Who Is Rainbow
Man?
“Rainbow Man”
is the spiritual alter ego of Japanese youth Yamato
Takeshi. Takeshi was a former college wrestling champ
with the “Jiyotoko” College Wrestling
Club. He also fought in underground fight clubs under
the name of “Shitamachi No Kuro Hyo” (The
Black Panther of the Underground”. His signature
move was the “Kaiten Otoshi” (Summersault
Pile Driver). A particularly brutal fighter, he was
eventually expelled from college for seriously injuring
four wrestling partners.
Takeshi traveled to India
to seek out the legendary mystic “Divadatta”
who was said to possess great mystical and spiritual
powers. Takeshi wanted to train under him so as to
gain incredible fighting prowess.
Divadatta agreed to train
Takeshi and in the process purged Takeshi of all his
aggressive tendencies through his harsh but enlightening
training. As a result Takeshi gained great spiritual
powers which were augmented further by Divadatta’s
final act of transferring his powers to Takeshi.
At the heart of Takeshi’s
abilities was the skill to be able to transform his
physical form into any one of a number of “Incarnations”
(Keshin) otherwise known as “Dash”. There
were seven Incarnations he could transform to:
Dash 7
“Taiyo No Keshin” (Solar Incarnation)
– Rainbow Man’s truest heroic form. Has
a number of ESPer powers derived from his intense
Physical and Mental Buddhist Training (Miroku Bosatsu).
His spiritual powers
include:
“Dou
Ate No Jitsu” (Empathy Skill)
Rainbow Man can sense and feel the presence of objects
and people several feet away (beyond his sight).
“Fudou
Kanashi Bari No Jitsu” (Soul Binding Skill)
Rainbow Man can pinpoint and immobilize his enemies
in place.
“Keshin
Gattai No Jitsu” (Multiple Incarnation Merge
Skill)
Starting from Episode 44, Rainbow Man was able to
transcend the limitation of transforming into only
one Keshin (Incarnation) at any one time and could
now combine his multiple Incarnations as the need
arose. These combined forms would give him the combined
powers of which ever Dash forms he called upon.
Rainbow Man/Dash 7 can
fire a devastating light ray called his "Taiyo
Flash” (Solar Flash) from his Sun Emblem on
his turban. The Emblem can also generate two scimitar
swords (“Taiyo No Ken/Sun Sabers) that Rainbow
Man/Dash 7 can also use in hand-to-hand combat. Rainbow
Man/Dash 7 can also fire smaller controlled explosive
blasts from his hands.
Rainbow Man/Dash 7 can
harness his spiritual powers to fly. When traveling
long distances, Rainbow Man would transform himself
into a white ball, aglow in a rainbow.
“Dash 7”
is the form Takeshi used most frequently. When transforming
into “Dash 7”, Takeshi would repeatedly
chant the Buddhist Sutra “Anokutara Sanmiyakusanbodai”.
Dash
1
“Tsuki No Keshin” (Lunar Incarnation)
– Form represents the mastery of Yoga and Spiritual
Transcendence. Is able to contort and bend his body
like that of a snake using his “Hebi Henge No
Jitsu” (Snake Form Skill). He can also call
forth lightning from his forehead emblem using his
“Noten Inazuma Otoshi” (Supreme Lighting
Strike) skill.
Dash
2
“Hi No Keshin” (Fire Incarnation) –
Is able to project fire and flame from his hands using
his “Ka En No Jitsu” (Blazing Skill).
Dash
3
“Mizu No Keshin” (Water Incarnation) –
Able to control and manipulate small bodies of water.
He is able to generate and propel large amounts of
water using his “Fu Ryu Rei Bou No Jitsu”
(Streaming Water Canon Skill). He can also propel
more controlled bursts of freezing water using his
“Sui Rei Bou No Jitsu” (Freezing Water
Canon Skill). “Dash 3” can swim and move
through water effortlessly.
