Grendizer
UFO Robo Grendizer (a.k.a. Grandizer in America, Goldorak in France, and Goldrake in Italy and Malta) was a mecha anime show created by legendary Japanese anime artist Go Nagai. It was shown on Japanese TV in 1975. lasting for 74 episodes.
Plot
This is the story as told by one of the characters in the series, Professor Umon:
"Daisuke Umon (or Johnny Bryant in the English version) is the only survivor of the star civilization of Planet Fleed (Antares). His real name is Duke Fleed (Orion Quest). The population of Fleed were a very scientifically advanced people who knew neither war nor subjugation. Then one day Vega the Strong unleashed his merciless saucer squadrons against Fleed. His goal was to destroy the Fleed paradise and make its rich natural resources his own. Duke was the only one who survived. Vega imediately confiscated Fleed's comprehensive science logs and set about using the knowledge to create the ultimate battle robot. He called it Grendizer. Vega's plan was to use it to plunder the universe, but Duke able to block his evil plot. He stole the Grendizer from under Vega's nose and destroyed the computers that held the information of Grendizer's secrets. He fled across space to refuge here on earth, but not before giving the Vegans a taste of their own destruction. Duke chose earth from amongst all the other countless planets because its lush natural environment most reminded him of Fleed. I learned of him as he neared earth. I arranged to hide his ship and safeguard his identity. It all happened about 2 years ago."
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 Gattaigar. The series, which started later the same year, is considered another sequel to the Mazinger 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 Robo Grendizer vs. Great Mazinger, and Great Mazinger/Grendizer/Getter Robo G versus the Great Monster.
Grendizer is best remembered as one of the first anime shows to have a huge success in Europe, particularly in France (known as Goldorak), Italy and Malta (known as Goldrake), where it holds a strong following even today. Grandizer was also one of the most popular anime series ever shown in Arabic countries.
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 then changed his name to Johnny Bryant; Planet Fleed 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).
External links
- Grandizer fan site Story, character profiles, weapons, image gallery, and sound clips.
- Absolute Anime General information, message board, links.
- Goldorak, a.k.a. Grandizer Story, episode guide, links.