Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan
Title Screen
Genre	Tokusatsu Superhero fiction Science fiction
Created by	Toei Company Marvel Comics
Developed by	Shozo Uehara
Directed by	Koichi Takemoto
Starring	Ryūsuke Kawasaki Kinya Sugi Asao Kobayashi Shin Kishida Yumi Nemoto Takayuki Godai Machiko Soga Yukie Kagawa
Narrated by	Tōru Ōhira
Opening theme	"Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan" by Akira Kushida & Koorogi '73
Composer	Michiaki Watanabe
Country of origin	Japan
No. of episodes	50
Production
Producers	Takeyuki Suzuki Yūyake Usui Susumu Yoshikawa
Running time	30 minutes
Production companies	TV Asahi NT21 Toei Company Toei Advertising
Original release
Network	TV Asahi
Release	February 7, 1981 (1981-02-07) – January 30, 1982 (1982-01-30)
Related
Denshi Sentai Denjiman Dai Sentai Goggle-V

Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan (太陽戦隊サンバルカン, Taiyō Sentai San Barukan, Solar Squadron Sun Vulcan) is a Japanese television show and the fifth series in Toei Company's Super Sentai tokusatsu metaseries. It was broadcast from February 7, 1981, to January 30, 1982, replacing Denshi Sentai Denjiman and was replaced by Dai Sentai Goggle-V. The program first Super Sentai series to serve as a direct sequel to its previous series (Denshi Sentai Denjiman). It is also the first and only series in the franchise to have an all-male Super Sentai team and the first to have fewer than five members in the core team. Its international English title as listed by Toei Company is Sunvulcan.^[1] This is last entry in the Super Sentai tokusatsu metaseries to be co-produced by Marvel Comics and possess a Marvel copyright, despite no Marvel influence.

Plot

The threat of the Machine Empire Black Magma causes the United Nations to establish the Solar Sentai at a summit. From the UN's Guardians of World Peace's (GWP) air force, navy, and rangers, Commander Arashiyama assembles three specialists to become Sun Vulcan. When Black Magma learns of this, he attacks the GWP's base, but Sun Vulcan debuts in time to save it. Führer Hell Saturn prays to the Black Solar God and is rewarded with a revived Queen Hedrian, now a cyborg with a mechanical heart and a metallic afro. Black Magma multiple plots, even with Hedrian's aid, fails. Following the death of 01, Amazon Killer, (a Vader) arrives from space, destroying the Sun Vulcan Base. A new Vulcan Base is then built.

The original Vul Eagle, Ryusuke Ohwashi, is replaced by a friend and master of the sword, Takayuki Hiba (who first appeared in episode 23).

Characters

Guardians of World Peace

The Japanese branch of the GWP is Sun Vulcan's secret headquarters, with the restaurant Snack Safari and a safari park acting as a front.

Sun Vulcan

The eponymous Sun Vulcan is the name of the Guardians of World Peace's Taiyo Sentai, they are the first and only Super Sentai core team to be all-male. Each of the Sun Vulcan members identifies himself before the group says "Shine! Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan!" (輝け!太陽戦隊サンバルカン!, Kagayake! Taiyō Sentai San Barukan!). Ryusuke, Kinya and Asao's last names also Takayuki's given name include the Japanese names of their totem animals.

