History Series / TsuburayaDinosaurTrilogy

* RippedFromTheHeadlines: ''Born Free'' was allegedly inspired by the discovery of a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taniwhasaurus Taniwhasaurus]] (known as the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emishi Ezo]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikasa,_Hokkaido Mikasa]] Dragon") in 1976, which was the first carnivore dinosaur fossil found in Japan, and it is featured in one of the last episodes.

* SpiritualSuccessor: A loose one to ''Series/{{Fireman}}'', the first Tsuburaya show where the hero fought against monsters explicitly recognized as dinosaurs, and not the usual sort of Ultraman-style "ancient undeground monster". Loads of footage from the ''Fireman'' series gets reused in the first ''Izenborg'' episode.

Not to be confused with the similarly-titled works ''Film/BornFree'' (a wildlife-themed film that almost certainly inspired the first show's title), or the dinosaur-themed ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' series ''Series/KyoryuSentaiZyuranger'' / ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger''... Or, for non-Japanese/English speaking countries, ''ComicBook/IronMan''[[note]]''Izenborg''[='=]s Arabic title[[/note]] or ''WesternAnimation/DinosaurTrain''[[note]]''Koseidon''[='=]s secondary title in China was ''Dinosaur Limited Express''[[/note]].

* EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs: To the point that it's one of the few things in common between the three works, although in ''Koseidon'' they weren't as prominent as in the earlier two.

The ''Tsuburaya Dinosaur Trilogy'' is a ThematicSeries created by Creator/TsuburayaProductions and sponsored by the toymaker [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomy Tomy]] aired between 1976 and 1979, whose main selling points are [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs a heavy focus on dinosaurs]], special effects focused on [[CombiningMecha combining]] [[BaseOnWheels land vehicles]], and unusual MediumBlending through puppetry, 2D animation, stop motion and/or live-action.

[[caption-width-right:300:From left to right: Faitus (''Koseidon''), Izen (''Izenborg''), Born Free (''Born Free''). Not pictured: dozens of StockDinosaurs.\\

* SeldomSeenSpecies: ''Born Free'' features some unusual dinosaurs, like the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polacanthus Polacanthus]] or the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corythosaurus Corythosaurus]]. The Taniwhasaurus might be unknown to most people, but it was very famous in Japan back then (see the RippedFromTheHeadlines entry above).

* CompilationMovie: Received on in America as ''Attack of the Super Monsters''.

Not to be confused with the similarly-titled dinosaur-themed ''Franchise/SuperSentai'' series ''Series/KyoryuSentaiZyuranger'' or ''Series/ZyudenSentaiKyoryuger''.

** ''Koseidon'': The titular ''Koseidon-go'', a time-traveling mobile base which stores both the ''Faitus'' and ''Haquas''.

** ''Izenborg'': The ''Izen-gō'', a gigantic tank which can split into the [[MoreDakka massively armed]] ''Izen I-gō'' and the ''Izen II-gō'', a weaponized bulldozer which can turn into a firefighting [[FutureCopter VTOL]]. Interestingly enough, the ''Izen I'' can transform into two completely different [[SuperMode super modes]]: the titular flying battleship ''Izenborg'', and the giant hero ''Izenbo''.
** ''Koseidon'': The [[HumanCannonball Koseider-launching]] ''Faitus-gō'', which can split into the tank-like ''Faitus I-gō'' and the armed VTOL ''Faitus II-gō''. Koseidon also features the ''Haquas-gō'', a weaponized dinosaur-catching dinosaur carrier which can also split into the ''Haquas I-gō'' and the VTOL ''Haquas II-gō''

* GenreShift: ''Born Free'' is reminiscent of a dinosaur-themed ''Series/{{Thunderbirds}}'' show, while ''Izenborg'' follows the formula of an ''Franchise/UltraSeries'' entry (complete with UltramanCopy in the latter half), and ''Koseidon'' is a [[JungleOpera Mesozoic-themed]] SpaceOpera clearly modelled after the success of ''[[Film/ANewHope Star Wars]]''.

** Averted in ''Koseidon'', since the dinosaurs live in their usual earth habitats, since it's the humans who are displaced to their timeline.

* MidSeasonUpgrade: The titular vehicle ''Izenborg'' and the melee-fighting hero Koseider in ''Koseidon'' get turned into typical tokusatsu superheroes mid-season.

