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Encyclopedia > Mazinger Z
Mazinger Z
マジンガーZ
(Majingā Zetto)
Demographic Shounen
Genre Mecha
Manga
Authored by Go Nagai
Publisher Shueisha
Kodansha
Serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump
Original run October 2, 1972August 13, 1973
No. of volumes 5
TV anime
Directed by
Studio Toei Animation
Network Flag of Japan Fuji Television
Original run December 3, 1972September 1, 1974
No. of episodes 92

Mazinger Z (マジンガーZ Majingā Zetto?) is a manga series by Go Nagai, serialized in Shueisha Shonen Jump from October 1972. December of the same year, an anime adaptation premiered on Fuji Television. The TV series ended September 1, 1974, outliving its manga counterpart. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Image File history File links MazingerZLogo. ... Shōnen (少年), commonly spelled shounen, is a Japanese word usually translated as young boy, although it is commonly used to refer to males of up to high-school age as well. ... Mecha anime cover all series that revolve around the use of piloted robotic armors in battle, which is broken down into two subcategories of Super Robot and Real Robot. ... This article is about the comics published in East Asian countries. ... Go Nagai , born September 6, 1945) is a Japanese mangaka and an important innovator of several genres within anime and manga. ... Shueisha ) is a major publisher in Japan, headquartered in Tokyo. ... The head office of Kodansha Kodansha Limited ) is the largest Japanese publisher of literature and manga, headquartered in (Bunkyo), Tokyo. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Spain. ... Weekly Shonen Jump, issue 17 2007 (Japanese version), featuring Luffy of One Piece on the cover JUMP SHOP Osaka Shop. ... is the 275th day of the year (276th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 225th day of the year (226th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the song by James Blunt, see 1973 (song). ... Tankōbon ) is the Japanese term for a compilation volume of a particular series (such as a manga or a novel series, magazine articles, essays, craft patterns, etc. ... “TV” redirects here. ... “Animé” redirects here. ... Toei Animation Company, Limited ) (JASDAQ: 4816) is a Japanese animation studio owned by the Toei Company. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Japan. ... Fuji Television Network, Inc. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Mexico. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Dominican_Republic. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Italy. ... RaiUno is the primary television station of RAI, and the second most watched in Italy. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Costa_Rica. ... Canal 6 is a private Costa Rican television channel, owned and operated by Repretel. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Puerto_Rico. ... WAPA-TV is a full-power, independent television station located in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico transmitting over analog channel 4, digital channel 27. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Venezuela. ... Venevisión, channel 4, is one of Venezuelas largest TV broadcasters, which is owned and presided over by Gustavo Cisneros. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Philippines. ... GMA Network, Inc. ... is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the comics published in East Asian countries. ... Go Nagai , born September 6, 1945) is a Japanese mangaka and an important innovator of several genres within anime and manga. ... Shueisha ) is a major publisher in Japan, headquartered in Tokyo. ... Weekly Shonen Jump, issue 40 (Japanese version) Weekly Shonen Jump (週刊少年ジャンプ ShÅ«kan Shōnen Janpu), with a circulation of over 3 million, is one of the longest-running, weekly manga compilations in Japan. ... “Animé” redirects here. ... Fuji Television Network, Inc. ... is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar) of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. ...

