Almost 33 years since he last led an army of contestants into battle, Tani has returned! Fuelled by the same desire to defeat Takeshi, he sends his troops into battle with the ultimate goal of storming the castle in the final Show Down.

Just like his elder, General Tani, Kimura is equally determined to overthrow Takeshi and his co-rulers. He'll enthusiastically command armies of contestants through the challenges they face, and on to the Show Down.

More than three decades have passed since Takeshi last faced an attack from Tani, but the war is raging once more! Takeshi has had his classic obstacles rebuilt, along with some unfamiliar challenges, in an attempt to stop the attacking armies from reaching his and his co-rulers' castles.

Osamu is chief advisor, taking control of the castle's defence when the Count isn't around. While he plays a crucial role in Takeshi's army, he's not adverse to cheering on the attackers!

Yuki is Takeshi's loyal servant, who occasionally has to endure being the test subject for the Count's obstacles. Along with Osamu, he helps to run the castle when the Count isn't in residence.

To fill in the large hole that Count Takeshi leaves in his absence, a virtual AI Count has been created to give opinion and instruction... Which is always pretty much worthless.
Kunihiro - a comedian known for his celebrity impressions, particularly his Takeshi impersonation - is the real person behind the floating head, and also the voice of the castle itself. He made an appearance in person when the real Takeshi arrived.

The Lord of the first castle that attackers will face on their journey to Takeshi's castle. Chainsaw-wielding Ueda knows how to intimidate attackers, but maybe he's not as terrifying as he seems?..

A princess of expensive tastes, and owner of the second castle. Trigger happy with her collection of firearms, Naomi isn't an opponent you stand much chance to beat.

Ennosuke, the white knight of the third castle, seemingly brandishes his dual swords with skill. He is the last Lord that the attacking armies must overcome before they reach Takeshi's castle.

Tomoaki is a professional wrestler, so has no issue getting to grips with any attacker he faces. As a regular opponent in Tug of War, his exceptionally hoarse voice alone is enough to send chills down the spine of anyone who comes up against him.

As a professional wrestler known for his strength and 'violent' moves, Togi isn't a guard who's going to let anyone past without a fight. And just in case you forget, the chain he wears around his neck is a not so subtle reminder of his character.

Kuro-chan's stature might make him an intimidating guard to come across, but his mannerisms and high pitched voice might make you feel more at ease. However, this comedian takes his role seriously and doesn't go easy on any attacker.

A comedian rarely seen without his cowboy hat, Hollywood was inspired to get into comedy by watching Takeshi himself as a child. Don't be fooled into thinking you'll get an easy pass because of his comedic sensibilities - Hollywood signs trouble.

In case his mask didn't give it away - Liger is another professional wrestler recruited by the Count. Not only is he active in the ring, but is also skilled at mixed martial arts. A double threat for attackers who are ready to risk being struck by Lightning.

As a leading member of the Platinum Guards, Kano's sole aim is to take down anyone who thinks they can slip by him unscathed. Whether it's with a fire hose or a large prodder, he always has a way to bring attackers down.

As an Olympic freestyle wrestler, Kyoko is no pushover. Attackers that come head-to-head with her face a steep slope to victory - literally, as she's in charge of Blueberry Hill and Skittles. Kyoko is a harsh enforcer of rules - except when it comes to herself, where she'll bend them however she sees fit!

One half of comedy duo Audrey, Toshiaki is a guard who can take on many roles - from fearful foam-blaster to sly swamp monster. His loyalty is also just as flexible, as was evidenced when General Kimura lured him over to the attacking team.

No less frightening to discover standing in your way than other guards, but maybe not for the same reasons. There's no need for a cannon when this Guard is around, as Ume-chan's nose does just as fine a job of firing projectiles out of it as any volleyball machine...

A professional boxer, world champion kickboxer and mixed martial artist. It's no wonder that Takeshi chose Tenshin to battle in the Show Down on his behalf!

Comedy duo Shigeki Nakanishi and Akiyuki Nasu are the lead reporters, watching the challenges from the sidelines and interviewing contestants after their attempts.

