Kagaku Sentai Dynaman (科学戦隊ダイナマン, Kagaku Sentai Dainaman, Science Squadron Dynaman) is a Japanese tokusatsu television series and the seventh installment of Toei Company's Super Sentai metaseries. It aired on TV Asahi from February 5, 1983, to January 28, 1984, replacing Dai Sentai Goggle-V and was replaced by Choudenshi Bioman with a total of 51 episodes. The international English title is listed by Toei as simply Dynaman.[1]
Yutaka Izubuchi designed the villains of the series. This was his first time designing Super Sentai suits and costumes; he would later be recruited again to design the suits for Super Sentai consecutively until 1986's Choushinsei Flashman and would return as character designer for Tokumei Sentai Go-Busters.
Plot
The Jashinka Empire rises from the depths of the Earth to conquer the world. To stop them, Dr. Kyutaro Yumeno assembles five inventors to his laboratory, Yumeno Invention Laboratory and gives them the power to become Dynamen. Each member has their own goal, but as the Kagaku Sentai Dynaman, they are united to stop the Jashinka Empire in their tracks.
The Yumeno Invention Center is a children's playground, which actually acts as a front for the Dynastation.
Dynamen
The Dynamen transformed. From left to right: Rei Tachibana, Yosuke Shima, Hokuto Dan, Ryu Hoshikawa, and Kosaku Nango.
The eponymous Dynamen is a Super Sentai team assembled by Kyutaro Yumeno to combat the Janshinka Empire. They're also the first group in the franchise to have their costumes made out of spandex and they discontinued the use of capes and scarves, which were part of Super Sentai uniforms from Himitsu Sentai Gorenger to Dai Sentai Goggle-V.
Hokuto Dan (弾 北斗, Dan Hokuto)/Dyna Red (ダイナレッド, Daina Reddo): A kendō master from Hokkaido. Responsible and headstrong, he lost his mother when he was young and sympathizes with children who also suffered the loss of a parent. The master of all martial arts, he is a rank holder in kendo, karate, judo, and boxing. He is also a champion motorcyclist. As an inventor, Hokuto's dream is to create an engine that does not cause pollution.
Weapons: Dyna Swords (ダイナ剣, Daina Ken)
Attacks: Magnum Square Punch (マグナムスクエアーパンチ, Magunamu Sukueā Panchi)
Dyna Rod Attack: Red Fire (レッドファイヤー, Reddo Faiyā)
Ryu Hoshikawa (星川 竜, Hoshikawa Ryū)/Dyna Black (ダイナブラック, Daina Burakku): A descendant of Iga ninjas, he is skilled at the art of ninpou and invisibility and he never allows himself to miss a day of training. Comedic and cheerful, children take a liking to him. As an astronomer, he dreams of contacting and befriending alien life-forms.
Attacks: Strong Shower (ストロングシャワー, Sutorongu Shawā), Meteor Kick (流星キック, Ryūsei Kikku), Black Clone Art (ブラック分身の術, Burakku Bunshin no Jutsu), Hiding in the Leaves (木の葉隠れ, Konohagakure), Hiding in the Smokes (煙隠れ, Kemuri Kakure), 8 Step Kick (八段蹴り, Hachi Dan Keri), Ninja Arts Exhaustion (忍法・脱力, Ninpō Datsuryoku), Ninja Arts Dance of Thick Fried Tofu (忍法厚揚げの舞い, Ninpō Atsuage no Mai), Attitude Change Arts (変わり身の術, Kawarimi no Jutsu), Black Spike (Original Version Unused) (ブラックスパイク（本編未使用）, Burakku Supaiku (Honpen Mishiyō))
Dyna Rod Attack: Black Star Flash (ブラックスターフラッシュ, Burakku Sutā Furasshu)
Yosuke Shima (島 洋介, Shima Yōsuke)/Dyna Blue (ダイナブルー, Daina Burū): He is from Ishigaki Island. A swimmer and surfer who dreams of inventing artificial gills to allow people to breathe underwater and enjoy waterlife in all of its glory. He has extensive knowledge of sealife. He despises losing, always wanting to make up for failures he is responsible for. His exclusive vehicles are the Surf Jet and the Attack Board.
