As stated by the Gatchaman Crowds crew, they have unveiled the design of the G-Suits for first 3 main characters (Hajime Ichinose, Sugane Tachibana, & Joe Hibiki, respectively). http://mantan-web.jp/2013/07/07/20130707dog00m200023000c.html I must say I'm baffled by the intricate designs they thought up, considering this is a Gatchaman spinoff. At least, that's my opinion. Still no signs of the opening video anywhere on the Net yet...

It seems to me they've just repackaged what's popular at the moment and are trying to sell it as Gatchaman. I suspect that, if this is shown without opening credits, nobody would be able to discern it from the dozens of other anime shows that will probably be forgotten in five years.

Originally posted by FangJoker As stated by the Gatchaman Crowds crew, they have unveiled the design of the G-Suits for first 3 main characters (Hajime Ichinose, Sugane Tachibana, & Joe Hibiki, respectively). http://mantan-web.jp/2013/07/07/20130707dog00m200023000c.html I must say I'm baffled by the intricate designs they thought up, considering this is a Gatchaman spinoff. At least, that's my opinion. Still no signs of the opening video anywhere on the Net yet...

That seals the deal for me, Gatchaman Crowds is pure and utter crap. When you get this far away from the source material to a point where it is unrecognizable in every way other than the familiar logo, it's destined for the garbage bin. Just watch, though...this junk will end up being some sort of huge hit!

I need to see them larger to determine my opinion. I'm not sure where they're going with it.

Some desciptions about their powers: Hajime Ichinose: -The Design Note: the power of limitless potential; Hajime is able to create ANYTHING she want as long as she can imagine it. -The actual suit is filled with stationary-styled weapons such as a scissor sword and pen missiles. Sugane Tachibana: -Infinite Reach Note: Sugane has the ability to interfere with the rules of space-time. -His suit is equiped with a molecular vibration sword; Sugane can use it in short distance and he can also use Infinite Reach in order to reach any enemy no matter how far it is. Joe Hibiki: -Fire Note: Absolute control over fire. -His suit has the ability to fly like a jet by using fire to ignite himself.

Hi all! Well, as promised, the Gatchaman Crowds G Suits were revealed at the Japan Expo, and were then promptly shared across the Japanese media. The Gatchaman Crowds website also updated, giving us some additional details regarding the suits and their abilities. Here's what they had to say, with links to images of the new G Suits: Hajime Ichinose: NOTE Ability "NOTE of the Designer" Embodying the ideas and innovative perspective of Hajime, it makes possible her hidden ability to "design for everything." Features of the Suit Various special weapons which imitate scissors and stationery are stored throughout the entire body. Sugane Tachibana: NOTE Ability "NOTE of Infinite Distance" A NOTE with the ability to interfere with space-time, and is strongest when used in combination with Iaijutsu. Features of the Suit An armored warrior and ninja, its shape is like combining a phantom beast with scales. When the enemy is nearby, he can use the molecular vibration sword "Tuning Fork Sword - Hurricane," a hidden weapon. When the enemy is at a distance, he can unleash the deadly sword of the infinite distance "Infinite Sword - Storm." Joe Hibiki: NOTE Ability "NOTE of Exploding Flames" Allows flames to be freely manipulated. Features of the Suit With flames always spouting from the top of his head, steam will occasionally spread from his body for cooling. Possessing flaming feather shuriken and balls of fire from both arms, he attacks with fire during a battle. Also, by shooting flames out of his hands and feet, he can fly in the sky. Japan Expo attendees were also treated to an advance look at the Gatchaman Crowds opening credits. While the credits themselves haven't appeared online yet, four images from it has shown up, showing Hajime, Sugane, and Joe in their G Suits, and a shot of all the heroes together. Take a look! And, lastly, the artwork for the special edition of the CD single with the Gatchaman Crowds opening theme song has also been released. Here's what it looks like: James

What...a...travesty!!!

What does the little alien do besides look ridiculous? I like Sugane's uniform. Joe's looks a little too much like a comic book villain.

Originally posted by FangJoker I must say I'm baffled by the intricate designs they thought up, considering this is a Gatchaman spinoff.

