Review of "Daimajuu Gekitou: Hagane no Oni": Powerful battle scenes and a deep story

A comprehensive review and recommendation of Daimajuugekitouhagane no oni

■ Public Media

OVA

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Release date

December 10, 1987

■Frequencies

60 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■ Director

Toshihiro Hirano

■ Production

Produced by Tokuma Shoten

■Works

©Tokuma Shoten

■ Story

Takuya and Haruka used to work at the same military research institute. However, while Haruka was conducting research to open a passage to another dimension, he summoned the "Will of Destruction" from subspace. Haruka's fighting spirit materialized a giant robot from another dimension, "Doki," which absorbed Haruka herself and began to destroy the research institute. In order to stop the out-of-control Haruka, Takuya gets into another robot from another dimension, "Haganai," sleeping at the bottom of the sea, and heads off to battle his best friend...

■Explanation

This mecha action film thoroughly depicts the life-or-death struggle between the protagonists who have transformed into giant bio-mecha, resulting in a profound work worthy of being described as a "monster movie made with cel animation."

■Cast

・Takuya/Toshio Furukawa ・Haruka/Kazuhiko Inoue ・Leeds/Mayumi Sho ・Rui/Sakiko Tamagawa ・Garn/Osamu Saka

■ Main staff

Director: Toshihiro Hirano Original story, script: Noboru Aikawa Character design, animation director: Takayuki Onda Mechanical design, special effects director: Koichi Ohata

■ Related works

DVD, BBBA-6893 3,990 yen (tax included)
Published by Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd. Sold by Happinet Corporation

■Detailed evaluation

Released as an OVA in 1987, "Daimajuu Gekitou: Hagane no Oni" left a strong impression on fans at the time with its unique worldview and solid mecha action. This work depicts the battle between giant robots "Doki" and "Hagane" that appeared from another dimension, and the visual impact is particularly great. Director Toshihiro Hirano aimed for a production reminiscent of monster movies using cel animation, depicting realistic movements of bio-mecha and destructive battle scenes.

The story revolves around the friendship and betrayal between Takuya and Haruka, who both work at a military research institute. As Haruka conducts research to open a passage to another dimension, she summons the "Will of Destruction" and is absorbed into the giant robot "Doki," shocking viewers. The scene in which Takuya boards "Hagane," which lies at the bottom of the sea, and challenges his best friend to a fight realistically depicts his emotions as he is torn between friendship and duty.

In terms of the cast, Toshio Furukawa as Takuya and Kazuhiko Inoue as Haruka are particularly outstanding. Furukawa perfectly expresses Takuya's conflict and determination, while Inoue perfectly expresses Haruka's madness and sadness, adding depth to the work. Mayumi Sho as Lise, Sakiko Tamagawa as Louis, and Osamu Saka as Garun also give charming performances to their respective characters.

The main staff, including Noboru Aikawa, who was in charge of the original concept and script, Takayuki Onda, who was in charge of character design and animation direction, and Koichi Ohata, who was in charge of mecha design and special effects direction, all worked together brilliantly to raise the quality of the work as a whole. Ohata's mecha designs in particular are visually appealing, combining the realism and beauty of living mecha.

■ Recommendation points

"Daimajuu Gekitou: Hagane no Oni" is a work that combines mecha action with deep human drama, and is a must-see for mecha fans and monster movie fans in particular. Here are some recommended points:

• Visual impact : The monster movie-like visuals using cel animation create a visual impact. The realistic movements of the bio-mecha and the destructive battle scenes have the power to draw the viewer in.
• Deep storyline : The storyline explores themes of friendship and betrayal, duty and determination, and will deeply touch the audience. The relationship between Takuya and Haruka is at the heart of the series.
• Actors : Toshio Furukawa and Kazuhiko Inoue's acting express the emotions of their characters realistically, adding depth to the work. The other cast members also play their characters charmingly.
• The teamwork between the staff members Noboru Aikawa, Takayuki Onda, and Koichi Ohata is excellent, and has raised the quality of the work as a whole. Ohata's mecha designs in particular are visually appealing.

Related information

This work has also been released as a DVD, sold under the product number BBBA-6893. It costs 3,990 yen (tax included), and is published by Tokuma Shoten Co., Ltd. and sold by Happinet Co., Ltd. Fans should definitely get their hands on it and enjoy this epic mecha action once again.

■ Summary

"Daimajuu Gekitou: Hagane no Oni" is a work that combines mecha action and deep human drama, released as an OVA in 1987. This work has many appeals, such as visual impact, deep story, acting of the cast, and teamwork of the staff, and is a must-see for mecha fans and monster movie fans. Please give it a watch.