The appeal and reputation of Tosho Daimos: A monumental robot anime

Battle Commander Daimos - A Story of Battle and Love

"Daimos" was broadcast as a TV anime series from 1978 to 1979 on TV Asahi every Saturday from 6:00 to 6:30 p.m. This 44-episode series is based on the original work by Yatsude Saburo, and is an original anime work produced by Toei and Toei Agency, with Nagahama Tadao as general director. The copyright belongs to Toei.

story

The story of "Tōsho Daimos" begins with a migration conference between the Baam people and Earth. The Baam people lost their home planet and came to Earth in search of a new place to live. However, during the conference, the representative of the Baam side was assassinated in a conspiracy, and this triggered an all-out war between Earth and Baam. The protagonist, Ryuzaki Kazuya, pilots the giant transforming robot Daimos and fights against the Baam mecha warriors. Kazuya is a master of karate and fights while riding Daimos. Meanwhile, he falls in love with Erika, a Baam person, and they build a deep bond without knowing her true identity. Erika is left behind on Earth after an assassination incident and is rescued by Kazuya while she has lost her memory. Eventually, Erika regains her memory and begins to search for a way to achieve peace between Earth and Baam. This story is based on the themes of war and love, as well as understanding and reconciliation.

Commentary

"Daimos" is a pioneering work that introduced the "element of love between men and women" into robot animation. It unfolds a deep story by depicting the battle with the aliens not as a simple war of aggression, but as a war that is a matter of national interest and honor for both sides. It also features fighting scenes based on actual sword fighting movements, and the images are created with a focus on action. It was not commercialized for a long time, but a DVD box set was released in 2007, and it was re-evaluated among fans.

cast

The main cast includes Kamiya Akira as Tatsuzaki Kazuya, Ueda Miyuki as Erika, Sogabe Kazuyasu as Yuzuki Kyoshiro, Kurihako as Izumi Nana, Iizuka Shozo as Tatsuzaki Isamu, Katsuta Hisashi as Izumi Shinichiro, Oki Tamio as Miwa Boujin, Ichikawa Osamu as Richter, Iizuka Shozo as Barbas, Yanagi Kazuko as Liza, Asou Miyoko as Margarete, Ishimaru Hiroya as Gurney Halleck, Inoue Makio as Aizam, Tatekabe Kazuya as Geroyer, and Katsuta Hisashi as Generalissimo Orban. These voice actors bring the characters to life and add excitement to the story.

Main Staff

Many staff members were involved in the production of "Daimous." The project was planned by Ochiai Kanetake, Iijima Kei, and Suzuki Takeyuki, the original story was by Yatsude Saburo, the music was by Kikuchi Shunsuke, the project cooperation was by Akino Momiji, the character design was by Hijiri Yuki, the mechanic design was by Studio Nue and Izubuchi Yutaka, the animation characters were by Kanayama Akihiro, the general director was Nagahama Tadao, the production staff were Iwasaki Masami and Nakagawa Yoshinori, the narrator was Maki Daisuke, the title was by Tatara Masaharu and Hashizume Tomoji, the sound direction was by Nagahama Tadao and Kawamura Tsunehira, the art director was Miyano Takashi, the gito was Takahashi Kazutoshi, the production cooperation was by Tohokushinsha and Nippon Sunrise, and the production was by TV Asahi, Toei, and Toei Agency. The opening theme, "Stand Up! Tosho Daimos," has lyrics by Yatsude Saburo, music and arrangement by Kikuchi Shunsuke, and is sung by Sasaki Isao and Columbia Yurikago-kai. The ending theme, "Erika's Ballad," has lyrics by Aoi Akira, music and arrangement by Kikuchi Shunsuke, and is sung by Kaori Kumiko (aka Okura Masatake).

Main Characters

The main character, Kazuya Ryuzaki, is a pilot of Daimos and a master of karate. While he fights the Baam aliens aboard Daimos, he falls in love with Erica and deepens his understanding of the Baam aliens. Erica is a Baam alien left behind on Earth after an assassination incident. She is rescued by Kazuya while she has lost her memory, and they eventually fall in love. After she regains her memory, she searches for a way to achieve peace between Earth and Baam. Kyoshiro Yuzuki is a pilot of the small support fighter Galver FX II and supports Kazuya in his battles as his best friend. He is also a master of swordsmanship and always carries a Japanese sword on his back. Boujin Miwa is a high-ranking official in the United Nations Earth Defense Force who advocates a total resistance against the Baam planet, but his forceful methods backfire and he falls from grace. Richter is an admiral of the Earth Attack Force of the winged Baam aliens, and follows the will of his father who was assassinated during peace negotiations, and engages in a deadly battle with Kazuya and his men. He is also Erica's real brother. Marshal Orban hates peaceful coexistence and is the mastermind behind the assassinations. He seizes power and advances an invasion of Earth, while at the same time brainwashing the Baam people in an attempt to dominate them, but his ambitions are thwarted by Daimos and Kazuya. Daimos is a giant trailer for planetary development developed by Kazuya's father, Dr. Ryuzaki, that transforms into a robot, and has a system that tracks the movements of its pilot and a fighting style that makes use of Kazuya's karate movements.

