Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion (Japanese: 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン, Hepburn: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion, "Transforming Bullet Train Robot Shinkalion") is a Japanese toy franchise created by Takara Tomy, in association with the Japan Railways Group.[1] It is a spin-off of the long-running Plarail model train franchise, with the toys first launched back at March 16, 2015. An anime adaptation by OLM aired in all JNN stations in Japan from January 2018 to June 2019.[2] A second anime titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z aired from April 2021 to March 2022 on TV Tokyo. A third anime by Signal.MD and Production I.G titled Shinkalion: Change the World premiered in April 2024.
Several incidents of monster attacks from a mysterious group named Kitoralsus appeared suddenly in Japan after the appearance of the mysterious Black Shinkansen. In response, a secret organization called Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute was established in order to investigate the Black Shinkansen and its relations to the attacks using Shinkalions, bullet trains that turn into giant robots. However one day, Hayato Hayasugi, a young grade schooler who is a big railfan due to his father being a staff in the Railway Museum, accidentally got involved in the recent attack by the monsters and discovered his father's secret working with the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute. Hayato shows a surprising amount of aptitude as a Shinkalion driver, based on him using a training application on his father's tablet that he mistook for a mobile game. Despite initial concerns from the adult members of the organization about having children as drivers, Hayato joins several other kids in using Shinkalions to willingly fight against the threat of the Kitoralsus.
Anime film
About half a year after the defeat of the Kitoralsus, giant monstrous beings suddenly appear from space led by both Nahane and Ohanefu, and are planning to take over the Earth. During these attacks, the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute has been busy developing a new prototype unit - the Shinkalion ALFA-X. Suddenly, a 9-year old Hokuto appears from across time and space. Having no choice, the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute appointed the young Hokuto to become the driver of the Shinkalion ALFA-X and bringing in the teams from all the branches across Japan as the last line of defense against the invaders threatening the planet.
Shinkalion Z
In preparation for the attack of new enemies, the Ultra Evolution Institute is developing a new type of robot called "Shinkalion Z" as well as new armed enhancement rolling stocks known as "Zailiners" that transform from conventional trains to power up the "Shinkalion Z". The children who became the drivers of "Shinkalion Z" with a high compatible rate will work together with the institute staff members to confront the giant monstrous beings that reappeared! The emergence of unknown enemies- And the encounter of two boys.
Shinkalion: Change The World
10 years ago, mysterious mechanical entities called UNKNOWN has been terrorizing all over Japan. To combat the threat of these invaders, the organization known as the Evolution Railway Development Agency or ERDA was formed using specialized combat train robots called Shinkalions. Though the fight against them has subsided, the organization continued to develop the Shinkalions and secretly made preparations for the return of the UNKNOWN.
Years later, Taisei Ōnari, a Junior High School student, attended the Shinkai Academy to find any clues on his older sister, Ina Ōnari's disappearance several years ago. He met up with Ryota Kuzuryu in class, inviting him to join the school's Railway Club and used the Metaverse simulator for the first time, which is being managed by ERDA's current leader Kadomichi Takanawa. Seeing Taisei has a very high Aptitude Rate, the UNKNOWN suddenly appeared after its last appearance and started to attack the city as he asked Taisei to become a Shinkalion driver due to his high Aptitude Rate than the other candidates. Despite being hesitant, he decided to become one after remembering some encouraging words from his missing sister, boarding inside the Shinkalion E5 Hayabusa to fight against the UNKNOWN and defeating it. He joined ERDA after the battle after finding out that his missing sister was an ERDA engineer.
Development
The franchise's roots dates back to 2012, during the time when Takara Tomy revived the Tomica Hyper series. At the time, the Plarail Hyper Series did not do well in sales and was eventually discontinued in 2013. In order to redevelop the Plarail Hyper Series concept into a new series, Takara Tomy hired several experts from the Japan Railways Group for the new designs and concepts. The new concept is a transforming super robot in the vein of the Plarail series, and was inspired directly from several anime, notably Chō Tokkyū Hikarian. JR East Project and JR East Group were already long time sponsors of Takara Tomy during Plarail's development, and other branches of the Japan Railways group joined in on its development. The new project was announced under the codename "Project E5" during the 2014 Tokyo Toy Show, with special promotional animation created in collaboration with Japan Railways Group and Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment Inc.[3] After the presentation, many changes on the concept were done in order for the toy to be finalized for retail sale and to be compatible with any Plarail tracks. After the changes, the first wave of toys were released on March 16, 2015.[4][5]
Soon after the release of the toys, Takara Tomy announced that an anime of the series is in the works.[6] The anime, aired in TBS, was released on January 6, 2018. The anime has notable crossovers from both the Vocaloid franchise[7] and the Evangelion franchise in some of its episodes.[8][9][10][11][12] Hayato and the E5 also cross over in the feature-length film for Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu.[13] In May 2019, Takara Tomy announced that the anime would end in Summer 2019.[14][15] A sequel film is also announced to premiere in Winter 2019.[16] In January 2021, a new anime series was announced for spring of that year.[17]
In late December 2023, Takara Tomy later announced that a new season would be releasing in April 2024, titled Shinkalion: Change the World.
Media
Merchandise
The original Shinkalion toy franchise was released as a spin-off of the Plarail franchise on March 16, 2015. The original toys released, resembles regular Shinkansen trains complete with a front train, middle carriage and back train and that are compatible with any Plarail track. But the three components can transform and combine into a robot that is 18 inches in height and each figure comes with its own weapon and accessories. Also, each figure can also swap parts for added playability.
Within each year, new figures were officially released, especially during the Anime's run. The 2018 line also redesigned many existing models to look more like the animated designs and the real world shinkansen type, though the primary exceptions were the Black Shinkalion models, which were created from scratch-made designs drawn up specifically for the anime. Many of the models are the front and rear trains combined as the upper and lower robot half, with the middle carriage storing the weapons for the resulting robot. The toyline for the Z anime features additional train models that form enhanced replacement limbs and weapons. Unlike the Shinkalions, these models were based on conventional trains. The Change the World line focuses more on combination gimmicks than the last two lines, with weaponry based on non-rail vehicles.
Other merchandise of the series were also released in the form of keychains and novelties. Good Smile Company also released model kits of the mechas of the series under the Moderoid line of scale models, starting with the Shinkalion E5 Hayabusa in February 2019. A Nendoroid figure of Hatsune Miku, done in the style depicted in the anime series, was released in August 2019.[18]
Anime
An anime television series adaptation of the toyline, titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion THE ANIMATION (Japanese: 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン THE ANIMATION, Hepburn: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion THE ANIMATION) was animated by OLM, an anime studio behind Pokémon, airing on all JNN stations in Japan from January 6, 2018, to June 29, 2019. It was directed by Takahiro Ikezoe (Show By Rock!!) and written by Kento Shimoyama (Servant × Service, Kamen Rider Zi-O). The opening song is titled "Shinka Riron" (進化理論, "Evolution Theory") by Boys and Men. The first ending song is titled "Go One Step Ahead" by Keisuke Murakami, the second ending is titled "I WANNA BE WITH YOU" by TETSUYA, the third ending is titled "Go Way!" by Silent Siren, the fourth ending is titled "STARTRAiN" by Amatsuki and the fifth ending is titled "Start Line" (スタートライン, Sutātorain) by BERRY GOODMAN. The series' music is composed by Toshiyuki Watanabe (Galactic Armored Fleet Majestic Prince, Space Brothers).
