| U-1 (ユウイチ) / Gitaroo Man (ギタルマン) | |
 U-1 in his Gitaroo Man form. | |
| Profile | |
| Race | Human |
| Gender | Male |
| Gitaroo | Last Legendary Gitaroo Tennis racket (Tutorial Stage) Woofer-mazing (Stage 5) Acoustic guitar (Stage 6) |
| Appearances | |
| Appearances | Gitaroo Man Wan Gitaroo Man Gitaroo Man Lives! |
| Voice Actors | |
| Japanese | Yuka Imai |
| English | Lenne Hardt |
U-1 (ユウイチ Yūichi), also known as Gitaroo Man (ギタルマン Gitaruman) is the main protagonist and player character of Gitaroo Man. He has a pet dog named Puma who also is his mentor and he gives U-1 the Legendary Gitaroo since Puma himself is fused with it to some degree.
Biography[]
U-1 is a clumsy kid who is considered to be a loser by his classmate Kazuya, who also is his arch-nemesis. He admires his classmate Pico and has a major crush on her and does anything he can to impress her, even if that means doing things that he's not good at, like skateboarding, and failing miserablely. Also doing activities not related to skateboarding and calling it that, such as rolling down streets on a platform cart. He even makes up lies to impress Pico such as saying that he's a part of a "strict training program" for skateboarding. It is unknown who his parents are or where their whereabouts are.
What U-1 does not know at the beginning of the game, is that he inherited the blood of the legendary Gitaroo Man and wields the legendary Gitaroo, a guitar-type weapon that shoots lightning as it plays and changes U-1 into a soldier of Planet Gitaroo. At first, U-1 is a kid who can't defend himself and continuously throws tantrums, but as the game progresses, he gains confidence and learns that he can do what seemed impossible to him by not only relying on others.
History[]
Stage 1[]
U-1 transforming to Gitaroo man for the first time
Trying to impress Pico with Skateboarding, he is easily picked on by Kazuya and goes home furious. Puma can see U-1 frustration and calls U-1 "Totally Useless", but tells U-1 he can do something about it and hands him a racket, leaving U-1 confused. He then teaches U-1 how to play it like it was a Guitar. After training, U-1 is exhausted and wants to lay down, till a small demon baby calling himself Panpeus appears and tells him he'll chop him in half. Panpeus asks if U-1 is the one called "Gitaroo man". U-1 is freaked out and confused by this, Puma then transfroms to his true form AC30, and throws U-1 his Gitaroo, which he did not know he had. U-1 then transforms to Gitaroo man. Puma tells U-1 to just do as he taught him earlier. The song "Twisted Reality" Begins. During the song Panpeus takes control of U-1's room and brings all of his toys to life. After the song is over Panpeus states he won't be bad anymore and that "I'll be good!" before disappearing into a vortex of some sort. U-1 then gets Panpeus's Gitaroo.
Stage 2[]
U-1 goes out of control trying to "skateboard" again and runs into Kazyua and Pico, in which Kazuya easily knocks him out of his skateboard, which is actually a platform cart. Pico checks to see if U-1 is okay, which U-1 looks at her admiringly. Pico asks if he was working on his skateboarding moves, Kazuya interrupts and picks on U-1 once again. Pico says that U-1 told her a that he was an awesome skateboarder with a 'strict training program'. Kazuya reminds U-1 that he easily beat him in skateboarding the day before and told him he can't do anything and that he will never succeed at
Kazuya picking on U-1
anything. U-1 tells him he will succeed, but in fear of getting beat up he says he won't succeed and admits to being pathetic . Kazuya then leaves with Pico, leaving U-1 in the middle of town crying. Then theFlying O's come out of nowhere and attack the townspeople to retrieve U-1's Gitaroo. To sad to respond to all of the commotion, Puma pushes U-1 to a safe spot to transform into Gitaroo man. The song "Flyin' to your Heart" plays. In the Final part, Puma attacks one of the Little O's and gets pulled up to the sky while biting it, a lady then tells U-1 to move out of her way and pushes U-1 on top of another Little O bringing him into the sky as well. He then continues to battle Flying O in the sky and moves with them, till finally it has enough and is forced to give U-1 his Gitaroo. They soon spin out of control and crash into the forest.
Stage 3[]
Now in the forest, Puma explains U-1 he is of the Gitaroo Bloodline and is an inheriter of the Legendary Gitaroo. He tells U-1 if he collects all of them he'll get great power. U-1 is not the least bit interested and is more focused on practicing his skateboarding to impress Pico. Puma tells him he is the only one who can use this Gitaroo, that was passed down from the ancestors. U-1 is once again confused and asks Puma how long he had been around, before Puma can respond, Mojo King Bee appears and tells U-1 that he will get him. U-1 is frozen in shock, Puma transforms to AC30 and throws U-1 his Gitaroo, making U-1 respond "Again!?" He then transforms to Gitaroo man and begins to battle Mojo King Bee. The Song "Bee Jam Blues" plays. After a while Mojo King Bee tries to get cover in a tree. After a few more notes U-1 knocks Mojo King Bee into the lake and causes him to sink to the bottom, giving U-1 his Gitaroo.
Stage 4[]
U-1 freaks out trying to calm himself down, Puma soon opens his eyes and a hologram of Miranda appears. Miranda congratulates U-1 for defeating such a powerful Gravillian Warrior, and he tells U-1 to come to Planet Gitaroo immediately and free them. Before U-1 can respond, the hologram disappears. U-1 complains telling Puma there's no way he's going, but Puma already is ready with the Woofer-Jet and they take off against U-1's will as he screams about going back. While in space, Ben-K attacks them from behind, and they spin out of control, flying through a wormhole. The Song "VOID" plays. U-1 fearing that Ben-K will eat them, desperately dodges and flies the ship until they make it out to the other end.
Stage 5[]
U-1 being chased by Ben-K
Still being chased by Ben-K, U-1 and Puma crash on a space station. With Ben-K already transforming into his true form, U-1 freaks out, but Puma states that it's "No prob!" and transforms the Woofer-Jet into Woofer-Mazing, putting U-1, now transformed to Gitaroo man, in the center and allowing him to play safely inside the robot. The Song "Nuff Respect" plays. U-1 is mainly afraid of Ben-K and throughout most the song he runs away while using simple techniques to trick him as telling Ben-K to "Look over there" until it finally stops working and Ben-K chases Woofer-Mazing through the center of the space station, until he flies out the other end and finds himself stuck in the air, soon Ben-K gets shot into space. Giving U-1 his Gitaroo as the Woofer-Mazing briefly taunts in a crude gesture.
U-1 and Kirah sleeping together
Stage 6[]
A blimp with a large Z logo appears and shows a hologram of Zowie. Zowie introduces himself, and tells U-1 to hand over his Gitaroo, as Zowie has been searching for it for his entire life. U-1 refuses, and Zowie says he'll easily deal with them and that he will never beat him and leaves telling U-1 he has been warned. U-1 tells Zowie he's a creep, and they soon go back to the Woofer-Jet and head to Planet Gitaroo. Once they arrive, they crash in the ocean and somehow find their way to shore. U-1 and Puma start a camp fire and U-1 plays a guitar he had found. Kirah then sees them during her walk and U-1 recognizes her as Pico due to similar appearance, but is mistaken as she corrects him, telling him her name. She then sits down with them, and compliments U-1 in his skills with the guitar. U-1 then plays "The Legendary Theme Acoustic Version" for her. During the End of the song, she scoots closer to U-1 and finally falls asleep on his shoulder.
Stage 7[]
U-1 forced to dodge after the Trio have captive of Puma
U-1 wakes up and sees Puma and Kirah are gone. He quickly looks for Puma but falls into a trap set by Zowie. U-1 then sees the Sanbone Trio. Zowie 'welcomes' U-1 to planet Gitaroo, and Zowie shows him that he has kidnapped Puma as the dog is suspended by a rope in the air, and tells U-1 that without Puma, he can't fight. Zowie tells the Trio to attack U-1 and the song "Born to be Bone" plays. U-1 is forced to dodge until a blast that forms from the Sanbone Trio collectively attacking shoots out and releases Puma by snapping the rope. Puma quickly transforms to AC30 and gives U-1 his Gitaroo. U-1 battles the trio while Puma frees all of the prisoners during the song. After beating the trio U-1 gets their Gitaroo. Puma apologizes to U-1 saying that he was sorry for worrying him but was happy that he did well all by himself.
Stage 8[]
U-1 freaked out by Gregorio the Third
Miranda tells U-1 he only has 2 more Gitaroos to get and that Zowie can't possess their power. U-1 is nervous entering the tower but Puma tells them that they have to go. U-1 and Puma walk in and see Gregorio the Third. Gregorio screams Mama, and U-1 is freaked out (rightfully so) by Gregorio. Puma tells him to believe in himself and the Song "Tainted Lovers" plays. U-1 begins to take the offensive but after Gregorio summons his Angel's, he begins to attack U-1. After awhile U-1 finally beats Gregorio and takes his Gitaroo.
Stage 9[]
U-1 and Kirah playing "The Legendary Theme"
Zowie prepares a battle in Gitaroo Arena. Zowie brings out their greatest Gravillian Warrior, which was surprisingly Kirah. U-1 is shocked by seeing this and wishes that he doesn't have to fight her, Puma says that they have to regardless. But U-1 is adamant on saying she is the only person he refuses to fight. The Song "Overpass" plays and U-1 and Kirah begin their battle. U-1 battles at first but falls to the ground in defiance. Puma tells U-1 to get up or else she'll kill him. U-1 refuses to fight Kirah and knows that the real enemy is Zowie. He then begins to play "The Legendary Theme" to remind them that the music is not for fighting. After trying to attack U-1, Kirah eventually realizes what he means and quickly joins him in playing the Legendary theme. She then gives U-1 her Gitaroo, meaning U-1 finally has all of the Gitaroos.
