RobiHachi (TV)

Trivia:

RobiHachi is not an adaptation of a contemporary manga. According to series director, Takamatsu Shinji, RobiHachi is inspired by a 19th-century picture book series titled “Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige” (A Chestnut Horse’s Shanks Along the Tokaido Road) written by Jippensha Ikku. This buddy road-trip comedy tale follows the misadventures of two men traveling from Edo (Tōkyō) to the Grand Shrine in Ise via the Tōkaidō Road.

The two protagonists in "Hizakurige" are Yajirōbei and Kitahachi, respectively Robby Yarge and Hatchi Kita in "RobiHachi". The term "yajikita" is slang for a pair of bumbling idiots.

JPS-19, also called Ikku by Robby, is a parody of the author’s name, Jippensha Ikku. Ikku literally means “one nine”

The mecha robot Hizakuriger is named in a parody of the shortened title for “Tōkaidō Chū Hizakurige”, the Edo Period series.

Isekandar is a parody of Ise Jingu, the Grand Shrine of Ise. In the Edo Period books, Yajirōbei and Kitahachi travel from Edo (Tōkyō) to the shrine via the Tōkaidō Road.

Yang of "RobiHachi" and Gintoki Sakata of "Gintama" are both voiced by actor Tomokazu Sugita. The two anime characters also share the same favorite flavor of sweet snack — Strawberry Milky Candy for Yang and Strawberry Milk for Gintoki.

In ep 5 at 20:18 the Wombat is from Cute High Earth Defense Club Love! series

The insert theme song for Hizakuriger, "Galaxy Traveler HIzakuriger!", is sung by Akira Kushida. The lyrics were written by series director Shinji Takamatsu.

Yang’s ship resembles the roof decoration found atop traditional Japanese castles called shachihoko, which is a mythical fish. The name of Yang's ship is Kinkokan (Golden Shachihoko Warship).

Isekandarkun (Little Isekandar) is the name of the official mascot of Isekandar.

TripSunvisor is a parody of the online travel website TripAdvisor that provides ratings and reviews for accommodations, dining, airlines, resorts, sights, attractions, tours, etc.

The running gag about Yang's sexual appetite, including his unabashed lusting after Robby, is a reference to Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige. The original stories were filled with coarse and sexual language, obscene jokes, and double-meanings.

From his Twitter account, Director Takamatsu Shinji explained the origins of the RobiHachi character names. In the Kita family, grandfather Rock comes from roku (the number six); father Shicchi from shichi (seven); son Hatchi from hachi (eight). In the Yarge family, grandfather Yuma comes from [yaji]uma (sightseer); father Luci, pronounced rūshi, from [yaji]rushi (arrow symbol); son Robby from Yajirōbei (of Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige).

In a tweet, director Takamatsu Shinji reveals early sketches of the interior of Nagaya Voyager drawn by conceptual designer Shin Misawa.

In the scene following the end credits to episode 12, a destitute Robby is sitting in a cardboard box on the street. Hatchi and Ikku show up and propose a new trip, to the matchmaking planet of Izumondar. This is a parody of the Izumo Great Shrine, said to help worshippers find the ideal spouse.

In episode 1, the nighttime street scene of NEO TOKYO shows a dogū figure walking down the street. Dogū clay figures date back to Japan’s Jōmon Period (10,000 BC to 300 BC) and are thought to be talismans for good health or fertility.

In episode 2, the Mars taxi driver asks for a fare of 720 mon, which is Edo Period currency. The current Japanese currency unit, the yen, was introduced in 1871.

In episode 2, Robby calls Martians floppy-limbed octopuses and Hatchi makes a comment about H.G. Wells. These are references to the science fiction novel, "War of the Worlds", in which the Martians were described as grotesque soft-bodied masses with wriggling tentacles,

In episode 2, Hatchi eats takoyaki, which are baked dumplings containing chunks of octopus meat and covered in sauce. Tako means "octopus."

