I never saw the original Gerry Anderson show, however I was very fond of the anime spinoff sequel(?) "Thunderbirds 2086". It seemed almost like speculative hard science fiction. In those days Japanese animation/manga was not common in the West and most of it was (heavily localized/rewritten) Star Wars toy-selling, franchise-style space opera: Galaxy Express 999, Space Cruiser Yamato (Star Blazers); Macross (Robotech).
And yet now there is still very little speculative fiction in anime or manga, at least in English; the only other examples I can think of are also not very popular: the manga "2001 Nights" and (anime and manga) "Planetes"(sic). Maybe there are other gems still untranslated or buried under a neverending tsunami of trite shonen crap....
As far as I know the Thunderbirds 2086 series was disowned by Anderson and co as it deviated so far from their original ideas - but I've never seen it.
I don't know too much about anime or manga either, other than a handful of Studio Ghibli films I've seen over the years, which I'm not sure quite count.
When I was a kid there was a Japanese animated series shown on UK television called "Marine Boy", which I gather is considered fairly obscure and little-remembered even in Japan. I used to like it a lot!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Boy
I think it is probably why merpeople and cetaceans show up in my work over and over.
Just spotted this post. Marine Boy was also a favourite of mine, as well as Stingray. And finally loads of Jacques Cousteau TV and then much later scuba diving. Marine Boy was a lot to answer for...��
Sir, I choose not. And I'll tella youse why (excuze d'New Joisey accent). We cannot envy anyone or anything. God's Rules. tok2jesus, dude. Im just a prophet. Cya...
OOoooooh the Fireflash! Can stay aloft for a year but the radiation shielding only holds for a couple of hours IIRC. Still envious!
ReplyDeleteWhere would Thunderbirds have been without the odd "design flaw".
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing this one- jealous!
ReplyDeleteMemories of my youth.....yes I'm envious;but also glad to see that we share some tastes
ReplyDeleteI never saw the original Gerry Anderson show, however I was very fond of the anime spinoff sequel(?) "Thunderbirds 2086". It seemed almost like speculative hard science fiction. In those days Japanese animation/manga was not common in the West and most of it was (heavily localized/rewritten) Star Wars toy-selling, franchise-style space opera: Galaxy Express 999, Space Cruiser Yamato (Star Blazers); Macross (Robotech).
ReplyDeleteAnd yet now there is still very little speculative fiction in anime or manga, at least in English; the only other examples I can think of are also not very popular: the manga "2001 Nights" and (anime and manga) "Planetes"(sic). Maybe there are other gems still untranslated or buried under a neverending tsunami of trite shonen crap....
As far as I know the Thunderbirds 2086 series was disowned by Anderson and co as it deviated so far from their original ideas - but I've never seen it.
ReplyDeleteI don't know too much about anime or manga either, other than a handful of Studio Ghibli films I've seen over the years, which I'm not sure quite count.
When I was a kid there was a Japanese animated series shown on UK television called "Marine Boy", which I gather is considered fairly obscure and little-remembered even in Japan. I used to like it a lot!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Boy
I think it is probably why merpeople and cetaceans show up in my work over and over.
Hi Al,
DeleteJust spotted this post. Marine Boy was also a favourite of mine, as well as Stingray. And finally loads of Jacques Cousteau TV and then much later scuba diving. Marine Boy was a lot to answer for...��
Lovely vintage Thunderbirds model. :-) Have you already assembled it ?
ReplyDeleteFun hearing how an older anime inspired you for RS and other works ! :-D I had a bit of an undersea craze phase when I was a wee young'un as well.
Haven't made it yet - it's gone to the great "SABLE" stash in the attic (SABLE: Stash Acquired Beyond Life Expectancy).
ReplyDeleteSir, I choose not.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'll tella youse why
(excuze d'New Joisey accent).
We cannot envy anyone or anything.
God's Rules.
tok2jesus, dude.
Im just a prophet.
Cya...