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Magic Bullet Chronicles Ryukendo
魔弾戦記リュウケンドー
Also known asMadan Senki Ryukendo
GenreSuperhero tokusatsu
Action
Science fiction
Comedy
Magic
Tokusatsu
Created byOji Hiroi
Yūichirō Hira
Yuzuru Miyauchi
Tsuyoshi Yoshida
StarringShogo Yamaguchi
Gen
Kouhei Kuroda
Opening themeTitle song by Hiroshi Kitadani
"GO! Ryukendo" by Kenji Ohtsuki
Ending theme"EVERYBODY GOES" by Nanase Aikawa
"Beautiful" by Mariko Shibano
"Prism of Eyes" by MAX
"Zutto Zutto Zutto" by Mariko Shibano
ComposerMichiru Oshima
Country of originJapan
No. of episodes50+2 specials (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producersTōru Kuroda
Hiroshi Takegawa
ProducersHitoshi Nakajima
Yūto Suzuki
Running time24-25 minutes (per episode)
Original release
NetworkTV Aichi, TV Tokyo
ReleaseJanuary 8 (2006-01-08) –
December 31, 2006 (2006-12-31)

Magic Bullet Chronicles Ryukendo (だんせんリュウケンドー, MaDan Senki Ryūkendō) is a Japanese superhero-genre tokusatsu television series. It was Takara and We've Inc's first attempt at a tokusatsu series. This series aired at 7:00 JST on TV Aichi from January 8 to December 31, 2006. It is also a partial prequel to the Tomica Hero Series, the cast reprising their characters in the Tomica Hero Rescue Force movie.

The series was also broadcast in India in 2011 on Disney XD, and went on to become one of the most popular shows on the channel.

Plot

Akebono City is a peaceful community overflowing with humanity. Since there was a Power Spot that released magical power in the community, the people were distressed by the threat of the demon army Jamanga who are gathering Minus Energy (マイナスエネルギー, Mainasu Enerugī) from the frightened masses for a sinister purpose. The secret organization SHOT was formed to protect the people of the community from the Jamanga, concealing their existence as ordinary members of the Akebono Police Station, which considers demons beyond their jurisdiction. Kenji Narukami, a student of the Narukami Dragon God Style (鳴神龍神流, Narukami Ryū Jin Ryū) for fighting demons, arrives to Akebono to fight the demons, eventually getting his wish when he is transformed to Ryukendo and faces off against Jamanga's forces together with his friends in order to restore peace in the community.

Magic Bullet Warriors

The Magic Bullet Warriors (魔弾戦士, Madan Senshi): Ryuguno, Ryukendo, and Ryujino

Each Warrior has a set of keys to either use an attack or summon a Beast King (獣王, JūŌ), an animal spirit of the Earth. When Kenji and Fudou become God Ryukendo and Magna Ryuguno, their Beast Kings are strengthened into a Super Beast King (超獣王, Chō Jū Ō) form each.

Magic Bullet Fencer Ryukendo

Kenji Narukami (鳴神剣二)/Magic Bullet Fencer (魔弾剣士, MaDan Kenshi) Ryukendo ("Ryukendo" translates from "Dragon Sword Way"), the series' title protagonist, moves to Akebono and is mistaken for a demon upon arrival. After defending a dog in the street, he finds himself confronting a Demon Beast, being chosen by GekiRyuKen and becoming Ryukendo. Since then, he works at SHOT, saving the day more often than not. He is trained in the Narukami Ryujinryu technique. By inserting the RyuKen Key into GekiRyuKen, Kenji can synchronize with GekiRyuKen to transform into Ryukendo - the transformation call is Shooting Dragon Transformation (撃龍変身, GekiRyū Henshin). Brave Leon (ブレイブレオン, Bureibu Reon) is Ryukendo's lion Beast King, which can turn into the three-wheeled Leon Trike (レオントライク, Reon Toraiku) motorcycle. His Final Break (ファイナルブレーク, Finaru Burēku) finishing move, activated by the Final Key, is the Magic Bullet Slash (魔弾斬り, MaDan Giri). When GekiRyuKen absorbs the combined powers of Ryuguno, Ryujino and the Jamanga GrimGoblin, he evolves into God GekiRyuKen. By transforming after GekiRyuKen's evolution, Ryukendo becomes God Ryukendo (ゴッドリュウケンドー, Goddo Ryūkendō). His Magic Bullet Keys are also upgraded as well while his Beast King becomes God Leon (ゴッドレオン, Goddo Reon). His finishing move is Dragon King Magic Bullet Slash (龍王魔弾斬り, Ryū Ō MaDan Giri).