Yeah, those G-suits are seriously... busy. Maybe Gel Sadra would really like them... I can only think that the creators are really trying to thwart or provide a massive challenge to any potential cosplayers! Though nearly all "modernizations" of the birdstyles that I've seen seem to end up looking a lot more like body armor than like fabric suits. An over-all trend in anime, no doubt, but perhaps also indicating a belief that no one now could believe that something like an original-series, simple birdstyle material could provide sufficient protection or damage-infliction? (Just like the apparent perception that no one could believe that the Ninjas' talents might come from talent and training -it seems to have to be explained now as "superpowers" stemming from a mystical rock.) Me, I was certainly able to just go with the idea that whatever the original Ninjas' birdstyles were made of, it could (mostly) stop bullets, flames etc. And it was a far cleaner, sleeker and aesthetically pleasing design, I think. You could really see a human body there, not just armor plating

Originally posted by Becky Rock What does the little alien do besides look ridiculous?

I think that's all it's supposed to do -cute little non-human sidekicks seem to be somewhat common in anime. The last one I watched, "Samurai Champloo," the main female character had a squirrel that spent most of its time hiding in her kimono except when called upon for comic relief duty. If the original Gatchaman were remade now, Jinpei would probably be stuck with something similar... And what is with this Utsu-tsu character who seems to wear only her underwear? Somewhat oddly, her description is "She works as a volunteer taking care of the flowers at the Tachikawa City International Greenery Garden. She does not have a very positive image of herself, and fears getting closer to others." Not my first idea of how a shy gardener would dress! http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2013-06-07/gatchaman-crowds-unveils-7-more-characters

The more I see about this, the more disinterested I become. The artwork is generic, the characters don't make sense, and the only relation to Gatchaman that I see, besides the studio, is a recreated Berg Katse and the birdhead emblem on the G-suits.

Originally posted by lborgia88 And what is with this Utsu-tsu character who seems to wear only her underwear? Somewhat oddly, her description is "She works as a volunteer taking care of the flowers at the Tachikawa City International Greenery Garden. She does not have a very positive image of herself, and fears getting closer to others." Not my first idea of how a shy gardener would dress!

The exact same thought here!!

Originally posted by amethyst The more I see about this, the more disinterested I become. The artwork is generic, the characters don't make sense, and the only relation to Gatchaman that I see, besides the studio, is a recreated Berg Katse and the birdhead emblem on the G-suits.

I'm with you, Ame! Maybe it's because I cannot find any satisfying connection with our Gatchaman, but I'm really losing all interest in this series ... in fact, I must be honest that I'm not even interested to try to watch it! If it were only a series totally not related to Gatchaman, in any way, it would also probably be one of the many modern ones which do not attract my attention due to their style!

I'm curious enough to take a look. And someone on the BOTP mailing list noted that Crunchyroll is going to start streaming it this Friday, the 12th. What I don't know is if there will be subtitles (probably not, I'm guessing) and whether one has to be a paying member of crunchyroll or if it's free to watch. Might just have to look into this... http://www.crunchyroll.com/forumtopic-811641/new-summer-simulcasts-gatchaman-crowds

Here's a clear look at the OP sequence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHFcHok39QE I, for one, will follow this and then give an assessment when the show ends...

I got to thinking more about the alien and something dawned on me. Is this confirmation the Gatchaman technology was of alien origin?

Originally posted by FangJoker Here's a clear look at the OP sequence. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHFcHok39QE I, for one, will follow this and then give an assessment when the show ends...

Well thanks for sharing the opening credits, but at this point I am NOT going to give this a chance. I don't care for one single thing I have seen thus far, and I see no reason to even bother with it. It irritates me when they do something like this, as there is nothing here that even remotely says "Gatchaman". If you are going to use the name and the franchise, then you need to make an effort to deliver on what made Gatchaman so good to start with. Making it all cutesy is not going to draw me to it at all, and all I am seeing here is cutesy. Even the mecha things in the opening look cute more than anything else. This is embarrassing and definitely a slap in the face to everything Gatchaman is about. At least the live action movie seems to have embraced delivering on what made the original so great. It could be awful too, I suppose, but the trailer doesn't look bad and I see lots of things lifted straight out of the show. This new Crowds cartoon? I see nothing here but garbage. I know I sound harsh, but I am not going to give this a chance because they aren't even trying to do Gatchaman justice. I am all for new character and new designs, but it still needs to feel like the world Gatchaman. This does not...at all. This is just embarrassing looking on every level. This is the epitome of everything I detest about anime these days.

