Diamond Eye: Warrior of Light
October 05, 1973 - March 29, 1974 (26 episodes)
Created by Kawauchi, Kôhan
Music by Iketa, Takeharu
| Character | |
Actor |
| Rai, Kôtaru | |
Ohama, Shiro |
| Diamond Eye [episodes 1-10] | |
Noda, Keiichi |
| Diamond Eye [episodes 11-26] | |
Ikemizu Michihiro |
| Goro | |
Fukuda, Go |
| Kaboko | |
Kurosawa, Noriko |
| Editor-In-Chief Hayakawa | |
Hisano, Shiro |
| Gen Kai Ryuu (King Cobra) | |
Nambara, Koji |
| Shugoku | |
Mayama, Tomoko |
| Rankha (Princess Cobra) | |
Sumidai, Kazuyo |
| Narrator | |
Nakae, Shinji |
Opening Theme
Hikari no Senshi Daiyamondo Ai was unique among tokusatsu. The title character was not a cyborg, android, alien or human in a power suit. Diamond Eye was a good spirit sent to fight evil spirits. Like one of Aladdin's genies he lived in a ring and appeared only when summoned.
On the trail of a ring of gem theives "Weekly Japan" reporter Rai, Kôtaru ends up in a battle against an evil that threatens all of Asia. Kôtaru follows a lead to a gem trader Gen Kai Ryuu not realising that Gen Kai Ryuu is the leader of the jewel theives (and something far worse). Kôtaru is captured by the gangsters and about to executed by Gen Kai Ryuu when the "King of Arabia" blue diamond begins to glow and a voice from the gem orders Gen Kai Ryuu to stop.
A strange blue figure with diamonds for eyes comes out of the ring. He introduces himself as Diamond Eye. He breaks Kôtaru's bonds and chases the gangsters into the street.
As the gangster attempt to flee Diamond Eye hits them with twin beams from his eyes. The "Inner Soul Illumination Beam" (Gedou Shoshin Reiha Kôsen) reveals that these gangsters are in reality ancient evil beasts known as "Zensei Majin". When Gen Kai Ryuu tries to escape Diamond Eye reveals him be to King Cobra (the one with snakes on his shoulders) the leader of the Zensei Majin. After using the "Inner Soul Illumination Beam" Diamond Eye then says to the Zensei Majin, "Thine true form have I seen Zensei Majin ________" (filling the blank with its name) to which the monster replies "I've been exposed!"
Diamond Eye defeats the weaker of the Majin (the bull and horse like ones) by stabbing them with the pointy end of his Diamond Stick. King Cobra flees through a dimensional portal.
Mojinga (the one-eyed monster) is destroyed by "Royal Punch", a red bolt, from the Diamond Stick. Diamond Eye has other energy weapons and hurls diamonds that explode like grenades but "Royal Punch" is his ultimate attack. Diamond Eye also has the ability to heal wounds and purge evil spirits from human bodies.
Diamond Eye gives Rai, Kôtaru the "Eye Ring" (which Diamond Eye actually lives in) so Kôtaru can summon him when he needs help. Kôtaru summons Diamond Eye by uncovering the ring, exposing it to light while shouting "Ai yo!". If the ring is covered up, or otherwise kept in the dark then Diamond Eye won't appear. Once Diamond Eye is out of the ring he can use it to summon Rai, Kôtaru to him. Diamond Eye's eyes will flash and the ring will too as Diamond Eye's voice comes through the ring saying "Kôtaru".
And that's how battle of Rai, Kôtaru and Diamond Eye against the Zensei Majin began.
Kôtaru is joined on his quest against the Zensei Majin by his friends photographer Goro and Kaboko a young lady with a fondness for playing cards (she uses them as weapons). In episode 5 Goro open a coffe shop called "Thunder Snack" and Kaboko goes to work for him.
Rai, Kôtaru's spending all his time batteling the Zensei Majin gets him into trouble with his boss at the "Weekly Japan" magazine, Editor-In-Chief Hayakawa.
Rai, Kôtaru is foolish when it comes to women. He falls for Rankha, who is possesed by the spirit of King Cobra's daughter. He's also complety oblivious to how Kaboko feels about him.
With one exception Rai, Kôtaru's friends (and even some of his enemeis) call him by the nick name "Raikô". The friend who always addreses him as "Kôtaru" is none other then Diamond Eye himself. Kôtaru usually refers to Diamond Eye as just "Ai" (Eye). Gen Kai Ryuu insists on calling Kôtaru by his full name "Rai, Kôtaru" usually in an angry tone.
Episode Titles
Ending Theme
My Collection
Hikari no Senshi Daiyamondo Ai was created by Kawauchi, Kôhan the creator of Gekko Kamen (1958), Nana Iro Kamen (1959), Ai no Senshi Reinbooman (1972) and Seigi no Shinboru Kondoruman (1975).
Last modified Thursday, June 14, 2007
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Cast list from Japan Hero
Hikari no Senshi Daiyamondo Ai © 1973 Toho E-B Co., Ltd.
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