Redman (series)

Redman (レッドマン) is a Japanese tokusatsu television series produced by Tsuburaya Productions. It features the man-sized titular hero fighting similarly sized monsters. The show was originally broadcast in 1972 as 138 five-minute segments as part of the children's variety program, ''Ohayo! Kodomo Show'' on Nippon TV, from April 3 to September 8.

It is similar in many ways to the most famous of Kyodai Hero series', the Ultra Series; indeed, most enemy monsters featured were re-used from programs produced as part of that franchise.

Redman
After invaders destroy his home planet, an incorporeal intergalactic refugee arrives on Earth and melds with Officer Sakomizu of the SIA. Together, they protect mankind as Redman. The crimson hero fights his own planet's invaders and spirits who revive old heroes' defeated foes.

Enemies
Appears in episode 1. Only foe in the series from Mirrorman. The suit was last used for [???], a show with a similar low budget and 2-minute battles. Appears in episodes 2 and 5. Appears in episodes 3, 4, 52, 55, and 56. Appears in episodes 6, 10, 67, 69, 73, 76, 77, and 79. He has longer arms than usual in this series and has the ability to teleport. Appears in episodes 7, 9, 65, 71, 75, 114, 118, 119, 121, 124, and 125. Appears in episode 8, 11, 63, 66, 73, 77, 78, 128, 132, 134, and 135. Appears in episodes 12, 14, 57, 80, 81, 85, 89, 91-93, 101, 104, 106, and 107. Peguila is more slender, with smaller wings and eyes which are closer together. Appears in episodes 13, 15, 16, 61, 70, 75, 100, 103, 107, 109, and 110. Appears in episodes 13 and 16. Appears in episodes 14 and 17. Appears in episodes 18, 20, 21, 23, 95, 96, 98, and 99. Appears in episode 19. Appears in episodes 19-22, 24, 64, 72, and 76. This version can turn invisible. Appears in episodes 22, 23, and 25. Appears in episodes 26 and 28. Appears in episodes 26 and 29. Appears in episodes 27, 28, 57, 80, 84, 88, 90, 92, and 93. This version fires an explosive projectile instead of a breath weapon. Appears in episodes 29, 30, 102, and 105. This version can teleport and emit sparks from his mouth. Appears in episodes 31-33, 60, 68, 70, 74, and 138. This version has finger missiles and can teleport. Appears in episodes 31, 34, 59, 67, 74, and 78. This version can teleport. Appears in episodes 32, 35, and 38. Appears in episode 33. This version can fire missiles from his mouth. Appears in episodes 35-37, 40-42, 53, and 56. Appears in episodes 35 and 39. This version can teleport. Appears in episodes 36, 38-41, 122, 124, 126, 127, and 136. This version can teleport. Appears in episodes 43, 46-47, 49, & 82-83. Appears in episodes 44-45 & 47. He is the only Fight! Mighty Jack kaiju to appear in this series. Appears in episode 45 & 50 Appears in episodes 47 & 49-50. Appears in episodes 51 & 54-56. Zagoras reappeared in episodes 58,68,108, 113, 118, and 119 of the TV series, Redman. In episode 62, Kodaigon fights Redman alone. In episode 69, Kodaigon teams up with Garamon to battle Redman. In episode 96, Kodaigon teams up with Gomora to battle Redman. In episode 97, Kodaigon teams up with Draculas and Gudon to battle Redman. In episode 130, Kodaigon fights Redman alone. In episode 133, Kodaigon teams up with Sadora to battle Redman. In episode 134, Kodaigon teams up with Sadora and Zetton to battle Redman. In episode 135, Kodaigon teams up with Dorako to battle Redman. Shugaron reappeared in episodes 111, 112, 116, 119, and 137 of the series, Redman in which he fought the titular hero. In episode 123, Draculas teams up with Alien Bat to battle Redman. An Alien Bat reappeared in episodes 121, 123, 126, and 127 of the series, Redman. Zetton appeared in episodes 129, 132, and 134 of the series, Redman. Appears much darker than her usual suit. It is unknown if this is the good or bad one, as the suit's head deteriorated.
 * Darkron
 * Black King
 * Earthtron
 * Garamon
 * Alien Icarus
 * Dorako
 * Peguila
 * Jirass
 * Alien Baltan
 * Alien Goron
 * Gomora
 * Kanegon
 * Woo
 * Alien Mephilas
 * Sadora
 * Dangar
 * Ghostron
 * Gokinezula
 * Eleking
 * Telesdon
 * Nokogilin
 * King Maimai
 * Sartan
 * Bemstar
 * Beacon
 * Gronken
 * Zaurs
 * Kingstron
 * Stegon
 * Alien Mysteler
 * Zagoras
 * Kodaigon
 * Shugaron
 * Draculas
 * Alien Bat
 * Zetton
 * Alien Centaurus
 * Alien Mystellar

Original Enemies
In early planning stages of Redman, three original monsters were meant to fight the red hero, but due to the very low budget of the already cheap show, none were used.

Big Liger
A massive insect resembling a moth. Only concept art of the beast exists.

Gureigasu
No suit was produced, but several production notes mention that the suits of Red King and Astron were meant to be used.

Robot
The Robot never received an official name. It seems to be based on an ancient Egyptian king.

Availability
Last released on home video in the form of a 1996 LaserDisc Memorial Box by Bandai / Emotion, Redman experienced a surge of popularity in 2016, when Tsuburaya Productions began uploading episodes of the series to its YouTube channel. A new episode is added every weekday.

Trivia

 * During many of his fight scenes, the antennae on Redman's mask broke off and had to constantly be replaced.
 * Many of Redman's foes are kaiju from various Ultra series.
 * The only monster from Mirrorman in this series is Darkron, who is also Redman's first opponent.