Greenman

Greenman™ ShowaMillennium Alternate names Green Man, Gurinman Subtitle(s) Envoy of God (神の使い,   Kami no Tsukai) Physical information null Species Robotic Alien Warrior Height 1.85 meters (Human Size), 45 meters (Giant Size) Weight 90 kilograms (Human Size), 30,000 metric tons (Giant Size) Other Stats Land Speed: 1,000 km/h, Underwater Speed: 100 km/h, Flight Speed: Mach 5 Forms Human Size, Giant Size Affiliation information null Place(s) of emergence Planet Green, Kinga System Controlled by ZarizonGvZ (Briefly) Relations Maoh (Arch-nemesis) Allies Godman Enemies All Go! Greenman kaiju, Maoh, Tonchiki, Minions of Maoh, Gaira, Gabara, Sanda, King Kong, Minilla Real world information null Created by Tsuguo Murase Played by Millennium: Koichi Sodeno Other information null First appearance Go! Greenman Episode 1: Greenman vs. Garamedon Latest appearance Go! Godman (2008) Roar(s) Showa: Millennium:

“	I am Greenman. An envoy of God. I'm here to protect the children.	„
	— Greenman introducing himself (Go! Greenman Episode 1: Greenman vs. Garamedon)

Greenman (グリーンマン,   Gurīnman) is a warrior mecha created by Toho that first appeared in the 1973 Toho and Nippon TV tokusatsu series, Go! Greenman.

Greenman is the ninth tokusatsu hero to be created by Toho, the third of which to possess the ability to grow to giant size, and the first to be robotic. Greenman is a formidable warrior mecha hailing from Planet Green, and arrives on Earth proclaiming himself as an envoy of God. He is introduced as a protector of children and arch-nemesis of the devil king Maoh, boasting a slue of weapons and attacks throughout his 52 television appearances. Although an advanced fighting machine, Greenman is often overpowered and because of this, bestows devices known as Green Calls upon the children of Earth to signal him to them in their times of need, as well as to repair Greenman's machinery in his own. After valiantly battling and defeating all of Maoh's devilish underlings, Greenman infiltrates the demon king's subterranean lair, and single-handedly destroys the very origin of the world's evils, before returning to the skies confident in his triumph.

Although never established as canon to the original series, Greenman later appears in the Go! Godman movie, where he is signaled to Earth by Mika Ayase to help defeat the green gargantua Gaira and its skeletal ally Shilarji. Greenman is able to form a bond with fellow space warrior Godman along the way, and ultimately saves the Earth for a second time.

Name

Greenman's Japanese name, Gurīnman (グリーンマン), is a combination of "green," spelled in katakana as グリーン (gurīn), and the English word "man," spelled in katakana as マン. The hero's name was inspired by that of Midori Ebina, who was decided upon becoming the third host of Nippon TV's Good Morning! Kid's Show, the segment on which Go! Greenman would be aired. Due to her first name, Midori (美どり), being pronounced the same way as the Japanese word for green (緑,   midori), it was taken and altered to gurīn (グリーン).

Design

Greenman was designed by Tsuguo Murase, the elder brother of character modeler Keizo Murase who had modeled Gamera years prior, and went on to also model Titanosaurus, the Heisei King Ghidorah, and Heisei Mothra. According to Keizo, Tsuguo is quoted as saying "I thought it was a strange design with a ramen bowl pattern, but my brother told me 'Hey, it's alright to be showy,' so I got to thinking and gorgeously finished it with a heavy use of imitation jewelry which was rare at the time."

Greenman was seemingly modeled after Southeast Asian Buddha statues, giving it a unique style that differs from more traditional Oriental visions. He has a bright, multicolored helmet with a cyan mask which covers his eyes, and an emerald or jade gemstone centered on it. At the top of his helmet is a crest, upon which red fur rests. He wears a burgundy chestplate with orange patterning, which sits on top of his green suit, and has a red lamp in its center. This chestplate can open up to reveal an array of cannons, which Greenman utilizes for his "Greenman Breaster" finishing move. Greenman also possesses a belt similar to his chestplate, and upper leg armor extends from it. He has silver gloves and boots and a yellowish scarf that drapes around his neck.

