Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z

Alternate Title

新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオンZ

Synopsis

The Transforming Shinkansen Robot Shinkalion was developed by the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute to protect the peace and safety of Japan from mysterious giant monsters. In preparation of an attack by a new enemy, the Institute developed a new type of robot, the Shinkalion Z. In order to power up the Shinkalion Z a new type of armored robots called Zailiners have also been developed. Now, the children who have become Shinkalion Z drivers will team up with the institute’s staff to fight against giant monsters that have reappeared! As an unknown enemy appears, two boys meet. The further evolution of Shinkalion begins!

Background

Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion began as a transforming toy brand created by Takara Tomy in association with the Japan Railways Group. The series has been adapted into an anime by OLM that aired from January 2018 to June 2019 and spanned 76 episodes, an arcade game titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion: Card ga Moraeru! Cho Shinka Battle which was released by T-ARTS in March 2018, and an animated film titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Movie: Mirai Kara Kita Shinsoku no ALFA-X which was directed by Takahiro Ikezoe and released in December 2019.

Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z is a sequel to the original anime. It is once again being produced by OLM with the previous anime’s director, Takahiro Ikezoe, returning as chief director. Kentaro Yamaguchi is directing this time, while Masanao Akahoshi and Takahiro Ikezoe are handling series composition, Yuka Aono is handling character designs, Keita Hattori is handling mechanical designs, and Norihito Sumitomo is composing the music. The opening theme song is "New Challenger" by BOYS AND MEN. The anime will premiere in Japan on April 9, 2021 on TV Tokyo and other channels.

Characters

Shin Arata (Voiced by: Minami Tsuda)
A fifth grader who lives in Tabata. He is the driver of the Shinalion Z E5 Hayabusa and Shinalion Z E5 Yamanote. He likes ghosts and the occult and believes they are real. He dreams of one day becoming friends with an alien, and even though he gets made fun of for it, he unwaveringly continues to pursue his dream. His catchphrase is “There’s a possibility.”

Abuto Usui (Voiced by: Akari Kito)
A fifth grader who lives in Yokogawa in Gunma Prefecture. He is a mechanic at the Yokogawa branch of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute. Though still in elementary school, he has a genius mind and is involved in the development and research of armored vehicles called “Zailiners” and Smat. His cool personality keeps him from expressing emotions, but he loves trains. His catchphrase is “That’s a lie.”

Smat (Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama)
A mysterious robot that appeared after the Cho-Shinka Mobile Z Gear transformed. He is emotional and caring and loves to read QR codes. He plays the role of Shashot from the previous series.

Hanabi Omagari (Voiced by: Yuka Terasaki)
A fifth grader living in Omagari, Akita Prefecture. He is the driver of the Shinkalion Z E6 Komachi and Shinkalion Z E6 NEX. He has a parent who is a famous fireworks maker in Omagari, and hopes to make the fireworks in Omagari shine even brighter one day. He loves rock music and has a flamboyant personality.

Taiju Togakushi (Voiced by: Michiko Kaiden)
A fifth grader living in Kiso, Nagano Prefecture. He is the driver of the Shinkalion Z E7 Kagayaki and Shinkalion Z E7 Azusa. His grandfather runs a forestry business, and he has a wealth of knowledge about trees.

Ayu Arata (Voiced by: Kanon Takao)
Shin's older sister. She is a first year junior high school student. She wants to be a journalist, so she and Shin go to the Usui Pass Railway Cultural Village to get the scoop.

Akeno Myojo (Voiced by: Marina Inoue)
A mysterious woman from a famous kamameshi restaurant in Yokoyama. She is a cameraman.

Saijo Sogo (Voiced by: Kosuke Goto)
The commander-in-chief of the Yokogawa Branch of the Yokogawa branch of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute. He tends to be timid and unpredictable, but he has an irresistible personality. He is particular about how he decides on the code names for the giant monsters.

Goichi Shima (Voiced by: Takahiro Fujiwara)
He is the maintenance manager of the Yokogawa branch of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute. He is involved not only in the maintenance of the Shinkalion Z, but also in its manufacture. He is a veteran mechanic, and is affectionately called "Oyassan.” He and Abuto seem to have known each other for a long time.

Kasumi Abiko (Voiced by: Sayaka Senbongi)
An instructor at the Yokogawa branch of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute. She is in charge of instructing Shinkalion drivers. She has a serious personality, but also has a hobby that she keeps hidden.

Misaki Oishi (Voiced by: Satomi Moriya)
She is the commander of the Yokogawa branch of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute. She also works at the Usui Pass Railway Cultural Village, where she is in charge of the entrance gate.

Atsuta Hosokawa (Voiced by: Fumihiro Okabayashi)
A mechanic at the Yokogawa branch of the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute. He is in charge of Shinkalion maintenance under Goichi.

Music

Opening Theme Song: "New Challenger" by BOYS AND MEN

• Anime Site (Japanese)
• Twitter (Japanese)

• Original Creator: Takara Tomy
• Chief Director: Takahiro Ikezoe
• Director: Kentaro Yamaguchi
• Series Composition: Masanao Akahoshi, Takahiro Ikezoe
• Character Design: Yuka Aono
• Mechanical Design: Keita Hattori
• Sound Director: Masafumi Mima
• Music: Norihito Sumitomo
• Animation Production: OLM
• CG Animation Production: SMDE
• Production: Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions