though some took several. The narrators were two fairies. The Staff members were allowed great freedom. This fitted into an element in the story where the Fairies would at time try to change the stories to allow for better endings, being aware of the “Fates” of the characters but the butterfly effect would lead to either the endings happening anyway or an ending that may not be better if a least different. The series was released by Paramount and their fledgling Television station until World Masterpiece Theatre.

Toumei Shounen Tantei Akira(1971)
An Anime pilot by Knack Productions. Loosely translated into Invisible Boy Detective Akira. A young detective with the power to turn invisible investigates the criminal group Team Z, who has stolen the Mona Lisa. The show is infamous for its bad quality, weird plot and scenes. It’s enjoyed a type of meme based following on the internet for these reasons.

Hyppo and Thomas(1971-1972)
A series by Tatsunoko, following a smart bird and a friendly Hippopatamus named Kaba. Thomas lives in Hyppo’s mouth and the two have an old friendship and occasional rivalry.

Wandering Sun(1971)
A Japanese Manga by Keisuke Fujikawa with art by Mayumi Suzuki that ran from 1970 to 1971 Adapted by Mushi Productions. The project included Yoshiyuki Tomino and Yoshikazu Yasuhiro, who would later work on Mobile Suit Gundam. The series follows two girls switched at birth by the nurse Michiko. Out of grudge she has against the parents. Miki is born to a poor family but grows up in the rich Kouda Clan whole Nozomi belongs to the rich Kouda Clan but grows up with the poor Mine family. The two both desire to become singers after meeting in High School. The show then focuses on the intense nature of the music industry, being the first example of Japanese media to do so, predating works such as Perfect Blue.

Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves(1971)
By Toei Animation. The film is a retelling of the Arabian Nights of the same name[6].

Sarutobi Ecchan(1971-1972)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1964 to 1966. Translated to Hela Supergirl. The series followed a young girl named Ecchan who discovers she is the descendant of the great ninja Sasuke Sarutobi and that she possess ninja skills. The series, adapted by Toei Animation, faced low sales and was cancelled after the season ended. The last episode focused on an American look alike of Ecchan who wants to see Mount Fuji. The show’s slice of life style plot means there were no cliffhangers for really resolve and it ended with the American Ecchan saying goodbye to the original.

Tensai Bakabon(1971-1972)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1967 to 1976 by Fuji Akatsuka and illustrated by Fuji Akatsuka. The series followed the dim witted boy Bakabon, though his dim witted father would become the main character. It was adapted in 1970 by Tokyo Movie Shinsha. It was translated into English as Genius Bakabon.

Mama-Chan(1971-1972)
Based on a magical girl Manga by OSamu Tezuka that ran from 1970 to 1972. The series follows a girl named Melmo. Her mother is killed in a car accident and is granted one wish by god. She wishes that Melmo, the oldest of three children, will be given the chance to grow up. This resulted in Melmo being granted the abilities by magical pills to become a teenager, specifically she is 9 and becomes 19, with her clothes changing accordingly[7] Japanese parents hated the show as it caused their children to ask uncomfortable questions.

NOTES
[1] The Hijackers shouted the same thing OTL

[2] OTL Tatsunoko released The Adventures of Honeybee Hutch, which was a bit similar though the Violence in TTL’s version comes largely from it being a Tatsunoko production. Maya the Bee did receive an adaptation in 1975, making this an earlier adaptation. Not impossible given the book’s 1912 release. It was picked up ITTL largely because at this time adaptations of European stories are popular. OTL when Honeybee Hutch was dubbed in Italy, because of Maya the Bee’s popularity, the Dub made Honeybee Hutch female, which led to some crossed wires as one episode had Honeybee Hutch fall in love with a female Butterfly. TTL’s Maya the Bee likely does include an episode like this but it could be played off as admiration. ITTL it probably has one of those videos where the uploader added text into the scene of what the character is thinking, basically turning subtext into literal text. Part of the reason Honeybee Hutch doesn’t exist ITTL is because of adherence to real life nature. Honeybees are usually Female, making Maya more accurate. Male Bees are usually given the sole purpose of mating with the Queen. Since the Queen is Hutch’s mother in the original Anime, this idea comes with a fair bit of squick.

[3] Plot is tweaked a bit from a Synopsis. It’s basically just to change the aliens to something you’d expect from the kind of movie this is trying to be. While this film still bombed ITTL for the added irony of another Cleopatra film disaster, the choice Tezuka and Mushi Studios will make in the future will determine if his company survives. Simply put the studio is teetering on Bankruptcy and can’t take another disaster.

[4] OTL the series had no involvement from Tezuka or Disney. It just seemed fitting to bring them together for this, as well as it helping partially to keep Mushi Productions from going under. I do not see this show as butterflying away OTL’s the Little Mermaid since keep in mind Disney technically isn’t making this just distributing it. As for Disney ITTL as in several others, he gave up smoking early in life. Specifically he dropped his cigarette while driving an ambulance in World War II. When he bent to pick it up he ended up crashing, resulting in the death of the person he was carrying, which he saw die in front of him. This scared him away from smoking and so ITTL he’s still alive.