Dash
4
“Kusaki No Keshin” (Plant Incarnation
– Sometimes also identified as a Tree Incarnation)
– He is able to strike down opponents using
sound-waves generated by his “Tsumuji Kaze No
Jitsu” (Gushing Winds Skill). Can also refine
these same sound-wave echoes into a mind-piercing
screech that can drive his opponents mad with pain
(“Kodama Tataki No Jitsu” - Tree Screeching
Skill). He is also able to shoot out pine tree leaf-like
‘darts’ at his opponents using his “Matsuba
Shuriken” (Pine Tree Shuriken). Using his “Ko
No Ha Rai No Jitsu” (Tree Leaf Storm Skill)
he is able to create small windstorms of leaves and
debris that can blind his opponents.
Dash
5
“Ogon No Keshin” (Gold Incarnation) –
His forehead emblem resembles a flying golden condor/phoenix.
This form is the next most power to “Dash 7”.
He is able to traverse the skies effortlessly. Can
also emit and fire a powerful laser blast from his
hands called his “Rainbow Flash” which
can act as a force blast of great power.
Dash
6
“Tsuchi No Keshin” (Earth Incarnation)
– Is able to bore into the ground by spinning
like a top (drill) using his “Shippu Tsuchi
Enka No Jitsu” (Hurricane Earth Rocket Skill).
He could also create seismic tremors in the ground
using his “Jiraishin No Jitsu” (Ground
Thunder Quake Skill).
To change into these
various ‘Dash’ forms, Rainbow Man would
call out the phrase "Rainbow Dash” followed
by the Dash number.
When Rainbow Man is wounded,
weakened or drained of energy, he must revert back
to his normal Takeshi mode to recuperate. Takeshi
must use his Yoga training to enter into a healing
trance state for at least five hours. During this
transitory/meditative state Takeshi is completely
vulnerable and unaware of his surroundings. His vital
signs are put into a suspended state and his body
temperature dips to almost freezing temperatures.
Who are the “Shine
Shine Dan?
The “Shine Shine
Dan” (Lit.- Die Die Clan) is a radical, rightwing
terrorist organization devoted to the utter destruction
of Japan and all its people. The Shine Shine Dan is
comprised mostly of radicals and other extremists
who have a prejudicial hatred of the Japanese. Most
are Europeans, former World War II POWs and other
Japanese Army atrocity survivors (mostly from other
Asian countries like China, Korean etc.). The Shine
Shine Dan had numerous ‘cells’ across
the globe and had major bases in both Japan and Africa.
While total group membership is unknown, the following
is a listing of its most notorious members:
Mr.
K (Mr. Kill?)
No one knows who ‘K’ really is. His Nationality,
age, and previous identity are completely unknown.
All that is known is that he suffered incredible torture
and suffering at the hands of the Japanese Army during
World War II. As a result, Mr. K developed an incredible
hatred for Japan and its people. Using his vast resources
and international connections, he formed an organization
of like-minded individuals whose sole goal was the
utter elimination of everything Japanese. He may have
been a former military officer as he is a brilliant
tactician and strategist. He is also very proficient
in the use of firearms, especially rifles. His left
hand was later amputated and replaced with an iron
hook. While normally very charming and cultured, he
can be equally cruel and vicious to those who stand
in his way. Was a master of disguise and masqueraded
as a Caucasian Diplomat and a Japanese Socialite.
In the finale, Mr. K
escaped capture and sent Rainbow Man an ominous taped
message stating that he will return again to torment
Japan.
Mr. K was aided by a
bevy of beautiful assistants (secretaries) whom he
would instruct to implement his devious plans. These
secretaries were skilled fighters and were masters
in both armed and unarmed combat. They carried a number
of small arms and bladed weapons on their person.
Their unique ‘western’ costumes were quite
the fashion statement. His secretaries included:
Diana
Mr. K’s most senior secretary. A skilled markswoman
and fighter, who oversaw Shine Shine Dan’s African
cell. Later in the series, she was converted into
a cyborg by Dr. Borg.