In episode 2, the show "What Brings You to Mars?" (YOU wa Nanishi ni Kase he?) is a parody of a popular travel show called "Why Did You Come to Japan?" (YOU wa Nanishi ni Nihon he?)

In episode 2, the tourism chief’s name, Chu-Chu Takokawaina, means “adorable kissable octopus”

In episode 2, "Takotubo Land" is a parody of takotsubo (“octopus pots”), which are earthenware pots used to catch octopus. The pots are left on the ocean floor and octopuses crawl inside thinking they have found a convenient shelter. Later, the pots are retrieved with the octopuses still inside.

In episode 2, Hatchi suggests the 50-year-old Hizakuriger TV show was created by "cel animation", which is the original method of creating animated cartoons. Each frame was hand drawn and painted on transparent sheets of cel[lulose].

In episode 3, Mr. Pluto is a parody of a real mascot called Plutokun, used by the Japan Nuclear Cycle Development Institute to promote nuclear reactor technology during the 1990s.

In episode 3, the “Make Pluto a Planet! Make Mondays Plutodays!” movement is a parody of Pluto being downgraded to a dwarf planet in 2006.

In episode 3, the [censored] Memorial Hall is a parody of Seichō Matsumoto Memorial Hall, a museum dedicated to the award-winning author of detective mysteries. Matsumoto's stories frequently included references to railroads and trains.

In episode 3, Pluto has a heart-shaped ice field that can be seen from space. The real Pluto is covered with enormous fields of frozen methane that from certain angles appear heart-shaped.

In episode 3, the Ragaraja Shrine Robby envisions building on Pluto's ice field refers to Aizen Myōō, a deity of sexual passion among some esoteric Buddhist sects.

In episode 3, the ad agency ship is named Dontsū (Inc). Dontsū means “dull pain”. Don is also onomatopoeia for an impact sound like “thud” or “boom”.

In episode 3, the ad agency agents’ names are Mr. Kodai and Ms. Morisugi, which mean “hyperbole” and “exaggeration” respectively.

In episode 4, the map showing the route from Earth to Haccone on the Milky Way Highway is a parody of the Tōkaidō Road and its 53 post-stations. With NEO TOKYO (Nihonbashi) as the starting point, station 1, the rest of the stations follow the same numbering system: #2 Nimoi (Shinagawa), #3 Leontes (Kawasaki), #4 Rose Goddess (Kanagawa), #5 Grand Donut (Hodogaya), #6 Tottska (Totsuka), #7 Wisteria (Fujisawa, fuji means “wisteria”), #8 Wide Mound (Hiratsuka, hiratsuka means “wide mound”), #9 Oiso (Ōiso), #10 Odawarla (Odawara), and #11 Haccone (Hakone).

In episode 4, the Odwarla post station looks like "kamaboko", a loaf of a processed fish paste.

In episode 4, the restaurant manager's lament about labor law reforms is a reference to Japan's “Work Style Reform Legislation” law enacted in April 2019.

In episode 4, the legendary Odwarla oarfish is based on a real, rarely seen fish that lives in the deep ocean.

In episode 5, the Japanese title is “Jigoku no Sata mo Don Shidai” (The Don Opens All Doors). This is a parody of the proverb "Jigoku no sata mo kane shidai" (Money opens all doors).

In episode 5, the scene of Yang running in a marathon on Panet Tottsuka is a parody of Stage 2 (from Tsurumi to Totsuka) of the famous Hakone Ekiden, a long-distance relay race for university running clubs.

In episode 5, the Haccone Checkpoint is a parody of the historic Hakone checkpoint, a major security checkpoint during the Edo Period. Travelers could not pass without a travel permit, usually a paper document.

In episode 5, the overview of the Haccone spa town with the lake in the foreground and a snow-capped mountain in the background strongly resembles Hakone, which sits on the shore of Lake Ashinoko near the base of Mt. Fuji.

In episode 5, Lake Udenoko is a parody of Lake Ashinoko. "udenoko" translates to "arm lake" and "ashinoko" is "leg lake."

