OMG in 1964 to 1966 this show was so popular with school kids in Australia, our first look at Japanese culture. The Samurai chewing gum cards were our prized possession. Needless to say our parents and our teachers, especially the religious brothers hated it with a passion.
This is how samurai, ninjas, and ninja throwing stars came into the Australian childrens' consciousness. These series were solely responsible. It had a long-lasting influence and brought Japanese culture to a previously oblivious Australian public. Nothing like this would happen again until over 20 years later when in 1988 the animated film Akira was released signaling the dawn of Manga and cyberpunk becoming mainstream in the west.
Very true Rusty. Pre-1965 we Aussies knew virtually nothing of ninjas or Samurais. Huge culture change with this program. Like the Beatles in the '60s ... it was new exciting and a breath of fresh air.
There were many Japanese TV cartoon shows that were very popular in Australia at the same time: Prince Planet, Marine Boy, Astro Boy, Gigantor etc et al
Absolutely. I am 63. Watched this show as a kid. Went to see Koichi Ose at Melbourne Festival Hall in the 60’s. Now live in Japan. It all started with this show.
In 1968 in Philippine television during my elementary days, I always wait and watched this Japanese action series. Every monday night "Samurai" I think at 9 pm. I search now for the my favorite leading actor mr. Koichi "Kazunari" Ose as the Samurai himself. (Thanks Google) And he still alive today Feb. 2022. Great and he really possess good health and maybe doctrines on samurai teachings on how to live longer. ☺️ Also his co-star mr. Fuyukichi Maki as Tombei the mist. Before I think in the series he's a villain Koga ninja and afterwards turned Iga & became good guy as sidekick of Shintaro (Koichi). Good and exciting Japanese television action series in those days. 👍
In 1968 i was 13, The Samurai my favourite tv action series. I like Tonbei he was a good man dan so sweet with his little smile. For me ninja was so scary.
@@ibrahimkisai64 You are 13 and I am 11 then in grade 6 elementary. Good ol' days brod and thanks we still have the chance to watch the show because of RU-vid.
I remembered watching this very series when I was still a kid, which was aired over the old ABC TV Channel 5, late 60s-early 70s then in black and white and later in colour (when Channel 5 introduced colour broadcast). It was in English but boy, how I loved the fast-paced actions and brilliant capturing of those action scenes, especially the sword fights :-) It even predated the Japanese robot cartoon shows that were aired here in that late '70s
I was 6 years old when it was aired on our Malaysian TV channel around 1968. At that time there was no colour tv broadcast, so we watched it in black and white. The three famous names that i never forgot were Shintaro, Tombei and Koga Ninja😊. It was during that era many popular series were aired ie Star Trek, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Mission Impossible, Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, The Saint, The Baron, Wanted Dead or Alive, Batman, Honey West, The Man from Uncle and many more. Watching all those series was one of the best times of my life. And The Samurai stood tall together with all the other western series. Many thanks for uploading this coloured version👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
