Grendizer
Encyclopedia
is a super robot
TV anime and manga created by manga artist Go Nagai
. It is the third entry in the Mazinger
trilogy. It was broadcasted on Japanese television from October 5, 1975, to February 27, 1977, and lasted 74 episodes. The robot's first appearance in the United States was as a part of the Shogun Warriors
line of super robot toys imported in the late 1970s by Mattel
, then in Jim Terry's Force Five
series, both under the title Grandizer. It is still widely popular in the Middle East
, and it was especially popular in France
and Quebec
, as well as among French speaking Canadians in the province of New Brunswick
, where it was aired under the title Goldorak. In Italy
, the series was known as Goldrake .
(Spaizer), a flying saucer that enables the robot to fly.
Fleeing Vegan space by flying at faster than light
speed, Duke enters our solar system and switches course to Earth, making a rough landing in Japan, on the slopes of Mount Fuji
. He is befriended by Doctor Umon, a noted scientist who oversees a research laboratory called the Space Science Lab near a small ranch
. The kindly Umon takes in the young humanoid alien as his son, under the assumed name of Daisuke, and assists him in hiding Grendizer. Taking the name Daisuke Umon, Duke Fleed works at the ranch run by Danbei Makiba (based on Abashiri Daemon of Go Nagai's manga Abashiri Ikka).
Roughly two years later, Koji Kabuto
returns to Japan after studying abroad in a flying saucer he personally designed and built, called the TFO. He heads to the Space Science Lab after hearing of multiple sightings of "flying saucers". He plans to contact the aliens if possible and make peace with them. Daisuke, however, scoffs at the notion and fears that these aliens, the Vegans, led by generals Blaki
and Gandal, are preparing to attack Earth. Koji ignores his warnings and flies out to meet the incoming saucers, only to discover the horrible truth. In order to save Koji and protect his adoptive homeworld from destruction, Daisuke is forced to return to his true identity as Duke Fleed. He unearths Grendizer from its hiding place under the lab and sets off to fight his enemies.
The Vegans establish a base on the far side of the Moon
and start to attack Earth from there. Koji discovers Duke Fleed's true identity and their bitter rivalry soon turns to friendship. The daughter of Danbei Makiba, Hikaru, also discovers Daisuke's secret and becomes a pilot in order to assist him despite his objections. Later on, it is revealed that there were two more survivors from planet Fleed: Duke's younger sister Maria Grace Fleed and a man who had rescued her and fled to Earth, raising her under the guise of her grandfather. Caught in a crossfire between Grendizer and a Vegan beast, he reveals to Maria that she is the last survivor of the royal family of Fleed (under the belief that Duke was killed) before dying from his wounds. Maria swears revenge on Grendizer and its pilot. She tries to ambush Duke, Koji and Hikaru at the Space Science Lab, but the fight is short lived. Maria's attacks bring Duke's necklace (which is the same as the one she wore) into view and the truth is revealed. The lost siblings are reunited at last and Maria becomes the last addition to the team.
As the conflict nears its end, it is shown that Duke Fleed was engaged to King Vega's daughter, Princess Rubina, prior to the attack on Fleed. When Rubina discovers that planet Fleed is no longer polluted with Vegatron radiation and that her fiancé is alive and well, she rushes to Earth to bring him the good news. Unfortunately, one of King Vega's generals uses this opportunity to ambush Duke Fleed, and Rubina is killed when she takes a shot aimed at Duke. This makes Duke even more determined to wipe out the Vegan menace once and for all.
King Vega decides to gather his remaining forces and make an all-out attack on Earth, destroying the Moon Base to coax his troops into fighting to the end and finally succeed in invading Earth and taking it as their new home planet. Duke and company go out to intercept them in Grendizer and the newly-designed space combat Spazers. After a fierce battle, they finally manage to destroy the Vegan mother ship along with King Vega himself. Soon afterwards, Duke and Maria bid a tearful farewell to Earth and their friends and return to help reconstruct planet Fleed.
series, partly because of the inclusion of Mazinger Z
's pilot Koji Kabuto
, and having giant robots, which made it a "Super Robot
" mecha anime.
The Grendizer robot and Daisuke have been included in two short Go Nagai cross-over features: UFO Robot Grendizer vs. Great Mazinger, and Great Mazinger
, Grendizer, Getter Robot G: Decisive Showdown! Great Sea Beast., in which the various super-robots combine forces to take on the seemingly indestructible Dragonsaurus which emerges from the sea and proceeds to destroy Tokyo; even Boss Borot
makes an appearance.
