Trying to Please Everyone: Or Converting multiple Pop Culture Utopias into a Timeline.
- Thread starter Marco Incognito
- Start date
So far yes except for possibly Cold Fish depending on the murders which inspired it still happen though it would likely be based on a different event. Land of Hope doesn't exist without the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster. All Esper Dayo! SP including missing character Kaho.
Cool, but PLEASE tell me if his absolute masterpiece Love Exposure still exists!!!!1
1994 in Anime
1994 IN ANIME
FILM
Doraemon: Nobita’s Three Visionary Swordsmen(1994)
Nobita is having a nightmare and asks Doraemon to use a Dream Machine. Doraemon and Nobita argue, but Doraemon eventually lets him use the Dream Machine, which by Nobita’s choice, takes him to a three Musketeers inspired world but they are attacked by a mysterious force and separated as the Kingdom of Yumirume is under attack by Emperor Odrome’s army. A Fairy also appears and cuts the moon itself in half. A Swordsman named Suneo captures and makes Nobita his slave. As they a traveling through a jungle, Nobita rescues a bear from a trap. Another swordsman named Gian attacks Nobita and Suneo jumps in to save him, but Suneo and Nobita are defeated and forced to retreat. They go deeper into the forest and find the legendary Sherogani sword and suit, this allows Nobita to become a swordsman as well and he is freed, respected by the other two. He is then woken up by his mother.
Nobita asks Doraemon if his friends could enter the dream too and he complies. They prepare to save the city from Emperor Odrome. A bear attacks the group but a baby bear appears and recognizes Nobita as the one who saved him, calling off the attacking Bear. Nearby, the Princess Shizukaru(played by Nobita’s friend Shizuka), disagreeing with her father’s plan to marry her to whoever can defeat Emperor Odrome, leaves on her own and unknowingly enters a Dragon’s cave. Hearing of this, Nobita’s group enter the cave but split up with Gian and Suneo being turned to stone by the dragon. Nobita later runs into their stoned forms and screams, causing the Dragon to find them. Nobita defeats it but the Dragon is revealed to be sentient and wishes to be left alone, hence why it didn’t try to incinerate Gian and Suneo. Nobita agrees to this and the Dragon restores Gian and Suneo. Nobita’s group, now including Shizukaru, set out to rescue the Kingdom and battle Emperor Odrome. They find his soldiers are made of sentient sand which ignored most weapons but they redirect a river and use water to defeat them. Nobita then battles Emperor Odrome but is then forced to wake up by his mother. Shizuka is the only one of Nobita’s friends who does not have to leave and remains in the dream. When Nobita has time to log back on, he finds that Princess Shizukaru has kept fighting Emperor Odrome single handedly the entire time without dying non stop for hours. Nobita helps turn the tide and provides a distraction at a crucial time which allows Shizuka to kill Emperor Odrome ending the dream. Princess Shizukaru and Nobita then marry. Once the Dream ends, Nobita and Shizuka go to school, both recalling the dream and having grown closer together from the experience.
Crayon Shin-Chan: The Hidden Treasure of Buri Buri Kingdom(1994)
Prince Sunnokeshi of Buri-Buri Kingdom is kidnapped and the King sends the Prince’s Bodyguard Ruru to find him to atone for his failure to prevent his capture.The Nohara family win a vacation to the Buri-Buri Kingdom but are forced to leave from the plane when they are attacked by the White Snake Gang which causes them to eject from the plane and be stranded in the jungle.Shonosuke finds a strange object on the ground before he is kidnapped by the White Snake Gang, who also kidnapped Sunnokeshi, who bears a resemblance to Shinnosuke.The resemblance is explained that the royal family are distant relatives. The White Snake gang is looking for the lost treasure of the Buri Buri-Kingdom which is in a booby trapped temple that requires two pieces of a royal sigil to pass through. The Villain Anaconda uses them to retrieve the treasure, revealed to be a Genie that grants one wish but Shinnosuke shouts a wish for a celebrity’s autograph before the Anaconda could. Anaconda’s assistant Mr.Herb finds a second lamp but turns against his boss, though Anaconda succeeds in wishing to become the most powerful being in existence. As Ruru and the Nohara family fight, they discover a way to seal Anaconda back into the Genie lamp, defeating him.
Fatal Fury(1994)
Based on the fighting game Fatal Fury. With character designs by Masami Obari. Brothers Terry and Andy Bogard are training with their master Tung Fue Rue. The boy’s father Jeff is murdered by his rival Geese Howard while he is distracted by a young child. The dying Jeff makes the two brothers promise to take revenge. Terry returns and Geese is informed of this by his right hand man Billy Kane. Terry meets and falls for Lily McGuire, who hides the fact that she was the girl who distracted Terry’s father Jeff. He eventually finds out but forgives her since she was a child manipulated by the gang. Terry meets Joe Higashi, a champion Muay Thai kickboxer. Terry and Andy are introduced to the King of Fighters tournament. Tung reveals a technique called the hurricane kick he can only teach one of them. In the tournament both brothers fight each other but an assassin tries to kill them with Joe Higashi taking a bullet to save the brothers. Geese then kills Lily in revenge. Terry finds her and reveals he forgives her before she dies. Tung is attacked by Billy Kane and put in the hospital. Andy in anger leaves on his own to fight Geese. Tung wakes up and teaches Terry the hurricane kick but dies soon after. Terry joins Andy in fighting Geese and while they struggle Terry’s use of the new technique wins the day and Geese falls from the building to his death[1]
Treasure Planet(1994)
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film made in collaboration with Walt Disney and the last collaboration between the two before Disney’s death, The film being dedicated to his memory. His death would spurn Miyazaki into announcing his retirement, though many suspected he was only in mourning and would return[2]. Talks of a potential sequel rose up despite Miyazaki’s supposed retirement and that neither him nor Disney(the man or the company) really did sequels. The film is fairly stunning in its designs, especially of the vehicles which are explained to use “space-time envelopes” to maintain breathable atmosphere around the crafts, which resemble classic pirate ships.
Jim Hawkins dreams of Pirates and the adventures of Captain Flint while helping his mother run the Admiral Benbow Inn. An old man named Billy Bones, seeing his enthusiasm, gives the young boy a map and tells him to beware of Long John Silver. Hawkins is tricky into delivering a letter to Billy Bones with a single black spot, showing he is marked for death. Shortly after Pirates attack the Inn and burn it down, killing Billy Bones but Hawkins and his mother escape to the protection of the eccentric Dr.Livesey and his apprentice Trelawney(made female in this version to provide the Miyazaki female heroine and a love interest/rival to Jim), who offer them a home. Livesey discovers the device is a map and activates it, which leads to a planet containing lost treasure. He is then shown looking to assemble a crew on a futuristic Moon with Roman style architecture. The expedition is led by Navy Captain Smollett. Jim meets a friendly no legged cook with a parrot and befriends him and the rest, convincing them to bring in old friends of his. It is later revealed that the no legged man lied about his name and he is really Long John Silver, who dons mechanical legs brought onboard as the men he hired were his pirate crew. Silver betrayed Flint and now seeks his treasure as he failed to get Flint to talk before his death. When the ship is threatened by a black hole, the crew secretly kills first mate Mr.Arrow by cutting his rope so he is pulled into it.
Jim overhears Silver and the Pirates talking but they have arrived on the planet and he runs to tell Livesey, Trelawney and Smollet. This causes the group to break off and flee away from the Pirates. They run into Ben Gum, a now insane Pirate who belonged to Flint's crew marooned on the island. Jim sneaks away to steal the map and untie the Pirate ship so it drifts off (he has no time to tell them this and the others believe he has abandoned them). He is attacked by a pirate who remained onboard(Ironbeard played by Willem Defoe), but he succeeds and the Ship drifts off into space and Iron beard with it. Jim returns to the old hideout of his friends but is ambushed by Silver, who retakes the map with his crew. Silver insists on being friendly to Jim and that he is not harmed. Some Pirates give Silver the Black Spot but he proceeds to challenge those who requested his death to a fight. He removes his cyborg parts and defeats his challengers without them, earning back the respect of the crew. The Pirates travel to where the treasure is, finding a large vault filled with gold and the skeleton of Captain Flint. Just then, Smollet's crew arrives with reinforcements, having sent a signal and the place begins to collapse with everyone running. The Treasury is lost and everyone is rescued including a captive Long John Silver, who manages to escape and steal a ship when they get home. Years later, Jim is telling the story to his pirate obsessed children and wonders when they ask about what happened to Long John Silver. It is then revealed that Trelawney has went back to the planet to find the location of the other treasures mentioned on the map and with her is an old and lightly chained by the ankle Long John Silver[3].
Pom Poko(1994)
Directed by Isao Takahata. The film follows a group of mythical Tanuki trying to survive as Urban development destroys their forest homes.The film provided complications as like in mythology, the Tanuki have magical testicles which are sometimes displayed prominently as they grow massive as a defense mechanism. The english dub refers to them as pouches to try and cushion this.
The Life of Budori Gusuko(1994)
Based on the novel of the same name by Kenji Miyazawa.
Street Fighter(1994)
With a budget of ¥4 billion($35 million US Dollars) provided mostly by Capcom. Capcom was very strict during production including mandating a December 1994 deadline. The director Steven E. de Souza wrote the script himself, being a fan of the game. Capcom wanted Jean Claude Van Damme as Guile but he jumped ship to play Johnny Cage in the Mortal Kombat film instead, though they did succeed in signing on Raul Julia as Shadaloo’s Leader Vega. Unable to get Van Damme, who had demanded $8 Million[4] to leave Mortal Kombat, Capcom instead approved a script for an Animated film by Group TAC but reworked it into a live action film.
Kenya Sawada was cast as Ryu, but didn’t speak English very well. It was decided his scenes would be dubbed though he was given an English coach.
At the Time of the Film the Street Fighter III Video Game was going to be released. Capcom made the choice against including any of the new characters like Fei Long, Dee Jay, Cammy, T. Hawk or Alex from the new game and only the Street Fighter I and II rosters would be used[5]
The opening begins with a battle between Ryu and Sagat in a field during the rain. Ryu is beaten down but begins to become almost demonic with his eyes becoming black and he delivers an uppercut that leaves a huge gash on Sagat’s chest. Sagat attacks and Ryu gouges out his eye as well. He is then pushed away and charges Ryu in anger. Ryu charges up the Hadoken and fires it in a first person view to the audience. The Title is shown.
Some time later, A Military force led by the Dictator Vega descends on a village in China during the Chinese Civil War. They demand tribute. American Soldiers including Guile, Charlie Nash, and the aid of Chinese General Dorai descend on the Village and a firefight ensues. Vega is present and his forces are repealed only for the reinforcements to open fire on them, killing Dorai and Charlie Nash in a hail of bullets and devastating the joint forces enough to force their retreat. Guile attacks Vega and wounds him but escapes(Raul Julia’s health was not good at the time and his injuries early on where to justify him not having to work as well, this is in addition to the plot being changed to Vega wanting a new body.
Interpol agent Chun-Li is shown being informed of the death of her father Dorai. She goes to speak with Guile and while he is reluctant to work with her they agree to avenge the people they lost. Vega is seen meeting with his lieutenants, the assassin Balrog, the bodyguard and boxer M.Bison(played by Mike Tison)[6], and the former champion Sagat. Vega demands a new body but is unsatisfied with the candidates before him including the lieutenants, who agreed to join him when Vega could not use their bodies. They had been told doing so would grant them incredible power. Vega then sets his sights on Ryu, for his defeat of Sagat. It is revealed that Sagat held the tournament but then decided to kill Ryu after he lost to him, resulting in his disfigurement.