In episode 5, the Haccone spa symbol, three vertical lines above a horizontal crescent, is a reference to the symbol used throughout Japan to indicate a hot-springs spa.

In episode 5, the Haccone residents and checkpoint officials are kappa, a small demon that lives in rivers and streams. The kappa has webbed fingers/toes and its head is crowned by a small dish.

In episode 5, Robby admires the nape of a young woman's neck. In traditional Japanese attire, this is considered sexy, akin to showing breast cleavage in a low-cut western dress.

In episode 5, Robby seeks a spa that allows women and men to bathe together. For centuries, mixed bathing was the rule rather than the exception in Japan. However, following the Edo Period, separate bathing areas for men and women were deemed more civilized and most facilities have kept up the practice to this day.

In episode 5, the nicknames “The Don” and “Haccone Godfather” are parodies of the main character from the movie “The Godfather.” Don Vito Corleone was the patriarchal head of the Sicilian organized crime syndicate known as the Mafia

In episode 5, the nickname "Schindler of Haccone" is a reference to Oskar Schindler, who helped thousands of Jewish prisoners escape execution during WWII by having them work in his factories.

In episode 5, it is interesting to note none of the nicknames for the Don reference Japanese diplomat Chiune Sugihara, who issued thousands of official visas to Jewish refugees, enabling them to leave Europe.

In episode 5, the Black Card is a reference to the luxury credit card issued by Mastercard.

In episode 5, Ikku likens the Don to Mito Kōmon. This is the titular character in a famous TV series about a powerful lord who travels about his domain in disguise, mingling with and helping the lower classes.

In episode 5, "peach-colored” in Japanese refers to the bright pink blossoms, rather than the orange or yellow fruit.

In episode 5, the Haccone food and beverages are parodies of Hakone specialty food items. Hot spring coffee and hot spring shave ice are prepared using hot-spring water. Hot spring manjū are sweet pastries cooked using hot-spring steam or heat. Yubadon is a dish made of soymilk curds (yuba) poached in soup stock and poured over rice.

In episode 5, black eggs are seen throughout Haccone as statues, furniture, and guards outside the Don’s mansion. These are parodies of the Hakone regional specialty food called kurotamago, which are eggs boiled in sulfur-rich hot-spring water until the shells turn black.

In episode 5, the pirate ship sailing on Lake Udenoko is a parody of sightseeing boats that offer cruises around Lake Ashinoko.

In episode 5, the Don is revealed to be Wombat (including the same voice actor, Mugihito) from the Cute High Earth Defense Club anime series, which was directed by Shinji Takamatsu.

In episode 6, the planet Hamama II (pronounced “ha ma ma tsū”) is a parody of Tōkaidō Road post-station Hamamatsu, located near Lake Hamamatsu.

In episode 6, Hamama’s giant eels are a parody of the Hamamatsu regional specialty food called unagi (freshwater eel), which are said to boost male virility.

In episode 6, the characters feast on a variety of eel dishes. Traditionally, unagi (freshwater eel) is skinned and filleted. The spine is deep-fried and eaten like chips. The liver is grilled or served in soup. The meat is grilled on skewers and basted with a tangy sauce.

In episode 6, Robby's description of Earth’s eels being overfished into oblivion is a reference to the native Japanese unagi (freshwater eel) being declared an endangered species in 2013. So-called "farmed eels" come from immature eels that are harvested from the ocean and raised in freshwater aquaculture farms.

In episode 6, Robby wonders if they have arrived at Hamama II on the Day of the Ox. These days are in late July through early August, typically the hottest days of summer and said to be the ideal season for unagi (freshwater eel).

In episode 6, the name of the ruler of Hamama II is King Nurumite, which means "slippery/slimy hand."

In episode 6, Robby remarks that watching the great eels being sliced up is like a tuna-filleting show. Called maguro kaitai, these shows are hosted by fish dealers who demonstrate how to render a whole tuna into restaurant-ready portions

In episode 6, the electric eel baths are a parody of the denki buro (electric bath) found in public bath houses. As the name indicates, a low-voltage electric current is passed through the water.