Grendizer is best remembered as one of the first anime
shows to have a huge success in Europe and Canada, particularly in France and Quebec (titled Goldorak), Italy and Malta (titled Goldrake), where it holds a strong following even today. Grendizer was also one of the most popular anime series ever shown in Arabic countries. Grendizer is also popular in Russia and Greece.
The French version of the show has the characters named after stars, planets and galaxies: Duke Fleed becomes Actarus (from the star Arcturus), as both his alien and Earth name; Kouji Kabuto is Alcor
, Doctor Umon is Professeur Procyon
etc. The Italian version, which uses the French adaptation, uses almost all the same names.
Although set in Japan, which can be seen from the air on several occasion, the series was given an American Western
feel by including a ranch where Duke Fleed and Kouji Kabuto would work in their spare time. The ranch owner, Danbei Makiba, and his children would dress in cowboy/girl outfits (though they also appeared in traditional Japanese clothes on occasion) and even had a neighbour who wore a Mexican sombrero
. In spite of this the series was not a success in the US. Only twenty-six episodes of Grendizer were shown on American TV as part of the multi-mecha show Force Five
, out of the total of 74 in the original series. Many character's names were changed: Grendizer spelling was changed to Grandizer; Duke Fleed was Orion Quest, and his alias was Johnny Bryant; Planet Fleed's name was changed to Antares, and so on. This corresponds to the first season and story arc (ending with the death of one of the main villains, who is replaced afterwards). Although Mazinger Z was later imported to the United States, Kouji's character appearing in both Tranzor Z and Grandizer was not acknowledged.
. By November 28, 2005 the Manga Distribution and Déclic Images publishers were sentenced to pay €7,200,000 to Toei and Dynamic Planning
for selling unlicensed DVD boxset.
Source(s)
(ダイナミックヒーローズ, Dainamikku Hi^ro^zu) — also known as Nagai Go Manga Gaiden - Dynamic Heroes (永井豪まんが外伝 ダイナミックヒーローズ, Nagai Gou Manga Gaiden Dainamikku Hi^ro^zu) and as Go Nagai Manga Heroes Crossover Collection - Dynamic Heroes —, a Japanese manga based in several works of Go Nagai, including most of his most famous robots, such as Mazinger Z, Getter Robot and Great Mazinger. It was originally published as a monthly manga magazine e-manga from Kodansha, from June 2004 to July 2007.
Super Robot
is a term used in manga and anime to describe a giant robot or mecha, with an arsenal of fantastic super-powered weapons, extreme resistance to damage unless the plot calls for it, sometimes transformable or combined from two or more robots and/or vehicles usually piloted by young, daring heroes,...
TV anime and manga created by manga artist 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 is the third entry in the Mazinger
Mazinger
is a long running series of manga and anime featuring giant robots or mecha. The name can also be pronounced "Mazinga", as it is has been known in several countries, including in the United States of America.-Series:The series in order:...
trilogy. It was broadcasted on Japanese television from October 5, 1975, to February 27, 1977, and lasted 74 episodes. The robot's first appearance in the United States was as a part of the Shogun Warriors
Shogun Warriors
The Shogun Warriors were the central characters of a line of toys licensed by Mattel Inc. during the late 1970s that consisted of a series of imported Japanese robots based on the then popular anime shows featuring giant robots...
line of super robot toys imported in the late 1970s by Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
, then in Jim Terry's Force Five
Force Five
Force Five was a syndicated anime cartoon anthology during the late 1970s/early 1980s. In the US, this series was primarily shown only in New England and Virginia, though it did make brief appearances in other markets, such as Dallas, Texas and San Jose, California on KICU-TV 36. It was also shown...
series, both under the title Grandizer. It is still widely popular in the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, and it was especially popular in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
and Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
, as well as among French speaking Canadians in the province of New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
, where it was aired under the title Goldorak. In Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, the series was known as Goldrake .
Plot
The Vega homeworld has become unstable due to the exploiting of Vegatron, a powerful radioactive ore. Seeking to expand his militaristic empire and find a substitute planet to settle upon, the ruthless King Vega unleashes his armies — composed of flying saucers and giant robotic monsters — and turns first against neighbors such as Fleed, a highly advanced but peaceful world. In a tragically ironic twist, the invaders' blitzkrieg turns against them: the once verdant, idyllic Fleed is turned into a radioactive wasteland. Too late, the only known survivor of the royal family, Prince Duke Fleed, manages to steal the Grendizer, the robotic embodiment of the Fleedian God of War, from the Vegan invaders who plan to use it to spearhead their invasion fleet. Grendizer is a giant robot that interfaces with SpacerSpacer
Spacer may refer to:* Spacer , in Isaac Asimov's Robot Series* Rebar spacer, in concrete construction* Spacer, alias for flesh tunnel, a type of body piercing* Spacer, element in HTML Webpage designIn science and medicine:...
