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Sgt. Frog

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Sgt. Frog
Firsttankōbonvolume cover, featuring Keroro
ケロロ quân tào
(Keroro Gunsō)
Genre
Manga
Written byMine Yoshizaki
Published byKadokawa Shoten
English publisher
Magazine
  • Monthly Shōnen Ace
  • (April 1999 – September 2007, October 2013–present)
  • Kerokero Ace
  • (October 2007 – September 2013)
DemographicShōnen
Original runApril 1999– present
Volumes33(List of volumes)
Manga
Chō Keroro Gunsō UC: Keroro Robo Daikessen
Written by
  • Yūtarō Shido
  • Mine Yoshizaki (original)
Published byKadokawa Shoten
MagazineMonthly Shōnen Ace
DemographicShōnen
Original runOctober 2018– present
Anime television series
Directed by
  • Junichi Sato(executive director)
  • Yusuke Yamamoto (#1–103)
  • Nobuhiro Kondo (#104–358)
Produced by
  • Yoshikazu Beniya
  • Norio Yamakawa
  • Aya Yoshino
  • Naoki Sasada
  • Teruaki Jitsumatsu
  • Kazuhiro Asou
  • Tomoko Takahashi
  • Chieo Ohashi
  • Masayuki Ozaki
Written by
Music bySaeko Suzuki
StudioSunrise
Licensed by
Original networkTV Tokyo
English network
Original runApril 3, 2004–April 3, 2011
Episodes358(List of episodes)
Films
Anime television series
Keroro
Directed byHaruki Kasugamori
Produced by
  • Tsuyoshi Kikuchi
  • Hiroyuki Watanabe
  • Hiromitsu Higuchi
Written by
  • Haruki Kasugamori
  • Mine Yoshizaki
Music bySuperSweep co., ltd.
Studio
  • Sunrise
  • Gathering
Original networkAnimax
Original runMarch 22, 2014–September 6, 2014
Episodes23
Anime
StudioBandai Namco Pictures
Related media

Sgt. Frog,known in Japan asKeroro Gunso(ケロロ quân tào,Keroro Gunsō,lit. "Sergeant Keroro"[a]),is a Japanesemangaseries written and illustrated byMine Yoshizaki.It was launched inMonthly Shōnen Acein April 1999. The story follows the attempts of a platoon offrog-like alien invaders to conquerEarth.Sergeant Keroro, the titular character, is the leader of the platoon, but is at the mercy of a human family of three after being captured by them. Keroro is forced to do meaningless chores and errands for the family after his army abandons his platoon onEarth.The series was later adapted into ananimetelevision series bySunrise,which ran for358 episodesfrom April 2004 to April 2011. A second 23-episode series was broadcast from March to September 2014. A new anime project has been announced.

The manga was released in North America byTokyopopfrom March 9, 2004 to May 10, 2011 (for a total of 21 volumes), and later digitally byViz Mediasince December 2014. A first English dub of the anime series aired on the Southeast Asian TV channelAnimax Asiain 2008, with the titleSergeant Keroro;Funimation Entertainmentreleased a second 78-episode English dubbed version in North America in 2009, which aired asSgt. FrogonCrunchyroll,Funimationand later onNetflix,as well as on DVD sets.Discotek Mediare-released the Funimation dub inSD Blu-rayin 2021. In 2005, the manga received the 50thShogakukan Manga Awardfor thechildren's mangacategory.

Plot

[edit]
See also:List of Sgt. Frog characters

The Keroro Platoon is a group of five, froglike alien soldiers from Planet Keron. They mean to conquer “Pekopon” (their name for "Earth" ) but fail every time they try. Their leader, Sergeant Keroro, is incompetent and has little interest in conquering Pekopon. Instead, he likes making plasticGundam models,watching TV, or coming up with schemes to make money. The four other members of the platoon are: adorable but violent Private Second Class Tamama; bellicose yet tenderhearted Corporal Giroro; intelligent but mischievous Sergeant Major Kururu; and disciplined but traumatized Lance Corporal Dororo.