Cathy
One of Mr. K’s beautiful but deadly secretaries.
Supervised Shine Shine Dan’s Secret Experimental
Bunker – “No. 3”. Like Mr. K’s
other assistants, she was a skilled fighter and was
proficient in many forms of combat. She was a brilliant
strategist and usually double-teamed with Diana. She
also was later transformed into a cyborg by Dr. Borg.
Mitchie
Assisted Mr. K with his “Cat’s Eye Stratagem”.
Headed Shine Shine Dan’s Macao cell.
Dr.
Gurudo
Member of Shine Shine Dan’s Secret West African
Research Facility. Was assigned to develop strategies
to kill Rainbow Man.
Iguana
Iguana was an ancient Amazonian sorceress hired by
Mr. K to use Black Magic to kill Rainbow Man. Carried
a skull adorned staff which she could use to fire
a hypnotic ray that mesmerized her victims. Carried
a crystal ball which she could use to view into transpiring
events. Had a Black Cat ‘Familiar’ which
she could transform into a monstrous “Ghost
Cat” through a Black Magic spell called “Nekko
Bunshin” (Cat Mirage). Could fly by riding her
staff. Also had the ability to transform herself into
a crow. Could enhance her sense of smell by transforming
her nose into a pig’s snout.
A skilled practitioner
of the Black Arts, she used her powers to summon some
of the most formidable assassins in the world to form
her “Roku Nin No Koroshi Pro” (Assassins
Six) team:
Fudora
One of Iguana’s supernatural assassins. Emerged
from coffin ‘F’ (his resting area). A
grotesque, hunchbacked assassin who specialized in
underwater attacks. Fudora is a master at throwing
daggers and can spit out magical needle-like arrows
from his mouth. Could manipulate other venous creatures
such as spiders and snakes.
Garuma
One of Iguana’s supernatural assassins. Emerged
from coffin ‘G’ (his resting area). Self-proclaimed
‘human gas pump’. A puffy faced abomination
who can breathe fire like a dragon (G-Fire). Can also
spit an acidic liquid called “G-Buru”
which can melt steel in seconds.
Herodinia
Ni Sei (Herodinia II)
One of Iguana’s supernatural assassins. Emerged
from coffin ‘H’ (his resting area). Uses
Black Magic to create and control a deadly giant blob
called Hedoron, which can suck the life force from
humans, causing them to become petrified human corpses.
Icelee
One of Iguana’s supernatural assassins. Emerged
from coffin ‘I’ (her resting area). While
her real form resembled a haggard, white-faced old
woman, she regularly masqueraded as the young mute
girl, Hoshiko. Can project ice and water from her
head appendage. She can also form an ice sword with
her hands that she can then use to stab her opponents.
Geno-Bat
One of Iguana’s supernatural assassins. Emerged
from coffin ‘J’ (his resting area). Hails
from the Himalayan Mountains. Can fly through the
air. Specialized in air combat. Special attacks included
his “Kuten – Musasabi Satsu Tou”
(Flying Summersault - Flying Squirrel Killing Technique).
Carried small bombs which he would throw at opponents.
Used short swords and throwing knives.
L-Banda
One of Iguana’s supernatural assassins. Emerged
from coffin ‘L’ (his resting area). Iguana’s
bastard son. A so-called “Denryuu Ningen”
(Spark Human). He was given electric charge powers
through a steady diet of electricity from birth. He
can discharge electrical bolts of great intensity
that can kill humans. Has the annoying tendency to
call for his “mother” when in trouble.
God
Iguana
God Iquana, was Iguana’s mother. She was also
a powerful sorceress in her own right and sought to
resurrect her fallen daughter by using the blood of
Rainbow Man. Frequently ran afoul of Mr. K’s
plans and was a constant thorn at his side.
God Iguana could command
the weather and could also summon flocks of crows
to assist her.
Often transported Rainbow
Man to her own dark realm where she would torture
him using her Black Magic.
Was a skilled sword fighter
and could transform her staff into a Naginata-like
battle staff.