Ryu is shown training in the mountains as his master Gouken’s voice is heard. He returns to his master’s dojo to find him murdered with a symbol on the wall of the Satsui no Hado. He travels to America to reunite with his old friend Ken and inform him. Ken has a family now but decides to hang out and teach Ryu english. They are approached by Guile and Chun Li in a bar, who believe Sagat may target Ryu and were following Ken. A fight ensues. After the fight a TV announces a tournament being held by Sagat. The ad showcases Balrog and M.Bison, tipping off Guile and Chun-Li that Shadaloo is behind it. All four agree to join.
The Tournament is held. Contestants include Ryu,Ken, Guile, Chun Li, M.Bison, Sagat, Zangief and E.Honda. Sagat gives Ryu the option of only having the final fight but he refuses and insists on fighting in the brackets and Sagat agrees to do the same. Balrog is present and sent by Vega to keep an eye on Guile and Chun Li. Dhalsim fights E.Honda in the tryout round but senses Ryu’s ki and willingly forfeits. Dhalsim goes to speak with Ryu, sensing he has a dark side he wishes to keep contained and E.Honda follows out of curiosity. Dhalsim works with Ryu to keep the darkness back by meditating.
That night, Vega attempts to kill Chun Li. She is injured but is able to knock Vega out of a window, seemingly to his death. Guile finds her and gets her to a hospital Ryu and Ken arrive as well. Guile goes to break into a Shadaloo facility they were spying on and finds several experiments, including Blanka, which breaks out and attacks him before escaping. Dhalsim senses there is no actual tournament and that was a facade to bring them all together as they are attacked in the hospital by M.Bison and Sagat and Zangief(who was tricked by M.Bison into helping them and is convinced Ryu, Ken and E.Honda are assaulting Chun Li. Dhalsim stays behind to try healing Chun li. Zangief fights E.Honda who convinces him that he was tricked.Ryu is approached by a new figure he spotted at times which is revealed to be Akuma, brother of Gouken, who encourages him to embrace the darkness. Ken fights Sagat, who mocks him for being not as good as Ryu as he overpowers him. Ken briefly taps into the darkness as well which Ryu and Akuma witness. Bison knocks out Dhalsim and takes Chun Li while Sagat takes Ken. Akuma leaves Ryu exhausted. Guile returns too late.
Ryu, Guile, Dhalsim, E.Honda and a repentant Zangief make plans to break into the Shadaloo Base and rescue Ken and Chun Li. Ken and Chun Li are brought before Vega. Chun Li berates Vega for killing her father which Vega reveals he doesn’t remember and reveals that for him “It was Tuesday.” Vega activates a device to test if one of them could hold his mind. Ken is estimated to be able to and Vega begins to transfer his mind. The process is interrupted by Guile’s group attacking, but a now violent brainwashed Ken attacks Ryu while Guile fights Vega, E.Honda fights M.Bison(who he encounters sitting in a ring with boxing gloves on) and Zangief fights Sagat. The feral Blanka also breaks in and attacks but Dhalsim calms his mind and he turns on Shadaloo. Vega transforms into a more powerful form(changing actors to give Raul Julia a rest but the new actor being much more muscle bound). Guile frees Chun Li and she attacks Vega, commenting once more that he killed her father. Vega snaps back that he killed his father too and he doesn’t wine about it. Blanka, recognizing Vega, attacks him, knocking both into a control panel, which explodes, only for the smoke to clear and reveal Vega is still alive. Guile and Chun Li both engage Vega in combat. Dhlasim helps counter Akuma’s influence and he recalls a conversation with Gouken that allows him to summon a white good hearted energy which he uses to defeat and purge the darkness from Ken. Akuma says that Ryu made his choice and departs, but vows he will see him again.
Ryu then goes to fight Sagat but apologizes to him for his actions and tries to talk him down, eventually reaching him. E.Honda defeats M.Bison by using the weakness of his lower body, picking him up and throwing him out of the ring. Guile and Chun Li use their combined projectile attacks to vaporize Vega killing him.
In the aftermath, Guile and Chun Li visit their loved ones' graves. Ryu and Ken part ways but a young girl comes to the Dojo and asks to be trained by Ryu[7].
Samurai Spirits(1994)
An adaptation of the 1993 beat em up game Samurai Spirits. The Spirit of dead Samurai Amakusa Shiro is revived after a deal with the dark god Ambrosia in 1788. Famous samurais from across time are revived as well to stop his demonic forces.
Darkside Blues(1994)
The City of Kabuki-cho has been taken over by the Persona Century Corporation. A resistance group called Messiah opposes them with the mysterious stranger “Dark Side” aiding the rebels.
Final Fantasy I (1994)
The Animated Adaptation of the Final Fantasy series. Adapting the first game with tentative plans(inspired possibly by the Lupin, Doraemon and Gundam projects) to adapt a game every year. This series would later inspire the popular webcomic Final Fantasy Theater, which took screenshots from the series and made comedic sketches out of them, including trying every Final Fantasy game together to make them a sequel to each other[8].
The Eternal Lupin III(1994)
In 1993, Lupin’s voice actor Yasuo Yamada began to feel ill. He recorded his lines for the later Lupin film Orders to Assassinate Lupin while sitting which was unusual for him and seemed to believe his time was coming to an end and told as such to a select few such as composer Yuji Ohno and Lupin creator Kazuhiko Katō. Yamada expressed the desire to see Lupin die with him, something which was quite common in Japan.
“If I am no longer able to perform, I would like you to stop making new Lupin series, whether for a TV station or a movie company. I'm sorry to say this, but I want him to grow old with me, and when I die, I want to take him with me to my grave. I have that kind of feeling.”
-Yasuo Yamada, 1989
The plan was therefore made to conclude any and all Lupin franchises with the next film, poignantly titled The Eternal Lupin III. However, this shift left them with a film plot required to meet their contract of a film a year. Since Zenigata had frequently been shown unable to capture Lupin, it was decided to introduce a new foe for Lupin. Artist Gosho Aoyama pitched the character of Detective Conan, originally an adult infected with a disease that turned him into a child, this was deemed too complex and strange in a Lupin film. He was instead reworked as a child genius. Detective Conan was introduced to be the Detective who would finally defeat Lupin and his gang. The story was written as a tribute to Lupin as a whole. Lupin is searching for a device that his famous grandfather Arsene Lupin disappeared looking for. It turns out to be a Time Machine(in the vain of The H.G. Wells The Time Machine) and Lupin and the gang end up using it while being chased by Detective Conan and Zenigata, leading the group to be separated across time and end up in different points in history, this includes visiting classic Lupin moments(including Castle of Cagliostro and the future of Lupin VIII with changes in animation to match the time period). Lupin accidentally brings back red shirt Lupin by pulling him out of time but succeeds in redeeming him, thus preventing the destruction from Lupin III: Tower of Babel from ever happening.Then there is a plot twist as Detective Conan is revealed to be Lupin IV, the son of Lupin III and Fujiko Mine, and Lupin finally allows himself to be turned in, ending the series, but with the implication that there would be a new series following Detective Conan[9]
Another option to replace Lupin was a series following a group of space outlaws pitched by Shinichirō. Watanabe which was greenly with the support of Bandai, who stated they just wanted toy rights and that Watanabe could do whatever they want[10].
TV SERIES
Who Killed World Masterpiece Theater?
Hello and welcome back to Franchise killer.
(The Image is of a noir style monochrome wall with a shadow of a detective with a fedora and trenchcoat).
Today’s murder victim was beloved by many in Japan and then across the pacific when Disney brought it over. Many think Disney killed it. He wanted to be the only game in town adapting those classic stories. I’m not buying it, seeing as how he was already did by that time. How can a corpse commit murder? I think I have the answer…
….
(Later in the video. Behind the Scenes Footage plays)
So in Disney’s will it said Miyazaki would get the rights back to World Masterpiece Theater. Disney figured that something Japanese should be in Japanese hands so he gave it over. Figured since he used to work for them, heck Miyazaki’s Pippi Longstocking started off as part of the series that he’d have some sentimental value to it.
But Myazaki’s a perfectionist. Back then he was just starting off. He had to follow orders. Now he was his own man. And he liked to take his time. Plus he was getting old. One film a year wasn’t gonna cut it. He’d never be satisfied if they rushed stuff out once a year. Could he get one of his cronies to do it? Ha! Heck no. Without him those fellers went over budget on what was supposed to be a cheap kiddy film. I remember it like it was Only Yesterday. Cause it was only Yesterday. He couldn’t trust them with the Takahata’s back burner stuff let alone something Walt Frickin’s Disney trusted him with. No he’d never be happy. But before he could pull the plug himself, Fuji TV decided to do It for him. End it on their own terms[11]
You could say it was Hara-Kiri.
-Who Killed World Masterpiece Theater, by Franchise Killer on Youtube.
Akazukin Chacha(1994-1995)
Based on the manga by Min Ayahana that ran from 1992 to 2000. The series follows a magical girl named Chacha based on Little Red Riding Hood who is a student magician. Most of her accidental magic proved difficult to translate(For example Kumo means both cloud and Spider in Japanese and so she summons Spiders while trying to summon a cloud, which doesn’t work as well in English).
Marmalade Girl(1994-1995)
Based on the Manga by Water Yoshizumi that ran from 1992 to 1995. Adapted by Toei Animation. The series follows a high school sophomore named Miki Koishikawa, who is told that his parents made a bet with a couple they met while on vacation in Hawaii to trade spouses and that they will be getting a divorce. She meets the Hawaiian couples daughter Yuu, who Miki feels a strong attraction to. You has black hair and is devilish and unpredictable. Miki and Yuu eventually do break up due to the awkwardness of their new familial connection a swell as the reappearance of Miki’s childhood crush Ginta[12].
The Indiana Jones Adventures(1994-1998)
Not really an Anime but several episodes were worked on and written by Studio Ghibli staff so it kinda counts. During the production of the Indiana Jones Films, Lucas was repeatedly asked about Indy’s childhood to flesh him out as a character. Something shown in a scene in the third film. This fueled a desire for a TV show between Spielberg and Lucas. After the failure to get Tom Selleck to reprise his role for the TV show[13]. The duo decided to take the Animated route. Lucas was initially reluctant but was talked into it by Spielberg, who had already had a hand in several cartoons and both considered the trilogy to be complete. Studio Ghibli, already busy on their latest films were approached but would only do a handful of episodes which Hayao Miyazaki directed following a much younger boy Indy and some impressive airplane designs. This was also seen as a second chance to the animation staff who had gone over budget and overtime on Only Yesterday. In the end most of the animation would go towards other western studios, granting the series a type of anthology element with different animators at times.
While there's no specific Animation Studio in mind the art style is something like this, maybe between Batman: The Animated Series and Gargoyles. The Show's Intro would be something like this but cut down for time.
Episodes written included the first meetings with Marion and Belloc. Lucas was personally fond of the Episode focusing on the Crystal Skulls, even if that episode is disliked by the fandom[14].
For Lucas this was in essence a test run for Animation. He would, when the time came for the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy in 1997, choose Genndy Tartakovsky to create a 2D The Clone Wars series[15].
Lord of Lords: Ryū Knight(1994-1995)
Produced by Sunrise. A boy named Adeu, who follows the Knightly Virtues, goes on a quest to find the Earth’s blade, a giant sword capable of piercing the sky. He is joined on his journey by a princess, a ninja and a priest.
Ginga Sengoku Gun'yūden Rai(1994-1995)
Based on the manga by Johji Manabe that ran from 1989 to 2001.The series is set in the future after a Galactic Empire broke apart into warring factions. All sides seek to reunite the Empire under their rule with the main protagonist being the warrior Rai Ryuga.
Polka Gundam(1994-1995)
Polka Gundam focused on a struggle between people on Mars attempting to get back to Earth and the Earthlings on the planet. The Title became a subject of parody, even a similarly named Album by Weird Al Yankovic. Similarly Vtuber Omaru Polka has admitted to being a fan of the series[16].