Contents

Plot

Mazinger Z is a gigantic Super Robot, constructed with a fictitious metal called Chogokin Z (literally Super-Alloy Z), which is forged from a new element mined from a reservoir found only in the sediment of Japan's Mt. Fuji. The mecha was built by Professor Juzo Kabuto as a secret weapon against the forces of evil, represented in the series by the Mechanical Beasts (mecha used for evil purposes) of Dr. Hell. The latter was the German member of a Japanese archeological team, which discovered ruins of a lost pre-Grecian civilization on an island named Bardos; the civilization was loosely based on the ancient Mycenae, and was called the Mycene Empire in the series. One of their findings was that the Mycene used an army of steel titans about 20 m in height (compare with the Greek legend of Talos). Finding prototypes of those titans underground which could be remote-controlled and realizing their immense power on the battlefield, Dr. Hell goes insane and has all the other scientists of his research team killed. Except for Professor Kabuto; the lone survivor manages to escape back to Japan, and attempts to warn the world of its imminent danger. Meanwhile, Dr. Hell establishes his headquarters on a mobile island which he sails around on, and plans to use the Mechanical Beasts to become the new ruler of the world. To counter this, Kabuto constructs Mazinger Z and manages to finish it just before being killed by a bomb planted by Hell’s right-hand man, Baron Ashura. As he is dying, he manages to inform his grandson Kouji Kabuto about the robot and its use. Kouji becomes the robot’s pilot, and from that point on battles both the continuous mechanical monsters, and the sinister henchmen sent by Doctor Hell in every episode. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Mazinger Z. (Discuss) Mazinger Z with the Jet Scrander Mazinger Z is a fictional mecha from the anime and manga series of the same name, created by Go Nagai. ... The Super Robot Mazinger Z. 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, sometimes transformable or combined from two or more robots and/or vehicles usually piloted by young, daring heroes, and often... Chogokin is a fictious material first appeared in the Mazinger Z comic. ... Mount Fuji (富士山 Fuji-san, IPA: [ɸuʝisaɴ]) is the highest mountain on the island of Honshu and indeed in all of Japan. ... For the fictional robot, see Mecha. ... The Mechanical Beasts (kikaiju) , also known as mechanical monsters or mechanical brutes, were the evil mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. ... For the fictional robot, see Mecha. ... Dr. Hell was the main villain of the fictional robot anime Mazinger Z. He was a brilliant, cunning and evil scientist, obsessed with world domination through his creations, the armies of Mechanical Beasts. ... The noun Greek refers to: Synonymous to Grecian; a native or inhabitant of Greece, or a person of Greek descent. ... A clay tablet with writing in Linear B from Mycenae. ... Winged Talos armed with a stone. ... Baron Ashura (Ashura Danshaku) is a fictional character featuring in the works of mangaka Go Nagai. ... Kouji Kabuto (Kabuto Kouji) is a fictional character featuring in the works of mangaka Go Nagai. ... For other uses, see robot (disambiguation). ... This article is about monsters as a kind of legendary creature. ... TV Show Reference Episode is the word usually used to refer to a part of a serial television or radio program. ...


Development

In his Manga Works series, Go Nagai reveals that he had always loved Tetsuwan Atom and Tetsujin-28 as a child, and wanted to make his own robot anime.[citation needed] However, for the longest time he was unable to produce a concept that he felt didn't borrow too heavily from those two shows. One day, Nagai observed a traffic jam and mused to himself that the drivers in back would surely love a way to bypass the ones in front. From that thought came his ultimate inspiration: a giant robot that could be controlled from the inside, like a car. In his original concepts, the titular robot was Energer Z, which was controlled by a motorcycle that was driven up its back and into its head (an idea which was recycled for the Diana A robot). However, with the sudden popularity of Kamen Rider, Nagai replaced the motorcycle with a hovercraft. He later redesigned Energer Z, renaming it Mazinger Z to evoke the image of a demon god (Ma, 魔, meaning demon and Jin, 神, meaning god). The motif of the Hover Pilder docking itself into Mazinger's head also borrows from Nagai's 1971 manga Demon Lord Dante (the prototype for his more popular Devilman), in which the titular giant demon has a human head (of Ryo Utsugi, the young man who merged with him) in his forehead. Interestingly, Koji Kabuto takes his surname (the Japanese word for a helmet) from the fact that he controls Mazinger Z from its head.
Astro Boy Volume 1 (English version) Astro Boy is the American title for the Japanese animated series Tetsuwan Atomu (鉄腕アトム), which roughly translates to Mighty Atom (literally Iron-arm Atom); first broadcast on Japanese television from 1963 to 1966. ... Gigantor (originally Tetsujin-nijūhachi-gō 鉄人28号, literally Iron Man #28) was a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama published in 1958 which was later made into several anime series, the first in 1963. ... Diana A is a female mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. ... Kamen Rider ), translated as Masked Rider, was a popular and seminal sci-fi story conceived by renowned Japanese comic book creator Shōtarō Ishinomori ). It debuted as a tokusatsu television series on April 3, 1971 and ran until February 10, 1973. ... Maou Dante, (魔王ダンテ, Demon Lord Dante) is Go Nagai manga and an 2002 anime adaption. ... Devilman ) is the title of a popular manga and anime created by Go Nagai, as well as the name of the main character of the manga and anime. ...


Sequels

Cover of the Mazinger Z movie box set sold in Japan

The Mazinger Z anime ran to a total of 92 TV episodes from 1972 to 1974. Its period of greatest popularity lasted from roughly October 1973 to March 1974, during which time it regularly scored audience ratings in the high twenties; episode 68, broadcast March 17, 1974, achieved the series' highest rating of 30.4%, making Mazinger Z one of the highest-rated anime series of all time (1). It culminated in the destruction of the original robot by new enemies (after Doctor Hell's final defeat in the penultimate episode) and the immediate introduction of its successor, Great Mazinger, an improved version of Mazinger, along with its pilot, Tetsuya Tsurugi. The idea of replacing the first robot with Great Mazinger (sometimes called Shin Mazinger Z) is a variation of a death-rebirth myth found in most Japanese action series: The title character, even if it is only a robot, is never truly defeated or destroyed, only improved upon, and replaced by the next version. Koji and Mazinger Z come back in the last episodes of Great Mazinger to help their successors defeat the forces of evil. DVD mazinger the movie box set. ... DVD mazinger the movie box set. ... For other uses, see robot (disambiguation). ... Great Mazinger(グレートマジンガー) is the name of a manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai, made as a direct continuation of the successful Mazinger Z series. ... Great Mazinger(グレートマジンガー) is the name of a manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai, made as a direct continuation of the successful Mazinger Z series. ...