(Spaizer), a flying saucer that enables the robot to fly.
Fleeing Vegan space by flying at faster than light
Faster-than-light
Faster-than-light communications and travel refer to the propagation of information or matter faster than the speed of light....
speed, Duke enters our solar system and switches course to Earth, making a rough landing in Japan, on the slopes of Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji
is the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
. He is befriended by Doctor Umon, a noted scientist who oversees a research laboratory called the Space Science Lab near a small ranch
Ranch
A ranch is an area of landscape, including various structures, given primarily to the practice of ranching, the practice of raising grazing livestock such as cattle or sheep for meat or wool. The word most often applies to livestock-raising operations in the western United States and Canada, though...
. The kindly Umon takes in the young humanoid alien as his son, under the assumed name of Daisuke, and assists him in hiding Grendizer. Taking the name Daisuke Umon, Duke Fleed works at the ranch run by Danbei Makiba (based on Abashiri Daemon of Go Nagai's manga Abashiri Ikka).
Roughly two years later, Koji Kabuto
Koji Kabuto
', also written Kouji Kabuto, is a fictional character featuring in the works of manga artist Go Nagai. He is the main character and pilot of super robot Mazinger Z. He makes a comeback in the sequel series Great Mazinger where he helps defeating the Mycenaean Empire...
returns to Japan after studying abroad in a flying saucer he personally designed and built, called the TFO. He heads to the Space Science Lab after hearing of multiple sightings of "flying saucers". He plans to contact the aliens if possible and make peace with them. Daisuke, however, scoffs at the notion and fears that these aliens, the Vegans, led by generals Blaki
Blaki
Błaki is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Miedzichowo, within Nowy Tomyśl County, Greater Poland Voivodeship, in west-central Poland. It lies approximately north-west of Nowy Tomyśl and west of the regional capital Poznań.-References:...
and Gandal, are preparing to attack Earth. Koji ignores his warnings and flies out to meet the incoming saucers, only to discover the horrible truth. In order to save Koji and protect his adoptive homeworld from destruction, Daisuke is forced to return to his true identity as Duke Fleed. He unearths Grendizer from its hiding place under the lab and sets off to fight his enemies.
The Vegans establish a base on the far side of the Moon
Far side of the Moon
The far side of the Moon is the lunar hemisphere that is permanently turned away, and is not visible from the surface of the Earth. The far hemisphere was first photographed by the Soviet Luna 3 probe in 1959, and was first directly observed by human eyes when the Apollo 8 mission orbited the Moon...
and start to attack Earth from there. Koji discovers Duke Fleed's true identity and their bitter rivalry soon turns to friendship. The daughter of Danbei Makiba, Hikaru, also discovers Daisuke's secret and becomes a pilot in order to assist him despite his objections. Later on, it is revealed that there were two more survivors from planet Fleed: Duke's younger sister Maria Grace Fleed and a man who had rescued her and fled to Earth, raising her under the guise of her grandfather. Caught in a crossfire between Grendizer and a Vegan beast, he reveals to Maria that she is the last survivor of the royal family of Fleed (under the belief that Duke was killed) before dying from his wounds. Maria swears revenge on Grendizer and its pilot. She tries to ambush Duke, Koji and Hikaru at the Space Science Lab, but the fight is short lived. Maria's attacks bring Duke's necklace (which is the same as the one she wore) into view and the truth is revealed. The lost siblings are reunited at last and Maria becomes the last addition to the team.
As the conflict nears its end, it is shown that Duke Fleed was engaged to King Vega's daughter, Princess Rubina, prior to the attack on Fleed. When Rubina discovers that planet Fleed is no longer polluted with Vegatron radiation and that her fiancé is alive and well, she rushes to Earth to bring him the good news. Unfortunately, one of King Vega's generals uses this opportunity to ambush Duke Fleed, and Rubina is killed when she takes a shot aimed at Duke. This makes Duke even more determined to wipe out the Vegan menace once and for all.
King Vega decides to gather his remaining forces and make an all-out attack on Earth, destroying the Moon Base to coax his troops into fighting to the end and finally succeed in invading Earth and taking it as their new home planet. Duke and company go out to intercept them in Grendizer and the newly-designed space combat Spazers. After a fierce battle, they finally manage to destroy the Vegan mother ship along with King Vega himself. Soon afterwards, Duke and Maria bid a tearful farewell to Earth and their friends and return to help reconstruct planet Fleed.
