Tetsujin 28: The appeal and reputation of the classic robot anime

Tetsujin 28: A monumental giant robot anime

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

Period 1: October 20, 1963 - May 25, 1966 Broadcast every Sunday from October 20, 1963 to May 27, 1965, 20:00 - 20:30 * Until April 5, 1964, episode 25 Broadcast every Thursday from 19:00 - 19:30 * From April 16, 1964, episode 26 onwards Period 2: September 1, 1965 - November 24, 1965, rebroadcast until May 25, 1966, 18:15 - 18:45 onwards

97 episodes in total, 84 episodes in Season I (83 episodes in total + birth episode) 13 episodes in Season II

■Broadcasting station

Fuji TV Network

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 97

■Original Story

Mitsuteru Yokoyama (serialized in the magazine "Shonen")

■ Production

TCJ (now Aiken)

■Works

©Hikari Production Aiken

■ Story

At the request of the former Japanese military, Dr. Kaneda created the giant robot Tetsujin 28. Depending on how it is controlled by the remote control, Tetsujin can become either a champion of justice or a minion of the devil, and various evil organizations plot to get their hands on him.
Dr. Kaneda's son, Shotaro, joins forces with Dr. Shikishima and Chief Otsuka to control Tetsujin 28 for justice and peace, and performs great feats!

■Explanation

Based on Mitsuteru Yokoyama's representative manga, this work is a monumental work in the early days of television anime. At the same time, it is the root of one of the representative genres of Japanese anime, "giant robots," and has had a strong influence on many works, including "Mazinger Z."
The series was scheduled to end with 83 episodes plus the origin story, but due to overwhelming support from viewers, 13 new episodes were broadcast and 26 episodes were rebroadcast.

■Cast

・Shotaro Kaneda/Kazue Takahashi ・Dr. Shikishima/Minoru Yada ・Chief Otsuka/Koichi Tomita (now Kosei Tomita)
・Murasame Kenji/Ando Toshio ・Narrator/Shiraishi Fuyumi, Fujimoto Yuzuru

■ Main staff

・Original story by Mitsuteru Yokoyama (serialized in the magazine "Shonen")
・Chief Director: Kazuo Ihara ・Direction: Kiyoshi Onishi, Yonehiko Watanabe, Isao Yamamoto, Isao Kawachi, and others ・Adaptation: Ashie Group ・Animation: Tsuneo Komuro, Tadao Wakabayashi ・Background: Shunroku Hoshi ・Music: Hidehiko Arashi (TV Kobo)
・Dialogue direction: Mitsuo Ohno

■ Main Characters

Shotaro Kaneda is a young detective who fights against evil alongside his father's son, Tetsujin 28.
A scientist involved in the development of Tetsujin. He is like a father to Shotaro.
Chief Otsuka: A police officer with a wide range of emotions, compassion and a strong sense of justice.
・Dr. Kaneda is the creator of Tetsujin. He entrusts Tetsujin to Shotaro before dying.
Murasame Kenji: A reliable older brother figure who speaks in a yakuza-like tone and is an expert with a gun.

■ Main robot items

-Tetsujin 28: A robot developed by the former Imperial Japanese Army as a weapon to turn things around.
-Black Ox: Possesses a high level of independent thinking and has power greater than that of an Iron Man.

■ Theme songs and music

・OP
・"Tetsujin 28"
Lyrics: Toriro Miki Music: Toriro Miki Song: Duke Aces Ending theme
・"Shotaro March"
Lyrics: Akira Ito Composer: Nobuyoshi Koshibe

The appeal and influence of Tetsujin 28

Tetsujin 28-go is a Japanese anime series that aired from 1963 to 1966, and its historical significance and influence are immeasurable. Based on the original manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, this work established a new genre of giant robots and had a huge influence on later anime works. Below, we will take a closer look at the appeal and influence of Tetsujin 28-go.

Story and characters of Tetsujin 28

The story of Tetsujin 28 revolves around a giant robot called Tetsujin 28, developed by Dr. Kaneda at the request of the former Japanese military. Tetsujin 28 is controlled by remote control and can be either a champion of justice or a tool of evil. This setting was a precursor to themes such as "the relationship between pilot and robot" and "robot autonomy" in later robot anime.

The main character, Shotaro Kaneda, is a young detective who follows his father's wishes and uses Tetsujin 28 to fight against evil organizations. Shotaro's character is full of courage and a sense of justice, and made a strong impression on viewers. In addition, supporting characters such as Dr. Shikishima, Chief Otsuka, and Kenji Murasame are also unique and play an important role in adding excitement to the story.

