The appeal and reviews of "Gravion": A must-see anime

Super Heavy God Gravion - Chojuushingravion - All-round review and recommendation

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

October 7, 2002 - December 16, 2002

■Broadcasting station

Fuji Television

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■Original Story

Masami Ohbari, Kazumitsu Akamatsu, GONZO

■ Director

Masami Ohbari

■ Production

Animation production: GONZO

■Works

©Masami Ohbari, Kazumitsu Akamatsu, GONZO/Gravion Production Committee

■ Story

The year is 2041. An unknown enemy called "Zerabaia" suddenly appears in the solar system. However, there was a man who foresaw the invasion of "Zerabaia" and secretly prepared to fight back. His name is Klein Sandman. Sandman's armed squadron "Asgartz" has a trump card called "Super Heavy God Gravion"! It is a giant robot created by combining the humanoid mecha "Gran Kaiser" with four fighter planes "Grandiva"! On the day that Zerabaia begins its attack on Earth--- Eiji, who sneaks into Sandman's castle in search of his missing sister, accidentally wanders into the hangar of "Gran Kaiser" and meets a strange boy. Approaching Eiji with a carefree smile, this boy is none other than God Gravion's main pilot, Toga. Eiji, who ran away in a frenzy, jumps into the machine called Grandiva. Eiji is automatically registered as a pilot and is sent out to battle without knowing why. Standing before Zerabaia is Touga's Grand Kaiser. Runa, Eina, Mizuki, Lil, and Eiji's Grand Divas. Under Sandman's orders, the five mechas combine to become God Gravion. Now, the fate of the Earth rests in the hands of the six boys and girls who pilot Gravion, the Grand Knights!

■Explanation

This GONZO production features a star-studded staff including character designer Uno Makoto, Gravion mecha designer Okawara Kunio, production designer Kobayashi Makoto, and director Obari Masami, who is famous for his robot animation action. It depicts the growth of six boys and girls who pilot giant robots to fight enemies. The adorable character designs and robots designed by Okawara Kunio, who is well known for the Gundam series, double the appeal of the story!

■Cast

Toga: Jun Fukuyama, Eiji / Kenichi Suzumura, Runa / Haruna Ikezawa, Mizuki / Yu Asakawa, Eina / Mai Nakahara, Lil / Houko Kuwashima, Sandman / Shou Hayami, Raven / Hikaru Midorikawa

■ Main staff

・Series composition, scriptwriting: Fumihiko Shimo ・Scriptwriting: Atsuhiro Tomioka, Kiyoko Yoshimura, Yuji Hosono ・Character design: Makoto Uno, Junichi Takaoka ・Gravion design: Kunio Okawara ・Mecha design: Jin Fukuchi, Yasuyasu Moriki, Yosuke Kabashima, Masami Obari ・Production design: Makoto Kobayashi

■ Main Characters

・The pilot of the Tenkuu Samurai Toga Grankaiser. A boy who has been specially trained as a pilot since he was a child. Normally a refreshing and friendly boy, he loses all emotion during battle and transforms into a cold-hearted character like a machine. However, by working with Eiji and the others, his human side is revealed.
・Age of Beni
GD: G Attacker pilot. A hot-blooded boy who breaks into Sandman's castle to search for his missing sister. Due to Sandman's schemes, he is forced to fight Zerabiah as a pilot. Having been raised by his sister alone since he was a child, he is an intense siscon. Hot-blooded and always a troublemaker.
・Jo Runa
GD: The pilot of the G Driller (left). A mischievous, cheerful, modern girl with a positive outlook on everything. She is the mood maker for the pilots. She came to Sandman's Castle six months before Eiji. She also visited the castle with her father as a child and met Toga. In fact, she is a little interested in Toga.
Mizuki Tachibana
GD: G-Striker pilot. A combat pro with plenty of combat experience, she is the leader of the other pilots. She has a hobby of seducing men by showing off her sex appeal, but she is not interested in men who are attracted to her. She is good friends with the missing Ayaka, and worries about her safety along with Eiji.
・Eina
GD: The pilot of the G Driller (right). One of the maids working at Sandman's Castle. Each maid does various tasks within the castle according to their skills, and she is in charge of the pilots' daily care. In fact, she has been Toga's caretaker since he was a child, and for that reason, she values ​​him more than her own life.
・Lill Zerabaia
GD: A pilot of G Shadow. He lives alone in a room at the back of the base, and his existence was not even revealed to the regular members of the unit, so there was a time when he didn't open up to anyone except Sandman. By working with the Grand Knights, he gradually opens up.
Klein Sandman: A mysterious millionaire with enormous wealth and power who lives in Lake Castle, which also serves as the launch base for Gravion. Anticipating an attack on Zerabaia, he created the Asgards armed squadron.
・Raven Asgards' combat commander. To hide his facial expression, he always wears a mask in public, and no one has ever seen his real face. He has earned Sandman's complete trust, and as his right-hand man, he commands the field and skillfully manages to bring together the eccentric pilots. Only Sandman knows his real face.

