Hi all! Since no one else has mentioned it yet, I figure it should be noted that today marks the 37th anniversary of the day Gatchaman premiered on Japanese TV. In celebration, here's a few images to show you the early development of the series and how it progressed from an early sketch to what we're familiar with today -- all done with the perspective of a single pose: It should also be remembered that this is the 31st anniversary of the premiere of Gatchaman II, and the 15th anniversary of the release of the first volume of the OAVs. So, all in all, this is a fairly important date in the history of Gatchaman! James

Thank you James for noting such an important date. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Gatchaman!!!!

Happy anniversary, Gatchaman! It's hard to believe that it was all being created back when I was an oblivious two-year old, even though I know it's that old. Some things, I think, just transcend their age to become timeless, and I feel that Gatchaman is one of these things. Interesting sketches, James! I'm guessing they're all meant to be Ken, but I see that in the first ones, he's carrying a gun and then in the last one, he has his birdrang (and his bracelet) -shows how their ideas progressed, it seems. I'm glad they dropped the idea of striped boots -that's a bit gaudy for my taste

Really cool to see the sketches. I agree with you Iborgia88, glad they didn't keep the striped boots. And speaking of boots, has anyone ever noticed that Ryu/Tiny's boots have a separate compartment for his toes? Happy Anniversary!

I noticed Ryu's interesting boots all the way back in BOTP. I do wonder about that. Maybe it seemed particularly 'owl' to the designers. Now, cloven boots on Berg Katse would have been really cool. Infernal majesty.

Thanks for posting this information, James. I had no idea! I guess we're all going to have to plan a big party for the 40th anniversary! I love those stripes on Ken's boots!

James, Thanks for sharing and for letting us know how important today is!

And speaking of boots, has anyone ever noticed that Ryu/Tiny's boots have a separate compartment for his toes?

Nun, someone with more experience might correct me with this, but I believe that Ryu's boots are classic Ninja-style boots. The question would be why did he get those? Could it be because of his girth, he didn't always jump/fly as well as the others and needed to climb more and those are designed to aid in climbing?

Amethyst, I didn't know that about ninja-style boots. But I googled it and look what was for sale on amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Ninja-High-Top-Tabi-Boot/dp/B0000C4JXX

And here I thought it was because he was supposed to have 'split toes', to look more like an Owl...

Those are some AWESOME sketches James, thanks for sharing, and congrats to Gatchaman.

Nuni, I'd always thought the toes of Ryu's boots were supposed to look owl-like too -very interesting!

Happy Anniversary, Gatchaman! And thanks, James, for informing us!

Originally posted by gatchamarie Happy Anniversary, Gatchaman! And thanks, James, for informing us!

I agree! Thanks for the great memories Gatchaman (and to introducing me to a certain sexy Condor!)

Yep, Amethyst is right. I found out about ninja footwear having split toes way back when I was researching ninjutsu and the history of ninjas (yes, for a fic - that never gotten written. Or, more accurately, was never finished). My mind has actually gone a different direction on this and I've wondered why Ryu was the only one to get the split-toe boot, if that was part of the ninja's outfit. Yes, I know, I think wayyyy too much about this stuff!