Using her own mystical
blood, she gave birth to two other mystical entities
which she had total control over. These superhuman
spawns had a number of demonic powers:
Bad
Sister
Was created from the blood of God Iguana. She could
fly through the skies like a flying squirrel. She
was sensitive and weak in sunlight. Used knives and
other bladed weapons to attack her opponents. Could
spray poison gas from her mouth. When injured, her
pain was felt by God Iguana.
Mira
Sister
Was created from the blood of God Iguana. As a living
zombie, she was invulnerable to various attacks. Was
an expert sword fighter.
God Iguana was weakened
by bright light. She was also weakened when confronted
with her own reflection.
Died when she was stabbed
by Rainbow Man using his Sun Saber. Her final moments
were shown clutching at a broken jar holding Rainbow
Man’s spilled blood.
Queen
Fanatical, masked leader of the radical cult “Otafuku
Kai”. Implemented the “M Stratagem”
plan for Mr. K. While thought to be a wizened old
hag, when unmasked by Rainbow Man, she was revealed
to be a blonde woman. Died when she blew up the church
to avoid capture. Her venomous parting words to Rainbow
Man were “In my heaven you will be my slave…”
Dr.
Borg
Villainous Shine Shine Dan scientist and author of
the ‘Borg Alpha” virus. A brilliant researcher
and authority in cybernetics, he was none-the-less
hopelessly insane and used his genius to devise numerous
weapons of destruction for the Shine Shine Dan. Shared
Mr. K’s hatred of Japanese Nationals (his family
was slaughtered during the war). Humans infected with
his “Borg Alpha” virus would be transformed
into cybernetic organisms. Mr. K had Dr. Borg transform
Cathy, Diana and Lolita into “Cyborg Ningens”.
Like Queen, avoided capture by destroying his base
in Africa. His parting words to Rainbow Man were “Even
if I die, my infamy will live on…”.
Norma
& Mainda
Norma & Malinda were assassins hired by Mr. K
to kill Rainbow Man. Both Norma and Malinda were proficient
in various small firearms. Norma usually brandished
a machinegun while Malinda carried handguns which
could fire explosive bullets and carried a gun that
would launch a lasso that she could use to bind her
victims.
Olga
Mr. K’s sexy secretary/assassin. Was a master
motorcycle rider and usually carried assorted small
caliber handguns and throwing knives. Used the Shine
Shine Dan’s “Human Copy” procedure
to masquerade as Toshie, however the procedure when
awry and severely scarred her hairline. Infected herself
with Dr. Borg’s “Cyborg Alpha” virus
in order to battle Rainbow Man.
Lolita
& Pagora
Lolita & Pagora were another assassin team hired
by Mr. K to kill Rainbow Man. Lolita was an assassin
from Shine Shine Dan’s African cell and specialized
in using a laser whip to kill her opponents. Lolita
was later selected by Mr. K to undergo Dr. Borg’s
cyborg enhancement procedures. Pagora was Lolita’s
muscleman/enforcer. Pagora was genetically altered
using Shine Shine Dan’s “Human Copy”
procedure into a hulking wildman. His physical strength
and stamina were artificially enhanced to superhuman
levels.
Cyborg
Diana, Cathy and Lolita
Selected by Dr. Borg to undergo cyborg conversion,
Diana, Cathy and Lolita were transformed to “Cyborg
Ningen” (Cyborg Humans). They were armed with
a number of formidable weapons including:
Eye Beams
All three could fire deadly laser blasts from their
eyes.
Hand Energy Blasts
Diana and Cathy were later outfitted with upgraded
circuitry, which could enable them to fire energy
blasts from their hands.
Boot Jets
Diana and Cathy had jet exhausts concealed in their
boots which could enable them to fly.
Energy Shield
Diana could generate a powerful energy field which
could repel energy attacks.
Fire Extinguisher
Concealed in Cathy’s cybernetic hand was a powerful
fire extinguisher.
