Welcome, I see you found us here. I hope you enjoy your stay. Pull up a chair and tell us a little about yourself. Which version of Gatch did you see first?. Just to let every one know UnpublishedWriter has posted some interesting Gatch stories, mostly from Katse POV over at FF.net. (At least I hope I am correct in thinking you are the same person.)

Oooo...FF.net? I haven't visited there in ages! I'll have to get reading! I welcomed you in another thread, but I'll welcome you here, too...

I like that image Springie. Did you photoshop it? Or is it a screen cap?

welcome unpublishedwriter!

I'm glad you found your way here, Unpublished Writer! I've really been enjoying your stories on ff.net, particularly your unique backstory about Katse and those closest to him.

Hi there unpublishedwriter! I've read some of your ficcies and you have an interesting AU happening with your writing. (I agree TJ, not many will go and develop Galactor like that.) Glad to see you here!

Hello and welcome! Like the others I too hope we are not being presumptious about you being the same person who wrote the stories over at ff.net.

CD, that's a screenshot...I love it, too...if you look closely, you can see Jinpei's hand...he's about to complain about child labor laws...lOL This is the scene where Ken calls Jinpei out to tell him that he's going with his friend to find his father...

Hello, Unpublished Writer! It's great to see you here!

Welcome on Gatchmania, UW! Great thing to have you among us! Personally, I am addicted to your Berg Katse fics on FF.Net! You really have an unique pov about the character!

I figured I'd better use the same handle as on FF dot net just for that reason. Version I saw first: Battle of the Planets, when it aired on the local UHF station. Read about 'Gatchaman' in a magazine article about anime (back in 1980, when folks were calling it 'Japanimation'). When I first bought and viewed, I was expecting more 'edge.' I'd been watching Adult Swim on Cartoon Network, which means such insane shows as 'Cowboy Bebop', 'Paranoia Agent,' and 'Trinity Blood'. I'm still learning how to maneuver in this. I'm currently LMAO at the episode reviews. One day, I hope that 'UnpublishedWriter' will be a mere handle. I just need the ovaries to send something out. In the meantime, I'll continue pulling underwear out of toilets and fixing broken door locks at the mental hospital. (No, really, I do that for a living. And I'm an English major.)

Hello and welcome, UnpublishedWriter! So glad you have come and joined us in this little corner of the universe!

So you do other writing in real life. I suppose its logical since you're an English Major. Do have some work ready to go? But you're just shaking at the knees at the thought of putting it into an envelope and sending it to a publisher....

Well, Unpublished, I guess your job really does prepare you to write about the dfay-to-day duties of Galactor goons... Well, whatever it does, it's working, because your stories are terrific! Glad you're enjoying the episode reviews!

Welcome unpublishedwriter!. Have you been to the Rubb....Reception Room and Snack J yet?

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter In the meantime, I'll continue pulling underwear out of toilets and fixing broken door locks at the mental hospital. (No, really, I do that for a living. And I'm an English major.)

Since you are pulling underwear out of toilets (how do they get there in the first place and why?) and fixing locks at the metal hospital, don't suppose you could fix the locks on the Ruibber Room please?

Originally posted by Metaliant Since you are pulling underwear out of toilets (how do they get there in the first place and why?) and fixing locks at the metal hospital, don't suppose you could fix the locks on the Ruibber Room please?

But Met, we like the Rubber Room as it is!

I suspect Amy was picking the locks on the Rubber Room before she had reached the minimum age of 18...

Yup, now I'm struggling with my jacket restraint's.

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter (No, really, I do that for a living. And I'm an English major.)

I'm a history major, and I do bookkeeping. I too am enjoying your fics!

UW! I didn't have the opportunity to read your fics but I'm intrigued after reading all the positive comments!

I do recommend the fics like the offers I have enjoyed reading things from Katse perspective.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun I suspect Amy was picking the locks on the Rubber Room before she had reached the minimum age of 18...

She is Galactor...did you really expect her to follow rules!

For my writing: I have a few Lovecraft-based shorts ready to go. Longer stuff, I start second-guessing myself. A horrible thing to happen to a writer. How does underwear end up in a toilet? Take a bored or peeved client (that's what we call them instead of 'patients'), an undermanned unit, a toilet, some underwear, mix well, and wait until the water overflows. As for the doors: they kick the you-know-what out of them. I have thought of writing a story about being a maintenance worker in a Galactor base. Given how my days sometimes go, it would end with said worker blowing the place up. Anyway, I'm still looking around. Enjoying the reviews. Will check out the fics when I can.