** ''Koseidon'': The evil aliens start sending MonsterOfTheWeek menaces instead of having a drawn-out battle, while the otherwise human Koseider gets superpowers. Later, the main villains are defeated and replaced by unrelated episodic threats, which also feature other time stops than the Mesozoic era.

** The 1979 anime ''Tansor 5'' can be considered as the fourth entry of the series, save for the lack of dinosaurs and Tsuburaya Productions' involvement. The show and its vehicles were produced by Tomy, while it was animated by Sunrise like in ''Born Free''.

* AffectionateParody: ''FNS Chikyū Tokusō-tai Dybastar'', a 2005 Japanese variety show which is presented as a low-budget seventies Anime where the heroes utilize live-action vehicles, was partially modelled after ''Born Free''.

* EvilCounterpart: The poachers of ''Born Free'' have their own giant vehicles, the armored cars ''King Battler-gō'' and ''Wildcat'' to fight against the ''Born Free'' team.
* EvilPoacher: The most notorious villains of ''Born Free'', the villainous King Battler and his [[AvengingTheVillain revenge-filled]] daughter Lady Battler.

* RippedFromTheHeadlines: ''Born Free'' was allegedly inspired by the discovery of a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taniwhasaurus Taniwhasaurus]] (known as the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emishi Ezo]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikasa,_Hokkaido Mikasa]] Dragon") in 1976, which was the first carnivore dinosaur fossil found in Japan. Whether it's true or not, it was featured in one of the last episodes.

* IntellectualAnimal: Ururu, the leader of the dinosaur army, is a Tyrannosaurus Rex with an ImprobablyHighIQ and PsychicPowers, especially prone to use MindControl. It's implied that many dinosaurs would be peaceful without Ururu's tyranny.

* ShoutOut: The last two episodes are a ''Series/{{Ultraseven}}'' homage feature an alien hero, which can send [[NonHumanSidekick a monster]] that can fire a [[Series/{{Ultraman}} Specium Beam]]-like ray to fight against the villains, and does a last sacrifice for the human race.

* SuperMode: The [[TankGoodness tank-like]] ''Izen I-gō'' can transform into the CoolPlane ''Izenborg'', equipped with a [[ThisIsADrill giant drill]], buzzsaw in its wings, and a bunch of lasers. Later, the ''Izenborg'' turns into the giant hero ''Izenbo''.

* UltramanCopy

* ClothesMakeTheSuperman: The Koseidon Corps member Gō Toki can be equipped with an anti-radar special suit which enhances his physical abilities, equips him with fancy weapons, and lets him be shot like a cannonball. Averted later, when Gō transforms into the superhuman Koseider with a very slightly redesigned suit (i. e. silver lines and belt) that seems to give him no special abilities.

* MonsterOfTheWeek: Averted in the earliest episodes, where in contrast to most Tokusatsu shows, the same villains are presented as a constant menace. Played completely straight later, and even in the later episodes there's no overarching villain.
* TimeTravel: Mostly used as an excuse to travel to the Mesozoic era, although sometimes it's used to fight against samurai and other threats.

* '''Dinosaur Expedition Born Free''' ''(1976-77, 25 ep.)'': In 1996, after a passing comet causes a massive seismic shift, LivingDinosaurs from the Mesozoic era emerge from the [[HollowWorld depths of the earth]]. To face up the issue, conservationists create the ''Born Free Corps'', an organization dedicated to transportation and creation of safe environments for the humans and dinosaurs, done through a fleet of advanced vehicles, and fight against other menaces against their coexistence.

* '''Dinosaur Great War Izenborg''' ''(1977-78, 39 ep.)'': In 1986, a group of supposedly extinct gigantic dinosaurs reappear to reclaim the earth for themselves. To protect earth from the new menace, the anti-dinosaur organization ''D Squadron'' is created to fight against them, which is led by [[PunnyName Ai and Zen]], a pair of cyborg siblings that can metamorphose with their combat vehicle. A mid-season {{Retool}} reveals that alien monster tamers are behind the dinosaurs' plans, while now the cyborg siblings and their ship transform into a giant superhero.

* '''Dinosaur Corps Koseidon''' ''(1978-79, 52 ep.)'': In the future, the human race not only has discovered Time Travel, but also has created a TimePolice to keep it safe. However, in 2001, Japan has been viciously attacked from the Cretaceous era, and the culprits are revealed to be a race of alien invaders. The ''Koseidon Corps'', led by the swashbuckling hero Gō Toki/Koseider, along with a fugitive alien princess and her robot, must keep both the present and the past safe.

** ''Born Free'': The ''Carry Bird'', a massive unarmed VTOL used to carry the ''Bone Free''.

* AffectionateParody: ''FNS Chikyū Tokusō-tai Dybastar'', a 2005 Japanese variety show which is presented as a low-budget seventies Anime where the heroes utilize live-action vehicles, was partially modelled after ''Bone Free''.

* '''Dinosaur Expedition Born Free''' ''(1976-77, 25 ep.)'': In 1996, after a passing comet causes a massive seismic shift, LivingDinosaurs from the Mesozoic era emerge from the [[HollowWorld depths of the earth]]. To face up the issue, conservationists create the ''Born Free Corps'', an organization dedicated to transportation and creation of safe environments for the humans and dinosaurs, done through a fleet of [[{{Series/Thunderbirds}} Thunderbird]]-like vehicles, and fight against other menaces against their coexistence.

* '''Dinosaur Great War Izenborg''' ''(1977-78, 39 ep.)'': In 1986, a group of supposedly extinct gigantic dinosaurs reappear to reclaim the earth for themselves. To protect earth from the new menace, the anti-dinosaur organization ''D Squadron'' is created to fight against them, which is led by [[PunnyName Ai and Zen]], a pair of cyborg siblings that can metamorphose with their combat vehicle. A mid-season {{Retool}} reveals that alien monster tamers are behind the dinosaurs' plans, while now the cyborg siblings and their ship transform into an UltramanCopy.

The series is commonly thought to have originated with the medium-blending Tsuburaya shorts ''[[https://www.nicovideo.jp/watch/sm15421903 Kyojū Wakusei]]'' (1974) and ''[[https://twitter.com/doctoruwatson/status/1098242744999305217 Tsuburaya Rittai Anime]]'' (1975). An unrelated but similar project is the 1976 film ''Film/TheLastDinosaur'' co-produced with Creator/RankinBassProductions, whose suits were reused for ''Izenborg''. Decades later, Takara Tomy would develop the unrelated ''[[Series/TomicaHeroRescueFire Tomica]] [[Series/TomicaHeroRescueFire Hero]]'' series, also starring vehicles sold by the toymaker company.

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: While the series had a decent following in Japan, some of the entries were incredibly popular in Italy, South Korea, the Middle East and China. In fact, an ''Izenborg'' documentary was co-produced by Saudi Arabia (whose Arabic producer explicitly wanted the documentary's tribute to be [[{{Retraux}} as close as possible to the original]]), and a Koseidon film was almost made in China before the rights expired.

* PropRecycling: Almost every dinosaur, whether puppet or costume, gets reused at least twice (sometimes with slight modifications, especially in later ''Izenborg''). This is especially notorious in ''Izenborg''-''Koseidon'', which reuse the same suits constantly.

** Izenborg: The evil dinosaurs are revealed to be led by an evil [[TheBeastmaster whip-toting]] GalacticConqueror who starts to send [[MakerOfMonsters manufactured monsters]] and aliens against the earth, while the Izenborg vehicle now turns into a giant UltramanCopy called the Izenbo.
** Koseidon: The evil aliens start sending MonsterOfTheWeek menaces instead of having a drawn-out battle, while the otherwise human Koseider gets superpowers. Later, the main villains are defeated and replaced by unrelated episodic threats, which also feature other time stops than the Mesozoic era.

* FollowTheLeader: The show features a swashbuckling hero with a glowing sword, an exiled princess and her PluckyComicRelief robot, and a small RagtagBunchOfMisfits fighting against an evil army equipped with [[SpaceFighter space fighters]], with some of them even having WWII bomber-like cockpits... It's absoultely no coincidence that ''[[Film/StarWarsANewHope Star Wars]]'' came a year earlier to massive success.

* '''Dinosaur War Izenborg''' ''(1977-78, 39 ep.)'': In 1986, a group of supposedly extinct gigantic dinosaurs reappear to reclaim the earth for themselves. To protect earth from the new menace, the anti-dinosaur organization ''D Squadron'' is created to fight against them, which is led by a pair of cyborg siblings that can metamorphose with their combat vehicle. A mid-season {{Retool}} reveals that Alien monster tamers are behind the dinosaurs' plans, while now the cyborg siblings and their ship transform into an UltramanCopy.

