Majin….Go!!!!!! Pilder….On!!!!!
When Go Nagai released in 1968 his series Harenchi Gakuen within the first issues of Weekly Shonen Jump magazine, the mangaka generated strong reactions. Outcry of support from fans and artists like Osamu Tezuka, who praised his bold storytelling, humanistic themes, and strong imagery. But also vicious attacks from adults and Parent-Teacher associations who attacked his work as puerile, violent, and anti-authority. Attacks that fuelled him into tackling those prejudices and vile attacks in three bold ways.
First with the classic Devilman, whose anti-war and anti-discrimination manga would rank him among the top 10 best mangas of all time. Then the magical girl series Cutie Honey with its feminist narrative and psychedelic imagery. And finally, Mazinger Z. A shonen manga released in Shonen Jump Magazine, and adapted simultaneously in a TV series. An anime that would last two years and tackle the same anti-war topics. Through a story that recounts how archaeological experts exploring an archaeological site in the Mediterranean Sea uncovered the remains of giant robots that the Mycenae Empire built during its existence. Among those scientists, a man called Doctor Hell would get caught in their tempting technology and decides to plot a conquer of the world with those machines alongside others he would invent. But before that, he decides to murder all his colleagues so that none would know of his discoveries and plan to conquer the world.
Of them all, only one survives.
Dr. Juzo Kabuto, who fled the island and returned to Japan. Working at the Photo Atomic Institute near Mt Fuji to work on his projects. First, on his discovery of the Japanium metal (only available inside that mountain), then his conception of the Photo Atomic Energy, and finally his invention of the Super Alloy Z, a metal stronger than steel, to make Mazinger Z. An 18 metres tall robot filled with powerful weapons which only a pilot can manipulate by piloting a Pilder (sort of glider) into the head of the robot. Gaining control of that machine. A gift Juzo Kabuto’s grandson, Koji Kabuto, shall inherit after Dr. Hell’s henchmen murder his grandfather. And it is with the help of Gennosuke Yumi (the new owner of the Photon Research Institute), Sayaka Yumi (pilot of the robot Aphrodite A), their friend Boss, Nuke and Mucha (future pilots of the Boss Robot), and his brother Shiro that Koji shall enter a several years long war against the army of Dr. Hell and his two accomplices; Baron Ashura and Count Broken.
Nowadays, such anime concept is conventional with all the countless super robot series that exist in Japan. But Mazinger Z was the first to introduce that genre into the manga/anime culture. And unlike other series that treated the robots like ordinary machines, Mazinger Z displays quite well the connection between the pilot and his/her robot. How Koji, Sayaka and Boss’s souls are united with their machines, and express what the machines feel during a fight. A concept that the Neon Genesis Evangelion series would push further with its Eva Robots. And unlike other series that tend to portray war conflicts as a funny pastime game, Mazinger Z keeps reminding to us how Dr Hell and his people are dangerous. Can kill whoever stands in their way, whatever their gender and age. Indeed, through the entire series, Dr Hell and his men do not hesitate murdering in cold blood innocent passerbys; or in destroying boats, trains, buildings, and planes filled with many people inside. Even animals if necessary. As such, the cruelty of the antagonists is a constant reminder of the horror of war, but also a clear message to the audience that they should not treat such topic as a game. That the characters in that series go through a war, that people do die in them, that War is not a game, and can kill/destroy lives.
Such as those of the main characters as they have lost a grandfather. But also of other guest characters they shall meet in some episodes. Though I will not name any of them. And as in all great series, Mazinger Z has the intelligence to present flawed heroes. With prejudices and bad traits that can hinder them in their everyday life and missions. And Koji Kabuto is such an example. For although he is bold, courageous, and has a sense of justice, Koji is a macho and an impulsive/short-fused individual. Making him clash numerous times with Sayaka who wants to be more involved into the fights with Aphrodite A, but has to deal with Koji and her father’s prejudices about women not being as strong as men for such conflicts. Of course, such views are chauvinistic. But it also shows how more stories in the 1970s were trying to present pro-active women that refuse to stand on the sideline and are ready to be part of the fight at the cost of their own lives. Even though it meant they’d clash with their families. And although if for Professor Yumi, his views are influenced by his fear to see his daughter dying on the field, for Koji, his attitude remains quite sexist and close-minded. Nevertheless, that a series takes the time to portray a hero with prejudices and flaws is the way to great storytelling and conflicts. Just like his short-fused attitude and impulsive way to tackle danger makes him his worst enemy; the biggest flaw in Mazinger Z’s piloting. For at times, he can almost cost the entire mission to be ruined due to his cockiness. So it makes the series more dramatic and creates a new tension for the whole show.