Originally posted by amethyst and the only relation to Gatchaman that I see, besides the studio, is a recreated Berg Katse and the birdhead emblem on the G-suits.

I didn't even notice the emblem! If that doesn't say they're too busy and too much like all the other anime shows being shoved down our collective throat....

Not excited. I think the key to this is to ignore the Gatchaman name, as it really has almost nothing to do with the show.

Well, I got curious enough to sign up for a free 14-day trial membership with Crunchyroll, and saw the first episode of Gatchaman Crowds today -and it had English subtitles. I guess I'll watch next week's too. Whether I stick with Crunchyroll to watch the whole series remains to be seen... I wasn't all that impressed, but it seems interesting enough at this point to justify watching at least the next episode. Basically, the episode shows Sugane (who is serious and dutiful, and carries a sword everywhere he goes) get an alert (via a NOTE-thing that is a bit like a large cell phone) and then proceed to use his NOTE to cast an "amnesia effect" on all people nearby (so that they don't remember seeing him) before transforming into his G-Suit to battle a "MESS" villain (who initially looks like a normal person but then becomes a cluster of squares with tentacles). Jo also gets the alert, but seems disinterested and leaves it up to Sugane. Sugane defeats it, and then goes to school -where other students are overheard speculating about whether the mysterious "Gatchaman" actually exists or not. In the midst of all that, we are introduced to Hajime, who is rather irritatingly cute and hyper-perky. She is standing on the roof of her school when the super-tall alien, JJ, appears, gives her a NOTE and tells her she's one of the Gatchaman team. She is able to see Sugane just after he de-transforms after defeating the MESS and introduces herself. He seems to find her a tad annoying, and has to scold her that she's not to talk about Gatchaman as it must stay secret. But, he takes her to the "CAGE" headquarters, where she meets everyone else. Underwear-clad Utsu-tsu seems moody/half-drugged and we don't learn much of anything about her yet. Jo is aloof and unfriendly, but O.D. is very friendly and chatty. The little panda-thing, Paiman (apparently 2nd in command after JJ) is also there, and speaks in a normal enough voice rather than something cutesy -and apparently has a chip on his shoulder about not being taken seriously because of his appearance. There's some exposition about how it's their duty to protect humans and "eradicate alien criminals and unidentified objects that have infiltrated Earth" (which they call "MESS"). Another alert comes in about another MESS. Jo doesn't go, just Sugane and Hajime, who activates her G-suit for the first time as Sugane attacks the MESS (that had been disguised as a bus). Then we see that Berg Katse is watching this from the roof of a building, and seems surprised or possibly pleased to see them. FWIW, I made some screen-caps. Sugane Jo, choosing to leave the attack on the MESS at the beginning of the episode solely to Sugane. Sugane fighting the first MESS (in a shopping mall). The MESS, no longer disguised as a person. Hajime meeting JJ. The CAGE headquarters that Sugane takes Hajime to. Being introduced to everyone else. Jo doesn't want to be introduced (and he smokes -apparently so that we can all tell he's a "bad boy"? *eye roll*) Paiman and JJ. The mission against the second MESS (don't they know it's supposed to be "Bird go!"?) as Sugane transforms. And so does Hajime. Berg Katse is watching...

I had my doubts about Mamoru Miyano's voice for Katse, but after listening to the part for a couple of times (okay, more than couple) I reconsidered. Also, regarding the soundtrack - as expected of Iwasaki Taku. August can't come soon enough.

I'm not sure I would have recognized that JJ's voice is that of the same actor, Katsuji Mori, who voiced Ken in the original series if I hadn't already known, but knowing that and listening, I could kind of tell, but he speaks in a slower and more solemn way.