* '''Dinosaur Corps Koseidon''' ''(1978-79, 52 ep.)'': In the future, the human race not only has discovered Time Travel, but also has created a TimePolice to keep it safe. However, in 2001, Japan has been viciously attacked from the Cretaceous era, and the culprits are revealed to be a race of alien invaders. The ''Koseidon Corps'', led by a swashbuckling hero, along with a fugitive alien princess and her robot, must keep both the present and the past safe.

An unrelated but similar project is the 1976 film ''Film/TheLastDinosaur'' co-produced with Creator/RankinBassProductions, whose suits were reused for ''Izenborg''. Decades later, Tomy would develop unrelated the ''[[Series/TomicaHeroRescueFire Tomica]] [[Series/TomicaHeroRescueFire Hero]]'' series, also starring vehicles sold by the toymaker company.

** Born Free: The ''Born Free'', an amphibious all-purpose vehicle which can split into the ''1-gō'' equipped with a [[TranquillizerDart tranquilizer gun]], NetGun and [[GrapplingHookPistol winch]]; and the all-terrain ''2-gō'' which can carry specialized helicopters, tracked vehicles, submarines and balloons.
** Izenborg: The ''Izen-gō'', a gigantic tank which can split into the [[MoreDakka massively armed]] ''Izen I-gō'' and the ''Izen II-gō'', a weaponized bulldozer which can turn into a firefighting [[FutureCopter VTOL]]. Interestingly enough, the ''Izen I'' can transform into two completely different SuperMode.
** Koseidon: The [[HumanCannonball Koseider-launching]] ''Faitus-gō'', which can split into the tank-like ''Faituss I-gō'' and the armed VTOL ''Faitus II-gō''. Koseidon also features the ''Hakuas-gō'', a weaponized dinosaur-catching dinosaur carrier which can also split into the ''Hakuas I-gō'' and the VTOL ''Hakuas II-gō''

* MediumBlending: A common feature to ''Born Free'' and ''Izenborg'': both of them have {{Anime}} characters (animated by Creator/{{Sunrise}} in ''Born Free''[[note]]Tsuburaya was busy animating the similarly-mixed media ''Series/ProWresNoHoshiAzteckaiser''[[/note]]) and [[PuppetShows puppet]] vehicles, but different approaches to the dinosaurs, i. e. StopMotion in ''Born Free'' and PeopleInRubberSuits in ''Izenborg''. Mostly averted in ''Koseidon'', which is realized by the usual {{Toku}} combo of live-action and puppetry.

* SpiritualSuccessor: A loose one to ''Series/{{Fireman}}'', the first Tsuburaya show where the hero fought against monsters explicitly recognized as dinosaurs, and not the usual sort of Ultraman-style "ancient undeground monster".

[[folder:Tropes exclusive to ''Dinosaur War Izenborg'']]

The ''Tsuburaya Dinosaur Trilogy'' is a ThematicSeries created by Creator/TsuburayaProductions and sponsored by the toymaker [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomy Tomy]] aired between 1976 and 1979, whose main selling points are [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs a heavy focus on dinosaurs]], special effects focused on [[CombiningMecha combining]] [[BaseOnWheels land vehicles]], and unusual MediumBlending through puppetry, 2d animation, stop motion and/or live-action.

* '''Dinosaur Expedition Born Free''' ''(1976-77)'': In 1996, after a passing comet causes a massive seismic shift, LivingDinosaurs from the Mesozoic era emerge from the [[HollowWorld depths of the earth]]. To face up the issue, conservationists create the ''Born Free Corps'', an organization dedicated to transportation and creation of safe environments for the humans and dinosaurs, done through a fleet of [[{{Series/Thunderbirds}} Thunderbird]]-like vehicles, and fight against other menaces against their coexistence.

* '''Dinosaur War Eisenborg''' ''(1977-78)'': In 1986, a group of supposedly extinct gigantic dinosaurs reappear to reclaim the earth for themselves. To protect earth from the new menace, the anti-dinosaur organization ''D Squadron'' is created to fight against them, which is led by a pair of cyborg siblings that can metamorphose with their combat vehicle. A mid-season {{Retool}} reveals that Alien monster tamers are behind the dinosaurs' plans, while now the cyborg siblings and their ship transform into an UltramanCopy.