The largest obstacle in the way of their mission is the Hinata Family, who must take care of the Keroro Platoon due to the Keron Army deserting the latter on Earth. Keroro is kept busy with manual labor and constant abuse, primarily from the family daughter, Natsumi. Each member of the platoon finds himself in the care of a human: Giroro's is Natsumi Hinata, whom he falls in love with; Keroro's is Fuyuki Hinata, who considers the sergeant his only true friend; Kururu's is Mutsumi Saburo, who's just as mischievous as him; Dororo's is Koyuki Azumaya, a fellow ninja; and Tamama's is Momoka Nishizawa, who's just as bipolar as him. All are tied to the Hinatas in some way throughout the events in the anime and manga.

Media

[edit]

Manga

[edit]
See also:List of Sgt. Frog chapters

Sgt. Frogis published in Japan byKadokawa Shoten,serialized in the magazineMonthly Shōnen Ace,and was published in English byTokyopop.The manga, first aimed at the older audience (teens/adults) from the first to the seventh volume, was toned down after the anime adaption started (since the TV series was a family show). However, the manga still maintains suggestive comedy that only the more mature audiences understand in present volumes.Tokyopopinitially held the American rights to theSgt. Frogmanga until 2011 when the company ceased operations. By the time their publication ended, they had published 21 volumes. Their release of the manga have censored nipples drawn in some scenes, in order to get away from the OT (Older teen) rating and maintaining its Teen rating.[citation needed]Viz Mediarelicensed the manga for digital release on December 16, 2014.[3]

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the series, the November issue ofShōnen Aceannounced the launching of a new manga titledChō Keroro Gunsō UC: Keroro Robo Daikessen(Super Sgt. Frog Ultra Cool: Keroro Robo's Epic Climactic Battle) on the next issue, on sale October 26, 2018. The manga is created by Yūtarō Shido, while Mine Yoshikizaki being credited as original author.[4]

Anime

[edit]
Main article:List of Sgt. Frog episodes

The anime series started airing onTV Tokyoin 2004 and ended in 2011. The anime is produced bySunrise,NAS,and TV Tokyo and has also been aired onAnimax,Cartoon Network Japan,andTXN.Seven seasons have been created during its seven-year run. Unlike the manga which is aimed at older audiences, the anime adaptation has been toned down to a level suitable for family audiences.

The anime ran almost year-round, with each season beginning in the first week of April and ending on the last week of March. The first season aired on Saturdays, but the show was moved to Fridays for the second and third seasons. The show returned to Saturdays for seasons four, five and six, and the final season aired on Sundays.

The term "Pokopen",and" Pokopenjin "are both derogatory words the Japanese historically used to describeChinaandits peopleduring theSino-Japanese Wars;thus, they were changed to "Pekopon" & "Pekoponjin" respectively.

The first English-language dub of the show to be released was entitledSergeant Keroroand aired onAnimax Asia,a pay TV channel received in multiple countries in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. It premiered in 2008.[5][6]

In the United States,ADVhad previously announced they had acquired exclusive rights to an English dub ofSgt. Frog[7](for $408,000[8]). However, on July 4, 2008, it was announced that rights to the English release were transferred toFunimation Entertainment.[9]

ADV Filmshad originally added a brief teaser page to their website, announcing their licensing of the anime. The site turned to static before playing a short clip of Keroro dancing to "Afro Gunso," then leaving the message "hacked by the frog."[10]This was followed by a press release from ADV on November 20, 2006, stating that they had licensed all Sgt. Frog properties (except the manga, which was already licensed byTokyopop) for the US.[7]It was once confirmed that the anime dub would be released on DVD in the United States in February 2007. However, ADV Films had never confirmed a release date.[11]ADV announced atComic-Con International 2007that the US release date had been delayed because of TV negotiations but would not comment on which networks they were talking to. In a DVD included with the December issue of Newtype USA was an English-language trailer for Sgt. Frog released by ADV, with voices for Keroro (said to be voiced byVic Mignogna[12]), Natsumi, Fuyuki, Aki, and the narrator. ADV was 90% done on getting a deal with the show, though they created a separate team to work specifically on it that included people fromSummit Entertainment(the company that worked with4Kids Entertainmentduring the time they hadPokémon). They had dubbed three episodes, but they were dubbed three times because ADV created three different pilot-packages for television to see which one worked the best. They made an otaku/fan pilot, a mass-market pilot, and a kids' pilot. They received positive responses from three different networks.Cartoon Networkliked the mass-market pilot, whileNickelodeonliked the kids' pilot. Nickelodeon told them that they would air the show if ADV got the merchandising rights. However, as of July 4, 2008, the English license for the first 51 episodes of the Sgt. Frog anime was transferred toFunimation Entertainmentthrough a deal withSojitz.[9]