Technology and innovation in anime production

Although Tetsujin 28 was produced in the early days of television animation, it was also revolutionary in terms of production techniques. In particular, the ingenuity used to realistically depict the movements of the giant robot and the intricacy of the background art were groundbreaking for the time. In terms of storytelling, too, each episode featured a different villainous organization or incident, successfully capturing the interest of viewers.

Thanks to the efforts of the staff, including chief director Kazuo Ihara, Tetsujin 28 was completed as a high-quality animation. The music was also by Hidehiko Arashi, and the theme song "Tetsujin 28" and the ending song "Shotaro March" are still loved by many fans today.

Social impact of Tetsujin 28

Tetsujin 28 established a new genre of giant robots and had a major influence on subsequent anime works. In particular, it can be said that "Mazinger Z" and the "Gundam" series, which sparked the robot anime boom from the 1970s onwards, were heavily influenced by Tetsujin 28.

Tetsujin 28 also aroused children's interest in science and technology, inspiring some to become scientists and engineers. Furthermore, by depicting universal themes such as the conflict between good and evil, friendship and courage, it deeply touched viewers. These elements are one of the reasons why Tetsujin 28 continues to be loved to this day.

The remake of Tetsujin 28 and its reviews

Due to its popularity and influence, Tetsujin 28 has been remade many times. A new anime series was produced in the 1980s, and a remake using CG was released in the 2000s. These remakes convey the appeal of the original to the modern day while incorporating new perspectives and techniques, making them popular with a wide range of generations.

In particular, the 2004 remake of "Tetsujin 28" was highly praised for faithfully recreating the original story while using CG technology to create realistic visuals. The 2010 film version of "Tetsujin 28" also drew attention for its story that delved deeply into the themes of the original and its all-star cast. These remakes have reaffirmed the universal appeal of Tetsujin 28 and have provided new entertainment for fans.

Tetsujin 28 fan community and events

Tetsujin 28 continues to be loved by many fans even after the series has ended. This is evidenced by the popularity of Tetsujin 28 cosplay and merchandise at anime events and comic markets held all over the country. In addition, fans are active on the Internet, exchanging information and posting fan art, and communities have formed through social media and blogs.

In addition, there are fan clubs and official events for Tetsujin 28, where fans can interact with each other and share new information. These activities play an important role in rediscovering the appeal of Tetsujin 28 and passing it on to the next generation.

Tetsujin 28-go merchandise and collector's items

There is a wide range of merchandise for Tetsujin 28-go, including figurines, models, T-shirts, and posters. These goods are memorabilia for fans and valuable as collector's items. In particular, limited edition figurines and reproduction models are highly rare and can be traded at high prices.

Additionally, the original manga and anime DVDs and Blu-rays of Tetsujin 28 are also popular and have become must-have items for fans. These goods recreate the world of Tetsujin 28 and are an important element in supporting the passion of fans.

The educational value of Tetsujin 28

Tetsujin 28 not only stimulates children's interest in science and technology, but also has educational value by depicting universal themes such as the conflict between good and evil, friendship and courage. In particular, Shotaro's courage and sense of justice have a positive influence on children, helping them develop moral judgment.

The story of Tetsujin 28 also depicts the progress of science and technology and its ethical issues, providing viewers with deep insight. These elements are one of the reasons why Tetsujin 28 is also evaluated as an educational anime.

The Future and Prospects of Tetsujin 28

Given its historical significance and influence, Tetsujin 28 is expected to continue to be developed in various forms in the future, especially in the form of a remake using new technologies such as VR and AR, as well as the possibility of expanding into overseas markets.

Furthermore, the themes and characters of Tetsujin 28 can be interpreted and expressed in new ways by linking them to the issues and values ​​of modern society. These efforts will further deepen the appeal of Tetsujin 28 and play an important role in passing it on to the next generation.

Recommendations and reviews for Tetsujin 28

Tetsujin 28 is a monumental giant robot anime whose historical significance and influence are immeasurable. It is praised for a variety of elements, including the appeal of its story, the individuality of its characters, the innovativeness of its production techniques, and its social influence. In addition, there are active remakes, merchandise, and fan communities, and the charm of Tetsujin 28 continues to be loved by many people even today.

Tetsujin 28 is a work that can be recommended to a wide range of generations, from children to adults, and has great educational value. In particular, it stimulates interest in science and technology, and deeply moves viewers by depicting universal themes such as the conflict between good and evil, friendship and courage. Tetsujin 28 is a work that gives viewers courage and hope, and its appeal will shine forever.