[5] Anpanman’s creation is same as OTL though the difference is the year. Anpanman OTL was created in 1973, ITTL its 1970. In OTL 1970, Yamase created the manga “The Kindly Lion” about a lion and a dog who become best friends, which was immediately adapted by Tezuka OTL. ITTL Yamase created Anpanman earlier and Tezuka adapts that, which would work better since now he isn’t running the risk of trudging old ground he covered with Jungle Emperor Leo. Given Anpanman became a massive success, it’s also another thing that helps save Mushi Productions from bankruptcy.

[6]OTL Miyazaki had a hand in production of most of the film. ITTL he does not and its another fairly obscure film as a result like OTL. Another film not mentioned has been butterflied away: Animal Treasure Island, a Toei Film which Miyazaki worked on and conceived the idea for. He’s at his own studio and busy at this time so even if that film does get made, it won’t be now, most likely being butterflied away.

[7] Called Marvelous Melmo OTL with Mama-Chan being the original title. The OTL manga had the character's clothes not change, meaning the clothes would become either too big or too small, leading to what is possibly the first usage of the panty shot in Manga history, or at least the first mainstream usage. The Anime fixed this so the clothes changed as well. By changing it I may have just butterflied away the existence of the under age Panty shot.​

 

[Mooze17]

Would Berserk finally get a good anime adaption TTL? And perhaps be finished with Miura living longer?

 

[Marco Incognito]

Would Berserk finally get a good anime adaption TTL? And perhaps be finished with Miura living longer?

Yes and yes. ITTL there are laws to protect mangakas from overwork so the cause of Miura's passing will be butterflied.

 

[Marco Incognito]

1972 in Anime

Pinocchio: The Series(1972)
A series by Tatsunoko based on the 1883 novel the Adventures of Pinocchio. Compared to many adaptations including the Disney film, This series is fairly faithful to the book while also adaptation the surprisingly dark imagery that has since became a staple of Tatsunoko’s children entertainment. This includes Pinocchio killing Jimmy Cricket and his ghost now haunting Pinocchio, becoming his conscience. The Cat an the Fox becoming leaps and of course a darker rendition of the transformation into Donkeys and the giant Whale. The book was of course extended out into 52 episodes but kept many story beats from the series, ending with Pinocchio seemingly dying but being revived by the blue fairy as a real boy[1]

Triton of the Sea(1972)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1969 to 1971 by Osamu Tezuka. The series begin 5000 years ago where the Triton Clan of Atlantis is wiped out by the Poseidon Clan but the last survivor, simply named Triton due to never being named, is rescued by a white dolphin. Poseidon grows up and vows revenge on Poseidon and his children. The series was released by TV Asahi and is the directorial debut of Yoshiyuki Tomino, creator of Gundam.

Demon Lord Dante(1972-1973)
Based on the Manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai that ran in 1971 to 1972 in Bokura Magazine. The Series followed by Kyo Utsugi, a student who’s body becomes host to an ancient demon known as Dante, bringing him into conflict between God and Satan. The series is based on Dante’s Inferno and challenged the notion of God and the Devil as pure good and pure evil.

High School student Ryo lives with his sister Saori and parents. He has been having nightmares about demons. One day, unable to sleep he goes to the mountains and follows a voice that causes him to fall. He has a vision of entering Hell as he falls and meets Dante, King of Devils. Dante reveals that he was Judas Iscariot in life and kills Ryo. Elsewhere, a group of Satanists, not knowing Dante has been revived, perform a ritual to sacrifice a female student to revive Dante. A religions group led secretly by Ryo’s father Kosuke, attacks the gathering only for Dante to show up and kill them. Dante then attacks a city and fights the army, destroying buildings and killing many people. Kyo finds his soul is in Dante’s body but is powerless to do anything but watch in horror. Another demon named Zenon reveals himself as having been disguised on Earth and fights Dante in an even more destructive battle, which Dante wins. Zenon as he dies tells Dante that he tried to challenge God but was too weak and encourages Dante to gather an army for Satan to challenge God as he has proven to be stronger than him. Zenon then dies. An exhausted Dante collapses afterwards.

Ryo wakes up at home, once more human. He at first hopes it was a dream as everything seems normal until the destruction of the city is mentioned on the news. When students are murdered at school, Kyo fears the Demon is still inside him, controlling him. Then he actually sees a Demon attacking a student and unexpectedly transforms into a human Demon hybrid and kills it. He then begins repeating this process, becoming a Demon powered superhero called Devilman. A student at school named Sosuke Oshiba reveals himself to Devilman as a Demon Hunter and proposes an alliance, not knowing that Devilman’s powers are because he is partly a Demon and seeing him as a Superhero type. However, Ryo leaves when Sosuke cruelly tortures a demon as he feels compassion for it. After leaving he meets a Demon named Medusa, which shows him the past. She reveals that God was an alien entity who wanted to control Humanity and Dante tried and failed to prevent God from destroying the city of Sodom. In trying to stop God, Dante and Medusa absorbed some of his power and became Demons but Dante was sealed away, reincarnating over the centuries as God populated the Earth with the humans he created. As such the Demons see the Earth as belonging to them and themselves as freedom fighters. The Demons prepare to launch their attack on Humanity[2].