Dyna Rod Attack: Blue Water Whirlpool (ブルー水竜巻, Burū Mizu Tatsumaki)
Kosaku Nango (南郷 耕作, Nangō Kōsaku)/Dyna Yellow (ダイナイエロー, Daina Ierō): A nature lover from Kyushu who dreams to improve plant and farm breeds, aiming to develop new foods and flowers. Although he plays the clown, deep down he is a tender and serious man.
Dyna Rod Attack: Yellow Lightning Fall (イエロー雷光落とし, Ierō Raikō Otoshi)
Rei Tachibana (立花 レイ, Tachibana Rei)/Dyna Pink (ダイナピンク, Daina Pinku): She dreams of inventing a machine in order to understand and communicate with animals despite her fear of cats. A skilled fencer, Rei dislikes fighting, but fights for the sake of protecting everyone's dream and the safety of the world.
Dyna Rod Attack: Pink Shocking Melody (ピンクショッキングメロディー, Pinku Shokkingu Merodī)
Arsenal
Dyna Brace (ダイナブレス, Daina Buresu): The transformation device of the team. To transform, the team either calls their name (Dyna [color] (ダイナ○○○○, Daina [color])) by themselves or the team name together.
Dyna Rod (ダイナロッド, Daina Roddo): The sidearms of the team that can either be used as handguns, which fire an attack specific to their respective Dynaman, or transform into batons.
Dyna Punch (ダイナパンチ, Daina Panchi): When a Dynaman flexes their arms, their biceps enlarge, allowing them to deliver a powerful punch.
Team Attacks
Super Dynamite (スーパーダイナマイト, Sūpā Dainamaito): The finishing move of the team. They jump into the air, become a ball of light and fly into the enemy.
New Super Dynamite (ニュースーパーダイナマイト, Nyū Sūpā Dainamaito): An upgraded version of Super Dynamite.
Mach Dash (マッハダッシュ, Mahha Dasshu): The rockets on their boots that make them run faster.
Dyna Kicks (ダイナキック, Daina Kikku): The team delivers consecutive kicks.
Rod Spark (ロッドスパーク, Roddo Supāku): The Dyna Rods are put together and flash.
Rod Beam (ロッドビーム, Roddo Bīmu): The team fires their Dyna Rods together.
Vehicles
Dyna Falcon (ダイナファルコン, Daina Farukon): The motorcycle of Dyna Red.
Dyna Machine (ダイナマシーン, Daina Mashīn): A truck for the rest of the team.
Surf Jet (サーフジェット, Sāfu Jetto): A surfboard type vehicle that Dyna Blue uses.
Dy Jupiter (ダイジュピター, Dai Jupitā): The flying fortress that stores the mecha components of the Dyna Robo.
Mecha
Dyna Robo (ダイナロボ, Daina Robo): The giant robot that is formed by the command "Combine! Grand Slam" (合体!グランドスラム, Gattai! Gurando Suramu). Its primary weapon is the Science Sword (科学剣, Kagaku Ken), which it destroys monsters with its finishing attack, the Lightning Gravity Fall (稲妻重力落とし, Inazuma Jūryoku Otoshi). Its other weapons are the Dyna Knuckles (ダイナナックル, Daina Nakkuru), Dyna Shield (ダイナシールド, Daina Shīrudo), Dyna Boomerang (ダイナブーメラン, Daina Būmeran) and the Beat Hammer (ビートハンマー, Bīto Hanmā). Its other attacks are the Tornado Punch (竜巻パンチ, Tatsumaki Panchi) and the Dyna Flash (ダイナフラッシュ, Daina Furasshu).
Dyna Mach (ダイナマッハ, Daina Mahha): The mecha of Dyna Red. It is stored in the top dome of the Dy Jupiter. It shoots arrowhead-shaped lasers. It forms the head of the Dyna Robo.
Dyna Mobile (ダイナモビル, Daina Mobiru): The mecha of Dyna Black and Dyna Blue. It is stored in the middle component of the Dy Jupiter, beneath the Dyna Mach, and uses the door for Dyna Garry's compartment as a ramp. It shoots missiles (Episode 43). It forms the body of the Dyna Robo.
Dyna Garry (ダイナギャリー, Daina Gyarī): The mecha of Dyna Yellow and Dyna Pink. It is stored in the lowermost compartment of the Dy Jupiter, beneath the Dyna Mobile. It forms the legs of the Dyna Robo.
