The appeal and evaluation of Groizer X: A deep look into the legendary robot anime

Gloizer X - Gloizer X - Detailed Review and Recommendation

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

July 1, 1976 - March 31, 1977
July 1, 1976 - March 31, 1977 Every Thursday 19:30-20:00
39 episodes, 30 minutes each

■Broadcasting station

Tokyo 12 Channel

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 39

■Original Story

Gosaku Oda (Supervised by Go Nagai)

■ Director

Chief Director/Hiroshi Shinsenji

■ Production

Produced by Tokyo 12 Channel, NAC

■ Story

The Gailler Alien, who washed ashore in the Arctic 300 years ago and was in cryosleep waiting for help from their homeworld, was awakened by a nuclear experiment conducted by mankind. Led by the military officer Gerdon, they call themselves the Gailler Empire and begin to conquer the Earth. Rita, a Gailler Alien girl, is entrusted with the super weapon Groizer X by her peace-loving father, Dr. Yang, and escapes the empire alone. Rita soon gets to know the members of the Tobishima pilot team and begins fighting with the Groizer X alongside the young pilot, Kaisaka Jo.

■Explanation

Tokyo 12 Channel's first giant robot anime series is based on a manga by Gosaku Oda, a member of Dynamic Productions, a production company led by Go Nagai, the original creator of Mazinger Z. It depicts the battle between the Gaira Alien, who have set up a base in the North Pole and are plotting to conquer the Earth, and the Tobishima pilot team that fights them back. This is the first anime series to feature a female character as the main robot pilot, even if she is paired with a male.

■Cast

・Umisaka Jo/Furuya Toru・Rita/Nozaki Kimiko・Dr. Yang/Ikeda Masaru・Asuka Hideki/Katsuta Hisashi・Sabu/Sawada Kazuko・Ippei/Sawaki Ikuya・Headmaster/Wakayama Genzo・Emperor Gerdon/Yabuuchi Hideki

■ Main staff

・Producers: Nishino Seiichi, Nakano Shoji, Kondo Hakuo ・Chief Director: Taisenji Hiroshi ・Series Composition: Ando Toyohiro ・Screenplay: Ando Toyohiro, Yoshida Susumu, Ito Tsunehisa, Sakurai Masaaki ・Director: Taisenji Hiroshi, Kanda Takashi, Nitta Kenji, Takagaki Kozo, Sayama Kazushi, Iso Ryo Hajime, and others ・Character Design: Suzuki Takao ・Chief Animation Directors: Tanaka Eiji, Hasegawa Norio ・Art Director: Kato Kiyoshi ・Art: Nakano Ichiro ・Music: Kuni Kawachi ・Directors of Photography: Moriguchi Yosuke, Shima Toshiyuki ・Editing: Yoneyamauchi Junko ・Developing: Toyo Developing Laboratory ・Production Cooperation: Daiko ・Production: Tokyo 12 Channel, NAC

■ Main Characters

Kaihanjo The ace of the Tobishima pilot team, who lives on Akane Island in Tokyo Bay. An orphan who was taken in and raised by Dr. Tobishima. He used to be a delinquent, but his encounter with airplanes made him a much better person. After saving Rita, he becomes the pilot of the Groizer X.

Rita is the daughter of Dr. Yang, a scientist from the Gailler planet. She escapes the Gailler Empire aboard the Groizer X, crash lands on Akane Island, and joins the Tobishima Pilot Team. In order to protect the Earth, she fights a brutal battle against her former compatriots as the co-pilot of the Groizer X.

・Asuka Hideki He is the owner of the Tobishima Pilot Team and an authority on space engineering, and acts as a father figure to Tsuyoshi. He loves airplanes. After the Groizer X crash-lands, he is brought under the National Security Agency and becomes the commander in the fight against the Gaira Empire.

Dr. Yang is a brilliant scientist from the planet Gaira who was imprisoned by Emperor Gerdon for preaching peace. He deceives the Emperor and develops the Groizer X as an invasion weapon, but attempts to escape with his daughter Rita, but fails.

Emperor Gerdon A former soldier from Alien Gaira who served as the adjutant of an exploration team that was adrift on Earth. He formed an empire through a coup d'état, and instead of returning to his homeland, he aims to invade and rule the Earth. In order to do so, he first tries to seize Japan as a base, attacking it with airstrike robots.

■ Main robot items

・Gloizer X
A super-large bomber developed by Dr. Yang under the orders of Gerdon for the invasion of Earth. It was entrusted to the hands of the Earthlings by Dr. Yang's daughter, Rita. It transforms into a humanoid robot called the Groizer Robo. It is equipped with a tachyon engine that uses tachyon energy, giving it superior performance to other airstrike robots. It is made of miracle siliconium alloy, which has the ability to repair itself. There is a cockpit in the head, with Yuzuru in the right eye and Rita in the left eye. It is equipped with three small mechas: the G Jet, G Tank, and G Shark.

・Airstrike Robot A general term for the main weapon used in the invasion of Earth, it has the shape of an aircraft and can transform into a humanoid robot.

- Tachyon Engine: A power reactor that uses tachyons, particles that are said to move faster than the speed of light (their existence is doubtful, but they appear frequently in science fiction works).

