Pranke Forum

This new series, now in production, is set 300 years after the events in the original KAIKETSU LION MARU (1972-73) created by Shoji Ushio (aka Tomio Sagisu) and his P-Productions. The premise of LION MARU G (the "G" stands for "Ghetto" -- I kid you not), is that Shishimaru (the human form of Lion Maru) and Jonosuke (the human form of Tiger Jo) are reincarnated to continue their battles in today's world. LION MARU G has been in development for quite some time -- five years ago as "Samurai Lion" as a proposed live action or anime series. Tsuburaya Entertainment was the agent for the proposal, Sony was involved at one point, and it was considered for development over at the Cartoon Network on Adult Swim. Finally, the series proposal reverted back to the Japanese side, and finally there is a new show in being produced.

The new series format was written by the late Tomio Sagisu -- who created the original series -- under his pen name Shoji Ushio. So, this was not written or designed after his passing -- early production designs, by Yasushi Nirasawa, were published in the 2000 book "Lion Maru vs. Spectreman", written by Sagisu.

Most of the staff of GARO are involved in the production of LION MARU G, including conceptual artist Keita Amemiya and writer Hiroyuki Kawasaki. The special visual effects supervisor is Tomo'o Haraguchi (ULTRAMAN MEBIUS & THE ULTRAMAN BROTHERS), who is also supervising the make-ups and costumes for the characters. The new Shishimaru/Lion Maru is played by Kazuki Namioka (DENSHA OTOKO), who played Demon Knight in JUSTIRISERS. A new actor is playing Jonosuke/Tiger Jo. Shishimaru’s ninjutsu master, Kashin Koji, is being played by famous character actor Taka Okubo. Okubo, who doesn’t do much television, recently appeared in the S. Korea/Japan film RIKI DOZAN. Gouyama, the human form of the evil Gosuun, is played by another famous character actor, Japan Academy Award Winner Renji Ishibashi (RONINGAI). Ishibashi recently appeared in ULTRAMAN MAX and KAMEN RIDER: THE FIRST.

23 year-old Emi Kobayashi (not to be confused with voice actress Megumi Kobayashi) plays the new Saori and 17 year-old Asami Oda is the new Kosuke (now called "Kosu K" -- how "urban"), who is now a girl! Veteran actor Kenichi Endo is playing a character named "Junior" -- Endo's Toku credits include BATTLE FEVER J, EXCEEDRAFT, JANPERSON, KAKURANGER, EKO EKO AZARAK, DEKARANGER: FULL BLAST ACTION and THE GREAT YOKAI WAR (where he played the Tengu King). LION MARU G, which begins broadcast this coming October, is produced by Office Crescendo and Lion Maru G Production Consortium.