“Locke the Superman: Lord Leon” (超人ロック ロードレオン), Original Japanese OVA Promotional Poster 1989, B2 Size (51 × 73 cm) ZA707

This is an original Japanese B2 promotional poster printed in 1989 for Locke the Superman: Lord Leon (超人ロック ロードレオン), the three-part original video animation series based on Yuki Hijiri’s celebrated long-running science-fiction manga Locke the Superman. Directed by Noboru Ishiguro, the series was released under the Bandai Emotion label and represents one of the notable late-1980s OVA adaptations of a major manga property.

A highly attractive and visually bold piece from the golden age of Japanese OVAs, this poster is especially appealing for its striking red graphic design, strong character imagery, and unusually detailed release information panel. For collectors of 1980s anime, OVA material, and vintage Japanese science-fiction ephemera, it is an excellent example of period promotional design.

Film background
Released in 1989, Locke the Superman: Lord Leon is a three-volume OVA adaptation drawn from Yuki Hijiri’s enormously influential manga series, a foundational title in postwar Japanese SF comics. The story follows Locke, the immortal esper whose vast psychic abilities have made him one of manga’s great cosmic anti-heroes, as he becomes embroiled in a dangerous confrontation involving Lord Leon and wider interstellar conflict.

The OVA was directed by Noboru Ishiguro, a major figure in anime history, known for works including The Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Legend of the Galactic Heroes. Compared with earlier animated versions of the property, this adaptation embraces the more mature and polished visual language of late-1980s direct-to-video anime, with an emphasis on psychic combat, serious tone, and clean, stylish character design.

Poster design
The design is immediately arresting. The entire composition is set against a vivid red field, creating a sense of intensity and psychic danger. At left, Lord Leon surges diagonally across the sheet in dark blue costume and cape, firing sharp energy beams from his hand. Opposite him, Locke braces himself mid-air, his distinctive green hair and black costume offset by glowing spheres of psychic energy gathered in both hands.

Hovering ominously in the background is an enormous red face and single eye, giving the poster a watchful, psychological dimension and reinforcing the supernatural, psychic nature of the conflict. The main logo block at centre combines the Japanese title 「超人ロック」 with the English subtitle “LOCKE THE SUPERMAN”, lending the sheet strong graphic clarity.

Across the upper centre appears the line:

「最新完全オリジナルビデオシリーズ全3巻」
(“The latest completely original video series, all 3 volumes.”)

The bold white line across the lower red band proclaims:

「超人気SFコミックスが遂にビデオで登場!!」
(“The hugely popular science-fiction comic finally arrives on video!!”)

Beneath that, the poster proudly notes the manga’s commercial success:

「単行本500万部突破／全38巻。」
(“Collected editions surpass 5 million copies / 38 volumes in total.”)

The bottom section is particularly interesting as period ephemera, functioning almost as a retail announcement sheet. It promotes Volume 1: 「機械仕掛けの手を持つ男」 (“The Man with the Mechanical Hand”), lists the on-sale date of October 25, and includes pricing and advance information for subsequent volumes. This gives the poster added documentary value beyond its purely visual appeal.

Condition
Excellent condition. A very strong example, with fresh colour, clean paper, and excellent overall display presence. The vivid red background and crisp graphic elements make this an especially impactful sheet in person.

Please review the photograph carefully, as it shows the exact poster for sale.

This is an original 1989 Japanese promotional poster.
It is not a reproduction or a reprint.

It is now over 35 years old.

Certificate of Authenticity included.