In episode 6, the closing scene of Yang, Allo, and Gras passing around a volleyball is a parody of "Haven’t You Heard, I’m Sakamoto", another anime series directed by Takamatsu Shinji. The characters include a trio of high delinquents, the leader of whom, Acchan, is voiced by Tomokazu Sugita (Yang).

In episode 7, the planet Akka Sakka refers to Tōkaidō Road post-station Akasaka; however, the theme park is a parody of the facility in the Tokyo district of Asakusa.

In episode 7, the theme park is named Hanayashiki, which means “Flower Mansion.” The Asakusa theme park, also named Hanayashiki, is Japan’s oldest and was founded in 1853 as a flower garden.

In episode 7, like the Akka Sakka version, the real Hanayashiki theme park uses a multilevel fee structure that requires purchasing an admission fee (differentiated by age, individual, group, and disabled) plus ride tickets or unlimited ride pass.

In episode 7, the theme park's social-media entrance is a parody of tourist attractions that recruit social media influencers by offering free admission and other perks in exchange for promotional posts.

In episode 7, the large float Yang rides in the Lovely Fantastic Fairy Tale Dream Parade is a dashi. It is not the same as a mikoshi, a portable Shinto shrine, which would not permit people to ride it.

In episode 7, standing among the parade watchers is an alien that resembles a Dogū clay figurine.

In episode 7, Robby and Hatchi being bound by eternal love is a reference to the original Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige, which indicated Yajirōbei and Kitahachi had a sexual relationship. This was made overt in the film adaptation, "Yaji and Kita: Midnight Pilgrims" (2005), which portrayed the two characters as a gay couple.

In episode 8, Mulberry 7 is a parody of Tōkaidō Road post station 43, Kuwana. "Kuwa" means "mulberry." "Na" is short for "nana", which means "7."

In episode 8, inside Yang’s ship, a red sign showing the Chinese character fú 福 "good fortune" is hung upside down. The Chinese word dào can mean “upside-down” or “to arrive.” Thus, the upside-down sign is read “Good fortune will arrive.”

In episode 8, the names of King and Prince Chamechameka are parodies of the kamekameha energy weapon from Dragon Ball Z.

In episode 8, are several Gundam references; director Shinji Takamatsu worked on the Mobile Suit Gundam Wing series. The character names Zatsu and Chimu are parodies of the mobile suit designs Zaku and GM (pronounced Jimu). Among the weapons mentioned are Minovsky particles and beam sabers.

In episode 8, Count Mecha hires Yang as a yōjimbō (bodyguard) to fight in an upcoming battle, which is a parody of the film Yōjimbō directed by Akira Kurosawa and starring Toshirō Mifune. The titular film character is a mysterious rōnin (freelance swordsman) who gets involved in a turf war between two rival gangs.

In episode 8, King Chamechameka asks Hizakuriger his name, to which Robby replies, “You may call me Hizakuri Sanjūrō (30-year-old chestnut).” This is a parody of Sanjūrō, a sequel film to Yōjimbō. When asked his name, the rōnin looks around the garden and dryly ad-libs, “Tsubaki Sanjūrō.” (30-year-old camellia)

In episode 8, when Robby and Hatchi talk about pretending to be artificial life forms called Fatima, they are referencing the manga/anime "Five Star Stories". Fatima are genetically engineered female humanoids who are stronger, smarter, and hardier than humans.

In episode 8, silkworm pupae are a popular South Korean snack food.

In episode 8, "Mekadō", translated as the “Tao of Mecha”, prohibits the use of modern weapons on Mulberry 8. This is a parody of bushidō, which are instructions for proper samurai conduct.

In episode 8, the battle at Se-Mecha-Hara is a parody of the historic Battle of Sekigahara (1600). The Mecha Count’s Eastern Army and King Chamechameka’s Western Army are parodies of the Ishida Mitsunari and Tokugawa Ieyasu factions, respectively.

In episode 8, the pink war horn is a parody of the historical item made from a large conch shell called "horagai."