• Vul Eagle (バルイーグル, Baru Īguru): The red-colored leader of the Sun Vulcan team whose moniker was used by its original user and his successor.
  • Ryusuke Ohwashi (大鷲 龍介, Ōwashi Ryūsuke, 1-23): A GWP air force officer whose skills made him the top pilot in the organization. He left to pursue space shuttle research for NASA in the United States.
    • Special moves: Eagle Wings (イーグルウイング, Īguru Uingu), Eagle Diving (イーグルダイビング, Īguru Daibingu), Eagle Fire (イーグルファイヤー, Īguru Faiyā)
  • Takayuki Hiba (飛羽 高之, Hiba Takayuki, 23-50): A colleague of Ohwashi and master of kendo. Takayuki took over for Ryusuke after he left for NASA shuttle research. Along with his fellow Red Rangers from Gorenger to Timeranger, Takayuki appeared in Hyakujuu Sentai Gaoranger vs. Super Sentai. Takayuki appeared in the final episode of Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger, receiving his powers back in the form of the Vuleagle Key as the Gokaigers left Earth.
    • Special moves: Hiba Gaeshi (Hiba Return), Shin Hiba Gaeshi (New Hiba Return) Secret Sword Style Cross Cut.
• Kinya Samejima/Vul Shark (鮫島 欣也/バルシャーク, Samejima Kin'ya/Baru Shāku): A GWP naval officer who's also an oceanographer, Kinya spent most of his childhood in Africa. Having lost his parents and younger brother during an altercation, Kinya's hatred for any form of violence motivated him to volunteer for the Sun Vulcan project.
  • Special moves: Shark Washer (シャークウォッシャー, Shāku Wosshā), Shark Diving (シャークダイビング, Shāku Daibingu), Shark Rolling (シャークローリング, Shāku Rōringu), Shark Jaws (シャークジョーズ, Shāku Jōzu)
• Asao Hyou/Vul Panther (豹 朝夫/バルパンサー, Hyō Asao/Baru Pansā): A GWP army officer who can climb any surface. Despite his courage in battle, he has an unusual fear of dogs - especially CC.
  • Special moves: Panther Galaxy (パンサーギャラクシー, Pansā Gyarakushī), Panther Claw (パンサークロー, Pansā Kurō), Panther Bomber (パンサーボンバー, Pansā Bonbā), Panther Mole (パンサーもぐら, Pansā Mogura), Rolling Panther (ローリングパンサー, Rōringu Pansā), Panther Throw (パンサー投げ, Pansā Nage)

Arsenal

• Vulcan Brace (バルカンブレス, Barukan Buresu): The transformation device of the Sun Vulcan. The transformation call is "Sun Vulcan!" (or, for individual members, their codename).
• Vulcan Stick (バルカンスティック, Barukan Sutikku): The standard-issue weapon for the Sun Vulcans.
• Vulcan Ball (バルカンボール, Barukan Bōru): A bomb shaped like a volleyball. Vul Eagle kicks it first ("One!"), Vul Panther then passes it ("Two!") to Vul Shark, who throws it in the air ("Three!"). Vul Eagle then yells, "Go!" before jumping over his partners and spiking the ball towards the target.
  • New Vulcan Ball (ニューバルカンボール, Nyū Barukan Bōru): A newer, more powerful version of the Vulcan Ball shaped and thrown like an American football. Used by Sun Vulcan to perform the Triple Cross (トリプルクロス, Toripuru Kurosu) finisher.

Mecha

• Jaguar Vulcan (ジャガーバルカン, Jagā Barukan): The flying fortress. Its jaws open to let the components of the Sun Vulcan Robo launch.
• Sun Vulcan Robo (サンバルカンロボ, San Barukan Robo): The first combining Sentai robot, and also the first to "talk" in the form of shouting attack techniques. Cosmo Vulcan and Bull Vulcan combine when the command "Combine! Grand Cross!" (合体グランドクロス, Gattai Gurando Kurosu) is given. It is armed with the Solar Sword (太陽剣, Taiyō Ken) and its finishing attack to destroy monsters is the Aurora Plasma Reversal (オーロラプラズマ返し, Ōrora Purazuma Gaeshi). Its other weapons are the Vul Shield (バルシールド, Baru Shīrudo), Vul Tonfa (バルトンファ, Baru Tonfa), Vul Hand (バルハンド, Baru Hando), Vulcan Sun (バルカンサン, Barukan San), and Vulcan Cannons (バルカン砲, Barukan Jū).
  • Cosmo Vulcan (コスモバルカン, Kosumo Barukan): A jet piloted by Vul Eagle. It is stored in the mouth of the Jaguar Vulcan. It forms the head, upper arms, and body of the Sun Vulcan Robo.
  • Bull Vulcan (ブルバルカン, Buru Barukan): A bulldozer-like vehicle with two cockpits; one for the left half and the other for the right half. It is piloted by Vul Shark and Vul Panther and is stored in the rear of the Jaguar Vulcan, divided in half. It forms the forearms and feet of the Sun Vulcan Robo, with the feet storing the forearms.