■Subtitle

#1/The Giant God's Castle#2/The Mission of Gravity#3/Labyrinth#4/The Princess in the Tower#5/The Girl Who Doesn't Smile#6/Douba's Holiday#7/The Drill Girl on the Shore#8/Super Heavy Battlefield#9/Distant Embrace#10/The Crack#11/The Lost One#12/Because You're Here#13/The Iron Fang

■ Related works

Super Heavy God Gravion Zwei

■ Theme songs and music

OP
・Period: 1 to 13
・Nagiki no Rosario・Lyrics by Hironobu Kageyama・Composition by Hironobu Kageyama and Kenichi Sudo・Arrangement by Kenichi Sudo・Singer by JAM Project
ED
・Period: 1 to 13
・WISH
Lyrics: Ikuko Ebata Composition: Akira Horie Arrangement: Akira Horie Singer: YURIA

■Detailed evaluation

"Gravion" is a robot anime produced by GONZO that was broadcast in 2002, and has gained many fans due to its unique world view and the charm of its characters. Below, we will provide a detailed review of this work from various perspectives, including the story, characters, mecha design, and music.

story

The story of "Super Heavy God Gravion" depicts the struggles of the giant robot "Gravion" and its pilots as they fight against the mysterious enemy "Zerabaia" that suddenly appeared in the solar system. The story is set in the year 2041, and begins with a wealthy man named Klein Sandman foreseeing the invasion of Zerabaia and forming an armed squadron "Asgards" to fight back. This setting follows the theme of "Earth defense" often seen in science fiction anime, while building a unique worldview.

The story begins when the main character, Eiji, searches for his sister and infiltrates Sandman's castle, where he becomes the pilot of Gravion. The story centers on Eiji's growth and his relationships with the other pilots around him. In particular, the relationships between the characters are depicted in depth, such as his friendship with Toga and his romantic relationship with Runa. As the battle against Zerabaia progresses, the backgrounds and inner thoughts of each character are revealed, drawing the viewer in.

The appeal of the story lies not just in the battle scenes, but in the fact that it focuses on the growth of the characters and the changes in their relationships. In particular, the build-up to the final episode and the scenes depicting the determination of each character are moving and leave a strong impression on the viewer.

character

Each character in "Super Heavy God Gravion" is unique and charming. In particular, the story of the protagonist Eiji's growth resonates with viewers. Eiji begins his adventure to find his sister, and as he fights as a Gravion pilot, he deepens his bonds with his comrades and finds his own strength. His sister complex and role as a troublemaker also add humor and tension to the story.

Toga is usually a cheerful and friendly boy, but when it comes to fighting he suddenly changes into a cold-hearted character, showing his dual nature. This contrast enhances his charm and leaves a strong impression on viewers. His friendship with Eiji and his relationships with the other pilots are also depicted in depth.

Runa is a mood maker for the pilots, and her affection for Toga enriches her character. Her cheerfulness and positive personality give the story a bright atmosphere and entertain the viewers.

Mizuki is a professional fighter who leads the pilots, and her leadership and sex appeal make her a great character. Her relationship with Eiji's sister Ayaka also adds depth to the story.

Eina is a maid who cares for Toga and loves him dearly, and her devoted nature captures the hearts of viewers. Lill is a character who has a relationship with Zerabaia, and her growth and opening up of her heart are important elements of the story.

Sandman and Raven are important characters who support the story behind the scenes, and their mysterious presence adds depth to the story. In particular, the scene where Sandman's powers of foresight and Raven's true identity under the mask are revealed leaves a strong impression on the viewer.

Mechanical Design

The mecha design of "Super Heavy God Gravion" was created by Kunio Okawara, and its quality is very high. Gravion is a giant robot that is born when Grand Kaiser and four Grandivas combine, and its design is both powerful and beautiful. In particular, the power and beauty of the combination scene draws the viewer in.

The Grand Kaiser's design symbolizes Toga's role as the main pilot, expressing his cold-heartedness and strength. The Grand Diva's design reflects the individuality of each pilot, allowing you to visually enjoy the characteristics of each suit, such as Eiji's G Attacker and Runa's G Driller.

The appeal of the mecha design is not just in the battle scenes, but is also an important element that supports the growth of the characters and the development of the story. In particular, the Gravion fusion and battle scenes leave a strong impression on the viewer and create a climax to the story.

music

The music of "Gravion" is particularly memorable for its opening theme "Lamentation of Rosario" and ending theme "WISH". The opening is a powerful rock song by JAM Project, and the lyrics and melody that symbolize the theme of the story draw the viewer in. The ending is a gentle ballad by YURIA, and the lyrics and melody that reflect the character's feelings capture the viewer's heart.

The background music is also an important element in supporting the development of the story, effectively expressing the tension of the battle scenes and the emotions of the characters. In particular, the background music in the Gravion fusion and battle scenes leaves a strong impression on the viewer and creates a climax to the story.

■Recommendation

"Gravion" is recommended not only for robot anime fans, but also for viewers who want a deeper story and characters. In particular, the story of the protagonist Eiji's growth, his friendship with Toga, and his love affair with Runa are depicted in depth, drawing viewers in on the relationships between the characters. The quality of the mecha designs by Okawara Kunio and the music by JAM Project and YURIA are also elements that draw viewers in.

Another related work that I would recommend is "Super Heavy God Gravion Zwei." This sequel has a deeper story and character development, making it a must-see for fans. There are also many other robot anime produced by GONZO that fans of "Super Heavy God Gravion" will enjoy.

Overall, "Gravion" is a work that can be highly praised for its unique worldview, the charm of its characters, the quality of its mecha design, and the wonderful music, and is a work that can be recommended to many viewers. Please give it a watch and experience its charm for yourself.