Another sequel, albeit in a different line, was introduced in 1975, with the appearance of Grendizer, set in the Mazinger and Great Mazinger story continuity that included Koji Kabuto as a supporting character. UFO Robo Grendizer ), is a mecha anime show created by Japanese anime artist Go Nagai. ...


The shows spawned so-called “team-up movies” early on, which were like longer episodes that teamed up Mazinger Z with one of Go Nagai’s other creations, as in Mazinger Z vs. Devilman (mazinga zeto tai debiruman) in 1973 and Mazinger Z Vs. The Great General of Darkness (mazinga zetō tai ankoku daishogun) in 1974. Go Nagai , born September 6, 1945) is a Japanese mangaka and an important innovator of several genres within anime and manga. ... Mazinger Z Vs. ...


Thirty years after the start of the original program, Nagai’s company Dynamic Planning released a continuation of the original Mazinger series as an OVA—named Mazinkaiser (mazinkaizā)—in 2002. This work would be succeeded by the movie Mazinkaiser: Deathmatch! Ankoku Daishogun, which in some ways served as a partial remake of Mazinger Z vs. the General of Darkness. A human ovum An ovum (loosely, egg or egg cell) is a female sex cell or gamete. ... Mazinkaiser (マジンカイザー) is a Japanese anime OVA, consisting of seven episodes, released on Japan in 1999, and based on Mazinger Z, originally from manga artist Go Nagai. ... In film, a remake is a newer version of a previously released film or a newer version of the source (play, novel, story, etc. ...


Legacy

Mazinger Z action figure.

The series is noteworthy for introducing many of the accepted stock features of giant robot anime: The mechanical marvel that is the world's only hope, forgotten civilizations, power-hungry mad scientists, incompetent henchmen, lovable supporting characters (usually younger siblings, love interests, or friends of the hero), the scientist father or grandfather who loses his life heroically, and strangely clothed, eccentric or physically deformed villains (the intersex Baron Ashura as one example). Mazinger Z was also the first show to feature a female robot (Aphrodite A, which was piloted by Sayaka Yumi and is remembered for its missile-launching breasts), and a comic-relief robot made of spare parts and garbage named Boss Borot (which ended up suffering severe damage in nearly all of his appearances), after its pilot, brash yet simpleminded gang leader, Boss. Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (886x603, 143 KB)Promotional image of the Manzinger Z action figure. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (886x603, 143 KB)Promotional image of the Manzinger Z action figure. ... “Animé” redirects here. ... They LAUGHED at my theories at the institute! Fools! Ill destroy them all! Caucasian, male, aging, crooked teeth, messy hair, lab coat, spectacles/goggles, dramatic posing — one popular stereotype of mad scientist. ... An intersexual is a person (or individual of any unisexual species) who is born with genitalia and/or secondary sexual characteristics of indeterminate sex, or which combine features of both sexes. ... For other uses, see robot (disambiguation). ... Aphrodite A (Afurodai Esu) is a female mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. ... Boss Borot is a fictional mecha from the anime and manga series Mazinger Z. 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. ...