Funimation released a dubbed version of episode 12B as a test onYouTubeto be reviewed by the viewers.[13]Many instances of regional name changes were observed; Natsumi is renamed Natalie, and Giroro's cat was renamed "Mr. Furbottom," (despite being female). Additionally, the word Pekopon was changed to Planet Wuss, Pekoponians were referred to as Wussians, Keron was changed to Frogulon and Keronians were called Frogulonians respectively. The extra-terrestrial frogs' names remained the same as the Japanese version, though shortened by one syllable (e.g. Keroro changed to Kero, Tamama to Tama).[14]The test episode had mixed reviews by fans involving the voice acting, jokes, and name changes.

At Otakon 2009, the first five episodes ofSgt. Frogwere screened, where the original versions of the various names that were changed were used. The voice actor for Sergeant Keroro in the test video,Chris Cason,was swapped out for Sergeant Major Kululu's test actor,Todd Haberkorn.Kululu was changed toChuck Huber,and the narrator also appears to have been changed. FUNimation stated at their panel that they were going to keep the anime as similar as possible to its Japanese counterpart, and claimed to only change references from Japanese pop culture (save for those Americans were already familiar with) to references from American pop culture. Those present at the showing seemed to enjoy the changes, and the reception of the official dub was very positive. On February 19, 2011, Funimation announced atKatsuconthat they had licensed more episodes of Sgt. Frog.[15]

According to Funimation, as of February 2013, the English dub ofSgt. Frogis "now on hiatus".[16]

On July 31, 2009, Funimation added the first 4 dubbed episodes of the series to their online video portal. After a considerable delay following between the release of the first dubbed episodes, Funimation began making dubbed episodes other than the first 4 available on the portal. Currently, the first 51 subtitled episodes are available on the Funimation video portal andHulu.The 51 dubbed episodes later expired, although they were all later placed back on the portal and on Hulu.[17]The show is rated TV-PG on the DVDs and on Hulu. Unlike the other versions released outside Japan, the US version remains uncut.

The episode distribution scheme has been slightly changed from the Japanese Region 2 release. Although the first 51 episodes are known as "Season 1" in Japan,[18]Funimation has divided the episodes into a "Season 1" and a "Season 2". The Season 1 Part 1 DVD set was released September 22, 2009. It contains episodes 1 through 13,[19]Season 1 Part 2 was released on November 24, 2009, and contains episodes 14 through 26.[20]Season 2 Part 1 was released on January 26, 2010, containing episodes 27–39.[21]In addition, Season 2 Part 2 was released on March 30, 2010, containing episodes 40–51.[22]The first two boxsets were re-released into one Season 1 set on March 29, 2011.[23]The complete Season 2 set followed up on April 26, 2011.[24]Season 3 Part 1 was released to DVD by Funimation beginning on July 26, 2011, containing episodes 52–65.[25]Season 3 Part 2 was released to DVD on August 16, 2011, containing episodes 66–78.[26]A complete Season 3 boxset containing episodes 52-78 was released on November 13, 2012.[27]On all of the box sets, it states, "from the creators of the Gundam series". This is relatively incorrect because Sunrise did not create the Gundam series, they produced it, so it should say "from the studio that brought you Gundam". The creator of Gundam isYoshiyuki Tomino.After the Funimationhome videosets went out of print,Discotek Mediare-licensed the home video rights.[28]

All three seasons were available on Netflix streaming as of December 2011; however, the first two seasons, and the first half of the third, were removed without warning in January 2013,[29]before the series was completely removed in April of the same year.

