Space Genie Daikengo: A thorough analysis of the appeal of this fascinating robot anime

Space Genie Daikengo: A Journey to Save the Galaxy

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

July 27, 1978 - February 15, 1979
July 27, 1978 - February 15, 1979 Every Thursday 18:00-18:30
There are 26 episodes in total, each 30 minutes long. *Episode 6 was rebroadcast the week after episode 20, and episode 8 was rebroadcast the week after episode 23, for a total of 28 episodes.

■Broadcasting station

TV Asahi

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 28

■Original Story

Akiyoshi Sakai

■ Director

General Director: Yahiro Akira

■ Production

Bird Pro

■ Story

The Magellan Empire, led by Emperor Magellan, begins its invasion of the galaxy. The people of the Galactic Federation fight back, centering on their home planet, Emperius, but lose Prince Samson to a despicable trap and are quickly overrun. Emperius' second prince, Liger, rides the awakened guardian deity of Emperius, Daikengo, and sets out on a journey across the galaxy with his companions. As they defeat the ruthless Magellan army wherever they go, they give people the courage to rise up and restore the Galactic Federation.

■Explanation

This is the only production by Tori Productions. It depicts the exploits of the main characters as they travel through a fictional galaxy and fight giant robots. It was planned in response to the boom in space sci-fi movies depicted on a grand scale in the late 1970s. It was particularly influenced by Star Wars, which was hugely popular among children at the time, and the highlights of the film include spectacular battle scenes in space, interactions with aliens, and the exploits of giant robots. Another attraction is the way the main character Liger grows as the story progresses, and how his bonds with his friends deepen.

■Cast

・Liger/Hiroya Ishimaru・Cleo/Mitsuko Horie・Anike/Nishio Nori・Otoke/Inoue Yo・King Empel/Yo Fujimoto・Samson/Yamada Shunji・Yuger/Shimada Satoshi・Dals/Hazumi Jun・Emperor Magellan/Takashi Tanaka

■ Main staff

・Planning / Toriumi Jinzo・Original work / Sakai Akiyoshi・Producers / Koizumi Yoshiaki, Suyama Satoshi, Sato Mitsuo・General director / Yahiro Akira・Character design / Takahashi Susuke, Iguchi Tadakazu, Takemoto Shumei・Mechanic design / Okawara Kunio・Art director / Nakamura Mitsuki・Sound director / Honda Yasunori・Music / Tsutsui Hiroshi・Sound effects / Ishida Sound Pro・Background design / Okada Kazuo・Color design / Okajima Kunitoshi・Special effects / Yamazaki Masanori・Cinematography / Okazaki Hideo・Editing / Nishide Eiko・Sound recording / Harada Atsushi・Developing / Toei Chemical・Production staff / Yui Masatoshi, Arai Takashi・Production cooperation / Green Box・Production / TV Asahi, Tori Pro, Toei Agency

■ Main Characters

The second prince of the Liger Empire. He has a hot-blooded, impulsive and violent personality, and was considered the least suitable of the three princes to inherit the throne. Through his journey through the ruins of his country, he grows as a person. He pilots a combat ship.

Cleo is a beautiful girl with a tomboyish and lively personality who excels in martial arts. She drives the Daiken Buggy. She becomes distressed when she finds out that her father is in cahoots with the enemy.

The older brother of the support robot brothers who accompany Anikeraiger. He pilots the Daiken Caterpillar.

・Like Otoke's brother Anike, he is a support robot who serves as Liger's attendant. He pilots Daiken's Charapillar.

King Empel rules over the planet Emperious, the main planet of the Galactic Federation.

An unidentified cyborg who helps Brymanliger in both light and shadow. He rides a horse-shaped mecha called the Thoroughbreder.

The first prince of the Zamson Empire. Died in battle with the Magellan Empire.

The second prince of the Empire, Yuger. In contrast to his older brother, Ryger, Yuger has an honest and gentle personality.

He serves as the Minister of War for Dalus Empire, but is a confidant with the Magellan Empire.

Emperor Magellan: Ruler of the Magellanic planet. In order to take control of the galaxy, he launched a war of aggression against the Galactic Federation.

■ Main robot items

Daikengo is the guardian deity of the planet Emperious, awakened and resurrected by the energy of the Demon Planet. He fights hand-to-hand using nunchucks, swords, spears, and other weapons, but is also equipped with torpedoes and flamethrowers. Three mecha combine to become a giant robot: the giant fighter Combat Ship, the buggy car-type Machine Daiken Buggy, and the giant tank Daiken Caterpillar. He usually transforms into the mobile fortress Daiken Base to navigate. Beneath his face guard is a mouth equipped with fangs.

