Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion (Japanese: 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン, Hepburn: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion, "Transforming Bullet Train Robot Shinkalion") is a Japanese toy franchise created by Takara Tomy, in association with the Japan Railways Group.
However one day, Hayato Hayasugi, a young grade schooler who is a big railfan due to his father being a member of staff at the Railway Museum, accidentally got involved in the recent attack by the monsters and discovered his father's secret working with the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute.
Hayato shows a surprising amount of aptitude as a Shinkalion driver, based on him using a training application on his father's tablet that he mistook for a mobile game.
Despite initial concerns from the adult members of the organization about having children as drivers, Hayato joins several other kids in using Shinkalions to willingly fight against the threat of the Kitoralsus.
About half a year after the defeat of the Kitoralsus, giant monstrous beings suddenly appear from space led by both Nahane and Ohanefu, and are planning to take over the Earth.
Having no choice, the Shinkansen Ultra Evolution Institute appointed the young Hokuto to become the driver of the Shinkalion ALFA-X and bringing in the teams from all the branches across Japan as the last line of defense against the invaders threatening the planet.
The children who became the drivers of "Shinkalion Z" with a high compatible rate will work together with the institute staff members to confront the giant monstrous beings that reappeared!
He met up with Ryota Kuzuryu in class, inviting him to join the school's Railway Club and used the Metaverse simulator for the first time, which is being managed by ERDA's current leader Kadomichi Takanawa.
Despite being hesitant, he decided to become one after remembering some encouraging words from his missing sister, boarding inside the Shinkalion E5 Hayabusa to fight against the UNKNOWN and defeating it.
The new concept is a transforming super robot in the vein of the Plarail series, and was inspired directly from several anime, notably Chō Tokkyū Hikarian.
The new project was announced under the codename "Project E5" during the 2014 Tokyo Toy Show, with special promotional animation created in collaboration with Japan Railways Group and Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment Inc.[3] After the presentation, many changes on the concept were done in order for the toy to be finalized for retail sale and to be compatible with any Plarail tracks.
[8][9][10][11][12] Hayato and the E5 also cross over in the feature-length film for Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu.
[17] In late December 2023, Takara Tomy later announced that a new season would be releasing in April 2024, titled Shinkalion: Change the World.
The series' music is composed by Toshiyuki Watanabe (Galactic Armored Fleet Majestic Prince, Space Brothers).
[25][26] It is produced by Signal.MD and Production I.G and directed by Kenichiro Komaya, with Eiji Umehara writing series scripts, Shiori Asaka and Niina Morita designing the characters, and Yugo Kanno composing the music.
A film sequel to the anime, titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion the Movie: The Mythically Fast ALFA-X That Came From the Future (Japanese: 劇場版 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン 未来からきた神速のALFA-X, Hepburn: Gekijō-ban Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion Mirai Kara Kita Shinsoku no Arufaekkusu) premiered in cinemas in Japan on December 27, 2019.
[34][35] A manga titled Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion: Dive the World (Japanese: 新幹線変形ロボ シンカリオン シンカリオン ダイブ ザ ワールド, Hepburn: Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkarion Daibu Za Wārudo) began serialization in Shueisha's Saikyō Jump on April 4, 2024.