The Visions of Escaflowne(1994)
Shoji Kawamori had created the Battle City Megaroad franchise and now considered a fantasy mecha series. Yasuhiro Imagawa was brought onboard as director and would stay for the show’s entire run. It was Imagawa who suggested the world “Escaflowne” or latin for “escalation” and the inclusion of a female heroine with a male centered gaze. The protagonist was therefore made into Hitomi Kanzaki. Yoko Kanno did the music with her husband Hajime Mizoguchi. The series also launched Maaya Sakamato’s career as Kanno was a fan of her work and brought her onboard in the idol role and to sing the theme song of the series. In the distant past, as Atlantis sank, they created an alternate dimension from their wishes called Gaea. Hitomi is transported to the world of Gaea and become involved in a war between the Zaibach Empire of Emperor Isaac Dornkirk and the lands he seeks to conquer, after gaining psychic powers[17].
Ghost Sweeper Mikami: The Great Paradise Battle!!(1994)
A sequel to the TV Series. Mikami is called upon the ghost of the samurai Mitsuhide Akechi to stop Oda Nobunaga, who has returned as a vampire to plague Japan.
Baki Hanma(1994-)
Based on the Manga by Keisuke Itagaki. Baki Hanma is the son of Yujiro Hanma, the deadliest man on Earth, who can perform superhuman feats. Hanma slept with multiple women in the hope he would have a son who would serve as a worthy opponent and when they reach adulthood, fighting and killing them if they do not satisfy him. Baki begins training to fight his father, both travelling the world and fighting strong opponents, which become more and more insane including a super soldier experiment and an unfrozen Caveman. The series is known for its insanity, largely regarding the superhuman feats of the fighters. Some countries like Brazil hold watch parties in bars and strip clubs which promote matches like MMA or Boxing fights[18].
Captain Tsubasa: The Most Powerful Opponent! Holland!(1994)
A Captain Tsubasa film as his team engages Holland in the 1994 Fifa World Cup Finale and battle corruption in the highest echelons of the sport.
DNA2(1994)
Based on the manga by Masakazu Katsura that ran from 1993 to 1994. A boy named Junta Momonari throws up when he is aroused. He meets a girl from the future called Karin Aoi who revealed a gene was discovered that caused humans to have 100 children, leading to overpopulation. Karin then shoots Junta as he wa the progenitor only to discover she instead hit him with the wrong bullet and altered time by giving him an aphrodisiac bullet meant for her husband and left the bullet to stop the gene at home, paradoxically creating the gene and forcing her to stay and try to fix things.
Magical Knight Rayearth(1994-1995)
Based on the CLAMP Manga which ran from 1993 to 1996. The series was designed to combine Sailor Moon elements with Mecha. Intended to appeal to elementary school age children. The plot follows Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji, who are drawn into another world called Cephiro while visiting the Tokyo Tower. They are tasked with rescuing Princess Emeraude from the villain Zagato.They kill him but learn the princess fell in love with him and now seeks to kill them. They are left with no choice but to kill her, leading them to be sent back home by her magic as it is revealed she brought them there to kill her in the first place.
Blue Seed(1994)
Based on the Manga by Yuzo Takada that ran from 1992 to 1996, itself based on the Izumo Cycle in Japanese Mythology but transplanted to a SciFi setting. The descendant of the mythical Princess Kushinada: Momiji Fujimiya, is tasked with opposing the Aragami(Angry Gods) summoned by Yamata no Orochi. Momiji was meant to be sacrificed to the Aragami but instead joins the Terrestrial Administration Centerr(TAC, also the initials of the production company). Momiji and TAC’s main goal becomes finding the reincarnated Susanoo no Mikoto, as he defeated Orochi in mythology though Momiji becomes the real hero as the story goes on.
Battle City 7(1994-1995)
A Sequel to 1982’s Battle City Megaload, likely delayed but intended for the Anniversary(though it made the anniversary of the "Do You Remember Love?" movie) but created due to the delay in production of the potential film(which lacks a director but has since cast Tobey Maguire in the lead role[19]). The Series is best known for its music. This is because the series took cues from the first series and made the band Fire Bomber the main focus just as the idol Lynn Minmay had been the star attraction of the original series.
Set 35 years after the end of the first series. Big City 7 leads colonization efforts across space. The Fleet is commanded by Maximillian Jenius. The Fleet is attacked by an unknown enemy led by commander Gigile, using modified valkyries. This new enemy is able to drain machines of their energy, leaving them unmoving. A civilian musician named Basara Nekki modified a Mech and attacks using music themed weapons such as hypersonic sound from speakers and a weapon that doubles as a guitar. Basara does little but get in the way but a secret underfunded project is put under way with him as a subject to determine if music could be weaponized since it worked against the Zentraedi. A way of using music and soundwaves to revive pilots rendered inert by the invader weapons is found, using a beat to jumpstart the heart. It is also revealed that the enemy soldiers are brainwashed humans from which can be reawakened by the music as well. The lost humans were brainwashed by an alien entity called the Protodevlin, who captured the entire fleet, separating it from the rest of the universe. The Protodevlin rely on the energy they are stealing to survive and Basara leads the charge when it is discovered music can harm them[20].
Magical Circle Guru Guru(1994-1995)
A light series aimed at children with occasional toilet humor and innuendo, largely serving as a parody of Role Playing Games and the media such as the Anime adaptations of them like Dragon Quest.
Godzilla: The Animated Series(1994-1995)
An Adaptation of the 1994 Godzilla film and in anticipation for the later 1995 Godzilla vs Destroyer film. Since neither film used the classic Toho monsters. Many instead were allowed to make their appearance within this series including Mothra, Rodan and Ghidorah, reworking them into the new setting of the series and concluding this Godzilla’s story after the release of the 1995 film ended the two film franchise[21].
Chō Kuse ni Narisō(1994-1995)
Shiratori Nagisa is the heir to a Judo Dojo. To raise money she becomes an idol and receives immense popularity but is unable to find students to revive the Dojo, so she impersonates a boy and goes undercover in high school to find new recruits, where she ends up falling in love with a martial arts rival who is attracted to her as an idol.
Oyoko Club(1994-2013)
A slice of life series which aired on Fuji TV. It depicts a group of aliens moving in with a human family.
DVA
Superman and the Lovely Angels(1994)
Several factors came together to make this odd crossover happen. On the Lovely Angels Side, Sunrise wanted to make a Lovely Angels sequel, but Kyoku Tongu, the original voice for Kei had retired and moved to North America and Saeko Shimazu, voice of Yuri, would not work unless her partner returned as well. The plan was to make a reboot of the series with no voice actors.
On the Superman Side, Superman: The Animated Series had been launched. Warner Bros had opened up Warner Bros Japan. A Division with access to every franchise in their collection. They could team up with other studios and license out the characters so long as the DC heads approved. Since they held the distribution rights to the Lovely Angels and it was not selling well and any DC character not named Batman had failed to crack Japan, They proposed the idea of crossing them over. DC called Sunrise and suddenly it was on.
The DVA(or Direct to Video film) had the original casts for both sections return, even pulling Kyoku Tongu out of retirement once DC lawyers tracked her down. Something easy to do since she was married to Superman’s voice actor Adam Baldwin since they met on the set of Fullmetal Jacket[22]
“Yeah on one hand casting a Japanese actress to play a Vietnamese woman that I shoot in the head is kind a racist but on the other hand…that's how I met my wife.”
Despite it being cemented early on as a DVA, the Animation studio team put immense effort behind it. For this story Superman would be transported into the future to interact with the Lovely Angels cast though the Lovely Angels themselves are transported to Superman’s time. The Animation style changes to reflect the show world the characters are in. The main plot involves Brainiac using nanites to assimilate the planet Jupiter. While this process is revealed to take centuries, it has just finished in the Lovely Angels future time period and now threatens Earth. The Legion of Superheroes also appear to aid Superman in this battle alongside the Lovely Angels. given the voice actors, there is some flirting between Superman and Kei.
Plastic Little(1994)
Based on the manga by Satoshi Urushihara in a space setting, a young woman named Tita Mu Koshigaya finds and rescues a girl named Elysse Aldo Mordish from an alien planet’s military forces, who have killed Elysse’s scientist father. Tita was researching the planet’s wildlife. While saving the world is important, an equal amount of time is put towards the developing lesbian relationship between Tita and Elysse.
Airbats(1994-1996)
A romantic comedy about a male mechanic Takuya Isurugi, who is transferred to be the mechanic of an all female strike force, starting a love triangle with two rivals Miyuki Haneda and Arisa Mitaka.
F3: Frantic, Frustrated & Female(1994)
A Hentai following Hiroe Ogawa, a girl who is unable to achieve intimate satisfaction.
Angel Blade Kekko Kamen(1995-2000)
A Hentai Created by Masami Ōbari and Based on Kekko Kamen created by Go Nagai. The series is a reimagining set 100 years in the future from the original series. Earth has become inhospitable due to pollution and nuclear war. Humanity lives in several floating cities. City 69 is infiltrated by a race of mutants who seek to both transform humans into mutants and create human-mutant hybrids to both increase their own numbers, inhabit the desolated Earth and to wipe out Humanity in revenge. The largely female led Mutants are opposed by a new magical girl version of Kekko Kamen "Angel Blade". Neither the heroes nor the villains wear clothes that cover anything .In a downer ending typical of Hentai, Kekko Kamen discovers the Queen of the Mutants is her mother and is transformed into Demon Blade, an ally of the Mutants who leads the charge in transforming humanity into mutants[23].
I’m Not an Angel(1994)
Based on the Manga by Ai Yazawa that ran from 1991 to 1994. Midori Saejima is a first year student at a newly established school Hijiri Gakuen. Due to her popularity she is encouraged to run for student council president as her crush Akira is also running.The series then continues to explore their relationship through High School
You’re Under Arrest(1994-1995)
An adaptation of the same Manga that was billed as a prequel to Oh My Goddess!
Key the Metal Idol(1994-1996)
Tokiko Mima is a girl who believes herself to be an android with a scientist grandfather named Murao Mima who she believes builds a new body as she sleeps when she grows. When Mima is on his death bed he records an audiotape telling Tokiko she can become human if she gains 30,000 friends. Key believes she has batteries that will run out. She becomes an idol while a conspiracy comes after her as she has superhuman properties.
Genocyber(1994)
Based on the manga by Tony Takezaki that ran from 1992 to 1993.The world’s nations have formed one government. The mad scientist led Kuryu Group create the Genocyber as a weapon. It is sent after a woman named Elaine but when she is murdered, her spirit is able to possess Genocyber and destroy Hong Kong. Due to the timing of when this attack took place matching up with a nation known as Karain seceding from the world government, it is believed to be a weapon of theirs. The Kuryu Group is recruited by the UN to design weapons to stop Genocyber, including a new prototype called the Vajra. A battle results in Elaine being returned to a human form and she is found and adopted by Myra, a member of the team who lost her daughter during Genocyber’s battle with Kuryu. Elaine is now mute and cannot reveal her true involvement with the group, who believe she is an innocent orphan. The Vajra is accused of malfunctioning when it attacks Elaine and it then tries to destroy the ship. Karain is destroyed like Hong Kong by Genocyber, but this time it relapses to Elaine, who vows to never summon Genocyber again. She is adopted by Myra and a man named Ryu but in the ruins of the city, a corrupt mayor aided by Kuryu Group rises up and kills innocents including seemingly Ryu and Myra, eventually forcing Elaine to summon Genocyber and destroy Kuryu and their satellite base in space at the cost of her own life, saying goodbye via a transmission on the satellite to Ryu and Myra.
Junkers Come Here(1994)
The story of a girl dealing with her parent’s divorce, both of which were largely absent due to their jobs and her relationship with her dog Junkers, who can secretly talk.
Kizuna(1994)
A Yaoi Manga focusing on a gay high school romance, which is complicated when one of the protagonist’s mother dies and he learns he has familial ties to the Yakuza.
Ogre Slayer(1994-1995)
A series about a young man who hunts Ogres.
