The Italian translation of Battle of the Planets was called Gatchaman - La Battaglia dei Pianeti and the situations and stories were translated faithfully from the American source to a point. Once the final episodes from the American version had been reached, the Italian team went on to translate the final four episodes of Gatchaman with the Battle cast names. This was done because Tatsunoko had already made a deal to sell Gatchaman to Italy when they negotiated their worldwide contract with Sandy Frank Entertainment. Due to the lengthy amount of time it took the Italian production company to get started, the American version was ready to be sold internationally first. So, a deal was struck with Tatsunoko to allow Battle of the Planets to be offered in Italy, with the understanding that each company would control everything fifty/fifty in the region. In the end, Gatchaman - La Battaglia dei Pianeti ran as a fully dubbed combination of both series in Italy.

The complete, eighty-five episode series was purchased by, and broadcast on, the country's national TVE/Channel 5 network. It began airing September 28, 1980 and ran on and off through June, 1987. The separate deal for the remaining twenty episodes of Gatchaman started in December, 1981 and allowed them to run through May, 1987.

The differences to the American version amounted mainly to name changes, until the final episodes which presented the end of Gatchaman and death of the Jason character. All in all, a unique amalgam of both series. Here is a list of the main American names, Italian names and cast.

Here are the eighty-three known Italian episode titles, linked to the English versions. Two episodes were left off the Italian home video releases ("Keyop Does it All" 49 and "The Alien Bigfoot" 71). Their Italian titles are currently unknown. These episodes are presented in Gatchaman airing order, the Italian airing order is unknown.

There was one music release in Italy, a 45 that contained the full version of the country's theme song on the front and an original song about 7-Zark-7 on the back.

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Lyrics to "Gatchaman - Battle of the Planets"
(Luigi Albertelli - Augusto Martelli)

Planet Earth calling G-Force, danger signal! Alarm! Alarm!

The battle of the planets splits and sweeps the skies.
Five intrepid youths go faster than rockets.
With wings like birds, they are free and rebellious.
This is the famous G-Force, five united heroes.

Chorus:
Ken, the Eagle
Joe, the Condor
Pretty Jun, the Swan
Jinpei, the Swallow
Riu, the Owl

The planet Earth asks for help! Help! Help! Help!

The spaceship flies and dashes, an arrow of fire against evil.
But the most exciting thing is a robot as commander.
The battle of the planets is getting hard for the aliens.
Until then is G-Force, five united heroes

Chorus

The battle of the planets splits and sweeps the skies.
Five intrepid youths go faster than rockets.
With wings like birds, they are free and rebellious.
This is the famous G-Force, five united heroes.

Chorus

Hey! Hey! Hey! For those who didn't understand, I'm the team commander, 7 Zark 7, 7 Zark 7, 7 Zark 7!

Chorus

Chorus

This is the famous G-Force, five united heroes.
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In addition to the 45, there were numerous book and toy releases in Italy, most being unique to the country. Almost the entire series of Gatchaman - Battle of the Planets was released on DVD as well. Two Italian-language masters were missing so only a total of eighty-three episodes were able to come out. For a look at some of the merchandise released in Italy, click here.

A comic book ad promoting the beginning of Gatchaman - Battle of the Planets on Italy's national Channel 5. It reads:

Gatchaman
The Battle of the Planets

From September 28 on Channel 5
The most extraordinary science fiction series
to ever appear on the screen. For 7 months
every Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 5:30pm,