- Beast-Bone Mecha: A general term for the giant robots deployed by the Magellan Empire. They have an appearance that resembles the skeletons of beasts, dinosaurs, fish, etc.

■Subtitle

*Episode 6 was rebroadcast the week after episode 20, and episode 8 was rebroadcast the week after episode 23, for a total of 28 episodes.
Episode 1: The Stormy Boy (1978/07/27)
・Episode 2 / Lonely Star Warrior・Episode 3 / Wandering Star Bryman・Episode 4 / Two Stray Stars・Episode 5 / Asteroid of Friendship・Episode 6 / Farewell Guerrilla Star・Episode 7 / No Abnormality on the Third Planet・Episode 8 / Betrayal of Love Star・Episode 9 / Oath of the Binary Star・Episode 10 / Don't Cry, Mother Love Star・Episode 11 / Showdown in the Hellish Nebula・Episode 12 / The Storm-bringing King Star・Episode 13 / The Secret of Bry Star・Episode 14 / Blueprint of the Moving Star・Episode 15 / The Evil Monster Star・Episode 16 / Wandering Star Bird・Episode 17 / Friendship of the Third Planet・Episode 18 / Mysterious Ghost Star・Episode 19 / Stray Star of the Galaxy・Episode 20 / Crisis of the Mother Star・Episode 6 / Farewell Guerrilla Star (rebroadcast)
・Episode 21 / Star Cross ・Episode 22 / Danger! The Third Planet ・Episode 23 / Conspiracy of the Magellanic Clouds ・Episode 8 / Love's Betrayal Star (rerun)
・Episode 24/The Star Demon King's Challenge ・Episode 25/Nebula Lighthouse X-01
Episode 26: Fight! The Three King Star Swordsmen (1979/02/15)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Song of Space Demon Daikengo ・Lyrics by Jinzo Toriumi ・Music by Asei Kobayashi ・Arrangement by Hiroshi Takada ・Singer by Mitsuko Horie, Korogi '73, The Chirps

・ED1
・Space Man Liger ・Lyrics by Akiyoshi Sakai ・Music by Asei Kobayashi ・Arrangement by Hiroshi Takada ・Singer by MoJo and The Chirps

■ Review

"Space Genie Daikengo" is a TV anime series that aired from 1978 to 1979, and is the only work produced by Tori Productions. The series depicts a story about giant robots and space wars, set against the backdrop of the boom in space science fiction movies at the time. In particular, the main character Liger and his friends' journey through the galaxy and their battle against the Magellan Empire left a strong impression on viewers.

The story centers on the second prince of the Empire, Liger, and the giant robot Daikengo that he controls. Liger is a hot-blooded man who is initially deemed unsuitable to succeed the throne, but he grows through his journey and eventually becomes a leader who aims to restore the Galaxy Federation. This coming-of-age story gives courage and hope to viewers, and was especially popular with children.

Daikengo's design is also noteworthy. The idea of ​​the three mechas, Combat Ship, Daiken Buggy, and Daiken Caterpillar, combining to form a giant robot stimulated the imagination of children at the time. Furthermore, the sight of Daikengo fighting in combat using nunchucks, swords, and spears was visually very appealing.

The enemy, the Magellan Empire, also has an interesting setting. The idea of ​​using giant robots called "beast bone mechas" that imitate the skeletons of animals, dinosaurs, and fish made a strong visual impact and attracted viewers. In addition, the characters of the enemy, such as the ambition of Emperor Magellan and the betrayal of Dals, are also deep, adding depth to the story.

Musically, the theme songs "The Song of Space Demon Daikengo" and "Space Man Liger" are memorable and remain in the viewers' memories. These songs, composed by Asei Kobayashi and arranged by Hiroshi Takada, reflect the trends of the time while having their own unique appeal.

Overall, "Space Genie Daikengo" is a monumental giant robot anime and has had a major influence on subsequent works in the same genre. Many elements of the series, such as the scale of the story, the character development, and Daikengo's design, were loved by viewers, and the series still has many fans today.

■Recommendation

"Space Genie Daikengo" is a must-see for fans of giant robot anime and space science fiction. It is especially recommended for those who want to learn about the growth of the main character Liger and be moved by Daikengo's exploits. Also, since the film is set against the backdrop of the boom in space science fiction movies at the time, it will be enjoyable for those who want to experience the atmosphere of that era.

Furthermore, this film can be enjoyed by a wide range of people, from children to adults. It would be great to watch with the whole family. It is sure to be loved by many people, especially as a story that gives courage and hope to children, and as a film that brings back memories for adults.

The recommended viewing method is to buy the DVD or Blu-ray, which are available for purchase. It may also be available on streaming services, so you can use those. Either way, "Space Demon Daikengo" is a work that you will never forget once you have seen it, and it is one that I would like many people to see.