Battle of the Planets

For the comic book series based on this television program, see Battle of the Planets (comics).
Battle of the Planets
Based onScience Ninja Team Gatchaman
by Tatsuo Yoshida
Developed bySandy Frank
Directed by
  • David E. Hanson
  • Alan Dinehart
Voices of
Narrated byWilliam Woodson (Opening Narration)
Theme music composerHoyt Curtin
Composers
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Japan (o.v.)
No. of episodes85 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • David E. Hanson
  • Alan Dinehart
AnimatorTatsunoko Production
Running time30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFirst-run syndication[1]
ReleaseSeptember 12, 1978 (1978-09-12) –
May 12, 1980 (1980-05-12)
Infobox instructions (only shown in preview)

Battle of the Planets is an American adaptation of the Japanese anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman (1972).[2] Of the 105 original Gatchaman episodes, 85 were used in the Battle of the Planets adaptation, produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment.[3] The adaptation was generally faithful to the plot and character development of the original Gatchaman series, but significant additions and reductions were made in order to increase appeal to the North American television market of the late 1970s, as well as avoid controversy from parents; these included the removal of elements of graphic violence and profanity.[4]

It was the most successful anime series in the United States during the 1970s, airing on 100 network affiliates during after-school hours by 1979.[5] As of June 2013, Sentai Filmworks have licensed the Gatchaman franchise.[6] An oft-delayed CGI film based on the franchise, Gatchaman, last slated for a 2011 release from Warner Bros., was officially canceled in June 2011. However, a live-action Gatchaman feature film was released in Japan in August 2013. As of 2018, the series has been made available for streaming on Hidive.[7]

  1. ^ "Top 100 Animated TV Series". IGN. 14 January 2009. Archived from the original on 16 June 2010.
  2. ^ "From 'Speed' to outer space". Japan Times. Retrieved July 28, 2010.
  3. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 122–124. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  4. ^ "Battle of the Planets 25th Anniversary Collection". IGN. June 13, 2003. Retrieved October 6, 2008.
  5. ^ Bain, Marc (May 21, 2020). "How Japan's global image morphed from military empire to eccentric pop-culture superpower". Quartz. Archived from the original on May 21, 2020. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Sentai Filmworks Licenses Gatchaman". Sentai-filmworks.com. 2013-06-25. Retrieved 2013-08-25.
  7. ^ "Stream Episode 1 of Battle of the Planets on HIDIVE". HIDIVE.