Ôgon Batto aka The Golden Bat - Hajime Sato - (1966)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0167320/ 

Plot :" Dr Yamatone and his crew have built a super laser gun, to destroy the planet Icarus that threatens to collide with the Earth. Icarus orbit had been changed by Dr Erich Nazo (not kidding), a vilain from outer space who wants to conquer our galaxy. After one entire research crew disappear without traces, Dr yamatone and another crew go to the island of Atlantis (!!) to find the raw material they need to power their super laser gun. Attacked by the Evil Dr Nazo, they have to hide in a temple, where they find Ôgon Batto in a ornate Egyptian (!!!) sarcophagus. Finally awake, Ogon Battu vows to help them destroy the Evil Dr.Nazo..."

From the director of masterpiece horror "Goke, Bodysnatcher from Hell", came this comic book movie adaptation, with a bearded Sonny Chiba playing the leading part.

Ôgon Batto is supposedly the first Japanese superhero, having being created in 1930 by writer Ichiro Suzuki and illustrator Takeo Nagamatsu and maybe the first superhero ever (Superman was created in 1938).  This would be very cool. This would mean the first superhero ever had a skeleton head, witch, strangely, makes me incredibly happy. Of course, his...hum...special appearance didn't made him as popular as a few others that followed: Ultraman, Kamen Rider, etc...But thanks to this film, a nice reminder of the ancient glory of the golden bat surfaced and boy...is it a ride !

Old-school cheesy Sci-Fi mixed with Tokusatsu Eiga (costumed superheroes) and a bit of adventurous silliness, this movie looks like the 60's version of Star Wars. Only with a skeleton head, bat caped golden superhero... The plot is risible and the characters are just over the top, but there is a strange guilty pleasure to watch this Tokusatsu piece unfolding. Is it the crazyness of it all or the cheesy fx ? Is it the incredibly ridiculous main song ? Or is it just that watching this, we go back in time and become kids again. I don't know but  it's got everything one should look for in an deviant entertainment (ok, except sex, you perverts !). 

Highly recommendable piece of madness, I enjoyed tremendously this feature and laught my ass off a few time as it went even behond my wildest expectation in the "no fucking way" area.

Is it a plastic spacecraft ? Is it a monster from another galaxy in a fluffy costume ?

No, it's Golden Bat with his magic cane and his unlimited powers ! 

PS: An animated series of 52 episodes was made in the 60's. Haven't seen it. Probably won't as I am disturbed enough.

Theatrical Trailer: