Aphrodite A
Encyclopedia
is a female mecha
from the Mazinger Z
anime
and manga
series, created by Go Nagai
. It was the first giant robot in the genre to resemble the female anatomy.
She was named after Aphrodite
, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.
Despite the fact it was made of the same alloy as Mazinger (Chogokin
or Super-Alloy Z) it usually suffers substantially greater damage from attacks. Regardless of these shortcomings, in several opportunities she provides help in battle, and even destroys three Mechanical Beasts
in the anime, Gumbina M5, (Chapter 49), Yubrin T9 (Chapter 56), and Giant F3 (Chapter 58). Her missiles also cause the unintentional destruction of Minerva X
.
In one of the most memorable chapters, her infamous breast missiles win Mazinger a battle, when Mazinger (not yet able to fly, as its Jet Scrander upgrade had not yet been built) was unable to destroy the aerial monster Gelbros J3. Sayaka was infuriated when she discovered her robot had, without her consent, been equipped with supersized breast missiles that totally ruined the elegant lines of Aphrodite. Kouji used these modified missiles to give Mazinger Z enough thrust to fly, and forced the enemy to land. (See External Links for footage). In one of Nagai's later works, Kotetsu Jeeg, a similar technique was reused and was actually the titular robot's sole means of flight.
Sayaka usually finds support in Boss and his Boss Borot
, since Kouji always diminishes their mechas for their lack of weapons and attacks and refers to them as nuisances rather than effective help. In fact, Aphrodite and Borot can be seen in many chapters being trashed together by the mechanical monsters. However, many times he has to acknowledge their importance; such as when Dr. Hell almost takes over the Photonic Research Institute (chapter 57), it is Aphrodite and Borot who stop his infantry from actually entering the building.
Aphrodite was once piloted by Kouji. In chapter 52, Kouji and Sayaka have a fight, and during battle she refuses to help him. As a result, he is severely hurt and comes close to death. Full of regret, Sayaka is willing to risk her own life to defeat Varison M1, but Aphrodite is no match to the powerful monster, so she decides to pilot Mazinger. When Kouji realizes this, he takes control of Aphrodite to aid Sayaka, who was losing the fight against the evil mecha. In his way to the place where they were fighting, he complains on how slow the lady robot is. With no time to switch robots the usual way, they make an acrobatic jump to each other's robot and finally the monster is destroyed.
Towards the last part of the anime series (Chapter 74), Aphrodite A is destroyed by one of Archduke Gorgon
's monsters, Harpia Π7, to save Mazinger from its deadly electrified feathers.
This causes Sayaka a lot of grief since she misses her robot and even has visions of her in one chapter, and she also feels the need to help in battle again. Afterward, a somewhat improved female robot called Diana A
is built to replace her in her role as Mazinger's companion.
reboot of the series, Aphrodite A is first seen in the second episode where Sayaka saves Kouji from a Tauros that is chasing him and Shiro. While it is able to hold its own at first, once the Tauros transform into the Mechanical Beasts
Garada K7 and Doublas M2, Aphrodite A is immediately outclassed (it is immediately crippled by Garada K7). It is later revealed that Aphrodite A in this version is made only from regular Alloy Z not the Super Alloy Z of Mazinger, however this is enough that Sayaka considers her robot to be Mazinger's younger sister.
, Dr. Yumi's daughter, and many times the robot's attitudes reflect those of the pilot. Unlike Koji Kabuto (Mazinger's pilot) she does not control the mecha from a detachable vehicle, but from a built-in cockpit in the robot's head. This cockpit has the shape of a large glass dome. Within it, Sayaka is surrounded by a large amount of controls to pilot the mecha.
Sayaka is most commonly shown entering from a gate at the back of the robot's head, but in one chapter the glass dome opens to allow Kouji, who was driving Aphrodite, to jump from her head to Mazinger's.
Sayaka asks many times to have her robot improved even more, but her requests are virtually always dismissed; however, Aphrodite would eventually gain the ability to fire multiple missiles, having previously been capable of only carrying two at a time. Ultimately, Sayaka's wish is only granted in full after Aphrodite's destruction, when she receives the more combat-ready Diana A as a replacement.
The Mazinger Angels version is remarkably more powerful, and in addition to her breast missiles she has weapons such as Iron Cutter Missiles, Megaton Hammer, and a Mazinger Sword.
Besides the manga and anime versions, Aphrodite was featured in the first Mazinkaiser OVAs, with a design that closely resembled her looks in the classic manga version, especially the shape and size of her large head and the colouring scheme, based on darker colours.
In this version, she is captured by Dr. Hell's mechanical beasts and dismembered, putting Sayaka's life in danger as a way to force Koji to abandon Mazinger Z. After this the robot is so heavily damaged that she is replaced by a modified version of Venus A
.
In Tranzor Z, the Americanized
dub of Mazinger Z from 1985, the episode in which Aphrodite was destroyed was not included in the 65-episode package. The subsequent introduction of Diana A was instead treated as an extensive (albeit off-camera) upgrade of Aphrodite.
