More On Gatchaman Crowds

Hi all!

The September issues of the Japanese anime magazines have come out. While magazines like Animage and New Type had episode synopses in their guides to current anime series, only Animedia had any additional coverage for Gatchaman Crowds, specifically a nice 2-page article with an original illustration on Hajime, Utsu-tsu, Sugane, Joe, and Paiman on his Roomba:



The main body of the article is an interview with Toshiya Ono, who's in charge of the Series Composition and is its Chief Writer. Most of what he talks about relates to events in episode #'s 5 and 6 of the series. This makes a certain amount of sense, as the magazine was released in Japan during the week between these episodes. The article was part of a subsection of coverage of current TV shows that fell under the theme of keeping cool during the summer heat, so it has plenty of references to things being cool (Both as the slang term and for its literal meaning). Here's what the article said:

Paiman Feels a Chill! The Incidents Escalate More And More

Gatchaman, who has fought to protect people from the "enemy," such as MESS, takes a direct act of mercy for the first time in episode 5~! While Hajime moves in her G Suit, Utsu-tsu also harnesses her ability to manipulate the life forces of living beings like So Cool a HERO. As a result, the two become very close in episode 6. Because Utsu-tsu did her best, Hajime rewards her with a ribbon as a prize. She decides that it is absolutely CUTE!!

"Utsu-tsu's self-esteem is very low, so when people told her 'Thank you,' it made her feel very openhearted. Receiving a reward from Hajime made her very happy. This image was so airy, the two of them might become best friends. However, the biggest reason Utsu-tsu opens her heart to Hajime is that she and Hajime hold hands." (Series Composition, Toshiya Ono)

There you go! In episode 6, when her face is revealed, Hajime is chased by the media, and the two of them ESCAPE hand-in-hand. Who'd have thought Hajime-chan was so cool~!?

"Hajime does not have a cool personality. Rather, Paiman, as leader of Gatchaman, is the one who really is chilled. (Laughs) The action policy of Gatchaman to work in secrecy has been ruined. Will he have to make a huge decision......?

In episode 6, the entire story; introduction, development, denouement and conclusion, are 'approved.' Gatchaman, who has fought to protect people in secret, and GALAX, which has reached people who are in need directly, will meet. Will they cooperate or oppose each other? When the battle that has been carried out in hiding becomes open to public scrutiny, how will each move......? A lot of 'change' will happen after this."

What is a hero? And who is the enemy, really!? I am filled with things I do not know. I will pray for Paiman that it does not become so COLD that he will FREEZE.


The article also had a trio of sidebar comments by Mr. Ono, which give a hint of what's to come in future episodes:

It's cool!! Is the Revealed Face of Gatchaman In Constant Danger!?

"Hajime reveals her true face to Rui without questioning it, an action not taken by the other Gatchaman. But to her, if you change your viewpoint, you may find a different perspective and wonderful answers. You just need to be open to the possibilities. Because Hajime took off her mask, won't Gatchaman also have to change? Paiman is switched on at last, and the Gatchaman will face a situation where they have to come together as one......"


It's cool!! The Abilities of GALAX Demonstrated*

"From the beginning, Chief Director Nakamura has said, 'Rui and Hajime will meet on the battlefield.' and in episode 5, this encounter was at the scene of an accident. Rui becomes interested in Hajime there, and in episode 6, he uses the cooperation of the GALAXTER to save Hajime from being chased by the media. These people from 'within the system' are the basic philosophy of GALAX, and are the source of Rui's strength. Hajime also agrees with this philosophy, but is unsure whether to walk the same road as Rui, unseen as Gatchaman.


It's so Cooool!!! The Events After Episode 7 Continue To be Chilling......!

Gatchaman and GALAX; will the meeting of two heroes turn the world for the better......? Consider this, Katse begins to move! And notice this, Umeda, the former GALAXTER who parted ways with Rui. He said that, if Rui were given to using the CROWDS, people would praise him as the hero who eliminated evil. Will he accept a new hero in the world? After episode 7, confusion is inevitable!

"What is an enemy, and what is a hero? While troubling, I will continue to look for answers. Please look for the answer with me."


Like New Type and Animage, Animedia also included an episode guide for current anime series. Their guide for Gatchaman Crowds starts with the recently aired episode #6, and continues through episode #9, giving us a look at what is to come in future episodes:

#6 - Originality

Writer - Kenji Sugihara
Director - Hiroaki Nishimura, Yoshitaka Fujimoto
Storyboards - Taro Mori, Satomi Kurose
Art Director - Takashi Kurahashi, Yumi Hosaka

On Hajime Ichinose's smart phone, an invitation is received from a person calling herself LOAD. Under the guidance of the huge SNS GALAX and people, they overcome various obstacles until Hajime encounters LOAD. LOAD tells Hajime her purpose, and the shape of her ideal world.


#7 - Abjection

Writer - Shinsuke Onishi, Toshiya Ono
Director - Shin Matsuo
Storyboards - Shin Matsuo
Art Director - Takashi Kurahashi, Yumi Hosaka

Rui Ninomiya has decided to defeat Berg Katze, and confronts Katze with his like-minded friends, the HUNDRED. Laughing loudly, Katze transforms into various shapes. When Rui is touched by Katze's power, he keenly realizes that he was indulgent in his perspective---.


#8 - Genuine

Writer - Kenji Sugihara, Toshiya Ono
Director - Unknown
Storyboards - Hideki Ito
Art Director - Takashi Kurahashi, Yumi Hosaka

At Hajime's urging, the G Members have changed their direction to actively use their presence to appeal to the world in a positive manner. The plan is to transform in front of the media, and to tell people far and wide about the danger posed by Katze.


#9 - Forgery

Writer - Toshiya Ono
Director - Mamoru Enomoto, Emi Yamashita
Storyboards - Takaaki Wada, Tomoya Takahashi
Art Director - Takashi Kurahashi, Yumi Hosaka

Afraid of the Gatchaman, Katze rips through a curtain of confusion and destruction. The central government of Kasumigaseki, such as the Diet building and the Metropolitan Police Department, suffer crushing damage.


From the look of things, the series will be kicking into high gear as it goes into the latter half of the run!

A minor bit of trivia regarding episode #6 of the series. That episode featured the voice acting debut of Nobita, the lead vocal for White Ash, the group that performed the Gatchaman Crowds opening theme song. He appeared in the episode as the man on the gondola who helped Hajime and Utsu-tsu to escape from the crowd of reporters chasing after them.

Nobita is the one of the far right in this photo:



And here's the character he played in the episode, who looks more than a little like him...



I'm sure there will be more to come soon!

James