subtitle

The subtitles for each episode of "Torso Daimos" are as follows:

• Episode 1: A fateful encounter amid the flames of war
• Episode 2: The mysterious beautiful girl Erika
• Episode 3: Memories of the White Wings
• Episode 4: Nightmare My Brother is the Enemy of the Earth
• Episode 5: Sad sins cannot be erased by tears
• Episode 6: Wipe away your tears and stand up
• Episode 7: Nana is a Kind Earth Warrior
• Episode 8: Protect the Earth! Fight!
• Episode 9: The Warrior Who Risked His Home Planet's Pride
• Episode 10: Show me the karate of justice
• Episode 11: Ballad of Love and Betrayal
• Episode 12: We don't need a false peace
• Episode 13: Erika, Risk Your Life
• Episode 14: Erica and Deimos: A Battle of Tears
• Episode 15: The shining truth lies in the courage to fight
• Episode 16: Paradise Island is a cruel island
• Episode 17: Erika! Climbing the gallows!!
• Episode 18: Erika is killed by Miwa
• Episode 19: Messenger from Space
• Episode 20: The Secret Battle for Peace
• Episode 21: A Proud Separation
• Episode 22: Kyoshiro's desperate clash
• Episode 23: Cupid's Got a Money
• Episode 24: The Secret Weapon of the Super-Tough Cairo
• Episode 25: Richter, the Proud Young Lion
• Episode 26: Deimos! A Close Call!!
• Episode 27: Operation Deimos Power Up
• Episode 28: The genius scientist Aizam's challenge
• Episode 29: One Second Before the Daimovik Explosion!
• Episode 30: Dr. Izumi's life is in danger!
• Episode 31: The End of Sad Barandoke
• Episode 32: A journey towards a new peace
• Episode 33: Daimo Big's Mini Typhoon
• Episode 34: Assassin Geroyer's Attack
• Episode 35: When the Fierce General Barbas Folds His Wings
• Episode 36: Oh Richter! In a desperate situation!
• Episode 37: Erika becomes a bride
• Episode 38: I won't give it away! My Deimos
• Episode 39: An Arrow Caught in a Trap
• Episode 40: The Undersea Castle! The Great Attack Begins!!
• Episode 41: Erika's bullet attacks Ichiya!
• Episode 42: The attack begins on the enemy Balm!
• Episode 43: The Great Battle of Small Balm
• Episode 44: Rushing towards tomorrow

Related Titles

"Tōshō Daimos" is also related to other robot anime, such as "Choudenji Robo Combattler V", "Choudenji Machine Voltes V", "Future Robo Daltanius", and "Yūsha Raideen". These works are also related to Tadao Nagahama or produced by the same staff, making them a series that fans cannot miss.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Tōshō Daimos" is one of the most highly acclaimed robot anime of the 1970s. The reason for this is that it is not just about robot battles, but also skillfully incorporates human drama and romantic elements into the story. The romance between Kazuya and Erika symbolizes the strength of finding hope even in the harsh conditions of war. It is also highly praised for depicting the importance of understanding and reconciliation through the conflict between the Baam planet people and Earthlings. The action scenes are also characterized by realistic movements based on actual sword fights, making them very visually appealing.

The reasons why I recommend this work are as follows:

• Deep human drama: The love story between Kazuya and Erika, and the story of conflict and reconciliation between the planet Baam and the Earthlings will deeply move viewers.
• Realistic action: The fighting scenes, based on actual sword fighting, set the show apart from other robot anime.
• Historical value: As a milestone in robot anime of the 1970s, it also has great historical value.
• Music: Shunsuke Kikuchi's music is an important element in setting the atmosphere of the work.

"Daimous" is a work that allows you to fully experience the charm of good old robot anime, and is highly recommended for those who like robot anime and science fiction anime in particular. It is also enjoyable for those who are interested in romance elements and human drama. Please give it a watch.