Episodes
| # | Date | Title | Saucer Beast/Vega Monster |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10/5/1975 | 兜甲児とデュークフリード (Koji Kabuto and Duke Fleed) | 円盤獣・ギルギル (Saucer Beast Girugiru) |
| 2 | 10/12/1975 | ああ! わが大地みどりなりき (Oh! How Green Was My Land) | 円盤獣・ガメガメ (Saucer Beast Gamegame) |
| 3 | 10/19/1975 | 危機迫る白樺牧場 (Danger Approaches Makiba Ranch) | 円盤獣・バルバル (Saucer Beast Barubaru) |
| 4 | 10/26/1975 | 若き血潮は紅に燃ゆ (Young Blood Burns Crimson) | 円盤獣・ゴルゴル (Saucer Beast Gorugoru) |
| 5 | 11/2/1975 | 炎の愛を夕陽に染めて (Flames of Love Dyed In The Setting Sun) | 円盤獣・ドムドム (Saucer Beast Domudomu) |
| 6 | 11/9/1975 | 大空を斬る闘魂 (Fighting Spirit Cut Down In The Sky) | 円盤獣・ダムダム (Saucer Beast Damudamu) |
| 7 | 11/16/1975 | たとえ我が命つきるとも (Even If It Costs My Life) | 円盤獣・ギンギン & 円盤獣・フイフイ (Saucer Beasts Gingin & Fuifui) |
| 8 | 11/23/1975 | 地球の緑はあたたかい (The Warm, Green Earth) | 円盤獣・ダルダル (Saucer Beast Darudaru) |
| 9 | 11/30/1975 | 許されざる怒りを越えて (Across Unforgiven Anger) | 円盤獣・ジルジル (Saucer Beast Jirujiru) |
| 10 | 12/7/1975 | あこがれは星の彼方に (Longing Beyond The Stars) | 円盤獣・グリグリ (Saucer Beast Guriguri) |
| 11 | 12/14/1975 | 黒い太陽の中の悪魔!! (Devil In The Black Sun!!) | 円盤獣・バリバリ (Saucer Beast Baribari) |
| 12 | 12/21/1975 | 虹の橋を渡る少女 (The Girl Over The Rainbow Bridge) | 円盤獣・ガニガニ (Saucer Beast Ganigani) |
| 13 | 12/28/1975 | 狙われたグレンダイザー (Grendizer In The Crosshairs) | 円盤獣・ゲルゲル (Saucer Beast Gerugeru) |
| 14 | 1/4/1976 | ボスボロットがやって来た!! (Bossborot Is Here!!) | 円盤獣・ドリドリ (Saucer Beast Doridori) |
| 15 | 1/11/1976 | 遥かなる母への手紙 (A Letter To My Mother, Far, Far Away) | 円盤獣・ガルガル (Saucer Beast Garugaru) |
| 16 | 1/18/1976 | こころにひびく愛の鐘 (Here, A Bell Resonates With Love) | 円盤獣・フルフル (Saucer Beast Furufuru) |
| 17 | 1/25/1976 | 小さな生命を救え! (Save A Tiny Life!) | 円盤獣・ギバギバ (Saucer Beast Gibagiba) |
| 18 | 2/1/1976 | 発進! 秘密ルート7 (Launch! Secret Route 7) | 円盤獣・ガデガデ (Saucer Beast Gadegade) |
| 19 | 2/8/1976 | 恐怖のエアロライト! (The Terrifying Aerolight!) | 円盤獣・ゴズゴズ (Saucer Beast Gozugozu) |
| 20 | 2/15/1976 | 決死の雪山脱出作戦 (The Desperate Snowbound Escape Operation) | 円盤獣・ベドベド (Saucer Beast Bedobedo) |
| 21 | 2/22/1976 | 決戦! オーロラの輝き (Decisive Battle! The Shining Aurora) | 円盤獣・ゲドゲド (Saucer Beast Gedogedo) |
| 22 | 2/23/1976 | 花一輪の勇気 (The Courage Of A Single Flower) | 円盤獣・ギロギロ (Saucer Beast Girogiro) |
| 23 | 3/5/1976 | 激流に叫ぶひかる (Hikaru's Screaming Torrent) | 円盤獣・ギスギス (Saucer Beast Gisugisu) |
| 24 | 3/12/1976 | 危うしデュークフリード! (Watch Out, Duke Fleed!) | 円盤獣・ドグドグ (Saucer Beast Dogudogu) |
| 25 | 3/19/1976 | 大空に輝く愛の花 (The Flower of Love Shines In Space) | 円盤獣・ダリダリ (Saucer Beast Daridari) |
| 26 | 3/26/1976 | スカルムーン総出撃! (Skullmoon: Full Mobilization!) | 円盤獣・ウルウル, ギドギド & ハドハド (Saucer Beasts Uruuru, Gidogido & Hadohado) |
| 27 | 4/4/1976 | 猛攻撃! グレンダイザー (Onslaught! Grendizer) | 円盤獣・ウルウル & ハドハド (Saucer Beasts Uruuru & Hadohado) |
