Gatchaman Episode 64: “A Christmas Present of Death”

[Thank you, Saturn, for the screencaps!]

Gatchaman Episode 64: “A Christmas Present of Death”

BOTP Episode: N/A








The episode opens with the sight of artillery guns firing, illuminating the grim sky behind them. Then buildings collapse into rubble, destroyed. Panicking civilians run through city streets, the remnants of buildings in flames all around them and debris is still falling all around and crushing people below.

We see fighter jets in the sky, firing missiles, and then more civilians are fleeing in terror as massive explosions wrack their city.







“The northern country of Franbell was a military state long ruled by a dictator named General Somley,” the narrator tells us, as we see an image of this dictator, who has clearly taken the Prussian military of a century or so ago as his fashion inspiration –he looks like Hindenburg.







“But its citizens,” continues the narrator, as we see the sun coming out over an empty battlefield strewn with wreckage and abandoned tanks and weapons, “Seeking peace and freedom, exiled General Somley from the country a year ago and established a democratic nation.”

There is even a rainbow in the sky over the battlefield, to emphasize that peace has come at last.

We now see the country’s new elected Prime Minister, under whom Franbell has undergone “an incredible restoration.” He’s looking out the window of some official building and seeing a crowd of cheering and waving citizens.

“Franbell, known for some of the most beautiful scenery in the world,” the narrator goes on –and the scenery we are seeing, of mountains, water and ornate old building is certainly nice- “quickly emerged as a peaceful country.”

‘The people named the day of General Somley’s banishment ‘Peace Day,’ and made it a national holiday,” explains the narrator, as we see doves flying past a statue of a valkyrie, to further emphasize that peace has come at last.

Finally, we are told that in Centlana, the capital city of Franbell, people are preparing for the celebration, which includes the renowned Snow Festival, and we see that this involves the creation of some extremely large ice sculptures.







I’m a bit confused here, as there’s a “Snow Festival” about to happen and big ice sculptures are being made, but other than in the mountains in the distance, there doesn’t seem to be any snow.

But now we are inside the Prime Minister’s mansion, where he is smoking a cigar while talking to another man.







He’s reflecting that “time flies” and that the past year went by quickly. His companion agrees that the Prime Minister has been through a lot but attributes Franbell being back on its feet to his efforts.

“No, it’s because of the strength of the people,” says the Prime Minister graciously, “Everyone wants peace, and this is the result of their efforts.”

“Right, Governor Mibe?” he adds.

“Yes, absolutely, Sir,” says Governor Mibe.

So now that we’ve established that the Prime Minister is a noble guy, there’s suddenly a commotion outside.

A Devil Star ship is hovering in the air in front of the mansion, much to the consternation of the guards on duty.








“It’s a UFO! It’s after the Prime Minister! Fire!” one of them yells and they all pull out their guns and start shooting. If it’s really “Unidentified,” they seem rather trigger-happy, but given their country’s recent history, I guess it’s not so surprising they’re assuming the worst.

But now, one point of the Devil Star ship detaches, zooms over the guards, (causing them all to fall flat), swoops past the Prime Minister’s window (causing it to smash and sending him and Mibe flying) and then shoots some kind of energy beam at the guards (causing explosions).

Now, a door opens up in the Devil Star ship to reveal a man who says “Prime Minister of Franbell, long time no see.”

It’s General Somley. He announces that he’s decided he wants to rule Franbell again, and is going to begin his takeover by killing all the “stupid, peace-drunk citizens!”

(If what the PM says is true, that “everyone” wants peace, Somley going to find himself the leader of a very empty country –what would be the point?)

Somley tells the PM that his only chance is to pledge obedience to Somley himself and agree to surrender “By midnight, tomorrow” –if he does, Somley will abort his murderous plan.

“Whether or not this nation descends into hell again depends on your answer.” As he’s saying this, Berg Katse walks up and stands behind Somley’s shoulder, though he doesn’t say anything.







The PM and Mibe look on in alarm.








With a final warning from Somley that the PM must give his answer by midnight tomorrow, the Devil Star ship flies away.

The PM and Mibe are staring out the broken window at the departing ship, and the PM is sweating nervously.

“Did you see the man in the funny suit standing behind General Somley, the Galactor man?” asks Mibe.

Apparently the PM didn’t recognize Katse, for he says “So that was Galactor. Just standing quietly behind Somley and yet even then he exerted a silent pressure on me. That man definitely knows how to threaten people.”

