Armored Corps Dragonar: A thorough review of the fascinating mecha design and depth of the story

Armored War Dragonar - Armored War Dragonar

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

February 7, 1987 - January 30, 1988 Every Saturday 17:30 - 18:00

■Broadcasting station

Nagoya TV

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 48

■Original Story

Original story/Hajime Yatate

■ Director

Director: Takeyuki Kanda

■ Production

Japan Sunrise

■Works

© Sotsu, Sunrise

■ Story

In the year 2087, a development city on the moon calls itself the "United Empire Giganos" and rebels against the Earth Alliance. Armed with humanoid weapons called Metal Armor (MA) and mass projectors called Mass Drivers, the Giganos army takes control of about 70% of the Earth. The Earth Alliance is in a difficult position. Meanwhile, the next-generation MA Dragnar, known as a "D-weapon," is loaded onto the Alliance's transport ship Idaho by Dr. Prato, a developer who betrayed Giganos, and arrives at the neutral colony, Alucard. Three of Alucard's students, Kane, Light, and Tap, are registered as pilots for Dragnar by chance, and must fight the pursuing Giganos army.

■Explanation

It is a work that represents the final chapter of real robot anime, with an awareness of the changing generations of anime fans. It actively continues the motifs that have been used since Mobile Suit Gundam, such as "a war of independence against the Earth government by space immigrants," "a civilian boy piloting a new military weapon," and "a rival in a complicated position within the enemy army." At the same time, it employs young staff and introduces a bright taste, such as comical dialogue between the positive protagonists and boldly deformed mecha battle scenes. Despite being set against the backdrop of a severe war, it aims to refresh the real robot line, which tends to be dark, with a light-hearted direction and drama development that is familiar to new viewers.

■Cast

・Kane Wakaba/Masami Kikuchi ・Tap Oceano/Yotsuka Yoshitada
・Wright Newman/Kenyu Horiuchi
Linda Pratt/Kayoko Fujii/Rose Pattenton/Akiko Hiramatsu/Ben Rooney/Yutaka Shima/Diane Rance/Masako Katsuo
・Maillot Prato/Jurota Kosugi
Gun Jem/Osamu Kato
・Dolcenov/Shozo Iizuka
・Giltor/Masashi Oki

■ Main staff

Planning: Nippon Sunrise (written as "Sunrise" from episode 20)
・Original story/Hajime Yatate ・Series composition/Toyofumi Ito
Music: Toshiyuki Watanabe, Kentaro Haneda (episodes 27-48)
・Character design: Kenichi Onuki
Costume design assistance: Masahisa Suzuki Mechanical design: Kunio Okawara Art: Mitsuki Nakamura, Ariaki Okada
Edited by Yumiko Fuse (Inoue Editorial Office)
・Sound/Sadayoshi Fujino
Director: Takeyuki Kanda Producers: Toshikazu Kamiya (episodes 1-13), Makoto Imai (episodes 14-48), Mitsushige Inagaki, Takayuki Yoshii

■Subtitle

Episode 1: The Day of Flames Episode 2: A Deadly Battle in the Ruins Episode 3: The Blue Hawk of Giganos Episode 4: The Battlefield of Men Episode 5: A Promise to Depart Episode 6: A Trial for the Warrior Episode 7: Farewell Chekhov Episode 8: The Prisoner Rescue Operation (Part 1)
Episode 9: Prisoner Rescue Operation (Part 2)
Episode 10: A Full Body Defense Episode 11: The Land of Desire Episode 12: Each Return Episode 13: Mass Driver Launch Order Episode 14: A New Departure Episode 15: D Fleet in Danger Episode 16: The Trap at the Supply Base Episode 17: Sabotage of NORAD Episode 18: The Blue Hawk's Surprise Attack Episode 19: Flying Weapon D (Dragnar)
Episode 20: Reunion on the SeaEpisode 21: Operation to Capture the Enemy Metal ArmorEpisode 22: Order to Destroy the Giganos FortressEpisode 23: Showdown with the Maillot PratoEpisode 24: The Great Shanghai EscapeEpisode 25: D Weapon Modification PlanEpisode 26: The Fearsome Gun-GemEpisode 27: Here Comes the Dragnar GuerrillasEpisode 28: The Menacing Viper SquadEpisode 29: Infiltrate! Save LindaEpisode 30: Deadly! Chainsaw AttackEpisode 31: Assassin from the MoonEpisode 32: Revenge of the Sniper
Episode 33: The Giganos Incident Episode 34: Mortar Attack! Operation Tsuchigumo Episode 35: Fear! Infinite Mobile Gun Episode 36: Savage Attack! Angry Gun-Gem Episode 37: Defeat! Poisonous Snake's Blue Dragon Blade Episode 38: Appearance of the Ultimate MA (Metal Armor)
Episode 39: Brutal! The End of Gun-Jem Episode 40: Cunning! Major Heidernecken Episode 41: Resurrection! Giganos' Blue Hawk Episode 42: Activation! Giganos' Invincible Fortress Episode 43: Decision! Order to Attack the Giant Fortress Episode 44: Ruthless! Dragnar vs Dragnar Episode 45: Special Attack! Revenge of the Blue Hawk Episode 46: Charge! Rescue of Aoi Wakaba Episode 47: Close Call! Captain Min's Hot Pursuit Episode 48: Triumph of the Great Sky

■Detailed explanation and evaluation

"Armored War Dragonar" is a real robot anime produced by Sunrise Japan that aired from 1987 to 1988, and can be said to be the culmination of real robot anime at the time. This work inherited the elements of traditional real robot anime, but aimed to appeal to younger audiences by incorporating new perspectives and direction. Below, we will take a detailed look at the background, story, characters, mecha design, music, and evaluation of the work.