Shuji Aida and Komiya Hironobu make up the comedy duo Sanshiro, who take up the roles of battlefield reporters during some of the games on the way to the castle.

Takeru and Shogo form this comedy duo, who are occasional reporters and interviewers during the attacks on Takeshi's castle.

Daisuke and Tomoge are a comedy duo who act as reporters, interviewers and as an integral part of the game Mud of Succour; in which they open contestant's capsules to reveal if they have succeeded or not.

Tani leads his army of contestants through all the games and onto the Show Down, hoping to beat Takeshi and storm the castle. The handsome "ladies favourite" is always helpful and generous - especially towards the females...

Takeshi is the owner of the castle. To protect it from Tani's attacks, he sets up obstacles in the castle grounds in an attempt to stop the army of contestants getting any closer. Contestants have to beat him in the final Show Down to win.
Takeshi wasn't able to appear on the show from episode 31 to episode 55, so instead the Takeshi Doll took his place.

Takeshi was unable to appear on the show for 25 episodes, so a guard wearing a big cartoon Takeshi head stood in for him. The Takeshi Doll doesn't speak, so his main job is to fire the water cannon in the Show Down.

Saburo was Takeshi's first advisor, and sidekick. He helped with plans to oppose Tani's attacks, and would always be by Takeshi's side in the Show Down.

Higashi began as the leader of Takeshi's Gundan. He then, from episode 44, replaced Saburo as Takeshi's advisor and sidekick - regularly becoming the victim of the Count's slapstick inventions and comedy sketches.

These troops are Takeshi's personal group of guards. They first protect the forts in Slipped Disks and Uphill Garden, and then battle the contestants in the final Show Down.

The first leader of the troop was Higashi, who later left to become Takeshi's advisor. Utaemon Omori then took over as leader in episode 44.
The other members of the group include Matsuo Bannai, Edamame Tsumami, Yurei Yanagi, Rakkyo Ide, Great Gidayu, Duncan, Third Nagashima, Rusher Itamae, Gadarukanaru Taka, Hakase Suidobashi, Sintarou Mizushima and Tadajij Kikuchi.

Large is an honorary member of the Takeshi Gundan. His first job was as a stand-in guard in the Honeycomb Maze. Later he moved into Sumo Rings, replacing Shinoburyo.

Makoto will always be found down one of the wrong Final Fall holes, usually wearing some kind of costume. A karate champion, Makoto is paired with Katsuo to make a winning team.

You'll find Katsuo found down one of the wrong Final Fall holes, often wearing a random costume. A boxing champion, he's always paired up with Makoto to make a winning team.

As an ex-pro wrestler, Strong is one of Takeshi's best and, as his name suggests, strongest guards. Nearly always paired with Kibaji, they form a powerful team.

Kibaji is one of Takeshi's best guards, who can scare off contestants just by looking at them. Nearly always paired with Strong, they form a powerful team.

Animal is the craziest, most energetic guard of them all. He scares contestants, humiliates losers, and can't stand cheats or cockiness. Although, he can have a soft spot for the ladies!

Before Takeshi's Castle, Animal was a baseball player in the American Major Leauge. He later moved to Japan and joined the Hankyu Braves baseball team, which lead to him to become a well known personality on Japanese TV.

Ueda is one of the most imposing guards, while also being a professional wrestler. He is tall, strong, and easily identifiable by his bleached-blonde hair.

Okada is known as the Sea Goblin. He's not as big, but is still just as frightening as other guards. He'll usually be lurking by water to soak losing contestants.

Jo began as the commander of the fort in Uphill Garden and Avalanche, and is the most amiable of all the guards. He's not very strong, or scary; and even occasionally helps the contestants rather than hindering them.

Popcorn, the 'Rainbow Warriors', are twins Shoji and Shoichi. They mess with the contestants and try to put them off, usually by singing chants. You'll often hear them crying "amigo" or making contestants join in their onomatopoeic chant of "donbura kokko" in Rice Bowl Down Hill.