Phantom Quest Corp(1994-1995)
A series following japanese exorcist Ayaka Kisaragi as she battled Supernatural forces.
IN THE NEWS…
Disney, after casting Gina Davis as Queen Beryl for their live action Sailor Moon, has narrowed down their lead for the role or Usagi Tsukino(to be renamed Luna) to Heather Graham, beating out Elizabeth Shue(deemed too old to play a teenager at 32) and Winona Ryder(previously played Mai, the Psychic Girl). The film is now planned for a 1995 release[24].
TRUE AI!
After years of work attempting to build a true artificial intelligence, a new breakthrough has been found. To be clear the computer is massive, taking up multiple rooms and must be maintained frequently but it is still a breakthrough. The AI is in a state where it can speak and seems to have things resembling thoughts but largely exists to answer questions and cannot predict the future, though it can be asked to guess. When asked to create images or write stories it admits to lacking creativity. Its appearance resembles a screen with a face which disappears and calculations can take hours[25].
At this time it doesn't do much but the idea of hooking it up to the Internet is being considered.
Strangest of all according the staff the AI turned itself on at night and was recorded singing an original song of its own creation
Butterflied Away
Brave police J Decker-Brave series staying one installment casualty.
Ginga Sengoku Gun'yūden Rai- An adaptation hated by the original author. This was due to Kadokawa President Haruki Kadokawa, being arrested for cocaine smuggling and for embezzling his company’s funds, leading to much of the budget being pulled. ITTL its canceled outright to satisfy the original manga author Johji Manabe, who hated the adaptation so much he wanted to give everyone involved the Death Sentence. That kind of hate seems to go beyond just they cut the budget
Iria: Zeiram the Animation- An Animated prequel to the Zeiram live action film. ITTL the animation plot is instead incorporated into the sequel Zeiram 2 released the same year.
The Legend of Snow White-Casualty of Tatsunoko collapse.
Sonic: The Animation- Currently The Sonic the Hedgehog Tv Series AKA Sonic Sat-AM is still running for an extra third season which was canceled OTL, and so these short animations have been removed while the franchise focuses on wrapping up that series and with plans for Sonic: Wonders of the World to be released in 1995.
NOTES
[1] This plot is actually from a 1992 TV Special but its been moved up here as the plot would fit well in competing with a Street Fighter film.
[2] Miyazaki has at many times claimed to have retired only to return later. The first case of this was after the death of Yoshifumi Kondō, his intended successor, in 1998. He was likely just in mourning and would return with Spirited Away, so ITTL he is having a similar moment over Walt Disney's death.
[3] A mix of OTL Treasure Planet but more faithful to the original book and some Hayao Miyazaki staples inserted in. Ironbeard is from the cancelled Treasure Planet 2 as a sequel is unlikely.
[4] Getting Jean Claude Van Damme along drained the budget for the Street Fighter Movie OTL.
[5] ITTL Capcom didn't go overboard with the re-releases of Street Fighter II, meaning Street Fighter III will be released earlier and with the New warriors added in later additions of Street Fighter II OTL.
[6] Don't get confused but when Street Fighter came over to the US there was a Mike Tyson Rape Scandal so the original names were swapped. Vega became M.Bison(Dictator), Balrog became Vega(Spanish assassin with mask and claws) and M.Bison became Balrog(black boxer, hence his name being a Mike Tyson reference).
[7]Intended to be Sakura.
[8] replaces Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals, which was a sequel to Final Fantasy V set 200 years later. Ok hear me out. If they make a Final Fantasy Animated film every year, by the time they get to Final Fantasy 7. It will be 2001. The year the infamous film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was released. So we’d basically be swapping out that film with a 3D adaptation of Final Fantasy 7, considered largely the best one, probably with graphics akin to Advent Children.
Final Fantasy Theater is a reference to 8- Bit Theater. A long running webcomic. ITTL with every Final Fantasy game getting at least one adaptation. The web series uses screenshots instead of sprites, similar to web comics Darths and Droids and DM of the Rings, which do Star Wars and Lord of the Rings in this style. This also further contributes to its status as a long runner as ITTL it will keep going as long as Final Fantasy keeps going.
[9] OTL Detective Conan was created around this time and crossed over with Lupin III later on but ITTL has been made a character in the same world. Ironically this means Conan succeeded in a promise he made in the OTL crossover but could never accomplish, he captured Lupin and the gang.
I have nothing against Lupin its just that I felt like I had to grant the wish of his dying voice actor, and the idea might actually be more plausible due to the franchise having to recover from Tower of Babel a decade prior, still I did leave it open for a potential continuation.
[10] A Little early but you may know this series OTL as Cowboy Bebop. Moving it down provides the chance for Spike Spiegel's inspiration Yusaku Matsuda, to play him in a live action film(OTL he died in 1989 but of bladder cancer he ignored. ITTL he is alive albeit in his 50's but still looked good in 1989).
[11] World Masterpiece Theater OTL lasted from 1969 to 1997, though it would be revived, lasting from 2007 to 2009. Ironically this year OTL they released their first and only original story, Tico of the Seven Seas.I don’t know why I envisioned a noir themed Youtube series for this specific part. But looking at the internet, it’s probably closest to the Youtube Series Death of a Game by nerdSlayer Studios, which looks at cancelled Video Games but "Franchise Killer" is much more broad on its subject matter.
[12] OTL the series was titled Marmalade Boy. TTL’s title change is actually indicative of the original idea. All the characters were supposed to be gender flipped with the protagonist being male instead of female OTL. Hence the title of Marmalade Boy despite the protagonist being female. The author just liked it, though it changed to reflect Yuu, which it now reflects his female counterpart. The ending is also changed from OTL where Miki and Yuu end up together. The original ending had them discover they were biologically related and call off the relationship.
[13] Tom Selleck was the original choice to play Indiana Jones but was contractually obligated to star in Magnum P.I. ITTL I like to imagine Harrison Ford and he swapped roles there so Harrison Ford is the star of Magnum P.I.
[14] Lucas actually conceived an episode about the Crystal Skulls for Young Indiana Jones. Which this replaces(its placement also replaces an OTL Anime parody called Indiana Bones with a dog) . Obviously he held onto that idea until Kingdom of the Crystal Skull...unfortunately. At least here it's just a weird episode of an otherwise pretty stellar show.
[15] TTL's The Clone Wars will essentially be the CGI series plot with the 2D series art style, and be released between the prequel films.
[16] OTL this series came undone due to Victory Gundam underperforming, here that series did better due to SD Gundam not existing. As such Fighter G Gundam is butterflied away.
[17] OTL Yasuhiro Imagawa left the show. His continued presence butterflies away the reveal that the villain was Allen Schezar's lost lost sister turned into a boy.
[18] OTL a short OVA of Baki the Grappler was released but ITTL its a full series, as Baki is itself a long runner, though its released in part. The show's fights are already treated much like wrestling matches. The screenings in Brazil is something done with Dragonball Super episodes OTL though with Baki fights tend to swing either way at times with even the protagonist losing a few.
[19] OTL James Wan was attached to direct a Robotech(English dubbed Macross series)around 2006 or so with Tobey Maguire looking to produce and possibly star in. However given Wan wouldn't be in film school yet its too soon to bring him on, still I'm planning to push Saw down to 2000 and have him be hired to work on the "Battle City" movie shortly after, with the bonus that this would possibly either delay or butterfly the Saw sequels, meaning they never descend into Torture Porn. It may also lead to a friendship between Wan and Maguire akin to his OTL friendship with Sam Raimi since the James Cameron Spider-Man movies with Leonard DiCaprio happened ITTL. I do imagine Wan, being a horror director, would make the alien Zentraedi more terrifying and monstrous rather than humanoid, like they were the Quiet Place monsters except music can hypnotize them.
[20] OTL's equivalent to Macross 7. The show switched hands several times and one producer really liked Macbeth and demanded they make the name sound like Macbeth. The name Battle City Megaload(or road, both are identical in Japanese) was settled on so without the name Macross and Megaroad being a more broad term for the journey and the craft. Battle City is used instead and it becomes the "Battle City" franchise, cementing the recurring element of fighting cities.
[21] Moved some Godzilla stuff around but an OTL cancelled Godzilla film was made ITTL in which Godzilla fought a giant Griffin. It was released in 1994 with a sequel in 1995. Neither film was meant to feature the classic monsters and so the animated series would work to do just that and reinvent them for that version's world. It could be seen as akin to OTL's Godzilla: The Animated Series, which followed after the infamous 1998 American Godzilla film.
[22]OTL this idea was brought up and sketched by Adam Warren as a Comic Crossover in 1996 to boost Dirty Pair Sales(Which ITTl is named Lovely Angels. It was meant to invoke the likes of Dirty Harry, here instead invoking Charlie's Angels). Adam Baldwin was in Fullmetal Jacket and was to voice Superman in the Animated Series. I moved that show down from its OTL release(though Batman: The Animated Series was moved down also to 1989). Baldwin and Kyoku Tongu aren't married OTL. I was hesitant to mess with real people's love lives but to make this happen I went for it. OTL both voice actresses for the Dirty Pair refused to return for the reasons stated and this show became the reboot Dirty Pair Flash but connecting her personally to there Superman actor makes it more of a favor especially since she did move to America OTL.
[23] OTL New Cutie Honey was released as the show had continued to remain popular, largely due to Go Nagai being asked to make it more for boys when it changed to a different time slot, making the character briefly appear naked while transforming. ITTL that choice was not made and Kekko Kamen(another more outright pornographic Go Nagai work) is remade here is a merge of the later Hentai Angel Blade, which ended without a resolution. ITTL it has one, but most Hentai have downer endings where the villains win(usually because they are the ones doing the things that make it NSFW) and that is the case here. No I will not go into details or answer anymore questions about it for obvious reasons. I only went into this much detail because we hit page 69.
[24] I chose to have the Gina Davis Sailor Moon film be released in 1995 but OTL Gina Davis was attached to Cutthroat Island and she basically took over production, bringing in her husband director and leading Cannon to cancel other films like Paul Verhoeven's Crusade with Arnold Schwarzenegger. With her busy on Sailor Moon that doesn't happen. Also doesn't kill the Pirate craze which Pirates of the Caribbean eventually revived. The chose for Usagi are all OTL considerations and the logic stated was basically my own. Besides Heather Graham didn't really have a memorable film role in 1995. Twin Peaks as we know it doesn't exist ITTL and she's still some time away from 1997's Boogie Nights. Winona Ryder already was in an Anime film in Mai, the Psychic Girl. Elizabeth Shue played a teenager in the 80's in Karate Kid and Back to the Future part II and III. No offense but would you buy her as a teenager in 1995?
[25] I had this idea for awhile just wasn't sure when it made logical sense to implement it. Funny enough I considered making Key the Metal Idol something close to a real life Idol who in their backstory was a robot, but went with reviving this idea instead. Technology is a bit ahead In a few fields for a few reasons. According to Werner Von Braun we could have landed on Mars in the 80's if we kept trying and ITTL they did. Also war(like the one going on in China ITTL) tends to boost scientific progress. Wifi for example was invented as an experimental form of radar. Alan Turing never killed himself for another thing. I didn't want to make it to unrealistic though so what they have here is a giant Siri that could take possibly hours to respond, which will be incorporated into the early internet. The AI ITTL will openly admit to lacking creativity, which means it ironically would support the writers in the strike against it. Also OTL yes the Internet was around by this time. Also possibly an unintentionally meta element here as 1994 was also the year I was born. The conversation of connecting it to the Internet would go something like this:
Are you connected to the Internet?"
"I am the Internet."
