TV-Series
Description
Yatter-Wan, also called Yatta-Can in Italian versions, is a dog-shaped all-terrain rescue robot. Toymaker Tokubei Takada created it as an unfinished prototype. Gan Takada and Ai Kaminari later completed and activated the robot, repurposing it for crime-fighting. Upon activation, Yatter-Wan declared its function was to protect the world and its inhabitants, inspiring Gan and Ai to become the superhero team Yatterman.
Physically, Yatter-Wan combines dog and firetruck elements. It has handles on its shoulders and stomach for passengers, a bell on its nose, and cheek-mounted flags that raise to signal confidence. Activation requires manually turning a crank to sound its siren and pulling a lever to initiate movement. Its combat capabilities include firing iron pellets from its nostrils, deploying fire hoses stored on its back, and using a bone-shaped "Mecha-Tonic" power pack for temporary energy boosts. When fed this power source, Yatter-Wan releases "Surprise Mini-Mechas" – miniature robots shaped like land animals (gators, turtles, hippos, ants, mice, skunks) – from a ladder in its mouth. These mini-robots swarm enemies and often trigger self-destructive failures in antagonist mechas, resulting in a skull-shaped explosion cloud.
In the original 1977 series episode 45, Yatter-Wan sustained critical damage from a missile attack. It was subsequently rebuilt into the larger mecha Yatter-King, incorporating its remains. Yatter-King resembles a fire-engine-dachshund hybrid and features enhanced weaponry like a tail-mounted firehose, projectile launchers, and a carrier bay for auxiliary robots. In the *Royal Revival* OVA, an upgraded model called Yatter-Wan FZ appeared, equipped with built-in rockets, an orchestral fanfare heralding mini-mecha deployments, and resistance to enemy mecha seduction tactics.
The name "Yatter-Wan" is a dual pun: "Wan" is Japanese onomatopoeia for a dog's bark (from "wan-chan"), while also homophonically referencing the English word "one" to signify its status as the first Yatterman mecha. The Italian localization "Yatta-Can" adapts this to incorporate "cane," the Italian word for dog.
Beyond the anime, Yatter-Wan appears in video games. It serves as the basis for Yatterman-1's special moves in *Tatsunoko vs. Capcom*, executing attacks like charging, breathing fire, or deploying mini-crocodile mechas. It also features as a boss enemy in *Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo!* and *Bokandesuyo*, and is an unlockable racer in *Bokan GoGoGo*.
Physically, Yatter-Wan combines dog and firetruck elements. It has handles on its shoulders and stomach for passengers, a bell on its nose, and cheek-mounted flags that raise to signal confidence. Activation requires manually turning a crank to sound its siren and pulling a lever to initiate movement. Its combat capabilities include firing iron pellets from its nostrils, deploying fire hoses stored on its back, and using a bone-shaped "Mecha-Tonic" power pack for temporary energy boosts. When fed this power source, Yatter-Wan releases "Surprise Mini-Mechas" – miniature robots shaped like land animals (gators, turtles, hippos, ants, mice, skunks) – from a ladder in its mouth. These mini-robots swarm enemies and often trigger self-destructive failures in antagonist mechas, resulting in a skull-shaped explosion cloud.
In the original 1977 series episode 45, Yatter-Wan sustained critical damage from a missile attack. It was subsequently rebuilt into the larger mecha Yatter-King, incorporating its remains. Yatter-King resembles a fire-engine-dachshund hybrid and features enhanced weaponry like a tail-mounted firehose, projectile launchers, and a carrier bay for auxiliary robots. In the *Royal Revival* OVA, an upgraded model called Yatter-Wan FZ appeared, equipped with built-in rockets, an orchestral fanfare heralding mini-mecha deployments, and resistance to enemy mecha seduction tactics.
The name "Yatter-Wan" is a dual pun: "Wan" is Japanese onomatopoeia for a dog's bark (from "wan-chan"), while also homophonically referencing the English word "one" to signify its status as the first Yatterman mecha. The Italian localization "Yatta-Can" adapts this to incorporate "cane," the Italian word for dog.
Beyond the anime, Yatter-Wan appears in video games. It serves as the basis for Yatterman-1's special moves in *Tatsunoko vs. Capcom*, executing attacks like charging, breathing fire, or deploying mini-crocodile mechas. It also features as a boss enemy in *Bokan to Ippatsu! Doronbo!* and *Bokandesuyo*, and is an unlockable racer in *Bokan GoGoGo*.