The space monster investigator Jaspion, or just Jaspion, is one of the best-known heroes of the tokusatsu genre, especially in Brazil. In February 1988, the first episode of this series was broadcast on TV Rede Manchete in Brazil.
His debut in Japan was in 1985, with the name Kyojuu Tokusou Juspion (巨獣特捜ジャスピオン), produced by Toei Company, on TV Asahi, having 46 episodes. The original name "Juspion" comes from the combination of two words in English, "Justice" and "Champion''. (Champion of Justice).
The story begins when a human boy, traveling with his parents on a spaceship, is attacked. Only the young boy survives, being adopted by a wise man named Edin, who raises him as his own son, giving him the name Jaspion.
Until a malevolent force called Satan Goss threatens to take the peace from the universe. Jaspion then decides to fight against evil and receives from his adoptive father some equipment, including his famous armor and the Daileon, a spaceship that transforms into a powerful giant robot.
Jaspion then travels through various planets, until he arrives on Earth. There they encounter Satan Goss and his son MacGaren, who become the enemies of our hero. These villains wanted to dominate the Earth and turn it into the empire of monsters. Thus begins the great journey of Jaspion and his allies here on Earth.
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Jaspion's success in Brazil
The series became a fever here in Brazil, surpassing all other productions of the genre shown here. This not only popularized the series but also opened the doors for new series of the genre to come to Brazil. The success was so absurd that even being broadcast on a small network, its audience was larger than Globo's.
The various themed products of the series were a sales success. From backpacks, lunch boxes, toys, clothes, to comic books. These comics were produced by Brazilian artists and featured new stories of the character. Even though this popularity was not as great as in Japan, Jaspion became one of the most famous "metal heroes" in the world.
Other series of this type had already been aired here in Brazil such as Ultraman, National Kid, and Zillion, but none of these achieved the status that Jaspion managed. After that, many other series of this style were brought to Brazilian TV. Here are a few:
- Flashman - 1989
- The incredible ninja Jiraiya - 1989
- Flashman - 1989
- Jiban, the Steel Police -1990
- Metalder, the Machine-Man - 1990
- Cybercop, the Police of the Future -1990
- Gavan - 1991
- Special Squad Winspector -1994
- Kamen Rider Black RX -1995
Among many others.
Some facts about Jaspion
- Jaspion was brought to Brazil by a Japanese descendant who owned a tape store;
- the series was rejected both by Globo and by SBT;
- The hero's rival called Satan Goss, was entirely inspired by the Darth Vader;
- Jaspion's main weapon is the Spadium Laser, basically a lightsaber
- Jaspion's armor gave powers like super strength and speed, x-ray vision, optical sensor, and much more;
- Jaspion's hair had to be changed several times throughout the episodes, all to increase the acceptance of the oriental audience.
- So successful that Brazilian TV changed the name of another series called Spielvan para Jaspion 2. Even though one has nothing to do with the other;
- Jaspion was one of the pawns responsible for making the tokustasu become popular in Brazil.
Jaspion's Villains and Megabeasts
Do you remember Jaspion's villains and megabeasts? See a list below and try to remember by name…
- Aiger
- Aqua Rocky
- Badogres
- Balloom
- bogue
- Bream
- Deathchillas
- unlock
- Diagorth
- Donges
- dou
- Dyna Seijin
- Fake Miya/Ebizhol
- wow
- jays
- Galactic Witch Gilza
- Gamagorath
- Gasler
- Gelgon
- Giga
- Gilmarza
- Handar of Beeze
- Head Dorimar
- Headstone
- Iki
- jimus
- Ka
- Kabegonta
- Kidama
- Kumoda
- Mad Gallant
- Magnadar
- Majin
- Marigos of Beeze
- Moke
- Moku
- Namagerath of Dodo
- Oceanking
- Onideviler
- Phodon
- Phodon 2
- piracy
- Portsanky
- Prawnzole
- Rock Gorilla
- Satan Gorth
- Seablur
- Shishion
- Sodomon
- Switzerland
- Tetsugos of Peace
- Os 4 Reis Deva
- Os 5 Ninjas do Espaço
- Os capangas do Louco Galante;
- Zampa
Tokusatsu Jaspion songs
See some of the songs that became popular during the exhibition of this tokusatsu:
- Ore ga Seigi da! by Juspion, by Ai Takano
- Powerful Fighter Juspion, by Akira Kushida
- On the day of peace, by BOBBY
- Kyojuu Tachi Yo, by SPACE MINSTRELS
- Ginga no Taazan, by Akira Kushida
- I'm Juspion, by Henry
- A Wolf In Space Juspion, by Henry
- Neppuu Yarou Juspion, by Ai Takano
- Ryuusei no Senshi, by Ai Takano
- Super Planetary Robot Dairugger XV, by Akira Kushida
- Mabushii Aitsu, by Akira Kushida & Columbia Yurikago Kai
- Space Wolf Juspion, by Ai Takano
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