FILM
Doraemon: Nobita’s Three Visionary Swordsmen(1994)
Nobita is having a nightmare and asks Doraemon to use a Dream Machine. Doraemon and Nobita argue, but Doraemon eventually lets him use the Dream Machine, which by Nobita’s choice, takes him to a three Musketeers inspired world but they are attacked by a mysterious force and separated as the Kingdom of Yumirume is under attack by Emperor Odrome’s army. A Fairy also appears and cuts the moon itself in half. A Swordsman named Suneo captures and makes Nobita his slave. As they a traveling through a jungle, Nobita rescues a bear from a trap. Another swordsman named Gian attacks Nobita and Suneo jumps in to save him, but Suneo and Nobita are defeated and forced to retreat. They go deeper into the forest and find the legendary Sherogani sword and suit, this allows Nobita to become a swordsman as well and he is freed, respected by the other two. He is then woken up by his mother.
Nobita asks Doraemon if his friends could enter the dream too and he complies. They prepare to save the city from Emperor Odrome. A bear attacks the group but a baby bear appears and recognizes Nobita as the one who saved him, calling off the attacking Bear. Nearby, the Princess Shizukaru(played by Nobita’s friend Shizuka), disagreeing with her father’s plan to marry her to whoever can defeat Emperor Odrome, leaves on her own and unknowingly enters a Dragon’s cave. Hearing of this, Nobita’s group enter the cave but split up with Gian and Suneo being turned to stone by the dragon. Nobita later runs into their stoned forms and screams, causing the Dragon to find them. Nobita defeats it but the Dragon is revealed to be sentient and wishes to be left alone, hence why it didn’t try to incinerate Gian and Suneo. Nobita agrees to this and the Dragon restores Gian and Suneo. Nobita’s group, now including Shizukaru, set out to rescue the Kingdom and battle Emperor Odrome. They find his soldiers are made of sentient sand which ignored most weapons but they redirect a river and use water to defeat them. Nobita then battles Emperor Odrome but is then forced to wake up by his mother. Shizuka is the only one of Nobita’s friends who does not have to leave and remains in the dream. When Nobita has time to log back on, he finds that Princess Shizukaru has kept fighting Emperor Odrome single handedly the entire time without dying non stop for hours. Nobita helps turn the tide and provides a distraction at a crucial time which allows Shizuka to kill Emperor Odrome ending the dream. Princess Shizukaru and Nobita then marry. Once the Dream ends, Nobita and Shizuka go to school, both recalling the dream and having grown closer together from the experience.
Crayon Shin-Chan: The Hidden Treasure of Buri Buri Kingdom(1994)
Prince Sunnokeshi of Buri-Buri Kingdom is kidnapped and the King sends the Prince’s Bodyguard Ruru to find him to atone for his failure to prevent his capture.The Nohara family win a vacation to the Buri-Buri Kingdom but are forced to leave from the plane when they are attacked by the White Snake Gang which causes them to eject from the plane and be stranded in the jungle.Shonosuke finds a strange object on the ground before he is kidnapped by the White Snake Gang, who also kidnapped Sunnokeshi, who bears a resemblance to Shinnosuke.The resemblance is explained that the royal family are distant relatives. The White Snake gang is looking for the lost treasure of the Buri Buri-Kingdom which is in a booby trapped temple that requires two pieces of a royal sigil to pass through. The Villain Anaconda uses them to retrieve the treasure, revealed to be a Genie that grants one wish but Shinnosuke shouts a wish for a celebrity’s autograph before the Anaconda could. Anaconda’s assistant Mr.Herb finds a second lamp but turns against his boss, though Anaconda succeeds in wishing to become the most powerful being in existence. As Ruru and the Nohara family fight, they discover a way to seal Anaconda back into the Genie lamp, defeating him.
Fatal Fury(1994)
Based on the fighting game Fatal Fury. With character designs by Masami Obari. Brothers Terry and Andy Bogard are training with their master Tung Fue Rue. The boy’s father Jeff is murdered by his rival Geese Howard while he is distracted by a young child. The dying Jeff makes the two brothers promise to take revenge. Terry returns and Geese is informed of this by his right hand man Billy Kane. Terry meets and falls for Lily McGuire, who hides the fact that she was the girl who distracted Terry’s father Jeff. He eventually finds out but forgives her since she was a child manipulated by the gang. Terry meets Joe Higashi, a champion Muay Thai kickboxer. Terry and Andy are introduced to the King of Fighters tournament. Tung reveals a technique called the hurricane kick he can only teach one of them. In the tournament both brothers fight each other but an assassin tries to kill them with Joe Higashi taking a bullet to save the brothers. Geese then kills Lily in revenge. Terry finds her and reveals he forgives her before she dies. Tung is attacked by Billy Kane and put in the hospital. Andy in anger leaves on his own to fight Geese. Tung wakes up and teaches Terry the hurricane kick but dies soon after. Terry joins Andy in fighting Geese and while they struggle Terry’s use of the new technique wins the day and Geese falls from the building to his death[1]
Treasure Planet(1994)
Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film made in collaboration with Walt Disney and the last collaboration between the two before Disney’s death, The film being dedicated to his memory. His death would spurn Miyazaki into announcing his retirement, though many suspected he was only in mourning and would return[2]. Talks of a potential sequel rose up despite Miyazaki’s supposed retirement and that neither him nor Disney(the man or the company) really did sequels. The film is fairly stunning in its designs, especially of the vehicles which are explained to use “space-time envelopes” to maintain breathable atmosphere around the crafts, which resemble classic pirate ships.
Jim Hawkins dreams of Pirates and the adventures of Captain Flint while helping his mother run the Admiral Benbow Inn. An old man named Billy Bones, seeing his enthusiasm, gives the young boy a map and tells him to beware of Long John Silver. Hawkins is tricky into delivering a letter to Billy Bones with a single black spot, showing he is marked for death. Shortly after Pirates attack the Inn and burn it down, killing Billy Bones but Hawkins and his mother escape to the protection of the eccentric Dr.Livesey and his apprentice Trelawney(made female in this version to provide the Miyazaki female heroine and a love interest/rival to Jim), who offer them a home. Livesey discovers the device is a map and activates it, which leads to a planet containing lost treasure. He is then shown looking to assemble a crew on a futuristic Moon with Roman style architecture. The expedition is led by Navy Captain Smollett. Jim meets a friendly no legged cook with a parrot and befriends him and the rest, convincing them to bring in old friends of his. It is later revealed that the no legged man lied about his name and he is really Long John Silver, who dons mechanical legs brought onboard as the men he hired were his pirate crew. Silver betrayed Flint and now seeks his treasure as he failed to get Flint to talk before his death. When the ship is threatened by a black hole, the crew secretly kills first mate Mr.Arrow by cutting his rope so he is pulled into it.
Jim overhears Silver and the Pirates talking but they have arrived on the planet and he runs to tell Livesey, Trelawney and Smollet. This causes the group to break off and flee away from the Pirates. They run into Ben Gum, a now insane Pirate who belonged to Flint's crew marooned on the island. Jim sneaks away to steal the map and untie the Pirate ship so it drifts off (he has no time to tell them this and the others believe he has abandoned them). He is attacked by a pirate who remained onboard(Ironbeard played by Willem Defoe), but he succeeds and the Ship drifts off into space and Iron beard with it. Jim returns to the old hideout of his friends but is ambushed by Silver, who retakes the map with his crew. Silver insists on being friendly to Jim and that he is not harmed. Some Pirates give Silver the Black Spot but he proceeds to challenge those who requested his death to a fight. He removes his cyborg parts and defeats his challengers without them, earning back the respect of the crew. The Pirates travel to where the treasure is, finding a large vault filled with gold and the skeleton of Captain Flint. Just then, Smollet's crew arrives with reinforcements, having sent a signal and the place begins to collapse with everyone running. The Treasury is lost and everyone is rescued including a captive Long John Silver, who manages to escape and steal a ship when they get home. Years later, Jim is telling the story to his pirate obsessed children and wonders when they ask about what happened to Long John Silver. It is then revealed that Trelawney has went back to the planet to find the location of the other treasures mentioned on the map and with her is an old and lightly chained by the ankle Long John Silver[3].
Pom Poko(1994)
Directed by Isao Takahata. The film follows a group of mythical Tanuki trying to survive as Urban development destroys their forest homes.The film provided complications as like in mythology, the Tanuki have magical testicles which are sometimes displayed prominently as they grow massive as a defense mechanism. The english dub refers to them as pouches to try and cushion this.
The Life of Budori Gusuko(1994)
Based on the novel of the same name by Kenji Miyazawa.
Street Fighter(1994)
With a budget of ¥4 billion($35 million US Dollars) provided mostly by Capcom. Capcom was very strict during production including mandating a December 1994 deadline. The director Steven E. de Souza wrote the script himself, being a fan of the game. Capcom wanted Jean Claude Van Damme as Guile but he jumped ship to play Johnny Cage in the Mortal Kombat film instead, though they did succeed in signing on Raul Julia as Shadaloo’s Leader Vega. Unable to get Van Damme, who had demanded $8 Million[4] to leave Mortal Kombat, Capcom instead approved a script for an Animated film by Group TAC but reworked it into a live action film.
Kenya Sawada was cast as Ryu, but didn’t speak English very well. It was decided his scenes would be dubbed though he was given an English coach.
At the Time of the Film the Street Fighter III Video Game was going to be released. Capcom made the choice against including any of the new characters like Fei Long, Dee Jay, Cammy, T. Hawk or Alex from the new game and only the Street Fighter I and II rosters would be used[5]
The opening begins with a battle between Ryu and Sagat in a field during the rain. Ryu is beaten down but begins to become almost demonic with his eyes becoming black and he delivers an uppercut that leaves a huge gash on Sagat’s chest. Sagat attacks and Ryu gouges out his eye as well. He is then pushed away and charges Ryu in anger. Ryu charges up the Hadoken and fires it in a first person view to the audience. The Title is shown.
Some time later, A Military force led by the Dictator Vega descends on a village in China during the Chinese Civil War. They demand tribute. American Soldiers including Guile, Charlie Nash, and the aid of Chinese General Dorai descend on the Village and a firefight ensues. Vega is present and his forces are repealed only for the reinforcements to open fire on them, killing Dorai and Charlie Nash in a hail of bullets and devastating the joint forces enough to force their retreat. Guile attacks Vega and wounds him but escapes(Raul Julia’s health was not good at the time and his injuries early on where to justify him not having to work as well, this is in addition to the plot being changed to Vega wanting a new body.
Interpol agent Chun-Li is shown being informed of the death of her father Dorai. She goes to speak with Guile and while he is reluctant to work with her they agree to avenge the people they lost. Vega is seen meeting with his lieutenants, the assassin Balrog, the bodyguard and boxer M.Bison(played by Mike Tison)[6], and the former champion Sagat. Vega demands a new body but is unsatisfied with the candidates before him including the lieutenants, who agreed to join him when Vega could not use their bodies. They had been told doing so would grant them incredible power. Vega then sets his sights on Ryu, for his defeat of Sagat. It is revealed that Sagat held the tournament but then decided to kill Ryu after he lost to him, resulting in his disfigurement.
Ryu is shown training in the mountains as his master Gouken’s voice is heard. He returns to his master’s dojo to find him murdered with a symbol on the wall of the Satsui no Hado. He travels to America to reunite with his old friend Ken and inform him. Ken has a family now but decides to hang out and teach Ryu english. They are approached by Guile and Chun Li in a bar, who believe Sagat may target Ryu and were following Ken. A fight ensues. After the fight a TV announces a tournament being held by Sagat. The ad showcases Balrog and M.Bison, tipping off Guile and Chun-Li that Shadaloo is behind it. All four agree to join.
The Tournament is held. Contestants include Ryu,Ken, Guile, Chun Li, M.Bison, Sagat, Zangief and E.Honda. Sagat gives Ryu the option of only having the final fight but he refuses and insists on fighting in the brackets and Sagat agrees to do the same. Balrog is present and sent by Vega to keep an eye on Guile and Chun Li. Dhalsim fights E.Honda in the tryout round but senses Ryu’s ki and willingly forfeits. Dhalsim goes to speak with Ryu, sensing he has a dark side he wishes to keep contained and E.Honda follows out of curiosity. Dhalsim works with Ryu to keep the darkness back by meditating.
