Hello everyone, As I have been taught: " The only stupid question is the one you don't ask." I do believe that I'm on the right website to clear up some basic questions about Gatchaman. 1. Am I wrong in thinking that the only way to watch Gatchaman is in the original Japaneese with subtitles? 2. Did Dr. Nambu rescue Jo from the beach after his parents are killed? 3. Did Dr. Nambu raise Jo, as his son, after rescueing him? 4. If 2 and 3 are both true, why was it Ken and not Jo having a meltdown when Nambu is killed near the end of Gatch F? 5. I know that Jo is cyberdized to save his life, between Gatch 1 and Gatch 2. Has Ken had any work done to him? 6. How did Ryu get found for the team? 7. Not to ruffle any feathers, pun totally intended, but why do I keep finding references to and hints about Ken possibly being gay and Jo and Ryu being bi? Remember I don't ask to upset anyone. It is just that I have seen it way too much to be just a fluke. Ok. I'm done. I promise. Any info would help.

Originally posted by Dragonsbain Hello everyone, As I have been taught: " The only stupid question is the one you don't ask." I do believe that I'm on the right website to clear up some basic questions about Gatchaman. 1. Am I wrong in thinking that the only way to watch Gatchaman is in the original Japaneese with subtitles?

ADV put out a translation in English. You can find it if you look.

2. Did Dr. Nambu rescue Jo from the beach after his parents are killed? 3. Did Dr. Nambu raise Jo, as his son, after rescueing him?

That's what Duel on Galactor Island pretty much said.

4. If 2 and 3 are both true, why was it Ken and not Jo having a meltdown when Nambu is killed near the end of Gatch F?

All new production team. They probably forgot.

5. I know that Jo is cyberdized to save his life, between Gatch 1 and Gatch 2. Has Ken had any work done to him?

Doesn't seem to have.

6. How did Ryu get found for the team?

Never revealed.

7. Not to ruffle any feathers, pun totally intended, but why do I keep finding references to and hints about Ken possibly being gay and Jo and Ryu being bi? Remember I don't ask to upset anyone. It is just that I have seen it way too much to be just a fluke.

That's fanfic. Pure fanon. And I've never seen Ryu shown as anything save hetero.

Ok. I'm done. I promise. Any info would help.

Originally posted by Dragonsbain Hello everyone, As I have been taught: " The only stupid question is the one you don't ask." I do believe that I'm on the right website to clear up some basic questions about Gatchaman. 1. Am I wrong in thinking that the only way to watch Gatchaman is in the original Japaneese with subtitles?

That is personal preference. Early episodes are a purer, though debatable translation. Later episodes the translation is still true, but less pure; more liberties are taken with dialogue as well as homage paid to previous English interpretations (BotP, GoS, but more BotP)

2. Did Dr. Nambu rescue Jo from the beach after his parents are killed?

Yes

3. Did Dr. Nambu raise Jo, as his son, after rescueing him?

I think this is open to interpretation. But yes, he was essentially his guardian from that time forth as we know of no one else.

4. If 2 and 3 are both true, why was it Ken and not Jo having a meltdown when Nambu is killed near the end of Gatch F?

Not sure, I haven't seen this series.

5. I know that Jo is cyberdized to save his life, between Gatch 1 and Gatch 2. Has Ken had any work done to him?

No

6. How did Ryu get found for the team?

I don't know, it is never explained

7. Not to ruffle any feathers, pun totally intended, but why do I keep finding references to and hints about Ken possibly being gay and Jo and Ryu being bi? Remember I don't ask to upset anyone. It is just that I have seen it way too much to be just a fluke.

In canon, there is no clear evidence of sexual orientation. In fanon, it is personal preference.

Ok. I'm done. I promise. Any info would help.

No worries, these get asked a lot, and get answered a lot. And don't say you're done. A lot of questions lead to interesting discussions.

Thanks a lot Unpublished Writer and amethyst. I will look for the ADV version of Gatchaman.

Interesting questions! 1. Entirely a matter of personal preference, I think. Me, I watch it both ways, subs and dub. I like the original Japanese actors' voices (especially for Joe) and the subs' more accurate translations, but if I'm not wanting to be looking at the bottom of the screen continuously (I'm often too lazy to read...), or if I'm going to be making screen caps, then I'll use the dubbed version. 2. Yup. It's described by the mayor of BC Island, when he's talking to Katse, in episode 81. Though it's more a case of Dr. Nambu arriving on the scene, taking young George/Joe to a hospital, where he "dies" a week later. Not surprisingly, Dr. Nambu had seen to all the burial arrangements too, and when they dig up the coffin in episode 81, it's empty. 3. As far as it's known, Dr. Nambu does take Joe back to Utoland and Joe lives with him, at least until he's older and then he has his trailer that he lives in. It's even possible that Joe was the first of the ninjas to live with Dr. Nambu. Ken's father "dies" when Ken is four, but Ken's mother is alive until he's eleven. I don't think it's ever stated exactly when Ken began living with Dr. Nambu -it could have been when he was four (especially if his mother was in poor health) but it might not have been until he was eleven. 4. Ken rather does... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJb77pwHS9I&feature=related If they don't all go completely to pieces, I'd guess that's because they take their Science Ninja Team duties very seriously, and as soldiers, know they have to keep it together and go on fighting. And they've both suffered losses of parents, and therefore have some experience dealing with grief of that nature -that might help them somewhat. 5. He has some medical procedures done to him in Gatch F, to combat the hypershoot sickness he's experiencing, but nothing to do with cybernetics or artificial enhancements of any kind. 6. No canon info for that, really. I'd have to dig through old threads, but I want to think there's some at least semi-canon origin story for Ryu, whether from production notes or something said by someone in Tatsunoko, that Dr. Nambu has to go out on a boat for some reason, and it so happens that a younger Ryu is on that boat, and there's an accident, or a storm -something goes wrong- and Dr. Nambu is impressed by Ryu and invites him to come to Utoland with him. Is this ringing any bells for anyone, or did I just dream this up somehow?? 7. Well, "slash fics" are popular in lots of fandoms. Me, I don't think they're gay or bi, and there's nothing in canon that says they are, but then a lot of the fun in fics is reinterpreting or tweaking canon and everyone's got their own ideas as to how to do that...