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  Photographs of the original Greenman head prop during production, from Monster Maker: Keizo Murase-Treasured KAIJU Photobook

Only very minor repairs were made to Greenman's suit for his portrayal in the Go! Godman movie, such as a new scarf which is a brighter white than the original, and darker red hair, which behaves much more naturally. Greenman's gloves also seem to have been replaced, as they lack the same orange-brown wrist stripes as the original.

Personality

Greenman laughing at Minilla in Greenman vs. Minilla

In Go! Greenman, Greenman is a robotic self-proclaimed "envoy of God" and a savior of Earth. He will stop at nothing to protect the children of Earth, resulting in the defeat of any monster that threatens their safety. Greenman also seems to be especially sympathetic towards the children he protects, as seen when he heals a graze on a girl's knee in Greenman vs. Mohtles. Despite being a robot, Greenman has displayed complex emotions on several occasions, such as in Greenman vs. Minilla where Minilla's pacifier was taken from him, causing the monster to begin crying. Instead of killing the monster, Greenman decided to spare it, however Minilla was killed anyway at the hands of his master, and Greenman began to laugh.

In the 2008 Go! Godman film, Greenman does not seem to display much personality at all, only appearing to Earth in response to the signal of a Green Call and attacking the present monsters accordingly.

Origins

In Go! Greenman, Greenman's origins are predominantly unknown, and although never explained within the series, subsequent media explains Greenman's origin place as "Planet Green," located in the Kinga System (金河系グリーン星,   Kingakei Gurīn Hoshi, lit. Gold River System Green Star). The hero was created with the intention of protecting the earth's environment and was equipped as such, but instead arrived to Earth proclaiming himself as an envoy of God and protector of children due to the reawakening of the grand demon king, Maoh. Throughout his series Greenman's creators are left ambiguous, however it can be assumed that they were also natives of Planet Green.

In the Go! Godman film, Greenman's origins are also never established, and it is unknown if this Greenman is the same from the original series. It can be assumed, though, that this Greenman has arrived to and made his presence known on Earth prior, as a Green Call is present in a box of assorted toys which Mika Ayase knows exactly how to use, calling out for him as she activates the device.

History

Showa Series

Go! Greenman

Greenman announcing his identity in Greenman vs. Garamedon

A heavenly machine warrior, Greenman is deployed to Earth to help with the protection of the environment, but becomes caught up in a scheme of the devil king Maoh's to reverse his underground banishment. Seeking to obtain the blood of young children, Maoh sends his loyal underling Tonchiki and another, lesser henchman to capture children from Ueno Park in Tokyo. As a group of children play in a sandbox on an average afternoon, they are startled to see the monstrous attackers hastily chasing after them. As the kids are chased through an archway, the devilish fiends are stopped in their tracks, as Greenman appears before them. Announcing himself as an envoy of God and protector of children, the hero descends to the ground and confronts them. Maoh's lackie attempts to challenge the new-found enemy but is quickly beaten down, startling Tonchiki and driving him to retreat, only to reappear seconds later. The failed subordinate is mutated into the insect monster Garamedon, whom Greenman engages and pushes to the brink of destruction. Tonchiki orders Garamedon to fire off an x-ray beam weapon which connects with Greenman and reveals him to be entirely robotic. Tonchiki then further commands Garamedon to make him grow, and Greenman utilizes his inner mechanics to match the monster's size. The two continue to combat one another, but Garamedon is overwhelmed by his opponent's multitude of abilities and soon collapses dead to the ground. After this first battle on Earth, Greenman presents the children with small devices known as Green Calls that can summon him when they are in distress. Greenman returns to the skies, faithfully awaiting the childrens' next call.