A second anime television series titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion Z THE ANIMATION (Japanese: 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオンZ THE ANIMATION, Hepburn: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion Zett THE ANIMATION) aired from April 9, 2021 to March 18, 2022 on TV Tokyo.[19] Kentaro Yamaguchi is directing the series at OLM, with Takahiro Ikezoe serving as chief director. Ikezoe and Masanao Akahoshi are penning the series' scripts and Norihito Sumitomo is composing the series' music.[20] The opening song is titled "New Challenger" (ニューチャレンジャー, Nyūcharenjā) by Boys and Men.[21] The first ending song is titled "Bond Rail" (キズナ・レール, Kizuna Rēru) by Morinaka Kazaki meets ▽▲TRiNITY▲▽,[22] the second ending song is titled "Running Up Voltage" (駆け上がるボルテージ, Kakeagaru borutēji) by Urashimasakatasen,[23] the third ending song is titled "Terminal ~Where We Should Be~" (ターミナル ~僕ら、あるべき場所~, Tāminaru ~Bokura, Arubeki Basho) by Luce Twinkle Wink☆ and the fourth ending song is titled "Fastest!" by KOTOKO.
A third anime television series titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion: Change the World (Japanese: 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン チェンジ ザ ワールド, Hepburn: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion Chenji Za Wārudo) was announced on December 26, 2023.[24][25] It is produced by Signal.MD and Production I.G and directed by Kenichiro Komaya, with Eiji Umehara writing series scripts,
Shiori Asaka and Niina Morita designing the characters, and Yugo Kanno composing the music.[26] It premiered on April 7, 2024 on TV Tokyo. GRe4N BOYZ performed the series's opening theme "Senkou Hayabusa" (閃光ハヤブサ, Senkō Hayabusa, "Lightning Flash Hayabusa").[27] meiyo performed the first ending theme "HOPE!HOPE!HOPE!" while THE ALFEE will perform the second ending theme "KO.DA.MA." Sayaka Yamamoto will perform the third ending theme song.[28] Unlike the first two shows, Change the World takes place in an entirely separate continuity.
"Dialog!! Hayato and Ryuji's Karate Training" Transliteration: "Taiwa!! Hayato to Ryūji no Karate Shugyō" (Japanese: 対話!!ハヤトとリュウジの空手修行)
Takahide Ogata
Kento Shimoyama
October 6, 2018 (2018-10-06)
40
"Go Underground!! Shinkalion VS Byakko" Transliteration: "Chika e!! Shinkarion Tai Byakko" (Japanese: 地下へ!!シンカリオンＶＳビャッコ)
Daigo Yamagishi
Kento Shimoyama
October 13, 2018 (2018-10-13)
41
"Meeting!! Hayato's Birthday Celebration" Transliteration: "Kaigi!! Hayato no Tanjōbi o Iwae" (Japanese: 会議!!ハヤトの誕生日を祝え)
Shin'ya Sadamitsu
Kento Shimoyama
October 20, 2018 (2018-10-20)
42
"Go East!! The First Trip in Gran Class" Transliteration: "Higashi e!! Hajimete no Guran Kurasu" (Japanese: 東へ!!初めてのグランクラス)
Takahide Ogata
Kento Shimoyama
October 27, 2018 (2018-10-27)
43
"Cultural Exchange!! Explore Dialog With Genbu" Transliteration: "Kōryū!! Genbu to no Taiwa o Sagure" (Japanese: 交流!!ゲンブとの対話を探れ)
Toshiyuki Sone
Kento Shimoyama
November 3, 2018 (2018-11-03)
44
"Family!! The Cake of Akita's Memories" Transliteration: "Kazoku!! Akita to Omoide no Kēki" (Japanese: 家族!!アキタと思い出のケーキ)
Daigo Yamagishi
Kento Shimoyama
November 10, 2018 (2018-11-10)
45
"Yamagata!! Shinobu's Retiring as a Driver!?" Transliteration: "Yamagata!! Shinobu ga Untenshi Dattai!?" (Japanese: 山形!!シノブが運転士脱退!?)