On January 7, 2014, it was announced that a newFlashanime television series entitled "Keroro" would premiere onAnimaxon March 22 of that year.[30]Haruki Kasugamori is the director of the series at Sunrise and the animation studio Gathering is providing assistance with the animation. The series airs during the programming block, Keroro Hour, which airs both the series and reruns of Sgt. Frog. The series features new character designs and includes the characters, New Keroro, Tomosu Hinohara, and Myō Kaneami, all of which were originally manga-only characters. The opening to the series is "Keroro☆Popstar" (ケロロ☆ポップスター), performed byMayumi Gojo.The flash anime ended on September 6 of the same year, with a total of 23 episodes.

On April 1, 2024, it was announced through a video that the series would receive a new anime project produced byBandai Namco Picturesin commemoration of the anime's 20th anniversary. Many of the original cast are reprising their roles.[31]

Films

[edit]

Five full-length theatrical movies that were directed byJunichi Satoand produced by Sunrise were released:

  • Super Movie Keroro Gunsou(Siêu kịch tràng bản ケロロ quân tào,Chō Gekijō-ban Keroro Gunsō)(2006)
  • Chō Gekijōban Keroro Gunsō 2: Shinkai no Princess de Arimasu!(Siêu kịch tràng bản ケロロ quân tào 2 thâm hải のプリンセスであります!,Chō Gekijō-ban Keroro Gunsō 2: Shinkai no Purinsesu de arimasu!)(2007)
  • Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 3: Keroro vs. Keroro Great Sky Duel(Siêu kịch tràng bản ケロロ quân tào 3 ケロロ đối ケロロ thiên không đại quyết chiến であります!,Chō Gekijō-ban Keroro Gunsō 3: Keroro tai Keroro, Tenkū Daikessen de arimasu!)(2008)
  • Keroro Gunso the Super Movie 4: Gekishin Dragon Warriors(Siêu kịch tràng bản ケロロ quân tào kích xâm ドラゴンウォリアーズであります!,Chō Gekijō-ban Keroro Gunsō: Gekishin Doragon Woriāzu de arimasu!)(2009)
  • Keroro Gunso the Super Movie: Creation! Ultimate Keroro, Wonder Space-Time Island(Siêu kịch tràng bản ケロロ quân tào đản sinh! Cứu cực ケロロ kỳ tích の thời không đảo であります!!,Chō Gekijō-ban Keroro Gunsō: Tanjou! Kyuukyoku Keroro, Kiseki no Jikuu-jima, de arimasu!!)(2010)

Planetarium

[edit]

An exclusive feature only available for limited time at specific Planetariums was released after the end of the show.

  • Keroro Gunsō the Super Movie: Take Back the Starry Sky! The Great Chase in the Solar System!!(Siêu đầu ảnh bản ケロロ quân tào tinh không をとりもどせ! Thái dương hệ đại truy tích であります!!,Chō Tōei-ban Keroro Gunsō Hoshizora o Torimodose! Taiyōkei Daitsuiseki de arimasu!!)(2014)[32]

Spin-offs and guest appearances

[edit]
  • Spin-offs include a manga calledMusha Kerothat has recently been adapted in the anime.[33]The series has spawned a magazine calledKeroro Landthat promotes toys, games, media, and events based on the manga and anime.
  • Sgt. Keroro, Tamama, Giroro, Dororo and Kululu make cameo appearances in the 1st movie ofKaiketsu Zorori.
  • Keroro and Tamama have appearances in the OVA ofLucky Star,and Kagami spends almost all her money on a grip-claw game trying to get a Keroro doll.
  • Japanese action RPG gameMonster Hunter Tri Ghas downloadable costumes of Keroro for the humanoid companions Kayamba and Cha-Cha.
  • Keroro, Giroro, Tamama, Kururu and Dororo appeared as playable characters in the Nexon mobile gameKemono Friends.The characters were added during a collaboration event. Like the animal characters in the game, the Keronianstake the form of human girls.Enemy monsters called "Ceruleans" also appear, taking the forms of Natsumi and Keroro herself.[34]Mine Yoshizaki, the creator ofSgt. Frog,is also the concept designer of theKemono Friendsfranchise.