“Sir, this isn’t the time to be impressed,” Mibe points out.

The PM lifts his hand to his face, pondering that while he always thought Somley might return, they nevertheless have a serious problem now.

Mibe, not very helpfully, points out that surrending to Somley would be bad, but that not doing it would be bad too.

The PM thinks that “evacuating all the citizens” is the answer. (Evacuating them to where? If “Franbell” is the size of Lichtenstein, that might work, but otherwise, it sounds awfully unfeasible.) Mibe protests that calling for evacuation would only create unnecessary panic –exactly what General Somley wants.

“But there’s no other way!” declares the PM

“Yes, there is,” says Mibe craftily, “They emerge from the shadows wherever Galactor lurks and they’re allies of justice who rescue people like us in trouble.”

“But who are they?”

“The Science Ninja Team,” answers Mibe, as the PM stares at him, looking more bewildered or frightened than anything else. “The Science Ninja Team?” he repeats.

So now we cut to the Crescent Coral Base, where the fish are on patrol.

The narrator tells us that Dr. Nambu has received a request for emergency aid from Franbell.

Dr. Nambu, who at first glance appears to be talking only to Ken and Jun, concisely explains that General Somley, with Galactor’s assistance, is trying to take over Franbell again.







“The people of Franbell have finally recovered from the horrible scars of war,” says Dr. Nambu as Ken listens gravely, “We must not allow them to suffer any more than they already have.” Dr. Nambu explains that the Peace Day celebration is going to be held, as scheduled, as the Prime Minister doesn’t want to create panic. So, as Ken and Jun continue to listen, Dr. Nambu says he wants the Ninjas to “mingle with the crowds” and “Follow the movements of Somley and Galactor and respond to them accordingly.”

Only now, when Dr. Nambu gives them the order to move out, do we see that all five Ninjas actually are present, as they all do the group salute and “Roger!”







The God Phoenix soars through the sky, on its way to Franbell.

And now we cut to a street of tenement-like buildings in Centlana, crisscrossed by clotheslines and lined with fire escapes, as the narrator explains that the Ninjas have mingled with the people of Franbell as they prepare for the Peace Day festivities.

In a back alley, a cat is scrounging in a trash can. From somewhere comes the wail of a child’s voice and the cat flees.

Clearly, we are meant to understand that this is not exactly the finest neighborhood in Centlana.

But now we see Jinpei, some distance away, walking along in his civvies.

“Shoot,” complains Jinpei to himself, “I came here to check things out, but nobody’s around. I wonder if they’ve gone to the celebration.”

But now, child-sized legs wearing overalls that are patched on both knees are running…

They belong to a boy who is laughing and crying “Nyah, nyah, nyah” as he runs, holding up a purse that clearly must belong to the (better dressed) girl who is running after him.

The boy stops running, but continues to keep the purse out of the girl’s reach, snatching it away every time she reaches for it and laughing mockingly.

Four other boys (three the same size as the purse thief –though thinner- and one much smaller) approach and also laugh at the girl’s futile efforts to get her purse back.

“What did you say?” demands Chinchiro (probably not helping his image any by wiping his nose with his hand), “What makes you think you're not greedy?” He insists that they give his present back.

“What a vulgar attitude,” says the boy holding the present, “How perfectly disgusting.” Just then, a rock or clod of dirt or something hits him in the head and knocks his glasses askew.

It’s the rest of the Suimusu Gang! And they’ve each scored a present of their own from the Governor.







“All right! Get those smart asses!” yells Dekapan.



“Bow tie” boy and his two companions flee… straight to a nearby police man.








“Bow tie” boy pleads to the officer for help, claiming “those ghetto kids over there” just stole presents from him and his friends.

“That’s not fair, you rich little bastard,” declares Dekapan, appalled by this underhanded treachery.

“You guys again?” growls the police man.

“They’re the ones who stole my present, Officer,” counters Chinchiro.

“These well-bred young men would never do such a thing,” declares the police man. Yup, the deck is stacked against the Suimusu Gang.

Chinchiro continues to argue that he’s not lying and that they stole his present (and his nose starts running again.) “My nose is running…” he mutters, wiping vigorously.

It’s no good. The police man orders the Suimusu boys to give their presents to the rich bastards.

