Voicelugger

Voicelugger (ボイスラッガー) is a Japanese tokusatsu that aired from January 12 to March 30, 1999. It was the last production by Shotaro Ishinomori, released posthumously, who intended for the series to be serious, while it was originally written to be a parody of older tokusatsu programs. The acting cast consisted of Japanese voice actors and popular singers of music in Japanese animation.

Story
The evil Emperor Genbah of the Muon Empire (ムーオン帝国の帝王ゲンバー) of the planet Tsedua (ツェドゥア) seeks to use the Voistones (ボイストーン) of four children to control Demon Beast Hades (悪魔獣ハーデス), but his plans are foiled by Voicelugger Gold who takes the children to Earth. Years later, the now grown up children use the power of the Voistones to fight the Muon Empire and protect the Earth.

The Voiceluggers

 * Voicelugger Ruby/Akiko Homura (ボイスラッガールビー/帆村 明子): A fan of tokusatsu series of the 1970s, particularly Kamen Rider. She is the first to remember the events on Tsedua.
 * Voicelugger Rose/Haruka Yuuki (ボイスラッガーローズ/夕樹 遙): She had been living in Los Angeles. She does not remember much about Tsedua, but her memory is slowly returning.
 * Voicelugger Emerald/Tomokazu Daichi (ボイスラッガーエメラルド/大地 友一): A popular voice actor. He has memories of Tsedua and had been training his voice since his youth so it could be used as a weapon. He trains the other Voiceluggers to do the same.
 * Voicelugger Sapphire/Takeshi Tenma (ボイスラッガーサファイア/天馬 武): A self-proclaimed "idol voice actor" who becomes the most powerful of the four children. He is adept at playing musical instruments.
 * Voicelugger Gold (ボイスラッガーゴールド): The savior of the other four Voiceluggers who can transform his voice to suit his needs.

Allies

 * Android Pi (アンドロイド・π): An assassin sent by Genbah that Akiko turns into a friend with her voice.
 * Mu (μ): An android that also befriends the Voiceluggers.
 * Chaos (カオス): The former Voicelugger Gold.

Muon Empire

 * Emperor Genbah (帝王ゲンバー): The ruler of the Muon Empire who seeks to use the Voiceluggers to resurrect Hades.
 * General Gamma (将軍γ): Once head of the Muon Empire forces.
 * Eyelash Line (アイラシュライン): Female leader of the Muon Empire's forces.

Episodes

 * 1) I am a Hero (あたしがヒーロー) (Original Airdate: January 12, 1999)
 * 2) Rose-Colored Eyes Awaken (薔薇よ目を覚ませ) (Original Airdate: January 19, 1999)
 * 3) The Fate of One (運命がひとつになるとき) (Original Airdate: January 26, 1999)
 * 4) Android Pi's Lullaby (アンドロイド・パイの子守歌) (Original Airdate: February 2, 1999)
 * 5) Charming Yet Malicious: Her Name is Eyelash Line (艶やかな悪意・その名はアイラシュライン) (Original Airdate: February 9, 1999)
 * 6) Lovely Zaglaus (愛ゆえに・ザガラウス) (Original Airdate: February 16, 1999)
 * 7) Dangerous Superhero! Roar Great Search Line (危うしスーパーヒーロー!吠える大捜査線) (Original Airdate: February 23, 1999)
 * 8) Change of Heart (変心) (Original Airdate: March 2, 1999)
 * 9) Diaspora (四散) (Original Airdate: March 9, 1999)
 * 10) Shouting and Whispering (叫びとささやき) (Original Airdate: March 16, 1999)
 * 11) The Redemption Song is Not Singing (Redemption Songは歌えない) (Original Airdate: March 23, 1999)
 * 12) Smiling Face in Rain, Clear Weather in a Smiling Face (雨のち笑顔 笑顔のち晴れ) (Original Airdate: March 30, 1999)

Cast

 * Voicelugger Ruby/Akiko Homura - Akiko Nakagawa (中川 亜紀子)
 * Voicelugger Rose/Haruka Yuuki - Haruna Ikezawa (池澤 春菜)
 * Voicelugger Emerald/Tomokaze Daichi - Tomokazu Seki (関 智一)
 * Voicelugger Sapphire/Takeshi Tenma - Takeshi Kusao (草尾 毅)
 * Voicelugger Gold - Ichirou Mizuki (水木 一郎)
 * General Gamma - Akira Kamiya (神谷 明)
 * Eyelash Line - Michie Tomizawa (富沢 美智恵)
 * Chaos - Shin-ichiro Miki (三木 眞一郎)
 * Mu (Voice) - Satomi Kōrogi (こおろぎ さとみ)
 * Android Pi (Voice) - Masami Suzuki (鈴木 真仁)
 * Emperor Genbah (Voice) - Shōzō Iizuka (飯塚 昭三)

Guest cast

 * Captain Squad - Hiroshi Watari
 * Squad Member - Keiya Asakura
 * Squad Member - Keiichi Wada
 * Squad Member - Ei Hamura
 * Squad Member - Hiroshi Tsuchida
 * Squad Member - Shu Kawai
 * Squad Member - Daisuke Tsuchiya

Stunt Crew

 * Voicelugger Ruby - Tomohiko Akiyama (秋山 智彦)
 * Voicelugger Rose - Yumiko Murata (村田 裕美子)
 * Voicelugger Emerald - Kiyoshi Hayashi (林 潔)
 * Voicelugger Sapphire - Toru Kadowaki (門脇 亨)
 * Voicelugger Gold - Toshiyuki Kikuchi (菊地 寿幸)

Songs

 * Opening theme: "Hoero! Voicelugger" (ほえろ!ボイスラッガー) by Ichirou Mizuki
 * Released on a single with "Voicelugger Action" (ボイスラッガー・アクション)


 * Ending theme: "Ame nochi Egao, Egao nochi Hare" (アメノチエガオエガオノチハレ) by Hironobu Kageyama with Apple Pie
 * Released on a single with "Change! Voicelugger" (チェンジ!ボイスラッガー)