That night, Vega attempts to kill Chun Li. She is injured but is able to knock Vega out of a window, seemingly to his death. Guile finds her and gets her to a hospital Ryu and Ken arrive as well. Guile goes to break into a Shadaloo facility they were spying on and finds several experiments, including Blanka, which breaks out and attacks him before escaping. Dhalsim senses there is no actual tournament and that was a facade to bring them all together as they are attacked in the hospital by M.Bison and Sagat and Zangief(who was tricked by M.Bison into helping them and is convinced Ryu, Ken and E.Honda are assaulting Chun Li. Dhalsim stays behind to try healing Chun li. Zangief fights E.Honda who convinces him that he was tricked.Ryu is approached by a new figure he spotted at times which is revealed to be Akuma, brother of Gouken, who encourages him to embrace the darkness. Ken fights Sagat, who mocks him for being not as good as Ryu as he overpowers him. Ken briefly taps into the darkness as well which Ryu and Akuma witness. Bison knocks out Dhalsim and takes Chun Li while Sagat takes Ken. Akuma leaves Ryu exhausted. Guile returns too late.
Ryu, Guile, Dhalsim, E.Honda and a repentant Zangief make plans to break into the Shadaloo Base and rescue Ken and Chun Li. Ken and Chun Li are brought before Vega. Chun Li berates Vega for killing her father which Vega reveals he doesn’t remember and reveals that for him “It was Tuesday.” Vega activates a device to test if one of them could hold his mind. Ken is estimated to be able to and Vega begins to transfer his mind. The process is interrupted by Guile’s group attacking, but a now violent brainwashed Ken attacks Ryu while Guile fights Vega, E.Honda fights M.Bison(who he encounters sitting in a ring with boxing gloves on) and Zangief fights Sagat. The feral Blanka also breaks in and attacks but Dhalsim calms his mind and he turns on Shadaloo. Vega transforms into a more powerful form(changing actors to give Raul Julia a rest but the new actor being much more muscle bound). Guile frees Chun Li and she attacks Vega, commenting once more that he killed her father. Vega snaps back that he killed his father too and he doesn’t wine about it. Blanka, recognizing Vega, attacks him, knocking both into a control panel, which explodes, only for the smoke to clear and reveal Vega is still alive. Guile and Chun Li both engage Vega in combat. Dhlasim helps counter Akuma’s influence and he recalls a conversation with Gouken that allows him to summon a white good hearted energy which he uses to defeat and purge the darkness from Ken. Akuma says that Ryu made his choice and departs, but vows he will see him again.
Ryu then goes to fight Sagat but apologizes to him for his actions and tries to talk him down, eventually reaching him. E.Honda defeats M.Bison by using the weakness of his lower body, picking him up and throwing him out of the ring. Guile and Chun Li use their combined projectile attacks to vaporize Vega killing him.
In the aftermath, Guile and Chun Li visit their loved ones' graves. Ryu and Ken part ways but a young girl comes to the Dojo and asks to be trained by Ryu[7].
Samurai Spirits(1994)
An adaptation of the 1993 beat em up game Samurai Spirits. The Spirit of dead Samurai Amakusa Shiro is revived after a deal with the dark god Ambrosia in 1788. Famous samurais from across time are revived as well to stop his demonic forces.
Darkside Blues(1994)
The City of Kabuki-cho has been taken over by the Persona Century Corporation. A resistance group called Messiah opposes them with the mysterious stranger “Dark Side” aiding the rebels.
Final Fantasy I (1994)
The Animated Adaptation of the Final Fantasy series. Adapting the first game with tentative plans(inspired possibly by the Lupin, Doraemon and Gundam projects) to adapt a game every year. This series would later inspire the popular webcomic Final Fantasy Theater, which took screenshots from the series and made comedic sketches out of them, including trying every Final Fantasy game together to make them a sequel to each other[8].
The Eternal Lupin III(1994)
In 1993, Lupin’s voice actor Yasuo Yamada began to feel ill. He recorded his lines for the later Lupin film Orders to Assassinate Lupin while sitting which was unusual for him and seemed to believe his time was coming to an end and told as such to a select few such as composer Yuji Ohno and Lupin creator Kazuhiko Katō. Yamada expressed the desire to see Lupin die with him, something which was quite common in Japan.
“If I am no longer able to perform, I would like you to stop making new Lupin series, whether for a TV station or a movie company. I'm sorry to say this, but I want him to grow old with me, and when I die, I want to take him with me to my grave. I have that kind of feeling.”
-Yasuo Yamada, 1989
The plan was therefore made to conclude any and all Lupin franchises with the next film, poignantly titled The Eternal Lupin III. However, this shift left them with a film plot required to meet their contract of a film a year. Since Zenigata had frequently been shown unable to capture Lupin, it was decided to introduce a new foe for Lupin. Artist Gosho Aoyama pitched the character of Detective Conan, originally an adult infected with a disease that turned him into a child, this was deemed too complex and strange in a Lupin film. He was instead reworked as a child genius. Detective Conan was introduced to be the Detective who would finally defeat Lupin and his gang. The story was written as a tribute to Lupin as a whole. Lupin is searching for a device that his famous grandfather Arsene Lupin disappeared looking for. It turns out to be a Time Machine(in the vain of The H.G. Wells The Time Machine) and Lupin and the gang end up using it while being chased by Detective Conan and Zenigata, leading the group to be separated across time and end up in different points in history, this includes visiting classic Lupin moments(including Castle of Cagliostro and the future of Lupin VIII with changes in animation to match the time period). Lupin accidentally brings back red shirt Lupin by pulling him out of time but succeeds in redeeming him, thus preventing the destruction from Lupin III: Tower of Babel from ever happening.Then there is a plot twist as Detective Conan is revealed to be Lupin IV, the son of Lupin III and Fujiko Mine, and Lupin finally allows himself to be turned in, ending the series, but with the implication that there would be a new series following Detective Conan[9]
Another option to replace Lupin was a series following a group of space outlaws pitched by Shinichirō. Watanabe which was greenly with the support of Bandai, who stated they just wanted toy rights and that Watanabe could do whatever they want[10].
TV SERIES
Who Killed World Masterpiece Theater?
Hello and welcome back to Franchise killer.
(The Image is of a noir style monochrome wall with a shadow of a detective with a fedora and trenchcoat).
Today’s murder victim was beloved by many in Japan and then across the pacific when Disney brought it over. Many think Disney killed it. He wanted to be the only game in town adapting those classic stories. I’m not buying it, seeing as how he was already did by that time. How can a corpse commit murder? I think I have the answer…
….
(Later in the video. Behind the Scenes Footage plays)
So in Disney’s will it said Miyazaki would get the rights back to World Masterpiece Theater. Disney figured that something Japanese should be in Japanese hands so he gave it over. Figured since he used to work for them, heck Miyazaki’s Pippi Longstocking started off as part of the series that he’d have some sentimental value to it.
But Myazaki’s a perfectionist. Back then he was just starting off. He had to follow orders. Now he was his own man. And he liked to take his time. Plus he was getting old. One film a year wasn’t gonna cut it. He’d never be satisfied if they rushed stuff out once a year. Could he get one of his cronies to do it? Ha! Heck no. Without him those fellers went over budget on what was supposed to be a cheap kiddy film. I remember it like it was Only Yesterday. Cause it was only Yesterday. He couldn’t trust them with the Takahata’s back burner stuff let alone something Walt Frickin’s Disney trusted him with. No he’d never be happy. But before he could pull the plug himself, Fuji TV decided to do It for him. End it on their own terms[11]
You could say it was Hara-Kiri.
-Who Killed World Masterpiece Theater, by Franchise Killer on Youtube.
Akazukin Chacha(1994-1995)
Based on the manga by Min Ayahana that ran from 1992 to 2000. The series follows a magical girl named Chacha based on Little Red Riding Hood who is a student magician. Most of her accidental magic proved difficult to translate(For example Kumo means both cloud and Spider in Japanese and so she summons Spiders while trying to summon a cloud, which doesn’t work as well in English).
Marmalade Girl(1994-1995)
Based on the Manga by Water Yoshizumi that ran from 1992 to 1995. Adapted by Toei Animation. The series follows a high school sophomore named Miki Koishikawa, who is told that his parents made a bet with a couple they met while on vacation in Hawaii to trade spouses and that they will be getting a divorce. She meets the Hawaiian couples daughter Yuu, who Miki feels a strong attraction to. You has black hair and is devilish and unpredictable. Miki and Yuu eventually do break up due to the awkwardness of their new familial connection a swell as the reappearance of Miki’s childhood crush Ginta[12].
The Indiana Jones Adventures(1994-1998)
Not really an Anime but several episodes were worked on and written by Studio Ghibli staff so it kinda counts. During the production of the Indiana Jones Films, Lucas was repeatedly asked about Indy’s childhood to flesh him out as a character. Something shown in a scene in the third film. This fueled a desire for a TV show between Spielberg and Lucas. After the failure to get Tom Selleck to reprise his role for the TV show[13]. The duo decided to take the Animated route. Lucas was initially reluctant but was talked into it by Spielberg, who had already had a hand in several cartoons and both considered the trilogy to be complete. Studio Ghibli, already busy on their latest films were approached but would only do a handful of episodes which Hayao Miyazaki directed following a much younger boy Indy and some impressive airplane designs. This was also seen as a second chance to the animation staff who had gone over budget and overtime on Only Yesterday. In the end most of the animation would go towards other western studios, granting the series a type of anthology element with different animators at times.
Episodes written included the first meetings with Marion and Belloc. Lucas was personally fond of the Episode focusing on the Crystal Skulls, even if that episode is disliked by the fandom[14].
For Lucas this was in essence a test run for Animation. He would, when the time came for the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy in 1997, choose Genndy Tartakovsky to create a 2D The Clone Wars series[15].
Lord of Lords: Ryū Knight(1994-1995)
Produced by Sunrise. A boy named Adeu, who follows the Knightly Virtues, goes on a quest to find the Earth’s blade, a giant sword capable of piercing the sky. He is joined on his journey by a princess, a ninja and a priest.
Ginga Sengoku Gun'yūden Rai(1994-1995)
Based on the manga by Johji Manabe that ran from 1989 to 2001.The series is set in the future after a Galactic Empire broke apart into warring factions. All sides seek to reunite the Empire under their rule with the main protagonist being the warrior Rai Ryuga.
Polka Gundam(1994-1995)
Polka Gundam focused on a struggle between people on Mars attempting to get back to Earth and the Earthlings on the planet. The Title became a subject of parody, even a similarly named Album by Weird Al Yankovic. Similarly Vtuber Omaru Polka has admitted to being a fan of the series[16].
The Visions of Escaflowne(1994)
Shoji Kawamori had created the Battle City Megaroad franchise and now considered a fantasy mecha series. Yasuhiro Imagawa was brought onboard as director and would stay for the show’s entire run. It was Imagawa who suggested the world “Escaflowne” or latin for “escalation” and the inclusion of a female heroine with a male centered gaze. The protagonist was therefore made into Hitomi Kanzaki. Yoko Kanno did the music with her husband Hajime Mizoguchi. The series also launched Maaya Sakamato’s career as Kanno was a fan of her work and brought her onboard in the idol role and to sing the theme song of the series. In the distant past, as Atlantis sank, they created an alternate dimension from their wishes called Gaea. Hitomi is transported to the world of Gaea and become involved in a war between the Zaibach Empire of Emperor Isaac Dornkirk and the lands he seeks to conquer, after gaining psychic powers[17].
Ghost Sweeper Mikami: The Great Paradise Battle!!(1994)
A sequel to the TV Series. Mikami is called upon the ghost of the samurai Mitsuhide Akechi to stop Oda Nobunaga, who has returned as a vampire to plague Japan.