The peculiarity about this Super Robot, differing from the ones in earlier robot manga, is that Koji has to fly a small red hover-vehicle up to the head of the humanoid armor. The hover-vehicle, named Pilder, lands in the head of the robot and activates it (shouting PILDER ON!). Go Nagai originally wanted this vehicle to be the hero's motorcycle, but decided against it to avoid a similarity to another popular Japanese action hero at that time, Kamen Rider (although the linking motorcycle gimmick was used with Sayaka's second robot, Diana A). Manga and anime historians see the Pilder-Robot combination as the origin of the “transforming robot” genre, because it marks one of the first published examples in a manga of two distinctive vehicles forming a specific entity. This is often interpreted as the root of later series like Go-Lion (Voltron – Defender of the Universe), the Transformers, and the giant robots in the Super Sentai Series (the basis for Power Rangers). It should be noted though, that a similar concept was used earlier in Nagai and Ken Ishikawa's Getter Robo in 1974. Mazinger Z is not a vehicle that transforms into another shape, yet it requires the smaller, non-combative vehicle to get going. This idea may have inspired the Core Fighter in Mobile Suit Gundam and the entry-plug in Neon Genesis Evangelion. The Super Robot Mazinger Z. 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, sometimes transformable or combined from two or more robots and/or vehicles usually piloted by young, daring heroes, and often... Go Nagai , born September 6, 1945) is a Japanese mangaka and an important innovator of several genres within anime and manga. ... For other uses, see Motorcycle (disambiguation). ... Kamen Rider ), translated as Masked Rider, was a popular and seminal sci-fi story conceived by renowned Japanese comic book creator Shōtarō Ishinomori ). It debuted as a tokusatsu television series on April 3, 1971 and ran until February 10, 1973. ... Diana A is a female mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. ... This article is about the comics published in East Asian countries. ... “Animé” redirects here. ... This article is about the comics published in East Asian countries. ... Voltron (百獣王ゴライオン) is a shape-changing giant mecha robot first featured in the 1980s animated television series Voltron, Defender of the Universe. ... Original run 10 September 1984 – 18 November 1985 No. ... The Transformers (G1) 1984-1987, U.S. This page is a partner page to Transformers Universes, listing the various television series that the Transformer toyline has spawned since its creation in 1984. ... The official logo of the Super Sentai Series introduced in 2000 during the run of Mirai Sentai Timeranger The Super Sentai Series ) is the name given to the long running Japanese superhero team genre of shows produced by Toei Company Ltd. ... The Saban-era logo for Power Rangers The Disney/Jetix-era logo for Power Rangers Power Rangers is a long-running American childrens television series adapted from the Japanese tokusatsu Super Sentai Series, though it is not simply an English dub of the original. ... Getter Robo (ゲッターロボ - Gettâ Robo) is a Super Robot manga series created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa, as well as an anime series produced by Toei Animation. ... Mobile Suit Gundam ) is a televised anime series, created by Sunrise. ... The Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise is a multi-billion dollar umbrella of Japanese media properties generally owned by the anime studio Gainax. ...


Another characteristic is seen in the unusual use of Mazinger's formidable weaponry: Kouji would always announce with a shout the name of the super-power or attack he was about to use, including eye-fired laser beams (Koshiryoku Beaamu!), melting rays (Bureesto Fiyaa!), gale-force winds (Ruusto Hurricane!), and the famous and oft-copied “Rocket Punch” (Roketto Paanchi!) attack. Most of these simple gimmicks were later incorporated in most of Nagai’s robot series, and widely imitated in many other mecha shows. Although the roots of announcing the weapons can also be traced back to Toei's 1968 tokusatsu series, Giant Robo (US title, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot), or even the way the heroes of chambara eiga and television used to announce their sword techniques before cutting down their opponents. A superpower is a state with the ability to influence events or project power on a wide scale. ... Experiment with a laser (US Military) In physics, a laser is a device that emits light through a specific mechanism for which the term laser is an acronym: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. ... For the fictional robot, see Mecha. ... Icons of tokusatsu in the late 1970s: Spider-Man, Kamen Rider Stronger, Kamen Rider V3, Battle Fever J, Ultraman Jonias, as well as the manga and anime icon Doraemon Tokusatsu ) is a Japanese word that literally means special effects. ...


However, the most notable characteristic that the show brought to the Super Robot genre was the relationship between machines and humans; Go Nagai established from the start the premise that machines and humans could act as one, and interact between each other. Since Kouji piloted the robot from the head, he acted as the robot's "brain", and almost every time Kouji would move, laugh, or suffer inside its cockpit, the robot would act the same, mimicking its pilot. Additionally, some minor characters included were cyborgs, that could act like humans, showing feelings and emotions (even crying). These ideas were used repeatedly in many similar shows (Grendizer, another Nagai work, would have the pilot injured in his own body where the robot was attacked). The term cyborg, a portmanteau of cybernetic organism, is used to designate a creature which is a mixture of organic and mechanical parts. ... UFO Robo Grendizer ), is a mecha anime show created by Japanese anime artist Go Nagai. ...


In terms of plot, despite being all too simplistic in its portrait of good and evil characters, the show was able to stay fresh with young audiences with an irresistible mix of action, horror, comedy, and drama, sometimes all in one single episode. Some of them (specially after the introduction of the Boss Borot), were heavy on slapstick and jokes, even to the point of making fun of the hero and the villains; others carried strong melodramatic touches (this characteristics of heavy satire humor and melodrama were in fact staples of almost all of Go Nagai's creations in manga, even before their adaptations to the small screen). We also have a change in the concept of main female characters (already seen in Harenchi Gakuen, later reinforced in Cutie Honey), who were until then modeled after the "quiet, sweet, compliant" Japanese ideal: Kouji's partner and love interest Sayaka Yumi is tomboyish, loud and stubborn, very unlike the traditional heroines. Of course, Kouji Kabuto was not your usual hero of the time -- a crass, arrogant, impulsive and hot-headed ne’er-do-well -- who was the polar opposite of the virtuous Japanese males in the media. While Kouji's very outrageous and abhorrent behavior was very appealing to young boys, it was the bane of many establishment organizations, such as the Nippon PTA.