* '''Dinosaur Corps Koseidon''' ''(1978-79)'': In the future, the human race not only has discovered Time Travel, but also has created a TimePolice to keep it safe. However, in 2001, Japan has been viciously attacked from the Cretaceous era, and the culprits are revealed to be a race of alien invaders. The ''Koseidon Corps'', led by a swashbuckling hero, along with a fugitive alien princess and her robot, must keep both the present and the past safe.

An unrelated but similar project is the 1976 film ''Film/TheLastDinosaur'' co-produced with Creator/RankinBassProductions, whose suits were reused for ''Eisenborg''.

** Eisenborg: The ''Eisen-gō'', a gigantic tank which can split into the [[MoreDakka massively armed]] ''Eisen I-gō'' and the ''Eisen II-gō'', a weaponized bulldozer which can turn into a firefighting [[FutureCopter VTOL]]. Interestingly enough, the ''Eisen I'' can transform into two completely different SuperMode.
** Koseidon: The [[HumanCannonball Koseider-launching]] ''Fightus-gō'', which can split into the tank-like ''Fightus I-gō'' and the armed VTOL ''Fightus II-gō''. Koseidon also features the ''Hakuas-gō'', a weaponized dinosaur-catching dinosaur carrier which can also split into the ''Hakuas I-gō'' and the VTOL ''Hakuas II-gō''

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: While the series had a decent following in Japan, some of the entries were incredibly popular in Italy, South Korea, the Middle East and China. In fact, an ''Eisenborg'' documentary was co-produced by Saudi Arabia (whose Arabic producer explicitly wanted the documentary's tribute to be [[{{Retraux}} as close as possible to the original]]), and a Koseidon film was almost made in China before the rights expired.
* HollowWorld: Both in ''Born Free'' and ''Eisenborg'', Mesozoic-era dinosaurs have managed to survive for centuries underground -- in ''Born Free'', the fact that their former habitat is destroyed at the start of the series kickstarts the show's plot.

* HourOfPower: In ''Eisenborg'', the titular vehicle's transformation only lasts for three minutes and half, while its transformation into the giant Eisenbo can only last for the even shorter two minutes and twenty seconds. Both of them have the typical Ultra-style [[CriticalAnnoyance red blinking lights]].

* MediumBlending: A common feature to ''Born Free'' and ''Eisenborg'': both of them have {{Anime}} characters (animated by Creator/{{Sunrise}} in ''Born Free''[[note]]Tsuburaya was busy animating the similarly-mixed media ''Series/ProWresNoHoshiAzteckaiser''[[/note]]) and [[PuppetShows puppet]] vehicles, but different approaches to the dinosaurs, i. e. StopMotion in ''Born Free'' and PeopleInRubberSuits in ''Eisenborg''. Mostly averted in ''Koseidon'', which is realized by the usual {{Toku}} combo of live-action and puppetry.
* MidSeasonUpgrade: The titular vehicle ''Eisenborg'' and the melee-fighting hero Koseider in ''Koseidon'' get turned into typical tokusatsu superheroes mid-season.

** Eisenborg: The evil dinosaurs are revealed to be led by an evil [[TheBeastmaster whip-toting]] GalacticConqueror who starts to send [[MakerOfMonsters manufactured monsters]] and aliens against the earth, while the Eisenborg vehicle now turns into a giant UltramanCopy called the Eisenbo.

[[folder:Tropes exclusive to ''Dinosaur War Eisenborg'']]

* SuperMode: The [[TankGoodness tank-like]] ''Eisen I-gō'' can transform into the CoolPlane ''Eisenborg'', equipped with a [[ThisIsADrill giant drill]], buzzsaw in its wings, and a bunch of lasers. Later, the ''Eisenborg'' turns into the giant hero ''Eisenbo''.
* SiblingFusion: The main characters, the cyborg siblings Ai (female) and Zen (male), can fuse with a particular twist: Zen turns into the fully human Eisenborgman, while Ai turns into the robot circuit of the upgraded Eisenborg vehicle. Later, the transformed twins and their vehicle combine into the gigantic superhero Eisenbo.

The ''Tsuburaya Dinosaur Trilogy'' is a ThematicSeries created by Creator/TsuburayaProductions between 1976 and 1978, whose main selling points are [[EverythingsBetterWithDinosaurs a heavy focus on dinosaurs]], special effects focused on [[CombiningMecha combining]] [[BaseOnWheels land vehicles]] (the latter influenced by their sponsor, the toymaker [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomy Tomy]]), and unusual MediumBlending through [[PuppetShows puppet]] vehicles, {{Anime}} characters [[note]]''Born Free'' / ''Eisenborg''[[/note]], and dinosaurs made with StopMotion[[note]]''Born Free''[[/note]] / PeopleInRubberSuits [[note]]''Eisenborg'', ''Koseidon''[[/note]].