Takahide Ogata
Kento Shimoyama
November 17, 2018 (2018-11-17)
46
"Invasion!! Fury of the Black Shinkalion" Transliteration: "Shūrai!! Ikari no Burakku Shinkarion" (Japanese: 襲来!!怒りのブラックシンカリオン)
Daiki Katō
Kento Shimoyama
November 24, 2018 (2018-11-24)
47
"Compatibility!! E5 × Doctor Yellow" Transliteration: "Tekigō!! Ī Faibu Kurosu Dokutā Ierō" (Japanese: 適合!!Ｅ５×ドクターイエロー)
Shin'ya Sadamitsu
Kento Shimoyama
December 1, 2018 (2018-12-01)
48
"The Organizers!! The Big Ultra Evolution Institute Year-End Party" Transliteration: "Shiwasu!! Chō Shinka Kenkyūjo Dai Bōnenkai" (Japanese: 師走!!超進化研究所大忘年会)
Takahide Ogata
Kento Shimoyama
December 8, 2018 (2018-12-08)
49
"Gale Force!! E3 Tsubasa Iron Wing" Transliteration: "Shippū!! Ī Surī Tsubasa Aian Uingu" (Japanese: 疾風!!Ｅ３つばさ アイアンウイング)
Toshiyuki Sone
Kento Shimoyama
December 15, 2018 (2018-12-15)
50
"United Front!! Black Shinkalion VS Torame" Transliteration: "Kyōtō!! Burakku Shinkarion Tai Torame" (Japanese: 共闘!!ブラックシンカリオンＶＳトラメ)
Takuo Suzuki
Kento Shimoyama
December 22, 2018 (2018-12-22)
51
"Update!! Futaba's Official Report" Transliteration: "Kōshin!! Futaba no Gyōmu Nisshi" (Japanese: 更新!!フタバの業務日誌)
Ryusora Okada
N/A
December 29, 2018 (2018-12-29)
52
"All Together!! The Shinkalion Drivers' New Years Party" Transliteration: "Tsudoe!! Shinkarion Untenshi Shin'nenkai" (Japanese: 集え!!シンカリオン運転士新年会)
Daigo Yamagishi
Keiichirō Ōchi
January 5, 2019 (2019-01-05)
53
"Quiz!! Black Shinkalion and a Penguin" Transliteration: "Kuizu!! Burakku Shinkarion to Pengin" (Japanese: クイズ!!ブラックシンカリオンとペンギン)
Norihiko Nagahama
Kento Shimoyama
January 12, 2019 (2019-01-12)
54
"Yo!! N700A and Ryuji's Blues" Transliteration: "Osu!! Enu Nana Hyaku Ē to Ryūji no Burūsu" (Japanese: 押忍!!Ｎ７００Ａとリュウジのブルース)
Hideaki Ōba
Kento Shimoyama
January 19, 2019 (2019-01-19)
55
"Super Super Super Speed!! Black Shinkalion Crimson" Transliteration: "Chō Chō Chō Kasoku!! Burakku Shinkarion Kurenai" (Japanese: 超・超・超加速!!ブラックシンカリオン紅)
Yoshihisa Matsumoto
Kento Shimoyama
January 26, 2019 (2019-01-26)
56
"Beans!! Seiryu the Demon" Transliteration: "Mame!! Oni no Seiryū" (Japanese: 豆!!鬼のセイリュウ)
"New Semester New Developments!!! The Mysterious Shinkansen Festival" Transliteration: "Shin Gakki Shin Tenkai!!! Nazo no Shinkansen Matsuri" (Japanese: 新学期 新展開!!!謎の新幹線祭り)
Yoshiaki Okumura
Kento Shimoyama
April 6, 2019 (2019-04-06)
66
"Megaburst!! Omagari Grand Cross" Transliteration: "Dai Sakuretsu!! Ōmagari Guran Kurosu" (Japanese: 大炸裂!!オオマガリグランクロス)
"Shock!! Seiryu's Sorrow" Transliteration: "Shokku!! Kanashimi no Seiryū" (Japanese: ショック!!悲しみのセイリュウ)
Shigeki Awai
Kento Shimoyama
May 18, 2019 (2019-05-18)
71
"The Mightiest!! Black Shinkalion Ogre" Transliteration: "Saikyō!! Burakku Shinkarion Ōga" (Japanese: 最強!!ブラックシンカリオンオーガ)
Takeyuki Sadohara
Kento Shimoyama
May 25, 2019 (2019-05-25)
72
"Coexistence!! Humans and Kitoralsus" Transliteration: "Kyōzon!! Hito to Kitoraruzasu" (Japanese: 共存!!ヒトとキトラルザス)
Mihiro Yamaguchi
Kento Shimoyama
