Hi all! At 6:00pm on October 1, 1972, the first episode of Gatchaman premiered on the Fuji TV network. That makes today Gatchaman's birthday! So, it's time to celebrate! Viewers watching that evening were first introduced to the series by the opening credits to the show. In honor of that, let's take a look at how those credits were first conceived, through a series of storyboards that acted as the road map for what they wanted to achieve. And if you want to remind yourself how it all turned out when animated, you can see that opening here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sxKcF4VE9s So blow out the candles, have some cake, sit back, and enjoy the birthday! James

It's fascinating to see the progression from the initial idea to the full realization. Thanks, James! (Though, to be honest, I'm more inclined at this time to grab some sake and drink a few birthday toasts!)

Originally posted by tatsunokofan Hi all! At 6:00pm on October 1, 1972, the first episode of Gatchaman premiered on the Fuji TV network. That makes today Gatchaman's birthday! So, it's time to celebrate! Viewers watching that evening were first introduced to the series by the opening credits to the show. In honor of that, let's take a look at how those credits were first conceived, through a series of storyboards that acted as the road map for what they wanted to achieve. So blow out the candles, have some cake, sit back, and enjoy the birthday! James

Hello James, Happy birthday, indeed! I spent the day involved in various Battle and Gatchaman pursuits and just finished watching "Gatchaman Vs. Turtle King" for about the thousandth time. Not that I'm complaining, mind you! It's a well put together and exciting first episode. Thanks for posting the storyboard set for the opening, I've always liked some of the extra flourish on the "ga" in the logo. I'm glad they didn't use that exact one, but keeping the bird head on the left would have been nice. The Other Jason www.battleoftheplanets.info

Happy Birthday Gatchaman! I love seeing behind the scenes stuff like that, thanks James!

Happy birthday, Gatchaman! Loved seeing the storyboard! Like Jason, I liked the bird head in the lettering!

Hola James! What a treasure! I also have storyboards but from other series and they are just amazing! It's like touching the creators thoughts at the moment of creating one of our most beloved series! Happy Birthday Gatchaman! Wow! It's funny, 44 years for Gatchaman and exactly 40 years for Candy Candy, this is indeed a time to celebrate! Thanks for sharing

Those are great sketches. Thanks for sharing with us, James!

Sorry I'm a bit late for the party, but happy Birthday On an not unrelated topic, this came up on my Facebook newsfeed, and I thought it would be good to share...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI0l4mFkWxM