Originally posted by amethyst

2. Did Dr. Nambu rescue Jo from the beach after his parents are killed?

Yes

I am trying to remember, does the series actually SHOW Nambu rescuing Joe? Or is it a set of legs and it is 'suggested' that it is Nambu. I will have to go back and watch. What I am thinking is it could have been someone else who rescued Joe and then gave him to Nambu. Which would explain why I have seen several stories where RI rescued Joe.

Originally posted by lborgia88 6. No canon info for that, really. I'd have to dig through old threads, but I want to think there's some at least semi-canon origin story for Ryu, whether from production notes or something said by someone in Tatsunoko, that Dr. Nambu has to go out on a boat for some reason, and it so happens that a younger Ryu is on that boat, and there's an accident, or a storm -something goes wrong- and Dr. Nambu is impressed by Ryu and invites him to come to Utoland with him. Is this ringing any bells for anyone, or did I just dream this up somehow??

I have read a story to that affect LB. I would have to look it up to see who wrote it though. This is one I read by Diinzumo called Migration. I think there maybe another one as well but I can not remember it at the moment. It will come as soon as I press reply, probably.

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Oops, double post

For Ken gettiing upset when Dr. Nambu was killed... remember that Dr. Nambu raised Ken from age 4 (when Red Impulse ran off and abandoned his son). Also, Ken was very emotional with the Hypershoot illness (got into rages easily, became defiant, etc.) so it's reasonable to understand that he was overly emotional when Dr. Nambu was killed.

That's exactly what I was going to say, TJ, regarding Ken being the one who was the most emotional when Nambu died! By that time he was at his extremes, both physically and mentally, and losing Dr Nambu was like losing a father for a second time! Moreover, Dr Nambu did everything to try to save Ken's life ... he had even risked his life in an earlier episode in order to find Ken a cure, so Ken couldn't accept the fact that he hadn't been able to save Dr. Nambu's in return! As to the other questions, Dragonsbain, I couldn't answer better than the others have already done!

It's often noted that Joe is a rock whenever Ken is losing it (and vice versa), whatever he might be feeling inside. It sure does seem that that was the case in a lot of Gatch F, especially when Ken started to become ill!

Quite like so, LB! In Gatch F the Eagle's and the Condor's characters interchanged between themselves! Like you said, Ken was losing it a lot and Joe was always ready to take whatever action was necessary according to the circumstances! And, he so thoughtfully did so without taking any advantage and always in the capacity of his second-in-command rank, showing full respect for his Commander!

Much love to all. I haven't watched all of Gatch F. I will study more. Actually I haven't watched all of the episodes of any of the series. I've ordered the ADV DVDs. Vols1,3,4 and 9. That is all I could do for now. Thanks everyone!

Okay, I've figured out where I'd gotten the "semi-canon" notion in my head that Ryu first met Dr. Nambu in some kind of boating accident... It's from Diinzumo's site:

I can't remember if I properly welcomed you, Dragonsbain! Welcome to the site! Those are some great questions, and don't worry about asking more...keep 'em coming! There's a wealth of Gatch information around here...and if we don't know the answer, we can probably find it out!

Iborgia88:Thanks for the info on Ryu. Springie: Thanks for the welcome. I just looked at all the bunny pics on the Easter thread. Too cute and funny. Those are great pictures.

Hello all, The episode of the week thread is just totally amazing. I can see it was truly a labor of love to put it together. Especially the puppy episode.

You can thank LB for that one! She and I had a great time putting those together! And it certainly was a 'labor of love', on both of our parts! I'm glad you are enjoying them!

LB, I meant to thank you for that background on Ryu. I remember reading the story, but I don't think I remember her site. Will have to go and look when I get a chance.

Originally posted by Dragonsbain I can see it was truly a labor of love to put it together.

Thanks! It took us about a year and a half to do. As a result, I'm very familiar with all the even-numbered Gatch episodes and, thanks to Saturn, have an extensive collection of screen caps.

Originally posted by amethyst I remember reading the story, but I don't think I remember her site. Will have to go and look when I get a chance.

Diinzumo's "Home of the White Shadow" has been down since early March, but apparently it's being moved and will be up again at some point, hosted by Julieann. It can still be found with the "wayback machine" though. http://replay.web.archive.org/20090428011712/http://www.chronicsite.com/gatchaman/characters.html