8th Man

I first saw this cartoon around 1967. I used to watch it when I came home from school.It centers around a detective who was mortally wounded; his persona was transferred to that of a robot.So,he had a human mind inside of a robot's body.I remember he could run very fast and morph into any living being.Also, when things got too rough for him, he would sometimes consult Prof. Genius for help.The last time I saw this series was in 1969.Perhaps you can get videotapes at your video store.

If you are a fan of Japan Animation, then I'm sure you'll like 8th. Man. 8th. Man came on American Television around 1964/65 & was only on air briefly.....particularly in smaller television markets. Taking place in "Modern Tokyo" (in the 60's), Tobor, the detective is shot & killed in the line of duty. The "Professor" is able to revive his brain & transfer it to a working robot....to fight crime & evil.....as 8th. Man. What I found really neat is that 8th.Man is able to "transform" into any person....male or female.....to fly, & take on almost any monster that attacks the earth. But the one enemy who is always after him & his "secrets" is the evil Dr. Spectra. For that time, 8th Man was cool & always won at the end of the episode. I was lucky to find a VHS with the 1st. 5 episodes a couple of years ago. It's unfortunate that this Classic Japan Animation is so hard to find. If by chance you find it & all 42 episodes, Grab it! & go back in time!

I remember this gem from my childhood, and have bought several DVDs from 8thman.com. I still enjoy watching these. In the pilot episode Special Agent Brady is killed by a street thug but his soul is transferred to a robot by Professor Genius. In this guise he will continue his fight for justice.

This cartoon is of the same era as Speed Racer, Gigantor and Astroboy and is the start of Japanese anime.

The robot, 8th Man, has super reflexes, super strength, and can change his appearance at will. His alter ego is a private detective, Tobor (robot spelled backward). The only person who calls him into action is the local police chief, Chief Bumblethumbs. Bumblethumbs and Professor Genius are the only ones who know that Tobor is 8th Man.

Does anyone remember the unique opening to the show? It was animated in the US by Trans Lux who had done zillions of animated films in the past - including the great Felix the Cat cartoons in the late 50's and early 60's.

I, at the time, found it amusing that the quality of the American opening animation was superior to the Japanese content....As a further addition, the title song "Tobor the Eighth Man" was written and performed by the prolific Winston Sharples who did everything from Herman and Catnip to Popeye and Felix the Cat.I still remember the lyrics 41 years later.........

IMDb states the series dates from 1965, but actually the Japanese incarnation is from '64 on.......In LA. we got it in '66... Robert Hill

It is repeatedly claimed that Eight Man is the fountainhead from which RoboCop and similar cyborg fiction comes. In point of fact, the crime fighting cyborg was introduced with or before DC's Robotman (not to be confused with later characters of the same name) in the Apr 1942 Star-Spangled Comics. (The original Robotman appeared routinely until 1953. He was occasionally reprinted, and revived later.)

Setting that issue aside, I remember that as a child I loved "Tobor" (which is how this show was marketed in the US).