The appeal and reviews of "GR [GIANT ROBO]": A thorough explanation of the giant robot anime masterpiece

The full story and appeal of "GR [GIANT ROBO]"

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

January 19, 2007 - July 13, 2007

■TV anime

Sky Perfect TV! February 9, 2007 to July 13, 2007 (1st to 13th episodes) Friday

TOKYO MX October 4, 2007 to December 27, 2007 (Episodes 1 to 13) Every Thursday 23:00 to 23:30

■ Online distribution

Sg-TV January 19, 2007 to July 6, 2007 (Episodes 1 to 13) Updated on Fridays

■Broadcasting station

・Broadcast: Sg-TV, Sky Perfect TV! SKY PerfecTV! , TOKYO MX

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 13

■Original Story

Original work: Mitsuteru Yokoyama, Hikari Production

■ Director

・General Director: Ren Usami

・Director: Masahiko Murata

■ Production

・Animation production: ACGT

・Production: OB Planning

・Production cooperation: Sg-me, PP.NET

・Produced by Softgarage

■Works

©2007 Hikari Pro／Softgarage

■ Story

Mysterious giant robots have appeared all over the world, and the world is in the depths of fear. Meanwhile, guided by a mysterious girl, Daisaku Kusama makes a "contract" with a giant steel robot, "GR-1," and becomes the pilot of the giant robot. He is then unintentionally drawn into the midst of a fierce battle...

■Explanation

That majestic iron figure has been reborn with a new look! Carrying on the will of the original author, Mitsuteru Yokoyama, giants clash with all their might!

The popular manga "Giant Robo," which has been adapted into a live-action film and an OVA, has been given a new look and is now being made into an anime.

■Cast

・Daisaku Kusama/Daisuke Namikawa

・Vee/Miyuu Sawai

・Alex Mackenzie/Romi Park

・Texas/Fumihiko Tachiki

・Mike Hodges/Masayuki Komuro

・Isabella Reid/Sayaka Ohara

Maria Voynich/Sako Chiba

・Celestine Bunuel / Asako Momo

・Yoshihiko Higa/Hidetoshi Nakamura

・Kiyoo Yamabe/Katsumi Toriumi

・Katsumi Arashi/Kazunori Chiba

・Max Champlin/Ieyuki Iemasa

■ Main staff

Original work: Mitsuteru Yokoyama, Hikari Production

・Planning and production: Kimura Masaaki

・General Director: Ren Usami

・Director: Masahiko Murata

・Series Composition/Chiaki Konaka

・Concept design: Ariaki Okada

・Character design: Shigeyuki Suga

・Mechanical design: Oki Yamada

・Mecha animation director: Kiyoshi Yamada, Hiroki Mutaguchi

・SF & military research/Seiji Suzuki

・Set design, 3DCG supervision: Tomohiro Kawahara

Art setting: Tokumitsu Kobayashi

・Art director/Shinichi Tanimura

・Sound Director: Satoshi Nakajima, Masafumi Mima

・Music by Kimushin

・Music Production/Use Music

・General Producer/Takumi Ogawa

Executive Producers: Hideo Takano, Yasuhiro Ito

・Chief Producer/Hayakawa Hitoshi

・Producer: Yasunori Muratake

・Assistant Producer: Masao Yoshida

・Line Producer/Yoshiyo Fukuda

・Animation production: ACGT

・Production: OB Planning

・Production cooperation: Sg-me, PP.NET

・Produced by Softgarage

■ Main Characters

・Daisaku Kusama

18 years old. A young man who made a contract with GR-1 and became its mastermind. He was a live-in part-timer at the diving shop Higa on Minamiyonaguni Island. He has a kind and proactive personality, with clear likes and dislikes and self-assertion.

V

A mysterious girl who looks to be about 12 years old. She is a shadowy girl with a fragile air about her, but at the same time she has a strong will to confront her destiny and speaks with a dignified tone. Her true identity is shrouded in mystery...

・Alex Mackenzie

A woman in her late 20s. UNISOM research team leader (former US Army major). A hardworking soldier. She was assigned to excavate the GRs and was assigned to the ruins on Minamiyonaguni Island, but after the discovery of GR-1, her main duty became protecting (and monitoring) Daisaku.

Texas

36 years old. A UNISOM agent. He pretends to be a reserved person and does not show any emotion, so as not to show weakness to his opponents.

・Mike Hodges

58 years old. Commander of the GRO execution force. A former Green Beret, he has participated in conflicts around the world as a mercenary since the late 1970s. He gives off a strong impression of being rugged, but he also values ​​his family.

・Isabella Reid

Age 31. Adjutant of the GRO execution unit. Main duties are to assist Lt. Colonel Mike Hodges and manage the operators.

・Maria Voynich

25 years old. Polish BFN reporter. A courageous, curious and proactive woman who excels at on-the-spot reporting. Expresses her feelings straightforwardly and is a bit clumsy.

■ Main robot items

・GR-1

Length 30m, weight 600t. Special move is Graviton Punch. GR emerged from Okinawa. It is the first all-round type created and is said to be the basis of GR. It has a contract with Daisaku Kusama and only he can operate it.

・GR-2

Length 36m, weight 720t. Special moves are Graviton Edge Cutter and Antimatter Field Rocket Punch. This is the first GR to be discovered and successfully put into practical use by GRO. Unlike the GR-1, the operator is fluid.

