'0 Tester' review: A surprising experience that exceeds expectations

"Zero Tester": The appeal of 70s sci-fi anime and its historical significance

■Overview of the work

"Zero Tester" is a Japanese science fiction anime series that aired in 1974 and was produced by Kansai Television and Tohokushinsha. The 66-episode series follows the exploits of the Earth Defense Force "Zero Tester" in space, and was particularly noted for its unique mecha design and storytelling. It was written by Yoshitake Suzuki and directed by Ryosuke Takahashi, with character design by Munehiro Minowa and mechanic design by John Dedowa.

■ Story

In the year 2100, humanity has begun to expand into space, but the mechanical humans known as the Armanoid Aliens stand in their way. To fight back against the Armanoid Aliens who have begun their invasion of Earth, three members of the "0 Tester" team, Fubuki Shin, Araishi Goh, and Lisa, who use new weapons developed by Dr. Tachibana, play an active role. They face various challenges to protect the Earth.

■Explanation

"Zero Tester" is a science fiction anime created with a Japanese version of "Thunderbirds" in mind, and is the second work by Sunrise (Soeisha). From episode 39 onwards, the title was changed to "Zero Tester: Protect the Earth!", and the story was created with a younger audience in mind. This work symbolizes the science fiction boom in the Japanese animation industry at the time, and had a major impact on the subsequent development of robot and mecha anime.

■Cast

• Fubuki Shin: Akira Kamiya
• Go Araishi: Tomoharu Takeo
• Lisa: Yoko Asagami
• Captain Kenmochi: Taichiro Hirokawa
• Dr. Tachibana: Kiyoshi Kawakubo
• Yang: Shun Yashiro
• Hiroshi: Noriko Ohara
• Vice-captain: Mitsuo Yokoi

■ Main staff

• Planning: Kansai Television, Tohokushinsha
• Original author: Yoshitake Suzuki
• Character design: Munehiro Minowa
• Mechanical design and concept: John Dedowa
• Art director: Jiro Kono
• Animation director: Kazuo Nakamura
• Director of photography: Kumagai Horo (episodes 1-39), Sano Yukuhiko (episodes 40-66)
• Editing: Tsurubuchi Eiga (episodes 1-39), Tomoaki Tsurubuchi (Tsurubuchi Eiga) (episodes 40-66)
• Recording Director: Toshio Sato
• Music: Naozumi Yamamoto
• Chief Director: Ryosuke Takahashi
• Producers: Hiroshi Miwa (Kansai TV), Yoshinori Kishimoto
• Produced by Kansai Television, Soeisha

■Theme song

• Opening theme "Zero Tester"
  • Lyricist: Yoshitake Suzuki
  • Composition and Arrangement: Naozumi Yamamoto
  • Sung by: Shimon Masato
  • Record company: Warner Pioneer Records
• Ending theme "Aisuru Daichi"
  • Lyricist: Ryosuke Takahashi
  • Composition and Arrangement: Naozumi Yamamoto
  • Vocals: Royal Knights
  • Record company: Warner Pioneer Records
• Opening theme after title change: "Zero Tester, Protect the Earth!"
  • Lyricist: Masami Sugiyama
  • Composition and Arrangement: Naozumi Yamamoto
  • Sung by: Suginami Children's Choir
  • Record company: Warner Pioneer Records
• Ending theme after title change: "Earth Fortress Super 5"
  • Lyricist: Yoshitake Suzuki
  • Composition and Arrangement: Naozumi Yamamoto
  • Vocals: Royal Knights
  • Record company: Warner Pioneer Records

■ Main Characters

• Fubuki Shin

  Tester No. 1, Mark 1 pilot, 15 years old. A former jet rider, the protagonist has sharp reflexes and intelligence. He volunteered to be a 0 tester in order to search for his father who went missing in space.

• Araki Go

  Tester No. 1, Mark 2 pilot, 20 years old. He set off into space with the Space Pioneers, but the group was wiped out in an attack by the Armanoid Aliens. He volunteered to become Tester 0 in order to get revenge. He feels a sense of rivalry towards Fubuki.

• Lisa

  Tester No. 1, Mark 3, female pilot, 15 years old. When she was 8 years old, she was adrift in space in a rocket, but was rescued by Dr. Tachibana. Dr. Tachibana recognized her daring personality and drive, and she joined the 0 Tester.

• Dr. Tachibana

  He is the chief executive officer of the Tester Corps and is highly regarded as the most intelligent man on Earth. He develops weapons against the Armanoids at the Future Chemical Development Center. He is also Lisa's adoptive father.

