By [ad_1]
The term Gundam is synonymous with anime. Debuting in 1979’s Mobile Suit Gundam, the concept of piloted robots with amazing powers ushered in a new and exciting genre – one that continues to exist today.
Yet, evolution had to take place before its inception. This started with manga and anime based on mechas. Unlike the real science that Gundam is based on, mechas are giant robots. They’re either self-aware or mystical machines piloted by others. Needless to say, Japanese and American televisions were filled with these beings before the first Gundam.
10 Gigantor (1963) Ushered In One Of The Earliest Mechas
Released in Japan in 1963, Tetsujin 28-go, known to the U.S. market as Gigantor, was the first giant robot anime. However, it wasn’t the first manga super robot. That credit goes to 1948’s Atomic Powered Android.
Still, Gigantor is literally and figuratively a big thing. The story of a 12-year-old boy and his remote-controlled “Iron Man,” the series is the second anime to be released in North America. Furthermore, in 1966, it inspired the Hanna-Barbera cartoon Frankenstein Jr.
9 Astroganger (1972) Is The First Super Robot Anime In Color
It took nearly a decade until another super robot emerged on the anime scene: 1972’s Astroganger Z. Though the boy and his robot concept is similar to Gigantor, other major differences shift it into another category.
For instance, Astroganger is a robot made with living metal. It’s also sentient, so it talks, thinks, and feels pain. On the production side, Astroganger Z became the first super robot show to be in color.
8 Mazinger Z (1972) Introduced The Concept Of A Piloted Robot
Known as Tranzor Z in the U.S., Mazinger Z is the first true mecha anime. It is also considered a prototype for future Gundams. The reason is that Mazinger Z only becomes active when it merges with its human pilot.
This is Koji Kabuto, the grandson of the man who created the robot using the Super Alloy of Japanium. To engage with Mazinger, the boy flies a hovercraft into its head. From there, he controls its strength, flight, and additional capabilities. Not only was Mazinger Z extremely popular during its original run but it also resulted in eight sequels.
7 Getter Robo (1974) Introduced The Concept Of Transforming Robots
American audiences know about transforming robots from Voltron. In the most well-known version, five members of the Lion Force merge to create the giant Defender of the Universe. In another, fifteen land, sea, and air vehicles form another version of the mecha.
Neither of these would’ve happened if not for 1974’s Getter Robo. In this anime, three pilots fly jet units called Eagle, Bear, and Jaguar. The Getter alloys they’re made of allow them to form into three different mecha combinations, depending on the current needs.
6 Steel Jeeg (1975) Features A Giant Robot With Interchangeable Parts
In the 1980s, Ruby-Spears Productions released Centurions: Power Xtreme. Based on a popular line of action figures, the series focuses on three soldiers who fight evil on land, sea, and air. They are provided interchangeable parts via a molecular transportation system.
Steel Jeeg has a similar concept. Here, the robot’s interchangeable parts are delivered by the Big Shooter Jet. These are requested by the mecha’s pilot, Hiroshi Shiba. He’s a former race car driver who becomes a cyborg after being mortally wounded. Through his connections, the young man controls Steel Jeeg’s actions.
5 Brave Raideen (1975) Is A Protector From A Lost Continent
Despite having similar tropes to other super robots, there’s a lot of history connected to Brave Raideen. It’s the first anime mecha to be based on myth instead of science as it resurfaced after the Demon Empire awakens to conquer Earth. It’s also revealed that Raideen transforms into a rocket ship when required.
For collectors of Japanese robots, Raideen probably looks familiar. He’s one of the mecha trio known as the Shogun Warriors. Fans of Gundam should also take a closer look at Brave Raideen: t’s directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino — the man who co-created Mobile Suit Gundam.
4 UFO Warrior Daiapolon (1976) Is One Of The First Wearable Mecha Anime
1976 is a huge year for mechas. Eight anime series premiered on Japanese television networks during this time. One of these was UFO Warrior Daiapolon. In some ways, it set precedents for future super robot programs, yet it still had some basic mecha tropes.
The main protagonist is 16-year-old Takeshi, a boy who creates a football team at his American orphanage. He learns he’s the child of an alien queen and has energy powers to summon underground UFOs. Piloted by Takeshi and two of his teammates, they form UFO Warrior. However, using a Key Energy device in his chest, the young man grows to the point he can wear the robot shell like armor – thus, a Gundam precursor.
3 Blocker Gundan 4 Machine Blaster’s (1976) Four Robots Turn Into A Fire Ring
Super robot shows up to this point are comprised of a single mechanical being. Machine Blaster changed this. Using the seemingly standard scenario of an alien invasion, this time an advanced race under the ocean, Professor Yuri creates four super robots. These are piloted by a quartet of young men led by Ishida.
Separately, the Machine Blaster Corps has its own weapons. However, when combined, they create a fire ring that slashes across all enemies. Unfortunately, Machine Blaster couldn’t hold up to the other mecha shows introduced in 1976,
2 Robo Combattler V (1976) Was Part Of America’s Shogun Warriors Toy Line
Like Raideen, the mecha protagonist in Robo Combattler V is also part of the American Shogun Warriors line. Though the toy made it across the Pacific, the anime did not. Nevertheless, its popularity deems it a show to watch.
The first part of the Romance Super Robot Trilogy, Robo Combattler V involves the alien invasion of Earth (naturally) by a race with biomechanical slave beasts. It’s up to the Battle Team, four male pilots and one female, to fight the Campbell Empire in their individual vehicles and combined. In the end, it sounds like a certain Defender of the Universe that was introduced in the 1980s.
1 In Groizer X (1976), The Mecha Is An Early Transformer
Groizer X is somewhat unique in mecha anime. Though it isn’t as popular as other super robot shows, the mechanical star has appeared in animated shows and movies of different mecha. Furthermore, in other locations across the globe, Groizer X is considered part of the Mazinger series.
As usual, a race of aliens is intent on conquering Earth. Emerging from their hidden Arctic base, they capture a scientist, Dr. Yan, who is tasked to build them a transformable robot, Groizer X. The mecha escapes with Yan’s daughter and lands in Japan. She and the robot are rescued by Jo Kaisaka, who takes control of Grozier to defeat the aliens.
About The Author
[ad_2]
