I know there are alot of European forumites here, and I know that at least SOME OF YOU know exactly what Mazinger Z is.
OK, for a quick review. Mazinger Z is considered to be Go Nagai's most popular creation. Unlike Devilman, the anime version of this work was circulated throughout the world, and was a HUMUNGOUS hit in various European countries.
Yet, sadly, this work has yet to be brought to the U.S......just like a vast majority of Go Nagai's work.
This particular franchise is phenomenal on so many levels. It was the VERY FIRST piloted mecha in history (The giant super robot was pioneered by Tetsujin 28-go AKA Gigantor a few years earlier by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, a contemporary of Osamu Tezuka). It was also one of the first few franchises to be circulated internationally.
This work basically created the many archetypes that would become stock elements in several other super robot shows.
The story is basically quite simplistic, as is the overall plot. It tells the story of Koji, the grandson of Dr. Juzo Kabuto. It seems that earlier on, a crazed scientist named Dr. Hell has discovered the ruins of the ancient Mikinese Empire. Within the ruins, he discovered Mechanical Beasts, which were steel golems that the anicient Mikinese Empire controlled by Remote Control. When Dr. Hell discovers the possibilities of this discovery, he goes on a rampage and kills his fellow archaeologists.
Now, Dr. Kabuto, forseeing this danger, constructs a giant mechanized humanoid robot out of a ultra-durable material called Chogokin Z. However, without the pilot, it is nothing more than a huge piece of junk.
That's where Koji comes in. Before Dr. Kabuto dies, he gives Koji the secret that will allow him to control the robot.....a small hovering vehicle called the Hover Pilder. All that Koji has to do is pilot the Hover Pilder up to the robot, and land inside his head. He then takes over the function of being the robots brain, and controls him.
He dubs the robot Mazinger Z. He must now fight against the evil Dr. Hell in his attempts to take over the world.
Sounds neat, huh?
The design of Mazinger Z, and indeed the concept, was inspired by Daimajin, which was a legendary mythical stone samurai hero who was the inspiration for the Daimajin Trilogy of tokukatsu films.
Like Devilman, Mazinger Z eventually became a part of an unofficial trilogy, which together included Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, and Grendizer.
Although the original is completely absent in the U.S., the OAV remake, Mazinkaiser, is. This is my only complete exposure to Mazinger Z, and its a crying shame.
So, to all of my European friends here on the forum, don't take Mazinger Z for granted. You guys are in possesion of something quite special.
I hope that, one day, Mazinger Z will be availabe here in the U.S., the manga AND the anime.