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: The birth of the Zero Tester
• Episode 2: Hit the Hurricane Top
• Episode 3: The Space Pitfall
• Episode 4: SOS! First Planet Base
• Episode 5: The terrifying human transformation machine
• Episode 6: Tester No. 3 is on the move!
• Episode 7: Blow up the underground power plant
• Episode 8: Antarctic takeover
• Episode 9: Fubuki! Zero Life Support
• Episode 10: The Earth is Burning
• Episode 11: Protect the Laser Car!
• Episode 12: Attack the Space Fortress!
• Episode 13: The Armanoid's Gift
• Episode 14: Moebius Strikes Back
• Episode 15: A Close Call! The Three Are Targeted
• Episode 16: Save the Sun
• Episode 17: The Undersea City is Targeted
• Episode 18: Space Jellyfish Polyve
• Episode 19: The Demon Star Silver Bronco
• Episode 20: The Crazy Artificial Sun
• Episode 21: The Hijacked Tanker Spaceship
• Episode 22: The terror of 10,000 kilometers per second
• Episode 23: Shoot down the planetary machine
• Episode 24: A Space Ghost Appears!!
• Episode 25: Break through the spider web barrier
• Episode 26: Monster Brain Mad
• Episode 27: Secret Tester Z1
• Episode 28: The artificial island is under attack!
• Episode 29: Professor Tachibana's Betrayal?
• Episode 30: Fierce Battle! Confronting Dekuninger
• Episode 31: A Formidable Enemy! The Great Robot Fortress
• Episode 32: The Counterattack of Modified Bargis
• Episode 33: The Armanoid Deep Sea Trap
• Episode 34: The Captain's Desperate Counterattack
• Episode 35: The Appearance of the Mechanical Plant Dailer
• Episode 36: Frozen Man Battle!
• Episode 37: The Target is the Zero Tester
• Episode 38: Zero Robot Appears
• Episode 39: The End of the Formidable Varghese
• Episode 40: Garos Seven appears
• Episode 41: The Attack of Animal Garos
• Episode 42: Here Comes the Dinosaur Army!
• Episode 43: Intense! Ashuranger
• Episode 44: Fire Garos' Ambush!
• Episode 45: Espergaros' Challenge
• Episode 46: The Monster Gamagaros
• Episode 47: Three-stage transformation Garos
• Episode 48: The Terror of the Mechanical Ants
• Episode 49: The Trial of Zero Flight
• Episode 50: Go! Crusher 7
• Episode 51: The Invisible Garos Trap
• Episode 52: The Three Stars Take Off
• Episode 53: Unit 2 Fortification Plan
• Episode 54: Zero Charge in the Deep Sea
• Episode 55: Shoot the Garos Express!
• Episode 56: The Phantom Zero Tester
• Episode 57: Underground Garos Scorpion
• Episode 58: Transform Zero Buggy!
• Episode 59: Escape from Bomb Island
• Episode 60: Demon Specter Garos
• Episode 61: The Secret of the Boy Robot Yuuki
• Episode 62: SOS! Robot Competition
• Episode 63: The Laughter of Hell Garos
• Episode 64: The Terrifying Cyborg Plan
• Episode 65: Approaching the Armanoid Planet
• Episode 66: The End of Planet Armanoid

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"Zero Tester" was highly praised for its unique mecha design and storytelling. In particular, the mecha design by John Dedwa left a strong impression on viewers at the time. The story also had a variety of developments, and the space battle scenes and the tension of the Earth's defense drew viewers in. The title change and change in the story direction after episode 39 were strategic attempts to suit the age group of viewers, and it can be said that they influenced subsequent anime production.

■ Historical Significance

"Zero Tester" is a work that symbolizes the science fiction boom in the Japanese animation industry in the 1970s, and had a major impact on the subsequent development of robot and mecha anime. In particular, it is noteworthy that as one of Sunrise's (Soeisha) early works, it contributed to the company's subsequent success. In addition, the production style, which was reminiscent of the Japanese version of "Thunderbirds," gave viewers at the time a fresh surprise and expanded the possibilities of science fiction anime.

■ Recommendations and related works

For viewers who enjoyed "Zero Tester," we also recommend other 70s sci-fi anime such as "Mazinger Z" and "Getter Robo." These works also have a common appeal with "Zero Tester" in terms of mecha design and storytelling. For modern sci-fi anime fans, we also recommend the "Gundam Series" and "Evangelion." These works were influenced by "Zero Tester," but offer even more evolved stories and mecha designs.

Conclusion

"Zero Tester" is an important work in the Japanese anime industry of the 1970s, and its unique mecha design and storytelling are still loved by many fans today. "Zero Tester" is an essential work for understanding the history of science fiction anime and the subsequent development of anime works. Please rediscover the charm of 70s science fiction anime through this work.