Well, it has been forty years. There's no helping it. I am not_very_fond of Ken (although I like writing about him) so I didn't have many expectations of JJ's voice actor, but like in the case of BK it grew on me quite quickly. A pleasant surprise indeed. (So there is Katsuji Mori as JJ and the Ayapanda being G-3. It... makes me wonder) I hope he'll say "Baaaado Go!!!" at least once. By the way, shouldn't there be a new board for G-Crowds? I know it doesn't have much to do with the classic Gatchaman (yet), but seeing how many threads are being made, I'd say one is due. (also, seeing so many threads on 4chan with 500+ replies is a delight. Some of the excerpts made me laugh pretty hard) Also, I was quite happy Utsutsu actually wears a school uniform in public.

Originally posted by Victoria Also, I was quite happy Utsutsu actually wears a school uniform in public.

Yes. I had to watch it a second time before I noticed that both she and Jo are at the escalators in the mall when Sugane starts fighting the MESS. And that JJ doesn't really give a NOTE to Hajime so much as he mystically pulls it forth from her chest. Curious to know what is meant about the MESS "absorbing" people, that Gatchaman "salvage" (and then later memory-wipe) by destroying the MESS. On Crunchyroll, it's gotten 137 votes and an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. I also noticed that the episode becomes available for "free users" on July 19. As of today, it's only available to "premium users."

Originally posted by lborgia88 And that JJ doesn't really give a NOTE to Hajime so much as he mystically pulls it forth from her chest.

It's like I'm watching Utena again. I liked the part when he wrapped her in his... uh... kimono-thing. It made me snigger. Direct downloads are now up on http://www.cyber12.com/page-Gatchaman_Crowds.html

Originally posted by Transmute Jun Not excited. I think the key to this is to ignore the Gatchaman name, as it really has almost nothing to do with the show.

That is exactly the way I see it too TJ. I am not seeing it as a connection to Gatchaman at all. Only as another anime that may be interesting to look into watching.

LB, thank you for capturing the screen images for us and giving a write up of the first episode.

If you look at the CAGE still, you can see the Gatch symbol on the floor.

Thanks, LB. I'm still not sure about it. I think it's partly because I don't care for that style on anime, either. I like the people to look more real.

Originally posted by Becky Rock Thanks, LB. I'm still not sure about it. I think it's partly because I don't care for that style on anime, either. I like the people to look more real.

I agree! It is one of the things that drew me to BotP in the first place, you can see an attempt at reality in the animation. Modern Anime (and cartoons in general) have lost that and it is a big turn off for me.

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter If you look at the CAGE still, you can see the Gatch symbol on the floor.

I mean no disrespect, but slapping a Gatchaman symbol here or there doesn't magically make it Gatchaman in any shape, form, or fashion. I mean, Halle Berry wore a cat-suit and sported whip, but she was in no way Catwoman at all regardless of what the title of the film was.

So, what do we have? A cynical civil servant. A gardener in a bikini A Yamabushi in a stripy scarf A Schoolgirl with a stationary fetish A small cute thing with attitude problems... ...Somewhere, in a Reality very close by, these are all normal characters. (I have just got back from Cornwall, and trust me, they probably live there.)

Well, I have managed to download the thing. (something that involves me pushing random buttons.) I kind of like it, wacky as it is, and Ill watch the next ep. And aside from the theme tune, the musics nice I always aspired to own a Filofax too...Now I have one, Im not so smitten. What is wrong with wrist mobiles?

Originally posted by Tengu And aside from the theme tune, the musics nice

As expected of Taku Iwasaki. He's the best. Is it just me or is the first scene in which Katse v2.0 appeared kind of simmilar to the last scene with Katse v1.0? (also, Hajime's scissors are awesome. I wish I had scissors like that)

Originally posted by TheSolarSailor

Originally posted by UnpublishedWriter If you look at the CAGE still, you can see the Gatch symbol on the floor.

I mean no disrespect, but slapping a Gatchaman symbol here or there doesn't magically make it Gatchaman in any shape, form, or fashion. I mean, Halle Berry wore a cat-suit and sported whip, but she was in no way Catwoman at all regardless of what the title of the film was.

Just pointing out that the creators of the show plainly intend some relationship to the original.