Japanese Name

Akumaizer Suree

English Name

Akumaizer Three

Air Dates and Times

10/7/1975 - 6/29/1976; Tuesdays 7-7:30 P.M.; NET TV (Now TV Asahi)

Story

Ishnomori Shoutaro

Number of Episodes

38 Episodes

Production Company

Toei

Cast

Inoe Makioh (Voice - Zabitan)
Yata Koji (Voice – Iberu)
Yanami Joji (Voice – Gabura)
Takizawa Sou (Zabitan’s Human Guise- Nagumo Takeshi)
Chiba Jiro (Shima Ippei)
Hayata Miyuki (Nagisa Jun)
Kobana Kaneo (Shima Teruhiko)
Iwashiro Yoshio (Akita Kensaku)
Yoshida Rihoko (Voice – Darunia)
Tsujimura Mahito (Voice – Mega Lord)

20,000 Year Ago, Earth was still in the early stages of development. Spawned from these inhospitable and torturous conditions was born Humankind. The harsh environment forced Humankind to retreat underground for protection. Here humankind survived, and adapted. Later Humankind adapted themselves further by using ancient and arcane technology to transform themselves into mystical “cyborgs”. Using these newfound abilities Humankind thrived. One clan in particular amassed great power. Calling themselves the Akuma Zoku (Demon Clan), they went further into the bowels of Earth to carve out their own Empire which they called “Down World”. The Akuma Zoku shed their human guises and eventually adopted more powerful non-human forms. They also grew to hate their brethren who had begun settling up above. Throughout history they would often send up “Ghost Pirate Ships” on quests to capture and enslave humans and bring them down to “Down World”.

Not all “Demons” hated humans however and one such Demon (the bastard child of a human and Demon) eventually rebelled against the Akuma Zoku. His name was Zabitan. Zabitan fled “Down World” to go into the world of the humans to serve as their protector. Furious, The Akuma Zoku sent two of its top assassins, Iberu and Gabura to kill the traitor. Swayed by Zabitan’s pure and courageous spirit and his determination to protect humankind from the Akuma Zoku’s plans of conquest, Iberu and Gabura also joined Zabitan. Vowing an oath of honor, they formed the Knights of Justice, Akumaizer Three. Dedicated to protecting humankind from their kind, Akumaizer Three betrayed their clan in the hopes that they might bring peace between their two warring worlds.

Each of the Akumaizer Three used various spell commands which they called their “Mahouryoku” (Magic Power).

Zabitan’s Demon Magic Commands were of the following:
Tsukurun Dara..(Create It I Say…)
Kierun Dara (Disappear I Say…)
Kawarun Dara (Change I Say…)
Modorun Dara (Return I Say…)
Ugokun Dara (Move I Say…)

These “change” spells would empower Zabitan with various physical powers and abilities.

Zabitan’s human mother’s name was Shirazaki Chiyo.

Later on Zabitan uses his mystical abilities to adopt the human guise of Nagumo Takeshi, a reporter for the Todou Times.

Later on Iberu used his mystical abilities to assume the guise of several unassuming objects. With the Magical Command of “Kawarunja Iberucho” (Change Iberu) he can turn into:

-A Pencil Holder Cup (!?)
-A Seesaw (!?)
-A Giant Electrical Fan
-A Fire Extinguisher
-A Cane (!?)
-A Chokin (Chinese Lantern)
-A Bucket (!?)

Had a constant habit of saying “Don Na Mon Ja Ei” (Whatever…)

Later on Gabura uses his mystical abilities to assume the guise of a gigantic non-flying bird (similar to the Chocobos in the Final Fantasy Game Series). With a call of “Kawarundara – Gabura Cho” (Change Gabura Cho) he would transform into the gigantic ostrich-like form of Gabura Cho.

While Gabura hardly used his sabre (Jankal) Garado, preferring to use instead his weapon of choice, his spiked ball and hammer “Denburu”. He would use this heavy ball and chain to crush and pound his enemies.

The Akumaizer Three’s ultimate attack formation was called the “Akumaizer Attack”.