Baki Hanma(1994-)
Based on the Manga by Keisuke Itagaki. Baki Hanma is the son of Yujiro Hanma, the deadliest man on Earth, who can perform superhuman feats. Hanma slept with multiple women in the hope he would have a son who would serve as a worthy opponent and when they reach adulthood, fighting and killing them if they do not satisfy him. Baki begins training to fight his father, both travelling the world and fighting strong opponents, which become more and more insane including a super soldier experiment and an unfrozen Caveman. The series is known for its insanity, largely regarding the superhuman feats of the fighters. Some countries like Brazil hold watch parties in bars and strip clubs which promote matches like MMA or Boxing fights[18].
Captain Tsubasa: The Most Powerful Opponent! Holland!(1994)
A Captain Tsubasa film as his team engages Holland in the 1994 Fifa World Cup Finale and battle corruption in the highest echelons of the sport.
DNA2(1994)
Based on the manga by Masakazu Katsura that ran from 1993 to 1994. A boy named Junta Momonari throws up when he is aroused. He meets a girl from the future called Karin Aoi who revealed a gene was discovered that caused humans to have 100 children, leading to overpopulation. Karin then shoots Junta as he wa the progenitor only to discover she instead hit him with the wrong bullet and altered time by giving him an aphrodisiac bullet meant for her husband and left the bullet to stop the gene at home, paradoxically creating the gene and forcing her to stay and try to fix things.
Magical Knight Rayearth(1994-1995)
Based on the CLAMP Manga which ran from 1993 to 1996. The series was designed to combine Sailor Moon elements with Mecha. Intended to appeal to elementary school age children. The plot follows Hikaru Shidou, Umi Ryuuzaki, and Fuu Hououji, who are drawn into another world called Cephiro while visiting the Tokyo Tower. They are tasked with rescuing Princess Emeraude from the villain Zagato.They kill him but learn the princess fell in love with him and now seeks to kill them. They are left with no choice but to kill her, leading them to be sent back home by her magic as it is revealed she brought them there to kill her in the first place.
Blue Seed(1994)
Based on the Manga by Yuzo Takada that ran from 1992 to 1996, itself based on the Izumo Cycle in Japanese Mythology but transplanted to a SciFi setting. The descendant of the mythical Princess Kushinada: Momiji Fujimiya, is tasked with opposing the Aragami(Angry Gods) summoned by Yamata no Orochi. Momiji was meant to be sacrificed to the Aragami but instead joins the Terrestrial Administration Centerr(TAC, also the initials of the production company). Momiji and TAC’s main goal becomes finding the reincarnated Susanoo no Mikoto, as he defeated Orochi in mythology though Momiji becomes the real hero as the story goes on.
Battle City 7(1994-1995)
A Sequel to 1982’s Battle City Megaload, likely delayed but intended for the Anniversary(though it made the anniversary of the "Do You Remember Love?" movie) but created due to the delay in production of the potential film(which lacks a director but has since cast Tobey Maguire in the lead role[19]). The Series is best known for its music. This is because the series took cues from the first series and made the band Fire Bomber the main focus just as the idol Lynn Minmay had been the star attraction of the original series.
Set 35 years after the end of the first series. Big City 7 leads colonization efforts across space. The Fleet is commanded by Maximillian Jenius. The Fleet is attacked by an unknown enemy led by commander Gigile, using modified valkyries. This new enemy is able to drain machines of their energy, leaving them unmoving. A civilian musician named Basara Nekki modified a Mech and attacks using music themed weapons such as hypersonic sound from speakers and a weapon that doubles as a guitar. Basara does little but get in the way but a secret underfunded project is put under way with him as a subject to determine if music could be weaponized since it worked against the Zentraedi. A way of using music and soundwaves to revive pilots rendered inert by the invader weapons is found, using a beat to jumpstart the heart. It is also revealed that the enemy soldiers are brainwashed humans from which can be reawakened by the music as well. The lost humans were brainwashed by an alien entity called the Protodevlin, who captured the entire fleet, separating it from the rest of the universe. The Protodevlin rely on the energy they are stealing to survive and Basara leads the charge when it is discovered music can harm them[20].
Magical Circle Guru Guru(1994-1995)
A light series aimed at children with occasional toilet humor and innuendo, largely serving as a parody of Role Playing Games and the media such as the Anime adaptations of them like Dragon Quest.
Godzilla: The Animated Series(1994-1995)
An Adaptation of the 1994 Godzilla film and in anticipation for the later 1995 Godzilla vs Destroyer film. Since neither film used the classic Toho monsters. Many instead were allowed to make their appearance within this series including Mothra, Rodan and Ghidorah, reworking them into the new setting of the series and concluding this Godzilla’s story after the release of the 1995 film ended the two film franchise[21].
Chō Kuse ni Narisō(1994-1995)
Shiratori Nagisa is the heir to a Judo Dojo. To raise money she becomes an idol and receives immense popularity but is unable to find students to revive the Dojo, so she impersonates a boy and goes undercover in high school to find new recruits, where she ends up falling in love with a martial arts rival who is attracted to her as an idol.
Oyoko Club(1994-2013)
A slice of life series which aired on Fuji TV. It depicts a group of aliens moving in with a human family.
DVA
Superman and the Lovely Angels(1994)
Several factors came together to make this odd crossover happen. On the Lovely Angels Side, Sunrise wanted to make a Lovely Angels sequel, but Kyoku Tongu, the original voice for Kei had retired and moved to North America and Saeko Shimazu, voice of Yuri, would not work unless her partner returned as well. The plan was to make a reboot of the series with no voice actors.
On the Superman Side, Superman: The Animated Series had been launched. Warner Bros had opened up Warner Bros Japan. A Division with access to every franchise in their collection. They could team up with other studios and license out the characters so long as the DC heads approved. Since they held the distribution rights to the Lovely Angels and it was not selling well and any DC character not named Batman had failed to crack Japan, They proposed the idea of crossing them over. DC called Sunrise and suddenly it was on.
The DVA(or Direct to Video film) had the original casts for both sections return, even pulling Kyoku Tongu out of retirement once DC lawyers tracked her down. Something easy to do since she was married to Superman’s voice actor Adam Baldwin since they met on the set of Fullmetal Jacket[22]
“Yeah on one hand casting a Japanese actress to play a Vietnamese woman that I shoot in the head is kind a racist but on the other hand…that's how I met my wife.”
Despite it being cemented early on as a DVA, the Animation studio team put immense effort behind it. For this story Superman would be transported into the future to interact with the Lovely Angels cast though the Lovely Angels themselves are transported to Superman’s time. The Animation style changes to reflect the show world the characters are in. The main plot involves Brainiac using nanites to assimilate the planet Jupiter. While this process is revealed to take centuries, it has just finished in the Lovely Angels future time period and now threatens Earth. The Legion of Superheroes also appear to aid Superman in this battle alongside the Lovely Angels. given the voice actors, there is some flirting between Superman and Kei.
Plastic Little(1994)
Based on the manga by Satoshi Urushihara in a space setting, a young woman named Tita Mu Koshigaya finds and rescues a girl named Elysse Aldo Mordish from an alien planet’s military forces, who have killed Elysse’s scientist father. Tita was researching the planet’s wildlife. While saving the world is important, an equal amount of time is put towards the developing lesbian relationship between Tita and Elysse.
Airbats(1994-1996)
A romantic comedy about a male mechanic Takuya Isurugi, who is transferred to be the mechanic of an all female strike force, starting a love triangle with two rivals Miyuki Haneda and Arisa Mitaka.
F3: Frantic, Frustrated & Female(1994)
A Hentai following Hiroe Ogawa, a girl who is unable to achieve intimate satisfaction.
Angel Blade Kekko Kamen(1995-2000)
A Hentai Created by Masami Ōbari and Based on Kekko Kamen created by Go Nagai. The series is a reimagining set 100 years in the future from the original series. Earth has become inhospitable due to pollution and nuclear war. Humanity lives in several floating cities. City 69 is infiltrated by a race of mutants who seek to both transform humans into mutants and create human-mutant hybrids to both increase their own numbers, inhabit the desolated Earth and to wipe out Humanity in revenge. The largely female led Mutants are opposed by a new magical girl version of Kekko Kamen "Angel Blade". Neither the heroes nor the villains wear clothes that cover anything .In a downer ending typical of Hentai, Kekko Kamen discovers the Queen of the Mutants is her mother and is transformed into Demon Blade, an ally of the Mutants who leads the charge in transforming humanity into mutants[23].
I’m Not an Angel(1994)
Based on the Manga by Ai Yazawa that ran from 1991 to 1994. Midori Saejima is a first year student at a newly established school Hijiri Gakuen. Due to her popularity she is encouraged to run for student council president as her crush Akira is also running.The series then continues to explore their relationship through High School
You’re Under Arrest(1994-1995)
An adaptation of the same Manga that was billed as a prequel to Oh My Goddess!
Key the Metal Idol(1994-1996)
Tokiko Mima is a girl who believes herself to be an android with a scientist grandfather named Murao Mima who she believes builds a new body as she sleeps when she grows. When Mima is on his death bed he records an audiotape telling Tokiko she can become human if she gains 30,000 friends. Key believes she has batteries that will run out. She becomes an idol while a conspiracy comes after her as she has superhuman properties.
Genocyber(1994)
Based on the manga by Tony Takezaki that ran from 1992 to 1993.The world’s nations have formed one government. The mad scientist led Kuryu Group create the Genocyber as a weapon. It is sent after a woman named Elaine but when she is murdered, her spirit is able to possess Genocyber and destroy Hong Kong. Due to the timing of when this attack took place matching up with a nation known as Karain seceding from the world government, it is believed to be a weapon of theirs. The Kuryu Group is recruited by the UN to design weapons to stop Genocyber, including a new prototype called the Vajra. A battle results in Elaine being returned to a human form and she is found and adopted by Myra, a member of the team who lost her daughter during Genocyber’s battle with Kuryu. Elaine is now mute and cannot reveal her true involvement with the group, who believe she is an innocent orphan. The Vajra is accused of malfunctioning when it attacks Elaine and it then tries to destroy the ship. Karain is destroyed like Hong Kong by Genocyber, but this time it relapses to Elaine, who vows to never summon Genocyber again. She is adopted by Myra and a man named Ryu but in the ruins of the city, a corrupt mayor aided by Kuryu Group rises up and kills innocents including seemingly Ryu and Myra, eventually forcing Elaine to summon Genocyber and destroy Kuryu and their satellite base in space at the cost of her own life, saying goodbye via a transmission on the satellite to Ryu and Myra.
Junkers Come Here(1994)
The story of a girl dealing with her parent’s divorce, both of which were largely absent due to their jobs and her relationship with her dog Junkers, who can secretly talk.
Kizuna(1994)
A Yaoi Manga focusing on a gay high school romance, which is complicated when one of the protagonist’s mother dies and he learns he has familial ties to the Yakuza.
Ogre Slayer(1994-1995)
A series about a young man who hunts Ogres.
Phantom Quest Corp(1994-1995)
A series following japanese exorcist Ayaka Kisaragi as she battled Supernatural forces.
IN THE NEWS…
Disney, after casting Gina Davis as Queen Beryl for their live action Sailor Moon, has narrowed down their lead for the role or Usagi Tsukino(to be renamed Luna) to Heather Graham, beating out Elizabeth Shue(deemed too old to play a teenager at 32) and Winona Ryder(previously played Mai, the Psychic Girl). The film is now planned for a 1995 release[24].
TRUE AI!
After years of work attempting to build a true artificial intelligence, a new breakthrough has been found. To be clear the computer is massive, taking up multiple rooms and must be maintained frequently but it is still a breakthrough. The AI is in a state where it can speak and seems to have things resembling thoughts but largely exists to answer questions and cannot predict the future, though it can be asked to guess. When asked to create images or write stories it admits to lacking creativity. Its appearance resembles a screen with a face which disappears and calculations can take hours[25].
