Silver Fang
| Silver Fang: The Shooting Star Gin | |
First tankōbon volume cover | |
| 銀牙 -流れ星 銀- (Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin) | |
|---|---|
| Manga | |
| Written by | Yoshihiro Takahashi |
| Published by | Shueisha |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Jump Comics |
| Magazine | Weekly Shōnen Jump |
| Original run | December 12, 1983 – March 23, 1987 |
| Volumes | 18 |
| Anime television series | |
| Silver Fang | |
| Directed by | Tomoharu Katsumata |
| Produced by | Morihiro Kato (TV Asahi) |
| Written by |
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| Music by | Gorō Oumi |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Original network | ANN (TV Asahi) |
| Original run | April 7, 1986 – September 22, 1986 |
| Episodes | 21 |
| Sequel | |
Silver Fang: The Shooting Star Gin (Japanese: 銀牙 -流れ星 銀-, Hepburn: Ginga: Nagareboshi Gin) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshihiro Takahashi. It was published in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1987, and collected in 18 bound volumes. The manga became digitally available in English through the Apple's iTunes App Store in 2011.[2] It was licensed in North America in 2020 by Manga Planet.
The series tells the story of a young Akita Inu pup called Gin (Japanese for "silver") who leaves his master, a young boy named Daisuke, to join a pack of wild dogs. The pack is gathering strong dogs from all over Japan to fight a giant, monstrous, bloodthirsty and deranged Ussuri brown bear named Akakabuto (Japanese for "red helmet") and his entire army of bears. The story begins from the point of view of the humans, but swings to the dogs afterwards. Takahashi was reportedly inspired by a news article about hunting dogs that had been abandoned by their owners and had begun living as wild animals.
The manga was adapted as a 21-episode anime television series by Toei Animation, simply titled as Silver Fang, which aired on TV Asahi and its affiliates from April to September 1986.[3]
It received the 1987 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen series.
A sequel manga by Takahashi, titled Weed, was published from 1999 to 2009, with four other series following since.
Plot
During the Autumn on 1983, a hunter named Takeda Gohei is famous for his bear hunting skills with his trained dog, Riki. A large bear given the name Akakabuto has been causing trouble in the mountains of Ou, killing humans, cattle and wild dogs. Gohei trains Riki's son, Gin, a silver striped Akita Inu, to be his next bear hunting dog after Akakabuto supposedly kills Riki. However, Gin meets a pack of wild dogs under the leadership of an amnesia suffering Riki, and leaves his owners to travel Japan with the pack to find other dogs and take down Akakabuto once and for all.
Media
Manga
| No. | Release date | ISBN | ||
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| 01 | July 10, 1984 | 4-08-851481-5 | ||
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| 02 | October 9, 1984 | 4-08-851482-3 | ||
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| 03 | January 10, 1985 | 4-08-851483-1 | ||
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| 04 | April 10, 1985 | 4-08-851484-X | ||
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| 05 | July 10, 1985 | 4-08-851485-8 | ||
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| 06 | October 9, 1985 | 4-08-851486-6 | ||
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| 07 | January 10, 1986 | 4-08-851487-4 | ||
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| 08 | April 10, 1986 | 4-08-851488-2 | ||
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| 09 | July 10, 1986 | 4-08-851489-0 | ||
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| 10 | September 10, 1986 | 4-08-851490-4 | ||
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| 11 | December 5, 1986 | 4-08-851591-9 | ||
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| 12 | February 10, 1987 | 4-08-851592-7 | ||
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| 13 | April 10, 1987 | 4-08-851593-5 | ||
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| 14 | June 10, 1987 | 4-08-851594-3 | ||
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| 15 | August 10, 1987 | 4-08-851595-1 | ||
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| 16 | October 9, 1987 | 4-08-851596-X | ||
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| 17 | January 8, 1988 | 4-08-851597-8 | ||
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| 18 | April 8, 1988 | 4-08-851598-6 | ||
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Anime
The TV series was produced by TV Asahi and Toei Animation, with Tomoharu Katsumata serving as series director, Mitsuru Majima and Kenji Terada writing the scripts, Jōji Yanase designing the characters, and Gorō Oumi composing the music. It was broadcast every Monday from 19:30 to 20:00 (Japan Standard Time) on TV Asahi affiliate stations from April 7 to September 22, 1986, for a total of 21 episodes. The anime adaptation ended with the Akakabuto arc, and the Hakkenshi arc was not produced. In addition, the development of the last half of the story is simplified, with some dogs lacking any lines and their appearances reduced compared to the original manga. Takayuki Miyauchi performed both the opening and ending themes, "Nagareboshi Gin" and "TOMORROW".