Allies
Doctor Kyutaro Yumeno (夢野久太郎, Yumeno Kyūtarō): The founder of the Yumeno Invention Center and Science Squad. Detected abnormalities in volcanic regions for years before discovering the existence of the Jashinka, creating the Kagaku Sentai in order to oppose them. While in the Yumeno Center, he puts on a cheerful face, immediately turning all business and no-nonsense when dealing in Dyna Station. His real name is Professor Toyama, who 15 years prior discovered the "'Retro Gene" that increases cells. He changed his name and went into hiding when the woman dearest to him was killed by a Jashinka spy who was aiming for his discovery, therefore dedicating his life to discovering the threat and opposing them with the Kagaku Sentai. His dream is to inspire the dream of others.
Age: 44 years old
Kendo Robo: The mascot of the Yumeno Invention Center invented by Doctor Yumeno. It was destroyed with the center in episode 37.
Tailed-People Clan Jashinka Empire
The Tailed-People Clan Jashinka Empire (有尾人一族ジャシンカ帝国, Yūbijin Ichizoku Jashinka Teikoku) are evolved from a race of reptiles. They arrived at Earth in ancient times, the life-forms being carried along with a meteorite, crashing into the earth, and falling deep into its core. As time went on, the life-forms evolved, becoming the civilized Tailed-People Clan. The Tailed-People are a civilization of advanced science (higher than human's), with the rank of their civilization being determined by the number of tails. Believing Earth to be theirs, for their civilization to rise, they begin invasion. Originally planning to turn humans into their own kind, the experiment failed, and their strategy was changed to simply destroying mankind by reducing the number of human beings as the Tailed-People Clan was outnumbered. Being as the number of tails determines rank, the Emperor's dream is to obtain ten tails, who is said to provide one with eternal life and powers. Their rank and status is determined by the number of tails each member has. The more tails, the greater the status.
Emperor Aton (帝王アトン, Teiō Aton, 1-50): The ringleader who orders the invasion and building of the Jashinka Empire above. With nine tails, he believes in the legend and dreams of obtaining the tenth tail that will provide eternal life and super powers, which he believes he will obtain once he's conquered humans. His cruelty unmatched, he originally shows protection of his son, Megiddo, until one failure too many. He is armed with ESP abilities and the Emperor Sword. Killed by his own son after a long duel but not before giving Princess Chimera the Emperor Sword to make Megiddo Emperor.
General Kar (カー将軍, Kā Shōgun, 1-49): The Seven-tailed "God of War," Kar is the second in command who developed the Jashinka Beast manufacturing machine Progressor. Extremely loyal to Aton, he is later set-up by General Zenobia and Dark Knight, forcing him to challenge Dynaman to a fight to prove his innocence and loyalty and dies as a result.
Prince Megiddo (メギド王子, Megido Ōji, 1-51): The son of Aton. He originally had five tails until he lost one during his first fight with Dyna Red, becoming a disgrace to his clan and developing a grudge towards Dyna Red. But due to prideful arrogance and temper, he continuously fails. In Episode 38, after being prosecuted by Zenobia, his remaining tails are cut off and he's exiled into the Millennium Cave prison by his own father. Swearing revenge, he breaks free from the prison, becoming Dark Knight (ダークナイト, Dāku Naito), wielder of the "Dance of Darkness" technique. As Dark Knight, he is not only an enemy of Dynaman, but of Jashinka, as well. Calling himself "the messenger of darkness", he first lets his presence known by stealing Aton's Emperor Sword (Episode 44). He shows most hatred for General Zenobia and Dyna Red. He was given the title of Emperor by his father after his mask of Dark Knight was destroyed by Dyna Red and he dueled his father as Dark Knight. He was called Emperor Megiddo (帝王メギド, Teiō Megido, 50 & 51). He died when his ship crashed into the ground.
Gira and Geel (ギーラ＆ギール, Gīra to Gīru, 1-8): The bodyguards of Megiddo. The tail soldiers is distinguished by their clothing and berets. They were eaten by a monster plant that was harvested by Butterfly Shinka.
Princess Chimera (王女キメラ, Ōjo Kimera, 8-51): The witch niece of Aton, cousin of Megiddo. She has a short, round tail of four. She respects Aton and is a master in illusions and psychokinesis. She is excellent at strategies to fool humans by using disguises and charm. She is Rei / Dyna Pink's rival. As prideful as her cousin Megiddo, the two constantly bicker. She died alongside Meggido.