* '''Dinosaur Expedition Born Free''' ''(1976)'': In 1996, after a passing comet causes a seismic shift, LivingDinosaurs from the Mesozoic era emerge from a [[HollowWorld newly formed cavity]]. To face up the issue, conservationists create the ''Born Free Corps'', an organization dedicated to transportation and creation of safe environments for the humans and creatures, done through a fleet of [[{{Series/Thunderbirds}} Thunderbird]]-like vehicles... And fight against other menaces against the dinosaurs, including a similarly-equipped group of [[EvilPoacher evil poachers]].

* '''Dinosaur War Eisenborg''' ''(1977)'': In 1986, a group of supposedly extinct gigantic dinosaurs reappear to reclaim the earth for themselves, wrecking havoc wherever they can through the plans of their leader, the [[UpliftedAnimal highly intelligent]] psychic tyrannosaurus Ururu. To protect earth from the new menace, the anti-dinosaur organization ''D Squadron'' is created to fight against them, which is led by a pair of cyborg siblings that can metamorphose into a fully human pilot and a robot CPU which also transforms their main combat vehicle. A mid-season {{Retool}} reveals that Alien monster tamers are behind the dinosaurs' plans, while now the cyborg siblings and their ship transform into an UltramanCopy.

* '''Dinosaur Corps Koseidon''' ''(1978)'': In the future, the human race not only has discovered Time Travel, but also has created a TimePolice to keep it safe. However, in 2001, Japan has been viciously attacked from the Cretaceous era, and the culprits are a race of alien invaders. The ''Koseidon Corps'', along with a fugitive alien princess and her robot, must keep both the present and the past safe.

!!The series as a whole contains examples of:
* AnimalMecha: Some of Bone Free's sub-vehicles, like the ''Free Seagull'' helicopter and the ''Free Mackerel'' submarine, are respectively shaped as a giant dragonfly and a shark.

** Bone Free: The ''Bone Free'', an amphibious all-purpose vehicle which can split into the ''1-gō'' equipped with a [[TranquillizerDart tranquilizer gun]], NetGun and [[GrapplingHookPistol winch]]; and the all-terrain ''2-gō'' which can carry specialized helicopters, tracked vehicles, submarines and balloons.

** Koseidon: The [[HumanCannonball Koseider-launching]] ''Fightus-gō'', which can split into the tank-like ''Fightus I-gō'' and the armed VTOL ''Fightus II-gō''. Koseidon also features the ''Hakuas-gō'', a weaponized dinosaur-catching dinosaur carrier which can also split into the '''Hakuas I-gō'' and the VTOL ''Hakuas II-gō''

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: While the series had a decent following in Japan, some of the entries were incredibly popular in Italy, South Korea, the Middle East and China. In fact, an ''Aisenborg'' documentary was co-produced by Saudi Arabia (whose Arabic producer explicitly wanted the documentary's tribute to be [[{{Retraux}} as close as possible to the original]]), and a Koseidon film was almost made in China before the rights expired.
* HollowWorld: In ''Bone Free'', it's mentioned that Mesozoic-era dinosaurs kept living underground for centuries. The fact that their habitat is destroyed at the start of the series kickstarts the show's plot.
* RippedFromTheHeadlines: ''Bone Free'' was allegedly inspired by the discovery of a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taniwhasaurus Taniwhasaurus]] (known as the "[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emishi Ezo]] [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikasa,_Hokkaido Mikasa]] Dragon") in 1976, which was the first carnivore dinosaur fossil found in Japan. Whether it's true or not, it was featured in one of the last episodes.
* SeldomSeenSpecies: ''Born Free'' features some unusual dinosaurs, like the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polacanthus Polacanthus]] or the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corythosaurus Corythosaurus]]. The Taniwhasaurus might be unknown to most people, but it was very famous in Japan back then (see the Super Fad entry below).
* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''Series/{{Fireman}}'', the first Tsuburaya show where the hero fought against dinosaurs.
** The 1979 anime ''Tansor 5'' can be considered as the fourth entry of the series, save for the lack of dinosaurs and Tsuburaya Productions' involvement. The show and its vehicles were produced by Tomy, while it was animated by Sunrise like in ''Born Free''.