I only saw a few episodes of Johnny Sokko in my youth, but the imagery stuck in my head enough to buy the few Orion Pictures video releases and then the official DVD release. It's just a really fun, action-packed bit of 60s fun, with a slightly demented world on display.
Obviously, the series is the American redubbing of the Japanese series Giant Robo (or Jianto Robo). The names have been changed, though the premise is largely intact. The alien Emperor Guillotine seeks to conquer the Earth, through his criminal organization of thugs and monsters; and, what an organization it is! The Gargoyle Gang consists of beatnick Che Guevara/Nazi soldiers (with stylish wraparound sunglasses), a silver headed alien lieutenant with shelf- like eyebrow ridges (Dr. Botanus); a buck toothed, giant foreheaded, one legged lieutenant (Fangar); a one eyed playing card obsessive (Harlequin), and a nutjob in golden knight's armor (Goldennock). meanwhile, their leader is a cross-eyed alien, with tentacles hanging from his head. This bunch of misfits, along with their various monsters and weaponry, seek to subjugate the planet, for whatever reason. Opposing them is Unicorn a security organization that thinks it's OK for a little boy (and, later, a little girl) to casually be exposed to danger and carry a gun. To be fair, the kid seems to be the only one with any sense in the organization. They also seem to adopt stereotypical dress in their subsidiaries around the globe (tyrolean hats, turbans, etc...). The group usually needs the Giant Robot to get them out of a jam, though they do occasionally rescue the kid, so he can call in the robot.
The show is just a lot of fun, as so many adventure shows of the 60s were. They aren't too concerned with kids being exposed to violence, so there is a lot more action and drama, thanks to the dangers involved. This certainly stood out in the 70s, when I first saw the show. However, it is never gratuitously violent, or particularly bloody.
The show was essentially spawned by the success of Tsuburaya's Ultraman (though the series was adapted from a manga); but it proved groundbreaking, as many elements of it would go on to influence other Japanese adventure flair, like Gatchaman and the Sentai series that spawned the Power Rangers. Ultraman had better monster suits and battles, but Johnny Sokko had better action with the human cast, with a nice blend of spy-fi, monster fights, and giant mecha, much of which became a staple for other live action series from Toei.
This is definitely worth picking up for any fan of spy-fi, monster movies, or action-adventure, regardless of age.
