Children's dramas1970s1980s1990s

What Is Said Is Done, Three Sisters, Shushutorians come into being through the selfish behavior of Otori-sama as described above. The three sisters’ battle to maintain peace and happiness in 1993 commences.
■Synopsis
New Year’s Day 1993 at the home of the Yamabukis. However, it cannot be said that they are welcoming the new year with good cheer and happiness. Parents and husband and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Yamabuki, do not get along well together; so today, too, New Year’s Day, they are rapidly arguing up a storm. Actually, more than just a quarrel, this is terminal. The feeling is that it can only end in divorce. Unable to endure another moment, the three daughters, Yukiko, Tsukiko and Hanako, go to a karaoke place to dispel their gloom by singing songs. The moment the sisters set tune D-31, the karaoke machine blows up and this year’s Chinese sign of the zodiac, Otori-sama (the rooster), appears from the karaoke monitor!
The year is 1993 — the year of the rooster. From ancient times, the sign of the zodiac for the year has a duty to maintain the peace and happiness of the year. This year is, in fact, the year of the rooster, but through the closing days of the year all he did was play about and, as a result, is now addicted to karaoke and has become unable to live without karaoke. Consequently, being unable to maintain peace for the year, he asks for help to maintain the peace and happiness of the year on his behalf. The three sisters refuse to accept this ridiculous, selfish request, but Otori-sama makes an offer they cannot refuse in return for their work:
"If you accept my request, I will mediate to ensure that your parents live together in perfect harmony."
At the moment, the three sisters’ biggest worry is parental discord. If only this problem could be resolved..., but the three sisters hesitate. With or without knowing their feelings, Otori-sama suddenly transforms the three sisters into Shushutorians. Otori-sama threatens to turn them into roast chicken if the world gets to know the secret of the transformation. After assigning the sisters to maintain the peace and happiness of the year, Otori-sama disappears. Although stunned, the three sisters accept this turn of events and decide to go along with it.
■Comment on the drama
Hopelessly inadequate transforming heroines. The very limited aim of maintaining peace only during 1993, the year of the rooster. The heroines are so different from other Ishinomori’s heroes who are charged with the responsibility of maintaining the peace of the world. The secret story of the birth of the heroines is not at all sad, very much unlike being abducted or transformed by a wicked secret society. The heroines are transformed by a silly god to make up for his misbehavior and made to fight without knowing why. Naturally, no other transforming hero (heroine) is ever created because of a silly reason like this. The level of absurdity makes it meaningless to think why this came about. The best way to watch Shushutorians is just to empty your head and laugh a lot at the amusing story. For lovers of ridiculous dramas, this surreal drama filled with attractive ideas of Yoshio Urasawa, a script writer, is outstanding.

　The appeal of Shushutorians is the stress-free surreal humor and, of course, the cool transforming heroines. The three sisters transform into combat figures by holding up gems in one of three colors called baramiracles which Otori-sama entrusted to them and shouting “Shushutorians”. Their post-transformation costumes are in Japanese style, as you can see in the photo above, and the heroines impart a more powerful impression than any other heroes or heroines. The words the heroines say every time before starting combat are unforgettable. In the movie, Masked Rider Stronger (1975, Toei), which is also based on Ishinomori’s work, the hero, Shigeru Jo, transforms into Stronger and says the famous phrase, “The heavens call me, the earth calls me and the people call me to defeat evil!”. The expressions Shushutorians use are quite different. Before combat, Shushutorians always quote a proverb. They say a suitable proverb to accuse and teach monsters appeared, starting with “It is said that ...”. The meaning of the proverbs is kindly told, which is good, as it is a children’s drama. If you want to know which proverbs the sisters used, please refer to the broadcast list which shows all of the proverbs used in the episodes. You may learn a great deal by finding out the meanings of the proverbs, although proper proverbs are used only in the first twenty episodes or so. Later it became increasingly ridiculous with the three sisters saying things like “Yukio Hashi said that ...”, “NTT said that ...”, “Dan Moroboshi said that ...” , and what followed were no longer proverbs. This endless meaninglessness is part of the appeal of Shushutorians, but I wonder if younger viewers knew about Yukio Hashi and Dan Moroboshi. The final episode features Yoichi Sugawara’s song, Let’s Say Goodbye Today, (lyrics by Rei Nakanishi, composed by Akira Ui, winner of the Japan Record Award in 1970) that only people in their forties and older know. It is the height of folly to say Shushutorians is incomprehensible to children. [laughter]

　The most unforgettable episode is episode 40, Wanting to See Ultraman in which the original Ultraman appears. This episode was produced because Kazuo Tsuburaya (later the president of Tsuburaya Productions, since resigned) was a great fan of this drama and offered the full backing of Tsuburaya Productions. A collaboration made in heaven; thrilling the fans. In this episode, Shushutorian says, “Dan Moroboshi said that even if you start vomiting blood you must fight on ...” This famous phrase is said by Dan Moroboshi concerning never-ending military development in episode 26, Ultra Weapon R1, (broadcast March 31, 1968) of Ultra Seven. Before watching episode 40 of Shushutorians, watching episode 26 of Ultra Seven first will increase your enjoyment. Satomi Hirose, who played the role of Hanako in Shushutorians, also played the role of Tsuruhime in a drama series, Ninja Squadron Kakurangers. Shushutorians appeared in one episode of Ninja Squadron Kakurangers, surprising fans of special effects. The quality of the drama is unexpectedly high thanks to many renowned supporting actors and actresses including Mitsuru Fukikoshi and Rie Shibata of WAHAHA Hompo.