Flame Thrower
Diana and Cathy can generate a destructive firestorm
by combining their eye-beam attacks.
Chain-mail/Metal
Uniforms
All three wore chain-mail uniforms which could withstand
some of Rainbow Man’s mystical attacks.
Arm Missile
Lolita was able to shoot out her right arm similar
to Mazinger Z. She also had a machine gun concealed
in her left arm.
When defeated or injured,
they would activate a homing beacon on their person
which would call forth a small rocket which would
carry them back to base for repairs.
Despite this powerful
array of weaponry, Cyborg Diana, Cathy and Lolita
could not defeat Rainbow Man. Each died in particularly
gruesome fashion -- Diana was burned to scrap and
then later impaled by Rainbow Man’s Taiyo No
Ken. Lolita was blown apart by God Iguana when she
confronted Bad Sister. Cathy had her eyes blinded
by Rainbow Man’s throwing darts which caused
her “Eye Beam” lasers to backfire and
blow her apart.
Dokuro
Man <Skull Man>
Supernatural sorcerer called in from Butoh by Mr.
K to assassinate God Iguana. He had a host of mystical
powers, one of which he could use to transform himself
into a fly. He resembled a living corpse.
Kamakiri
Otoko <Mantis Man>
Using Dr. Borg’s “Borg Alpha” virus,
Mr. K created this cybernetic assassin, combining
human and mantis DNA. Had sickles imbedded into his
hands which he could use to decapitate his victims.
Akuma
Busou Butai (D.A.C. - Demon Assault Corp)
D.A.C. is the Shine Shine Dan’s elite Special
Forces battalion. While comprised of various occidental
foreign nationals, they have had extensive facial
reconstructive surgery done to them to make them appear
to be Asian (this was done through the Shine Shine
Dan’s “human copy” procedure). Their
main purpose is to destroy Japan from within by infiltrating
all parts of Japanese society and causing social upheaval.
They are well versed in many forms of hand-to-hand
combat and are proficient in various small arms and
bladed weapons. Carried guns which had explosive tips.
Their suits are coated with fire retardant chemicals
to protect them from Dash 2’s fire attacks.
They also on occasion carry a special reflective dust
that can repel Dash 7’s explosive attacks.
The
Shine Shine Dan Army
The bulk of the Shine Shine Dan’s forces are
comprised of this loyal squadron of masked henchmen
who have pledged their lives to serving Mr. K and
the Shine Shine Dan’s goals. They are armed
with a host of small weapons including knives, blowguns,
crossbows and rifles. They are dressed in somewhat
“western” looking uniforms that resemble
cowboy outfits. While comical looking they are utterly
ruthless and have no compunctions about killing unarmed
men, women and children. When they are caught or knocked
unconscious, Mr. K can have these henchmen disintegrated
through a control box hidden in a briefcase he keeps
in his office (he can also use this to kill henchmen
who have failed miserably in their missions). While
not clearly indicated, these henchmen may have rankings
similar to the military (Major, etc.)
What were the
Shine Shine Dan’s Four Grand Schemes to Destroy
Japan?
The
“Cat's Eye Stratagem” (Eps. 1-13)
Attempted to destroy Japan from within by causing
mass hysteria, anarchy and social chaos through the
proliferation of the mind-altering drug “Cat's
Eye" which would cause those who were exposed
to it to go insane.
The
‘M” <Money> Stratagem (Eps. 14-26)
Using the Otafuku Church as a front, Shine Shine Dan
attempted to cause financial and economic ruin in
Japan through the mass circulation of counterfeit
Yen.
“Mogurat
Strategum” (Eps. 27-39):
Attempted to totally isolate Japan from the rest of
the world by using their underground battle craft,
the “Mogurat” to destroy all oil and supply
tankers which attempted to dock in Japan thereby causing
economic chaos in Japan.
“The
Cyborg Stratagem” (Eps. 40-52):
Planned the mass alteration of the Japanese People
into cyborg drones using the "Borg Alpha"
virus.