Antguirus dragging Greenman into the Underground Cave's tunnel in Greenman vs. Antguirus

Presumably not long after Maoh's reawakening and the introduction of Greenman to mankind, the mechanical warrior is called to Earth once more by some children whose friend was being attacked by a giant ant. Greenman appears and snatches the ant from the boy's leg, tossing it to the side. Tonchiki hastily shouts his incantation which mutates the ant into a humanoid monster. Appearing from a cloud of blinding smoke, the monster Antguirus challenges Greenman with a screeching roar, and they charge at one another to begin their fight. Antguirus eventually knocks Greenman to the ground and bites down on his wrist, contaminating his artificial bloodstream with a black venom-like substance. Paralyzed, Greenman is dragged into the entry tunnel to Maoh's underground hideout, and is sent into a freefall. Greenman lands on the cave floor and begins to regain consciousness, but is forced to continue fighting Antguirus. Antguirus once again bites into Greenman's arm and injects him with more of the murky solution, which visibly impairs him. As Greenman collapses to the ground, the children activate their Green Calls, forcing the pools of Antguirus's black emulsion out of his system, and restoring him to full power. After a brief engagement, Greenman kicks Antguirus down before knocking him unconscious, buying Greenman the time to jet off back up to surface level. Antguirus follows Greenman up through the passageway, and both grow to giant size. The titans continue battling in a mountainside village, and after being knocked down several times, Greenman decides to summon the Greenman Stick. Antguirus soon collapses in defeat, prompting Greenman to activate his finishing move and reducing it to a display of sparks.

Greenman and Gejiru in a standoff in Greenman vs. Gejiru

Greenman makes his third distinct appearance on Earth after being signaled by a distressed group of children being chased by a strange monster. The monster, named Gejiru, challenges the hero upon his appearance at the scene. The two combatants engage in a fast-paced scuttle in a grassy field. With Maoh and Tonchiki looking on from a viewing screen in their cave, Greenman mercilessly beats Gejiru down, until it is left motionless on the ground. Maoh furiously orders for Tonchiki to act, to which the servile creature complies, returning Gejiru to its feet and making it grow. With Gejiru looming over him, Greenman activates his machinery and is also scaled to a colossal stature. Evenly matched, Greenman and Gejiru clash. Looking to secure the battle, Gejiru unveils its trump card, launching a beam of white energy from its left arm cannon which leaves Greenman on his knees. Greenman attempts to continue fighting, but finds himself incapable. Gejiru begins to toss the downed Greenman around, who, in his desperation, attempts to use his Breaster finishing attack to no avail. Just as it seems all hope is lost, Greenman leaps into the air, over Gejiru's head, and lands just behind the confused monster. Able to get the sneak attack, Greenman batters Gejiru in a series of powerful punches and flips the beast. Greenman kneels down and launches a Leg Arrow, which becomes lodged in Gejiru's arm. Greenman then grabs an Ear Boomerang from its holster and throws it at Gejiru's leg, exploding upon contact. Finishing off the monster for good, Greenman launches a barrage of Breaster missiles, reducing Gejiru to but a smoke cloud.

Millennium Series

Go! Godman (2008)

Greenman in the Godman film

In this anniversary special, Greenman appears on Earth in response to the signal of a Green Call which is found and activated by Mika Ayase, who seemingly knows exactly how to operate the device. Greenman allies himself with fellow space warrior Godman and briefly aids in his battle against Gaira and Shilarji. Greenman's appearance isn't much more than a cameo however, even being poked fun at in a newspaper headline translating to "Godman Saves the Day! Greenman Also Helped."

Abilities

Size Changing

Greenman's size changing

Greenman can grow to giant size by uttering the phrase "Greenman Giant Machine Change" or just "Giant Machine Change." He can also shrink back down to human size, although he is never seen doing so onscreen.

Movement

• Greenman possesses jets in his feet which enable flight at speeds up to Mach 5, both on Earth and through space, as well as high leaps through the air.
• Greenman has been shown to possess enhanced running capability on multiple occasions, and is stated to be able to reach speeds up to 1,000 kilometers per hour.
• Although never seen onscreen, Greenman is capable of reaching speeds underwater up to 100 kilometers per hour.
• Greenman possesses the ability to teleport to any destination, including the Underground Cave.