She is also included in the Mazinger Angels
manga, which focuses on the four classic Mazinger ladies as protagonists, showing an updated design and way more powerful weapons and more resistance to attacks. This version is closely related to the Soul of Chogokin model line.
Aphrodite A, along with Sayaka, are also featured in the 2009 TV series Shin Mazinger Shogeki! Z Hen.
Mecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
from the Mazinger Z
Mazinger Z
, known briefly as Tranzor Z in United States, is a Super Robot manga and anime series created by Go Nagai. The first manga version was serialized in Shueisha Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1972 to August 1973, and it later continued in Kodansha TV Magazine from October 1973 to September 1974. In...
anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series, created by Go Nagai
Go Nagai
, better known by the penname , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with Meakashi Polikichi, but is best known for creating Cutie Honey, Devilman, and Mazinger Z in the 1970s. In 2005, he became a...
. It was the first giant robot in the genre to resemble the female anatomy.
She was named after Aphrodite
Aphrodite
Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation.Her Roman equivalent is the goddess .Historically, her cult in Greece was imported from, or influenced by, the cult of Astarte in Phoenicia....
, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.
History
The robot was created by Dr. Yumi (Dr. Kabuto's apprentice) and since it was originally built for peaceful uses at first it didn't feature any weapons; eventually it acquires the ability to fire missiles from its chest, this was called the Oppai Missile System (Oppai is a Japanese slang term for breasts). Aphrodite was the first female mecha to have this kind of weapon.Despite the fact it was made of the same alloy as Mazinger (Chogokin
Chogokin
is Japanese for "Super Alloy" and is a fictitious material which first appeared in Go Nagai's Mazinger Z manga and anime. It was later adopted by Popy in 1972 as the name of a new line of die-cast metal robot and character toys sold in Japan...
or Super-Alloy Z) it usually suffers substantially greater damage from attacks. Regardless of these shortcomings, in several opportunities she provides help in battle, and even destroys three Mechanical Beasts
Mechanical Beasts
The Mechanical Beasts , also known as mechanical monsters or mechanical brutes, were the antagonist mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. Almost all of them were created by Koji Kabuto's nemesis, Dr. Hell...
in the anime, Gumbina M5, (Chapter 49), Yubrin T9 (Chapter 56), and Giant F3 (Chapter 58). Her missiles also cause the unintentional destruction of Minerva X
Minerva X
Minerva X is a fictional mecha from the anime and manga series Mazinger Z, created by Go Nagai. Within the story, Minerva X was designed by Professor Juzou Kabuto, but its plans were stolen and it was built by Doctor Hell...
.
In one of the most memorable chapters, her infamous breast missiles win Mazinger a battle, when Mazinger (not yet able to fly, as its Jet Scrander upgrade had not yet been built) was unable to destroy the aerial monster Gelbros J3. Sayaka was infuriated when she discovered her robot had, without her consent, been equipped with supersized breast missiles that totally ruined the elegant lines of Aphrodite. Kouji used these modified missiles to give Mazinger Z enough thrust to fly, and forced the enemy to land. (See External Links for footage). In one of Nagai's later works, Kotetsu Jeeg, a similar technique was reused and was actually the titular robot's sole means of flight.
Sayaka usually finds support in Boss and his Boss Borot
Boss Borot
' is a fictional mecha from the anime and manga series Mazinger Z, first premiering in episode 48. Within the story, Boss Borot was created by three engineers from the Photon Power Laboratory and piloted by Boss and his cohorts Mucha and Nuke...
, since Kouji always diminishes their mechas for their lack of weapons and attacks and refers to them as nuisances rather than effective help. In fact, Aphrodite and Borot can be seen in many chapters being trashed together by the mechanical monsters. However, many times he has to acknowledge their importance; such as when Dr. Hell almost takes over the Photonic Research Institute (chapter 57), it is Aphrodite and Borot who stop his infantry from actually entering the building.
Aphrodite was once piloted by Kouji. In chapter 52, Kouji and Sayaka have a fight, and during battle she refuses to help him. As a result, he is severely hurt and comes close to death. Full of regret, Sayaka is willing to risk her own life to defeat Varison M1, but Aphrodite is no match to the powerful monster, so she decides to pilot Mazinger. When Kouji realizes this, he takes control of Aphrodite to aid Sayaka, who was losing the fight against the evil mecha. In his way to the place where they were fighting, he complains on how slow the lady robot is. With no time to switch robots the usual way, they make an acrobatic jump to each other's robot and finally the monster is destroyed.
Towards the last part of the anime series (Chapter 74), Aphrodite A is destroyed by one of Archduke Gorgon
Archduke Gorgon
Archduke Gorgon was a villain who was seen primarily in the fictional giant robot anime Great Mazinger, but appeared several times in its prequel series, Mazinger Z, as well. He resembles a centaur somewhat, as from the waist up he is a green-skinned man, but below the waist has the body of a...