Vehicles

• Sand Vulcan (サンドバルカン, Sando Barukan): The car of Vul Eagle (a British Leyland Moke).
• Shark Machine (シャークマシーン, Shāku Mashīn): The blue Motorbike of Vul Shark.
• Panther Machine (パンサーマシーン, Pansā Mashīn): The green Motorbike of Vul Panther.

Allies

• Daizaburo Arashiyama (嵐山 大三郎, Arashiyama Daizaburō): The commander of the GWP, who is also an expert at robotics. He designed the team's mecha. He is also the owner of the Snack Safari restaurant and he cares for the animals in the zoo that the SunVulcan base is built on.
• Misa Arashiyama (嵐山 美佐, Arashiyama Misa): The Commander's daughter, serving as his secretary. In Episode 29, she transforms into Belle Swordswoman White Rose Mask (美剣士白バラ仮面, Bikenshi Shiro Bara Kamen) (likely through the quick-change talent that she shares with many Super Sentai heroines) to aid the Sun Vulcans in their battle against Red Rose Mask (Rose Monger).
• CC (シーシー, Shīshī): An intelligent dog cared by the Arashiyamas. He is trained by Misa to speak fluent Japanese.

Mechanical Empire Black Magma

Mechanical Empire Black Magma (機械帝国ブラックマグマ, Kikai Teikoku Burakku Maguma) is an organization based at the Iron Claw Castle at the North Pole that worships the Black Solar God. Intending to have its Mechahumans rule the world, Black Magma's technology is advanced enough to cause natural disasters and cause global incidents. However, Black Magma targets Japan in order to obtain the cache of geothermal energy there needed to power their arsenal.

• The Omnipotent God (全能の神, Zennō no Kami, 5-50): The true leader of Black Magma, known as the Black Solar God. He is hinted to have connections to the Incan and Mayan civilizations. He normally communicates to Hell Saturn via an idol.
• Führer Hell Saturn (ヘルサターン総統, Heru Satān Sōtō, 1-47, 49 and 50): Though he rules over Black Magma, he is actually a servant of the Omnipotent God.
• Zero Girls (ゼロガールズ, Zero Gāruzu): A quartet of female spies numbered 01-04. 01 wears red and is armed with throwing knives, 02 wears black and is armed with cards, 03 wears green and is armed with dual swords and 04 wears purple and is armed with yo-yos. While Zero Girl 01 died, the remaining three survive until they die piloting King Magma during the final battle.
  • Zero Girl 01 (ゼロガール01, Zero Gāru 01, 1-22): A red-suited member of the Zero Girls who functions as the active field commander, armed with throwing knives. She is killed as the result of a cave-in.
• Dark Q (ダークQ, Dāku Kyū, 1-4 & 6-22): A series of spy mechanoids used by Hell Saturn for infiltration and assassinations, stronger than normal humans. Constructed with care, the mechanoids are placed in a torturous combat testing with the survivors branded as Dark Q and must succeed in their missions or be obliterated for failure. About 96 models were made before the 97th was created as the finalized model for Black Magma to use in its invasion. The 97th posed as Kagayama, becoming Arashiyama's aide to uncover info on Sun Vulcan Robo before she is exposed and ejected from the base before she self-destructs. The 97th model, armed with claws, aided in stealing a dangerous bacteria in Black Magma's scheme to cause conflict. A 98th model was built to kill various important figures considered national treasures in Japan, only to be stopped in her tracks. The 99th model, equipped with a detachable arm that doubles as flame thrower poses as an officer to obtain the contents of a vault. But her failure to secure it results in her destruction with the 100th model utilized to complete Black Magma's plan to build a fortress underground before she is destroyed by the Sun Vulcan group. Eventually, the Dark Q series is discontinued.
• Machinemen (マシンマン, Mashinman): The android grunts in black with the red insignia of Black Magma on their faces. Not to be confused with Seiun Kamen Machineman.

Arsenal

• Hell Fighters (ヘルファイター, Heru Faitā): Black Magma's black fighter planes with the red insignia of Black Magma.
• King Magmar (キングマグマー, Kingumagumâ, 50): A giant robot controlled by Zero Girls 02-04.