Will the 'Episode of the Week' include the sequel series?

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter I have thought of writing a story about being a maintenance worker in a Galactor base. Given how my days sometimes go, it would end with said worker blowing the place up.

With these Gatchaman kids running around and blowing things up doesn't pay to be a maintenance worker in Gallactor bases anymore . #Amy wonders if said bases closets would be flooded by purple underwear#

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter Anyway, I'm still looking around. Enjoying the reviews. Will check out the fics when I can.

We're enjoying the fics. I see you've updated Secrets. I really like how this fic flows, and the dynamics between Helen and Katse!

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter Will the 'Episode of the Week' include the sequel series?

I pray so! Can't wait till F series' turn to recaps!

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter Will the 'Episode of the Week' include the sequel series?

I believe there was talk about that, but that would be in slightly less than a year from now. Then you will have to see how the "writers" are feeling. They may like some one else to take over or they may want to take a break. I gather writing one review a week is eating up a lot of their time for doing other things. I can understand how it could and I really appreciate the fact that LB and TJ are doing this. I do not think I could do such good write ups and stick to the schedule like they are.

Actually, I'm just on my way to post in the general section... As for sequel series, I only have access to some of the Gatch II eps in dubs and none of Fighter,. It's kind of hard to do an episode writeup when you have no clue what people are saying.

Originally posted by Transmute Jun As for sequel series, I only have access to some of the Gatch II eps in dubs and none of Fighter, \.

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter How does underwear end up in a toilet? Take a bored or peeved client (that's what we call them instead of 'patients'), an undermanned unit, a toilet, some underwear, mix well, and wait until the water overflows. As for the doors: they kick the you-know-what out of them. I have thought of writing a story about being a maintenance worker in a Galactor base. Given how my days sometimes go, it would end with said worker blowing the place up. Anyway, I'm still looking around. Enjoying the reviews. Will check out the fics when I can.

Sounds similar what happened at the college I was at in the early 90s and these are partially sighted and blind students. As for the story about a maintenance worker at a Galactor Gase, that's a good idea. There was an episode of Star Trek TNG which resolves around 3 junior officers and a bar tender instead of the main cast. Although I think the Bases are designed and built by Ikea, which explains why they are so easy destroyed.

Originally posted by amyltrer

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter I have thought of writing a story about being a maintenance worker in a Galactor base. Given how my days sometimes go, it would end with said worker blowing the place up.

With these Gatchaman kids running around and blowing things up doesn't pay to be a maintenance worker in Gallactor bases anymore . #Amy wonders if said bases closets would be flooded by purple underwear#

And green underwear as well. and whatever kind of underwear those Mech Captains wear.

My guess is, the Gal;actor captains don't wear underwear!

I asked about the sequel series because I keep coming across fanfics about Egobossler and Gelsadra, and I have no idea who they are (or why Ego has blue skin).

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter I asked about the sequel series because I keep coming across fanfics about Egobossler and Gelsadra, and I have no idea who they are (or why Ego has blue skin).

Ego was a normal man in appearance before having plastic surgery, turning his skin into blue and dying his hair white! This he did when he wanted a new identity, rebelling against his father and his half-brother of royal blood and wanting to claim his position in his family, as he was always treated as a bastard (born from a relationship between his real father and a maid). He also wanted to take supreme command of the Egobossler family, which later expanded to Galactor when Sosai Z chose him for leadership in order to aid him in his plans of world destruction (Ego didn't know that Sosai Z wanted to destroy the Earth in the first place but he thought that he would be the sole ruler of the planet and that Sosai Z would have helped him to achieve that goal!). Anyone please correct me here if I wrote something that deviated from the real story! This is only a summary as the story is more complicated than this and gets into more depth as described during the Gatch F series!

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter I asked about the sequel series because I keep coming across fanfics about Egobossler and Gelsadra , and I have no idea who they are (or why Ego has blue skin).

Where?????

Originally posted by gatchamarie

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter I asked about the sequel series because I keep coming across fanfics about Egobossler and Gelsadra, and I have no idea who they are (or why Ego has blue skin).

