The appeal and reviews of "Space Runaway Ideon": A thorough analysis of the profound worldview of this classic robot anime

Space Runaway Ideon - Space Runaway Ideon

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

May 8, 1980 - January 30, 1981 Every Thursday 18:45 - 19:15

■Broadcasting station

Tokyo 12 Channel

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 39

■Original Story

Original author: Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino

■ Director

General Director: Yoshiyuki Tomino

■ Production

Tokyo 12 Channel, Tokyu Agency, Nippon Sunrise

■Works

©Sunrise

■ Story

In the distant future, humans have various colonized planets in space. Among them, a mysterious mecha is excavated from the ruins of Solo Planet, which is being developed. However, suddenly, the alien Buff Clan, searching for the infinite energy "Ide," attacks. The humans are forced into a corner. At that moment, three mysterious mechas carrying an Earth boy, Yuki Cosmo, and his friends combine to become a giant robot, Ideon, which repels the Buff Clan with its powerful power. Cosmo and his friends escape the planet aboard the Solo Ship. However, the Buff Clan senses the power of "Ide" from Ideon and begins their pursuit. Cosmo and his friends' long battle of escape begins.

■Explanation

This original robot anime realistically depicts the misery of war born out of misunderstanding and lack of understanding, and the emotions that arise between people in that war. It succeeds in leaving a strong impression on viewers by projecting human society into the story, rather than simply depicting a battle between robots. In particular, it explores philosophical themes by asking questions such as, "What is the infinite energy "Ide," the source of power for Ideon and the Solo Ship?" A movie version was later produced depicting the true ending that could not be fully aired in the TV version.

■Cast

・Yuuki Cosmo／ Tsubasa Shioya・Jordan・Beth／ Hideyuki Tanaka・Formosa・Cheryl／ Yo Inoue・Imhoff・Kasha／ Fuyumi Shiraishi・Joliba／ Kaneto Shiozawa・After・Deku／ Tatsuya Matsuda・Formosa・Lynn／ Keiko Yokozawa・Vanda Lotta／ Eiko Yamada・Novak・Ursula／ Masako Matsubara・Malaka・Fard／ Sanae Takagi・Karara・Ajiba／ Keiko Toda・Gije・Zalal／ Kazuo Hayashi・Haruru・Ajiba／ Yoko Asagami・Dharam・Zuba／ Shojiro Kihara・Gindoro・Jimmu／ Eiji Kanie・Doba・Ajiba／ Tatsuyuki Ishimori・Narrator／ Kaneto Shiozawa

■ Main staff

・Planning / Nippon Sunrise, Tokyu Agency ・Original story / Hajime Yatate, Yoshiyuki Tomino ・Character design / Tomotake Kogawa ・Mechanical design / Submarine ・Art director / Tetsuya Shijo ・Animation director / Tomotake Kogawa ・Editing / Tsurubuchi Films ・Sound director / Yasuo Urakami ・Music / Koichi Sugiyama ・General director / Yoshiyuki Tomino ・Producer / Hiroshi Ishikawa (Tokyo 12 Channel), Tadashi Matsushima (Tokyu Agency), Toru Hasegawa (Nippon Sunrise)

■Subtitle

・Episode 1: "Resurrection of Ideon"
Episode 2: "Neuropea in Flames"
Episode 3: "Earth in Terror"
Episode 4: "Escape from Solo Planet"
Episode 5: "The Legend of Infinite Power Ide"
Episode 6: "The White Flag of Betrayal"
Episode 7: "Subspace Escape"
Episode 8: "Confrontation: The Great Sandstorm"
Episode 9: "Burning Subspace"
Episode 10: "Surprise Attack: Operation Bazin"
Episode 11: "Pursuit: Planet of Ruins"
Episode 12: "Breaking Through the Enemy with a Blade"
Episode 13: "Shoot the Aliens"
Episode 14: "Defeat Doc's Tactics"
Episode 15: "Operation Ideon Recapture"
Episode 16: "The Deadly Damido Tactic"
Episode 17: "Fierce Battle: Planet of the Apes"
Episode 18: "Betrayal of the Asian Planet"
Episode 19: "Gamus Special Attack Order"
Episode 20: "Pursuit of the Twin Demons"
Episode 21: "Sink the Enemy Battleship"
・Episode 22: "Resurrected Legend"
Episode 23: "Terror: The Decoy Star"
Episode 24: "Strike the Infiltrating Guerrillas"
・Episode 25: "Ideon's Counterattack"
Episode 26: "Deadly Battle: The Terror of Gel"
Episode 27: "The tense moon base submersion"
Episode 28: "The Wrath of the Hado Gun"
・Episode 29/"Flashing Sword"
Episode 30: "The Sacrificial Sniper"
Episode 31: "My Hometown is Burning"
Episode 32: "In the Flames of Destiny"
Episode 33: "The Gamble in the Waft Airspace"
Episode 34: "The End of the Falling Meteor"
Episode 35: "Emerging from the Darkness"
・Episode 36/"Farewell Soloship"
Episode 37: "The Colony of Hatred"
Episode 38: "Space Fugitive"
Episode 39: "With You in the Cosmos"