Video games

[edit]

Many of the video games were only released inJapan,but there were others released inKorea.

Game Console Date
Keroro Gunsō: Otoshimasu Windows August 17, 2004
Keroro Gunsō: MeroMero Battle Royale PlayStation 2 September 30, 2004
Keroro Gunsō Taiketsu! Gekisō Keronprix Daisakusen de Arimasu!! Game Boy Advance December 9, 2004
Keroro Gunsō: MeroMero Battle Royale Z PlayStation 2 November 17, 2005
Chō Gekijō-ban Keroro Gunsō: Enshū Dayo! Zenin Shūgō Nintendo DS March 16, 2006
Keroro Gunsō: Enshū Dayo! Zenin Shūgō Part 2 Nintendo DS February 22, 2007
Mitsukete! Keroro Gunsō: Machigai Sagashi Daisakusen de Arimasu! Nintendo DS September 27, 2007
Chō Gekijō-ban Keroro Gunsō 3: Tenkū Daibōken de Arimasu! Nintendo DS February 28, 2008
Chō Gekijō-ban Keroro Gunsō: Gekishin Dragon Warriors de Arimasu!! Nintendo DS February 19, 2009
Keroro RPG: Kishi to Musha to Densetsu no Kaizoku Nintendo DS March 4, 2010

Reception

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In 2005, the manga received the 50thShogakukan Manga Awardforchildren's manga.[35]

Notes

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  1. ^Kerokero(ケロケロ)is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a frog's ribbit.