A massive apocalyptic battles occurs between the forces of the Demons and God on Earth, with the Hell forces being joined by Satan, Lucifer, Asmodeus and Beelzebub(In Japanese the names of the latter three are rendered as Rushifa, Asumodeusu, and Beruzebubu). God’s top enforces are Adam and Eve, which can merge with all of humanity, being able to control all members of their respective gender. As a result, Ryo’s side of Dante hesitates to kill Eve when she takes control of Ryo’s sister.This allows Dante to seemingly be killed in the moment of hesitation but he vows to return. Ryo is left human and wanders the wasteland for some time looking for survivors and his family and friends. Satan and Medusa find Ryo and help to restore his Dante side. When the Demons fight back against God’s forces, Ryo comes to the same problem of Adam and Eve controlling his friends and family, who are dead. He realizes that since he fought off Demonic possession after death, they can too and encourages all of humanity to do the same, first convincing Saori. This allows Adam and Eve to be killed as they are weakened by their bodies splitting apart. With their defeat, God retreats from the Earth. This leaves Earth in charge of the Demons, who post war begin to act much like a mix of superheroes and Kings, inspired by Ryo.

Demon Lord Dante gained a rather unexpected fanbase due to nothing more than the removal of a single line of dialogue. One small sentence that almost didn't happen. The character Asuka reveals that he is not in love with Ryo(who has a male and female personality within him at the time) because of his female side. While minor this added a level of possible interpretation that caused the show to receive praise from the LGBT community. It was an early acknowledgement of the LGBT fanbase in 1973.

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman(1972-1974)
An Animated series created by Tatsuo Yoshida, a founder of Tatsunoko who had worked on many of their shows. The series titled was translated as is into English. The series followed a team of five what could be described as Superhero ninja, who battle the evil organization Galactor, with the aid of anima themed mochas. Most of the group is teenagers and Jinpei is a child. Each serves a purpose on the team and has an animal theme(Ken the Eagle, Jun the Swan, Joe the Condor,Jinpei the Swallow, Ryu the Owl). The series was seen as one of the most successful attempts to popularize the American Superhero genre in Japan[3].

Energer Z(1972-1974)
The Go Nagai series Energer Z was influential for introducing the concept of a Giant Robot with a pilot while other previous robots were either sentient such as the Mighty Atom or controlled remotely such as Tetsujin-28 which were considered "Kid's Stuff", though the popularity of Transformers would later challenge that notion. The Energer Z series is also be considered to have originated a common trope in Anime with the introduction of Sayaka Yumi, was one of the first Action Girl and Tsundere types with a lead role in an Anime. While cliche now, Sayaka and protagonist Kouji had an obvious sexual tension before it was done in any other series. Then Sayaka disappeared and Maria Grace Fleed took her place. Fleed became a fan favorite. Unexpectedly Sayaka was brought back and a love triangle began, which at the time was revolutionary.

Energer Z did face a minor court case. The franchise creator Go Nagai had protagonist Kouji Kabuto wear a Scarf and using a bike to dock on Energer Z. These were similar to the concept on Kamen Rider. A short lawsuit went nowhere beside placing the phrase “Energer Z v Kamen Rider" in Japanese Law books. Kamen Rider was conceived earlier but had been delayed in its intended 1971 release by three years due to the Mangaka suffering a hand injury, resulting in him suing the manga studio. This court case led to laws being implemented concerning better treatments of Mangaka and easier schedules. The court case ironically boosted sales of Energer Z. In the series itself, Go Nagai introduced Minerva X as a replacement mecha for Sayaka, only to destroy it in episode 38. This led to Go Nagai realizing the trend of Sayaka always getting a mecha that broke easily and vowing to change that. Minerva X would be featured several times despite its destruction in canon. There is an alternate universe manga called Energer Angels with Maria Fleed piloting it, and Minerva X is alive and playable in Super Robot Wars Advance and Super Robot Wars 64.

Astroganger(1972-1973)
A giant robot anime by Knack Productions. An alien woman named Maya crashes on Earth, a world the cruel alien race the Blasters plan to destroy. She falls in love with a scientist and has a son named Kantaro who fights the invading Blasters with the help of the titular Astroganger, a fighting robot. The show is seen by modern audiences as so bad its good and has much meme potential[4].

Tamagon the Counselor(1972-1973)
An Animated series by Tatsunoko Productions. The series followed a small monster who will perform any task if offered eggs, though usually this results in only making things worse rather than helping.

The Gutsy Frog(1972-1974)
Based on the Manga by Yasumi Yoshiwaza that ran from 1970 to 1976. The series was by Tokyo Movie and aired on TBS. The series follows a frog who is killed by a young boy by accident, but is then reincarnated as a logo on the Boy’s shirt that is capable of moving, speaking to him and giving him advice. The show was dubbed in English as "A Boy and his Frog".