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

"Space Runaway Ideon" is a robot anime that was broadcast in the early 1980s, and is known for its profound themes and epic story development. Yoshiyuki Tomino, who served as general director, realistically portrayed the misery of war and human emotions in this work, leaving a strong impression on viewers. Below, we will explain in detail the appeal and highlights of this work, as well as the recommended points.

The appeal of the story

The story of "Ideon" is set in a future where Earthlings have colonized planets in space. The scene in which mysterious mechas excavated from the ruins of the planet Solo combine to form a giant robot called Ideon leaves a strong impact on viewers. The story revolves around the conflict between Earthlings and the alien Buff Clan, and depicts a battle over the infinite energy "Ide." The concept of "Ide" poses philosophical questions throughout the work, encouraging viewers to think deeply.

Also, don't miss the growth and conflicts of the characters, including the main character, Yuki Cosmo. Cosmo and his friends continue their escape aboard the Solo Ship, but in the process, there are many scenes in which they deepen their bonds with their comrades and question the meaning of their existence. The combination of these elements makes "Ideon" not just a robot anime, but also highly regarded as a human drama.

Character Appeal

Each character in "Ideon" is unique and deep. The protagonist, Yuki Cosmo, has the purity and courage of a boy, but he also faces the harshness of battle and grows as a person. Other characters, such as Jordan Beth and Formosa Sheryl, also have their own backgrounds and thoughts, which enrich the story.

Particularly impressive are the characters of the alien Buff Clan. Although they have different values ​​than humans on Earth, they are portrayed as beings who also seek "Ide." This conflict structure symbolizes the misery of war and the horror of misunderstanding. The acting of the cast is also excellent, and in particular, Tsubasa Shioya's role as Yuki Cosmo and Hideyuki Tanaka's role as Jordan Beth resonate deeply with the viewers.

The appeal of mechanical design

The mechanical designs for Ideon were created by Submarine and are characterized by their unique shapes and functionality. Ideon itself is a giant robot formed by the combination of three mechas, and its transformation scenes are visually very appealing. Other mechas, such as the Solo Ship and the Buff Clan battleship, are also precisely designed, adding to the excitement of the battle scenes.

In particular, Ideon's weapons and abilities are based on the infinite energy "Ide," and their power is overwhelming. Ideon's battle scenes are not only visually impressive, but also play an important role in the progression of the story. The beauty and functionality of the mechanical design enhance the appeal of the entire work.

The appeal of music

The music for "Ideon" was composed by Koichi Sugiyama, and is characterized by its grandiose and moving melodies. The opening theme, "Cosmos with You," is a beautiful song that symbolizes the theme of the story and captures the hearts of viewers. The background music for battle scenes and moving scenes also plays an important role in livening up the story.

Music is an important element in helping the viewer empathize with the story and enhancing the overall atmosphere of the work. Koichi Sugiyama's music portrays the world of "Ideon" in a deeper and more moving way.

Recommended points

"Space Runaway Ideon" can be recommended for the following reasons:

1. **Profound themes and philosophical questions**: This work realistically depicts the misery of war and human emotions, and asks philosophical questions through the infinite energy "Ide." The appeal is in the content that prompts viewers to think deeply.

2. **Deep and unique characters**: The growth and conflicts of the characters, including the main character Yuuki Cosmo, are depicted, resonating deeply with the viewers. The alien Buff Clan is also a unique character, and the conflict structure enriches the story.

3. **Beautiful mechanic design and powerful battle scenes**: Submarine's mechanic design is visually very appealing. Ideon's transformation and battle scenes are elements that draw the viewer in.

4. **Emotional Music**: Koichi Sugiyama's music enhances the story and helps the viewer empathize with it. In particular, the opening theme "Cosmos with You" is a beautiful song that symbolizes the theme of the story.

5. **The existence of a movie version**: A movie version has also been produced that depicts the true ending that was not fully depicted in the TV version, and is a must-see for viewers looking for the story to be concluded.

summary

Space Runaway Ideon is one of the 1980s robot anime with a particularly profound theme and epic storyline. It realistically depicts the misery of war and human emotions, and poses philosophical questions through the infinite energy "Ide," leaving a strong impression on viewers. With many appealing features, including unique and deep characters, beautiful mechanical designs, and moving music, this work is definitely worth watching at least once. It is especially recommended for viewers who seek deep thought and fans of robot anime.