Guyver...
Many years ago, I picked up the VHS version of Guyver...
Guyver is a classic monster-of-the-week series with lots of action. There's no gore to speak of and no naughty bits. The production, which was already on shaky ground, took a turn for the worse after episode 6 (volume 3) and I lost interest at that point.
I used to have the first four of six dubbed U.S. Renditions VHS volumes and the subtitled U.S. Renditions VHS version of Guyver: Out of Control. After U.S. Renditions went belly up, Manga acquired the Guyver series (excluding Guyver: Out of Control) and made some adjustments to the opening and ending. The passage of time has not been kind to Guyver, but, even so, Guyver is still THE standard by which all monster-of-the-week anime titles are judged. I gave Guyver a 3 out of 5. In the aftermath of the Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep Guyver in my archive.
The Guyver series was originally released by US RENDITIONS/LA HERO with two episodes per VHS tape and the original (Japanese) opening/ending credits. The MANGA release contains one episode per VHS tape and an altered soundtrack and introduction. Guyver: Out of Control follows a similar but somewhat altered story to the series... most notably a female version of Guyver 2. It also has a more graphic and mature story line.Guyver
Sho Fukamachi, a young school boy, discovers a mysterious metal object. A blinding flash, and Sho finds that he has accidentally fused with the Guyver, an alien bio-armor of unlimited power. To save the life of his girlfriend, Mizuky Segawa, Sho must battle the Chronos Corporation and their biomorphic creatures, the Zoanoids. Only the power of the Guyver can stop Chronos plan's to rule the world.
Episode One
Genesis of the Guyver
The 3 Guyver units are stolen from the enigmatic Chronos corporation in Japan. A high school student named Sho Fukamachi accidentally discovers Guyver Unit 1 and triggers the control metal. He becomes the Guyver and battles biomorphic Zoanoids controlled by Chronos.
Episode Two
The Battle of the Two Guyvers
Risker, an agent of Chronos headquarters, unwittingly joins with the Guyver Unit 2. He abducts Sho and his friend Tetsuro in an attempt to locate the other missing units. Sho summons the Guyver and the two are thrust into a deadly battle for survival!
Episode Three
Mysterious Shadow-Guyver III
Commander Guou arrives from Chronos headquarters to lead the recovery of the Guyver Units. Meanwhile, Chronos Japan creates the Zoanoid "Zerbebuth" in a final desperate attempt to eliminate the Guyver. To bait the trap for Sho, Mizuky is kidnapped and Sho once again must become the Guyver and face the challenge of Zerbebuth as well as the mysterious shadow, Guyver III.
Episode Four
Attack of the Hyper-Zoanoid Team Five
Commander Guou takes full control of Chronos Japan and deploys his Hyper-Zoanoids against Sho. Together with Tetsuro, Sho tries to expose Chronos but the media won't believe their story. In order to force out the Guyver, the Hyper-Zoanoids attack Sho's school.
Episode Five
The Death of the Guyver
Chronos Japan transforms Makishima into Enzyme, a powerful Zoanoid created to eliminate the Guyver. To force a confrontation with Sho, Commander Guou again kidnaps Mizuky and Tetsuro. They are taken to the mountains and forced to watch as Sho and Enzyme battle in a fight to the death!
Episode Six
The Fall of Chronos Japan
Tetsuro and Mizuky are held hostage at Chronos headquarters. Meanwhile, Guyver III's identity is revealed as he initiates his plan to destroy Chronos. Will Guyver regenerate in time to save Tetsuro and Mizuky?!
Episode Seven
Prelude to the Chase
Agito meets with the Chronos scientist Dr. Balcus. Later, Sho grieves about his father's death while his friends Tetsuro and Mizuky are kidnapped by Chronos. Again the trap is set to capture the Guyver!
Episode Eight
The Lost Unit's Challenge
Sho heads for Mt. Minakame in search of friends. During the journey he confronts the "Lost Unit" (a monstrous Guyver) and other villainous Zoanoids.
Episode Nine
The Tragedy of Enzyme II
Sho discovers that his father is alive and attempts a daring rescue to save him and Mizuky. Balcus, knowing what Sho will do has set a trap to capture the Guyver.
Episode Ten
Haunted Takeshiro Village
The tragic clash with Enzyme II has affected Sho's ability to transform into the Guyver. When everyone tries to escape Mount Minikami by going through Takeshiro village, they fall into Balcus' ambush.
Episode Eleven
Transforming Beastmaster
Murakami reveals the origin and purpose of the Guyvers and Zoanoids. To rescue Guyver III from several Enzyme II creatures, Murakami must expose his most guarded secret.
Episode Twelve
Aptom's Attack
Sho must transform into the Guyver to save Mizuky from Aptom. However, his inability to bio-boost may cost them their lives.
Guyver: Out of Control
After touching a mysterious metal object, Sho Fukamachi discovers that he has accidentally fused with the Guyver, an alien bio-armor of unlimited power. Now he needs to save his girlfriend from the Chronos corporation and their biomorphic creatures, the Zoanoids.
Guyver is a classic monster-of-the-week series with lots of action. There's no gore to speak of and no naughty bits. The production, which was already on shaky ground, took a turn for the worse after episode 6 (volume 3) and I lost interest at that point.
I used to have the first four of six dubbed U.S. Renditions VHS volumes and the subtitled U.S. Renditions VHS version of Guyver: Out of Control. After U.S. Renditions went belly up, Manga acquired the Guyver series (excluding Guyver: Out of Control) and made some adjustments to the opening and ending. The passage of time has not been kind to Guyver, but, even so, Guyver is still THE standard by which all monster-of-the-week anime titles are judged. I gave Guyver a 3 out of 5. In the aftermath of the Ultimate Otaku Fall Cleanup, I decided not to keep Guyver in my archive.
