The vast amount of Japanese anime available to North American audiences isn't a new thing. The truth is, the U.S. has imported this type of animated fare to their shores for decades. As far back as the early 1960s, to be exact.
Most of these programs premiered in syndication for local and independent channels. The first 10 anime introduced in the U.S. ran the gamut of genres and prepared viewers for the onslaught of anime that would begin in the 1980s.
10 Astro Boy (1963) Was The First Anime Superhero
The first series to be imported from Japan was the classic Astro Boy. Created in 1952 for manga readers by artist Osamu Tezuka, the animated version was released in syndication by NBC Enterprises a decade later for TV viewers. The show introduced a form of animation that felt different. Though sparse, like the shows Hanna-Barbera provided to the networks, Astro Boy also seemed smoother with fleshed-out characters.
The main difference the science-fiction cartoon had over others was its tragic backstory. A scientist created Astro Boy to look and sound like his dead son. Rescued from an evil circus by Professor Ochanomizu, who becomes his surrogate father, the android child with emotions decides to help protect his city from various threats. While there were four seasons of Astro Boy made in Japan, only the first two aired in the U.S.
9 Gigantor (1964) Influenced Future Giant Cartoon Robots Like Frankenstein Jr.
Gigantor, imported into the syndicated U.S. market by Trans-Lux television, was historical for several reasons. The giant metal robot, created for manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, was the first such being to appear on American televisions. Furthermore, it influenced U.S. animators to create their own giant superhero robots.
Set in the year 2000, Gigantor tells the story of 12-year-old Jimmy Sparks and his remote-controlled "Iron Man." Originally designed as a weapon by Jimmy's father, he was reprogrammed to be a guardian of peace, even if it meant smashing other robots to pieces. The premiere of the cartoon in the U.S. inspired creators at Hanna-Barbera to develop their own kid genius-robot superhero combo in 1966 — Frankenstein Jr.
8 8th Man (1965) Became Anime's First Cyborg Superhero
Where Gigantor was anime's first robot superhero, 8th Man is considered the genre's first cyborg superhero. In fact, he pre-dates superheroes in the U.S. market in both comics and television shows. This makes the hero, created by writer Kazumasa Hirai and manga artist Jiro Kuwata, somewhat legendary.
8th Man's backstory wasn't conducive to American cartoon audiences of the 1960s. Murdered by criminals, Detective Yokoda is subjected to an experiment in cyborg replacements that failed seven previous times. Hence, the character's superhero name. He is granted enhanced speed and the ability to morph into other people. To maintain his powers, the 8th Man smoked a form of energy cigarettes.
7 Kimba The White Lion (1966) Was The Potential Precursor To The Lion King
Kimba the White Lion might sound familiar to some. In the 1990s, during the release of Disney's The Lion King, fans of the 1960s anime saw many similarities between the movie and the television show. Even voice actor Matthew Broderick thought the film was based on the original program, which began in U.S. syndication in 1966.
Regardless if it was or not, Kimba the White Lion has a historic significance to both the Japanese and American television markets. Taken from a manga written and illustrated by Osamu Tezuka, it became the first anime to be released in color. Furthermore, it was the first anthropomorphic anime to appear in the U.S.
6 Marine Boy (1966) Might Have Been Equal In Power To Aquaman
Not only was Marine Boy the second anime to be in color, but it was also the first one not to previously come from a manga. Created by Minoru Adachi and the animation company Japan Tele-Cartoons, it was brought to North American shores by Seven Arts Television. From there, it remained on syndicated television schedules for a year.
The series is set in a future where mankind has finally harnessed the power of living under the sea. A talented young man who works with the Ocean Patrol, Marine Boy, is provided with a wetsuit and weapons to tackle dangerous missions. These range from battling giant sea creatures to infiltrating ocean pirates. His greatest weapon is a boomerang made of super-strong alloy. When it strikes an object, the boomerang emits an electric pulse so strong that it tends to cause the items to explode.
5 Prince Planet (1966) Observed Earthlings To Deem Them Eligible For The Galactic Union
Prince Planet was another series that wasn't originally based on a manga. Instead, it was released in 1965 on Japan's Fuji Television. It became one of the first anime to receive some heavy merchandising in that country. Not so much in the United States.
That's a shame because Prince Planet introduced a subject that eventually became common in animated and live-action shows. The main character is a member of the Universal Peace Corps. He comes to Earth to determine if the planet is eligible to be part of the Galactic Union of Worlds. To do so, he adopts the persona of a school-age boy to flesh things out.
4 Speed Racer (1967) Is The Most Famous Anime Import Of The 1960s
Though many viewers of 1960s television fondly remember certain anime programs, none are as well-received as the 1967 import Speed Racer. Perhaps it's due to the main character, Speed. Maybe it's due to his spiffy racecar, the Mach 5. Most likely, it's due to one of the catchiest theme songs in history.
Originally released in manga form as Mach GoGoGo, the series about a racing family with a souped-up car is an example of one of the first international anime franchises. Its characters — Speed, his girlfriend Trixie, and his brother, the mysterious Racer X, have been emulated by other media forms over the last half-century. A live-action film of the same name, released in 2008, tried to maintain the themes and style of the original anime.
3 The Amazing Three (1967) Featured A Trio Of Aliens Who Observe Earth For Potential Destruction
Where Prince Planet's responsibility was to determine if Earth could join an intergalactic union, the aliens of The Amazing Three were sent to the planet to see if it needed to be destroyed. Perhaps this is the reason why it only aired in syndication on two independent networks in Los Angeles and New York, respectively.
Created for manga by Osamu Tezuka, the anime version featured the three alien agents in the form of a rabbit, a horse, and a duck. Eventually, the trio befriends a young boy and learns that Earth isn't the great threat other planets think it is. The Amazing Three is unique as it was one of the first anime to utilize a North American method that allowed a single illustrator to draw an individual character.
2 Battle Of The Planets (1978) Ushered In A New Era Of Anime Imports
Though there were plenty of anime series created in the late 1960s and 1970s, few if any of them made it to North American shores. However, thanks to the immense popularity of Star Wars, television networks began to look for anything to carry on its science-fiction momentum. One of the first was an anime series that actually premiered in Japan in 1972.
That would be Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Fans of the series known its U.S. version as Battle of the Planets or simply G-Force. Released by Sandy Frank Productions in 1978, it starred a quintet of costumed young adults with enhanced abilities. They flew to their destinations in a craft known as the Phoenix. When needed, they could transform the craft into a fiery bird-like vehicle. For many, Battle of the Planets became their introduction to anime.
1 Star Blazers (1979) Ushered In The Genre Of Animated Space Opera
Normally, Battle of the Planets would be paired on a weekday afternoon schedule with another anime. One that, even today, is deemed the best in its genre of space opera. This was Space Battleship Yamato. It's known to North American audiences as Star Blazers.
The series introduced some new concepts to the English-speaking market. Even in its dubbed version, it included mature concepts related to war. Though not gory, it could be intense. The other thing it did was bring in an overreaching plot and storyline that had to be viewed in order. This is something anime would embrace in later years for its future programs.