Shiba Hiroshi Steel Jeeg - BE@RBRICK
Steel Jeeg was one of the earliest mecha toy and anime tie-in series. While short-lived, the series proved popular in Japan as well as overseas in Europe. The story's protagonist, Hiroshi Shiba not only pilots the titular robot but becomes physically a part of it. He retains his human form in Medicom Toy's "BE@RBRICK Shiba Hiroshi 100%" figure.
Steel Jeeg and BE@RBRICK Collaboration Background
Medicom Toy has produced regular action figures as well as collectibles representing the Steel Jeeg series.
Collaboration Planning and Launch
The first Steel Jeeg figures from Medicom Toy launched in 2014. These were standard action figures depicting both Steel Jeeg and his Mach Drill form. A third action figure of Steel Jeeg's Bazooka form came out in 2017. As of 2021, Steel Jeeg only has two BE@BRICK figures.
BE@RBRICK Shiba Hiroshi 100%
Formula One racing star and unknowing cyborg Shiba Hiroshi makes his BE@RBRICK debut in this figure from Medicom Toy. Hiroshi wears his iconic cream-colored jumpsuit complete with red piping and brown fringe. His fluffy brown mullet covers part of the BE@RBRICK ears while his large sideburns frame his face. He wears the Steel Jeeg head necklace gifted to him by his late father. The yellow and green colored hands represent the special gloves he uses to transform into the head of Steel Jeeg. His facial expression is stoic and determined, capturing his heroic essence of the anime's final episodes.
- Product Name: BE@RBRICK Shiba Hiroshi 100%
- Manufacturer: Medicom Toy
- Specifications: Painted & articulated plastic figure
- Height (Approx.): 70mm | 2.8"
About Steel Jeeg
Steel Jeeg, or Kotetsu Jeeg, is an anime series from Toei Animation that aired for 46 episodes from 1975-1976. The story follows Hiroshi Shiba, a talented car racer. As a child, Hiroshi is mortally wounded in his scientist father's lab. His father saves his life by unknowingly turning him into a cyborg. The process Hiroshi's father uses to save him triggers a war between Earth and the Jamatai Kingdom. Hiroshi's growth and discovery of his true identity drive the events of the series, culminating in a civil war. The anime and manga story were written by Go Natai. Both proved popular in Japan, Italy, and Latin America. The anime never aired in the United States.
In 2007, a sequel series Kotetsuhin Jeeg, or Steel God Jeeg, aired for 13 episodes on the network WOWOW. Kotetsushin Jeeg takes place 50 years after the events of the first series. Notably, the series follows an original protagonist, high school student Kenji Kusanagi. References to the original series include the appearances of Miwa Tamashiro, formerly Miwa Uzuki, and Senjiro Shiba.
About Shiba Hiroshi
Shiba Hiroshi is the series' protagonist and cyborg head of the titular Steel Jeeg. Years before the series opens, Hiroshi suffers a fatal injury as a result of his father's research. His father saved his life by implanting an ancient bronze bell inside him. Hiroshi is initially unaware of the bell's presence inside him or the mythology surrounding it. His father dies in the anime's first episode, giving Hiroshi a necklace and set of gloves in his dying actions. Hiroshi learns that through bringing the gloves together he can become part of his father's robot weapon, Steel Jeeg. Before the events of the series, Hiroshi has a strained relationship with his father who he blamed for prioritizing his research over his son. Through the series, he reconciles those feelings and embraces his role in the war against Jamatai Kingdom. Hiroshi is rebellious, courageous, and ultimately self-sacrificing in order to restore peace to Earth.
Other Important Steel Jeeg Characters
Hiroshi's most significant relationships in the series involve his reconciliation with his father and fight against the Jamatai Kingdom.
Professor Senjiro Shiba
Professor Senjiro Shiba is Hiroshi's father, a famous scientist, and archaeologist. Though he physically dies in the first episode, he uploads his mind to a computer housed in a fallout base. Before the series, Professor Shiba discovers a bronze bell on a dig in Kyushu. He discovers engravings on the bell attributed to the technologically advanced ancient civilization of the Jamatai Kingdom. After researching the Kingdom for years, Professor Shiba discovers they had not disappeared but went into hibernation underground. He implants the bell within his son to both save his life and prevent the return of the Jamatai Dragon Emperor. His presence in the computer allows the professor to grow closer to his estranged son as they fight the revived Empire.
Queen Himika
Queen Himika is the evil ruler of the ancient Jamatai civilization. After waking from a millennium-long slumber, Queen Himika wishes to regain her control over present-day Japan. She possesses the ability to animate rock monsters called Haniwa Ghosts to serve as her warriors. She wishes to resurrect the Dragon Emperor and ultimately succeeds only to have him oust her from power. Queen Himika is a reference to the real-life shaman queen Himiko. The Jamatai kingdom also draws inspiration from her historically controversial Yamatai Kingdom.
Dragon Emperor
The Dragon Emperor, also known as the Dragon Lord, is the ultimate antagonist in the series. He is an imposing figure with flame-red hair and a fire-breathing dragon around his neck. After Queen Himika resurrects him, the Dragon Emperor kills her and assumes ultimate control of the Jamatai Kingdom. He proves to be a crueler and more formidable foe to Hiroshi and Steel Jeeg.
Links
BE@RBRICK Shiba Hiroshi 100%
BE@RBRICK Series
Koutetsu Steel Jeeg - BE@RBRICK
BE@BRICK Label