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Thursday, January 29, 2009

Kochikame Anime




Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen Mae Hashutsujo (こちら葛飾区亀有公園前派出所?), nicknamed Kochikame (こち亀?), is a manga by Osamu Akimoto, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump, which was adapted into an anime series, produced by Studio Gallop, which was broadcast across Japan by the anime satellite television network Animax, and Fuji Television. The title literally translates to This Is the Police Station in Front of Kameari Park in Katsushika Ward. In continuous publication since 1976 with over 1400 chapters, Kochikame is the longest-running manga series in history (Golgo 13 and Doraemon have been around longer, but neither has been in continuous publication). As of volume 158 the series has sold over 135 million copies[1]

Kochikame takes place in the present day, in and around a neighborhood police station (kōban) in the downtown part of Tokyo, and revolves around the misadventures of a middle-aged cop, Kankichi Ryotsu (Ryo-san).

The typical Kochikame plot involves Ryo-san coming up with a money-making scheme by inventing a new gadget or capitalizing on a fad, achieving great success, calling on Nakagawa's help as things turn sour, and finally losing it all as the fad runs out of steam or out of control. While the plots are gag-driven, much of the humor comes from the combination of mundane characters with the bizarrely out of place characters as Nakagawa who has wealth and Maria who has appeal. What they have in common is that everyone's lack of actual police work, most of which is never explained or rationalized in the slightest. **( it is explained in jump that ryo san is one of the best officers in catching criminals) Reiko and Nakagawa have special licences from police headquarters because of there skills in linguistics

Kochikame has a broad audience, ranging from adolescent boys to middle-aged salarymen. Much like Homer Simpson, Ryo-san's antics appeal to children who can laugh at an old buffoon and to men fearing that they are becoming old buffoons themselves. The stories are generally innocent in content, and what little violence appears is comical, while the occasional risqué subjects are included strictly for laughs rather than to titillate. In another parallel to The Simpsons, Kochikame's immense popularity has led to guest appearances in the strip by Japanese celebrities such as Tetsuya Komuro.

For creator Osamu Akimoto, Kochikame is an ongoing homage to the working-class people and districts of old Tokyo, and most episodes open with an elaborate full-page illustration of a Shitamachi (down-town) street scene, typically with old wooden buildings and boys playing in the streets.

Tankōbon

Main article: List of Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Kōen-mae Hashutsujo Tankōbon

Characters

The Police Box

Kankichi Ryotsu (両津 勘吉 Ryōtsu Kankichi?)

Born March 3. The Head Patrol Officer of Katsushika, stationed at the police box in front of Kameari Park. Hails from Asakusa, Taitō, Tokyo. "Ryo-san" is a thirty-six year old police officer with the personality of a twelve-year old. His laziness when it comes to work is matched only by his zeal and cleverness in hatching money-making schemes, the fruits of which are invariably squandered on toys, gadgets, and cheap entertainment. He is the stereotypical street-smart "shitamachi" type, sporting a Crew cut and stomping about in ratty sandals (even in uniform), and narrow-minded towards the outside world, as he makes his rounds on a creaky old bicycle. At the same time, he is a super-otaku, up on all the latest fads in popular culture and consumer technology. While most of his interests are of the juvenile sort (such as videogames and collectibles), he also indulges in more typically salaryman-type pastimes such as drinking, pachinko, and gambling (especially horse-racing). Despite his undisciplined lifestyle, he possesses superhuman strength and stamina, which he is forced to depend on at times. Ryotsu is a bachelor and seems relatively uninterested in women, yet occasionally attracts the attention of naïve young female acquaintances, though never with any eventual success. He comes to hasyutsujyo by his bicycle named chidori.

Keiichi Nakagawa (中川 圭一 Nakagawa Keiichi?)

Born December 24. A young, handsome patrol cop who serves as Ryo's comic foil. While holding down a day job in the police box in front of Kameari Park, Nakagawa is the son of Nakagawa Zaibatsu, and often has to zip off to board meetings in his exotic sports cars and private helicopters. He is quite handsome, an expert driver and marksman, and popular with all the lady cops. However, as a rich heir, he is also quite naive to the ways of the world. His policeman's uniform is an ¥300,000 yellow pinstripe suit made by Pierre Cardin. Though constantly surrounded by beautiful women throughout his duties, Nakagawa appears indifferent and his tendencies are somewhat ambiguous. He hates natto and his favorite car is his Ferrari.

Reiko Catherine Akimoto (秋本･カトリーヌ･麗子 Akimoto Katorīnu Reiko?)

Born July 7. A female counterpart to Nakagawa, Reiko's wealth is inherited from European nobility and she juggles her commitments to the police job with those of high society. The daughter of the Kobe based Akimoto Trading Zaibatsu, Reiko is half French, raised in the U.S., and is multilingual. With her flowing blonde hair and stunningly large breasts (which have enlarged as the series has progressed due to breast implants she wanted to have), Reiko is often courted by the rich and famous, but has never found the right man. She works in the transportation department and drives a Porsche.