Mahou Tsukai Chappy(1972)
Debuted on NET. The series was the fifth magical girl anime, sixth if you count Osamu Tezuka’s Marvelous Melmo. The series if seen as not as good as Toei’s other magical girl series and is similar to Sally the Witch. It remains fairly obscure.

NOTES
[1] Known as Saban’s the Adventures of Pinocchio due to said company dubbing it in 1990. ITTL it was dubbed fairly soon after its Japanese release.

Not featured ITTL is the 1972 Muumin show. OTL it was a remake due to the original Anime going off the rails and being completely unfaithful to the source material. With that adaptation being much more faithful ITTL. The remake does not exist.

[2] OTL Go Nagai’s Demon Lord Dante manga was ended prematurely due to Bokura Magazine being discontinued and not continued until 2002. ITTL he’s able to finish it as Bokura Magazine is able to truck along just long enough to see the series completed. The point where the Footnote is placed is the moment where the series was cancelled and not resolved OTL until 31 years later. OTL Demon Lord Dante was to be adapted by Toei Animation but they asked for it to be toned down due to the violence, resulting in Devilman, a manga Go Nagai created which would eclipse Demon Lord Dante. ITTL Toei accepts the show as is, meaning Devilman as a series does not exist ITTL. Demon Lord Dante basically taking its place. I’ll keep you posted if there will be some version of OTL’s series Devilman Crybaby.

[3] In terms of plot, the series is largely the same though some of the early episodes are flashbacks to the origins of the members. Having seen some of the OTL show, there are episodes which focus on one civilian who lost a loved one to Galactor and help Ken the Eagle defeat one of their schemes while the other members rarely appear. This includes a child and a young woman. ITTL these episodes are tweaked slightly so that they become the origins of the Gatchaman members Jinpei and Jun, providing the characters with some more depth by revealing why they joined Gatchaman, details otherwise absent.

Science Ninja Team Gatchaman was OTL translated into Battle of the Planets by Sandy Frank Entertainment in 1978. The show was heavily toned down in violence and profanity. For example when fighter jets were destroyed they were mentioned as being robotically piloted and any cities destroyed were mentioned as having been evacuated. OTL this occurred because of Sandy Frank attending a MIP-TV conference In Cannes and learned about Science Ninja Team Gatchaman, the recent release and success of Star Wars at the time also contributed to the changes the show would make. Battle of the Planets doesn’t exist ITTL due to Tatsunoko having a different company doing the English dub and dubs being released about a year or so after the show ITTL.

[4]OTL Astroganger is the first Super Robot in color and beat Mazinger Z to air by two months. ITTL this is not the case. Mazinger Z premiered first.​

 

[Marco Incognito]

Pippi Longstocking: The Strongest Girl in the World
Hayao Miyazaki was in Stockholm. It seemed to him like a fairy tale as he saw people with tin lunchboxes and women with strollers. There were gingerbread houses and Stone walls likes castles. It was in many ways as close to a fairy tale as you got get. He was sketching. The island on which the castle stood was only open for three hours. By the end of the day he collapsed exhausted in a cafe and began sketching, mostly from memory, paying no attention as mosquitos bit him. He’d taken photos but that wasn’t the same to him. He needed to observe. The reason he was there was to meet Astrid Lindgren, author of the Pippi Longstocking books. When Miyazaki and Takahata had formed Studio Ghibli, they debated adapting a European story and found they both likes Pippi Longstocking. Lindgren had proved reluctant to the idea. Lindgren had hesitated to meet them claiming she was exhausted for the entire trip. Miyazaki was also exhausted and as he fell to sleep and the mosquitos drained his blood with him not having enough strength left to swat them away. He realized he’d made a terrible mistake. The film would never be made [1]. He passed out and entered not a dream but a memory.

He was back in 1968, four years ago now. He’d been a leading staff member at Toei when they let Isao Takahata go. The two had formed a union to take better care of the animators and now the company was more hostile towards them. In many ways he justified the firing of Takahata, The Sun over Chikkisani had bombed, then it was released overseas…and it didn’t. It was a massive hit and Toei was more than happy to keep the money. That seemed wrong. He decided to protect him friend and stood beside him. Then he saw all his friends look away, unable to see this gaze. He felt betrayed, he stood his neck out for them and it had cost him and they would not do the same for him. Only one other figure stood up, Yoichi Katabe and the three departed thinking their careers were over. It would have been the end were it not for Yasuo Otsuka[2]. Otsuka had nabbed the rights to adapt The Moomins and was now looking to do the same to Astrid Lindgen’s Pippi Longstocking. The story was unapologetically free spirited, a story of a little girl with insane strength having adventures with Mr.Nilsson the monkey and a horse with no name. The conversation shifted and Miyazaki and Takahata both discovered they were huge fans. They saw Pippi Longstocking as a watershed moment in children’s literature, a story that celebrated freedom of childhood rather than enforcing that children are beasts that should learn to follow rules. Under Miyazaki and Takahata’s suggestion, the Moomin stayed faithful to the source material[3]