In episode 8, the sensor-jamming cloud of Minovsky particles simulates the heavy fog that impaired visibility at the start of the historic Battle of Sekigahara.

In episode 8, Hatchi self-reflectively asks, “What is it to be human, anyway?” This is a parody of a pop song called "Croquette," which begins with the same line.

In episode 8, Yang uses his tiny-but-mighty Mecha-Man suit and war hammer to fell the giant Hizakriger. This is likely a nod to the folktale "Issunbōshi," about a young man only an inch tall. After defeating a giant ogre, he uses a magical mallet to grow to normal size.

In episode 8, Hoshirō and the humans defeating the robots with modern weaponry is a reference to the historic Boshin War. The Shogun’s traditional samurai armies were soundly defeated by Imperial reformists, who used modern weaponry and military tactics, and deployed mixed troops of samurai, townspeople, and farmers fighting together as a unit.

Contrary to the flashback shown in episode 9, a Japanese astronaut has yet to set foot on the Moon. Japan’s current space program is attempting to reach the Moon by 2030.

In episode 9 the preview sidebar explains G.C. 0051 is the first year of the Reiwa Era. Reiwa (“beautiful harmony”) marks the ascension of Japan’s newest emperor, Emperor Naruhito, which began on May 01, 2019. The era name was announced on April 01, barely two months before the episode aired on June 03.

In episode 9, Yokkamarché is a parody of Yokkaichi (Tōkaidō Road post-station 43). Yokkamarché is an industrial planet without tourist attractions, reflecting the heavily industrialized modern city. Yokkaichi tourism agencies promote night-time cruises that showcase brightly lit petroleum refineries.

In episode 9, it is revealed that Robby's father Luci was a daikon (radish) farmer prior to his lucrative meeting with Armeni. The boxes filled with anime memorabilia are labeled "Nerima Daikon."

Many of the vintage anime mentioned in episode 9 are parodies of real shows that aired in the 1970s and early 1980s. Space Ronin Tenkasan is Space Knight Tekkaman (1975). Samurai Giant: The Movie is Samurai Giants (1973). SF Adventurer Gorozinger is Starzinger (SF Saiyūki Staazingaa, 1978). Magical Simian Monkey Mimi is Magical Star Magical Emi (1985). Jankenpon: Guardian of Space (Jankenpon: Uchūji) is Star Blazers (Uchū Senkan Yamato, 1974). Sengoku Majin Gojoukun is GoShogun (Sengoku Majin Goshōgun, 1981). Machine Yabusame is Machine Hayabusa (1976).

The Hizakuriger Specialty Shop in episode 9 is a parody of the Gundam Base Tokyo memorabilia shop.

The Hizakuriger monaka (buns) Hatchi spots in a shop window in episode 9 are parodies of Gundam-themed ice cream sandwiches.

In episode 9, the "Galaxy Traveler Hizakuriger!" vintage anime clip shows opening credits. Original Work: "Manga–The Galaxy Travels of a Chestnut Horse’s Knees", Madani Publications | Theme Song: "Galaxy Traveler Hizakuriger!" | Song Composition: Kōsuke Okui (RobiHachi insert song composer) | Song Lyrics: Studio Comet Literary Club (aka, Takamatsu Shinji) | Song Performed by: Akira Kushida (Hizakuriger insert song performer), Madani Records | Director: Yūma Yāji | Production: Studio Comet (RobiHachi animation production company)

In episode 9, Yang’s beloved Binan Shōnen Love-Love is a parody of "Binan Kōkō Chikyū Bōei-bu Love! Love!" (Cute High Earth Defense Club Love! Love!). Shinji Takamatsu directed the Cute High series and Yang’s voice actor Tomokazu Sugita had a recurring role. Cute High episode 4 guest stars Takehito Koyasu in a dual role as two brothers. Koyasu, Sugita, and Takamatsu worked together on the "Gintama" anime.

In episode 9, Armeni’s character design resembles series director Takamatsu Shinji.