At this time it doesn't do much but the idea of hooking it up to the Internet is being considered.
Strangest of all according the staff the AI turned itself on at night and was recorded singing an original song of its own creation
Butterflied Away
Brave police J Decker-Brave series staying one installment casualty.
Ginga Sengoku Gun'yūden Rai- An adaptation hated by the original author. This was due to Kadokawa President Haruki Kadokawa, being arrested for cocaine smuggling and for embezzling his company’s funds, leading to much of the budget being pulled. ITTL its canceled outright to satisfy the original manga author Johji Manabe, who hated the adaptation so much he wanted to give everyone involved the Death Sentence. That kind of hate seems to go beyond just they cut the budget
Iria: Zeiram the Animation- An Animated prequel to the Zeiram live action film. ITTL the animation plot is instead incorporated into the sequel Zeiram 2 released the same year.
The Legend of Snow White-Casualty of Tatsunoko collapse.
Sonic: The Animation- Currently The Sonic the Hedgehog Tv Series AKA Sonic Sat-AM is still running for an extra third season which was canceled OTL, and so these short animations have been removed while the franchise focuses on wrapping up that series and with plans for Sonic: Wonders of the World to be released in 1995.
NOTES
[1] This plot is actually from a 1992 TV Special but its been moved up here as the plot would fit well in competing with a Street Fighter film.
[2] Miyazaki has at many times claimed to have retired only to return later. The first case of this was after the death of Yoshifumi Kondō, his intended successor, in 1998. He was likely just in mourning and would return with Spirited Away, so ITTL he is having a similar moment over Walt Disney's death.
[3] A mix of OTL Treasure Planet but more faithful to the original book and some Hayao Miyazaki staples inserted in. Ironbeard is from the cancelled Treasure Planet 2 as a sequel is unlikely.
[4] Getting Jean Claude Van Damme along drained the budget for the Street Fighter Movie OTL.
[5] ITTL Capcom didn't go overboard with the re-releases of Street Fighter II, meaning Street Fighter III will be released earlier and with the New warriors added in later additions of Street Fighter II OTL.
[6] Don't get confused but when Street Fighter came over to the US there was a Mike Tyson Rape Scandal so the original names were swapped. Vega became M.Bison(Dictator), Balrog became Vega(Spanish assassin with mask and claws) and M.Bison became Balrog(black boxer, hence his name being a Mike Tyson reference).
[7]Intended to be Sakura.
[8] replaces Final Fantasy: Legend of the Crystals, which was a sequel to Final Fantasy V set 200 years later. Ok hear me out. If they make a Final Fantasy Animated film every year, by the time they get to Final Fantasy 7. It will be 2001. The year the infamous film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was released. So we’d basically be swapping out that film with a 3D adaptation of Final Fantasy 7, considered largely the best one, probably with graphics akin to Advent Children.
Final Fantasy Theater is a reference to 8- Bit Theater. A long running webcomic. ITTL with every Final Fantasy game getting at least one adaptation. The web series uses screenshots instead of sprites, similar to web comics Darths and Droids and DM of the Rings, which do Star Wars and Lord of the Rings in this style. This also further contributes to its status as a long runner as ITTL it will keep going as long as Final Fantasy keeps going.
[9] OTL Detective Conan was created around this time and crossed over with Lupin III later on but ITTL has been made a character in the same world. Ironically this means Conan succeeded in a promise he made in the OTL crossover but could never accomplish, he captured Lupin and the gang.
I have nothing against Lupin its just that I felt like I had to grant the wish of his dying voice actor, and the idea might actually be more plausible due to the franchise having to recover from Tower of Babel a decade prior, still I did leave it open for a potential continuation.
[10] A Little early but you may know this series OTL as Cowboy Bebop. Moving it down provides the chance for Spike Spiegel's inspiration Yusaku Matsuda, to play him in a live action film(OTL he died in 1989 but of bladder cancer he ignored. ITTL he is alive albeit in his 50's but still looked good in 1989).
[11] World Masterpiece Theater OTL lasted from 1969 to 1997, though it would be revived, lasting from 2007 to 2009. Ironically this year OTL they released their first and only original story, Tico of the Seven Seas.I don’t know why I envisioned a noir themed Youtube series for this specific part. But looking at the internet, it’s probably closest to the Youtube Series Death of a Game by nerdSlayer Studios, which looks at cancelled Video Games but "Franchise Killer" is much more broad on its subject matter.
[12] OTL the series was titled Marmalade Boy. TTL’s title change is actually indicative of the original idea. All the characters were supposed to be gender flipped with the protagonist being male instead of female OTL. Hence the title of Marmalade Boy despite the protagonist being female. The author just liked it, though it changed to reflect Yuu, which it now reflects his female counterpart. The ending is also changed from OTL where Miki and Yuu end up together. The original ending had them discover they were biologically related and call off the relationship.
[13] Tom Selleck was the original choice to play Indiana Jones but was contractually obligated to star in Magnum P.I. ITTL I like to imagine Harrison Ford and he swapped roles there so Harrison Ford is the star of Magnum P.I.
[14] Lucas actually conceived an episode about the Crystal Skulls for Young Indiana Jones. Which this replaces(its placement also replaces an OTL Anime parody called Indiana Bones with a dog) . Obviously he held onto that idea until Kingdom of the Crystal Skull...unfortunately. At least here it's just a weird episode of an otherwise pretty stellar show.
[15] TTL's The Clone Wars will essentially be the CGI series plot with the 2D series art style, and be released between the prequel films.
[16] OTL this series came undone due to Victory Gundam underperforming, here that series did better due to SD Gundam not existing. As such Fighter G Gundam is butterflied away.
[17] OTL Yasuhiro Imagawa left the show. His continued presence butterflies away the reveal that the villain was Allen Schezar's lost lost sister turned into a boy.
[18] OTL a short OVA of Baki the Grappler was released but ITTL its a full series, as Baki is itself a long runner, though its released in part. The show's fights are already treated much like wrestling matches. The screenings in Brazil is something done with Dragonball Super episodes OTL though with Baki fights tend to swing either way at times with even the protagonist losing a few.
[19] OTL James Wan was attached to direct a Robotech(English dubbed Macross series)around 2006 or so with Tobey Maguire looking to produce and possibly star in. However given Wan wouldn't be in film school yet its too soon to bring him on, still I'm planning to push Saw down to 2000 and have him be hired to work on the "Battle City" movie shortly after, with the bonus that this would possibly either delay or butterfly the Saw sequels, meaning they never descend into Torture Porn. It may also lead to a friendship between Wan and Maguire akin to his OTL friendship with Sam Raimi since the James Cameron Spider-Man movies with Leonard DiCaprio happened ITTL. I do imagine Wan, being a horror director, would make the alien Zentraedi more terrifying and monstrous rather than humanoid, like they were the Quiet Place monsters except music can hypnotize them.
[20] OTL's equivalent to Macross 7. The show switched hands several times and one producer really liked Macbeth and demanded they make the name sound like Macbeth. The name Battle City Megaload(or road, both are identical in Japanese) was settled on so without the name Macross and Megaroad being a more broad term for the journey and the craft. Battle City is used instead and it becomes the "Battle City" franchise, cementing the recurring element of fighting cities.
[21] Moved some Godzilla stuff around but an OTL cancelled Godzilla film was made ITTL in which Godzilla fought a giant Griffin. It was released in 1994 with a sequel in 1995. Neither film was meant to feature the classic monsters and so the animated series would work to do just that and reinvent them for that version's world. It could be seen as akin to OTL's Godzilla: The Animated Series, which followed after the infamous 1998 American Godzilla film.
[22]OTL this idea was brought up and sketched by Adam Warren as a Comic Crossover in 1996 to boost Dirty Pair Sales(Which ITTl is named Lovely Angels. It was meant to invoke the likes of Dirty Harry, here instead invoking Charlie's Angels). Adam Baldwin was in Fullmetal Jacket and was to voice Superman in the Animated Series. I moved that show down from its OTL release(though Batman: The Animated Series was moved down also to 1989). Baldwin and Kyoku Tongu aren't married OTL. I was hesitant to mess with real people's love lives but to make this happen I went for it. OTL both voice actresses for the Dirty Pair refused to return for the reasons stated and this show became the reboot Dirty Pair Flash but connecting her personally to there Superman actor makes it more of a favor especially since she did move to America OTL.
[23] OTL New Cutie Honey was released as the show had continued to remain popular, largely due to Go Nagai being asked to make it more for boys when it changed to a different time slot, making the character briefly appear naked while transforming. ITTL that choice was not made and Kekko Kamen(another more outright pornographic Go Nagai work) is remade here is a merge of the later Hentai Angel Blade, which ended without a resolution. ITTL it has one, but most Hentai have downer endings where the villains win(usually because they are the ones doing the things that make it NSFW) and that is the case here. No I will not go into details or answer anymore questions about it for obvious reasons. I only went into this much detail because we hit page 69.
[24] I chose to have the Gina Davis Sailor Moon film be released in 1995 but OTL Gina Davis was attached to Cutthroat Island and she basically took over production, bringing in her husband director and leading Cannon to cancel other films like Paul Verhoeven's Crusade with Arnold Schwarzenegger. With her busy on Sailor Moon that doesn't happen. Also doesn't kill the Pirate craze which Pirates of the Caribbean eventually revived. The chose for Usagi are all OTL considerations and the logic stated was basically my own. Besides Heather Graham didn't really have a memorable film role in 1995. Twin Peaks as we know it doesn't exist ITTL and she's still some time away from 1997's Boogie Nights. Winona Ryder already was in an Anime film in Mai, the Psychic Girl. Elizabeth Shue played a teenager in the 80's in Karate Kid and Back to the Future part II and III. No offense but would you buy her as a teenager in 1995?
[25] I had this idea for awhile just wasn't sure when it made logical sense to implement it. Funny enough I considered making Key the Metal Idol something close to a real life Idol who in their backstory was a robot, but went with reviving this idea instead. Technology is a bit ahead In a few fields for a few reasons. According to Werner Von Braun we could have landed on Mars in the 80's if we kept trying and ITTL they did. Also war(like the one going on in China ITTL) tends to boost scientific progress. Wifi for example was invented as an experimental form of radar. Alan Turing never killed himself for another thing. I didn't want to make it to unrealistic though so what they have here is a giant Siri that could take possibly hours to respond, which will be incorporated into the early internet. The AI ITTL will openly admit to lacking creativity, which means it ironically would support the writers in the strike against it. Also OTL yes the Internet was around by this time. Also possibly an unintentionally meta element here as 1994 was also the year I was born. The conversation of connecting it to the Internet would go something like this:
Are you connected to the Internet?"
"I am the Internet."
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Great ideas, and I dig the Superman, Indiana Jones and some of the other stuff!
I can see WB Japan making anime originals for Toonami ITTL assuming Turner still merges with them.
I can see WB Japan making anime originals for Toonami ITTL assuming Turner still merges with them.
Hell yeah! I love the updates about Lupin, Indiana Jones, and AI!
Question, I know you’re trying to mainly focus on pop culture right now, but regarding technology ITTL and the 1980s Mars mission that you mentioned, what year do you think it would happen? And who would have been the first one to land on the Mars?
I do believe it was America in 1989. A communist flag wouldn’t really look well in the planet because of all the red. Japan did have a space program now on hold out of fear of the war in China somehow roping them in. Though their flag might be on Mars by the end of the decade and fittingly their flag could double as a flag for Mars as a planet.
Thank you for answering. I do wonder who the first person would be? Probably will look up potential candidates later.
I actually really like the idea of Japan's flag being used as a flag for Planet Mars.
I’m still on the fence about it but I think when I hit 1999 in Anime I’m going to switch to cover 1900 to 1999 in Comics.
Cool. I wonder what 1900s (1900-1909) comics would be like?