SRWZ and Giant Robo episode 1 review (part 1)

Current status: Very happy, for very various reasons

Currently listening to: Overman King Gainer from the series with the same name. I just can't believe Yoshiyuki Tomino could write such a hotblooded song.
Quote of the day: "Can't happiness be obtained without sacrifices?" - Kusama Daisaku from Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still.


Today I'll start with the announcement that Super Robot Wars is getting another episode for the PS2. Its name is Super Robot Wars Z and features the following series:

• Overman King Gainer (NEW): By Yoshiyuki Tomino. All I've watched is episodes 1-4 so far. Weird mech designs, catchy theme... Sounds promising.

• The Big O: Featuring Roger Smith the Negotiator and R.Dorothy Wayneright. Nicknamed 'Batman with mechs', The Big O was a bigger hit in the States than in Japan. And it has a Queen-ish opening. Was in SRW D for the GBA.
• The Big O 2nd Season (NEW): We should thank Toonami for this gem. Due to US success, Toonami asked the Japanese counterparts to make a new season. Finally, we'll see some real Action. It's Showtime! Especially since it has much more plot than Season 1. And more mechs. And [SPOILER] TOMATOES! [/SPOILER] I'm not kidding.
  

• Invincible Superman Zambot 3: Tomino's super robot returns. How can one not love a fat enemy called "Killer the Butcher"? That's really discrete, Tomino... Reaaally discrete. Last seen in SRWR for the GBA (and in Advance Portable, technically). Also of note is that [SPOILER]they kill everyone, and I mean everyone. Even the dog. Oh, right, the main character survives. And this is a kid's show?[/SPOILER]. I remember that in SRW4 they made a major route split on whether you were quick enough to save some kids from being bombed by Butcher. Needless to say that I failed majorly. Not much of a tragedy, I couldn't understand anything they said (I had that infamous translation patch. "Ogilk iscu" for the win!!

• Invincible Iron Man Daitarn 3: Roger is not the only rich guy in SRWZ. Banjou is back with his 120m tall bot. And with a new voice, I suppose, considering his original one died about a year ago. Last seen in SRW Alpha 3 and Advance Portable. I hope we get to fight the Meganoids again. Daitarn's plot was actually original in that aspect. Banjou is the son of a scientist, who created the Meganoids, robots with an ego. For that, Banjou can never forgive neither his daddy, nor them robots. In fact, [SPOILER] in the last episode, his father talks to him in his mind, cheering on him to win. Banjou tells him to he road, that he doesn't need his dad's help, and beats Don Zauser with his Sun Attack.[/SPOILER]. Awesome.

• Combat Mecha Xabungle: "Xabungle wa otoko no ko!" (Xabungle is a boy!) yells Jiron while piloting the 2-part real robot. One of the comebacks from Alpha Gaiden, this series had one attack involving Xabungle's upgrade throwing a giant missile at the enemy. Yes, that's right. Throwing it. P.S. Not a great cut-in...
  

• Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam: A New Translation: One of Kill'em all Tomino's masterpieces, albeit graphically and plot-wise updated. "Believe in the sign of Zeta, beyond the hard times from noooow!" (from the first opening theme). It's been shown in SRW so much, that describing its plot is useless.

• Mobile Suit Gundam: Char’s Counterattack: Char and Amuro, Universal Century Gundam's biggest rivals, duke it out one last time, with the Earth's fate at stake. Philosophy, passion, mobile suits with funnels, drama... Except that Terada (the producer) announced that the plot won't be used. Again. It's here just for the mechs. Pictured is the Nu Gundam, Amuro's custom mech. I have a figure of it! ^_^
  

• After War Gundam X: Considered a failed series because it was cancelled after 39 episodes. In fact, it had a good plot and better yet, it had a reaaaally strong mech with an obscene MAP attack. Gundam X and Gundam Double X can use their Satellite Cannons only when the full moon is out (since the beam is fired from a moon satellite, onto the Gundam). Last seen in SRWR, was in Alpha Gaiden as well.