“You stupid police, you always just take the rich peoples’ side!” says Dekapan bitterly.

Well, one year ago, this place was a war-torn military dictatorship and not exactly the sort of environment that fosters impartial and incorrupt law enforcement –but Dekapan’s anger is justified.

And Dekapan gets smacked in the face by the police man, hard enough to knock him over backwards.








“Kids like you don’t deserve presents,” the police man says sternly, “Give them back.”

“Fine!” yells Dekapan, “If you want them that bad, you can have them!” He and all the Suimusu boys then hurl their presents towards the policeman, and Dekapan’s hits the police man right in the face, knocking him over.








From a distance, Jinpei has been covertly watching all this and he’s extremely indignant at the unfair treatment meted out to his new friends. “I can’t believe a police man would be so mean!” he thinks.

Now it’s sunset and we’re at a row of warehouses near a waterfront. Inside one of them, Dekapan kicks a barrel over. He’s pissed off. Kaeru is regretfully wondering what his present had been. “I’ll bet it was something really cool,” says Yamori.

Chinchiro thinks it might have been food (and either he’s drooling when he says this or his nose is really running again –it’s hard to tell).

“We’re going to get revenge!” declares Dekapan. “Revenge?” asks Kaeru.

Yes, but he’s not going to foment a Marxist revolution or anything like that –he’s just a kid. “I’m going to smash to pieces all the snow statues,” he announces grimly. “You are?” chorus the rest of the Gang.

Now, just so we understand exactly what Dekapan’s targets are, we’re now shown images of the “snow (though it looks like ice) statues” –a princess, two elves, and a reindeer.

“Yahoo!” cries Kaeru, “Outta sight, let’s go!” Tombo and Yamori cheer too. “Justice will prevail!” cries Chinchiro.

“Suimusu, move out,” orders Dekapan, and there is another rousing group cheer.

Now, it’s dark and elsewhere in the city, the streets are empty. Ken is on patrol in a more upscale part of town and he’s surprised it’s so quiet when it’s only 9.30 pm.







He’s edging cautiously past some homes’ doors, but a noise gets Ken’s attention. He opens one door slightly to peer inside.

And a gasping man drops dead right in front of him!







Ken cries out in horror as he sees that this man and his entire family are dead.






(It’s one of the rich, snobby boys who got one of the Suimusu boys’ gifts)



Ken’s attention goes to the gift box on the table, and to what the box contains.







“This is one of those presents from earlier,” says Ken to himself. Taking a sniff of the “present”, he realizes “A sweet, pungent smell like this could only be poisonous gas!”

“Team, this is Gatchaman!” he says into his bracelet.

Joe responds instantly with “Ken, we’ve got a problem! It looks like something nasty was in those presents from the Governor! They’re all dead!” and we can see that he too is inside the home of a poisoned family.







Ken, sweat trickling down his face, realizes that everyone who received one of the presents must be dead. (This also means that the children patiently waited until they were home with their families to open their presents from the Governor –that doesn’t sound like most kids I know!)

On that cheerful note, commercial break!

Now, all the Ninjas have gathered at the house where Ken is.







Ken can’t help but feel remorse that they were careless not to have prevented this atrocity, but thinks there’s no way they could have known that Somley and Galactor would make a move before the midnight ultimatum deadline.

“How could those monsters use the children,” cries Jun.

Joe is wondering now if Governor Mibe is under Galactor’s control and the one who planted the poison.

Well, now we cut abruptly to a scene of Governor Mibe laughing triumphantly and holding a cigar –I guess that’s our answer!

He’s laughing at the fact that the Prime Minister never realized that he’s a spy working for General Somley.

And he’s not alone. Somley is there, wine glass in hand, and so is Berg Katse.

Somley’s far less jubilant and wants to know why the PM hasn’t surrendered yet. Mibe is sure that he will, as there’s still two more hours to go before midnight.

But, Somley chuckles evilly at the thought that the PM must currently be terrified and knows now that Somley wasn’t making idle threats against the “peace-drunk” citizens of Franbell.

Katse is impressed and tells Somley he’s a “master of intimidation.”

“Oh no, this is all thanks to you,” says Somley magnanimously, “And when I regain control of this country, you can count on me to assist you with weapons and munitions just as I promised.”

Now Katse points out that the Science Ninja Team will doubtlessly have heard what’s happened and be on their way, but “Once we lure them into our trap, our mission will be a great success!”