The Akumaizer Three had numerous vehicles they would utilize, the first of which is their “GaraBard”, a three part motorcycle system which was normally three separate motorcycles but could then be combined into a more powerful vehicle. Has a top speed of 300 Kph or 300 Mph.

The ZuyderBurg is normally disguised as an ancient flying Ghost Pirate Ship. Yet, when shifted into “battle mode” the ship transforms into its more modern flying ship form. Resembling a giant blowfish, the ZiderBig is Akumaizer Three’s floating mobile fortress and headquarters.

Inoe Makioh is the voice behind many familiar Anime characters such as Captain Harlock (Space Pirate Captain Harlock) Detective Ishikawa Goemon (Lupin III), and Hanagata Mitsuru (Kyojin No Hoshi/Star of the Giants).

Yata Koji voiced the character of Dr. Gero/Jinzo Ningen #20 (Dragon Ball Z) and also contributed voice work to Saint Seiya and Ginga Senpuu Buraigar/ Galaxy Cyclone Braiger.

Gravely voiced Yanami Joji is best remembered as the narrator for the Anime series “Dragonball” but has also contributed his voice to a variety of other shows playing such diverse characters as Kuruma Danbei (Getter Robo G), Vega Daioh (Grand Dizer), Doctor Ebisu (Arcadia of My Youth, SSX), and the burly henchman in the various “Time Bokan Series”.

Yoshida Rihoko was the voice for Emeraldus (Space Pirate Captain Harlock). She was also the voice behind Maria (UFO Grand Dizer), Megu (Majyoko Megu Chan), Tina Henderson (Orguss), Jakoba Aron (Aura Battler Dunbine), Michiru (Getter Robo/Getter Robo G), and Natsuko (Cutey Honey).

Tsujimura Mahito has done voice work for a number of anime projects. He can be heard as the following characters: Jitsuyama (Mobile Police Patlabor), Jill (Nausicca of the Valley of the Wind) and Rularn (Hades Project Zeorymer).

While not directly stated, Ishinomori Shoutaro probably based Akumaizer Three on the classic Alexandre Dumas Pere Novel, “Les Trois Mousquetaires” (AKA The Three Musketters).

You might even say the comparison would run like this:
Aramis = Zabitan
Arthos/D'Artagnan = Iberu
Porthos = Gabura

Akumaizer Three ended in a very unique open-ended style. During their final battle with Demon Emperor Gulliver, the Akumaizer Three are actually “killed”, causing their spirits to be encased in a special capsule for seeming eternity. As it turns out, this is just a mere transition for them. The Akumaizer Three would return again with an all-new look in the inferior direct sequel “Chojin Bibyun” (Superhuman Bibyun).

The Zuyderburg name may have been taken from an old East-Indian Shipping Vessel or perhaps was a name variation of the German airship Hindenburg.

Akumaizer Three is similar in plot to the Nagai Go Anime/Manga “Devilman” (1972) which told the story of Fudo Akira, a human youth who “merged” with the traitorous Demon “Amon” so that he could battle the impending forces of the Demon World. As in Akumaizer Three, Amon/Devilman had to battle against former allies, friends and lovers, the most tragic being the Winged Demoness Seiren.

Another Anime which covered similar ground was the underrated “Aoki Ryusei SPT Layzner” (Blue Comet SPT Layzner) which told the story of a mixed heritage child of a Earth Human/Glados Alien who decides to betray his Glados World to protect the world of his Father from the impending forces of the Glados Home World. As in Akumaizer Three, Eiji Asuka is often forced to battle former allies, friends and even his younger sister, Julia. Eiji Asuka is assisted by two other human pilots David and Roland. You might even say that they were almost like a “Real Robot” version of the Akumaizer Three.

While Akumaizer Three’s plot was grim and tragic, the show slowly degenerated into a comical farce often focusing on the Akumaizer Three’s “change” magics rather than on their noble cause and tragic encounters with former friends and allies.

“Down World” may be an unintentionally wordplay on “downward”.