General Zenobia (ゼノビア将軍, Zenobia Shōgun, 37-50): A new general with seven tails who appears in episode 37. She destroyed the Invention Center. A combat expert with seven tails, she too holds the title of general. Also a priestess who deals in ritual. Eight years ago, she tried to assassinate Aton and take the throne for herself. While conspirators were executed, Aton chose to banish Zenobia to imprisonment in the Millennium Cave out of fear of her witchcraft knowledge. After escaping from it, she swears loyalty to Aton, fighting Dynaman while secretly planning to overthrowing him and develop her own tenth tail. Spied on by Megiddo, she sets him up by having him banished to the Millennium Cave, masking it as a contempt for failure. She discovers the Retro Gene, attempting to use it in growing the tenth tail. When she does grow a tenth tail, she dies afterwards.
Shippo Soldiers (シッポ兵, Shippo Hei): The foot soldiers of the empire. They are humanoid lizards with red eyes, green and black skin and one tail. They are fully capable of speech, as demonstrated after Megiddo loses a tail in his first fight with Dyna Red.
Gran Gizmo (グランギズモ, Guran Gizumo): A mobile fortress shaped like a flying fish armed with four rocket launchers in each side of its hull.
Gizmosquito (ギズモスキート, Gizumoskito): Small fighters launched from the Gran Gizmo.
Episodes
The Tailed-People Clan's Challenge (有尾人一族の挑戦, Yūbijin Ichizoku no Chōsen)
Warriors Who Chase Dreams (夢を追う戦士たち, Yume o Ou Senshitachi)
Bat Hell Flight (コウモリ地獄飛行, Kōmori Jigoku Hikō)
The Rumbling Fossil-Human (ゴロゴロ化石人間, Gorogoro Kaseki Ningen)
The Evolution Beast's Scary Dream (進化獣のこわい夢, Shinkajū no Kowai Yume)
Fight to the Death! The Haunts of a Poisonous Snake (死闘! 毒蛇の魔境, Shitō! Dokuja no Makyō)
Operation Tokyo Sea of Fire (東京火の海作戦!, Tōkyō Hi no Umi Sakusen)
Evil Flower Princess Chimera (悪の花王女キメラ, Aku no Hana Ōjo Kimera)
The Do-or-Die Bomb Race (決死の爆弾レース, Kesshi no Bakudan Rēsu)
The Intruder From Outer Space (宇宙からの侵入者, Uchū Kara no Shinnyūsha)
The Day Fish Attack Humans (魚が人間を襲う日, Sakana ga Ningen o Osou Hi)
The Targeted Blood Bank (狙われた血液銀行, Nerawareta Ketsueki Ginkō)
The Kidnapped Brides (さらわれた花嫁, Sarawareta Hanayome)
"Yume o Kanaete Dynaman" (夢をかなえてダイナマン, Yume o Kanaete Dainaman, "Dynaman Fulfills our Dreams")
Lyrics: Kazuo Koike
Composition & Arrangement: Kensuke Kyō
Artist: MoJo
International Broadcasts and Home Video Release
With its great success in home country of Japan, this series was released on home video by Toei Video for the first time on VHS from June 22, 1990 to October 25, 1992, through both sale and rental releases. 10 VHS volumes were released, with each tape containing three episodes, with volumes 8 through 10 having five episodes each. But only up to Episode 36 out of 51 was released total. Later on, Toei Video released the series on DVD throughout five volumes from November 21, 2007 until March 21, 2008. This was the first time around that this series got a full release with all 51 episodes. Each volume is a 2-disc set with 10 episodes, with the last volume having 11 episodes. Seven episodes are included in "Super Sentai Ichigo Blu-ray 1982 - 1986" Blu-Ray set which was released on April 14, 2021. The movie version was included on the "SUPER SENTAI THE MOVIE" DVD-BOX released on July 21, 2003 and "Super Sentai THE MOVIE VOl.2" released on July 21, 2004. Also featured in the "Super Sentai THE MOVIE Blu-ray BOX 1976-1995" Blu-ray release.
In the Philippines, the series was aired on RPN-9 from 1986 to 1987 with an English dub.