Later sequels of the franchise share many characteristics of the Japanese tokusatsu heroes as well as 1970s kaiju films. The team-up anime Grendizer & Getter Robo G & Great Mazinger vs. The Giant Sea Monster is very similar to tokusatsu films like Godzilla vs. the Sea Monster. i eat poop alot A media franchise is an intellectual property involving the characters, setting, and trademarks of an original work of media (usually a work of fiction), such as a film, a work of literature, a television program, or a video game. ... Icons of tokusatsu in the late 1970s: Spider-Man, Kamen Rider Stronger, Kamen Rider V3, Battle Fever J, Ultraman Jonias, as well as the manga and anime icon Doraemon Tokusatsu ) is a Japanese word that literally means special effects. ... Kaijū (怪獣) is a Japanese term that generically translates to monster. ... “Animé” redirects here. ... Icons of tokusatsu in the late 1970s: Spider-Man, Kamen Rider Stronger, Kamen Rider V3, Battle Fever J, Ultraman Jonias, as well as the manga and anime icon Doraemon Tokusatsu ) is a Japanese word that literally means special effects. ... Godzilla versus the Sea Monster, released in Japan as Godzilla Ebirah Mothra: Nankai no Daikettō , lit. ...


International versions

Europe

Mazinger was translated into many languages spoken outside Japan and the Far East, was broadcast, and found an audience in much of the rest of the world. In Europe, Mazinger Z was televised in Spain and Italy, with astounding success. Oddly enough, it was not shown in France until the 1980s, by which time it was perceived as a Grendizer imitation, even though it was actually the original, and the main character, Koji Kabuto, is a major character in both series. The inconsistent distribution of the Mazinger Z series outside of Japan led to similar confusion in other western markets. UFO Robo Grendizer ), is a mecha anime show created by Japanese anime artist Go Nagai. ...

South America

Mazinger Z was also shown in Central and South American countries (with a Spanish dub produced in Mexico) in its entirety and without editing (although the version produced for Spain was edited to 30 episodes). Mazinger Z was also very popular in Puerto Rico, where the show aired in its entirety as well, and it has had a faithful cult following since. In the decades since its original broadcast, Mazinger Z has maintained a loyal cult following since its initial airing in Latin American countries.

North America

In 1984, the show was syndicated in the United States under the title Tranzor Z from 3-B Productions. Unlike the generally faithful treatment other countries gave their versions of Mazinger Z, 3-B's version of Tranzor Z was heavily edited and shortened to 65 episodes, with a modified storyline that was altered from the original, along with most of the characters' names. Credit for the series went to producer and licensor, Bunker Jenkins (although token credit was given to the Toei Company). 3-B Productions was a short-lived company that grew out of the production team who worked on the US version of Space Battleship Yamato, entitled Star Blazers, at Sunbow Productions. The "Americanization" of Mazinger Z for US consumption was done because of the strict standards in regards to content for children's programming at the time -- a large percentage of the action scenes were deemed unacceptable by Standards and Practices.


In other words, Mazinger Z was too violent for US television -- the original version contained numerous scenes of mass hysteria, urban destruction, gratuitous violence, cold-blooded homicide, sadistic torture, gruesome dismemberments, violent death, and other acts of wanton chaos (i.e., a commercial airliner, flying through heavy clouds collides with the villains' giant air fortress, killing all onboard). With such scenes winding up on the cutting room floor, audiences knew that something was missing. Additionally, footage from the sequel series, Great Mazinger, was sometimes briefly utilized; such as in the series opening where the creator tells his grandchildren about Mazinger Z's weapons, but he is actually describing weaponry unique to Great Mazinger (like the Great Boomerang), as well as footage of Great Mazinger taking off in place of Mazinger Z being activated. Strangely enough, while some content was considered too explicit, Baron Ashura/Devleen's nature as a literal half-man/half-woman was not truncated in the Tranzor Z version. To this day, there is still debate over what caused the show's quick exit from US television syndication, generally blaming the haphazard editing and ineffectual rewriting. Great Mazinger(グレートマジンガー) is the name of a manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai, made as a direct continuation of the successful Mazinger Z series. ...


