Makoto Bessho
Director
Legend of Black Heaven (1999)
Season 1
Once he was Gabriel Tanaka, lead guitarist for Black Heaven, the hottest band around. His life was filled with passion and excitement, but no longer. Now he's just Ouji Tanaka, saddled with a mundane job, little pay, a shrewish wife, and a young son. The only thing he has left are the memories of his youth until an odd and beautiful woman asks him to pick up his guitar once more, and help save the galaxy with his song.
Released July 8, 1999
Episode 25 min
17+
Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Anime, Anime: Music, Anime: Space
Keywords: tmdb.space, tmdb.rock-music, imdb.five-word-title, imdb.two-word-title, imdb.heavy-metal-music, imdb.alien, imdb.heavy-metal + 3 more, imdb.anime-animation, mdblist.anime-dub, imdb.hand-drawn-animation
Watch Providers: Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel
Production Companies: Anime International Company, A.P.P.P. Company
Network: WOWOW Prime
S1E1 - Stairway to Heaven
Oji Tanaka starts the day by losing his beloved "Flying V" guitar twice because his wife wants to get rid of it. At work his boss harries him. Later, after work, he believes he is being seduced by his new coworker (an alien in disguise).
July 8, 1999, midnight
S1E2 - All Night Long
The next morning, Tanaka's son Gen accidentally destroys his prized autographed LP record by his idol Michael Schenker, and his wife is shown to be entirely unmoved by his loss. At work, Tanaka believes that his "stairway to heaven" experience from the night before was not a dream.
July 15, 1999, midnight
S1E3 - Hot House
Spurred by busybody rumormongering neighbors, Yoshiko's suspicion that Oji is cheating on her grows, though she tries to suppress it. It did not help matters that she spots Oji with Layla.
July 22, 1999, midnight
S1E4 - Space Child
Oji reluctantly babysits his son Gen because Yoshiko is going to her high school reunion, but feels compelled to play his guitar at the model house, leaving Gen behind in his haste.
July 29, 1999, midnight
S1E5 - These Are the Days
Oji feels re-energized and dresses in his old rock outfits (blond wig, leather jacket, and leather pants, which he can't button anymore because he's gained weight) in an attempt to revive his rocker identity as "Gabriel."
Aug. 5, 1999, midnight
S1E6 - Walk Away
Oji is in a funk because he's decided to quit music. Alien Chief Scientist Hamill vows to do anything she can to have Oji play again. Meanwhile, Kotoko, Eriko, and Rinko try various futile methods to "inspire" Oji,
Aug. 19, 1999, midnight
S1E7 - In Need
The aliens are under increasing attacks from their enemies. Hamill tries to persuade Oji to play music, and he seems receptive by playing twice. However, the ultimate weapon mysteriously does not fire properly.
Aug. 26, 1999, midnight
S1E8 - All Right Now
Oji invites his surviving former bandmates from Black Heaven, Sato/Michael, Yamada/Luke, and Suzuki/Raphael for drinks. They reminisce about the old times and Oji tells him about the alien war and his music weapon.
Sept. 2, 1999, midnight
S1E9 - Get Off of My Cloud
Oji attempts to recruit members for his new band, the New Black Heaven, and has his son Gen draw the "space attitude" recruitment poster.
Sept. 9, 1999, midnight
S1E10 - Ten Years Ago
Black Heaven, and by extension the ultimate weapon, is not at full power because it is missing its keyboardist Watanabe/Joseph.
Sept. 16, 1999, midnight
S1E11 - Sweet Emotion
The rival aliens are perfecting their own final weapon using a clone of Watanabe's corpse.
Sept. 23, 1999, midnight
S1E12 - Into the Arena
The rival aliens test their ultimate weapon "Biomechanical Android Watanabe", which has 6 arms and can play 3 keyboards simultaneously, and almost destroy the aliens, canceling out Black Heaven.
Sept. 30, 1999, midnight
S1E13 - The End
1999 The final battle begins, and Black Heaven plays a marathon session in their struggle against the Watanabe clone.
Oct. 7, 1999, midnight
Network: WOWOW Prime
Episode Runtime: 25 min.
Season Runtime: 325 min.
Released: July 8, 1999
Last Air Date: Oct. 7, 1999, midnight
Status: Ended
Certification: TV-MA / 17+
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