's monsters, Harpia Π7, to save Mazinger from its deadly electrified feathers.
This causes Sayaka a lot of grief since she misses her robot and even has visions of her in one chapter, and she also feels the need to help in battle again. Afterward, a somewhat improved female robot called Diana A
Diana A
is a female mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. It was the successor of Aphrodite A after its destruction.She was named after Diana the Roman goddess of hunt.- History :...
is built to replace her in her role as Mazinger's companion.
Shin Mazinger
In the Shin MazingerShin Mazinger Shougeki! Z Hen
is a new Mazinger anime series, directed by Yasuhiro Imagawa which premiered in Japan on April 4, 2009. According to the production staff, it has no relation to the 1970s show and should not be described as a Mazinger Z remake...
reboot of the series, Aphrodite A is first seen in the second episode where Sayaka saves Kouji from a Tauros that is chasing him and Shiro. While it is able to hold its own at first, once the Tauros transform into the Mechanical Beasts
Mechanical Beasts
The Mechanical Beasts , also known as mechanical monsters or mechanical brutes, were the antagonist mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. Almost all of them were created by Koji Kabuto's nemesis, Dr. Hell...
Garada K7 and Doublas M2, Aphrodite A is immediately outclassed (it is immediately crippled by Garada K7). It is later revealed that Aphrodite A in this version is made only from regular Alloy Z not the Super Alloy Z of Mazinger, however this is enough that Sayaka considers her robot to be Mazinger's younger sister.
Pilot
Aphrodite is piloted by Sayaka YumiSayaka Yumi
is one of the heroine of Go Nagai's manga and anime Mazinger Z. She was a bit hot-tempered and tomboyish, and had a habit of clashing with the story's hero, Kouji Kabuto even though she had a romantic interest in him....
, Dr. Yumi's daughter, and many times the robot's attitudes reflect those of the pilot. Unlike Koji Kabuto (Mazinger's pilot) she does not control the mecha from a detachable vehicle, but from a built-in cockpit in the robot's head. This cockpit has the shape of a large glass dome. Within it, Sayaka is surrounded by a large amount of controls to pilot the mecha.
Sayaka is most commonly shown entering from a gate at the back of the robot's head, but in one chapter the glass dome opens to allow Kouji, who was driving Aphrodite, to jump from her head to Mazinger's.
Weapons
Because Aphrodite A was originally designed for peaceful purposes, she initially had no weaponry whatsoever. In order to be more useful against the enemy, Aphrodite is soon armed with missiles on her chest, posing as breasts.Sayaka asks many times to have her robot improved even more, but her requests are virtually always dismissed; however, Aphrodite would eventually gain the ability to fire multiple missiles, having previously been capable of only carrying two at a time. Ultimately, Sayaka's wish is only granted in full after Aphrodite's destruction, when she receives the more combat-ready Diana A as a replacement.
The Mazinger Angels version is remarkably more powerful, and in addition to her breast missiles she has weapons such as Iron Cutter Missiles, Megaton Hammer, and a Mazinger Sword.
Versions
In this version, she is captured by Dr. Hell's mechanical beasts and dismembered, putting Sayaka's life in danger as a way to force Koji to abandon Mazinger Z. After this the robot is so heavily damaged that she is replaced by a modified version of Venus A
Venus A
is a female mecha from the Great Mazinger anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. She plays the traditional role of the lady robot that helps the mazinger robot fight the enemy. She was named after Venus, the Roman goddess of love and beauty.- History :...
.
In Tranzor Z, the Americanized
Americanization (foreign culture and media)
In American media, the term Americanization is used to describe the censoring and editing of a foreign TV show or movie that is bought by a U.S. station. This editing is done with the aim of making the work more appealing to American audiences, and to respond to perceived American sensitivities...
dub of Mazinger Z from 1985, the episode in which Aphrodite was destroyed was not included in the 65-episode package. The subsequent introduction of Diana A was instead treated as an extensive (albeit off-camera) upgrade of Aphrodite.
She is also included in the Mazinger Angels
Mazinger Angels
-Releases outside of Japan:The manga was also released in Hong Kong and Taiwan by d/visual taipei and in Italy by d/visual.-Toys:Besides the manga, a series of toys from the Soul of Chogokin line from Bandai have been released. The main robots from Mazinger Angels are available as part of the GX...
manga, which focuses on the four classic Mazinger ladies as protagonists, showing an updated design and way more powerful weapons and more resistance to attacks. This version is closely related to the Soul of Chogokin model line.
Aphrodite A, along with Sayaka, are also featured in the 2009 TV series Shin Mazinger Shogeki! Z Hen.
Machine Specifications
- Height: 16 meters
- Weight: 18 tons
- Chest Circumference: 9 meters
- Running Speed: 200 kilometers/hour
- Jump Height: 10 meters
- Maximum Lift: 90 tons
- Energy Source: Photonic Energy (Japanese: 光子力エネルギー Koushiryoku Energy)
- Construction: Super Alloy Z (Japanese: 超合金Ｚ cho-gokin Z)