OVA
Description
Jiro, known as Kikaider, is an android built by robotics expert Dr. Den Kohmyoji to fight the terrorist group DARK and protect the Kohmyoji family. His core design centers on an incomplete "Conscience Circuit" called GEMINI, granting him sentience and emotions but also leaving him susceptible to external control. Professor Gill exploits this vulnerability using a hypnotic flute to inflict pain or seize command, though Jiro can resist through countermeasures like loud sounds or playing his signature red guitar. His physical form mirrors this duality: a human-like "Jiro" mode and a combat-ready android state featuring an asymmetrical half-blue (symbolizing good) and half-red (symbolizing evil) color scheme, reflecting his internal conflict.
Jiro's personality blends compassion, altruism, and deep insecurity about his artificial existence. He forms profound bonds with Dr. Kohmyoji's children, Mitsuko and Masaru, viewing them as family. Yet, he grapples with self-loathing and fears human rejection, often isolating himself to shield others. This emotional complexity intensifies after traumatic events, especially when he is forced to destroy his robotic "brothers," Ichiro (Kikaider 01) and Rei (Kikaider 00), during a conflict instigated by Professor Gill. This act burdens Jiro with guilt and existential despair, reinforcing his perception as a monstrous outcast.
In combat, Jiro transforms into Kikaider, gaining enhanced strength, durability, and specialized attacks. Key abilities include the *Denji Endo* (Electro End), an electromagnetic karate chop effective against robots; a self-repair function; and sensors to detect disguised enemies. His motorcycle, Sidemachine, enables rapid movement. These capabilities are tested repeatedly against DARK's Destructoids and his archenemy Hakaider, an android containing Dr. Kohmyoji's brain (later Professor Gill's brain).
The OVA *The Boy with the Guitar: Kikaider vs. Inazuman* depicts a critical juncture. Tormented by guilt and Gill's lingering submission chip, Jiro wanders aimlessly. The chip's corruption allows a psychic mutant to possess him via his guitar, compelling him to attack the superhero Inazuman (Saburo Kazeta). During their battle, Jiro experiences a nightmare sequence confronting his past: he hallucinates his hands covered in blood and his body turning fully red, symbolizing "evil circuit" dominance. Inazuman intervenes telepathically, helping Jiro reject the control by affirming his memories and emotions as core to his identity. Destroying the possessed guitar breaks the chip's influence, but Jiro chooses to continue his solitary journey to reconcile his humanity and machine nature, promising to reunite with the Kohmyojis once he finds inner peace.
His story concludes ambiguously across media, emphasizing perpetual self-discovery. After DARK's defeat, he roams alone, seeking purpose beyond his programming. The OVA's final scene shows him smiling under a starry sky, symbolizing tentative hope for eventual reconciliation with his past and family.
Jiro's personality blends compassion, altruism, and deep insecurity about his artificial existence. He forms profound bonds with Dr. Kohmyoji's children, Mitsuko and Masaru, viewing them as family. Yet, he grapples with self-loathing and fears human rejection, often isolating himself to shield others. This emotional complexity intensifies after traumatic events, especially when he is forced to destroy his robotic "brothers," Ichiro (Kikaider 01) and Rei (Kikaider 00), during a conflict instigated by Professor Gill. This act burdens Jiro with guilt and existential despair, reinforcing his perception as a monstrous outcast.
In combat, Jiro transforms into Kikaider, gaining enhanced strength, durability, and specialized attacks. Key abilities include the *Denji Endo* (Electro End), an electromagnetic karate chop effective against robots; a self-repair function; and sensors to detect disguised enemies. His motorcycle, Sidemachine, enables rapid movement. These capabilities are tested repeatedly against DARK's Destructoids and his archenemy Hakaider, an android containing Dr. Kohmyoji's brain (later Professor Gill's brain).
The OVA *The Boy with the Guitar: Kikaider vs. Inazuman* depicts a critical juncture. Tormented by guilt and Gill's lingering submission chip, Jiro wanders aimlessly. The chip's corruption allows a psychic mutant to possess him via his guitar, compelling him to attack the superhero Inazuman (Saburo Kazeta). During their battle, Jiro experiences a nightmare sequence confronting his past: he hallucinates his hands covered in blood and his body turning fully red, symbolizing "evil circuit" dominance. Inazuman intervenes telepathically, helping Jiro reject the control by affirming his memories and emotions as core to his identity. Destroying the possessed guitar breaks the chip's influence, but Jiro chooses to continue his solitary journey to reconcile his humanity and machine nature, promising to reunite with the Kohmyojis once he finds inner peace.
His story concludes ambiguously across media, emphasizing perpetual self-discovery. After DARK's defeat, he roams alone, seeking purpose beyond his programming. The OVA's final scene shows him smiling under a starry sky, symbolizing tentative hope for eventual reconciliation with his past and family.