Ego was a normal man in appearance before having plastic surgery, turning his skin into blue and dying his hair white! This he did when he wanted a new identity, rebelling against his father and his half-brother of royal blood and wanting to claim his position in his family, as he was always treated as a bastard (born from a relationship between his real father and a maid). He also wanted to take supreme command of the Egobossler family, which later expanded to Galactor when Sosai Z chose him for leadership in order to aid him in his plans of world destruction (Ego didn't know that Sosai Z wanted to destroy the Earth in the first place but he thought that he would be the sole ruler of the planet and that Sosai Z would have helped him to achieve that goal!). Anyone please correct me here if I wrote something that deviated from the real story! This is only a summary as the story is more complicated than this and gets into more depth as described during the Gatch F series!

Kudos, Gatchmarie, you did and wonderful summary to the Gatch F series! Eh, the only plausible explanation of why Ego dyied his skin was to look as different as possible from his hated half-brother. Either that or something happened with the skin grafts during plastic surgery!

Hi all!

Eh, the only plausible explanation of why Ego dyied his skin was to look as different as possible from his hated half-brother.

If that were what he wanted, why would Erun bother to get plastic surgery to make himself look like Kaseru in the first place? No, he wanted to look like Kaseru in order to replace him. Unfortunately, as has been discussed here before, the series offers no explanation as to why he colored his skin and bleached his hair. James

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Unfortunately, as has been discussed here before, the series offers no explanation as to why he colored his skin and bleached his hair.

That's the same question that I keep asking myself!

Originally posted by amyltrer Kudos, Gatchmarie, you did and wonderful summary to the Gatch F series!

Amy, it's an honour that my summary passed the test from Ego's number one fan!

As for Gel Sadra, she was a four year old girl who was transformed by X into an adult so that she could control Galactor. In reality, Gel Sadra was Sammie Pandora, daughter of Sylvie Pandora (Dr. Nambu's assistant). Look for the Egobossler and Gel Sadra tributes in the General Discussion section of this board to find out more about them!

Hi all!

Look for the Egobossler and Gel Sadra tributes in the General Discussion section of this board to find out more about them!

And to make them easier to find, here they are: Gel Sadra Egobossler For more detailed information on Egobossler, you'd probably be better off checking out this thread: Gatchaman Fighter Villains James

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Unfortunately, as has been discussed here before, the series offers no explanation as to why he colored his skin and bleached his hair.

Total speculation on my part: Berg Katse and Gel Sadra were both blonds, and Katse's name sort of suggests German heritage. If we assume that in Japanese thinking, decades ago, "germanic-looking" equaled "evil" (a legacy of WWII in popular culture, or resentment of Western Imperialism, perhaps) then it makes sense that Count Egobossler might be given the ultimate in evil hair -pure white! As for the blue skin, I can only think that it might be somehow related to "Prussian Blue" -it seems to me that he's very much modeled after a Prussian "Junker".

I have noticed that as well, LB. Being of Germanic heritage myself, I saw that the villains in the series tended to be Germanic, and anyone with blonde hair is seen as a 'bad guy', even if they 'reform' later in the episode. You might be right about connecting that with Egobossler.

Hi all!

If we assume that in Japanese thinking, decades ago, "germanic-looking" equaled "evil"

And if we forget that Germany and Japan were allies... Regardless, I wouldn't leap to that conclusion. While I can point out a number of blond villains in anime, I can just as easily point out a number of non-blond anime villains as well. But, to be fair, you are correct that both Berg Katse and Gel Sadra's names are based on German words. Berg Katse comes from the German "berg katze," meaning "wildcat." With Gel Sadra, Tatsunoko was trying to keep with a similar stylistic theming for her name, so they based her name off of the German words "Gier" and "Sadist," meaning "ambitious" and "cruel" (At least to the Japanese). Trying to keep a similar style between Katse and Sadra is also the likely reason why Sadra had blond hair -- to emulate Katse, not to say "Blond = Evil." Both wore purple outfits too, but that doesn't mean the Japanese think that purple is the color of evil. So, while it's a fun thought, it not one that holds up well under closer scrutiny. James

Now that you both have mentioned it, I too had that impression, especially with the Gatch F series! Egobossler's dictatorship and the classification of his "family" as being better than any race and that they only should rule had pushed these thoughts in my mind a lot of times. Maybe he wanted his skin to be blue to emphasize the fact that he was really of "blue blood", ie royal blood ran through his veins!