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  Flight

Weapons

• Greenman's signature finisher move, known as Greenman Breaster (グリーンマンブレスター), involves the panels on his upper chest flipping open, to reveal a series of missile barrels which sequentially shoot missiles at a given target. This technique can only be properly executed if Greenman is operation at a steady voltage of at least 100V, as it will otherwise only fire in one weak blast or not fire at all.
• Greenman has two red boomerang weapons named Ear Boomerangs (イヤーブーメラン) which are mounted on either side of his helmet. When removed, they can be thrown and will explode on contact with any surface.
• Greenman can fire arrows from a circular compartment on his left ankle which can become impaled into the skin of opponents. This technique is known as Leg Arrow (レッグアロー).
• Greenman can summon a staff called the Greenman Stick (グリーンマンスティック) by shouting its name. This staff is used for many purposes but is most commonly seen being used as a weapon to bash opponents. In the series finale Greenman vs. Maoh, it is revealed that Greenman possesses the ability to summon more than one Greenman Stick, and that at least three exist. This is used when, in addition to summoning his own Stick, he grants two young children with their own for a combined Stick Fire.
  • The Greenman Stick can be used as a finisher move by firing off its explosive tip, and is known as Stick Fire (スティックファイヤー).
• Although primarily used defensively, Greenman can create a wall of blue flames from his hands by shouting the ability's name, Fire Fighting (ファイヤーファイティング). This ability's only offensive use is to create a smokescreen which temporarily blinds or incapacitates opponents.

• Breaster.png

  Greenman Breaster

• Ear Boomerang.png

  Ear Boomerang

• Leg Arrow.png

  Leg Arrow

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  Greenman Stick

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  Stick Fire

• Fire Fighting.png

  Fire Fighting

Energy Attacks

• Although rarely shown being used, the Greenman Stick can fire a laser beam from its tip in a finishing move known as Stick Beam (スティックビーム).
• Greenman can summon electricity between his hands when he shouts the ability's name, Flash Shock (フラッシュショック). Simply moving his hands in the direction of his opponent once the electricity is summoned will cause it to fire off in that direction. This attack is also often used as a finisher move, and was what ultimately defeated Maoh himself.
• Greenman can fire beams from his eyes in a technique known simply as Eye Beam (アイビーム) by shouting "Greenman Eye Beam." However, Greenman only attempted to use this ability twice throughout the series, and was unable to successfully perform it either time due to the injuries he had sustained.
• Greenman can fire a beam out of his mouth by shouting the ability's name Mouth Beam (マウスビーム). This ability is often strong enough to be used as a finishing move.

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  Stick Beam

• Flash Shock.png

  Flash Shock

• Eye Beam.png

  Eye Beam

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  Mouth Beam

X-Ray Vision

Greenman seemingly possesses x-ray vision, or another ability similar. This was shown when he was able to see inside of Gabara's stomach and see the child which was stuck within it.

Intangibility

Greenman passing his hands through Gabara's body in Greenman vs. Gabara

Greenman can also pass parts of his body through certain objects. This is activated when Greenman raises his arms, puts them together in front of his face, and then firmly places his hand on anything he intends to pass through. This was shown when Greenman passed his arms through Gabara's stomach to save the child inside.

Defensive Capabilities

• Greenman can hold his two Ear Boomerangs in an 'X' formation, creating a defensive shield of sorts which can deflect most beam weapons. This technique is referred to as Boomerang Turn (ブーメランターン).
• Greenman can use his Fire Fighting ability to clear smoke or fire.
• The Greenman Stick can be used as a distress signal. Similar to Stick Fire, if Greenman fires off the Stick's tip into the air, it will explode and form "SOS" in the sky.
• By planting the Greenman Stick into the ground, Greenman can repair damage to his legs by shouting the technique's name, Leg Gain (レッグゲイン). The Greenman Stick's handle fires a white laser into the affected limbs, repairing any damage. Although this ability was only seen being used once, it was crucial in allowing Greenman to win a battle.
• Greenman is shown to be able to heal minor wounds of organic beings by placing his hands over the said wound. This was shown when Greenman healed a scrape on a young girl's leg.
• Greenman has powerful lights in his eyes which can be activated on command. They are primarily used to remove foreign objects obstructing his vision. For unknown reasons, this ability was only utilized once despite Greenman's vision becoming obstructed on multiple occasions.
• Greenman has been shown to be able to awaken children from states of unconsciousness, such as with the children affected by the noxious gas emitted by Tsunojiras' spike ball or the children which Inbelun forcibly put into comas.
• Although never shown onscreen, it is explained through subsequent media that Greenman possesses the ability to create "Green Barriers" (グリーンバリア) to protect the Earth from such harmful substances as carbon monoxide and mercury.

