Ōgon Bat
4 /10 1 Votes
Duration | Director Hajime Sato Country Japan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Release date December 21, 1966 (Japan) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ōgon Bat (Japanese: 黄金 バット, Hepburn: Ōgon Batto, literally "Golden Bat") is a Japanese superhero created by Takeo Nagamatsu in 1931 who debuted originally in the kamishibai (paper theater). Ōgon Bat is considered to be the first Japanese superhero and is a precursor to later superhero characters such as the Japanese kamishibai character, Prince of Gamma (debuted early 1930s), and the American comic book characters Superman (debuted 1938) and Batman (debuted 1939).
Contents
History
Ōgon Bat debuted in a kamishibai, a type of traveling show in which a sequence of pictures are shown, narrated by a storyteller. The character was popular enough to survive the decline of kamishibai following World War II and was eventually translated into manga, including one by Osamu Tezuka, and in anime form.
The character features in three live-action movies: Ôgon Bat: Matenrô no Kaijin, 1950; Ôgon Batto, 1966; and, the comedy biopic Ôgon Batto ga Yattekuru, 1972. He also appears in the 1967, 52-episode anime series on Nippon TV.
Character description
Ōgon Bat has a golden, skull-shaped head, wears a green and white costume with a high-collared red cape, and carries a rapier. He lives in a fortress in the Japanese Alps. His superpowers include superhuman strength, invulnerability, and the ability to fly. Ōgon Bat has an evil counterpart known as Kurayami Bat (暗闇バット "Dark Bat"). His main enemy is Dr. Erich Nazō (ナゾー), the leader of a crime syndicate bent on world domination, who wears a black costume and mask with bat-like ears.
Film
A live-action film version of Ōgon Bat was released theatrically by Toei in Japan on December 21, 1966 starring Sonny Chiba as Dr. Yamatone (ヤマトネ博士, Yamatone Hakase).
Plot
Professor Yamatone and his family visit present day Egypt, and discover an ancient tomb belonging to a god of justice, (and) protector of the weak. When the Professor is taken captive later by Gorgo, agent of the evil Dr. Erich Nazō (ナゾー) (also known as Dr Zero), his daughter Mari pleads for the god of justice to save her father. As she starts to cry, her tears fall into the ancient tomb, reviving Ogon Bat, who comes to her aid. From then on, the little girl calls on the Ogon Bat to fight against evil - usually in the form of Doctor Zero.