• Turn A Gundam: A moustached Gundam, a post-apocalyptic 19th century-like society, a pilot who's a talent at crossdressing, a samurai in an ancient mobile suit and most importantly, Moonlight Butterflies. Another Tomino work, with bizarre mecha and only one appearance in SRW - Alpha Gaiden again.

• Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny: The Fukuda (I know you're thinking of the same dirty word) couple's sequel to Gundam Seed. Fans hate it for its many flashback episodes (one is as late as episode 40ish) and for the sudden change of main character and sides (Shinn Asuka becomes an Anakin-like bad guy when Kira Yamato, Seed's retired hero comes back). Memorable for Shinn's beating of Freedom Gundam and killing of Kira. And Kira lives. Again. And gets a bigger shinier mobile suit. And kicks Shinn's sorry ass. We get to see Freedom's stabbing in the preview, which means Banpresto liked it. And the fans liked it. Worst case scenario, we'll replay some missions.

• Mazinger Z: Grandpa Zed is back again. And he looks chubby, like in the '72 series. Initiator or piloted mecha series, of super robots and of female robots with breast missiles (Believe me, there's a lot of them out there). There, I've said it. Hope we get to play its plot, he's been shafted these last few years.

• Great Mazinger: Z's worthy successor, piloted by a highly trained orphan pilot called Tsurugi Tetsuya. Initiator of angst? At any rate, what can be cooler than a robot that directs lightning through its finger and fires it at the enemy?
  

• Getter Robo G: Strangely enough, this is all we get this time around. I suppose we'll be fighting the Hyakki Empire. At any rate, I like the mech, and its finisher, the Shine Spark, kicked major ass. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a post-movement Getter Change Attack. Compact 3 and MX really kicked us in the teeth with that one.

• UFO Robo Grendizer: My childhood hero is back to kick ass, yay! He'll make good friends with Marin from Baldios. Heck, they could even be from the same Solar System or something.

• Space Emperor GodSigma (NEW): A 3-robot combiner, powered by new miracle energy called Trinity Energy. Like all things miraculous, aliens want it badly. The Eldars, led by a lady general (yay!) want to get their grimy hands on it, and GodSigma won't let them do it. Notable that it has a crapload of sword techniques. Let's see how cheap Banpresto will be.

• Genesis of Aquarion (NEW): A CG-mecha anime, more of a tribute to Getter. Oh, and they fight angels (not an Eva reference). And whenever the Get Machin... errrr, Vectors combine, the pilots get an orgasm.... Neat, huh? Also, this is perhaps the sickest twist to the classic Rocket Punch yet. A fist that extends and follows the enemy in a pure Itano Circus manner (a name for the Macross missile massacre - basically, when swarms of missiles follow a mech, moving at unlikely angles). Can reach the moon (Fly me to the moon... er-hem. Not an Eva reference) and is called Mugen Punch (Infinite Punch).

• Eureka Seven (NEW): I don't know a lot about it, but I've heard it's really good. And it has mechs on surfboards. Woo-hoo.
  

• Super Dimension Century Orguss (NEW): Made by the creators of Macross, this series has a plotline about dimensional problems. Sounds like a plausible way to bring so many wacky series together.

• Space Warrior Baldios (NEW): The other plausible way to bring them together. Marin, the pilot, is brough to Earth because of a hyperspace problem. And is followed by the enemies. Marin wants to save his second home from these bastards. I'll bet they'll go hand in hand with Dizer's Vegans.

• Gravion (NEW): Finally, Klein Sandman and the Gran Knights join the ever-larger and wackier SRW Universe. I don't think I'd mind any of the themes, frankly. "Gran Knights no shoukun, gasshin se yo!" (Gentlemen of the Gran Knights, combine!)
• Gravion Zwei (NEW): And the sequel to it, featuring even more Super Robots. And some Brave Series tributes. Yay!