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  Boomerang Turn

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  S.O.S. signal

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  Leg Gain

• Healing.png

  Healing

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  Greenman's eye lights

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  Awakening

Weaknesses

Greenman, being entirely robotic, runs on electricity, and properly operates at a voltage of at least 100V. Rapidly losing power during battle, if Greenman is unable to maintain a steady voltage, he will become urgently weak.

Nearly every monster Greenman has faced has been shown to be able to wear down Greenman's power with their special attack(s), including:

• Garamedon's electricity beam
• Antguirus's venom
• Gejiru's laser cannon
• Bullpull's radio control waves
• Tsunojiras's spiked ball mace and black smoke
• Stock's sand shield and toxic gas
• Valingar's dizzying spin
• Megahertz's blinding eye beams
• Dragonda's corroding bacteria
• Totsaurus's gas-emitting projectiles
• Danbaraki's heat ray
• King Takoras's toxic mouth gas and constricting tentacles
• Gabara's sharp, detachable claws
• Gyaron's head electricity
• Mohtles's hallucinogenic mist
• Bulguerrilla's strong whips and electromagnetic waves
• Alien Dorok's blinding ink and constricting tentacles
• Spider's viscous webbing
• Foksaurus's flammable smoke breath
• Blanca's electromagnetism beam
• Ihokiller's electricity-absorbing patch
• Gowarackdon's flammable smoke breath
• Jairock's supersonic waves
• Danketto's mouth explosives
• Seguro No. 1's infrared beam
• Inbelun's electric forcefield
• Giringa's powerful punches
• Red Rock's melting heat ray
• Sanda's noxious pink gas
• Zarizon's mind controlling mist
• Stegodzillas's blowgun darts
• Alien Tiborus's music-induced strength
• Yasugon's thick nets and constricting rope
• Gorilla's immense strength
• Spider II's viscous webbing
• Shilarji's iron flail
• Akumon's handheld bombs
• Kappalge's blinding soap bubbles
• Fonshuragon's freezing mist

Filmography

• Go! Greenman (TV 1973/1974) [52 episodes]
• Go! Godman (2008)

Gallery

Main article: Greenman/Gallery.

Trivia

• Greenman is Toho's first robotic tokusatsu hero, followed by the cyborg Guyferd.
• The sound which plays when Greenman's chest panels open is a sample of Ultraman Taro's color timer sound.
• Greenman's Ear Boomerangs play a similar role to Ultraseven and Ultraman Zero's famous Eye Sluggers.
• Greenman had two voice actors throughout his series, with the first actor performing Greenman's voice in only a few episodes, including the first. For the rest of the series, another actor was hired, providing a stark contrast to the first with a noticeably deeper voice.
• Greenman's Flash Shock attack may be based off of an ability from Assault! Human!! called Human Shock, where Human No. 1 disperses electricity similar to Greenman.
  • The Breaster attack may also be inspired by one of Human No. 1's abilities called Human Beam, where he fires a deadly photon beam from his chest.
• The name of the galaxy which Greenman originates from, the Kinga System, is actually a variation on the Japanese word for the Milky Way Galaxy. While the Milky Way is traditionally spelled as Gingakei (銀河系, lit. Silver River System), combining the kanji for "silver" (銀,   Gin) and "river system" (河系,   Kakei), the Kinga System is spelled as Kingakei (金河系, lit. Gold River System), replacing the kanji for silver with that of gold.
• Greenman was the only character to appear in the 2008 Godman film that did not need to have a completely new suit made. Instead, the original suit, which miraculously survived after 34 years, was used with only minor repairs.

References

This is a list of references for Greenman. These citations are used to identify the reliable sources on which this article is based. These references appear inside articles in the form of superscript numbers, which look like this: ^[1]