Presumably in response to the “Japan Monster” boom of the late 60’s and early 70’s, Giant Robo was brought over to U.S. television by American International Television in 1969. The English dubbed version was written by Reuben Guberman and produced by Salvatore Billitteri, both of whom worked on the Prince Planet series. Manuel San Fernando “directed” most the entries in the series. While much of the story is the same, various names were changed to cater to American audiences:

Kusama Daisaku = Johnny Sokko/Socko
Minami Jyuruo= Jerry Manno
Dr. Over=Dr. Botomus
Red Cobra=Dangor (Fangor), The Executioner
Dr. Garulcher=Dr. Guardia
Hanamura Mari=Mari Hanson
Black Dia=Harlequin

The BF Dan was re-christened the “Gargoyle Gang” with most of its agents becoming space invading “Gargonians”. While most of the monster names stayed the same a few such as G-2 were inexplicably changed to names such as “Torozonn”.

The “Americanization” process was handled by Titan Productions.

Salvatore Billitteri was the producer and supervisor of Titan Productions' recording studio. His credits include the Americanization of Toho’s “Frankenstein Conquers the World”, “Destroy All Monsters”, “Yog Monster From Space” and “Godzilla vs the Smog Monster”, as well as the “Prince Planet” series. He also produced Mario Brava’s “Planet of Vampires” & “Black Sabath”, and Jack Hill’s “Coffy”.

Reuben Guberman’s other credits include acting as dialogue director for “Prince Planet”, and writing for “The Amazing 3”.

Director Manuel San Fernando, is mostly associated with "south-of-the-border" movies such as “Samson and the Vampire Women”, “Wrestling Women vs. The Aztec Mummy”, “Invasion of the Vampires”, and “Doctor of Doom”.

The “female” actress Bobbie Byers who was the voice behind Johnny Sokko starred in “Wild Rebels”[1967] and “Savages from Hell” [1968]. In addition to doing the voice work for “Prince Planet” she also lent her voice to the “The Amazing 3” as Capt. Bonnie Bunny. “The Amazing 3” was also done by Guberman and Billitteri (Amazing Three was known as “Wonder Three” in Japan and was a Tezuka Osamu anime).

Voice Cast (uncredited):
Bobbie Byers (Johnny Sokko)

Other possible voice actors may include: Neil Patrick, Paul Brown, Kurt Nagel, and Jerry Burke (all of which did voice work for the “Amazing Three” cartoon as well as “8th Man”).

For more information on the Americanized Giant Robo series please refer to Keith Sewell’s page which reprints Mike Temple’s awesome “Kaiji Fan’s” informative overview of the Giant Robo TV series.

Giant Robo
Giant Robo was to be Big Fire’s vanguard of destruction. Dr. Garulcher built Giant Robo to be the most power robot in the world. Armed with an array of deadly weapons and possessing incredible strength and power, Giant Robo is indeed a force to be reckoned with. Giant Robo is powered by Nuclear Engines. Giant Robo can only be controlled via a wrist watch communicator worn by Kusama Daisaku. Since Kusama Daisaku was the first voice Giant Robo heard, he is the only person able to command Giant Robo

Statistics:
Height/Weight (Metric): 30 Meters/500 Tons
Top Flight Speed: Mach 17
Giant Robo Weaponry:

- Giant Robo Missiles – Giant Robo is able to file missile warheads   from his fingertips.
- MegaTon Punch – Giant Robo’s Ultimate Special Attack.
- MegaTon Kick
- Eye Lasers
- Mouth Flamethrower
- Giant Robo’s Armor – Can withstand beyond 3,000 degrees of    electrical generated heat.

Unicorn
UNICORN is an International Police Organization dedicated to protecting the Earth. UNICORN has bases around the globe but have a major base in Japan. The Japan Division is lead by Commander Higashi. Agent U-3, Minami Jyorou is one of UNICORN’s top agents. He is usually assigned to protect Kusama Daisaku on his missions with Giant Robo.

UNICORN agents are equipped with a wide variety of weapons. Most prominent are their Jet Packs which allow them to travel through the air.

Prolific manga writer Yokoyama Mitsuteru is also the man behind such works as “Kamen No Ninja Akakage”, “Tetsujin 28 Gou”, “God Mars”, “Babel II Sei” (Babel The Second) and “Majoutsukai Sally” (Sally The Witch).

Kaneko Mitsunobu also played the title character “Akuma Kun” in the 1966 Series.

Date Shouzaburo also appeared in the series “Uchu Tetsujin Kiyoudyne”.

After appearing in some of Toei’s 70’s Sexploitation films like “Jyoshu 701 Go Sasori” (Female Prisoner Scorpion), “Bankoku Rock, and “Zubekko Bancho”, Katayama Yumiko gained lasting fame as super sexy detective Kataoka Yumiko, part of the all-girl PLAYGIRL Investigation Agency in the “Avengers” inspired and massively popular “Playgirl” (1969-1974) series.

Tokusatsu fans may remember Tanba Matasaburo better as the sneering Black Shogun in the original “Kamen Rider Series”.

Character actor Murota Hideo has made a living playing shady and villainous characters in the various Toei films he’s been associated with. He has appeared in such movies as “Jyoshu 701 Go Sasori”, “Bankoku Rock”, “Onna Hissatsu Ken”, “Makai Tensei”, “Jeans Blues”, “GONIN”, “JINGI”, “Zero Ka No Onna – Akai Tetcho”(Zero Woman – Red Handcuffs), “Doberman Deka” and “Wolf Guy”.

While Ando Mitsuo is best known as wacky Professor Gill in “Kikaider”, he also played other villainous Tokusatsu characters such as Kuro Jyushi Soutou (Black Cross President) in “Himitsu Sentai Go-Rangers”, Monster Kyojyu (Dr. Monster) in the Japanese TV Series “Spiderman”, Gaizelle Soutou (Leader Gaizelle) in “Inazuman Flash” and Raider in “Uchu Keiji Spielban”.