Stage 10[]
Gitaroo Man's true form
Kirah thanks U-1 for realizing her music was not for fighting, and believes he could save them. Miranda tells him the 8 Gitaroos are all in one, creating great power. Kirah, Miranda, and Puma congratulate U-1. And U-1 realizes he isn't so pathetic after all. Zowie appears and decides to fight U-1 himself, in his Armored Gitaroo. U-1 tella Zowie that he has no one left with him and that he is all by himself. Zowie says that he can beat U-1 by himself and that U-1 is just a pathetic loser that could never beat him. U-1 begins to develop some rage, Zowie begins to criticize him some more. The two argue back and forth for a few moments before U-1 transforms to his true form and flies into the sky after Zowie. The song "Resurrection" plays and after awhile U-1 beats Zowie and Zowie is sent into space to be lost forever. Puma then takes U-1 home, but U-1 doesn't want to go and wants to stay on planet Gitaroo. As he complains Puma still takes them back to earth. U-1 on earth sees Pico one again but is quickly interrupted by Kazuya as previously. U-1, full of confidence, finally stands up to Kazuya by playing an "air guitar" and leaves with Pico taking her from him.
Duet Mode[]
In the PSP port, Gitaroo Man Lives!, two new stages are added, which are part of a new game mode called "Duet Mode". In these stages U-1 and Kirah team up to fight two new bosses. The enemy in the first stage is a new character named Kai-Kakoon and the enemy for the second stage is Zowie's cat Ming Ming. If only one player is playing, they will have to play as U-1, and Kirah will be controlled by the CPU. If a second player is playing, they will play as Kirah. It is unknown if these stages are actually canon to the actual storyline or if they were simply added just to include new content in the port. If it is part of the storyline, then that means at one point U-1 traveled back to Planet Gitaroo to meet Kirah and possibly Miranda again and help Kirah fight new the new threats on the planet.
Physical Appearance[]
U-1 is an average boy with black hair. He's usually wearing a black newsboy cap on top of his head with a strange Y shape on top. His attire consists of a gray, brown, and black sweater, brown pants and blue and orange shoes. He also wears a yellow wristwatch on his right wrist and a red bead bracelet on his left wrist.
In his Gitaroo man form his design is extremely complex. U-1 appears older as if he were a teenager. He wears a bright orange helmet with a large white blade in the center that appears as a mohawk, it sits in a thick white stripe of the helmet, there is also a colorful band of stripes on the sides of the helmet. The helmet also has wings that have a full range of movement, it also has eyes and a nose. And finally the helmet has a knight visor with yellow stripes on the rim. He wears a bright orange collar with yellow spikes. He adorns a colorful upper-body chestplate that goes from orange, blue, and white in thick bands of color. In the center of the chest is two symbols that appear to be separated parts of the Gitaroo Man emblem. His left arm is entirely robotic and his left hand seems detached from the rest of the robotic arm. His left hand is also fully robotic and has a glove with two spikes. His right arm is still human, with another spiked band resembling his collar, and a wrist guard that is bright orange and white. He wears some sort of belt with the Gitaroo Man emblem on it. His pants are white with a flame pattern at the bottom and with a trim that also has yellow spikes. He also wears brown kneepads with a red and yellow circle in the center. His shoes are white with a red toe area, and some kind of blue bump on the side with a yellow circle.
In his legendary form, U-1 resembles a dragon. With bright red spiky hair and red markings that lead up to his eyes. He has bright red wings that fade to light blue at the tips. He has a white chest with some red markings. Again he has unsymmetrical arms with the left having a darker pattern than the other. Both arms have large red spikes. His waist is blue, and his legs are red with a strange spiky scaly texture.
Collection Items[]
U-1[]
Obtainable by completing Single Play Stage 6 with any rank
"Legendary hero of Planet Gitaroo. Just look at the confidence in his fearless face! A worthy adversary to be sure."
Gitaroo-man[]
Obtainable by completing Single Play Stage 10 with any rank
"Accursed successor to the Gitaroo Legend. It is said he will show his true form when all 8 Legendary Gitraroos are collected."
Gitaroo-man[]
Obtainable by completing Master's Play Stage 8
"He has fulfilled his destiny, and appears now in his true state. Will fortune smile upon him, just as the legend says?"
Trivia[]
- "U-1" is one of the default names for the bodyguards in Koei's Dynasty Warriors 4.
- His name "U-1" most likely stands for "Unit 1", which also means "Player 1", because he's the main player character and his health bar is always on the left side of the screen.
- U-1 in his Gitaroo Man form makes an cameo appearance as an action figure in the cartoon Steven Universe.
Gallery[]
An image gallery is available for U-1.