Daijiro Ohara (大原 大次郎 Ōhara Daijirō?)

The Chief Patrol Officer of Katsushika, in charge of the police box in front of Kameari Park. He usually called "Buchō" or "Division Head" (部長) and is Ryotsu's boss. He is a typical grizzled middle manager senior cop. Sporting a small trimmed mustache, Bucho is often out of touch or exasperated with his younger staff, but always ready to give out punishment to Ryo-san for his laziness. He is father-like figure for Ryoutsu, Reiko, and Nakagawa. His many hobbies include Judo, Kendo, Sado, Bonsai, and calligraphy. He comes to hashutsujho by bus and train.

Ai Asato (麻里愛 Asato Ai?)

Reiko’s occasional partner on the force, who pet name is "Maria" (an ateji reading of her full name's kanji). Like Reiko, Maria is tall, sexy, and buxom. Unlike Reiko, Maria is a) a brunette and b) a man. He is in love with Ryotsu and becomes jealous whenever another girl comes near him. He was a Muay Thai (kickboxing) champion and generally excels at all martial arts. After one magical incidence, he became a female at last. (See also the real TS kickboxing champion Parinya Kiatbusaba)

Hayato Honda (本田速人 Honda Hayato?)

The station's motorcycle policeman, and Ryotsu's underling, often reluctantly dragged into his schemes. A shy young man who still sports a pompadour from his teenage motorcycle gang days, immediately turning into an aggressive man with a deeper voice and a very intimidating face when he mounts a motorcycle. No motor gangster is a match against him, as he was once a bike gangster(and still thinks like one). He is also an otaku who loves shōjo manga and Japanese idols. Honda's father runs a garage specializing in Kawasaki cycles named Honda Ringyo. His brother-in-law Kawasaki rides only Honda cycles.

Yōichi Terai (寺井洋一 Terai Yōichi?)

A plump cop stationed at the police box in front of Kameari Park in Katsushika. He wants to live his life as an "ordinary policeman" but is rather poor and unintelligent though sensible. Every attempt he makes to buy a house or car ends with tragic results. He is usually seen with Buchō.

Neruo Higurashi (日暮熟睡男 Higurashi Neruo?)

A policeman who only works one day every four years (coinciding with the Olympics) and does nothing but sleep even then. He is able to keep his job because his precognition and nensha abilities come in handy during investigations.

Kinji Totsuka (戸塚金次 Totsuka Kinji?)

Other Katsushika Stationed Cops

Gomesu Tonda (屯田五目須 Tonda Gomesu?)

Head of the new Katsushika station. A rather kind and gentle man, he met and eloped with his wife during his patrol officer days. He has 3 children, and six grandchildren whom he spends his days off babysitting. His estimated age is 58 years old.

Matoi Giboshi (擬宝珠纏 Giboshi Matoi?)

  • Voiced by: Yūko Doi
  • The grandchild of Geparuto, who works in a traffic division. She was born in Kanda, Tokyo and is an efficient Edokko. Her shitamachi knowledge is almost on par with Ryo-san. She is a bit of a tomboy and is fearsome in a quarrel. Her family runs the high class sushi restaurant Chō Kanda Sushi (超神田寿司 Super Kanda Sushi?).

Haya Isowashi (磯鷲早矢 Isowashi Haya?)

Works in the traffic division. Born as the eldest daughter of a distinguished Bushido house in Kyoto, and is well versed in all such arts. She is attractive and very honest. She is popular with the other policewomen and greatly admires Buchō. Because his voice resembles her father's, she has fallen for Ryotsu and is very jealous of Maria. In addition, her name is a kyūdō term. Haya is 21 years old.

Nana Otohime (乙姫菜々 Otohime Nana?)

Honda's fellow motorcycle cop underling and later girlfriend. She is a delicate young lady and a bit of a crybaby. She also has a side job as popular shōjo manga author Miko Aino (愛野神女 Aino Miko?).

Volvo Saigo (ボルボ西郷 Borubo Saigō?)

A policeman who works for the new Katsushika station. He used to be a mercenary in America.He conceals weapons of all kinds throughout his body, and doesn't remove them during bathing or sleep. He has the habit of firing indiscriminately when danger is sensed. He is unaccustomed to woman and surprisingly cowardly without his guns. His ancestors in Kyūshū were ninja.

Tatsunosuke Sakonji (左近寺竜之介 Sakonji Tatsunosuke?)

A policeman who works for new Katsushika station. He is excellent at all combat sports, especially, judo. He tries to appear to have no interest in women, but spends a lot of money on dating sims and later even starts meeting girls online.

Rika Saotome (早乙女リカ Saotome Rika?)

One of the many young policewomen of the district, and Ryotsu's arch-enemy. Saotome thinks Ryotsu is a disgusting, rude, hooligan. Ryotsu thinks Saotome and her colleagues are pampered weaklings and a waste of the force's budget. Saotome and her fellow bachelorettes live in a luxury dormitory resembling a French chateau.

Masayoshi Hōjō (法条正義 Hōjō Masayoshi?)