Hi all!

Egobossler's dictatorship and the classification of his "family" as being better than any race and that they only should rule had pushed these thoughts in my mind a lot of times.

You're misinterpretting the use of the word "family" to mean a connection by blood or genetics, which in this case it does not. The "Egobossler Family" is meant to be interpretted in the same manner as one would the a Mafia "family." They're a gang of thugs who have banded together as a group that they are calling a "family," not people who assume that they are genetically superior to other races.

Maybe he wanted his skin to be blue to emphasize the fact that he was really of "blue blood", ie royal blood ran through his veins!

More likely Tatsunoko was hoping to attract people who were fans of what was by far the most popular anime TV and movie series of the time, Space Battleship Yamato. When the first Yamato movie was released in 1977, it was to Japan what Star Wars was to American cinema during that same year (Star Wars didn't hit Japan until 197. The box office success of Yamato brought about what is known as the "Anime Boom," and is in no small part responsible for the existence of Gatchaman II as anime series and movies became a hot ticket item. Yamato followed up its movie success with a sequel movie in the August of 1978, a second TV series that started in October of 1978 (The first Yamato movie was based off of the first Yamato TV series from 1973), and a TV special in July of 1979. All of these were unqualified successes. Why is this significant to Egobossler? Because the lead villain in the first Yamato TV series/first movie was Leader Dessler, an alien leader with blue skin. The character was quite popular, and appeared in all of the subsequent Yamato films and TV series. Here's what Dessler looks like: Like Egobossler, Dessler acted very much the nobleman, and he would often be seen with a glass of alcohol. It was fairly obvious to everyone at the time that Egobossler was...well, let's be polite and just say that he was "inspired" by Dessler. So, if you really want to know why Egobossler has blue skin, look no further than the most popular anime series at the time he was being created, and the answer becomes fairly obvious. James

Originally posted by gatchamarie Now that you both have mentioned it, I too had that impression, especially with the Gatch F series! Egobossler's dictatorship and the classification of his "family" as being better than any race and that they only should rule had pushed these thoughts in my mind a lot of times.!

I don't know, I never had the feeling while watching Gatch F that Egobossler had anything against a particular nation/ethnical group. True, that he wasted entire cities in his rush for territorial conquests, but I had the feeling he regarded the victims as collateral damage. "I fought a thousand battles and I learned that in order to conquer the world I can't show any mercy " As more, he tried to induct newly conquered nations in his Gallactor syndicate. (Episode 4 - "!Parlon's citizens are at Galactor's service, now! ") He had indeed a lot of similarities with the Prussian ideal, manners, etiquete and principles.

Originally posted by gatchamarie Maybe he wanted his skin to be blue to emphasize the fact that he was really of "blue blood", ie royal blood ran through his veins!

That's an interesting pov about Egobossler, one that never crossed my mind! Kudos! Though he comes from a minor nobility class, and his blood is only half noble!

Nice this Dessler guy. Prince Lotor from Voltron was another blue-skinned villain. Looks like japanese anime makers associated unnatural complexion with evilness!

Hi all!

Prince Lotor from Voltron was another blue-skinned villain. Looks like japanese anime makers associated unnatural complexion with evilness!

Or at least with being an alien. By the way, it should be noted that, when Go Lion/Lion Force Voltron was being created in early 1981, the third Yamato TV series was currently airing, and the third successful Yamato movie had been released in August of 1980, so the influence of Yamato on other anime series was still riding high. James

Originally posted by gatchamarie Now that you both have mentioned it, I too had that impression, especially with the Gatch F series! Egobossler's dictatorship and the classification of his "family" as being better than any race and that they only should rule had pushed these thoughts in my mind a lot of times. Maybe he wanted his skin to be blue to emphasize the fact that he was really of "blue blood", ie royal blood ran through his veins!

He did take 'blue blooded royal' to an extreme! I love writing his character more than the other villians because he's not a creation of Z's. He's there out of his own ambition and want for more power, and has more respect amongst his men than any of the others did.

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Here's what Dessler looks like:

Thank you, James! I didn't know about this Dessler character, but Egobossler's resemblance to him is, I agree, very apparent!

Originally posted by tatsunokofan

Egobossler's dictatorship and the classification of his "family" as being better than any race and that they only should rule had pushed these thoughts in my mind a lot of times.