| 28 | 4/11/1976 | 闇夜に響く悪魔のベル (The Devil's Bell Tolls At Midnight) | 円盤獣・ベルベル (Saucer Beast Beruberu) |
| 29 | 4/18/1976 | さらば 宇宙の友よ! (Farewell, My Friend In Space!) | 円盤獣・デラデラ (Saucer Beast Deradera) |
| 30 | 4/25/1976 | 赤い傷跡のバラード (The Ballad Of A Red Scar) | 円盤獣・ゴダゴダ (Saucer Beast Godagoda) |
| 31 | 5/2/1976 | 空に花咲け! ボスの友情 (A Flower Blooms In The Sky! Boss' Friendship) | 円盤獣・ライライ (Saucer Beast Rairai) |
| 32 | 5/9/1976 | 母に向って撃て! (Shoot At Your Mother!) | 円盤獣・ザウザウ (Saucer Beast Zauzau) |
| 33 | 5/16/1976 | 必殺! ミュータントの最後 (Sure Kill! The Mutant's End) | 円盤獣・ザリザリ (Saucer Beast Zarizari) |
| 34 | 5/23/1976 | 狼の涙は流れ星 (The Wolf's Tears Are Falling Stars) | 円盤獣・ゴメゴメ & ゴンゴン (Saucer Beasts Gomegome & Gongon) |
| 35 | 5/30/1976 | 飛べ! ダブルスペイザー (Fly! Double Spazer) | 円盤獣・ブンブン (Saucer Beast Bunbun) |
| 36 | 6/6/1976 | 燃える大空の誓い! (An Oath To The Blazing Skies!) | 円盤獣・ジラジラ (Saucer Beast Jirajira) |
| 37 | 6/13/1976 | 翼にいのちをかけろ! (Bet Everything On The Wings Of Life!) | 円盤獣・ガンガン (Saucer Beast Gangan) |
| 38 | 6/20/1976 | Doidoi | |
| 39 | 6/27/1976 | Ullaulla | |
| 40 | 7/4/1976 | Buibui | |
| 41 | 7/11/1976 | Gamogamo | |
| 42 | 7/18/1976 | Gaugau | |
| 43 | 7/25/1976 | Gumegume | |
| 44 | 8/1/1976 | Dozudozu | |
| 45 | 8/8/1976 | Godogodo | |
| 46 | 8/15/1976 | Garigari | |
| 47 | 8/22/1976 | Gadogado | |
| 48 | 8/29/1976 | Dakudaku | |
| 49 | 9/5/1976 | Dekideki | |
| 50 | 9/12/1976 | Fubifubi | |
| 51 | 9/19/1976 | Garegare | |
| 52 | 9/26/1976 | Guruguru/Domodomo/King Gori | |
| 53 | 10/3/1976 | King Gori | |
| 54 | 10/10/1976 | Banibani | |
| 55 | 10/17/1976 | Guregure | |
| 56 | 10/24/1976 | Daidai/Zamizami | |
| 57 | 10/31/1976 | Budobudo | |
| 58 | 11/17/1976 | Benibeni/False Grendizer | |
| 59 | 11/14/1976 | Dakidaki | |
| 60 | 11/21/1976 | Zunezune | |
| 61 | 11/28/1976 | Guwaguwa | |
| 62 | 12/5/1976 | Goegoe | |
| 63 | 12/12/1976 | Zumezume | |
| 64 | 12/19/1976 | Gudogudo | |
| 65 | 12/26/1976 | Zasuzasu | |
| 66 | 1/2/1977 | Waguwagu | |
| 67 | 1/9/1977 | Eveeve | |
| 68 | 1/16/1977 | Raguragu | |
| 69 | 1/23/1977 | Buebue | |
| 70 | 1/30/1977 | Gabigabi | |
| 71 | 2/6/1977 | Jigajiga | |
| 72 | 2/13/1977 | None | |
| 73 | 2/20/1977 | Gragra | |
| 74 | 2/27/1977 | Gragra |
Production
The original concept was shown in a 1975 30-minute pilot movie War of the Flying Saucers. The movie had the same basic plot, with a few changes: Daisuke appears as the Professor's biological son, the enemy was Princess Teronna from Planet Yarban, and the robot's original name was Gattaiger (gattai is Japanese for "combine"). The series, which started later the same year, is considered another sequel to the MazingerMazinger
is a long running series of manga and anime featuring giant robots or mecha. The name can also be pronounced "Mazinga", as it is has been known in several countries, including in the United States of America.-Series:The series in order:...
