A live-action TV drama adaptation of Masakazu Katsura’s (Video Girl, DNA², I”s) superhero manga in the mid-1980s, Wingman, is set to premiere on TV Tokyo’s “DramaTues!” midnight programming block on October 22, 2024. The drama’s official website has opened, releasing a 15-second teaser trailer.
As the author’s first serialization work, Wingman ran in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1983 to 1985. Its style, heavily influenced by the tokusatsu heroes of the 1980s, was popular with both men and women alike, and was adapted into TV anime and video games. This live-action drama will be realized in commemoration of the manga’s 40th anniversary.Katsura says, “A dream since 42 years ago. Wingman live-action. I’m overwhelmed with emotions,” and posted a celebratory illustration on the drama’s official X (formerly Twitter).
The manga’s TV anime adaptation was produced by Toei Animation. Under the title Yume Senshi Wingman (“Dream Warrior Wingman”), the anime aired for 47 episodes from February 1984 to February 1985.Toei Animation’s official website describes the story:
Although Kenta Hirono appears in many ways to be the typical backward Tokyo junior high school student, he actually can transform himself into Wingman, the Ally of Justice. Yet his struggles for righteousness are often misunderstood; so, despite his good intentions, he often ends up disturbing his class and getting punished by his teacher.One day on his way home from school, Kenta has a dramatic encounter of the third kind. Aoi, a sexy girl who has fled from the multi-dimensional kingdom of Podreams, lands on his head. She is carrying the “Dream Book”, which can make dreams come true.Aoi, comes to live in Kenta’s house as his cousin; but Miku Ogawa, the girl in Kenta’s heart, at first misinterprets their relationship and gets jealous. Moreover, the evil king of Podreams sends a succession of killers to earth to snatch the “Dream Book”. Though this new situation makes Kenta somewhat dizzy, he manages to remain cheerful. Will the “Dream Book” help to bring good fortune to Kenta?This story is filled with both thrills and laughter.
Source: “Wingman” live-action drama official website / X (formerly Twitter), Toei Video official YouTube channel©Masakazu Katsura/SHUEISHA