■Subtitle

Episode 1: King of the Skies, Groizer X (1976/07/01)
・Episode 2 / The Secret of the Alien Girl・Episode 3 / The Terrifying Weather Weapon・Episode 4 / Hot-blooded! The Tears of the Airplane Guy Burn・Episode 5 / Sadness Beyond the Sky・Episode 6 / The Tragic Mach 3.5 Mission・Episode 7 / Get Rita's Heart Back!
Episode 8: The Disappearing Air Raid Robot Episode 9: A Friendship Scarred Episode 10: Even If This Life Ends Episode 11: The Human Robot Mission Episode 12: Destroy the Goddess Statue!
Episode 13: The Fearsome Airship Episode 14: The Massacre Patrol Ship Episode 15: The Tragic Airstrike Robot, Vicky Episode 16: Attack the Whole of Japan Episode 17: The Mysterious Flying Object Episode 18: The Endless Battle in the Sky Episode 19: Save Gen's Life Episode 20: Farewell, Space Friends Episode 21: The Secret Base Explosion Episode 22: The Stolen Groizer X
・Episode 23: Aim for Joe and Rita's lives!
・Episode 24/Defend the Machine WA Gun!
Episode 25: The Terrifying Giant Tank Episode 26: The Storm-bringing Air Battle Episode 27: A Tearful Blow of Rage in the Sky Episode 28: The Fear! The Flying Whale *Episode 5 was rebroadcast the week after episode 28 (1977/01/20), and episode 10 was rebroadcast the week after that (1977/01/27)
Episode 29: Dr. Yang is alive Episode 30: The blitzkrieg that brings death *Episode 13 was rebroadcast the week after episode 30 (1977/02/17)
Episode 31: Cold, White Tokyo Episode 32: Searching for the Secret Frontline Base Episode 33: Charge into Akane Base!
Episode 34: Rita! Shoot Joe!
Episode 35: All-Out Attack of the Gaira Empire Episode 36: The Bell of Peace Rings in the Sky (1977/03/31)

■ Related works

"Shin Mazinger Impact! Z Edition"
TV anime

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period: 1 to 36
・Fly! Groizer X
Lyrics: Nagai Go; Composition and Arrangement: Kuni Kawachi; Singer: Gachatorians; Singer: Ikeda Kou

・ED1
・Go Go Groizer X
Lyrics: Hiroshi Koenji; Composition and Arrangement: Kuni Kawauchi; Singer: Ko Ikeda

Gloizer X - Detailed Review and Recommendation

"Groizer X," which aired from 1976 to 1977, is a milestone in the history of giant robot anime. This work was broadcast on Tokyo 12 Channel (now TV Tokyo) and is an original anime work created by Gosaku Oda under the supervision of Go Nagai. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and features of this work, as well as its recommended points.

The appeal of the story

The story of "Groizer X" is about a Gailler alien who washed ashore in the Arctic 300 years ago, awakened by a nuclear test, and now aims to conquer the Earth. This setting reflects the fear of nuclear weapons during the Cold War, and gives viewers a realistic sense of tension. In particular, the plot of the Gailler alien girl Rita, who uses the super weapon Groizer X entrusted to her by her father, Dr. Yang, to protect the Earth, is very appealing to viewers.

The partnership between Rita and Umisaki Jo is also a big part of the appeal of this work. The setting of Rita as a female character who pilots the main robot was very fresh at the time and had a major influence on later anime works. The process of the friendship and trust between Rita and Jo deepening is moving to the viewer and adds depth to the story.

Character Appeal

Each character in this series is unique and leaves a strong impression on viewers. The main character, Kaisaka Jo, is a young man who grew up as an orphan but grew up through his encounter with airplanes, and his personal growth is depicted throughout the story. Rita is the daughter of a scientist from the Gailler planet, but she is also a character who has the courage and determination to fight to protect the Earth. Her struggles and growth will resonate with viewers.

Characters such as Hideki Asuka, Professor Yang, and Emperor Gerudon also play their own roles and add excitement to the story. Emperor Gerudon's ruthlessness and ambition in particular leave a strong impression on the viewer, heightening the tension of the story.

The charm of mechanics

The mechanical design of "Groizer X" is also one of its great attractions. Groizer X surprised viewers with its innovative design, transforming from a super-large bomber into a humanoid robot. The fact that it is equipped with a tachyon engine and is made of a miracle siliconium alloy with self-repairing capabilities also gave viewers at the time a fresh surprise.

Additionally, items such as airstrike robots and tachyon engines are also important elements that add excitement to the story. How these mechanics are used in battles is a point that will attract viewers' interest.

The appeal of music

The theme songs and insert songs of this work also left a strong impression on viewers. The opening theme "Fly! Groizer X" is a powerful song that lifts the spirits of viewers, with lyrics by Go Nagai and music and arrangement by Kuni Kawachi. The ending theme "Go Go Groizer X" also features music by Kuni Kawachi that enhances the atmosphere of the story. These songs help viewers become immersed in the story.

Recommended points

"Groizer X" is an important work in the history of giant robot anime and has a lot to offer viewers. Below are some recommended points.

• Depth of the story : The story depicts the Gailer aliens' invasion of Earth and the battle between Rita and Yuzuru who stand up against them, providing viewers with a sense of excitement and suspense.
• Appealing characters : Unique characters such as Rita and Yuzuru add excitement to the story and leave a strong impression on viewers.
• Innovative Mechanics : Settings such as Groizer X's transformation mechanics and the tachyon engine amaze viewers and add depth to the story.
• Powerful music : The theme songs and insert songs lift the viewer's spirits and help immerse them in the story.
• Historical Significance : The setting of a female character piloting the main robot had a major influence on later anime works.

As mentioned above, "Groizer X" offers a lot to viewers in terms of its story, characters, mechanics, music, and historical significance. It is a work that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes giant robot anime or has an interest in 1970s anime.