series, partly because of the inclusion of 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...
's pilot Koji Kabuto
Koji Kabuto
', also written Kouji Kabuto, is a fictional character featuring in the works of manga artist Go Nagai. He is the main character and pilot of super robot Mazinger Z. He makes a comeback in the sequel series Great Mazinger where he helps defeating the Mycenaean Empire...
, and having giant robots, which made it a "Super Robot
Super Robot
is a term used in manga and anime to describe a giant robot or mecha, with an arsenal of fantastic super-powered weapons, extreme resistance to damage unless the plot calls for it, sometimes transformable or combined from two or more robots and/or vehicles usually piloted by young, daring heroes,...
" mecha anime.
The Grendizer robot and Daisuke have been included in two short Go Nagai cross-over features: UFO Robot Grendizer vs. Great Mazinger, and Great Mazinger
Great Mazinger
is a manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai, made as a direct continuation of the successful Mazinger Z series...
, Grendizer, Getter Robot G: Decisive Showdown! Great Sea Beast., in which the various super-robots combine forces to take on the seemingly indestructible Dragonsaurus which emerges from the sea and proceeds to destroy Tokyo; even 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...
makes an appearance.
Grendizer is best remembered as one of the first 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....
shows to have a huge success in Europe and Canada, particularly in France and Quebec (titled Goldorak), Italy and Malta (titled Goldrake), where it holds a strong following even today. Grendizer was also one of the most popular anime series ever shown in Arabic countries. Grendizer is also popular in Russia and Greece.
The French version of the show has the characters named after stars, planets and galaxies: Duke Fleed becomes Actarus (from the star Arcturus), as both his alien and Earth name; Kouji Kabuto is Alcor
Mizar (star)
The Mizar–Alcor stellar sextuple system consists of the quadruple system Mizar and the binary system Alcor.- Description :Mizar is a quadruple system of two binary stars in the constellation Ursa Major and is the second star from the end of the Big Dipper's handle. Its apparent magnitude is 2.23...
, Doctor Umon is Professeur Procyon
Procyon
Procyon is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Minor. To the naked eye, it appears to be a single star, the seventh brightest in the night sky with a visual apparent magnitude of 0.34...
etc. The Italian version, which uses the French adaptation, uses almost all the same names.
Although set in Japan, which can be seen from the air on several occasion, the series was given an American Western
American Old West
The American Old West, or the Wild West, comprises the history, geography, people, lore, and cultural expression of life in the Western United States, most often referring to the latter half of the 19th century, between the American Civil War and the end of the century...
feel by including a ranch where Duke Fleed and Kouji Kabuto would work in their spare time. The ranch owner, Danbei Makiba, and his children would dress in cowboy/girl outfits (though they also appeared in traditional Japanese clothes on occasion) and even had a neighbour who wore a Mexican sombrero
Sombrero
Sombrero in English refers to a type of wide-brimmed hat originating in Mexico. In Spanish, however, it is the generic word for "hat", which originates from "sombra", meaning "shade"....
. In spite of this the series was not a success in the US. Only twenty-six episodes of Grendizer were shown on American TV as part of the multi-mecha show Force Five
Force Five
Force Five was a syndicated anime cartoon anthology during the late 1970s/early 1980s. In the US, this series was primarily shown only in New England and Virginia, though it did make brief appearances in other markets, such as Dallas, Texas and San Jose, California on KICU-TV 36. It was also shown...
, out of the total of 74 in the original series. Many character's names were changed: Grendizer spelling was changed to Grandizer; Duke Fleed was Orion Quest, and his alias was Johnny Bryant; Planet Fleed's name was changed to Antares, and so on. This corresponds to the first season and story arc (ending with the death of one of the main villains, who is replaced afterwards). Although Mazinger Z was later imported to the United States, Kouji's character appearing in both Tranzor Z and Grandizer was not acknowledged.
