Messenger of Allah (TV series)

Messenger of Allah, known in Japan as Allah no Shisha, is a Japanese tokusatsu superhero TV series produced by Toei Company starring a young Sonny Chiba, at the time known as Shin'ichi Chiba. It was created by writer Yasunori Kawauchi, who was also responsible for creating Moonlight Mask and Seven Color Mask. The series ran from July 7, 1960 to December 27, 1960 on NET (now TV Asahi) for a total of 26 episodes.

Development

After New Seven Color Mask ended its run, Shin'ichi Chiba continued on to star in Yasunori Kawauchi's swashbuckler adventure Messenger of Allah. The series was inspired by creator Kawauchi's conversion to Islam in 1959.

The title character was the basis for Warrior of Love Rainbowman, which Kawauchi also created and wrote for, and also aired on NET. The film for the first episode is all that exists, which can be found on the Toei Tokusatsu BB website. Messenger of Allah was sponsored by the Kabaya Foods Corporation. The Kabayan Kingdom, His Imperial Highness Coconut and Mammy were named after the sponsor's products "Kabaya Caramel Coconut" and the "Mammy" brand bisquits from Morinaga & Company.

Story

The setting takes place in the fictional Kabayan Kingdom (カバヤン王国, Kabayan Ōkoku) in the Middle East. His Imperial Highness Coconut, the heir to the throne, and his sister Mammy are searching for hidden treasure, guided by a map. When Coconut and Mammy are attacked by the Crimson Lizard Gang (紅蜥蜴団, Kurenai Tokage-dan), the white turban-wearing ally of justice, known as the "Messenger of Allah", appears. The Messenger of Allah's secret identity is Goro Narumi, a private investigator.

Cast

• Shin'ichi Chiba: Goro Narumi/Messenger of Allah (鳴海五郎 (なるみ ごろう)/アラーの使者, Narumi Goro/Arā no Shisha)
• Kaneko Akio: His Imperial Highness Coconut (ココナツ殿下, Kokonatsu Denka), successor of the Kabayan Kingdom.
• Yumi Ichijo: Mammy (マミイ, Mamii), Coconut's sister.
• Hitoshi Ohmae: Dr. Ijuin (伊集院博士, Ijuin Hakase)
• Junorio Kozuka: Dr. Ueda (上田博士, Ueda Hakase)
• Arima Shinji: Dr. Yamamura (山村博士, Yamamura Hakase)
• Etsuko Sakurai: Chikako Ueda (上田睦子, Ueda Chikako)
• Koji Matsuyama: Tamaran (タマラン, Tamaran)

Episode list

Staff

Theme song

Opening: "Messenger of Allah" (アラーの使者, Arā no Shisha)

• Lyrics: Yasunori Kawauchi
• Composer: George M. Reed
• Song: Toshiba Children's Chorus

Ending: "Te no Hira ni Nani wa Naku Tomo" (手のひらに何はなくとも)

• Lyrics: Yasunori Kawauchi
• Composer: George M. Reed
• Song: Yuji Mine

Manga

The manga version by Ippei Kuri was serialized in Bōken Ō magazine, and the tankōbon was published in 2010.

Notes

Bibliography

• Takeshobo/Ion-Hen, ed. (1995-11-30). 超人画報 国産架空ヒーロー40年の歩み (Chōjin Gahō Kokusan Kakū Hīrō 40-nen no Ayumi). Takeshobo. ISBN 4-88475-874-9. C0076.

References