In the series aftermath, with GekiRyuKen gone, Kenji resumes being a normal police officer, arresting Dr. Mad.

Magic Bullet Musketeer Ryuguno

Juushirou Fudou (不動銃四郎, Fudō Jūshirō)/Magic Bullet Musketeer Ryuguno (魔弾銃士リュウガンオー, MaDan Jūshi Ryūgan'ō) made his entrance before Ryukendo, sending an army of Tsukaima to a quick defeat. He really doesn't like it when people call him "Old Man", a nickname that Kenji started despite the fact that Fudou is only 25 years old. It was eventually revealed that Fudou and Kenji are a combination destined by fate.

Fudou and GouRyuGun have a strong bond, much closer than that of Kenji and GekiRyuKen at first. When he inserts the RyuGun Key into GouRyuGun, he can synchronize with GouRyuGun to transform into Ryuguno - the transformation call is Firm Dragon Transformation (剛龍変身, GōRyū Henshin). His Shot Key allows him to use a rapid-fire attack called "Dragon Shot" (ドラゴンショット, Doragon Shotto), and his Final Key activates his finishing attack, the Dragon Cannon (ドラゴンキャノン, Doragon Kyanon), which releases a hundred of GouRyuGun's regular shots in one powerful blast in the shape of a fiery dragon. His JuuOh is Buster Wolf (バスターウルフ, Basutā Urufu), a wolf JuuOh. Buster Wolf can transform into a motorcycle known as Wolf Bike.

When Fudou loses GouRyuGun in an attack from Bloody's UFO, GouRyuGun is recreated as the Magic Bullet Magnum (マダンマグナム, Madan Magunamu), allowing Fudou to assume the corresponding stronger form of Magna Ryuguno (マグナリュウガンオー, Maguna Ryūgan'ō). He can also fire rapid-shots from GouRyuGun and the Magic Bullet Magnum simultaneously, known as the 'Double Shot'. Magna Wolf (マグナウルフ, Maguna Urufu) is Magna Ryuguno's Beast King, transforming into the Magna Bike (マグナバイク, Maguna Baiku). Magna Ryugunou's finishing move is Magna Dragon Cannon (マグナドラゴンキャノン, Maguna Doragon Kyanon).

In Episode 50, with some of Kenji's power, Magna Ryugunou becomes Ultimate Ryuguno (アルティメットリュウガンオー, Arutimetto Ryūgan'ō), a golden-armor transformation. His finishing attack in this form is the "Ultimate Dragon Cannon". His Beast King in this form is Ultimate Wolf (アルティメットウルフ, Arutimetto Urufu). In the series aftermath, with GouRyuGun gone, Fudou resumes being a normal police officer, arresting Dr. Mad.