DVD releases
The licensed dubbed version for some French-speaking countries was officially announced in 2006. In 2005, a major crisis led Toei to take legal actions against DVD customers, all French megastores, and two major French anime publishers in France, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Luxembourg. The crisis started with the official release of unlicensed Goldorak DVD by Manga Distribution and Déclic Image websites and on EbayEBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
. By November 28, 2005 the Manga Distribution and Déclic Images publishers were sentenced to pay €7,200,000 to Toei and Dynamic Planning
Dynamic Planning
is a licensing company owned by manga artist Go Nagai. It was established in 1974 as a sister company of Dynamic Productions.Dynamic Planning is credited in all of Go Nagai's animated works since 1974 as the "planner" and/or "producer"....
for selling unlicensed DVD boxset.
Production information & staff
- Episodes: 74
- Timeslot: Sundays, 19:00 - 19:30
- Network: Fuji TV
- Production Company: Toei Doga
- Origina Storyl: Go NagaiGo 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...
, Dynamic Production - Producer: Masahisa Saeki
- Planning: Higashi Kasuga, Mineo Kachita, Koji Bessho
- Series Director: Tomoharu KatsumataTomoharu Katsumatais a Japanese film director best known for his work on various anime works. A leading director at the Toei Animation studio during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Katsumata worked as a director on several of Toei's TV anime adaptations of manga by Go Nagai, including Devilman , Mazinger Z , Cutey...
- Episode Directors: Tomoharu KatsumataTomoharu Katsumatais a Japanese film director best known for his work on various anime works. A leading director at the Toei Animation studio during the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Katsumata worked as a director on several of Toei's TV anime adaptations of manga by Go Nagai, including Devilman , Mazinger Z , Cutey...
, Yoichi Kominato, Yasuo Yamayoshi, Tsunekiyo Otani, Hidenori Yamaguchi, Kazukiyo Shigeno, Yoshikatsu Kasai, Takenori Kawada, Masamune Ochiai, Hiroshi Shitara, Kazuya Miyazaki, Johei Matsuura, Osamu Kasai, Tokiji Kaburaki, Kozo Morishita, Masayuki Akehi, Kazumi Fukushima - Character Design: Kazuo KomatsubaraKazuo Komatsubarawas a Japanese animator, animation director and character designer born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He worked as an independently contracted character designer for Toei Animation in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a member of the board of directors of animation studio Oh! Production...
- Art Directors: Tadanao Tsuji, Iwamitsu Ito
- Music: Shunsuke KikuchiShunsuke Kikuchiis a prolific Japanese composer from Hirosaki. He specializes in incidental music for media such as television and film.Active since the early 60s, he has been one of Japan's most highly demanded film and TV composers, working principally on tokusatsu and anime productions for children, as well as...
- Lyrics: Kogo Hotomi
- Vocalist: Isao SasakiIsao Sasakiis a Japanese seiyū, actor, and vocalist. He has had voice roles in anime such as Legend of the Galactic Heroes, Space Battleship Yamato, and Gatchaman. He has also performed the opening themes for anime such as Yamato, Star of the Giants, Getter Robo, Casshan, Grendizer, Gaiking and tokusatsu...
- Opening Theme: by Isao Sasaki, Columbia Yurikago-kai and Ko'orogi '73
- Ending Theme: by Isao Sasaki
- Cast: Kei TomiyamaKei Tomiyama, better known by his stage name , was a Japanese actor, voice actor, and narrator from Anshan, Manchukuo. During his life, Tomiyama was affiliated with Aoni Production and Production Baobab....
(Daisuke Umon / Duke Fleed), Hiroya IshimaruHiroya Ishimaruis a Japanese voice actor most famous for performing the role of Kouji Kabuto in the 1972 series Mazinger Z and its sequels. He also gave voice to Tutty from Bosco Adventure and recently voiced Ultraman Taro in Ultraman Story, Ultraman Mebius, and Ultraman Mebius and Ultra Brothers He is also the...
(Koji KabutoKoji Kabuto', also written Kouji Kabuto, is a fictional character featuring in the works of manga artist Go Nagai. He is the main character and pilot of super robot Mazinger Z. He makes a comeback in the sequel series Great Mazinger where he helps defeating the Mycenaean Empire...
), Kosei TomitaKosei Tomitais a Japanese voice actor from Tokyo who is affiliated with Production Baobab. His real name is .- TV :* Matteo in Animation Kikou Marco Polo no Boken* Rumina's grandfather in Tokyo Underground* Bouleuse Gotho in Armored Trooper Votoms* Master in Black Jack...
