Android Kikaider (1972)
A beloved Japanese tokusatsu classic featuring a conscience-driven android hero battling evil in a landmark series that shaped superhero television for decades.
Android Kikaider - Series Information
- Original Title: 人造人間キカイダー
- First Air Year: 1972
- Last Air Year: 1974
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 89
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: tv asahi, NET
- Production Companies: Toei Company, Ishimori Production
- Production Countries: Japan
Android Kikaider - Plot
A transforming super-android, on the run from an evil organization, fights rampaging robot monsters and helps his creator's daughter & son find their lost father.
Android Kikaider - Trailer
Preview the series with this clip from Android Kikaider.
Where to Watch Android Kikaider
Looking for where to watch Android Kikaider?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Android Kikaider - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Daisuke Ban as Jiro/Kikaider
- Jun Mizunoe as Mitsuko Komyoji
- Masahiro Kamiya as Masaru Komyoji
- Shun Ueda as Hanpei "Hanpen" Hattori
- Hajime Izu as Dr. Nobuhiko Kohmyoji
- Mitsuo Andō as Professor Gill
- Masaaki Okabe as Narrator (voice)
- Shozo Iizuka as Hakaider (voice)
Writers
- Shūkei Nagasaka
- Masaru Igami
- Noboru Shimazu
- Masayuki Shimada
- Emi Tamura
Android Kikaider - FAQs
Is Android Kikaider based on a manga or original story?
Android Kikaider is based on the manga by Shotaro Ishinomori, the legendary creator of Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. The manga ran in Shonen Sunday from 1972 and introduced Jiro, a robot with an incomplete conscience circuit, exploring themes of humanity, identity, and morality in a way unusual for tokusatsu of the era.
What makes Android Kikaider different from other tokusatsu shows?
Unlike most tokusatsu heroes of its time, Kikaider carries genuine emotional depth. Jiro's incomplete GEMINI conscience circuit means he constantly struggles between good and evil impulses, making him a morally complex protagonist. This philosophical dimension, rare for 1970s superhero TV, gave the series a lasting cult following well beyond Japan.
How many seasons and episodes does Android Kikaider have?
The series spans two main seasons plus a specials collection: Season 1 (Android Kikaider, 43 episodes) and Season 2 (Kikaida 01, 46 episodes), along with 3 special episodes, bringing the total to 89 episodes. The show aired from 1972 to 1974 on NET and TV Asahi in Japan.
Where can viewers watch Android Kikaider today?
Streaming availability for Android Kikaider varies by region. The series has had limited international digital releases over the years. Check JustWatch for the most current viewing options in your area, as platform availability can change. Physical media releases have also been issued for collectors in both Japan and North America.
Who plays Jiro, the android hero, in the series?
Daisuke Ban portrays Jiro, the android known as Kikaider, bringing a quiet vulnerability to the role that became iconic. His performance captured Jiro's internal conflict between his programmed directives and his developing sense of conscience, making the character one of the most memorable heroes in tokusatsu history.
Did Android Kikaider influence later superhero or tokusatsu series?
Absolutely. Ishinomori's creation left a deep mark on Japanese pop culture and the broader tokusatsu genre. Its exploration of android identity influenced later series and even inspired a 2000 anime reboot. The character remains beloved in Hawaii, where the original series aired and built a devoted fanbase that persists to this day.
Who composed the music for Android Kikaider?
The series' music was composed by Chumei Watanabe, a prolific figure in Japanese tokusatsu and anime scoring. His work on Android Kikaider contributed to the show's distinctive atmosphere, blending heroic themes with melancholic undertones that reflected Jiro's emotional struggle — a perfect sonic complement to the series' unusual dramatic tone.
What are some shows similar to Android Kikaider?
Fans of Android Kikaider will likely enjoy other classic tokusatsu series such as Ultraman (1966) and Ultraseven (1967) for their monster-of-the-week format, or Kamen Rider Kabuto (2006) for its android-themed hero. Special Investigation Robo Janperson and Mobile Cop Jiban also share the android-hero premise in later eras.
More About Android Kikaider
Explore further details about Android Kikaider on these trusted databases.