Animal Companions

Early concepts for the show included giving each Trooper an animal companion. In the final version of the show, only the mystical tiger Byakuen remained. Descriptions of these animals are available in the *Memorials 1* book.

Translations provided by Dawn Sanada.

### Korin no Seiji

His animal partner is a large wolf named "Fubuki"

Fubuki appears from the great Siberian forests of northern Russia in response to Korin's armor.

This incredible large wolf has a keen sense of smell. This animal's incredible eyesight allows him to spot his enemies with ease. He doesn't even miss the shadow of anything and has the ability to never lose his way on the ice or in a blizzard.

Fubuki (吹雪) = snowstorm or blizzard

### Tenku no Touma

His animal partner is "Hiten," a giant eagle.

"Hiten" flew from the sky of Arizona in North America all the way to Japan in response to Tenku's armor.

This amazing bird flies faster than the wind, flies higher than any other bird, and lands on its target without fail. Its sharp beak and talons never let go of the one it has captured.

Hiten (大鷲) = large or giant eagle.

* 大 = large/giant
* Washi (鷲) = eagle

> *Translator note: Two different translation sites just gave me 'Hiten', while another one I use that will usually give very blunt translations, moreso than what RomajiDesu provides, which was 'heavenly beings shown flying around the main image in a temple'. So, I'm going to assume that the bird being given the name of 'Hiten' is in relation to the latter.*
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> *What exactally IS a Hiten, though? Hiten are considered to be bodhisattvas.*
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> * *Bodhisattvas - a person who is able to reach nirvana but delays doing so out of compassion in order to save suffering beings.*
> * *Nirvana - a state in which there is no suffering, desire, or sense of self. The person is released from the effects of karma and the cycle of death and rebirth.)*
> * *They are wonderous beings who fly and dance in praise of and who accompany Buddhas.*
> * *Buddha = a person who has has become fully awakened / who has attained full enlightenment.*
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> *Hiten are also called Apsara, flying angels, Heavenly maidens / Heavenly beings.*
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> *In Hindu mythology they are female spirits of nature who are usually water nymphs or forest spirits. They are considered very talented artistically, and all of them are described as being very beautiful. Apsaras love to dance and they often performed for gods.*
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### Suiko no Shin

Shin's animal partner is the Shishi Suima Kami.

This animal responds to Suiko's armor and emerges from an undersea cave in the Mediterranean Sea.

It can run on the water and on land, and move faster than a dolphin. Its muscular body is unaffected by the fangs of the most vicious sharks and killer whales. Although they do not often bare their fangs, once they attack, they can defeat their enemies with a single blow.

* 獅子 = shishi = left-hand guardian dog at a Shinto shrine
* 水魔 = suima = water demon that brings floods or disasters
* 神 = kami = god

### Kongo no Shuu

His partner is the black panther "Koutetsumaru".

"Koutetsumaru" appears in response to Kongo's armor. It was awakened from a cave in Guilin, China.

With its powerful fangs and claws that can shatter any object. This large feline hides underground or can sneak up on its enemies like a shadow, allowing this animal to strike them down with a swift blow. His body is stronger and more flexible than any steel.

Koutetsumaru (鋼鉄丸) = Perfect Steel/Pure Steel

* koutetsu (鋼鉄) = steel
* maru (丸) = circle / perfection / purity