Background and intent

In the late 1980s, real robot anime was all the rage due to the success of "Mobile Suit Gundam". However, as the audience was changing, a new approach beyond the framework of traditional real robot anime was needed to attract new viewers. "Armored Tank Dragonar" was produced as part of this effort, and it employed young staff members to soften the serious atmosphere of traditional real robot anime, aiming for a brighter, more approachable work.

Story and Themes

The story begins in the year 2087, when a development city on the moon calls itself the "United Empire Giganos" and rises in rebellion against the Earth Alliance. The Giganos army uses humanoid weapons called Metal Armor (MA) and mass drivers to seize control of about 70% of the Earth, leaving the Earth Alliance in a difficult position. Meanwhile, the next-generation MA "D-weapon" Dragnar appears and is handed over to the Earth Alliance by Dr. Plato, the developer who betrayed Giganos. Three of Alucard's students, Kane, Light, and Tap, coincidentally become registered as Dragnar pilots and fight against the Giganos army.

The themes of this work are "war and peace," "friendship and trust," and "growth and responsibility." Although it depicts the harsh backdrop of war, it aims to give hope and courage to the audience through the protagonists' cheerful personalities and comical exchanges. In addition, the setting of a rival in a complicated position within the enemy army and a civilian boy piloting a new military weapon continues the traditional motifs of real robot anime dating back to "Mobile Suit Gundam."

character

The main character, Kane Wakaba, has a bright and positive personality and is a leader who cares for his teammates. Played by voice actor Masami Kikuchi, Kane is portrayed as a character that viewers can easily relate to. Tap Oceano is a calm and intelligent character who can also show a passionate side at times, and his character is brought out by the voice of Yoshitada Otsuka. Wright Newman is a character who is knowledgeable about machines and is in charge of providing technical support to the team, and his role is emphasized by the voice of Kenyu Horiuchi.

Other characters with unique personalities, such as Linda Prat, Maiyo Prat, and Gun Jem, also make an appearance and add excitement to the story. In particular, the enemy character Gun Jem is portrayed as a character with a complex background, leaving a deep impression on the viewers.

Mechanical Design

The mecha designs were created by Kunio Okawara, and while following the traditional designs of real robot anime, they are characterized by their unique evolution. The Dragnar is depicted as a next-generation MA, and its design is distinct from conventional metal armor. The metal armor of the Giganos army is also uniquely designed, and is an important element in livening up the battle scenes.

The mecha battle scenes incorporate deformation, softening the serious atmosphere of realistic robot anime and making it more accessible to viewers. This reflects the new perspectives of the young staff, and is one of the factors that create the bright and cheerful feel of the entire work.

music

The music was composed by Toshiyuki Watanabe and Kentaro Haneda, and plays an important role in enhancing the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the background music during battle scenes has the effect of increasing tension and drawing the viewer in. In addition, many character songs and insert songs were produced, helping to deeply depict the characters' feelings and the development of the story.

evaluation

"Armored Trooper Votoms" was highly praised as a culmination of real robot anime. While inheriting the elements of traditional real robot anime, it succeeded in appealing to younger audiences by incorporating new perspectives and direction. In addition, the bright personalities and comical exchanges of the main characters have earned it praise as a work that gives hope and courage to viewers, even against the backdrop of a severe war.

However, some viewers criticized the series for losing its depth as a real robot anime by softening the serious atmosphere of previous real robot anime. This is a point of contention regarding the direction of the series, and opinions vary depending on the viewer.

■ Recommendations and related works

"Armored Wars Dragonar" is recommended not only for fans of real robot anime, but also for viewers looking for a bright and friendly work. In particular, the story that depicts the growth and friendship of the main characters, the unique characters, and the mecha battle scenes that incorporate deformation depictions will give viewers a fresh impression.

Related works include representative realistic robot anime such as the "Mobile Suit Gundam" series and "Armored Trooper Votoms." Like "Armored Trooper Votoms," these works are based on themes of war and peace, friendship and trust, growth and responsibility, and are works that deeply move viewers. In addition, other related works that can be recommended include bright and friendly robot anime such as the "Brave Series" and "Zoids." Like "Armored Trooper Votoms," these works inspire viewers with hope and courage through the bright personalities and comical exchanges of their protagonists.

Conclusion

"Armored War Dragonar" is a work that aims to appeal to younger audiences by incorporating new perspectives and direction while inheriting the elements of conventional real robot anime as a culmination of real robot anime. The protagonists' cheerful personalities and comical dialogue have earned it praise as a work that gives hope and courage to viewers, even against the backdrop of a severe war. Related works that are recommended include the "Mobile Suit Gundam" series, "Armored Trooper Votoms," the "Brave Series," and "Zoids," which also deeply move viewers. "Armored War Dragonar" is recommended not only for fans of real robot anime, but also for viewers looking for a bright and familiar work.