This week we are honoring Count Egobossler's top henchmen: Kempeler and Mekandor. Both men were supporters of the Egobossler family and joined Galactor when Ego did. During the run of Gatchaman Fighter, Count Egobossler's secret was uncovered: he was not the true count, but the bastard half-brother of the true count, whom he had imprisoned. The revelation of this led to in-fighting with the Egobossler camp, where Kempeler sided with Ego's brother (the true Count) and Mekandor sided with Ego.
Since James was nice enough to post some information on these two men some time ago, I took the liberty of copying his post:
Kempeler
(Character Voice: Kenichi Ogata)
The 35-year-old Captain of Egobossler's bodyguards and his Intelligence Officer. He was said to be a heartlessly cruel man with no compunction about killing (Gatchaman Fighter planning). Being in charge of intelligence gathering, Gallactor's spies worked through him, including the espionage work of the Rider Commandos (#39). His duties often took him into the field, at times escorting Count Egobossler (#s 4, 9, 24, 34, among others), and other times in charge of an operation (#s 3, 10, 26, 38, among others).
Kempeler carried a sword as part of his uniform, but he preferred to use his pistol instead (#s 10, 34). Kempeler also had a radio hidden in the upper left breast button of his uniform (#19).
Kempeler proved himself adept at disguises when he managed to sneak past U.N. security forces protecting Cowbella City while disguised as an ordinary villager coming into town for a festival (#26). Not that he always needed a disguise; his skill in infiltration was so good that he was able to sneak into a building directly across the street from I.S.O. Headquarters in his full military regalia without being noticed (#10).
A series of failed attempts to see Director Nambu assassinated, as well as nearly revealing the location of Gallatown to the Science Ninja team, led to a rapid decline in Egobossler's favor for Kempeler (#s 34, 35, 36, 3. Angered by the actions of his superior, Kempeler had the Rider Commandos investigate what Egobossler was hiding in the castle on the Ain River. They returned with Kaseru Egobossler, the rightful ruler of the Egobossler Family. With Kaseru on his side, Kempeler had Erun Egobossler removed from power. When Kaseru was killed in combat, Kempeler seized power for himself.
This soon led to a struggle for power between Kempeler and his former commander, but Kempeler was quickly outmatched by the tactical skills of Egobossler (#s40, 41). It wasn't long before Egobossler deposed Kempeler and had him put before a firing squad and executed (#43).
Here is Kempeler in all of his villainous glory:
Is it just me, or is he wearing headphones? I can just see him secretly grooving out to the Jackson 5 as he carries out his evil work for Galactor...
Here Kempeler discusses strategy with Count Egobossler:
And here he faces off with Ken:
Mekandor
(Character Voice: Yoshito Miyamura)
The 38-year-old Commander of Egobossler's Armored Division, he had command over the various branches of Egobossler's military. He was said to be a man who 'enjoys destruction' (Gatchaman Fighter planning). More often than not, if Mekandor was involved in an operation, he could be found out in front, leading his forces (#s 13, 19, 24, 37, among others).
Mekandor carried both a pistol and a sword, be he was more likely to eschew the former for the latter, and was even willing to test his swordsmanship against that of Ken, the Eagle (#s 9, 34, 45).
One thing was certain about Mekandor; his loyalty toward Egobossler. When Kempeler forced Egobossler from power, it was Mekandor who freed him and stood by Egobossler through the struggle to regain control of Gallactor (#s 39, 40, 41, 43). Mekandor was by Egobossler's side when he led his assault on Governor Z to save the Earth. When Governor Z attempted to kill Egobossler with an energy weapon, Mekandor willingly sacrificed his own life to save that of his leader (#s 47, 48 ).
And Mekandor has plans for you, if you don't bow to the will of Count Egobossler!
Mekandor liked to stay at Ego's side:
And he also piloted/commanded a lot of mecha. Perhaps this is why he got the name 'Meka-ndor'?
IMHO, he looks like an evil version of Gimli. He's just as short and wide as Gimli too! But to be fair, this series was out long before the LOTR movies were even conceived. So in reality, Peter Jackson's costume designers ripped off Mekandor!
And here are Count Egobossler, Kempeler and Mekandor, on the train moving toward a new Gallatown:
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This post has been edited 2 time(s), it was last edited by Transmute Jun on 26-01-2009 at 17:30.
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