An anniversary screening of the anime series "Samurai Troopers", which aired from 1988 to 1989, was held on June 11th at Shinjuku Piccadilly (Shinjuku, Tokyo), with Takeshi Kusao, who played the main character Ryo Sanada, and Hideo Okamoto, the original armor designer, among others. Kusao, who appeared on stage in a red costume inspired by "Ryo of the Recca", looked back on those days.
About 37 years have passed since the TV anime ended its broadcast. At the time, Kusao said, "I didn't know what to do. I was a complete rookie." He recalled, "Kosugi Jurota (who played Genma Shogun Rajuura) was kind and let me sit next to him. It feels like yesterday."
At the time, most TV anime was hand-drawn. Kusao commented, "The anime I was involved in in the 1980s and 1990s were drawn by hand, and they were full of emotion. You could feel the love. That reached everyone, and even after more than 30 years, the venues are still full. I'm grateful."
On this day, an episode featuring Lord Kenbu was screened, and Kusao said, "Just like now, I was overwhelmed then too. Lord Kenbu was played by Ichikawa Osamu. I was very nervous. Sound director Chiba Koichi told me, 'I wanted you to see Ichikawa's acting.' I was able to learn by watching him."
At the screening, it was also announced that a proper sequel, "Samurai Troopers: Yoroi Shinden", will be produced and broadcast as a TV anime in January 2026. This will be the first time in about 37 years that a TV anime series will be broadcast. The story is an entirely original one set in present-day Shinjuku, and will be directed by Fujita Yoichi, known for "Gintama" and "Mr. Osomatsu", and produced by SUNRISE Studios. Ishibashi Hiyori, known for "Yu-Gi-Oh! SEVENS", will voice the main character, Gai/Scorching Hot Guy.
Ishibashi, who stars in the official sequel, also appeared at the screening, and Kusao called out to him, "We're rooting for you. Please support us too!"
"Samurai Troopers" is an anime produced by Sunrise, depicting five boys who possess "Yoroigia" (armor armor), who are led by fate to come together and fight against the army of demons led by the demon emperor Arago. The TV anime aired from April 1988 to March 1989, and due to its popularity an OVA (original video animation) was also produced. "Samurai Troopers Gaiden" was released in 1989, "Samurai Troopers: Legend of the Bright Emperor" was released from 1989 to 1990, and "Samurai Troopers: Message" was released in 1991. A comic book adaptation by Ryuichi Hoshino was also serialized in "Comic Bonbon" (Kodansha).
