Life can crush your dreams. Oji is a middle-management drone whose only grip on sanity, in the drudgery of his corporate lifestyle, are the few shreds of hope surrounding his past life as the amazing guitarist of Black Heaven, a heavy metal band that almost made it. In his bleakest moment, the magic of performing is restored to him when a beautiful mysterious woman informs him that only his special sound can save the universe from an evil alien invasion. HARD ROCK SAVES SPACE!?
WritersNaruhisa Arakawa, Hiroki Hayashi
Stairway to Heaven
Jul 8, 1999
Oji Tanaka starts the day by losing his beloved "Flying V" guitar twice because his wife wants to get rid of it. At work his boss harries him. Later, after work, he believes he is being seduced by his new coworker (an alien in disguise).
All Night Long
Jul 15, 1999
The next morning, Tanaka's son Gen accidentally destroys his prized autographed LP record by his idol Michael Schenker, and his wife is shown to be entirely unmoved by his loss. At work, Tanaka believes that his "stairway to heaven" experience from the night before was not a dream.
Hot House
Jul 22, 1999
Spurred by busybody rumormongering neighbors, Yoshiko's suspicion that Oji is cheating on her grows, though she tries to suppress it. It did not help matters that she spots Oji with Layla.
Space Child
Jul 29, 1999
Oji reluctantly babysits his son Gen because Yoshiko is going to her high school reunion, but feels compelled to play his guitar at the model house, leaving Gen behind in his haste.
These Are the Days
Aug 5, 1999
Oji feels re-energized and dresses in his old rock outfits (blond wig, leather jacket, and leather pants, which he can't button anymore because he's gained weight) in an attempt to revive his rocker identity as "Gabriel."
Walk Away
Aug 19, 1999
Oji is in a funk because he's decided to quit music. Alien Chief Scientist Hamill vows to do anything she can to have Oji play again. Meanwhile, Kotoko, Eriko, and Rinko try various futile methods to "inspire" Oji,
In Need
Aug 26, 1999
The aliens are under increasing attacks from their enemies. Hamill tries to persuade Oji to play music, and he seems receptive by playing twice. However, the ultimate weapon mysteriously does not fire properly.
All Right Now
Sep 2, 1999
Oji invites his surviving former bandmates from Black Heaven, Sato/Michael, Yamada/Luke, and Suzuki/Raphael for drinks. They reminisce about the old times and Oji tells him about the alien war and his music weapon.
Get Off of My Cloud
Sep 9, 1999
Oji attempts to recruit members for his new band, the New Black Heaven, and has his son Gen draw the "space attitude" recruitment poster.
Ten Years Ago
Sep 16, 1999
Black Heaven, and by extension the ultimate weapon, is not at full power because it is missing its keyboardist Watanabe/Joseph.
Sweet Emotion
Sep 23, 1999
The rival aliens are perfecting their own final weapon using a clone of Watanabe's corpse.
Into the Arena
Sep 30, 1999
The rival aliens test their ultimate weapon "Biomechanical Android Watanabe", which has 6 arms and can play 3 keyboards simultaneously, and almost destroy the aliens, canceling out Black Heaven.
The End
Oct 7, 1999
1999 The final battle begins, and Black Heaven plays a marathon session in their struggle against the Watanabe clone.
