Future Police Urashiman (or Urashiman) is a science fiction Anime produced by Tatsunoko Production and released on the Fuji TV network in Japan and originally running between January 9th, 1983 and December 24th, 1983 with a total of 52 episodes. Later released in Germany, France, and Italy under various titles. The North American release plans from Saban Entertainment were canceled however, though the Anime received an English translation via fan subbing group Anime Classics.
The story follows a young man who is being pursued by police along with his cat when he finds himself caught in a cyclone that pulls him into a space/time rift, causing him to land in the year 2050. Having lost his memory, he finds himself pursued by the army-like criminal organization Necrime. Given the new name Ryuu Urashima, he joins the Neo Tokyo Mobile Police and battles Necrime with his partners Claude and Sophie.
Tropes:
- The Ace: Claude is a skilled policeman, car driver and Ladies Man, and has a rivalry going on with Ryu.
- Adjective Noun Fred: Urashima (Fisherman) is an actual Japanese surname.
- Character Catchphrase: Wolf Stinger's "Don't pull the Wolf's tail."
- Cool Car: The Magnabeetle, Ryuu's Volkswagen converted into a modern form. It can even run on walls!
- Cute Kitten: Myaa, Ryu's cat (who resembles the cat from Disney's Cinderella.)
- Da Chief: Inspector Goudou of the Mobile Mecha Police, who gives the heroes their orders.
- The Dragon:
- Ludovich is the Number Two man in Necrime, after the (unseen) Leader Fuhrer.
- Similarly, Ludovich has several lieutenants such as Malene and Wolf Stinger.
- Laser-Guided Amnesia: Ryu cannot remember his past but still has the same basic reckless personality.
- Meaningful Name:
- Ryu is named after the tale of Urashima Taro.
- Fuhrer means leader in German, so Necrime's boss is named- Leader Leader.
- Naughty Nun: Sophie is an ex-nun but she likes to tease her partners.
- Time Travel: The "Urashima Effect" is named after the Japanese tale of Urashima Taro, who visited the palace of the Dragon King only to come back centuries later.
- Transformation Sequence: The Magnabeetle allows Ryuu to change into a battlesuit.
