

25 minSeason 1 • Episode 52
LatestProfessor Yamatone and his family visit present day Egypt, and discover an ancient tomb belonging to a god of justice and protector of the weak known as Ogon Bat. When the Professor is taken captive by Gorgo, agent of the evil Dr. Erich Nazō (ナゾー), his daughter Mari pleads for Ogon Bat to save her father. As she starts to cry, her tears fall in Ogon Bat's tomb and revive him. From then on, Mari calls on Ogon Bat to fight against evil.
Practical Effects
Limited animation becomes accidental avant-garde art.
Production
Earliest superhero anime — history in janky motion.
Creator
Takeo Nagamatsu
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Ogon Bat predates both Ultraman and Kamen Rider, making this ground zero for Japan's live-action and animated superhero explosion.
The character originated in 1931 kamishibai (paper theater) street performances, meaning this 'ancient' hero was already nostalgia-bait when the anime dropped.