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Sukeban Deka II: Shoujo Tekkamen Densetsu - Volume 1 Toei DSTD06664 Synopsis After what happened at the end of the first series, it becomes necessary for Kurayami (Hiroyuki Nagato) to find a new Sukeban Deka. He begins his search by testing the physical strength of several candidates. Each candidate must successfully fend off a group of his armed agents. After several candidates fail to pass his test, one finally succeeds. 
The promising candidate, Yoko Godai (Yoko Minamino), is no ordinary schoolgirl as evidenced by her iron mask. When she was young, her father got killed and an iron mask was permanently welded onto her head. This led to a sad and solitary existence during her youth because she could not take off the iron mask. As the years progressed, her dislike of the iron mask increased. 
After successfully passing Kurayami's test, she is given her freedom from the iron mask. Kurayami has his subordinate Nishiwaki (Keizo Kanie) throw a yo-yo squarely at the temple of the iron mask, causing it to break and fall to the ground. Nishiwaki then throws the yo-yo and a black leather glove towards her. Unfortunately for Kurayami and company, she declines their invitation to become a Sukeban Deka. They respond by throwing her into a jail cell located in Kurayami's mansion. Nishiwaki pays her a visit while she is being held captive and offers to release her if she can defeat 10 more of Kurayami's agents. She accepts the offer and battles against the 10 agents across the grounds of Kurayami's sprawling mansion. After successfully defeating all 10 agents, she finally agrees to become a Sukeban Deka because she wants to uncover the mystery of her past. She is given the name of her predecessor from the first series (Saki Asamiya) and takes ownership of the infamous yo-yo. She soon begins to go undercover at local high schools to solve various crimes. Nishiwaki becomes her handler and gives her assignments while disguised as a chronically disheveled teacher. She soon befriends two schoolgirls Okyo (Haruko Sagara) and Yukino (Akie Yoshizawa). Both are unaware that she is actually an undercover cop. They learn of her true identity in episode 4 when they help her beat up some baddies running an illegal student auction. After the baddies are incapacitated, Saki declares that she is a Sukeban Deka and flashes the police badge contained in her yo-yo. Okyo and Yukino are stunned. They feel betrayed and can't believe she's working for the cops. 
After this incident, the relationship between Saki and the two girls turns sour. Saki eventually sits down with them and tries to restore their friendship. She recounts her horrible childhood with the iron mask and explains why she has chosen to become a Sukeban Deka. They sympathize with her plight and vow to assist her in any way possible. The dynamic trio then unite to battle all matter of scum plaguing Japan's high schools. Along the way, Saki will find out her real name, the person who put the iron mask on her, the reason why her father was killed, the significance of her pendent, and the secret of the iron mask... Review The 2nd Sukeban Deka series delivers the same entertaining drama/comedy/action hybrid that the original delivered. Rather than simply remaking the first series, Toei/Fuji TV wisely chose a new story, new characters, and new weapons. Yoko Minamino does a brilliant job as the lead Sukeban Deka. Like Meiko Kaji, her eyes are very expressive. The title of the second series, Shoujo Tekkamen Densetsu (The Legend Of The Girl With The Iron Mask), refers to Saki and the iron mask she is forced to wear during her childhood. As the series progresses, the viewer will find out what is so special about the iron mask. Bring a hanky for the Christmas episode (episode #7) because a young orphan tries to convince people that his thieving, older brother is actually a "good" person. The most obvious difference between this and the first series (besides the new cast) is the addition of two more Sukeban Dekas. Only one brandishes the coveted yo-yo but the others have their own weapon: Saki Her weapon is the infamous yo-yo. Like the first series, she likes to strap on her black leather glove before using the yo-yo and the side of the yo-yo flips down to reveal her police badge. She also occasionally does some double yo-yo action and behind the back yo-yo action. The yo-yo is also used to tie-up the baddies because she doesn't have handcuffs. Like her predecessor from the first series, she's a left-hander.
Okyo Her weapons are marbles. She either throws them at a baddie or dumps a bunch of them on the ground, causing the baddies to slip and fall.