A second alignment came when, while visiting the Otsuka, Miyazaki and Takahata met a young girl that bore a resemblance to Pippie, the daughter of the CEO of Otsuka Pharmaceuticals which was sponsoring Star of the Giants and appeared in promotions for Oranamin C energy drink. To make things better, the girl and her mother where both fans. Daikichiro Kusunoke of Tokyo Movie set about acquiring the rights. Pippi Longstocking had been adapted in 1969 as a 13 part Swedish TV Show, though there was an unmade 1949 movie[4]. The producers of the show had made the deal with the Japanese without Lindgren, not knowing this Miyazaki had come down to see the author herself, expecting to meet her. She hadn’t shown up and had no intent to. He didn’t know this and was determined to meet her, so he waited. Flying a plane wasn’t cheap. Security had increase following the Haneda Hijacking. Miyazaki had eaten nothing but Swedish sandwiches since ehe arrived, ordering everything on the menu to pay extra attention to the food. He was as it would come to be known “Location Hunting”, even if it was animated, he though he needed to see the real thing and recreate it as if the viewer was really there. He refused to believe Pippi would not happen. He had two children at home, Goro and Keisuke, both at home. He didn’t know this at the time, but very soon he’d adopt another child, Hidetaka, seeing it as fate that the orphaned child already had his same last name[5].

Miyazaki then began to dream of the film. He imagined a glowing reindeer, a plane in a tree, the crayfish, the reality mixing with the fantasy.

Then he woke up. Someone was saying Mister to him. He struggled to awake. An older brown haired woman was standing over him. She was speaking in Swedish and then tried English. Miyazaki tried his best to say “Yes I am fine. As he composed himself. Colored Sketches littered the tiled floor. The woman moved to pick them up. She stopped to look at them, taking a long glance, recognizing her creation. Miyazaki let her, resisting the urge to ask for it back, he was non confrontational in many ways but what made him freeze was that he was finally recovering enough to recognize her, at which point he bowed to her nervously. She dropped one of the pages and began to look over one drawing, and then another, and another. After some time and collecting the pieces, she looked up at Miyazaki[6].

….

The Plot?….Well given Miyazaki and its a Lindgren story(who were in a position to write the plot together). It’s more of a slice of Life story than a full blown adventure. Think my Neighbor Totoro or Ponyo. Plot doesn’t matter. Only Wonder and fun. Pippi shows up, befriends a family and their children and then leaves as quick as she came, like a little girl version of Mary Poppins. Though closest element to a conflict is the family basically adopts Pippi and she is actually quite happy, which goes against her Peter Pan esque nature of being a free spirited kid travelling around and having adventures. She begins to lose her abilities, namely her Super strength(similar to Kiki's Delivery Service, but is more conflicted on whether this is good or bad).

The film was critically acclaimed and was a box office success. It also boosted the popularity of the character even further, largely in the US. It is seen by many as a turning point in the history of Anime[6].

Notes

[1] Based off events Recanted by Miyazaki in The Phantom Pippi Longstocking about the process. OTL the revelation Miyazaki had at this moment was he had no future at Toei, a revelation he’d already had ITTL.

[2] Ironically Takahata OTL absolutely loved the Moomin show and was unaware that the original author absolutely hated it, not realizing just how unfaithful it was. This may have contributed to Pippi Longstocking’s rejection as he basically pitched it as “Doing what we did with Moomin”.

[3] Otsuka OTL left for another studio A Production. Here he stayed onto Toei a bit longer and left with Miyazaki and Takahata, helping them find Studio Ghibli.

[4] OTL the 1949 film was made and was so unfaithful to the source material and hated by Lindgren that she took control of All Pippi Longstocking projects including the 1969 Swedish TV show. Without that film existing she really only wrote scripts for the show.

[5] OTL Goro Miyazaki is plagued by not wanting to do animation but being forced to because he is “The Son of the Famous Hayao Miyazaki” and even his own father has expressed disappointment in the films he has made. ITTL, the adoption of another child will help take off some of the pressure. You may recognize the adopted son. He’s also a stickler for European architecture, attention to detail and character design.

[6] None of this happened OTL obviously but weirder coincidences have occurred. I’d say it wasn’t too out of place since keep in mind, Miyazaki is there specifically to meet Lindgren so he lived close. Now its unclear OTL if the author was the one that was against it or its a rights issue. The Japanese side seems to suggest it was on Lindgren’s part but not the other side. Pippi did receive a Canadian animated adaptation and in general it seems the Japanese understood the source material better than the Canadians did. It can also be argued that many characters from My Neighbor Totoro to Ponyo have some of the DNA of Pippi Longstocking. Unused elements from the film were incorporated into Heidi Girl of the Alps and Panda Go Panda(China had just gifted Pandas to Japan and so there was a Panda craze) which the unmade Pippi Longstocking film has taken the release date of. Notice the main character of that film:

[6] Compared to the first Ghibli film OTL Naussica of the Valley of the Wind, it's slice of life nature means it doesn't do as well, but is still a success. Miyazaki's films usually break records with every release but that took time even with Naussica. ​

 

[kirbopher15]

An Animated series created by Tatsuo Yoshida, a founder of Tatsunoko who had worked on many of their shows. The series titled was translated as is into English. The series followed a team of five what could be described as Superhero ninja, who battle the evil organization Galactor, with the aid of anima themed mochas. Most of the group is teenagers and Jinpei is a child. Each serves a purpose on the team and has an animal theme(Ken the Eagle, Jun the Swan, Joe the Condor,Jinpei the Swallow, Ryu the Owl). The series was seen as one of the most successful attempts to popularize the American Superhero genre in Japan[3].

Don’t you mean battle of the planets

 

[Marco Incognito]

Don’t you mean battle of the planets

I mention this in the Footnotes, but Battle of the Planets is the name Gatchaman was released under in America. Battle of the Planets doesn't exist for a few reasons. 1. There's a bigger market for Anime here so it gets dubbed as soon as possible. 2. Battle of the Planets came out in 1978 while the original came out in 1972, so the dub would come out in 1973 or so, before the creator of the Battle of the Planets dub even has the idea to dub it in 1977 when he learned about the show. 3. Battle of the Planets was based on Star Wars, which would be out yet. Plus dubs tend to be more faithful and Battle of the Planets definitely was not. All these means Battle of the Planets doesn't exist.

 

[kirbopher15]

I mention this in the Footnotes, but Battle of the Planets is the name Gatchaman was released under in America. Battle of the Planets doesn't exist for a few reasons. 1. There's a bigger market for Anime here so it gets dubbed as soon as possible. 2. Battle of the Planets came out in 1978 while the original came out in 1972, so the dub would come out in 1973 or so, before the creator of the Battle of the Planets dub even has the idea to dub it in 1977 when he learned about the show. 3. Battle of the Planets was based on Star Wars, which would be out yet. Plus dubs tend to be more faithful and Battle of the Planets definitely was not. All these means Battle of the Planets doesn't exist.

Ah ok then

 

[Marco Incognito]

1973 in Anime

Babel II(1973)
Based on the Manga that ran from 1971 to 1973, The series follows Koichi a schoolboy who discovers he is the reincarnation of the alien entity Babel and uses his powers to fight evil.

The Brave Frog(1973)
A Tatsunoko series following Demetan, a poor frog who befriends a popular girl named Ranatan. Both are outcasts to each other. Like many Tatsunoko shows it was often dark and sadistic as Demetan dealt with bullies and predators. The theme song by Mitsuko Horie was also melancholic.

Fables of the Green Forest(1973)
Based on the children books by Thonrnton W.Burgess. The series ran on Fuji TV for 52 episodes as part of World Masterpiece Theatre. The series follows a group of animals in their adventures, led by Johnny the Woodchuck and his mate Polly.

Doraemon(1973-1974)
The First adaptation of the Fujiko Fujiko Manga which ran from 1970 to 1972. The series was broadcast on Nippon Television. A pilot was made in 1972 which was viewed by Doraemon creator Fujiko Fujiko, which approved but were angered by the changes to the character’s personalities when visiting behind the scenes, while these were changed, the show barely got a second series. It would not get a third as it was poorly received and cancelled with the creators of the manga doing as much as possibly to bury its existence[2]

Jungle Kurobe(1973)
Created by Fujiko Fuji. The series rode on the success of Doraemon and included the same team. It follows a Tarzan like child who is brought to modern Tokyo. It was broadcast on TV Asahi[1]

Little Wansa(1973)
Wanda was a mascot designed for Santa Bank by Osamu Tezuka turned into a manga series which ran from 1971 to 1972. The titular character was a puppy who was sold and spent much of the series looking for his mother. Tezuka was busy with the manga at the time and had little input in the series, though he did complete it[3].

Kōya no Shōnen Isamu(1973-1974)
Translated to Boy of the Wilderness Isamu. Based on the manga series written by Soji Yamakawa and illustrated by Noboru Kawasaki that ran from 1971 to 1974. It was adapted by Tokyo Movie Shinsha and aired on Fuji TV. Doraemon was voiced by Kosei Tomita[4].

Microid Z(1973)
Based on the 1973 Manga by Osamu Tezuka. broadcast on TV Asahi[5].

Metropolis(1973)
Tezuka, in order to save his fledgling studio Mushi Productions, returned to his roots. He chose to adapt his old manga Metropolis, with tweakings thanks to support from Walt Disney, the two having met at a World’s Fair in 1967. Disney had proposed hiring Tezuka on a science fiction project. Tezuka now returned the favor and the two collaborated on the film, which was tweaked from the original story.

The new story was set in a futuristic city where robots and humans lived together. It mixed New York and Tokyo in design, likely due to the two main collaborators. Because of the use of robots, many people are without jobs and riot down below. The city’s unofficial leader is the wealthy Duke Red, who used his wealth to build a massive skyscraper called the Ziggurat that can be used as a weapon. Detective Shunsaku Ban and his young assistant Kenichi travel to Metropolis while pursuing a scientist named Dr.Laughton, wanted for organ trafficking. Unknown to the duo, Dr.Laughton went missing because Duke Red recruited him to a top secret project to create an android based on his late daughter Tima. Duke Red’s Robot-phobic son Rock learns about this and interrupts the procedure, blowing up the lab and allowing Tima to escape.

Shunsaku discovers the burning lab and finds the dying Laughton, who gives him his notes about the experiment. Kenichi finds the android Tima, unaware of her nature and befriends her as they get los tin the sewers of the city. Shunsaku searches for Kenichi while the two grow close and Tima begins to learn how to speak. Rock learns Tima survives and begins attempting to hunt down Tima with his followers. An uprising occurs soon after that the two children are trapped in. The Mayor attempts to have Duke Red arrested only to for the men with him, including military general Kusai Skunk to betray and kill the Mayor, leading Duke Red to seize armed control of the town. Kenichi reunited with Shunsaku but Rock nearly kills him and reveals Tima to be a robot. Duke Red captures Tima and Kenichi.

Rock attempts to kill Tima and is followed by Shunsaku. Time is badly damaged by Shunsaku repairs her with Laughton’s notes. The two then set out to rescue Kenichi from the Ziggurat. They are captured and brought directly to Duke Red, who reveals Tima’s origin and that the Ziggurat includes a throne like set up she was built to take and launch the Ziggurat’s weapons. Rock attacks and damages Tina, revealing her robotic nature. Tima goes insane and a military protocol takes control, leading her to attempt to take control and activate nuclear weapons. Kenichi tries to break through to Tima. Robots under Tima’s command break into the Ziggurat, Rock sets off an explosion, killing himself, Duke Red, and taking several robots with him. Tima nearly kills Kenichi before snapping out of it, before falling, seemingly to her death. The Ziggurat collapses. In the aftermath, Kenichi vows t stay behind in Metropolis to search for Tima with the robots. The film ends with a radio hijacked with Tima’s voice saying Kenichi’s name, implying they are still alive somewhere[6]

Energer Z vs Demon Lord Dante(1973)
The first Anime crossover, featuring two of Go Nagai’s most popular properties. It also serves as a finale to both as Energer Z is shown to have been battling Demons during the events of Demon Lord Dante. The Energer Z cast now fight to save Earth from the Demons now ruling it as per the Finale to Demon Lord Dante[7].

Honey Idol(1973-1974)
Based on the Go Nagai Manga that ran concurrently. The series features a female android as the heroine, ironically based on Maria from Metropolis, named Honey Kisaragi and her friend Shun Kazami. The anime was heavily merchandized,including dolls which could change outfits. The manga ran in the monthly Ribon magazine. The anime aired on Mondays at 7pm on NET TV, a traditional timeslot for magical girl series[8].

Miracle Girl Limit-Chan(1973-1974)
A Magical Girl series directed by Takeshi Tamiya and Masayuki Akehi and broadcast on NET. Based on a story by Shinji Nagashime and Hiromi Productions with designs by Kazuo Komatsubara and scripts by Masaki Tsuji. It is the sixth magical Girl series by Toei. The series follows a girl who Is killed in a car accident but revived as a magical girl, but the downside is she has only one year to live. The show was originally destined for the Monday 7pm timeslot on NET TV usually reserved for magical girl shows (ever since Sally the Witch) but was forced to move after Honey Idol took the spot instead. It was moved to Saturdays at 8:30pm which was home to a programming block of boy targeted shows such as Micord Z and Demon Lord Dante instead and the staff asked to change the show to appeal more to boys because of the new time slot, leading to darker themes. However this did not save the show and it was cancelled[9].

Zero Tester(1973-1974)
An Anime created by the fairly new studios of Sunrise and Crystal Art Studio, both founded in 1972. The series is notable for including many of the staff of the future Gundam series.The series was the directorial debut of Ryosuke Takahashi. The series was based on the Thunderbird series.

Neo-Human Casshern(1973–1974)
An Anime series created by Tatsunoko Productions founder Tatsuo Yoshida.The series follows an android with a human consciousness who hunts down and destroys the robots that have taken over the world. Both Casshern and the main antagonist Buraiking Boss(translated as “The Lightning Warrior” in English) were created by the same scientist Dr.Kotaro Azuma but Buraiking Boss betrayed his father and raised the robot army.

Karate Master(1973-1974)
Based on the manga by Jiro Tsunoda and Jōya Kagemaru with the story written by Ikki Kajiwara, that ran from 1971 to 1977. Based on real life Karate Martial artist Has Oyama. The anime adaptation was produced by Tokyo Movie and aired on NET on Wednesdays. The manga was credited with starting a Karate fad in Japan at the time. It is said Kenji Inafune drew inspiration from Karate Master while designing characters for Street Fighter.