Alternatively, there was another English dub of the show that was far more faithhful to the Japanese original, commissioned by Toei Animation; to the extent of keeping the same names for all the characters, the title of the show and even an English-language version of the original Japanese theme song "Mazinger Z" (English lyrics by William Saylor and vocals by Isao Sasaki). Additionally, two other primary songs ("Z Theme" and "Our Mazinger Z") were also recorded in English with Saylor and Sasaki, with all three issued in Japan as a 45 RPM Single, "TV Animation: Mazinger Z" (Nippon Columbia SCS-393, December 1977). It is unclear as to how many episodes were given more accurate dub, which was produced in the mid-to-late 1970s by Frontier Enterprises, a Tokyo-based outfit established by American ex-pat, William Ross.


Other north american country with great number of fans is Mexico, in this country Mazinger Z anime was aired from 1984 to 1986 by Channel 5 of Televisa Mexico in the same ages when was aired other famous anime series. From 1994 until 1995 was re-aired by Channel 13 by the recent formed Televisión Azteca or TV Azteca (years before was a government broadcaster called Imevisión or Instituto Mexicano de la Televisión with others adquired anime series) and the last time when was broadcasted was in 1997 in Channel 7 of the same broadcaster, with the same master tapes reselled by Televisa with the dub mixed, the same case happened with other anime series. Televisa is the largest media company in the Spanish-speaking world[1], followed by TV Azteca, and a major player in the international entertainment business. ... TV Azteca is the second largest Mexican television network. ...


The mexican Mazinger dub version had some errors in the voice actor secuencies due that the Mazinger version aired in Mexico and other central and south american countries had a mix dub realized by two different enterprises, Cadicy International (nowadays First Line Films) and Audiomaster (an ancient Televisa's enterprise, years ago called "AudioFutura" and finally "audio futura" disappeared). In the first case, the first third part of Mazinger Series was dubbed by Cadicy International, dub made in Miami Florida by voice actors with cuban-spanish-pronunciation approximatly in 1980 with the same voices of others animes and cartoons like Ginga Repuu Baxingar (Gladiadores del Espacio), X-Bomber Flota espacial), Huck & Tom's Mississippi Adventure (Aventuras en el Mississippi) or Woody Woodpeacker (Pajaro Loco). The names of the voice actor are unknown. X Bomber (Xボンバー) (Ekkusu Bonbǎ) is a marionette tokusatsu TV series. ...


In 1982, Audiomaster made the mexican dub with mexican recnognized actors, the dub was made in Los Angeles, California, with a character voices in disorder, Koji Kabuto had mainly two voices, Jesús Barrero and Juan Alfonso Carralero , Sayaka Yumi by Gloria Gonzalez, Ashura by Antonio Raxel (a mexican films actor) between others, finally, both dubs was mixed for almost latinamerican countries. Jesús Barrero is a Mexican voice actor. ...


In both cases, the opening, ending and the chapters recorded by Toei Animation with the singer Ichiro Mizuki, was recorded without singer lyrics because the original tapes of "international version" distributed by Toei Animation, was recorded in this way, only the japanese version have the lyrics, the reason is permit to other countries record the opening and ending version in several languages and include titles and subtitles for the credits, only Spain recorded a spanish version of opening and ending like the japanese version. You may be looking for: Chess opening Al-Fatiha, The Opening, first chapter of the Quran This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Ichiro Mizuki ), born Toshio Hayakawa ) (born January 7, 1948), is a famous, highly prolific Japanese vocalist best known for his work on theme songs for Tokusatsu and Anime, having performed numerous theme songs for Japanese film, television, video and video games. ...

The Philippines

The Frontier Enterprises dubs were later aired in the Philippines, where dubbing was continued by the local broadcaster prior to the show's cancellation, allegedly by order of dictator-president Ferdinand Marcos. "Mazinger Z" was first aired by Philippine broadcaster GMA Network at an early primetime slot of 6:00PM in 1979 and it became an instant hit among children of that time. The whole 6:00PM slot from Monday to Friday featured a series of "super robots," such as Grendizer, Mekanda and Voltes V with "Mazinger Z" airing on Wednesday. There were rumors that Marcos found the series "too violent" for the then Philippine government censored television industry while others say, the series was too popular in the ratings game, killing competition of other TV networks allegedly owned by Marcos business cronies. Ferdinand Emmanuel Edralín Marcos (September 11, 1917 – September 28, 1989) was President of the Philippines from 1966 to 1986. ... Global Media Arts (GMA) Network, Incorporated (PSE: GMA7 and GMAP), a Philippine multi-media conglomerate, is a television network in the Philippines. ... UFO Robo Grendizer ), is a mecha anime show created by Japanese anime artist Go Nagai. ... Mechander Robo (Japanese: 合身戦隊メカンダーロボ ) was an anime series aired in 1977 in Japan. ... This article or section contains a plot summary that is overly long or excessively detailed. ...