Somely’s not convinced the Science Ninjas will come, but a smirking Mibe assures them they will, adding “I arranged it myself.”







Somley laughs that the Ninjas will never figure out that “this place” (wherever they are) has been turned into a secret base.

Katse, unlike Somley, has dealt with the Ninjas before and says it’s not a matter of “if” they’ll find the base, but rather “when,” and he warns the complacent Somley that they could be on their way there right now.

And in fact a fearsome, caped and helmeted force of five is on the march at that very moment.

Except it’s the Suimusu Gang, with blankets tied as capes and metal cooking pots on their heads (rather like Jiro and Taro of episode 36 –minus all the feathers). They’re also carrying bats.

“Look at those freaky kids,” comments Jun, as she and the other Ninjas observe the Suimusu Gang from a distance.







“That’s ‘Boss,’ Chinchiro and the Gang!” says Jinpei, wide-eyed.

Ken’s surprised that Jinpei knows who they are while Jinpei realizes that they’re still alive because they never got to keep and open their presents. Looks like there can be perks after all to being at the bottom of the social strata. The girl who never thanked Jinpei for getting her purse back for her is probably dead too.

Ken decides they should follow the Suimusu Gang and “see what they’re up to.”

Following discreetly, they realize the Gang is heading towards Centlana’s main square, where the snow statues are.

Peering out from behind some shrubs, Dekapan explains to the Gang that the reindeer statue is their first target for destruction and everyone cheers yet again and brandishes their bats –no shortage of esprit de corps in the Suimusu Gang!







But now we get a close up view of the reindeer’s eye, and the music takes a sinister turn…


“What the hell?” says a Galactor goon as he sees, from a distance, five caped figures running behind another snow statue. He turns on a view screen and gets another look. “The Science Ninja Team!” he gasps.







“What!” yells Katse, standing up suddenly, “They’re here?” Come on, Katse, you’re the one who told Somley they’d find your base sooner or later –sometimes it’s “sooner.”

The goon informs him that not only are they “here,” they’re targeting the reindeer statue.

This goon rapidly pushes several buttons. The reindeer statue glows with light, and then all the snow is gone and it is revealed to be a red and black, only vaguely reindeer-like, mecha. Wings extend from the sides of its body, its rear legs retract and rocket engines appear in their stead, and then it soars off into the air, after the God Phoenix, leaving its front legs behind.






“It’s coming right after us!” warns Jun. Ken, standing right behind Ryu’ chair, tells him to head for Mont Blanc. (There goes my theory about Franbell’s location! Mont Blanc is in France –unless there’s more than one mountain in the world with that appellation).

Meanwhile, Joe, Jun and Jinpei are all standing because their chairs are occupied by Yamori, Tombo, and Chinchiro (while Kaeru stands near), and they’re all cheering with great enthusiasm. Joe is showing surprising tolerance, but then, he often is nicer to kids.







The mecha now fires energy beams at the God Phoenix. Ryu swerves to dodge this fire and Chinchiro and Kaeru go flying across the bridge.







Jun, a bit anxiously, asks if they’re okay.

They are. Kaeru, fist raised, insists “We’re going to fight them all!” while Chinchiro adds “We’re going to be cool and fight with Gatchaman!”

Joe looks on, some amusement visible in his face, and he warns them to hold on tight if they don’t want to get hurt.







But Ryu dodges some more fire from the mecha, and now Kaeru and Chinchiro go flying again –this time into the back of Ryu’s chair.

Ken, looking far less amused than Joe, snaps “You guys sit down, buckle up and hold on tight!” Looking decidedly more battered and shaken up this time, they blearily acquiesce.

Now the mecha fires several missiles at the God Phoenix. Ryu, once again, swerves the God Phoenix to avoid them, but this time, the missiles change their paths and follow the God Phoenix.

Ryu is alarmed at this sight, realizing that they’re guided missiles. Ken decides that the missiles must be homing in on the sound waves emitted by the God Phoenix’s engines.

Jun wonders if there’s any way to escape them. Chinchiro is sitting on a chair, with Jun and Jinpei standing on either side. “No!” he cries, “That means we’re going to die!”

He throws himself into Jinpei’s arms, gasping “I’m so scared, I’m so scared!” before quickly realizing “Wait –the girl is better,” and then throwing himself into Jun’s arms with a “Save us, big Sister!”