The Little Judge from Hell(1973-1974)
Based on the Manga by Go Nagai that ran concurrently with the show. One of his most famous works in Japan. It was translated as Satanikus! In English,another title. It was a horror comedy similar to Kitaro and followed a group of three, Enma, Yukiko-Hime and Kapaeru, who are part of the Yoke Patrol and hunt ghosts who have escaped Hell. The series jumpstarted the Echo Sub genre due to the use of nudity and adult themes. It was produced by Toei Animation and broadcast on Fuji TV.

Aim for the Ace!(1973-1974)
Based on the manga that ran from 1973 to 1980 by Sumika Yamamoto. The series follows Hiromi Oka, a high school student who wants to become a tennis player and her struggle with the sport, her own emotions, anxiety, Love and a perceived mental weakness. The manga ran in Shueisha’s Shojo Magazine Margaret. It was adapted by Tokyo Movieand broadcast on the Mainichi Broadcasting system. It is one of the best selling Shojo(girl aimed) series of all time, selling 15 million copies in Japan and is even popular outside its target demographic. Now considered a classic. IT has been imitated and homaged multiple times with the tropes of certain character like the ditzy wallflower with hidden potential, the rich bitch and the handsome coach becoming common archetypes as a result of Aim for the Ace. Shuzo Matsuoka the first successful Japanese tennis player, was influenced to play due to being a fan of the series[10].

Bōken Korobokkuru(1973-1974)
Known in English as the Adventures of Korobokkle. The series is an adaptation of the children’s book Stories of Korobokkle by Satoru Sato, based on folktale of the Ainu People. It was broadcast on Yomiuri TV[11].

NOTES
[1] OTL character designs were by Hayao Miyazaki, Not so ITTL due to Miyazaki already working at Ghibli.

[2] OTL the vastly different personalities of the protagonists led to the creators disowning the 1973 Doraemon series, killing a second season. OTL when the much better 1979 series came along, the creators took legal action to bury this version, resulting in most copies being sold, and rumored to be destroyed. It is now considered lost media. ITTL due to having had enough time to be syndicated, this will prove to be a lot harder as even when the creators make the Japanese company responsible remove all trace of the show’s existence to not undermine the better show. Because of syndication, the show survives due to distribution to the US and isn’t nearly as lost. The Manga OTL ended in 1996 but was intended to end in 1972 when the authors became too busy. ITTL it did indeed end in 1972 with the chapter Goodbye, Doraemon, in which Doraemon says goodbye and returns to his own time.

[3] Tezuka never finished the Little Wansa Manga OTL, ITTL he does. This was also the last production by Mushi before it went bankrupt. ITTL they are so far still alive.

[4]OTL character design was done by Hayao Miyazaki, not ITTL.

[5] Microid Z was adapted as Microid S OTL due to sponsorship by Seiko. The change does not happen ITTL.

[6] The plot comes from the 2001 adaptation of Metropolis. It’s been used here as Tezuka needs a film other than OTL’s Belladonna of Sadness, which bankrupted the studio. OTL Disney wanted to hire Tezuka to do an unknown Scientist Fiction Project before his death. ITTL Tezuka obliges with a very different adaptation of his manga. He’s also active in the age of Hayao Miyazaki’s intense detail in his films, as a result he goes big and adapts this plot in order to compete.

[7] Was titled OTL Mazinger Z vs Devilman and was non canon to either, providing alternate versions of each shows events. ITTL both franchises use their original titles and the story is a finale to both due to Demon Lord Dante’s ending providing an opportunity for the two to fight organically.

[8] Honey Idol was the original working title for Go Nagai’s Cutie Honey.

[9]OTL Miracle Girl Limit Chan took the “Magical Girl show” spot of Monday at 7pm away from Cutie Honey, meaning Cutie Honey was moved to Saturday at 8:30pm which was reserved for shows aimed at boys like Microid S and Devilman, who have had their names changed ITTL. Go Nagai was therefore asked to make Cutie Honey more aimed at boys, making it the first Shonen magical girl series(I.e. first magical girl series aimed at boys). Go Nagai made the series more aimed at boys by adding nudity(when the character transformed sh briefly appeared naked) and lots of violence. ITTL the roles have been reversed. Cutie Honey gets the magical girl slot while Miracle Girl Limit Chan gets the “Boy” spot and the request to change the show to market to boys is made towards the latter show’s creators. ITTL they did this by keeping the original premise of the show, which was OTL deemed too dark. The idea that the main character had one year to live. Hence the use of the word “Limit” in the title. Most of the staff also worked on Astro Boy(Mighty Atom ITTL) and so it becomes something along those lines. It still didn’t do well OTL and Cutie Honey is more fondly remembered, ironically by girls, the very demographic it changed to move away from.

[10] OTL the Aim for the Ace Anime was cancelled half way through the first series but then became popular in syndication and was brought back and completed. ITTL it does better and so is never cancelled only to return, most likely do to having a different timeslot.

[11] Slightly more popular ITTL due to the Sun over Chikkisani also being based on the stories of the Ainu People.​