Hello everyone: Although I'm not a new member, I don't think I ever really introduced myself. My name is Susan and I first became acquainted with Gatchaman when it was shown in the U.S. as Battle of the Planets. I really loved the show (but despised 7-Zark-7). I missed its incarnations as G-Force and Eagle Riders. In fact, I hadn't even known that BOTP was taken from Gatchaman until 2005 when ADV released the DVD's (thanks, ADV!) I was struck with how mature the themes were and the detail to character development. I haven't seen Gatchaman II or Gatchaman F but I was recently able to get Eagle Riders off of Ebay so it's the next best thing. I realize I haven't been on the boards for some time but my personal life has been very difficult. I lost my job, my mother passed away, and just recently I lost my aunt. So I haven't been indifferent--just really hurting. But I would like to talk with people on this site--I've been enjoying reading your posts and the wonderful fics and the art is superb. I'm hoping we can all get to know each other and have some fun along the way.

I'm sorry to hear that things have been so bad for you, Susan. I think I've seen you around on the BOTP Mailing List. I'm glad you're here, and it sounds like you've come to the right place. Nice to see you!

Condorfan, it's great to see you back around, another Condor fan is great! I'm sorry for all of the hardships that have been coming down on you.

Good to have you back in the fold, Condorfan! So sorry to hear that RL has been difficult...

Condorfan, I'm sorry you've had to deal with so much stress and sadness. We're all ready here to try to cheer you up whenever you need us. I'm like you in that I watched BOTP as a kid, and one day in late 2006, I googled it and first learned about Gatchaman, and that ADV was putting it out on DVD. I immediately began ordering it. For me, a big part of the fun was watching all 105 episodes with my nephew, who was 10 at the time. He loved it as much as I did, and we had a great time. His mother (my older sister) thought we were nuts. Gatchaman really did make me feel like a kid again, and just detached me from all the stress I was dealing with from grad school at the time. But, it also really drew me in as an adult too, with how well the characters and their relationships were presented and developed. At the time, I'd read so much about Gatchaman on the internet, I was completely spoiled and knew exactly what was going to happen to Joe, but my nephew didn't, and in the end, I had to tell him that Joe wasn't really dead, and that he comes back in the second series, to spare my nephew some grief!

Originally posted by lborgia88 and in the end, I had to tell him that Joe wasn't really dead, and that he comes back in the second series, to spare my nephew some grief!

LOL, LB! I had to do the same thing! My DD was 5 and my DS was 3, and I took them right to Rebeokah's screenshot site and showed them how Joe 'came back'. Then, about 9 months later, I got my hands on ER and we watched the series together. When they showed the Joe Returns ep, my DS was shouting, "Joe! Joe! Joe! Joe!" and my DD was bouncing up and down on the couch. Me? I was laughing myself sick at 'When the Ants Come Marching In'....

Can you imagine just how many traumatized kids and women (and, hell, men too) there must have been in Japan in 1974, right after episode 105 aired for the first time?

Welcome back Condorfan!!! I'm sorry to hear about your losses, sometimes its good to have a distraction.

Thanks, everyone. It means a lot to me to read your your kind thoughts and wishes. Although you can't see it, you've made me cry happiness tears. lborgia88 I was the same too! I had to find all I could about Gatchaman and found about Joe before the episode had been released by ADV. I was shocked and searched to find about Gatchaman II where he comes back. That knowledge really didn't spoil the finale for me--it still had a lot of emotional impact. I still watch the episodes because I usually find something I hadn't noticed before and they're still a lot of fun! I'm hoping to get my nieces and nephews interested but they seem only to like Star Wars, Power Rangers and Hannah Montana. To each his own I guess...

You have to get them young, Condorfan... but keep trying! When the movie comes out, they may suddenly realize how cool you are!

Hi Condorfan and welcome back! We haven't met before, but I'm Hino, one of the only two female Eagles on the board. So glad that you're able to join us here again! I'm so sorry to hear of your losses. I hope things get better for you very soon!

RL can be a real downer, Condorfan. I'm sorry for your losses. I hope we can be of service to cheer you up and give you a good distraction. Join in the fun!

Sorry about the hard time you have had As Kimi says hopefully you can find this a good place to escape to

Sorry to hear your hardships Condorfan but remember this, you have friends who love you and will comfort you right here in this madhouse.

Welcome back to the arena

To everyone at Gatchamania.net-- I feel a profound sense of well being again reading your posts. Grief is something that never leaves, but can be lived with in time. I want you all to know my gratitude at your well wishes. If I was a writer, (like a lot of members are) I could come up with the words to let you know what it means to me to have people I've never seen wish you well. I wish I could give you all a hug.

I think this calls for a glomp

That's cool.

Thats so sweet of you Condorfan...so were a writer. Have your muses left you?I'll have to look out for your stories.

We all love Just good to see you back

At my school, my anatomy teacher( Fing awesome!) made it so hugs means something else lol, Sorry for the grief CF I hope things get better for you, as the whole site does I'm sure, I just recently had a friend die Sunday to be exact. We are going to bury him tomorrow as the past two days have not been hard enough on everybody, but coming here and reading these post's from everyone having a good ol' time has really lightened my mood. I guess the point I'm getting to is this site is always a great escape from RL for some people, and it really helps me out alot! I hope you will be with us for some time though, this really is a wonderful site to come to.

Damieon I'm am sorry to hear of your friends death. To you I'm giving an extra Condor Fan, your was thanks in itself.

Damieon... I'm sorry to hear that you lost a friend.

Damieon, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. A from me too.

Damieon, thanks for your kind words. I am so sorry about your loss. I wish you and your family and friends all the best.