Brave Raideen: A thorough review of the legendary robot anime

Brave Raideen - Brave Raideen

overview

Brave Reideen is a Japanese anime television series that aired from 1975 to 1976. The 50-episode series was animated by Tatsunoko Productions and produced by Tohokushinsha and NET (now TV Asahi). It was directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino (now known as Yoshiyuki Tomino) and Tadao Nagahama, and is based on the original story by Yoshitake Suzuki. The anime is known for its tale of giant robots and heroes.

story

The story revolves around the battles of Akira, a hero who controls a giant robot called "Reideen," a relic of an ancient civilization, and his companions. As they fight against the alien "Demon Beasts" that have invaded Earth, Akira and his companions grow and learn the importance of friendship and courage. Reideen is a robot that combines ancient power with modern science and technology, and its design and battle scenes had a huge impact on children at the time.

character

Akira

The main character is the pilot of the Reideen. He is a brave boy with a strong sense of justice. He fights against the Demon Beasts together with his friends.

Mali

Akira's childhood friend and Reideen's supporter. With her bright and cheerful personality, she supports Akira.

Takeru

Akira's best friend and Raideen's mechanic. He is knowledgeable about machines and is in charge of Raideen's maintenance.

Demon Beast

Aliens are trying to invade the Earth. They control various monsters and robots to fight against Akira and his friends.

Background

"Brave Reideen" was born during the giant robot boom of the 1970s. At the time, popular works such as "Mazinger Z" and "Getter Robo" were being broadcast, and Tatsunoko Productions jumped on the bandwagon by producing "Brave Reideen." This was director Yoshiyuki Tomino's first time directing a robot anime, and it had a major impact on his subsequent career. Nagahama Tadao, who took over as director midway through the series, also played an important role, including later being involved in the production of "Mobile Suit Gundam."

Evaluation and impact

"Brave Raideen" was highly praised by children at the time. In particular, Raideen's design and battle scenes drew attention as something that set it apart from other robot anime. Also, the themes of friendship and courage depicted in the story deeply moved viewers. This work had a major influence on later robot anime, and continues to be loved by many fans.

Broadcast information

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

April 4, 1975 - March 25, 1976

■Broadcasting station

NET

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 50

■Original Story

Suzuki Yoshitake

■ Director

・Direction: Yoshiyuki Tomino → Tadao Nagahama

■ Production

Produced by Tohokushinsha, NET, animation by Tatsunoko Productions, production cooperation by Soeisha

Detailed episode introduction

"Brave Raideen" is a long series consisting of 50 episodes, each of which depicts a battle with a different Demon Beast. Below are some episodes.

Episode 1: "The Birth of Raideen"

The story begins with Akira meeting Raideen, a legacy of an ancient civilization. As the peaceful Earth is threatened by the attacks of Demon Beasts, Akira rises up as a pilot of Raideen. In this episode, the design and battle scenes of Raideen were shown for the first time, leaving a strong impression on viewers.

Episode 10: The Power of Friendship

This episode tests Akira and Takeru's friendship. Due to the Demon Beast's schemes, the two are temporarily at odds, but they eventually regain their friendship and work together to defeat the Demon Beast. This episode emphasized the importance of friendship and left a deep impression on viewers.

Episode 25 "Mari's Determination"

In this episode, Mari plays an important role as Raideen's supporter. When Akira is in a pinch due to the Demon Beast's attack, Mari gathers up all her courage to support Raideen and lead him to victory. This episode depicted Mari's growth and courage, deeply moving viewers.

Episode 50: The Final Battle

This is the climax of the story. Akira and his friends face the combined force of the Demon Beasts and engage in a final battle. Thanks to Reideen's power and Akira and his friends' courage, the Demon Beasts are defeated and peace returns to Earth. This episode was a deeply moving experience for viewers as the story's themes of courage and friendship reached their peak.

Character design and mechanics

The character designs in "Brave Raideen" reflect the style of Tatsunoko Productions, and many unique and attractive characters appear. In particular, the design of the main character Akira is depicted as a symbol of a brave boy with a strong sense of justice. In addition, the mechanic design of Raideen is unique, reflecting the setting as the legacy of an ancient civilization. Raideen's battle scenes showcase a variety of weapons and techniques, captivating viewers.

Music and Soundtrack

The music of "Brave Raideen" reflected the trends of robot anime at the time, and many heroic and impressive theme songs were used. In particular, the background music played during Raideen's battle scenes left a strong impression on viewers and created a climax to the story. Many character songs and insert songs were also produced, and were loved by viewers.

Fan Community and Events

Even after the broadcast of "Brave Raideen" ended, it continues to be loved by many fans. Many Raideen figures and goods are sold in the fan community, and it is also popular at fan events and conventions. In addition, many fan art and fan fiction are posted on the Internet by fans, providing an opportunity to rediscover the charm of the work.

Remakes and sequels

Even after the broadcast of "Brave Raideen" ended, various remakes and sequels were produced. In particular, in the 1990s, it was remade as an OVA (original video animation), which gained new fans. In the 2000s, it was also developed as a game and comic, further expanding the world view of the work. These remakes and sequels have inherited the charm of the original while depicting the story from a new perspective.

Recommendations and ratings

"Brave Raideen" is a work that symbolizes the giant robot boom of the 1970s, and its design and story are still loved by many fans today. In particular, Raideen's battle scenes and the theme of friendship deeply moved viewers and had a major influence on later robot anime. This work can be enjoyed by children and adults alike, so we highly recommend that you watch it at least once. You can also gain a deeper understanding of the appeal of the work by participating in fan communities and events.

summary

"Brave Reideen" is a Japanese anime television series that aired from 1975 to 1976, and tells the story of a giant robot and a hero. The 50-episode series was animated by Tatsunoko Productions, with Tohokushinsha and NET involved in the production. It was directed by Tomino Yoshiyuki and Nagahama Tadao, and the original story was written by Suzuki Yoshitake. This series was not only highly praised by children at the time, but also had a major influence on later robot anime, and continues to be loved by many fans. Please watch it at least once and experience its charm.