June 1, 2019 (2019-06-01)
73
"The Ultimate Overcross!! 923 Doctor Yellow" Transliteration: "Kyūkyoku no Ōbākurosu!! Kyū Nī San Dokutā Ierō" (Japanese: 究極のオーバークロス!!９２３ドクターイエロー)
Daiki Katō
Kento Shimoyama
June 8, 2019 (2019-06-08)
74
"Huge Explosion!! Jet Black Duel" Transliteration: "Dai Bakuhatsu!! Shikkoku no Dyueru" (Japanese: 大爆発!!漆黒の決闘)
Yoshihisa Matsumoto
Kento Shimoyama
June 15, 2019 (2019-06-15)
75
"Final Battle!! Team Shinkalion VS Black Shinkalion Ogre" Transliteration: "Saishū Kessen!! Chīmu Shinkarion Tai Burakku Shinkarion Ōga" (Japanese: 最終決戦!!チームシンカリオンVSブラックシンカリオンオーガ)
Mihiro Yamaguchi
Kento Shimoyama
June 22, 2019 (2019-06-22)
76
"Final Station!! New Departures for Shinkalion" Transliteration: "Shūchaku!! Shinkarion to Arata Naru Shuppatsu" (Japanese: 終着!!シンカリオンと新たなる出発)
"Research the World" Transliteration: "Risāchi Za Wārudo" (Japanese: リサーチ ザ ワールド)
TBA
TBA
October 27, 2024 (2024-10-27)
28
"Morito's Feelings" Transliteration: "Morito no Omoi" (Japanese: モリトの想い)
TBA
TBA
November 3, 2024 (2024-11-03)
Theatrical film
A film sequel to the anime, titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Movie: The Mythically Fast ALFA-X That Came From the Future (Japanese: 劇場版 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン 未来からきた神速のALFA-X, Hepburn: Gekijō-ban Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion Mirai Kara Kita Shinsoku no Arufaekkusu) premiered in cinemas in Japan on December 27, 2019.[33][34]
Manga
A manga titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion: Dive the World (Japanese: 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン シンカリオン ダイブ ザ ワールド, Hepburn: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion Daibu Za Wārudo) began serialization in Shueisha's Saikyō Jump on April 4, 2024. Mashino Sawazaki is credited for the original story with Kō Furuya as the illustrator.[35]
A manga adaptation of Shinkalion: Change the World was announced on July 25, 2024, written and illustrated by Naoto Tsushima and set to begin serialization on Kadokawa Shoten's Shōnen Ace + comic app later in the year.[36]
An arcade game based on the franchise, Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion: Get the Card! Super Evolution Battle (Japanese: 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン カードがもらえる! 超シンカバトル, Hepburn: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion Kādo ga Moraeru! Chō Shinka Batoru) was developed and published by Takara-Tomy A.R.T.S and was released in March 2018 in Japan. Characters from the series also appeared in various mobile game crossovers, including Alien no Tamago by Paon DP and Sega's mobile RPG game Kotodaman. The series also debuted in Bandai Namco Entertainment's long running Super Robot Wars franchise, starting with Super Robot Wars X-Ω.[38][39][40]
Reception
The anime won the Best Award on Television Anime CG Category at the VFX-Japan Awards.[41]
Notes
^ abcdefInformation is taken from the ending credits of each episode.