Ken directs Ryu to take the God Phoenix up higher, where there are clouds, but the missiles are still in pursuit as Ryu puts the God Phoenix into a steep ascent.

Katse laughs evilly, yelling that the missiles will follow them anywhere they go.







Katse gleefully notes that either they’ll get hit by the missiles, or they’ll turn off their engines to evade the missiles –and then they’ll crash.

Sitting (I think) over by Ken’s chair, Dekapan is feeling the strain of the steep climb and muttering that he’s going to “puke his guts out.” His fellow Gang members are also feeling the stress.







Into the clouds now, a goon informs Katse that they’ve lost visibility and lost track of the God Phoenix. Katse tells them to keep looking –he wants to be able to see them when they get “blown into a million pieces” by the missiles.

And the missiles are still in close pursuit of the God Phoenix. Ken now tells Ryu to get close behind the mecha –and he refers to it as a “condor mecha”! I don’t think I would have thought that that’s what it’s supposed to resemble.

No comment from Joe regarding Galactor’s appropriation of his own bird identity.

With missiles still following, Ryu brings the God Phoenix around hard, and flying through the clouds, they briefly see the condor mecha up ahead. “Close in tight!” says Ken.







“Damn it, they’re right behind us now,” yells a goon on board the condor mecha.

“Now, pull us up!” cries Ken, and Ryu takes the God Phoenix over and past the condor mecha.








And all the missiles crash into the condor mecha!







Numerous explosions erupt throughout the condor mecha.







Governor Mibe and General Somley go sprawling as flames rip through the mecha’s bridge. Goons run in terror as more explosions break out all throughout the condor mecha, and goons are ending up in heaps on the floor.


“Look at that! Didn’t I tell you!” growls Somley, grabbing Katse’s shoulder, “What are you going to do about this, Lord Katse!”

“Let go of me!” snaps Katse furiously. He shakes off Somley, and leaving him and Mibe in his wake, he rushes towards a round door.

The door opens quickly to let Katse through, but as Somley and Mibe rush to follow him, it shuts tight.







Well guys, now you know how Katse operates –only he gets to escape. They are not at all happy about this.

Great writeup, LB, and I love the pictures, Saturn! The one with the names of the boys is especially helpful!

I seem to recall James mentioning that this episode actually was first aired at Christmastime,so I'm guessing that Tasunoko was simply trying to take advantage of the additional publicity a 'Christmas' episode would bring. Assuming that they might not have understood the holiday (not being Christian) the vague references to Christmas (presents, snow, a reindeer, peace) are understandable.

I recall that this was the first episode I watched where I actually thought that Jinpei looked 'cute'. In fact, he looks less awkward and goofy in this episode than in many of the previous episodes. I think Tatsunoko changed the animation to make him more 'attractive'.

You're right that there are a lot of similarities to the Little Gatchamans episode, down to the kids' costumes, being mistaken for the SNT, and pawing up Jun. Perhaps they were making a more conscious effort to lure in younger viewers?

Regardless, this is a fun episode to watch and it makes me laugh. I enjoyed the recap as well!

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Ah, if the "Christmas" reference in the title is due to when the episode first aired on TV, that makes more sense! If the episode originally wasn't intended to take place around December, that would explain why a "northern" country has such warm weather -it could have been April or May in Franbell, for example.


I think you're right, TJ. Jinpei does look very cute in this episode. Granted, he also benefits from comparison to Dekapan and the other kids.





I agree, Gatchamarie, that little kids in this show are so often drawn with odd proportions.

Compared to most of the other one-episode child characters, though, I like the Suimusu kids the best -they certainly have some annoying qualities but they also have personality, they make me laugh and sympathize with the unfair treatment they receive. I think the boys who were kidnapped along with Jinpei in ep. 17, by comparison, weren't as well-developed. But Makoto from ep. 3, I think, will always be my least favorite kid in the first series!

The gang suddenly backing off when Jinpei confronts them is a realistic touch. Some bullies will fold up when faced with a confident opponent.

I doubt Franbell was depopulated. Perhaps a third of the presents were replaced with gas-bombs, or only those given out in the capital, or something like that. A little demonstration that Somley meant business, and had followers somewhere.

Now, why would Galactor back Somley? He's too much the alpha personality to control. Unless he wasn't really as dominant as he thought he was, or thought he was using them.

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Benefits, not features; benefits, not features