An elite police officer and graduate of Tokyo University. He is cool and intelligent, but because his face looks more like that of a Yakuza thug he carries his diploma around as proof that he is as smart as he says he is. His specialty is debate, but he still always loses when it comes to looks.

Jūzō Gorugo (後流悟十三 Gorugo Jūzō?)

Tetsuo Ishizu (石頭鉄岩 Ishizu Tetsuo?)

Ebichan Ebisu (恵比須海老茶 Ebisu Ebichan?)

Other recurring characters

Haru Mido (御堂春 Midō Haru?)

She works in the Osaka Prefectural Police traffic division. She is unyielding. She is short in stature, but is allowed the job because of her ability to make arrests. She has a bronze medal for Olympic shooting. She is 20 years old. She has six younger brothers and her family runs a kushikatsu shop. She views Ryotsu as her "Enemy from Tokyo", but she is a fan of Nakagawa and humbles herself in his presence.

Jodie Bakuryū-Karen (ジョディー・爆竜・カレン?)

A soldier in the United States Navy and old friend of Volvo's. She is a pilot on the aircraft carrier Carl Vinson. She is blonde, beautiful, and buxom and poison in the eyes of Volvo who is weak around women. She is said to be strong enough to defeat 10 Marine Corps soldiers in a row. In order to open up a sushi bar on her aircraft carrier, she received training as a sushi chef for a month at Chō Kanda Sushi.

Korosuke Ezaki (絵崎コロ助 Ezaki Korosuke?)

Rika Hanayama (花山理香 Hanayama Rika?)

Tōden Hoshi (星逃田 Hoshi Tōden?)

Komachi Ono (小野小町 Ono Komachi?) & Naoko Seishō (清正奈緒子 Seishō Naoko?)

Two anime original female cops who love to tease and ridicule Ryotsu. Ono is Naoko's senpai. A (behind the scenes) misunderstanding led to them accidentally having each other's voice actress in the first episode.

Chou Kanda Sushi

Geparuto Giboshi (擬宝珠夏春都 Giboshi Geparuto?)

Ryo-san's grand-aunt and Matoi's grandmother. She is the hostess of Chō Kanda Sushi. She is a stubborn and obstinate woman with a frightening memory, but she is very warm by nature. Since Ryo-san taught her how to use a computer, she has begun using all sorts of high tech gadgets. She wishes for Ryo-san to marry Matoi.

Remon (Lemon) Giboshi (擬宝珠檸檬 Giboshi Remon?)

The younger sister of Matoi. Kindergartener. She likes historical things such as "Mito Komon", shogi, Ojarumaru. Her taste is excellent. She is unyielding like her elder sister Matoi. She is 4 years old. Her birthday is on December 11. She originally hates toast but later grows to like it. She has a crush on Ryotsu, much to her grandmother's dismay.

Mikan Giboshi (擬宝珠蜜柑 Giboshi Mikan?)

Yuutsu Giboshi (擬宝珠憂鬱 Giboshi Yuutsu?)

Special Detective Squad

Detective Kaipan (海パン刑事 Kaipan-Deka?)

Real name Takeshi Kitano (汚野たけし Kitano Takeshi?). The leader of the Special Detective Squad (特殊刑事課 Tokushu Keiji-ka?), he is always seen wearing just a speedo and neck tie (with the neck tie appearing to be the source of his "powers"). He often pulls items such as cell phones and bananas from his speedo. His codename is short for Kaisui-pantsu (海水パンツ speedo?), while his real name comes from comedian Beat Takeshi.

Detective Moonlight (月光刑事 Gekkō-deka?)

Real name Mun Seira (聖羅無々 Seira Mun?).

Detective Venus (美茄子刑事 Bīnasu-deka?)

Real name Bīnaus Seira (聖羅美茄子 Seira Bīnasu?).

Detective Dolphin (ドルフィン刑事 Dorufin-deka?)

Real name Dozaemon Umino (海野土佐ェ門 Umino Dozaemon?).

Detective Bishōjo (美少女刑事 Bishōjo-deka?)

Voiced by: Yōichi Kohiyama
Real name Rurika Asato (麻生瑠璃華 Asato Rurika?).

Notable Family Members

Kanbei Ryotsu (両津 勘兵衛 Ryōtsu Kanbee?)

Ban Asato (麻里晩 Asato Ban?)

Lin Asato (麻里稟 Asato Rin?)

Onitora Bakuryū (爆竜鬼虎 Bakuryū Onitora?)

Kōme Hanayama (花山小梅 Hanayama Kōme?)

Adaptations and alternate media

The manga has spawned an animated television series, two animated movies, a live-action movie, and several stage adaptations. In addition, various toys and collectibles have been created, including some items that first appeared in the manga as creations of Ryo-san.

Several of the characters in Kochikame also appear in the Nintendo DS crossover fighting game Jump Superstars and its sequel, Jump Ultimate Stars.


Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kochira_Katsushika-ku_Kameari_K%C5%8Den-mae_Hashutsujo
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