(Danbei Makiba), Joji YanamiJoji Yanamiis a Japanese voice actor currently represented by Aoni Production.- Television :* Ookami Shōnen Ken , Boss* Hustle Punch , Professor Garigari/Garigari Hagase* Osomatsu-kun , Tou-san...
(Dr. Genzo Umon / Emperor Vega), Kazuko Sawada (Goro Makiba), Chiyoko KawashimaChiyoko Kawashimais a former Japanese voice actress. She retired from voice-acting in 2001; her final role was that of Kusakabe Maron's mother in Kamikaze Kaito Jeanne.-Notable voice roles:*Candy Candy as Patricia O'Brien*Cat's Eye as Kazumi*Kaibutsu-kun as Utako...
(Hikaru Makiba), Kenichi Ogata (Banta Arano / Blacky), Rihoko YoshidaRihoko Yoshidais a Japanese voice actress. Among her most noteworthy roles are Megu-chan in Majokko Megu-chan, Monsley in Future Boy Conan, Maria Grace Fleed in UFO Robo Grendizer, Michiru in Getter Robo, Klara in Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Rosalie Lamorliere in The Rose of Versailles, Miwa Uzuki in Steel Jeeg, ...
(Grace Maria Fleed), Kazuko Sawada (Lady Gandal), Kazuko SugiyamaKazuko Sugiyama, born is a voice actress who was born in Nagoya and works for Aoni Production.In February 2010, she received a "Merit Awards" from the 4th Seiyū Awards....
(Naida), Noriko OharaNoriko Oharais a Japanese voice actress. She is currently represented by Production Baobab. Her son is Sunrise animator .She is most well known for the roles of Nobita Nobi , Doronjo , Conan , Peter , and Oyuki and Claudia LaSalle from Super Dimension Fortress Macross...
(Rubina), Ryoichi Tanaka (Zuril Jr), Keiichi Noda (Captain Gorman), Nobuyo Tsuda (Hara Arano), Hiroshi Otake (Boss)
Source(s)
Dynamic Superobot Wars and Dynamic Heroes
UFO Robot Grendizer returns in 2002 in the 6th chapter of "Dynamic Superobot Wars" and in 2004 in Dynamic HeroesDynamic Heroes
, also known as and as Go Nagai manga heroes crossover collection - Dynamic Heroes, is a Japanese manga based in several works of Go Nagai, including most of his most famous robots, such as Mazinger Z, Getter Robot, Great Mazinger and UFO Robot Grendizer, and also several characters from other...
(ダイナミックヒーローズ, Dainamikku Hi^ro^zu) — also known as Nagai Go Manga Gaiden - Dynamic Heroes (永井豪まんが外伝 ダイナミックヒーローズ, Nagai Gou Manga Gaiden Dainamikku Hi^ro^zu) and as Go Nagai Manga Heroes Crossover Collection - Dynamic Heroes —, a Japanese manga based in several works of Go Nagai, including most of his most famous robots, such as Mazinger Z, Getter Robot and Great Mazinger. It was originally published as a monthly manga magazine e-manga from Kodansha, from June 2004 to July 2007.
See also
- UFO Robot Grendizer tai Great MazingerUFO Robot Grendizer tai Great Mazingeris a 1976 animated short film that crosses over Go Nagai's super robots Grendizer and Great Mazinger. The movie features alternate versions of events from both series, and, as with the rest of the Vs. films, is not canonical to either one...
- Grendizer, Getter Robot G, Great Mazinger: Kessen! DaikaijuuGrendizer, Getter Robot G, Great Mazinger: Kessen! Daikaijuuis an animated film produced by Toei which premiered originally in in Japan. It is a crossover of three super robot anime created by Go Nagai: Grendizer, Getter Robot G and Great Mazinger. Like the rest of the Vs. animated films of Toei, the movie features alternate versions of events from the...
External links
- UFO Robot Grendizer at Toei Animation website
- UFO Robot Grendizer at Toei's corporative website
- UFO Robot Grendizer at The World of Go Nagai webpage
- Goldrake - Atlas UFO Robot at the Enciclo'Robopedia website
- UFO Robot Grendizer at Animemorial
- UFO Robot Grendizer (animated film) at Animemorial
- Robots Project - Italian Fan Grendizer Movie in CG (CG movie and images) at URP no profit project
- UFO Robot Grendizer: Akai Yuuhi no Taiketsu (animated film) at Animemorial
- UFO Robot Grendizer: Akai Yuuhi no Taiketsu (animated film) at allcinema