Magic Bullet Fighter Ryujino

Koichi Shiranami (白波鋼一, Shiranami Koichi)/Magic Bullet Fighter Ryujino (魔弾闘士リュウジンオー, MaDan Tōshi Ryūjin'ō, 14-52) isn't a member of SHOT but rather a mysterious wanderer, armed with ZanRyuJin. He's not on the side of the Jamanga either, as he demonstrated in his high-octane entrance battle with Lady Gold. Eventually, he comes to work with Kenji and Fudou. Koichi lived in England when he was a kid, and Commander Amachi of SHOT wanted his parents to work on the Madan Suits for Ryukendo and Ryuguno. Koichi lost his parents in the explosion, but kept his mother's pendant. He stole the Madan Ryu Core to give himself the power of a Madan warrior to avenge his parents, swearing a vendetta on SHOT until he learned that it was Baron Bloody who caused his parents' deaths. When he inserts the RyuJin Key into ZanRyuJin, the weapon synchronizes with the Madan Ryu Core to transform him into Ryujino - the transformation call is Slashing Dragon Transformation (斬龍変身, ZanRyū Henshin). When Beyond Dark revived spirits of the dead, Koichi gave his mother a heath flower he brought from Kaori, and realized that he needs to fight for himself, not for revenge.

Ryujino can turn ZanRyuJin from a halberd into a bow with the use of the Archery Key. His finishing move, activated by the Final Key, is Rampage (乱撃, RanGeki) in Axe Mode and Dance (乱舞, RanBu) in Archery Mode. His Beast King is the raven Delta Shadow (デルタシャドウ, Deruta Shadō), which combines with Ryujino to give him the power of flight. Later, Delta Shadow gains the ability to turn into the Shadow Bike (シャドウバイク, Shadō Baiku).

In Episode 50, with some of Kenji's power, Ryujino transforms into Ultimate Ryujino (アルティメットリュウジンオー, Arutimetto Ryūjin'ō), a golden-armor transformation. His Beast King in this form is Ultimate Shadow (アルティメットシャドウ, Arutimetto Shadō). In the series aftermath, with ZanRyuJin gone, Koichi takes up work as a delivery boy for Kaori, arriving on the scene as his teammates arrested Dr. Mad.

Master Ryukendo

Master Ryukendo (マスターリュウケンドー, Mastā Ryūkendō, 47, 50) is an ancient Magic Bullet warrior who with his two allies fought against DaiMaOu in the first war. Unable to defeat DaiMaOu, as only Master Ryukendo went Ultimate, he and his allies combined with the dragons of light and Master Ryukendo became the Madan Ryu Core of GekiRyuKen, his allies becoming GouRyuGun, and ZanRyuJin, so the three could help the next generation. DaiMaOu was reduced to an egg and somehow obtained the three Ultimate Keys, and storing them in Rock Crimson, Lady Gold, and Baron Bloody's bodies, making them immortal. The Canon of light returned Master Ryukendo back to normal, with no memory until the Jamanga attacked. In human form, he wears ancient Japanese clothing, and his Madan Suit is similar to Ryukendo's, except with a cape and bronze accents. He wields a weapon similar to GekiRyuKen, except it uses no keys and dragon head, instead with a diamond replacing the dragon head and chanting Shadu Iraki Yuza to summon his sword and transform. Master Ryukendo showed Kenji the Ultimate Madan Slash before returning into GekiRyuken with no memory of the incident. By episode 50, however, GekiRyuKen recovered his memories as Master Ryukendo and emerged from GekiRyuKen encouraging Kenji to not give up hope, as well as teaching him the method to defeat DaiMaOu once and for all.

Magic Bullet Keys

Magic Bullet Keys (魔弾キー, MaDan Kī) are used by both the Magic Bullet Warriors and the Jamanga. The Warriors use them for transformation into Warrior form, weapon-summoning, Beast King-summoning and finishing abilities. Among the Keys are:

Arsenal

Ryukendo

Ryuguno

Ryujino

Generic

SHOT

SHOT, the Shoot Hell Obduracy Troopers, are the anti-demon force in Akebono. Since nobody believed that demons even exist, SHOT keeps itself in secret, placing their base beneath the Akebono police station through a special elevator that only its members know of. There are only four members in the Akebono branch, not counting the Madan Warriors. The police force is probably the best place to hide SHOT, because Akebono's real police force is hideously incompetent.