In episode 10 is the only time when Robby, Hatchi, and Ikku spend the entire episode aboard the Nagaya Voyager.

In episode 10, Robby daydreams about a woman cleaning his ears with a tiny bamboo scoop called "mimikaki." This social grooming is a sign they are a romantic couple.

Hinaga Junction in episode 10—the transfer station between Galaxy and Isekander Highways—is a parody of the historical Hinaga no Oiwake, which was the juncture between the Tōkaidō and Isekaidō Roads. From Hinaga no Oiwake, Tōkaidō continues westward toward Kyōto and Isekaidō continues southward toward Ise Jingū.

The planet Pinopendio in episode 10 is a parody of Matsusaka, a post-station on the Isekaidō Road. Matsusaka translates to “pine slope” in English. In Italian, pino means “pine” and pendio means “slope.”

Like Pinopendia in episode 10, the real Matsusaka is famous for producing premium quality beef. The sukiyaki enjoyed by Yang, Allo, and Gras, is a hotpot dish that features vegetables and thin slices of beef cooked in a soy-based broth.

In episode 10, the Pinopendio Cotton Weaving Center is a parody of the Matsusaka Cotton Center.

The Ossu! Yasujiro Seishunkan Museum in episode 10 parodies the Ozu Yasujirō Seishunkan Museum located in Matsusaka. Film director Yasujirō Ozu was known for portraying family relationship dynamics. "Ossu!" is an informal greeting used by men that means something like “Hey!” or “What’s up?!”

In episode 10, Yang, Allo, and Gras pose inside a photo board that recreates a classic Ozu “tatami shot” of a family gathering. The shot is created by positioning the camera two or three feet from the tatami floor, hence the name of this low-angle perspective. The foreground features a metal teakettle, a signature Ozu prop.

In episode 10, the online shopping site Nametake.com, pronounced “nah meh tah keh”, is an obvious parody of Amazon.com. Nametake is a condiment made from mushrooms cooked in soy sauce, rice wine, sugar, and vinegar.

In episode 10, Ikku composes a haikai to mark the episode. 「kabe moete / kizuna fukamaru / tabiji ka na」 (burning down the walls / surely deepens the friendship / bonds of this journey). This poem is a nod to the humorous kyōka Jippensha Ikku wrote for Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige. Kyōka are longer than haikai, 31 syllables (5-7-5-7-7) for kyōka versus 17 (5-7-5) for haikai.

In episode 11, Okage Street on planet Isekander is a parody of the real-world Okage Yokocho, an Edo- and Meiji-style re-creation of the road leading to the Ise Grand Shrine. "Okage" literally means blessing and refers to special mass pilgrimages to Ise called "okage mairi" that were held roughly every 60 years.

In episode 11, the conventions for visiting Isekander Shrine are a parody of purification rituals people undergo prior to visiting Ise Grand Shrine.

In episode 11, the Kutsurogiya store selling Isekandar canes is a parody of a famous incense shop of the same name. Isekander canes are parodies of "longevity staffs", which are blessed at Ise Grand Shrine and given to visitors 80 years old and up.

In episode 11, Robby and Hatchi draw their fortunes, called "omikuji", at Isekander Shrine. There are five types of fortunes: bad, small, average, good, and great.

In episode 11, Oharai Town is a parody (or not) of Oharaimachi, a tourist area near the Ise Grand Shrine filled with souvenir stands, craft shops, and restaurants. As Ikku sarcastically points out, "harai (or harae)" literally means “purification."

In episode 11, the hostess clubs offer cloistered services, aka, private rooms and rituals to drive away evil spirits. This joke involves a pun on the word okōmori, which can mean either 1) a ritual involving incense or 2) a session of scandalous behavior.

In episode 11, the sacred Akafu Jack is a parody of the Chinese phoenix, the appearance of which is considered particularly auspicious. "Akafu jakku" can be translated to mean “advertising catchphrase ‘lucky red’". The character design resembles the Phoenix created by legendary manga artist Tezuka Osamu.