In its animation, Toei Animation is behind it. Meaning, like most shows they produce, that the budget is limited, not as rich as a Disney production. And does at times reuses certain shots for its mounting of Mazinger Z, but also of the characters talking. And if you do take a look at the first episodes, the animation is not as refined as in later episodes. From what I understood in my researches, Toei Animation was going through an animator strike, forcing the studio to use other studios for the work. Therefore at times, some visual effects come out differently for certain attacks and the character/animation design is not as honed as in the future episodes. Nevertheless, the series is very well drawn and the backgrounds, all hand-painted, display beautifully the evolution of Japan’s landscapes through the seasons and years, but also during the War between Dr. Hell and Mazinger Z. Indeed, many fights happen in nature and fields; in scenes filmed with the same energy you’d see in a samurai or spaghetti western films. Which makes sense as Spaghetti Westerns were influenced by Japanese cinema.
Nevertheless, I do want to pinpoint out that in episode 36, 25 seconds in it are now presented only in Black and White on the Discotek DVD release. As I wrote to Discotek Media about this matter, asking them if it was an artistic decision or a colour issue in the movie reel they received, they replied to a like for my tweet. Which makes me think that this moment in the episode is indeed a damaged section of the episode. So I do hope that people at Toei Animation can repair these few seconds that do not hurt the episode, but do pinpoint out the fragility of movie reels.
Now for all the praises I gave for this pioneering series, I do have a few flaws to mention.
Firstly, the large quantity of 92 episodes for Mazinger Z. Done evidently in answer to the incredible popularity of the series in Japan which, when you look at the production credits of the show, makes you notice how several animation directors were working simultaneously on their own episodes. And as much as many of these episodes were great, I do wish twenty of them could have been diverted into the Cutie Honey and Devilman anime series, which deserved a richer conclusion over their crusade against the Demon Tribe and The Panther Claw organisation, especially as Tomoharu Katsumata was the showrunner on those three series that ran simultaneously. And in Cutie Honey/Devilman, there were qualities which Mazinger Z lacked. Such as a richer dive into the psychology of its characters. For we never dive further into the souls and anguishes of Koji Kabuto and Sayaka, nor into Dr Yumi’s thoughts and scientific dilemmas. And another missed psychological opportunity would be for Dr Hell and his henchmen, whose origins we are never given proper details as to why they do the things they do. Including the reasons that would push Dr Hell for a desire to dominate the World.
Secondly, although I loved the large majority of the characters, only one did annoy the hell out of me. And that person is Misato. A cousin of Boss whom the Center decides to employ as a housekeeper for Shiro and Koji. And from her first appearance in the 64th episode Woman 007 VS Brocken devilish homicide, this simple housekeeper manages to outsmart terrorists that have hijacked the entire Photon Power Laboratory, pilots a helicopter like a Charles Lindbergh expert, and gets the instant admiration and love of everyone in the Research Center. Except Sayaka who looks at her suspiciously. From that moment, the show makes Misato a major ally into the war against Dr Hell, and a receiver of constant flatteries and flirts from all the male characters in the series that irritated me. Because here is this third rank character getting more attention than Sayaka; stealing her spotlight in many ways, being a born-talent better than many, while getting praises from Professor Yumi who decides to employ her as an daredevil agent even though she has never been trained as such. And all of that narrative is forced upon us. For we are being told to like this character even though she is pointless and Sayaka could have accomplished everthing Misato does. In the end, I think her presence was meant to create more conflict between Sayaka and Koji. But it doesn’t work and I guess other fans must have expressed the same feelings since Misato has never reappeared in the other Mazinger series. In the end, that character who could have been a great background ally was treated like a Mary Sue. And in such a gratuitous way that makes me just glad to see her go away at the end of the series.
As for the lack of psychological/character episodes, I do find it a shame because of those that do appear in Mazinger Z; such as in the Three headed beast machine of terror, Enigmatic robot Minerva X, Kouji’s crisis, Sayaka mobilizes Mazinger!, or the excellent Don’t cry Kouji! The life placed in the Cross!, these episodes stand out among the best as they offer emotional storytelling and heartbreaking scenes that affect the main characters and their convictions. And their rare presence in the show’s run is sad as they would have offered the show more dive into the characters personality. Especially of Koji as his personality could have been further explored.
Fortunately, as the series ends at the appearance of a new army, and a new Mazinger/pilot called Great Mazinger, this new sequel would allow the artists behind Mazinger Z to learn from their flaws and present richer adventures involving Super Robots fighting against enemies of Peace.
But that is another review for another day.
Omnes's Oasis 