Crusher Joe
Crusher Joe is a series of science fiction novels by Haruka Takachiho and released by Asahi Sonorama from 1977 to 2005. During the late 1970s one of the founding fathers of Studio Nue, Takachiho decided that besides being a designer he would try his hand at penning novels. The result was Crusher Joe, a group of anti-heroes who were not the typical self-sacrificing types but noble in their own right nonetheless.
Crusher Joe was made into an animated film in 1983, and a pair of for-video animated episodes in 1989. The film version won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize in 1983.
The movie and the OVA series are currently licensed for English language release by Discotek Media.
Staff
| Direction | Norio Kashima |
| Animated by | Naoyuki Yoshinaga Gen Sato, Mayumi Ishigaki Ayumi Hattori, Tomoko Kobayashi Keiko Hasegawa, Setsu Yoshihashi Ichiro Itano, Junhisa Uchida Setsuko Takenouchi, Kumiko Takahashi Yuji Moriyama, Toshihiro Hirano Kazuhiko Yoshimori, Mie Tokukura Ayumi Koike, Kumiko Yoshihama Miyuki Tokito, Chieko Kudo Momoko Murata, Hiromi Nishikawa Mayumi Hirota, Kiyoshi Takeba Tomoko Otaki, Kenichi Hirano Sachiko Ito, Random |
| Checkers | Kazuko Maejima, Yoshiko Ibarata |
| Backgrounds | Cosmos, Teiichi Akashi, Kuniko Nishimura, Junichi Azuma, Kazuko Katsui, Tetsuto Shimono, Tetsuo Anzai, Sachiko Sato, Mecha Man, Studio SF |
| Coloring | Studio Deen, Studio Kuma, Taka & Kino Prod., Yuminsha, Group Joy, Sunrise Studio, Kyoto Animations, Just, Ad Cosmo, Studio 2001 |
| Color Designation | Shinji Hatori, Emi Yoshida |
| Special Effects | Michiaki Doi, Kumiko Endo |
| Rostrum Camera | Asahi Productions |
| VFX Photography | Shingo Hara |
| Listwork | Mitsunari Watanabe |
| Editing by | Inoue Editing Room |
| Mixing | Kazutoshi Sato |
| Production Coordinators | Isamu Sota, Yukiteru Izumiyama, Akiyoshi Yoda |
| Recorded at | Tokyo TV Center, Victor Aoyama Studios |
| ADR Production | Keiko Senda |
| Image Songs | Flight -NEVER END-, BLOODBATH HIGHWAY |
| Lyrics by | Tsukihiko Fujiwara, LEO |
| Music Sung & Performed by | Kazuhiro Nishimatsu, ARAGON |
| Soundtrack Available from | Victor Records |
| Performed by | Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra |
| Conductor | Katsuaki Nakatani |
| Engineering by | Yuji Yamashita |
| Special Thanks to | UNCREATIVE, Kodansha |
| Music Produced by | Sunrise Music Publishing |
| Titles by | Isao Ishida |
| Advertising Department | Noboru Mano, Shigeharu Nakao |
| Settings Producer Director's Assistant | Mamoru Hamazu |
| Production Managers | Minoru Nishikawa, Fumaku Furusawa, Toshiya Ichimanda |
| Production Assistant | Emi Yoshida |
| Titles Design by | Akihiro Hakada |
| Special Designers | Hideo Azuma, Yumiko Igarashi, Hisaichi Ishii, Katsuhiro Otomo, Fumiko Takano, Rumiko Takahashi, Keiko Takemiya, Torimiki Akira Toriyama, Fujihiko Hosono, Satomi Mikuriya, Shinji Wada |
| Film Processing | Tokyo Laboratories |
Plot
Enter the tale of the Crusher Council, a group of rugged individuals known for assignments ranging from transportation to terraforming and everything in between. In the early days of space exploration the Crushers took on the job of destroying asteroids and defining space lanes. Because of their work, they were nicknamed "Crushers" which eventually became their business moniker.Despite the rough and ready nature of the Crushers' work, they subscribe to a few steadfast rules. Unethical and illegal assignments are taboo, and any Crusher accepting one is barred from the Union. Of course, this presents problems for shady clients who try to trick the Crushers into accepting misleading assignments. They know that once the Union accepts a case the Crushers are honor-bound to follow it through. Among the various worlds, the Crusher Council has a stunning reputation, and among the Crushers, the most elite team is the one led by Crusher Dan and his successor, Crusher Joe.
Characters
Joe: Born November 8, 2142 Planet Aramis, The Canis Major Zone. Joe is the headstrong leader of his Crusher Team, Joe became a Crusher at the age of ten and replaced his father as the active head of the Crushers. Now nineteen, he maintains his Triple A rating. Joe has an intensive dislike for authority and refuses to take orders from anyone, including his father. However, he does have a lighter side, which enables him to take the balance of a situation and to act quickly and calmly. He and Alfin are romantically involved.Alfin: Born January 12, 2144 Planet Pizanne, The Cygnus Zone. Alfin was the Princess of the Planet Pizanne who left her home and royal status to join the Crushers. After the Pizanne incident she sneaks aboard the Minerva and takes the late Gambino's place as navigator. Perky, bubbly and easily intoxicated, Alfin is also quick-witted and fearless. She and Joe are romantically involved.
Talos: Born 2109 Planet Terra, The Solar System. Talos served with Joe's father, Crusher Dan, in the early days of the Crusher Union. After 40 years of being a Crusher eighty percent of his body has been replaced with cybernetic implants. These artificial limbs often come in handy. Talos is gruff and reserved and possesses enormous strength, a trait that has saved his teammates from more than one occasion. He serves as the team's pilot.
Ricky: Born 2146 Planet Rhodes, The Capricorn Zone. At the age of fifteen, Ricky is the youngest member of the Joe Team but this in no way hinders his performance as the ship's engineer. Orphaned when gang members killed his parents Ricky stows away on board the Minerva. His sharp wits and instant reflexes soon establish him as a member of the team. Quick tempered and easily riled. His teammate Talos often finds himself restraining the young engineer. He also spars with Alfin like a younger sibling.
Dongo: Mabot. Made in Dorloy. Type: MAB 8945-GP-The Dongo Mabot served with both Talos and Crusher Dan in the early days of the Federation. A robot with a warped sense of humor, he is completely loyal and is capable of operating the Minerva when the team is absent.
Novels
;Crusher Joe 1: Crisis on Solidarity Planet Pizanne;Crusher Joe 2: Extermination! The Space Pirates Trap
;Crusher Joe 3: The Final Secret of the Milky Way
;Crusher Joe 4: Cave of the Cult of the Dark God
;Crusher Joe 5: Treachery Toward the Galactic Empire
;Crusher Joe 6: Challenge of the Human-faced Demon Beasts
;Crusher Joe 7: The Beautiful Demon King
;Crusher Joe 8: Kukuru, the Haunted City
;Crusher Joe 9: The Phantom Beast Wormwood
;Crusher Joe 10: The Holy Virgin Dairon
;Crusher Joe Extra 1: Rainbow Hell
;Crusher Joe Extra 2: The Doruroi Storm
Video release
The 1983 film version was released on LaserDisc in 1996 with English subtitles. It was released on VHS in the United States by AnimEigo on 27 June 2000 in both dubbed and subtitled versions. A DVD released by AnimEigo on 23 September 2003 contained the original film and both OVA versions. All are now out of print.A version of the 1983 film was released in the UK on VHS, under the name "Crushers". Aimed primarily at children, this version was dubbed into English. Particularly violent/sexual references were cut.