You're misinterpretting the use of the word "family" to mean a connection by blood or genetics, which in this case it does not. The "Egobossler Family" is meant to be interpretted in the same manner as one would the a Mafia "family."

That's why I wrote the word "family" in between inverted commas as I did not refer to any specific blood connection but just to a group of people who considered themselves as part of a big family!

More likely Tatsunoko was hoping to attract people who were fans of what was by far the most popular anime TV and movie series of the time, Space Battleship Yamato. Why is this significant to Egobossler? Because the lead villain in the first Yamato TV series/first movie was Leader Dessler, an alien leader with blue skin. The character was quite popular, and appeared in all of the subsequent Yamato films and TV series. Like Egobossler, Dessler acted very much the nobleman, and he would often be seen with a glass of alcohol. It was fairly obvious to everyone at the time that Egobossler was...well, let's be polite and just say that he was "inspired" by Dessler.

That makes a whole lot of sense! Thanks James as you brought back to me more memories from my childhood! I'm remembering Dessler now!

Originally posted by Ebonyswanne I love writing his character more than the other villians because he's not a creation of Z's. He's there out of his own ambition and want for more power, and has more respect amongst his men than any of the others did.

ITA!!!

And just to abide with our WWII connections this is an extract from www.tatsunoko.co.jp: GATCHAMAN-F 48 thirty-minute episodes. Generalissimo X has been destroyed, but the alien being is able to renew itself as Generalissimo Z for a final assault against Earth. Its new leader for Gallactor is the blue-skinned Egobosura, a would-be Hitler with a determination to destroy the Earth if he cannot conquer it. The pace in this final GATCHAMAN series becomes frantic as Gallactor hammers the Earth with increasingly devastating attacks, and the Gatchaman Fighters must resort to near-suicidal risks to nullify them. ... where I highlight the "would-be Hitler" part!

Originally posted by gatchamarie And just to abide with our WWII connections this is an extract from www.tatsunoko.co.jp: GATCHAMAN-F 48 thirty-minute episodes. Generalissimo X has been destroyed, but the alien being is able to renew itself as Generalissimo Z for a final assault against Earth. Its new leader for Gallactor is the blue-skinned Egobosura, a would-be Hitler with a determination to destroy the Earth if he cannot conquer it. The pace in this final GATCHAMAN series becomes frantic as Gallactor hammers the Earth with increasingly devastating attacks, and the Gatchaman Fighters must resort to near-suicidal risks to nullify them. ... where I highlight the "would-be Hitler" part!

Yup, just finished seeing episode 3. One similarity between Ego and Hitler consisted in his quick attacks that devasted whatever ressitance they have met and took over the country. Very much like Hitler's blitzkriegs.

Hi all!

Very much like Hitler's blitzkriegs.

Indeed! Honestly, if you watch the first 15 episodes of Gatchaman Fighter, those stories come across very much as if Tatsunoko was trying to redo the European Campaign in WWII, right down to having Egobossler's troops first spread across Irope and then move into North Agrica, at which point the tide finally turns and the U.N. forces begin to push his forces back. By playing this more or less like a real war, it gave the series a different attitude in its storytelling, but I suspect that it backfired. Fans of the original series and new fans who had watched Gatchaman II were likely put off by the change in direction, which is probably why the series wrapped up the WWII-inspired stories quickly over episode #'s 14 and 15, returning things to a more traditional Gatchaman series pattern in the episodes that immediately followed. James

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Hi all!

If we assume that in Japanese thinking, decades ago, "germanic-looking" equaled "evil"

And if we forget that Germany and Japan were allies...

Heh, true. Granted, the United States and the Soviet Union were allies, and didn't exactly hold favorable opinions of each other in the decades following. I guess my idea of "germanic=evil" is also comes from watching Neon Genesis Evangelion, where the character Asuka is such an arrogant, obnoxious brat and it's specified that she's German -easily a complete coincidence though. I think that Fullmetal Alchemist's "Shambala" movie too, also got me thinking along these lines, as the villains are the "Thule Society" from 1920s Germany.

Hi all, Of course, Asuka had red hair, not blond, so she doesn't fit in well with your initial proposal that the Japanese viewed blond (Or white) hair, or "Germanic-looking" (By which I assume you mean the Aryan ideal of blond hair and blue eyes) as something associated with evil people. James