In the 60's, the Japanese National Electronics Inc. (presently Panasonic) developed a successful strategy of marketing based on the superhero National Kid, the protector of the peace and justice. I believe in 1962, National Kid was broadcast in Brazil and I could not even imagine losing any episode. The poor special effects of this series were amazing for a child in the 60's, with an invincible hero that could fly, become invisible, cross closed doors and fight against the enemies of Earth with a wonderful choreography. I dare to say that most of the Brazilian children of my generation worshiped National Kid, the first great Japanese hero.
National Kid is from Andromeda and his secret identity is the scientist Professor Massao Hata. He lives with Thiako and the children Goro, Curazzo, Yiukio, Kioko e Tomohiro in Tokyo. He faces the threat of the Venetian Incas, the Abysses Beings and the Underground Empire.
The lyrics of National Kid song is: "Kumo Ka Arashi Ka / Inazuma Ka / Heiwa o Aisuru Hito no Tame / Morote o Takaku Sashinobete / Uchu Ni Habataku Kaidangi / Hei, Sono Na Wa Kido - Hei, Nationaro Kido / Bokura No Kido - Kido! - Nationaro Kido".
His saga begins with "National Kid Against the Venetian Incas" ("National Kid Contra os Incas Venezianos") (1) "The Attack of the Unknown Flying Saucer" ("O Ataque do Disco Voador Desconhecido"): airplane pilots see a flying saucer of the Venetian Incas in the sky of Japan. National Kid protects the little secret agents from the Incas and gives a magic radio to them for emergency. (2) "The Abduction of Dr. Yamada" ("O Rapto do Doutor Yamada"): Dr. Yamada is researching nuclear energy and is kidnapped by the Venetian Incas. He returns brainwashed with an Inca personality. (3) "The Terror in the Great Metropole"("O Terror da Grande Metrópole"): The Incas poison the food and liquid on Earth. Dr. Mizuno and Dr. Hassegawa are kidnapped by the Incas. (4) "The Brain Alteration" ("A Alteração dos Cérebros"): The leader Aura and the Incas change the brain of Dr. Hassegawa and uses the X Radiation to destroy him. National Kid arrives in the flying saucer to save Dr. Mizuno. Aura blows the flying saucer to destroy National Kid. (5) "The Revenge of Awika" ("A Vingança de Awika"): The Incas hijack a train and lure and abduct the little agents. (6) "National Kid in Danger" ("National Kid em Perigo"): Massao Hata receives a message from the Incas informing that they have kidnapped the children; he follows a trail of whitewash and the children use the magic radio to summon National Kid. He saves the children, but the combination of X Radiation with a ray vanquishes National Kid. (7) "The Fire" ("O Incêndio"): Dr. Mizuni heals National Kid using electric current. The Incas use the Uraton Stone to set fire to a powder factory. (8) "The Attack of the Escal Ship" ("O Ataque da Nave Escal"): The Incas discover that National Kid is weak and they use toxic substances in the rain. The Incas give an ultimatum to Earth to stop with the research of nuclear weapons. National Kid uses a powerful ray to retrieve his powers and save Earth from the Incas.
"The Return of the Venetian Incas" ("O Retorno dos Incas Venezianos") is edited in such a way that the running time of the first episode is less than 3 minutes and the total running time of the five episodes is only 58 minutes. Therefore it is completely mutilated in a total irresponsibility of Focus Filmes.
In Brazil, Focus Filmes Distributor has recently released a four-DVD Box with the thirty-nine episodes of National Kid. Unfortunately the DVDs are copied from the edited VHSs released by Sato Company Distributor a few years ago, with low-quality image and the episodes are awfully dubbed in Portuguese and neither the original sound in Japanese nor in Portuguese are used. The salutation "Awica", for example, becomes "Ávica" in this dreadful DVD. The fans of National Kid do not deserve this shameful release of Focus Filmes. My vote is ten.
Title (Brazil): "National Kid"