Middle East

An Arabic dub, entitled "Mazinjer", was made in an attempt to cash in on the Super Robot craze created in Arabic-speaking countries by UFO Robot Grendizer. Although it didn't do as well, Mazinger Z still found popularity and earned a huge fanbase throughout many Middle Eastern countries, including Egypt. However, only the first 27 episodes were translated (There's a possibility that it was an Arabic dub of the 27-episode English dub produced by Frontier Enterprises).


Merchandise

Mazinger remains one of Go Nagai’s most enduring success stories, spawning many products in the realm of merchandising, model kits, plastic and die-cast metal toys (the now famous Soul of Chogokin line), action figures and other collectibles. Mazinger has also been successful in the video game area (at least in Japan), as one of the main stars in the acclaimed battle simulation game series Super Robot Wars, released by Banpresto, featuring characters and units from almost all Mazinger-related shows, alongside other anime franchises such as Gundam, et al. Go Nagai , born September 6, 1945) is a Japanese mangaka and an important innovator of several genres within anime and manga. ... A coffee mug bearing the logo of a company or organization is a common example of product merchandising. ... A scale model is a representation or copy of an object that is larger or smaller than the actual size of the object being represented. ... Soul of Chogokin is a popular line of adult collectors toys produced by the Japanese company Bandai. ... Zarbon action figure of from Dragon Ball Z made by Bandai An action figure is a posable plastic figurine of a character, often from a movie, video game, or television program. ... Super Robot Wars: Alpha Gaiden, one of many SRW games released by Banpresto in Japan. ... Banpresto Co. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...


In 1994, Banpresto released an arcade game called Mazinger Z which was a vertical shoot'em up with three selectable characters : Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger and Grendizer.[1] A shoot-em-up (shmup for short), is a video game where the player has limited control of their character and the focus is almost entirely on annihilation of their enemies. ... Great Mazinger(グレートマジンガー) is the name of a manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai, made as a direct continuation of the successful Mazinger Z series. ... UFO Robo Grendizer ), is a mecha anime show created by Japanese anime artist Go Nagai. ...


Trivia

  • In Italy "Ratzinger" was a chapter of Ratman, a superhero parody comic (the name is a pun on Batman). The robot Ratzinger though was more based on Grendizer, which was more popular in Italy, than Mazinger.
  • Mazinger tributes can also be found in games. In the Mr. Driller series, one of the characters is a multi-purpose drilling robot named Horinger Z (hori meaning "dig"). One of the enemies in Mega Man 6 is "Metonger Z", a Metool (the hard-hatted enemies common to the Mega Man series) riding a mechanical tank with elements of Mazinger Z's design. Similarly, in Marvel vs Capcom and its sequel, one of Megaman's hyper combos has him transforming into a large battle mode obviously inspired by Mazinger Z, while Megaman's sister Roll has a similar move that changes her into a form highly similar to Aphrodite A. Furthermore, the 'Hard Knuckle' attack Megaman gains from defeating Hard Man in Mega Man 3 is reminiscent of Mazinger Z's Rocket Punch attack. In Makai Senki Disgaea, during one of Etna's imaginative 'Next time on Disgaea' segments the Prinnies merge into a powerful Mazinger-like super robot, which is referred to as "Pringer X". This is said to later be reborn as "Pringer Z". Later into Episode 13 of Sonic X had Sonic the Hedgehog fight "Gearhead", a Mazinger-like robot of Dr. Eggman's that also included a Pilder slot on the head for Eggman's hovercraft. In Bomberman Generations for the Nintendo Gamecube, one of the bosses, Constructor X, is based on Mazinger Z.
  • Go Nagai is often considered the father of giant robot anime because of Mazinger, but he himself has said that while he is honoured, he believes the name should go to his own inspirations, the creator of Tetsuwan Atom (Astro Boy) Osamu Tezuka and the creator of Tetsujin-28 (Gigantor), Mitsuteru Yokoyama.
  • The reason Mazinger's enemies looked so strange was because when Go Nagai and his crew were coming up with them, they would think about the fight first, then design the robot.
  • Go Nagai is said to have been highly shocked that Mazinger, which he originally did not take very seriously, far surpassed Devilman in popularity. The reason was that he had worked especially hard on Devilman and only made Mazinger as a way to blow off steam. While Mazinger Z's television ratings peaked at over 30%, Devilman's highest rating was roughly half that (15.5% in January 1973) (2).
  • Mazinger parodies also appear on television. In an episode of the American cartoon Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, teenagers staged arena battles with their imaginary friends. The Mazinger Z pastiche was rusted into immobility by the tears of Eduardo. Also, in one episode of Robot Chicken, N'Sync singer Joey Fatone took part in a Celebrity Deathmatch style battle where Great Mazinger was one of his opponents. A sentient robot strongly resembling Mazinger Z (called "Zanzor," a play on its American inception) also appeared in the originally unaired season one episode of Megas XLR, Coop D'Etat.
  • Mazinger Z is the only robot to show up in all the franchised based versions of the Super Robot Wars games (This does not include the Lord of Elemental sidestory or the Original Generation games, both of which deliberately exclude all non-original works. With the exception of the original Game Boy SRW, which did not depict pilots at all, Koji Kabuto and Sayaka Yumi are the only characters to show up in all the franchised series.
  • Boss Borot is the only robot character to appear in all three of the Mazinger trilogy series: Mazinger Z (during the second half of the series), Great Mazinger (as a regular), and Grendizer (in a pair of cameos).
  • In an episode of Brave Express Might Gaine, where the title hero fights a black version of himself, the enemy uses a jet very similar to the Pilder to control it.
  • There's a half-size statue of Mazinger Z in Tarragona, Spain. [1]
  • In one episode of the Sgt. Frog anime, Kururu designs a robot that resembles a cross between Aki Hinata and Aphrodite A.
  • Mazinger Z is featured as a recurring character on the Godzilla-themed photo-webcomic Twisted Kaiju Theater.