　Not only children but also adults can enjoy this drama which overflows with appeal. If you have not seen the Shushutorians series and come across videos of the series at your local video rental shop, be sure to watch them: they will definitely not waste your money. I recommend the Shushutorians series to people who are a little tired because the series helps you to feel that trouble at school or at work, particularly love problems, are all a bit silly. [laughter]

Person responsible for the wording of the article: Kei Shida (Ishimori Production)

■Broadcast information
Broadcast: January 10, 1993 - October 31, 1993 (42 episodes)
Fuji Television Network, 9:00 - 9:30 every Sunday
■スタッフ
原作：石森章太郎
企画：高橋松徳・金田耕司(フジテレビ)・木村京太郎(読売広告社)・小林義明
プロデューサー：日笠　淳・角田美華
音楽：本間勇輔

主題歌(オープニング)「思いたったが吉日」
歌：三姉妹

主題歌(エンディング)「あなたには言えない」
歌：矢野顕子

制作：フジテレビ・東映
■キャスト（順不同）
山吹雪子：田中規子
山吹月子：石橋　桂
山吹花子：広瀬仁美
山吹英三郎：佐渡　稔
山吹　恵：日向明子
篠山：広田雅宣
加納：大崎晃一
荒木：石川秀樹
ETおばさん：柴田理恵
怪猫猫姫：布施絵理
フライドチキン男：吹越　満
お酉様：麿　赤児
Shushutorian Yukiko
Real name: Yukiko Yamabuki
The oldest of the three sisters, Yukiko, transforms into the Shushutorian of wisdom, the leader of the Shushutorians. During investigations, she conducts appropriate analyses and reasoning with her clear head.
The gem she received from Otori-sama was a yellow baramiracle. When Yukiko is not transformed, she has a special magical compact called a Shushucompact.
Yukiko is a first-year student at a private high school. 16 years old.
Shushutorian Tsukiko
Real name: Tsukiko Yamabuki
The second of the three sisters, Tsukiko, transforms into the Shushutorian of intuition. Tsukiko loves astrology and charms, and reads a fortune-telling magazine called My Birthday. She is often lost in her thoughts, and many people feel she is difficult to understand. However, for some reason, she is idolized by all sorts of boys.
The gem she received from Otori-sama was an indigo-colored baramiracle. When Tsukiko is not transformed, she has special magical lipstick called Shushulipstick.
Tsukiko is a first-year student at a private middle school. 13 years old.
Shushutorian Hanako
Real name: Hanako Yamabuki
The youngest of the three sisters, Hanako, transforms into the Shushutorian of passion. Hanako likes meddling in anything, unlike Tsukiko. Of the three sisters, she is most conscious of justice and eagerly performs the duty of Shushutorians, pursuing bad people anywhere. A short-tempered, spirited tomboy.
The gem she received from Otori-sama was a red baramiracle. When Hanako is not transformed, she has a special magical atomizer called Shushucologne.
Hanako is a year-six pupil at primary school. 11 years old.
Otori-sama
　
Otori-sama, one of the twelve Chinese signs of the zodiac, assigned the three Yamabuki sisters to maintain happiness and peace in 1993, the year of the rooster, and bestowed upon them Shushutorian power. Otori-sama played about during the closing days of the year, becoming addicted to karaoke and unable to fulfill his duty to maintain peace in the year of the rooster. So he more or less forced the three sisters to accept the assignment. However, this selfish man frightened the sisters into protecting himself by threatening to transform them into roast chicken if the transformation is made public. He has a messenger: a fried-chicken man (Mitsuru Fukikoshi).
