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Movies adapted from anime have had a mixed track record, with only a few notable successes. Unfortunately, the failures often stem from a lack of understanding of what made the original work appealing to fans. However, movies based on manga such as the underrated classic from 1991, The Guyver, have managed to avoid this negative reputation. Tokusatsu, a Japanese term for special effects, encompasses a wide variety of genres, from kaiju films to Kamen Rider. While The Guyver shares some similarities with the popular Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers franchise, it takes a unique approach to action.

What is The Guyver About?

What is The Guyver Based On?

After a scientist steals an alien device from his former employer, the massive global corporation Chronos, he hides it in a pile of trash before being killed by the corporation's thugs. His daughter, Mizuki, and her boyfriend, Sean Barker, visit the crime scene and Sean finds the device, which bonds with his DNA and transforms him into The Guyver, an armored hero with incredible powers. He must use his gifts to defeat Chronos, solve the mystery of the alien device, and save his girlfriend's life. The film borrows a lot of visual signifiers from the manga but deviates from the story, and fans will discover two different versions of the film, with the Japanese cut being more balanced and the US release being more action-packed.

The manga series Bio-Booster Armor Guyver, created by Yoshiki Takaya in 1985, served as the loose inspiration for The Guyver film. The manga has been adapted twice before the movie, first as an OVA in 1986 and later as a 12-episode series in 1989. A 26-episode series was also released in 2005. The story centers around a teenager who discovers an extraordinary alien device and uses its abilities to combat a corrupt corporation. The manga features a monster-of-the-week structure where Chronos (spelled "Cronos" in the manga) dispatches increasingly lethal alien warriors to take down The Guyver.

The Guyver initially follows a common trope found in many manga, such as Baoh: The Visitor, with high school students merging with aliens to fight against corrupt corporations. However, the series truly shines once it begins to break away from these conventions and introduces its own unique elements. Although the story is currently on hiatus since 2016, The Guyver remains a must-read for fans of the tokusatsu superhero genre and provides ample material for a modern film adaptation.

Are There Other Guyver Movies?

Guyver 2: Dark Hero is considered a classic by many. Unlike its predecessor, which faced criticism from both critics and fans, Dark Hero received no such negative feedback. The film replaced its director, writer, and major stars, including Jack Armstrong, who played Sean Barker in the first film. David Hayter, the iconic voice actor known for his role as Solid Snake, took over the lead in the sequel. The Dark Hero subtitle accurately represents the film's R-rating, which is a departure from the PG-13 rating of the first film. The sequel embraces the darker tone of the source material, often bringing scenes from the manga to life. While most fans agree that Dark Hero is the superior Guyver film, the original still has its own charm and entertainment value. Despite its reduced budget, Dark Hero was released on DVD in the United States and had a theatrical release in the Philippines, where it was marketed as the second sequel to John McTiernan's Predator and renamed Predator 3.

The Guyver and The Guyver: Dark Hero are two underrated manga adaptations that are worth checking out. While the latter film is the superior one, both have their own unique qualities that make them enjoyable to watch. Fans of tokusatsu movies will surely appreciate these films, but even newcomers to the genre will find them entertaining. Although both movies have a certain level of goofiness and craziness to them, it is this very quality that adds to their charm. While the first film may be a little hard to come by, Dark Hero is readily available on Amazon Prime Video and other streaming services. It's high time for The Guyver to get the attention it deserves, as both of its cinematic outings are truly worth experiencing.