The OG masked hero who rode in before anyone else knew capes were cool.
Season 5 • Episode 14
LatestMoonlight Mask (aka Gekko Kamen), is a black and white tokusatsu TV drama series, produced by the advertising agency Senkosha and was aired on KRTV (now TBS) from February 24, 1958 to July 5, 1959, with a total of 130 (or 131) episodes, divided into 5 segments. Since the original show, Gekko Kamen has gained the popularity of being the first Japanese live action television superhero, appearing in films and TV shows well past the length of the original series.
Practical Effects
Hand-stitched monsters and motorcycle stunts that actually endangered stuntmen.
Costume
That sleek white mask invented a visual language still stolen today.
Creator
Kōhan Kawauchi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Moonlight Mask predates Ultraman by eight years and essentially created the tokusatsu template that dominates Japanese TV today.
The 1958 series was so popular that kids imitated the hero on rooftops, causing actual injuries—prompting a temporary broadcast ban.
JP