放映回 サブタイトル 放送日 脚本 監督 今週のことわざ／格言
1 涙の妖怪・ザ・お正月 93/01/10 三ツ村鐵治 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！過ぎたるは尚及ばざるが如し
2 怪人大相撲 93/01/17 三ツ村鐵治 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！贔屓(ひいき)の引倒し
3 蜂妖怪・ザ・不幸 93/01/24 坂本太郎 大原清秀 故人曰く！足を知らざる者は富むといえど貧し
4 妖怪ヘリクツ、現る 93/01/31 坂本太郎 大原清秀 故人曰く！理屈と膏薬はどこにでもつく
5 謎の女形・金平糖婦人 93/02/07 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！五重の塔も下から組む
6 光源氏のバレンタイン 93/02/14 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！腹八分目に医者いらず 盗人を捕らえてみれば我が子なり
7 誰かがあなたを愛してる 93/02/21 佐伯孚治 大原清秀 故人曰く！可愛さあまって憎さ百倍
8 謎の２・２９事件 93/02/28 佐伯孚治 大原清秀 故人曰く！坊主憎けりゃ袈裟（けさ）まで憎い
9 フライドチキン男の青い鳥 93/03/07 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！天知る地知る我知る人知る
10 ＥＴおばさん見参 93/03/14 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！捕らぬ狸の皮算用
11 なにか妖怪？ 93/03/21 坂本太郎 大原清秀 故人曰く！やはり野に置くレンゲ草
12 働く小学生のユーウツ 93/03/28 坂本太郎 武上純希 故人曰く！己の長を以て人の短をあらわす事なかれ
13 好き嫌いのあるゴミ箱 93/04/04 佐伯孚治 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！春眠暁を覚えず
14 シュシュトリアンの父現わる!? 93/04/11 佐伯孚治 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！人のふんどしで相撲を取る
15 普通戦隊サラリーマン 93/04/18 岩原直樹 大原清秀 故人曰く！十人十色
16 怪人カメラの犯罪 93/04/25 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！弘法も筆の誤り
17 まくら大王、夢見るぞ 93/05/02 佐伯孚治 武上純希 故人曰く！夢に富みする
18 ＥＴおばさんのカーネーション 93/05/09 佐伯孚治 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！人を呪わば穴二つ
19 妖怪・理想の主婦 93/05/16 小原宏裕 大原秀清 故人曰く！楽あれば苦あり
20 原料魔がゆく！ 93/05/23 小原宏裕 大原秀清 故人曰く！元の木阿弥（もくあみ）
21 いじけたジューサー 93/05/30 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！同じ穴の狢（むじな）
22 妖怪おやじ虫若返りの秘法 93/06/06 岩原直樹 武上純希 故人曰く！年寄りの冷や水
23 アジサイ仮面の心 93/06/13 小原宏裕 浦沢義雄 橋幸夫曰く！雨が小粒の真珠なら、恋はピンクのバラの花
24 ＥＴおばさんと扇 93/06/20 小原宏裕 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！暑さ寒さも彼岸まで
25 命短し、コイせよ乙女！ 93/06/27 坂本太郎 大原秀清 故人曰く！恋はくせ者
26 妖怪魍魎と写真の美女 93/07/04 坂本太郎 武上純希 故人曰く！人の恋路を邪魔する奴は馬に蹴られて死んじまえ
27 紫外線の正体 93/07/11 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 ジャン＝ジャック＝ルソー曰く！自然に帰れ
28 猫姫の野望 93/07/18 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！なき猫はネズミ捕らず
29 嘆きのスイカ 93/08/01 佐伯孚治 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！沈む瀬あれば浮かぶ瀬あり
30 涼電話の夏 93/08/08 佐伯孚治 浦沢義雄 ＮＴＴ曰く！電話料金はお早めに
31 山吹家真夏の悪夢
シュシュトリアン名場面集		 93/08/15 岩原直樹 岩原直樹(構成) ※総集編の為、格言無し。
32 山吹家の秘密 93/08/22 村山新治 武上純希 故人曰く！仏造って魂入れず
33 妖怪・米ツキバッタ！ 93/08/29 岩原直樹 大原秀清 故人曰く！天は人の上に人を作らず、人の下に人を作らず
34 ＥＴおばさんの帰省 93/09/05 村山新治 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！大根を正宗で切る
35 怪奇！Ｃ型仮面 93/09/12 岩原直樹 大原秀清 故人曰く！血は水よりも濃し
36 怪人・真実一郎 93/09/19 坂本太郎 大原秀清 故人曰く！嘘も方便
37 恐竜の卵 93/09/26 坂本太郎 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！イタチの最後っ屁
38 チーズになった月 93/10/03 三ツ村鐵治 浦沢義雄 ガガーリン曰く！地球は青かった
39 愛しのナルシス仮面 93/10/10 佐伯孚治 鹿島とも子 故人曰く！人のふり見て我がふり直せ
40 ウルトラマンに逢いたい 93/10/17 佐伯孚治 武上純希 ＥＴ曰く！「We are not alone.」
モロボシダン曰く！戦いは血を吐きながら続ける悲しいマラソンのようなものだ
41 消えた十二支 93/10/24 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 故人曰く！泣いて暮らすも一生、笑って暮らすも一生
42 シュシュトリアン最後の闘い 93/00/00 岩原直樹 浦沢義雄 菅原洋一曰く！今日でお別れね、もう逢えないの