Other Villains

• Queen Hedrian (ヘドリアン女王, Hedorian Joō, 4-50): Originally the leader of the Vader Clan, she was found frozen at the North Pole by the Omnipotent God and revived as a cyborg with a mechanical heart. As a result, instead of avenging her Vader Clansmen, Hedrian is forced to serve Black Magma as the Omnipotent God's high priestess with Hell Saturn able to shut down her mechanical heart should she betray them. After Hell Saturn is seemingly destroyed, Hedrian took over the Black Magma leadership until the ghost of her predecessor appeared just when she kidnapped Misa through her sorcery and induced cardiac arrest with the shutdown of her heart. She is portrayed by Machiko Soga.
• Amazon Killer (アマゾンキラー, Amazon Kirā, 23-50): A former Vader Clan field officer who came from space, loyal only to Hedrian. Taking Zero Girl 01's place as the field commander, Amazon Killer succeeded in destroying the Sun Vulcan's Head Base and did her job very actively in both combat and stealth. After Hedrian's death, Amazon Killer was forced to fight the Sun Vulcan, who came to rescue Daizaburou and Misa. She had them on the ropes, but surviving their combination attack, Amazon Killer took her own life out of a refusal of serve Black Magma.
• Inazuma Gingar (イナズマギンガー, Inazuma Gingā, 45-49): A space pirate who is known as the "Galactic Invincible Electric Man" (銀河無敵の電気男, Ginga Muteki no Denki Otoko) who is sought by the Galactic Police. Once Amazon Killer's partner, Inazuma is manipulated into challenging Hell Saturn by her and Queen Hedrian. Inazuma seems to defeat Hell Saturn in the episode, allowing Queen Hedrian to declare herself ruler of Black Magma. However, Hell Saturn returns as a ghost and get his revenge by tossing Inazuma into the monster-making machine transforming him into Inazuma Monger who meets his end against the Sun Vulcan team.

Episodes

Movie

A Sun Vulcan movie written by Shozo Uehara and directed by Shohei Tojo was released on July 18, 1981, at the Toei Manga Festival (on the same day episode 24 aired). It takes place some time after episode 23.

Cast

• Ryusuke Ohwashi: Ryūsuke Kawasaki (川崎 龍介, Kawasaki Ryūsuke)
• Takayuki Hiba: Takayuki Godai (五代 高之, Godai Takayuki)
• Kinya Samejima: Kin'ya Sugi (杉 欣也, Sugi Kin'ya)
• Asao Hyou: Asao Kobayashi (小林 朝夫, Kobayashi Asao)
• Daizaburo Arashiyama: Shin Kishida (岸田 森, Kishida Shin)
• Misa Arashiyama: Yumi Nemoto (根本 由美, Nemoto Yumi)
• Führer Hell Saturn (Voice): Shōzō Iizuka
• Queen Hedrian: Machiko Soga
• Inazuma Gingar (Voice): Takeshi Watabe
• Zero One: Takako Kitagawa
• Zero Two: Mariko Hikashi
• Zero Three: Yuki Udagawa
• Zero Four: Toshiko Takashima (1-4) and Kyoko Hiro (5-50)
• Narration: Tōru Ōhira
• Amazon Killer: Yukie Kagawa
• Sun Vulcan Robo: Eiji Kanie

Songs

Opening theme

• "Taiyo Sentai Sun Vulcan" (太陽戦隊サンバルカン, Taiyō Sentai Sanbarukan)
  • Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Composition: Michiaki Watanabe
  • Artist: Akira Kushida & Koorogi '73

Ending themes

• "Wakasa wa Plasma" (若さはプラズマ, Wakasa wa Purazuma, "Youth is a Plasma")
  • Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Composition: Michiaki Watanabe
  • Artist: Akira Kushida
  • Episodes: 1-33
• "Ichi tasu Ni tasu Sun Vulcan" (1たす2たすサンバルカン, Ichi tasu Ni tasu Sanbarukan, "One plus Two plus Sun Vulcan")^{[Note 1]}
  • Lyrics: Keisuke Yamakawa
  • Composition: Michiaki Watanabe
  • Artist: Akira Kushida
  • Episodes: 34-50

International broadcasts

In the Philippines, the series was aired on BBC-2 from 1984 to 1985.

Marvel Productions commissioned a sizzle reel for an English-language adaptation in the vein of what would later become Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Stan Lee attempted to sell the show to multiple American broadcasters.^[2][3]