Yukino She has two main weapons:
When Okyo and Yukino are first introduced in the TV series, they are doing some activity related to their signature weapon. When Yukino is introduced in episode 2, she is performing a tea ceremony. Later in the same episode she is playing a koto with plectrums. When Okyo is introduced in episode 3, she is shooting marbles. Like the first series, whenever a weapon is thrown, you get a close-up of it flying through the air. Highlights from the first 10 episodes:
Of course, Saki can't let this abuse go unchecked and she decides to rescue the high school students. She gets the ol' crew back together for one last hurrah. Joining the trio is the lead Sukeban Deka from the third series, Yui Kazama (Yui Asaka). The 3rd series had already begun airing in Japan when the film was released so the film doesn't spend any time introducing Yui. But there's a problem. When Saki retired, she gave back her yo-yo. Luckily Nishiwaki (Keizo Kanie) comes to the rescue and gives her what he calls the ultimate yo-yo. This new badass yo-yo is twice as big as the standard issue Sukeban Deka yoyo, four times heavier, and 16 times more destructive. It is so powerful that she has to wear a shock-absorbing shoulder pad to prevent the yo-yo from damaging her shoulder. Before she uses it, she has to load it with metal cylinders in the same manner a person loads bullets into the barrel of a shotgun! Sukeban Deka fans will be heaven. Also, her trademark black leather glove has been replaced with a red leather glove. A destructive yo-yo, lots of plot twists, a rocking score, craziness, explosions, action, drama, comedy, pop songs...all the ingredients that made the first two Sukeban Deka series fun and enjoyable are back and better than ever. Luckily, the film doesn't waste any time recapping what happened during the 2nd series and starts off on an excellent note by having a smoke-filled scene with only the whizzing sound of a yo-yo. Slowly the yo-yo and Saki appear out of the smoke. Awesome. Yoko Minamino would receive a Best Newcomer award for her role in this film at the 1988 Japanese Academy Awards. Keep an eye out for the guy that sells Saki a toy yo-yo in the beginning of the film. That's Shinji Wada, the man who created the Sukeban Deka comic that the TV series was based upon. Toei would follow up this film with a sequel, Sukeban Deka: Kazama Sanshimai no Gyakushuu, that featured yo-yos with razor blades! To reduce confusion, here is a list of all the live-action yo-yo madness: Three TV series:
DVD Volume 1 contains the first 10 episodes of the 2nd series spread across two DVDs. Full Screen Japanese (DD 2.0 192 kbps) No Subtitles Region 2 Excellent transfer but as mentioned in my review of the Sukeban Deka Compilation DVD, the episodes suffer from a fair amount of grain (the episodes were shot on 16mm). Like volume 1 of the first series, the only extra is a data file covering the guest stars of the first 10 episodes of the second series. For those who are curious, Yukari Oshima does get a write-up for her guest appearance in the first episode. The first pressing includes a red box to hold all the DVDs of the second series. Related Links A soundtrack album for the 2nd series was released but it is now out of print. For the casual fan, there is a decent alternative. In 2003, Pony Canyon released a compilation CD entitled Theme Songs Of Dramas Starring Female Idols (PCCA-01880). It collects the theme songs from various 80s/90s "heroine" TV series starring popular female idols: The CD features the following Sukeban Deka theme songs: Sukeban Deka
Bishoujo Kamen Poitrine Most of the TV series featured on this compilation had a heroine who usually dressed in a sailor suit and brandished some sort of weapon from the deadly yo-yo in Sukeban Deka to the machine gun in Sailor Fuku to Kikanjuu (literally Sailor Suit And Machine Gun) to the bazooka in Shoujo Commando Izumi. The songs are sung by the actors/singers who starred in the TV series. Pony Canyon also released a similar compilation for films, Theme Songs Of Films Starring Female Idols (PCCA-01879): If you like what you hear, it's worth tracking down the soundtrack albums for the Sukeban Deka TV series and films. The bad news is you will have to find them via secondhand sources because they are all out of print. As far as DVD availability is concerned, only the Sukeban Deka TV series, the Sailor Fuku to Kikanjuu film (KABD-92), and the Hana no Asukagumi film (DABY-39) have been released on DVD. Other Sukeban Deka Links Japanese: http://www.toei-video.co.jp/DVD/sp21/sukebandeka.html Toei's website for the DVD releases http://homepage3.nifty.com/kazamaturi/kaori/kaori.html Includes video availability (VHS, LD, DVD), episode list, discography, guide to the theme songs, fan fiction, video game list, etc. http://bto8.smspower.org/segapower/1318/ A look at the Sukeban Deka video game created for the Sega Master System. The game was based on the 2nd Sukeban Deka series. Don't forget to click on the link at the bottom of the page to go to part 2 of the article. http://sokonasinuma.hp.infoseek.co.jp/sukebantop.htm All matter of Sukeban Deka memorabilia from yo-yos to dolls to LPs. http://www.yoko-minamino.net/ The best Yoko Minamino website (unofficial) English: http://www.idollica.com/sukebanintro/SukebanDekaIntro.html Everything you ever wanted to know about the Sukeban Deka TV series including detailed episode guides. http://beyond.japanhero.com/detective%20show%20profiles/sukeban_deka.htm Another excellent website with basic information about the TV series. muldoon |
| Menus (Disc 1) |
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| Menus (Disc 2) |
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| Screenshots |
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| Okyo getting ready to put a marble into motion. |
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| Saki choking a baddie with her yo-yo. |
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| Yukino getting ready to put her fukusa into motion. |
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| The nasty double schoolgirl kick. |
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| The even deadlier triple schoolgirl kick. |
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| Saki flashes the badge contained in her yo-yo. |
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| Onyanko Club search Tokyo for missing member Sayuri Kokusho. Their search doesn't last long because their rabid fans recognize them and they soon get chased after. [Episode 9] |
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| As a reward for finding Sayuri Kokusho, the Sukeban Deka girls get invited on Onyanko Club's TV show. [Episode 9] |
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| Former lovers, two passports and a plane...Sukeban Deka does Casablanca! [Episode 10] |
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