Allies and civilians

Jamanga

The army of demons called Jamanga serves as the principle enemy of the SHOT organization and the Madan Warriors. Their main purpose is to gather minus energy that is created when humans are in despair to resurrect their leader, Daimaou GrenGhost.

Demon Beasts

The Demon Beasts (魔獣, Majū) are usually created by Dr. Worm using a Madan Key as the core of the monster's form. However, Lady Gold and Baron Bloody can also create their own monsters but without Madan Keys.

Episodes

  1. This is the Hero! (これがヒーローだ, Kore ga Hīrō da!)
  2. Burn! Become a Flame! (燃えろ!炎になれ!, Moero! Honō ni Nare!)
  3. Dash! King of Beasts (走れ!百獣の王!, Hashire! Hyakujū no Ō!)
  4. Freezing Armament! Aqua Ryukendo (氷結武装!アクアリュウケンドー!, Hyōketsu Busō! Akua Ryūkendō!)
  5. That Guy's the Rival (あいつがライバルだ, Aitsu ga Raibaru da)
  6. Single Blow Certain Victory! Dragon Cannon! (一撃必勝!ドラゴンキャノン!, Ichigeki Hisshō! Doragon Kyanon!)
  7. I Summon You! Gorilla JuuOh! (召喚!ゴリラ獣王!, Shōkan! Gorira Jūō!)
  8. The Demon Hidden in the Water (水にひそむ魔, Mizu ni Hisomu Ma)
  9. Ring On, Bell of Friendship (響け、友情の鐘, Hibike, Yūjō no Kane)
  10. The Monster from the West (西から来た怪物, Nishi kara Kita Kaibutsu)
  11. The Thunder Key's Power (サンダーキーの力, Sandā Kī no Chikara)
  12. Forbidden Activation! Thunder Ryukendo! (禁断の発動!サンダーリュウケンドー!, Kindan no Hatsudō! Sandā Ryūkendō!)
  13. A Time-Surpassing Meeting (時を超えためぐり逢い, Toki o Koeta Meguriai)
  14. The New Enemy (新たなる敵, Aratanaru Teki)
  15. Fear Squirming in the Darkness (闇にうごめく恐怖, Yami ni Ugomeku Kyōfu)
  16. Enemy? Friend? (敵か?仲間か?, Teki ka? Nakama ka?)
  17. How About a Nightmare? (悪夢はいかが?, Akumu wa Ikaga?)
  18. Sealed Wings! Thunder Eagle! (封印されし翼!サンダーイーグル!, Fūinsareshi Tsubasa! Sandā Īguru!)
  19. Revived Demons (復活の魔, Fukkatsu no Ma)
  20. Fudou-san's Agonizing Day (不動サン受難の日, Fudō-san Junan no Nichi)
  21. Farewell, Moonlight Swordsman (さらば月光の剣士, Saraba Gekkō no Kenshi)
  22. Martial Arts Conference in Town (ご町内武道大会, Gochōnai Budōtaikai)
  23. Visitor From Outer Space (宇宙からの訪問者, Uchū kara no Hōmonsha)
  24. Great Decisive Aerial Battle! (空中大決戦!, Kūchū Daikessen!)
  25. DaiMaOh's Egg (大魔王の卵, Daimaō no Tamago)
  26. SHOT Special Course! Who's the Champion (SHOTスペシャル講習!優勝者は誰だ, Shotto Supesharu Kōshū! Yūshōsha wa Dare da)
  27. Power Up! Magna Ryuguno! (パワーアップ!マグナリュウガンオー!, Pawā Appu! Maguna Ryūgan'ō!)
  28. Direct to the Machine's Heart (機械じかけの心, Kikai Jikake no Kokoro)
  29. Birth! God Ryukendo!! (誕生!ゴッドリュウケンドー!!, Tanjō! Goddo Ryūkendō!!)
  30. Tunnel of Perplexity (迷いのトンネル, Mayoi no Tonneru)
  31. The Akebono Great Incident! (あけぼの町最大の事件!, Akebono-cho Saidai no Jiken!)
  32. Shiranami, you Laughed (白波おおいに笑う, Shiranami Ōi ni Warau)
  33. Trinity! Ryujinou's New Power (三位一体!リュウジンオーの新たな力, Sanmiittai! Ryūjin'ō no Arata na Chikara)
  34. The World's Largest Umbrella (世界最大のアンブレラ, Sekai Saidai no Anburera)
  35. Targeted Akebono Stage (狙われたあけぼのステージ, Nerawareta Akebono Sutēji)
  36. The Fighting Ghost (戦う幽霊, Tatakau Yūrei)
  37. The Yellow Ring of Happiness (幸福の黄色いリング, Kōfuku no Kiiroi Ringu)
  38. Rescue the SHOT Base! (SHOT基地を救え!, Shotto Kichi o Sukue!)
  39. The Wings of Light Whirl to the Stars (光の翼が星に舞う, Hikari no Tsubasa ga Hoshi ni Mau)
  40. Worst Maneuvers in History!? (史上悪の作戦!?, Shijōsai no Sakusen!?)
  41. Ryujino Becomes a Doll (人形になったリュウジンオー, Ningyō ni Natta Ryūjin'ō)
  42. Magical Recipe (魔法のレシピ, Mahō no Reshipi)
  43. My Hero (わたしのヒーロー, Watashi no Hīrō)
  44. Akebono City is Closed (閉ざされたあけぼの町, Tozasareta Akebono-cho)
  45. All Jamanga Appear! Superior Maneuver (ジャマンガ幹部総登場!頂上作戦, Jamanga Kanbu Sō Tōjō! Chōjō Sakusen)
  46. The Fourth Target (四人目の標的, Yoninme no Hyōteki)
  47. The Mysterious Dragon Warrior (謎の龍戦士, Nazo no Ryū Senshi)
  48. Ultimate Armament! Ultimate Ryukendo! (究極武装!アルティメットリュウケンドー!, Kyūkyoku Busō! Arutimetto Ryūkendō!)
  49. DaiMaOh Revived! Never Ending Battle (大魔王復活!終わりなき戦い, DaiMaŌ Fukkatsu! Owarinaki Tatakai)
  50. The Key That Opens the Future (未来をひらく鍵, Mirai o Hiraku Kagi)
  51. The Black Moonlight Night of Christmas (黒い月夜のクリスマス, Kuroi Tsukiyo no Kurisumasu)
  52. Farewell, Madan Warriors! (さらば魔弾戦士!, Saraba Madan Senshi!)

Specials

Cast

Guest appearances

Songs

Opening themes
Ending themes

International broadcasts

Ryukendo airs in the Philippines on Hero TV during Super Patrol Force dubbed in Tagalog and on Cartoon Network Philippines during Toonami dubbed in English. It also airs in Indonesia on Indosiar. It also airs in Hong Kong on ATV. It aired dubbed in Spanish on WKAQ-TV, a Telemundo affiliate on San Juan, Puerto Rico. In Brazil, the series was dubbed in Portuguese and was aired on RedeTV!'s TV Kids time-block from late 2009 through 2010.[1] And Singapore, Mediacorp. It has also been dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Bengali, and Marathi, and was aired in India from 2011 to 2012 on Disney XD India, and is just called Ryukendo there. Episode 32 was skipped in India possibly because the demon Jemind resembled Hindu God Ganesha and Disney India wanted to avoid hurting religious sentiments. Scenes involving Jamind's shadow form were also removed in the final episode of Indian Dubs because for the same reason.

It was also the last broadcast program to air on the Mexican channel ZAZ TV before ceasing broadcast on July 31, 2012.

References