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Is the Anime Finished?
Is the Anime Finished?
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Is Gatchaman Finished? Your Complete Guide to the Science Ninja Team

Finished Action Adventure Science Fiction Mecha Sentai Classic Anime
Table of Contents

What is Gatchaman?
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Known by many names across the globe—including Battle of the Planets, G-Force, Comando G, and Science Ninja Team Gatchaman—this series is a cornerstone of the action and science fiction genres. The plot follows a group of five young heroes, skilled in ninjutsu and clad in unique bird-like costumes, who are recruited by the renowned scientist Kouzaburou Nanbu. Their mission? To defend the world from the terrifying threat of the terrorist group known as Galactor.

If you are looking to dive into this legendary series, you can watch the anime on Prime Video to start your journey.

Is the Anime Really Finished?
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Whether Gatchaman is “finished” depends on which era of the franchise you are exploring. The original narrative arc began in 1972 and progressed through a series of sequels that provided a comprehensive story for the original Science Ninja Team.

If you follow the original timeline from the 1970s, the story reaches its conclusion across three main series. However, the Gatchaman universe has expanded significantly over the decades with remakes, alternate retellings, and modern spinoffs like Gatchaman Crowds. While the classic story is complete, the franchise remains active through new interpretations and upcoming projects, including a Hollywood film being developed by the Russo Brothers and a limited spinoff comic series, Gatchaman: Red Impulse, releasing its first issue on April 29, 2026.

If you want to own a piece of this history, be sure to buy Gatchaman merchandise to celebrate the series.

Who Should Watch Gatchaman?
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Gatchaman is perfect for fans of high-stakes action, adventure, and drama. It blends elements of a spy thriller with sentai and mecha themes, making it a great fit for those who enjoy team-based heroics and battles against global threats. Its appeal lies in the combination of traditional ninjutsu and futuristic science fiction, wrapped in a struggle against terrorism.

If you’re enjoying our deep dives into classic series, consider supporting us on Ko-fi to keep the guides coming!

Recommended Watch Order#

Because Gatchaman has such a complex history of remakes and international versions, the order in which you watch can vary depending on your goals. You can refer to the relationship tree below for a visual guide to these connections.

The Recommended Path (Original Story)
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For those who want the core experience of the original Science Ninja Team, follow the original trilogy:

  1. Gatchaman (1972)
  2. Gatchaman II
  3. Gatchaman Fighter

The Release Order
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For historians who want to see how the series evolved over time:

  1. Gatchaman (1972)
  2. Gatchaman The Movie (1978)
  3. Gatchaman II (1978)
  4. Gatchaman Fighter (1979)
  5. Gatchaman (1994 Remake)
  6. Gatchaman 2000 (2000 Remake)
  7. Ohayō Ninja-Tai Gatchaman (2011)
  8. Gatchaman Crowds (2013)
  9. Gatchaman Crowds insight (2015)

The Completionist Order
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If you want every single piece of content, follow the release order but also include the amalgam series Eagle Riders (1996). This ensures you see every iteration of the Science Ninja Team, including the various remakes and the modern Crowds era.

For Those Exploring Source Material
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While the anime is the primary way to experience the story, the franchise continues to expand into print. For those who don’t mind supplementing their viewing with written material, we recommend buying the manga and keeping an eye out for the Red Impulse comic series.

Useful Extras
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If you are looking for physical media, Sentai Filmworks has previously released Gatchaman II and Gatchaman Fighter on DVD, making them accessible for collectors who prefer a tangible library over streaming.

Gatchaman • anime • 1972-10-01 to 1974-09-29
  └─(sequel)→  Gatchaman II • anime • 1978-10-01 to 1979-09-23
   └─(amalgam)→   Eagle Riders • anime • 1996-09-09 to 1997-01-01 (USA)
   └─(sequel)→   Gatchaman Fighter • anime • 1979-10-07 to 1980-08-31
  └─(remake)→  Gatchaman • anime • 1994-10-01 to 1995-04-01
  └─(remake)→  Gatchaman 2000 • anime • 2000-08 to 2000-09
  └─(alternate retelling)→  Gatchaman The Movie • anime • 1978-07-15
  └─(spinoff)→  Ohayō Ninja-Tai Gatchaman • anime • 2011-04-18
  └─(spinoff)→  Gatchaman Crowds • anime • 2013-07-12
   └─(sequel)→   Gatchaman Crowds insight • anime • 2015-07-04 to 2015-09-26

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