Japanese Name

(Jinzou Ningen) Kiyashan

English Name

Android Casshan (Casshan: Robot Hunter; also referred to as Casshan – Shinwa Kara No Kikan [Casshan: Return From The Myth)

Year of OVA Production

1993

Episodes

Japan (4 Volumes) U.S. Release (3 Volumes)

U.S. Release Titles:
Vol. 1 – “Return From The Myth”
Vol. 2 – “Journey To The Past”
Vol. 3 – “Blitz on the Bridge”

Based on the creation of:

Yoshida Tatsuo, Tatsunoko Pro Kikaku Shitsu (The Tatsunoko Pro Planning)

Executive Producers

Nagami Akihiko, Kuri Ippei

Development

Narushima Koki, Toshimichi Suzuki

Producer(s):

Kimura Hiroshi, Okura Hirotoshi, Yoshida Takashi

Supervisor

Kakinuma Hideki

Screenplay

Fukushima Hiroyuki

Script

Fukushima Hiroyuki, Aikawa Noboru, Kakinuma Hideki

Character Designs

Umezu Yasuomi, Kogawa Tomonori

Mecha Designs

Yamane Kimitoshi, Fukuchi Hitoshi

Art Director

Fukuda Kazuya

Director(s):

Fukushima Hiroyuki, Abe Masashi, Watanabe Takashi

Music

Oshima Michiru

Music Director

Yoshida Takashi

Production

Artmic, Tokyo Kids

Distribution

Tatsunoko Pro

U.S. Distributor

ADV Films

Cast

Kusao Takeshi (Tetsuya/Casshan)
Toma Yumi (Kozuki Runa)
Utsumi Kenji (BK-1/Black King)
Futamata Issei (Akubon)
Okata Kenichi (Elder Asari)
Tobita Nobuo (Nyman)
Amano Yuri (Saguria)
Takegawa Hirohiko (Dr. Lester)
Takaki Sanae (Midori)
“Keaton” Yamada (Dr. Higashi)

The Earth is slowly dying. Pollution, Famine, Disease and Industrialization have eaten away at its foundation. In order to help the world, Dr. Higashi has created the artificial life form BK-1. With its Artificial Intelligence and its environment-friendly power source, Dr. Higashi hopes to create a new breed of automated workers that can help humans to develop and nurture the world.

However, things go awry when BK-1 has plans of its own. Once activated the mad A.I. decides that the only way to save the Earth is to exterminate all inferior biological life forms and take control. Renaming itself “Black King”, BK-1 declares war on the Nations of the World and begins its march of conquest.

The Nations of the World are easily humbled by the advanced, mechanized forces of Black King and his Andro Army.

Those not killed by the Andro Army are soon enslaved and put to concentration camps where they are beaten down both physically and in spirit.

A small resistance force is formed in the desert wastelands. While they use guerrilla warfare to continue the fight for humanity, Elders prophesize the coming of a hero to save them.

As the forces of the Andro Army ready themselves to execute Kozuki Runa, leader of the Resistance Fighters, a mysterious stranger in tattered robes appears. Single-handedly he defeats a battalion of Andro Army robots. He is revealed to be Tetsuya, son of Dr. Higashi and now called Casshan.

Guilt ridden by the destruction that Black King has done, Tetsuya has sacrificed his humanity to become a New Android (Neoroid) with the hopes that he can eventually stop Black King and save the honor of his disgraced father.

With Kozuki Runa and his faithful robot canine companion Friender, Casshan battles to reclaim the Earth from Black King and his evil henchmen – Akubon and Saguria.

Kusao Takeshi is best known as the voice behind Trunks in Dragon Ball.

Toma Yumi was the voice behind Cessally Fairchild in Gundam F91.

Futamata Issei was the voice behind shy college student Godai Yusaku in the popular Maison Ikkoku series. He also portrayed such diverse characters as Gold Lightarn (Gold Lightarn), Chibi (Urusei Yatsura) and Louie (Southern Cross).

Ogata Kenichi is best known as the voice of Analyzer in the “Yamato Series” as well as Ataru’s suffering father in “Urusei Yatsura”.

Tobita Nobuo is best recognized as the voice behind Camile Bidan in “Gundam Z”. He has also voiced such characters as Tekkaman Daggar (Tekkaman Blade) and 004 (Cyborg 009 OVA). He also portrayed Terrasaur in the Japanese Dub of “Transformers: Beastwars”.

Amano Yuri is another Gundam alumnus who played Raine Mikamura in “G Gundam”.

Takegawa Hirohiko can be heard as the voice behind wrestlers Brocken Jr, and Warsman in “Kinniku Man”.

Tagaki Sanae is the voice behind annoying bouncing ball, Hello in the original “Gundam” series.

Veteran Anime Seiyuu “Keaton” Yamada has portrayed a diverse list of characters including Dr. Wave (Kyojin Gorg), Naniwa Shozou (Combattler V), Chibi (Kotetsu Zieg), and Tony Hakken (Danguard Ace). He’s probably best known as Getter Robo 2 pilot Jin Hayato in “Getter Robo”.

Fan favorite Umezu Yasuomi first dazzled audiences with his unique character designs in “Megazone Part 2” (1985). Since then he has done the character designs for a host of projects including “Gatchaman OVA” (1994), “New Hurricane Polymar” (1996), “Kimera” (1996), “Kite” (1998) and Mezzo Forte (2001).