References

[edit]
  1. ^Loveridge, Lynzee (December 16, 2014)."Viz Media Adds Mikansei No. 1, Sgt. Frog, Hands Off! Digitally".Anime News Network.RetrievedFebruary 21,2019.
  2. ^Loo, Egan (December 9, 2009)."5th Sgt. Frog Movie, Nintendo DS RPG Detailed".Anime News Network.RetrievedFebruary 21,2019.
  3. ^"Viz Media Adds Mikansei No. 1, Sgt. Frog, Hands Off! Digitally".December 16, 2014.
  4. ^"Sgt. Frog Gets New Manga Series to Mark 20th Anniversary".Anime News Network.29 September 2018.Retrieved26 April2019.
  5. ^"Sergeant Keroro Premieres Tuesday 1 July 2008, 6.00pm on Animax".Anime News Network.30 July 2008.
  6. ^"Animax Searches for Keroro's New Alien Friend across Southeast Asia".Anime News Network.31 July 2008.
  7. ^ab"ADV Acquires SGT. Frog".AnimeNewsNetwork. November 20, 2006.Retrieved5 March2010.
  8. ^"ADV Court Documents Reveal Amounts Paid for 29 Anime Titles".AnimeNewsNetwork.com.30 January 2012.Retrieved14 May2015.
  9. ^ab"Funimation Picks Up Over 30 Former AD Vision Titles".AnimeNewsNetwork. July 4, 2008.Retrieved5 March2010.
  10. ^"SGT Frog Invades ADVFilms.com".Anime News Network. November 15, 2006.Retrieved5 March2010.
  11. ^"ADV Films Officially Announces Sgt. Frog, No February Release".AnimeNewsNetwork. November 20, 2006.Retrieved5 March2010.
  12. ^"PodOmatic | Best Free Podcasts".Wha-chow.podomatic.com.Retrieved2014-06-26.
  13. ^"FUNimation Posts Test Episode of Sgt. Frog".Animation Magazine. November 4, 2008.Retrieved5 March2010.
  14. ^"Sgt. Frog - TEST EPISODE - For Review".Funimation.YouTube. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-11-12.Retrieved5 March2010.
  15. ^"Funimation Adds 3rd Sgt. Frog Anime Season".AnimeNewsNetwork.com.19 February 2011.Retrieved14 May2015.
  16. ^aquastar83 (2013-02-15)."Funimation industry panel Katsucon 2013".Washington, DC: Ustream.tv. Archived fromthe originalon 2013-12-13.Retrieved2014-06-26.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^"Sgt. Frog".Hulu.com.Retrieved2014-06-26.
  18. ^"Keroro Gunsou: 1st season DVD-BOX (limited edition)".Amazon Japan. 22 August 2008.Retrieved25 February2011.
  19. ^"Sgt. Frog: Season 1, Part 1".Amazon. 22 September 2009.Retrieved7 March2010.
  20. ^"Sgt. Frog: Season 1, Part 2".Amazon. 24 November 2009.Retrieved7 March2010.
  21. ^"Sgt. Frog: Season 2, Part 1".Amazon. 26 January 2010.Retrieved5 March2010.
  22. ^"Sgt. Frog: Season 2, Part 2 (2010)".Amazon.Retrieved5 March2010.
  23. ^"Sgt. Frog: Season 1: Todd Haberkorn, Cherami Leigh, R. Bruce Elliot, Christopher R. Sabat, Jamie Marchi: Movies & TV".Amazon.15 February 2011.Retrieved2014-06-26.
  24. ^"Sgt. Frog: Season 2: Todd Haberkorn, R. Bruce Elliot, Cherami Leigh, Christopher R. Sabat, Justin Nordell: Movies & TV".Amazon.26 April 2011.Retrieved2014-06-26.
  25. ^"Sgt. Frog DVD Season 3 Part 1 (Hyb)".Rightstuf.com. 2011-07-26. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-07.Retrieved2014-06-26.
  26. ^"Sgt. Frog: Season 3, Part 2: Jamie Marchi, Leah Clark, Christopher R. Sabat, Todd Haberkorn, Colleen Clinkenbeard: Movies & TV".Amazon.23 August 2011.Retrieved2014-06-26.
  27. ^"Sgt. Frog: Season 3: Andrea Kwan, Brina Palencia, Candice Moore, Colleen Clinkenbeard, Jamie Marchi, Joel McDonald, Justin Nordell: Movies & TV".Amazon.13 November 2012.Retrieved2014-06-26.
  28. ^"Discotek Licenses Dear Brother, Sgt. Frog, Kashimashi, Nyanbo! Anime".Anime News Network.March 8, 2021.RetrievedMarch 8,2021.
  29. ^"Sgt. Frog".Netflix. Archived fromthe originalon 2012-07-17.Retrieved2014-06-26.
  30. ^"New Sgt. Frog TV Anime Slated for March 22".Anime News Network.January 7, 2014.RetrievedAugust 6,2014.
  31. ^Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 31, 2024)."Sgt. Frog Manga Gets New Anime Project Celebrating 20th Anniversary".Anime News Network.RetrievedApril 1,2024.
  32. ^"SKIPシティ thải の quốc ビジュアルプラザにて, 『 siêu đầu ảnh bản ケロロ quân tào tinh không をとりもどせ! Thái dương hệ đại truy tích であります!! 』 hạ hưu み đặc biệt thượng ánh quyết định!!"(in Japanese).Sunrise.August 2, 2014.RetrievedApril 22,2016.
  33. ^"Musha Kero Volume One: Legendary Hero, De gozasoro!".Keroro Gunsou.Season 5. Episode 211. TV Tokyo.
  34. ^"“けものフレンズ”, “ケロロ quân tào” コラボ khai thủy. Hạn định キャラと đặc biệt イベント đăng tràng - 4Gamer.net "(in Japanese). March 27, 2015.RetrievedMarch 25,2018.
  35. ^Tiểu học quán mạn họa thưởng: Lịch đại thụ thưởng giả(in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived fromthe originalon January 9, 2010.RetrievedAugust 19,2007.
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