In episode 11, the Akafu Crystals are parodies of a souvenir specialty food called "akafuku mochi", which consists of rice paste encased in sweetened red bean paste. The multi-crested shape represents ripples in the sacred Isuzu River, which flows next to the Ise Grand Shrine.

In episode 11, the straw rope and paper streamers draped over the Akafu Crystal are parodies of Shinto talismans respectively called "shimenawa" and "shide," which are used to mark a sacred object or space.

In episode 11, Ikku utters, "Money is the key that opens all doors," in response to the rampant commercialism of Isekander Shrine. This proverb is parodied in the title of episode 5, "The Don Opens All Doors."

In episode 11, the priestess café Robby wants to visit is a parody of a maid café, which is a coffee shop staffed by young, pretty women dressed in maid costumes. These cosplay cafes are not to be confused with a "mikosan café" that has real Shinto shrine maidens and sometimes a shrine.

In episode 12, the insert song Galaxy Traveler Hizakuriger! includes the chorus line, "Zun-Zun! Singing the Zundoko Bushi.” This refers to a Japanese ballad from the 1940s called Zundoko Bushi. The song was popularized by a 1970s pop group called The Drifters.

In episode 12, the insert song Galaxy Traveler Hizakuriger! includes the chorus line, “Bun-Bun! Bunbuku Chagama.” This refers to the famous folktale Bunbuku Chagama about a tanuki that transforms into an iron kettle, only to be discovered when it gets used to boil water. Tanuki are small animals found only in Japan and reputed to be mischievous (sometimes malevolent) shapeshifters.

The Lunar Guard spaceships in episode 12 resemble Roman or Viking galleys.

In episode 12, Hatchi's passport shows his birthdate as December 21, G.C. 0032, which would be the year 2001.

In episode 12, Hatchi describes coming to Earth for a ceremonial event. In his flashback, the TV monitor shows the official announcement of Japan's new imperial era, Reiwa.

In episode 12, the Dontsū Private Hyper-Road is a parody of the private railroad lines built during the Meiji Period that bypassed many of the Tōkaidō Road post-stations. As trains became the preferred mode of transportation for long journeys, the post-stations fell into disuse.

In episode 12, when the enormous alien ship threatens Earth, the news report shows crowd scenes from different countries with recognizable landmarks in the backgrounds: NEO Tokyo, Japan (NEO Tokyo Tower); New York, United States (Empire State Building); China (Great Wall); Paris, France (Eiffel Tower).

In episode 12, Hizakuriger’s golden barrier is the Super Hizakuri Beam upgrade installed by the otaku engineer Armeni on Yokkamarche (episode 9).

In episode 12, as the glowing Hizakuriger descends from a brilliant blue sky, an old woman in the crowd proclaims fulfillment of the prophecy, “He, clothed in golden robes, shall descend from out of the flames.” The old woman's character design and quote are a parody of the anime feature film Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind directed by Hayao Miyazaki. In Nausicaä, the village matriarch Ōbabasama utters the prophecy, “He, clothed in blue robes, shall descend from a golden field.”

In episode 12, the ending (ED) animation shows a promotion for a new color anime titled "Hizakuriger Returns!"

In episode 12, the ending (ED) animation shows a lovelorn Yang has finished the last of the candy he received from Robby. Robby shows up and surprises Yang with a gift box of imo yōkan, a confection made of sweet potatoes, sugar, and agar.

In episode 12, the ending (ED) animation shows Ikku has written a book about their trip titled, "RobiHachi: The Men Who Saved Earth." This is a nod to Jippensha Ikku, author of the original "Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige."

In episode 12, the ending (ED) animation shows a photo on the Ikku's desk of Ikku standing with Rock Hatchi and Yuma Yarge, Hatchi and Robby’s respective grandfathers.

In the scene following the end credits in episode 12, a destitute Robby is sitting in a cardboard box on the street. Hatchi and Ikku show up and propose a new trip, to the matchmaking planet of Izumondar. This is a parody of the Izumo Great Shrine, said to help worshippers find the ideal spouse.