Image File history File links Broom_icon. ... Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... UFO Robo Grendizer ), is a mecha anime show created by Japanese anime artist Go Nagai. ... Screenshot of Mr. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Mega Man encountering a Metool in Guts Mans level in Mega Man 1 The Met (also Metall, Metool, or Mettaur) is one of the most common minor enemies found in the Mega Man video game series. ... An illustration of the starring characters in the various series. ... . Marvel vs. ... Mega Man 3, known as Rockman 3: Dr. Wily no Saigo!? , lit. ... Makai Senki Disgaea ), or Netherworld Battle Chronicle Disgaea, is an anime based on the video game Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. ... Sonic X ) is an animated television series, featuring video game hero Sonic the Hedgehog based on the storylines of the Sonic Adventure series. ... Bomberman Generation is a video game released for the Nintendo GameCube on June 4, 2002. ... This article is about the manga artist and animator. ... Mitsuteru Yokoyama (横山 光輝; Yokoyama Mitsuteru) (June 18, 1934 Kobe, Japan - April 15, 2004 Tokyo, Japan) was a famous Japanese mangaka or comic artist. ... Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends (sometimes called Fosters for short, and abbreviated as FHIF/FHFIF) is an Emmy-Winning American animated television series created and produced at Cartoon Network Studios by animator Craig McCracken, who also created The Powerpuff Girls. ... Robot Chicken is an American stop motion animated television series produced by Stoopid Monkey, ShadowMachine Films, Williams Street, and Sony Pictures Digital, currently airing in the US as a part of Cartoon Networks Adult Swim line-up, in Britain as part of Bravos Adult Swim line-up, and... *NSYNC is a five-part pop music vocal group, specifically a boy band, formed in Orlando, Florida, USA. The group members are James Lance Bass, Joshua Scott Chasez (JC), Joseph Anthony Fatone Junior (Joey), Christopher Alan Kirkpatrick (Chris), and Justin Randall Timberlake. ... Celebrity Deathmatch is a claymation parody television show that pits celebrities against each other in a wrestling ring, almost always ending in a gruesome death of the celebrity who lost the match. ... Megas XLR (XLR = eXtra Large Robot) is an American Anime-influenced animated television series that aired on the Toonami block on Cartoon Network and is produced by Cartoon Network Studios. ... Super Robot Wars: Alpha Gaiden, one of many SRW games released by Banpresto in Japan. ... Boss Borot is a fictional mecha from the anime and manga series Mazinger Z. 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. ... “Keroro” redirects here. ... Aphrodite A (Afurodai Esu) is a female mecha from the Mazinger Z anime and manga series, created by Go Nagai. ... Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z , roughly Theyre Here! Powerpuff Girls Z) is the name for a Japanese television anime based upon the American animated television series The Powerpuff Girls. ... Mojo Jojo (voiced by Roger L. Jackson) is a fictional character in the Cartoon Network animated series The Powerpuff Girls and its anime spin-off, Demashita! Powerpuff Girls Z. He is a notorious genius chimpanzee mad scientist, whose main goal is to destroy the Powerpuff Girls, crush Townsville (or, in... Twisted Kaiju Theater or TKT is a humorous photo-based webcomic by Sean McGuinness created on August 11, 2000. ...

References

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