・GR-3

Length 33m, weight 660t. Special moves are graviton cannon and graviton discharge. The second GR discovered by GRO, with flying capabilities. Operator is fluid, and is piloted by Kiev.

・GR-4

Length 30m, weight 600t. Nicknamed "Disaster". A GR discovered in an underground nuclear testing site by the United States in the 1960s and kept secret. The head was damaged by the nuclear explosion and was no longer functional.

・GR-5

Length 39m, weight 780t. GR discovered by GRO in Argentina.

・GR-0

This GR is the ultimate weapon that awakens when all GRs self-destruct.

■Subtitle

・Qubit:01/Contract

・Qubit:02/Attack

・Qubit:03/Clash

・Qubit:04/Arousal

・Qubit:05/Intelligence

・Qubit:06/Lightning Attack

・Qubit:07／Wilderness

・Qubit:08／Double Self

・Qubit:09/Separation

・Qubit:10／Transition

・Qubit:11/Reality

・Qubit:12/Suki

・Qubit:13/Old God

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1

・Answer

Lyrics by Manabu Kuroda

・Composition: Seigo Anakura

Arrangement: Seigo Anakura, Kimushin

・Singer: Rockwell

・ED1

・It was yesterday

Lyrics: kenko-p, Yona, CHASE ANDY, DURAND DOMINIQUE, SCHLESINGER ADAM

・Composer: Jin Nakamura, CHASE ANDY, DURAND DOMINIQUE, SCHLESINGER ADAM

・Arrangement: Jin Nakamura

・Singer: Yona

The appeal and evaluation of "GR [GIANT ROBO]"

"GR [GIANT ROBO]" is a TV anime series based on the original work by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, which was broadcast in 2007. The story depicts the emergence of giant robots all over the world, and the human race confronting the threat. In particular, the story focuses on the protagonist Daisaku Kusama, who makes a contract with GR-1 and is at the mercy of its fate.

The appeal of this work lies above all in its epic scale and detailed setting. A different GR appears in each episode, each with their own unique special moves and characteristics, which is a highlight. In addition, the growth of Daisaku, who has made a contract with GR-1, and the human drama of the characters surrounding him are also depicted in depth, drawing viewers in.

Particularly impressive is the relationship between GR-1 and Daisaku. By making a contract with GR-1, Daisaku takes on the responsibility of piloting it. The way in which GR-1's abilities blossom as Daisaku grows is moving to viewers. The presence of a mysterious girl named Vee also adds depth to the story, and the process in which her true identity and purpose are gradually revealed is not to be missed.

The cast is also impressive, with Daisuke Namikawa's voice realistically expressing his growth and conflicts as Daisaku. Miyu Sawai's voice also brings out her mysterious aura. Other veteran voice actors such as Fumihiko Tachiki and Masayuki Komuro also play supporting roles, raising the quality of the entire work.

There are many things not to be missed about the staff, and the animation produced by ACGT under the direction of General Director Usami Ren and Director Murata Masahiko is of extremely high quality. In particular, the work of mechanic designer Yamada Kiyoshi brings realism to the designs and movements of each GR, greatly enhancing the visual appeal. In addition, the background music by Kimushin, who was in charge of the music, is also an important element in amplifying the tension and excitement of the story.

During the broadcast period, it was available on Sky Perfect TV! and TOKYO MX, and was also streamed online. This allowed many viewers to enjoy the series. The subtitles of each episode also hint at the development of the story, helping to draw the viewer's interest.

The theme songs are also an important element in enhancing the appeal of the work. The opening theme, "Answer," features Rockwell's impressive, powerful singing voice, which livens up the beginning of the story. The ending theme, "It Was Yesterday," features Yona's gentle singing voice, which leaves an aftertaste of the story and deeply moves the viewer.

"GR [GIANT ROBO]" is a work that can be enjoyed as a human drama and growth story that goes beyond the giant robot genre. It is a highly polished anime series that can be recommended not only to fans of the original work, but also to those who are experiencing this work for the first time.

■ Recommendation points

1. **Grand scale and detailed setting**

The designs of each GR, their special moves, and the situations in which they appear are all drawn in great detail, making it visually appealing. The world view is also deep, drawing viewers in.

2. **The protagonist's growth and human drama**

The film deeply depicts the growth of Daisaku Kusama and the human drama of the characters surrounding him, leaving viewers with a deep impression. In particular, the relationship between Daisaku and GR-1 is a point not to be missed.

3. **Awesome cast and crew**

The quality of the work is raised by a gorgeous cast including Daisuke Namikawa and Miyu Sawai, and by talented staff including Ren Usami and Masahiko Murata. In particular, the mechanical design by Kiyoshi Yamada is a must-see.

4. **Emotional Theme Song**

The opening theme "Answer" and the ending theme "It Was Yesterday" liven up the beginning and end of the story and deeply move the audience. Rockwell and Yona's singing voices are also attractive.

5. **Appeal to a wide range of audiences**

It is a story that can be enjoyed not only by fans of the original work, but also by those who are experiencing it for the first time. Its appeal is that it can be enjoyed as a human drama and story of growth that goes beyond the giant robot genre.

As mentioned above, "GR [GIANT ROBO]" is a work that is appealing for its epic scale, detailed setting, deep human drama and story of growth. Combined with the theme song that moves the viewer and the talents of the gorgeous cast and staff, it is a highly polished anime series. Please give it a watch.