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | |
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| 1 | "The Birth of Gin, a Little Hero!" Transliteration: "Chiisana hīrō Gin no tanjō!" (Japanese: 小さなヒーロー銀の誕生!) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Mitsuru Majima | April 7, 1986 | |
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The young wolf Gin lives with his father on a puppy mill farm, where he listens eagerly to stories of the great leader of the wilderness. During a scavenging trip, the monstrous bear Akakabuto attacks. Gin's father sacrifices himself to save his son, leaving Gin consumed by grief and a desire for vengeance. After the bear departs, Gin seeks out an elderly dog named Gohee for training. Gohee is harsh, strict, and demanding, forcing Gin through a rigorous regimen. Upon reaching adulthood, Gin leaves to confront Akakabuto alone but is subsequently captured and confined within an animal laboratory. | |||||
| 2 | "Gin, Tomorrow Lies on the Other Side of Effort" Transliteration: "Gin yo, doryoku no mukō ni ashita ga aru" (Japanese: 銀よ努力の向こうに明日がある) | Kazunori Tanahashi | Mitsuru Majima | April 14, 1986 | |
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Trapped inside the laboratory, Gin encounters a friendly German Shepherd named Mosa, who has been confined there since puppyhood. The two form a bond and orchestrate an escape. While sneaking through the facility, Gin's inadvertent sneeze alerts the workers, forcing a frantic flight that ends with them clinging for survival in a fiery pit. They are rescued by Daisuke, a male dog, and The Tod, a manipulative male fox. Exiting the laboratory through an air vent, Gin reveals his quest for vengeance, and the group, joined by Akatora, Chutora, and Kurotora, travels toward the forest. Seeking shelter from a rainstorm, they discover another male dog, Benizukura. Wary of this new arrival, Gin chooses to sleep distantly from him within the cave. | |||||
| 3 | "The Friendship of Gin, Who Risked His Life" Transliteration: "Inochi o kaketa Gin no yūjō" (Japanese: 命を賭けた銀の友情) | Yūgo Serikawa | Mitsuru Majima | April 21, 1986 | |
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The following morning, the group encounters a pregnant female dog, Smith, and her elderly guardian, Grandpa Joe. The Tod attempts to help feed Smith by digging for roots but fails. When a nest of eggs falls and Benizukura consumes them all, Gin becomes enraged. The monstrous bear Akakabuto soon finds the group, forcing them to flee. During the escape, Smith slips and falls into a flooding underground cavern. The Tod, despite being unable to swim, jumps in to save her. Gin also dives into the rising water, retrieves the struggling Smith, and carries her to safety before he is swept downriver. He is rescued by a group of dogs called the Kongas and exits through a floodgate. The Tod and Grandpa Joe also reach shore with minor injuries. After Benizukura thanks the Kongas, Smith finds a place to give birth, and Gin names one of her puppies Weed. The Tod and Benizukura later converse on a hillside to warm themselves. | |||||
| 4 | "The Challenge Of the Gigantic Bear Akakabuto!" Transliteration: "Kyodai kuma Akakabuto e no chōsen!" (Japanese: 巨大熊赤カブトへの挑戦!) | Kazumasa Horikawa | Mitsuru Majima | April 28, 1986 | |
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Akakabuto attacks the next morning. After Smith and Grandpa Joe secure the puppies in a distant, safe location, they return to help confront the bear. Gin challenges Akakabuto directly, but during the fight, the bear hurls him against a tree, rendering him unconscious. As the other dogs rush to his side, Benizukura tries to rouse him. Believing Gin is dead, Akakabuto gloats over his victory until The Tod trips him with his tail and Smith attacks in a fury. Gin regains consciousness and launches a final assault, throwing the bear against a cliff where he is presumed dead. While The Tod scolds Gin for causing worry, Benizukura praises his strength. The dogs then depart to protect the puppies, and Gin and Smith remain behind, beginning to bond and discuss the possibility of a family. Separately, Benizukura discovers that Grandpa Joe's leg injury is worsening. | |||||
| 5 | "Heroic! A Triumph Covered in Scars" Transliteration: "Sōzetsu! Kizu darake no shōri" (Japanese: 壮絶! 傷だらけの勝利) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Mitsuru Majima | May 5, 1986 | |
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Pursued by helicopters from the animal laboratory, the group flees. One puppy, chasing a butterfly, is captured by a laboratory worker. During the ensuing struggle on a cliffside, Gin fights to save the puppies but falls, grabbing a branch. Below, Grandpa Joe and Smith are swept into a river. To save Smith, Grandpa Joe sacrifices himself, telling her to swim to the surface as he is carried away. Gin pulls Smith from the water, but she is distraught. The dogs later find Grandpa Joe gravely injured. He assures them his time has come, instructs Smith and Gin to raise the puppies together, and dies peacefully. As the group mourns, Gin vows to protect the puppies and fulfill his quest for vengeance against Akakabuto. | |||||
| 6 | "Howl! The Mountains are Calling" Transliteration: "Hoero! Yama ga yondeiru" (Japanese: 吠えろ! 山が呼んでいる) | Kazunori Tanahashi | Mitsuru Majima | May 12, 1986 | |
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Following Grandpa Joe's funeral, the group continues its journey. The Tod, refusing to travel further, remains behind to protect the puppies. As winter arrives, the dogs take shelter on a farm, where the puppies struggle to nurse. Gin solves this by allowing a puppy to drink from his own bowl of milk, sustaining them. During a blizzard, Gin overhears Benizukura express that he views Gin as a problem; devastated, Gin flees into the storm. He encounters and battles Silver, the leader of the Kongas, and an avalanche triggered by the fight buries them both. After digging himself out, Gin is found by the others. Benizukura apologizes and pledges his loyalty, becoming Gin's mentor and strengthening their bond. Meanwhile, Akakabuto, who survived his earlier fall, regains consciousness with a broken leg and vows revenge against Gin. While The Tod questions his own leadership, Mosa offers him encouragement as the dogs rest. | |||||
| 7 | "Carve it Into Your Heart! A Male's Heated Oath" Transliteration: "Mune ni kizame! Atsuki otoko no chikai" (Japanese: 胸に刻め! 熱き男の誓い) | Yūgo Serikawa | Mitsuru Majima | May 19, 1986 | |
| 8 | "Now! The Journey of Males" Transliteration: "Ima! Otoko-tachi no tabidachi" (Japanese: 今! 男たちの旅立ち) | Kazumasa Horikawa | Kenji Terada | May 26, 1986 | |
| 9 | "Demon Dogs! Kai's Three Brothers!" Transliteration: "Maken! Kai no Sankyōdai!" (Japanese: 魔犬! 甲斐の三兄弟) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Mitsuru Majima | June 2, 1986 | |
| 10 | "Monster! Moss's Soldiers of the Misty Peak" Transliteration: "Kaibutsu! Kasumigaoka no Mosu gundan" (Japanese: 怪物! 霞岳のモス軍団) | Kazumasa Horikawa | Kenji Terada | June 9, 1986 | |
| 11 | "Ninja Dogs! The Black Shadow of Iga Village!" Transliteration: "Ninken! Iga no sato ni kuroi kage" (Japanese: 忍犬! 伊賀の里に黒い影) | Kazumasa Horikawa | Kenji Terada | June 16, 1986 | |
| 12 | "Ben in Danger! The Confrontation in the Ninja Territory!" Transliteration: "Ayaushi Ben! Ninja yashiki no taiketsu!!" (Japanese: 危うしベン! 忍者屋敷の対決!!) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Mitsuru Majima | June 23, 1986 | |
| 13 | "Justice! The Requirements of a Leader" Transliteration: "Seigi! Rīdā e no jōken" (Japanese: 正義! リーダーへの条件) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Mitsuru Majima | June 30, 1986 | |
| 14 | "Advancing! The Small Young Commander" Transliteration: "Susume! Chiisana wakadaishō" (Japanese: 進め! 小さな若大将) | Kazunori Tanahashi | Mitsuru Majima | July 7, 1986 | |
| 15 | "Benizakura! A Male Known as the Strongest on Earth!" Transliteration: "Benizakura! Chijō saikyō to yobareru otoko!" (Japanese: 紅桜! 地上最強と呼ばれる男) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Kenji Terada | July 14, 1986 | |
| 16 | "Hot Tears! Overcoming the Death of a Companion" Transliteration: "Atsuki Namida! Nakama no shi o norikoete" (Japanese: 熱き涙! 仲間の死をのりこえて) | Masayuki Akihi | Mitsuru Majima | July 21, 1986 | |
| 17 | "Now is the Time to Gather! To Serve Under the Supreme Commander!" Transliteration: "Ima, shūketsu no toki! Sōdaishō no moto e!" (Japanese: 今、集結の時! 総大将のもとへ!!) | Kazumasa Horikawa | Kenji Terada | July 28, 1986 | |
| 18 | "Fight to the Death! The Time when a Male Abandons His Life!!" Transliteration: "Shitō! Otoko ga inochi o suteru toki!!" (Japanese: 死闘! 男が命を捨てる時!!) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Mitsuru Majima | August 4, 1986 | |
| 19 | "Sorrow! The Last Moments of Benizakura, Who Bloomed in Crimson" Transliteration: "Hisō! Shinku ni saita Benizakura no saigo" (Japanese: 悲愴! 真紅に咲いた紅桜の最期) | Masayuki Akihi | Mitsuru Majima | August 18, 1986 | |
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Gin and his allies pursue Akakabuto's gang and confront them in battle. Gin tells Benizakura that they must defeat their enemies if they are to survive. Benizakura initially refuses, but ultimately accepts this demand. During the fight, Akakabuto traps the other dogs under heavy logs and summons a giant bear to attack them. While some of the dogs cower, Gin faces the bear directly, but he is overpowered and pinned down. The trapped dogs struggle unsuccessfully to break free and help him. Benizakura, rejecting a vision of grand sacrifice, refrains from acting. Gin breaks free and sees Akakabuto escaping. In a subsequent argument with Benizakura, Gin unintentionally insults him, prompting Benizakura to confront Akakabuto alone. He is ambushed. The bear, which has a rope tied to its leg, attempts another strike. Racked with guilt, Benizakura leaps into the lake, dragging the bear with him and entangling them both. Akakabuto is struck by a log, but manages to escape and vows revenge. After freeing his comrades, Gin dives into the lake upon learning from Mosa that Benizakura is trapped below. Gin, Akatora, Chutora and Kurotora find Benizakura ensnared with the bear, which struggles violently. Akatora suggests cutting the rope to free the bear, which alarms Gin. Benizakura orders them to the surface to avoid drowning. While the others retreat, Gin attempts to rescue him, but is swatted towards the surface. Benizakura's final words encourage Gin to become a great warrior. As Gin is pulled to the shore, the cessation of air bubbles confirms that Benizakura has drowned. A single cherry blossom then appears on the water's surface, symbolising his death, and the pack mourns his loss. | |||||
| 20 | "Burn, Gin! Now Let Us See the Courage of a Male!" Transliteration: "Moeyo Gin! Ima koso misero otoko no yūki!!" (Japanese: 燃えよ銀! 今こそ見せろ男の勇気!!) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Mitsuru Majima | September 8, 1986 | |
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Akakabuto returns bearing a scar, announcing to the other dogs that Gin is on the verge of defeat. Nevertheless, the pack resolves to continue the fight. Gin remains in mourning for Benizakura and is unresponsive to his companions' attempts to comfort him. When they meet the elderly dog Gohee, he reprimands Gin for his grief. Mosa intervenes, criticising Gohee for his harsh training methods and his willingness to let dogs die. Gohee relents and agrees to help train the group. Having had a change of heart, the Tod also assists. Once they are ready, Gin announces their plan to defeat Akakabuto. En route, enemy dogs attack and Gohee orders Gin to stay behind while he fights. The Tod lures the greyhounds away and sacrifices his life in the process, an act that moves Mosa. As humans approach, the dogs escape by swimming to the island that Mosa had described. Gin hesitates, recalling his traumatic training involving being forced to the bottom of a barrel. However, he overcomes his fear after seeing Gohee navigate the deep water. When the humans find the injured enemy dogs, they blame Gin's pack and pursue them. As the dogs continue to swim, Gin, exhausted and ready to give up, spots the island and urges the others forward. They finally reach the shore, collapse and are praised by Gohee for their bravery. | |||||
| 21 | "Gin! Embark on the Journey of a New Male!" Transliteration: "Gin yo! Arata naru otoko no tabidachi e!!" (Japanese: 銀よ! 新たなる男の旅立ちへ!!) | Tomoharu Katsumata | Mitsuru Majima | September 22, 1986 | |
Reception
It received the 1987 Shogakukan Manga Award for best shōnen series.[4] In Finland, the 1986 anime series has achieved a strong cult following.[5]
References
- ^ Mateo, Alex (July 29, 2020). "Manga Planet Licenses Salary Man Kintaro, Charge!! Men's School, Peacock King, More Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 3, 2020. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
- ^ "Silver Fang ~Meteor Gin~ for iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad on the iTunes App Store". iTunes. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2011.
- ^ "Silver Fang". Toei Animation. Retrieved October 19, 2025.
- ^ 小学館漫画賞: 歴代受賞者 (in Japanese). Shogakukan. Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved August 19, 2007.
- ^ "Anime in Finland". Museo Leikki. Retrieved November 15, 2025.