Ask John: Has Any Anime Been More Americanized More Times than Gatchaman?

Question:
As far as you’re aware, has any other anime feature been “re-worked” for U.S. audiences as many times as Gatchaman?

Answer:
With Battle of the Planets, G-Force, and Eagle Riders along with the uncut and subtitled release of Science Ninja Team Gatchaman from Rhino Home Video, and the anime being licensed for distribution in America by three different distributors: Sandy Frank, Rhino Home Video, and AD Vision, (not including Urban Vision’s license of the Gatchaman OAV series) I can’t think of any anime series that’s gone through more hands and more permutations in America than Gatchaman. The only similar title I can think of is Yasuomi Umetsu’s Kite OAV series which has been released by only one company in America in a heavily recut and edited version, a slightly censored version, and now, finally, an authentic unaltered Japanese version.