G-Men '75


G-Men '75 was a long-running prime-time popular television detective series in Japan. It aired on Saturday nights in the 9:00–9:54 p.m. time slot on the Tokyo Broadcasting System network from May 24, 1975 to April 3, 1982. A sequel, G-Men '82, followed, as did the specials. It had also been broadcast in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Since Hong Kong was one of the filming locations, it was very popular there. With several updates and cast changes, it ran for 7 years. Selected episodes are available on DVD.

Plot

The story revolved around a special detective agency, the eponymous G-Men. The principal character, who spanned the entire series, was Superintendent Tetsuya Kuroki, who was portrayed by Tetsurō Tamba. Kuroki directed the members of the group.
The original cast also included Yasuaki Kurata as Detective Yasuaki Kusano, trained in karate. Gō Wakabayashi joined in Episode 105, and remained to the end of the series. His character, Lieutenant Goro Tachibana, replaced a detective who was written out of the script.

Music

Shunsuke Kikuchi wrote the opening theme songs. Various artists, including some cast members, wrote and performed the closing songs. For most years, the lyrics were by Junya Sato, set to Kikuchi's music. Veteran announcer Takayuki Akutagawa narrated the series.

Ending songs

  • "Omokage" by Yuri Shimazaki
  • "Tsuiso" by Yuri Shimazaki
  • "Michi" by Kaori Shima
  • "Omokage" by Yuri Shimazaki
  • "Requiem" by Isao Sasaki
  • "Requiem" by Yuri Shimazaki
  • "Wing" by Mari Natsuki
  • "Harukanaru Tabiji" by Popla
  • "Again" by Yuri Shimazaki

Opening sequence

The opening sequence featured the main cast walking along a runway with a "75" placed at the bottom, with an arrow beside it, as their characters were viewed in separate close-ups. The placement of the arrow and the "75" logo were changed as the series progressed. It was intended to film the opening at Haneda Airport, but permission was not granted, so it was filmed instead at Yashio, a district of Tokyo's Shinagawa ward, and later openings at the JMSDF Tateyama Air Base.

''G-Men '75'' cast

''G-Men '82'' cast

  • Tetsurō Tamba as Tetsuya Kuroki
  • Gō Wakabayashi as Gorō Tachibana
  • Kyoko Enami as Saeko Tsumura
  • Bunjaku Han as Yoko Kagawa
  • Saburō Shinoda as Hayasaka
  • Kentaro Shimizu as Sawada
  • Koichi Miura as Shima

TV specials