Imagi International Holdings has released a brief teaser clip from the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the classic early 1970’s Japanese anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman. Gatchaman, due out sometime in 2009, is the latest in a line of adaptations of the anime franchise which has included several TV series and miniseries, a film, toys, and syndication in the US. The show focused on teenage superheroes battling extraterrestrial evil, clad in bird-themed uniforms and piloting their ship the God Phoenix (renamed The Phoenix for US releases). It is considered by many to be, in the wake of the rise of “Henshin”-oriented entertainment in Japan (TV shows and cartoons featuring transforming protagonists), to be the first Japanese attempt at emulating classic Western superheroes, with teenagers wearing bright costumed when fighting evil and grappling with the then-classic “secret identity” dilemma.

Originally going by G-Force: Guardians Of Space and Battle Of The Planets when imported to the US, it became wildly popular and was soon syndicated all over the world. The mostly-CGI film’s story “focuses on five reluctant heroes whose remarkable genetic code makes them Earth’s only hope of defeating extra-terrestrial invaders[,]” according to the press release.

Source: Superherohype.com