Legend of Black Heaven

4.8
199925m

Production

Logo for Anime International Company

Life can crush your dreams. Oji is a middle-management drone whose only grip on sanity, in the drudgery of his corporate lifestyle, are the few shreds of hope surrounding his past life as the amazing guitarist of Black Heaven, a heavy metal band that almost made it. In his bleakest moment, the magic of performing is restored to him when a beautiful mysterious woman informs him that only his special sound can save the universe from an evil alien invasion. HARD ROCK SAVES SPACE!?

Seasons

13 Episodes • Premiered 1999

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.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 1: Stairway to Heaven

1. 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).

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 2: All Night Long

2. 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.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 3: Hot House

3. 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.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 4: Space Child

4. 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.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 5: These Are the Days

5. 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."

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 6: Walk Away

6. 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,

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 7: In Need

7. 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.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 8: All Right Now

8. 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.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 9: Get Off of My Cloud

9. 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.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 10: Ten Years Ago

10. Ten Years Ago

Black Heaven, and by extension the ultimate weapon, is not at full power because it is missing its keyboardist Watanabe/Joseph.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 11: Sweet Emotion

11. Sweet Emotion

The rival aliens are perfecting their own final weapon using a clone of Watanabe's corpse.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 12: Into the Arena

12. 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.

Still image for Legend of Black Heaven season 1 episode 13: The End

13. The End

1999 The final battle begins, and Black Heaven plays a marathon session in their struggle against the Watanabe clone.

Cast

Photo of Koji Ishii

Koji Ishii

Oji Tanaka (voice)

Photo of Miho Yamada

Miho Yamada

Yuki Layla (voice)

Photo of Kae Araki

Kae Araki

Yoshiko Tanaka (voice)

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