Calico Jack

FROM THE ISLAND OF FORGOTTEN ANIME

Space Privateer Calico Jack(1995-2011) is an anime series which was unique in which it was co-produced by both a Japanese company and an American company, originally released simultaneously in both Japan and the United States, and, unusual for an anime, was originally released in both countries in English, although the series was subtitled in Japan, while a version dubbed in Japanese was released on DVD in 2004.

The series takes place in the mid 23rd century, and follows the exploits of Hiroshi & Hiroko Swann, a 23 year old pair of brother/sister conjoined twins, joined at the upper back. The twins share command of their star cruiser Aramagosa, navigating the stars, and operating as privateers, under Lettres of Marque from their uncle, the Emperor of the Terra System(Earth's solar system, which had been colonized in the late 21st century).

TRIVIA

1. Real-life twin siblings Mike and Susan Yamada performed the voices of Hiroshi and Hiroko in both the original English version as well as the Japanese dub, as they both grew up bilingual, speaking both English and Japanese.

2. The inspiration for Hiroshi and Hiroko being conjoined twins was Mike and Susan Yamada's memory of Halloween when they were 10, when they dressed as Siamese twins.

3. The series was originally supposed to end in 1999. However, halfway through the season, it was determined there was more story to tell, and they decided to continue.

4. A scene from what was originally planned as the series finale(which was scrapped when it was decided to continue the series) would have revealed that Hiroshi and Hiroko weren't born conjoined, rather, their bodies were permanently fused back-to-back in an accident when they were 9 years old.

5. A prequel series, The Two Destined to Become One, was planned, showing Hiroshi and Hiroko when they were separate, and ending with the accident that left them conjoined. However, when the final episode was scrapped after it was decided to continue the series, they decided to use the reveal that they had been conjoined in a childhood accident at a later date, and only do the prequel series after the scene with that episode aired. Producers couldn't find a way to add that scene without making it look forced into an episode, so the decision was made to officially reveal the twins were born joined, therefore causing the prequel series to be permanently scrapped.

6. Aside from providing the voices for Hiroshi and Hiroko, Mike and Susan Yamada provided live action references, by being filmed while glued together back-to- back.

7. A fan theory about stated that Hiroko was a direct ancestor of Tina Hayes, the lead character of the anime Crimson Fury. The theory was fueled by the fact in both series, the main character captains a space cruiser named Aramagosa, but the theory was confirmed to be false in 2016.