Hurricane Polymar

***Hurricane Polymar*** (破裏拳ポリマー, *Hariken Porimā*) is a Japanese television anime series that aired on NET Japan Educational Television, which is now known as TV Asahi. The series consists of a total of 26 episodes.

In the Kanto region, *Hurricane Polymar* was broadcast from October 4, 1974 (Showa 49) to March 28, 1975 (Showa 50) on Fridays from 18:00 to 18:30 (6:00 PM to 6:30 PM). Due to the fact that it was not broadcast simultaneously across all regions, the airing periods and time slots might have varied depending on the specific locality.

In 2017, there was a live-action film adaptation of *Hurricane Polymar*, starring Junpei Mizobata. This adaptation brought the beloved anime series to a new generation of fans through a live-action format.

## History

*Hurricane Polymar* was the third installment in Tatsunoko's science-fiction action hero series, following the success of *Science Ninja Team Gatchaman* and *Neo-Human Casshern*, which concluded in the first half of 1974. This series was influenced by the global kung fu trend that emerged after the 1973 hit film *Enter the Dragon*, starring Bruce Lee. In response to this trend, the main character of *Hurricane Polymar* was designed with Bruce Lee as a model, and the battle cries and action sequences were also inspired by Bruce Lee's style.

The actor who portrayed the main character, Kazuyasu Sogabe (at the time, Kazuyuki Sogabe), received instructions to emulate a Bruce Lee-like character and even watched Bruce Lee's movies multiple times for inspiration.

*Hurricane Polymar* took a notable departure from the serious tone of its predecessors and adopted a more comedic approach. The setting of the series, a city known as "Washinkyo, Amehon," deliberately blended fictional and real-world elements to create a distinctively international and otherworldly atmosphere.

One of the unique features of the series was the variety of quirky and pop-inspired enemy groups that rotated in each episode, each designed with an unusual and light-hearted sensibility. With project manager Jinzo Toriumi at the helm, characterized the series by comparing it to the world of the historical drama *Tōyama no Kin-san* and also mentioned the influence of *Kurama Tengu* in their conceptualization of the series.

In 1996, it was remade as an OVA, following in the footsteps of *Neo-Human Casshern* and *Science Ninja Team Gatchaman*. Additionally, the fifth installment of the 1981 Time Bokan Series, *Yattodetaman*, featured similarities in its setting, and it shared the same leading voice actor, Sogabe.

It's worth noting that *Hurricane Polymar* is credited as the last work by Tatsuo Yoshida, the founder of Tatsunoko Production, before his passing. Following this series, Tatsunoko's original anime works have their original authorship attributed to the "Tatsunoko Production Planning Department", even in cases where Tatsuo Yoshida was the producer.

There are two manga adaptations of *Hurricane Polymar*. One is a two-volume manga with artwork by Koji Ishihara, published by Sun Kikaku's Ace Five Comics. The other manga adaptation was serialized in Adventure King and featured artwork by Hirooka Kyuushi.

1. ↑ Mediax. (1994). "The Seiyuu 1995". p. 92, "We Asked 100 Voice Actors '95 Kazuyuki Sogabe".
2. ↑ Asahi Sonorama. (2001). "Tatsunoko Heroes '70s Tatsunoko 4 Great Heroes Gathering!!", edited by DARTS. p. 72. ISBN 978-4257036234.
3. ↑ Asahi Sonorama. (2001). "Tatsunoko Heroes '70s Tatsunoko 4 Great Heroes Gathering!!", edited by DARTS. p. 88. ISBN 978-4257036234.
4. ↑ Eijinsha. (1987). Jinzo Toriumi, "Introduction to Anime Scenarios". p. 51. ISBN 978-4871002158.
5. ↑ Takeshobo. (2006). "Time Bokan Series Super Character & Super Mecha Collection". p. 92. ISBN 978-4812426609.
6. ↑ SoftBank. (1997). "Time Bokan The Complete Works". p. 39. ISBN 978-4797303667.