Customer Reviews

Iron King - The Complete Series

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Being a fan of the Ultraman series, I was curious when it was announced that BCI had acquired the distribution rights for this rather obscure series.

Very little information was known beforehand, however, a good friend recommended I check it out.

When I did, I was thoroughly impressed by many things regarding this series. For one, it is very unique amongst similar giant hero programs released at the time. For one, there are essentially two main characters, Gentaro and Goro, who travel the country, going from town to town, protecting people and stopping the bad guys. (which has very early shades of 'Supernatural' regarding the Winchester boys, especially with the comedic bickering they share)

This works exceptionally well in that the character development is focused solely on Gentaro and Goro, as opposed to having to deal with a large government team of agents like in most Ultraman type shows.

in addition, the bad guys in question are all too human, they've just gotten their hands on some pretty advanced technology (in the form of giant robots) and use that technology to terrorize innocent civilians in their bid to take control of Japan, and from there the world. It isn't until much later in the series do aliens come to invade the planet.

And of course, the piece de resistance is the fact that the titular hero is not in fact the main character. What I mean is that Gentaro, the lead agent is not the one who transforms into Iron King, rather it is his sidekick (the seemingly bumbling Clark Kentish Goro) who has that distinct honor. Even so, in the early part of the series, usually it is Gentaro that is vital in helping Iron King defeat the bad guys (because in the early episodes Iron King has no energy weapons, that doesn't come until later in the series).

These are unique factors which help turn the cliches and conventions of typical Henshin Kaiju series like Ultraman inside out.

The picture quality, while not remastered, is still very good, and even the dirt and grain adds something of a grindhouse like quality to the proceedings.

This is especially true during the first episode, where there is a moment when Iron King is about to deliver a devastating kick to the bad guy in question, and suddenly the picture goes completely dark, and about 2 seconds later the picture comes back, almost as though it had just come back from a commerical break, which I found to be very funny.

I highly recommend this series to fans of Tokusatsu programs in general, to fans of Ultraman or even Henshin Kaiju programs in general and fancy something a little different, by all means, check out this series. :)

BCI's recent release of IRON KING has become a gem in my collection just like their release of SHADOW WARRIORS season one. All 26 episodes of the complete series are spread throughout 4 DVDs. The qulity, while not remastered, is excellent. The insert- with info, bios, and interviews supplied by August Ragone -may contain spoilers but is a wonderful addition. I would have to beleive anyone would become a fan of a show that uses spies, robots, ninjas, aliens, martial-arts, and romance all in one program - AND USES THEM WELL!!! I highly recommend this series for anyone looking for something unusal and a load of fun for any age group.

As a fan of these Japanese super hero shows, both new and old, I was quite surprised by this series (or should I say shocked - Iron Shocked!). I found Iron King to be very unique and quite entertaining. Far beyond what I expected, given similar shows from the same period.

For those familiar with the these types of shows (Tokusatsu Heroes) they will find particularly interesting, as I did, the fact that the title hero isn't actually the lead character, quite different from it's contemporaries. While it is the musical yet tough Gentaro Shizuka who acts as hero when faced with human sized adversaries, it is his seemingly comical and bumbling sidedkick, Goro Kirishima, who has the power to transform in the giant cyborg Iron King to face off against the giant foes. Yet even this does not stop Gentaro from challenging the giants to aid Iron King. And like this the two men, real characters who play off each other very well in both comedic and dramatic moments, travel around Japan trying to put down technologically advanced domestic terrorist organizations and alien invaders.

Some may not be able to get past the age of the series, or the fact that even compared to some of it's contemporaries the monster costumes and some of the special effects are not so spectacular, and sometimes unintentionally comical (though I happened to find many of the effects were not only ambitious, but in certain instances very well pulled off), but once beyond that there is a fantastic story to be found. One mixed with drama, comedy, music, some romance, and a great deal of action.

As far as the DVD box set itself, it is beautifully designed. The box is colorful and eye catching, featuring the title hero in a striking pose on the front with the show's two leads in action on the back. The DVD case art is simple by contrast but still stands out with the name logo and hero's four pointed crest emblazoned on the cover. The included booklet, also fantastically designed, features an extensive write up on the series with detailed background information on the series and those who made it. as well as interviews with the two lead actors.

I loved this show and the DVD set, both which I recommend to anyone who likes Japanese sci-fi dramas like Ultraman, Godzilla, and even Kamen Rider.

I am very much looking forward to future similar releases by BCI/Eclipse(Something the purchase of this title will ensure).

This series was really fun and entertaning..Great special effects and the monster fights were really cool...Definitely one of my favorite toku shows..

I remember those days after school, coming home in time to watch Ultra Man. Well, if you want to relive those days this is a must for you! My grandson loves it!!! I will say though, there is some language, of course it is Englsih subtitled, but the action is great! Do not expect George Lucus special effects, but that is what makes it fun!!! If you are an Ultraman, Godzilla, Space Giants, etc...fan, this is for you!

When I first saw this, I thought it would just be a bad knock-off of Ultra Man (just look at Iron King's suit!). However, it's almost nothing alike. While the monster battles are pretty lame, the villains are so crazy and cooky you can easily forgive them. My favorite aspect of the show is the acting; I love watching the banter between Gentaro and Goro, and the actors manage to make their characters both believable and memorable. I almost like this show better than Ultra Man just because of the acting.

This series is in the same vein as Ultraman, the premier suitmation series of all time, but not nearly the quality. If, as I have, you have watched the Ultraman shows repeatedly over the years, this is at least something new that bears some resemblance to the various Ultra-series. However, it is even cheesier, if possible, and even more inane with its insistence on including songs by the star in each episode. The monsters are not as inventive or interesting and the overall feeling is one of lower quality all around. That said, there really aren't too many places you can go to get this level of outrageousness and pure camp. It will do until something better comes along. And, you can't beat the price.

Iron King does start out kind of slow, with the hero not being so strong and heroic and his cohort being a bit of an ass. Stick with it, though, since those episodes are still good and the series gets better as it progresses to its unfortunately abrupt climax (blame the premiere of a certain popular early 70s anime for it; the included booklet details the story). Like a lot of the tokusatsu shows of the 70s, this has fun since it's a kids show, but isn't afraid to kill people off and be a bit dark at times. It is a fun ride, though, and well worth the purchase if you are looking for more toku in your diet.

If you are a fan of the old Ultraman & Spectreman! don't pass up this Japanese superhero classic, as it might not be know, it is as AWESOME, great characters, monsters & robots, don't pass up this series as you will be sorry you did not feel the power of the IRON SHOCK!

Not a bad Japanese series. Robots who look like monsters are trying to take over. But Iron King will save the day. If you like Ultra Man, Space Giants, and Johnny Sokko then you'll love this series.