Youshichi is a strange guard who takes on various guises. Usually he either dresses like a child, with a little patch of hair missing, or cross-dresses in a Pocahontas-like costume. In more regular attire, he always has a red painted nose and a painted-on beard.

Yoroi is a giant samurai who attacks contestants, trying to slow them down. He has three moves - punch, kick and, his "killer move", body-press.

When Yoroi first appeared he didn't have a name, so one was picked from viewers' suggestions.

Akko is a giant yellow ape that uses it's big hands to slow down passing contestants. It was named after Akiko Wada, a famously tall singer.

Rock-kun is a big rock that sprays steam out of its mouth. In Dino Ride, if a contestant doesn't hit the bat, or falls off the dinosaur, they'll get blasted by Rock-kun.

Shinoburyo is a sumo wrestler, mostly playing in the purple ring in Sumo Rings. He's the hardest of all the guards to beat in Sumo; and therefore very, very rarely loses.

Shin is one of the most infamous Sumo Rings guards - but not thanks to any successes! Usually playing in the red ring; he's weak and weedy, so is very easy to beat.

Spud! A guard dressed in a giant head costume; which is based on famous sumo wrestler Yasokichi Konishiki. Wearing the costume makes it really easy for the guard to topple over, so he is very easy to beat in Sumo Rings.

Oki is the host of Karaoke. He welcomes the contestants onto the stage and then introduces the song they must sing.

Koji is the boss of the Karaoke bar. He decides if the contestants' performances are good enough for them to win the game, or not.

Takayuki is the bouncer of the Karaoke bar. If the boss decides that the contestant isn't good enough, it's Takayuki's job to escort them out of the building; usually, literally, throwing them out.

Shingo was first Battlefield Reporter, whose job it is to interview contestants after they have played a game. He'll also help contestants to get over The Great Wall if they are struggling.

In episode 7, Shingo (along with Ultraman) lead the army of contestants through the games, filling in for Tani who was away. In the Guard Special, he acted as Tani's sidekick.
Shingo made one final appearance, as a representative of Hokkaido, in the first New Years Special.

Junji is the longest serving Battlefield Reporter; whose job it is to interview contestants after they have played a game. He also helps out in some starting games, giving a hand to the last few contestants who haven't got through yet, and also stars in his own sketches throughout each episode.

Junji can be a pest towards women (leading them to rebuff him), and sometimes acts as the guinea pig for new games before the contestants get to attempt them.

This group of young women, headed by Miyuki Ono, wait at the goal of some games to congratulate winners and escort them through to the next round.
Other Girls include Harumi Tomikawa, Mika, Mina Morishima, Sawada, and Mitsumi Yokota.

Kunihiko is the producer of Takeshi's Castle. He occasionally appeared on the show in various roles, including being a guard in Sumo Rings, being a part of comedy sketches, and even as a stand-in contestant in the first couples special!

In 2014, Kunihiko acted as an advisor in the creation of Takeshi's Castle Thailand, and assisted on production for the first few episodes.

Kikko is Tani's wife. She appeared in three special episodes over the course of the series; the first time was in a short sketch in which she was at home with Tani.
In her second appearance Kikko had a much bigger role. She sent Tani off across the world to find international contestants to bring home and storm the castle. While he was away, Kikko filled in as the General to lead the day's Japanese contestants through the games.

Ultraman is a famous Japanese alien superhero. He first appeared to fill in, along with Shingo, for Tani who was away for an episode. The next time he arrived, Ultraman was a sidekick for Tani in a children's special episode.
In the Monster Special he was again on Tani's side, along with his Ultra Brothers, appearing in Dodgerock; with the Ultra Mother fighting in Sumo Rings.

Chuck mainly appears in international specials. He acts as an English guide to the non-Japanese speaking contestants.
In the first special he took part in the games as well, while in the second he acted as the General's second in command (and also played Wipe Out).

In the Teams special (episode 41) Chuck took part as a contestant, competing as a member of the International Team.

Originaly from Czechoslovakia, Eliska appears in two international specials. She acts as an English guide for the non-Japanese speaking contestants.