Janperson Episodes 1-2: There's A New Guy In Town, His Name Is Robocop Errrr JANPERSON

Ah Janperson... I guess I can NEVER shy away from the fact that it's my FAVORITE Metal Hero series. Sure, I grew up with Shaider (which was never finished) and Gavan (which I watched but only watched the finale as an ADULT). There was also Jiban who was pretty much inspired by Robocop in part. Yeah, Jiban and that cool hit song sung by Akira Kushida. Yet, I'm afraid that one classic Metal Hero series needs more appreciation and love. It's Janperson and I'd like to express my love for this show. It's been considered to be one weird show. But it's that weird show that I love such as how Maskman was considered a weird show. Yet, Maskman does still get some love even if it's not much as Dairanger or Gekiranger. Now, moving on to the show which I consider to be a Tough Act to Follow.

After Jiban, Toei Ltd. decided to shift to the Rescue Police Trilogy which was Winspector, Solbrain, and Exceedraft. I could remember how the licensed dub of Solbrain was never completed by Telesuccess Productions for a reason. Yeah, the same company that did the English dub for some of Toei Ltd.'s properties such as Voltes V and Bioman. After the Rescue Police Trilogy ended with Exceedraft - the announcement was on for Janperson. Now, it's time to deal with another Robocop-inspired Metal Hero named Janperson. His purpose? Serve the public trust. Protect the innocent. Uphold the law.

I remembered the first time Janperson was shown in Tagalog. Back then, there was hardly any Internet so I had no idea it was by Toei Ltd. - that's until I got into the Internet. Oh yeah, I remembered when Saban's Big Bad Beetleborgs (based on B-Fighter Kabuto) showed up. That show was garbage and I wonder why I even watched it. ABC-5 later had it, "With special guest Janperson." who was renamed as Karato. Finding out that Janperson was by Toei Ltd. was no surprise either due to the number of Toku alumni cameo. Not to mention, Jiban was pretty much a predecessor to Janperson. But I ended up liking Janperson MORE than Jiban. Now, for the review.

The first to second episode starts to introduce Janperson as a mysterious hero. The whole opening has a scene typical in an American crime drama but with a Japanese touch. A girl gets infected by a disease. A vaccine is needed to save the girl's life. A criminal tries to get the vaccine for some reason. We have two appearances which were by Green Two and Yellow Turbo. Yeah, both actors Naoto Tada and Junichiro Katagiri - two characters that would disappear without a reason. I guess it's a good thing they weren't killed and were treated like every other guest character. Both Green Two and Yellow Turbo are bumbling cops that are introduced. We also have the reporter Aki Wakabayashi who's impressed by Janperson's feats.

We have robots that resemble Terminator units and the Otomo androids. The guys are targetting a crook who has forsaken the Guild. Janperson appears as a Robocop-type guy. Janperson is the new guy in town. Heck, who can't deny that Janperson has almost the same visuals as Robocop? Except Janperson has an air of mystery for a good portion. We don't know who Janperson is. Janperson is a new robot and nobody knows where he came from. Janperson proceeds to defeat the Guild robots like Robocop would save the day. Janperson even saves the day in the first episode.

Ben Fukunami is infuriated. Yet, the guy also dies so easily in the next episode. It gets interesting when Guild plans to infiltrate human society with robots. Janperson is thought of to be the killer. However, it turns out Guild has been planning to get rid of Janperson. However, Janperson manages to save the day. Ben is easily destroyed in his first confrontation with Janperson. Ben's half-human and half-machine. 

The introductory arc does give us an idea what Janperson as a TV series will be. No monster of the week. More crime drama. More Robocop-like action. Heck, it doesn't help that the end song of Janperson almost sonds like Robocop is said even if it doesn't. The end song is what gives the mystery of Janperson's identity - something that gets unearthed later. 

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