To celebrate the production of the new TV anime "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers," the official sequel to the "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers" series, which aired from April 1988 to March 1989, a screening called "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers Memorial Screening - Commemorating the New Series Broadcast Announcement" was held at Shinjuku Piccadilly (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo) on November 25th, with singer Hiroko Moriguchi and armor designer Hideo Okamoto in attendance. Moriguchi, who sang the opening theme song for the latter half of the TV anime, "Samurai Heart," looked back on that time.
Moriguchi made her debut in 1985 with "Ai wo Komete Mizu no Hoshi e" (With Love to the Water Planet), the opening theme song for the TV anime Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. "Armored Troopers" became popular not only among children but also attracted many female fans, but Moriguchi said, "I didn't realize the enthusiasm right after it aired," and recalled, "I sang it at an event and was so happy when women screamed, 'Scream!' I was wearing a red bodycon dress while singing. It was a recession at the time and I was being told I'd be laid off. I was out of work when I was given the opportunity to sing an anime song, and it became a new guide for me."
"It gets the crowd excited at concerts," Moriguchi said, revealing that "Samurai Heart" has become an important song for her. "Thanks to everyone, it's been 40 years since I debuted with anime songs, but I would like to continue to sing it with passion and care at live performances."
On this day, episodes 20, "A New Battle," 23, "A Battle for Death with White Flames," and 28, "The Appearance of the Mysterious Female Demon Kayura," were screened. At the end of the screening, "Samurai Heart" was played, and Moriguchi surprised everyone by performing the song live, drawing huge cheers from the fans.
"Samurai Troopers" is an anime produced by Sunrise, depicting five boys who possess "Yoroigia" (armored armor) and are brought together by fate to fight against the evil army led by the evil emperor Arago. The TV anime aired from April 1988 to March 1989, and due to its popularity, an original video animation (OVA) 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 serialized in "Comic Bonbon" (Kodansha).
"Samurai Troopers" is the first new anime in about 35 years since the 1991 OVA "Samurai Troopers MESSAGE," and the first TV anime series in about 37 years. The story is an entirely original one set in present-day Shinjuku, and will be directed by Yoichi Fujita, known for "Gintama" and "Mr. Osomatsu," with series composition and scriptwriting by Shogo Muto, known for "Kamen Rider Build," "Crows Zero," and "Thermae Romae." It will be produced by Sunrise and will air in January 2026.