***

Time for a review now.

First off is Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still. We'll start with Wikipedia's description.

Giant Robo is an homage to Mitsuteru Yokoyama's career. The series features characters and plotlines from the manga artist's entire canon of work, effectively creating an all-new story. The events take place in the near future, ten years after the advent of the Shizuma Drive triggers the third energy revolution. The series follows the master of the titular Robo, Daisaku Kusama, and the Experts of Justice, an international police organization locked in battle with the BF Group, a secret society hell-bent on world domination.

The OVA is recognized for its "retro" style and operatic score. The character designs emulate Yokoyama's drawing style and the mechanics are inspired by steampunk literature. The action set pieces are influenced by Hong Kong action cinema, specifically the new school of wuxia and the 1970s kung fu wave.

The first installment of the series, "The Black Attaché Case," was released July 22, 1992. Originally intended to finish within 36 months, the seven volumes series was ultimately released over the span of six years. "The Grand Finale" was released January 25, 1998.

This is the translated version of its Super Robot Encyclopedia entry (credits go to me for the translation and editing)

My first encounter with the titular Robo was in Super Robot Wars 64 and Super Robot Wars Alpha, for the Nintendo 64 and PlayStation 1 respectively. I'll have to admit, Daisaku's voice sounded so annoying, that I considered this series to be weak and for kids. Sure, I made the same mistake when I first heard Shishioh Gai's (The King of Braves GaoGaiGar) voice in Alpha 2 for the PlayStation 2.

Luckily for me, I was wrong in both cases. You might recall I reviewed some of the GaoGaiGar FINAL episodes earlier in my blog (still incomplete, but I'll attempt to finish it). GaoGaiGar turned out to be a heart-warming story about courage, friendship and perseverance. And big bots kicking ass left and right.

Giant Robo, however, amazed me. First, with its opening theme. The narration really fits the orchestral melody. Here, we find out about the rise of a new type of energy, the Shizuma Drive, about the 2 groups fighting each other (the BF Group and the Interpol) and about the titular Robo. Nothing special so far, apart the fact that the theme was the only thing that wasn't retro-style.

Episode 1: The Black Attaché Case (55:26)

The episode kicks off with the disappearance of Dr. Shizuma. Then, during a thunderstorm, we are introduced to the (still unnamed) villains: Genya (the long-haired leader), Koenshaku (his silent samurai-like guard), Alberto the Shockwave (one of the Magnificent 10) and Ivan of Russia (with his huge nose). It seems they are gathering 3 "samples", of which they only have 2 (both in suitcases), much to Ivan's dismay.

Then, we see somebody running in the dark. In fact, it's Dr. Shizuma, running on top of a caterpillar-like train, holding on to his suitcase. Calmly following him is Q-Boss, a dandy-looking fellow with a sock-like mask (like all BF Groupies). Upon asking Shizuma to give him the case, the scientist replies "Never! Do you know what'll happen to the world once I give this up?". Q-Boss laughingly tells him that it all started with him inventing this drive-system. Shizuma explains that this is why he is trying to pay for his sins with his own life. Q-Boss just wants the case and takes his gun out. As Shizuma prays to God to protect his case, Q-Boss replies that he should have prayed to 10-years ago self (this is significant, as we'll find out later). We hear a gunshot as the train enters a tunnel. We see blood dripping, and it's apparently coming from Q-Boss, as Shizuma is still cowering at the end of the train. Someone has apparently shot Q-Boss's hand. It looks like a tall robot-like being, holding a gun. This someone has come to save Shizuma. As Q Boss wonders where it had been hiding, we hear someone yell for "Ginrei!". The yeller is dark-skinned muscle-man Tetsugyu (translatable as "Iron Ox"), standing on another train, coming on a parallel line. Shizuma's saviour takes the costume off, revealing long-legged China dress-wearing beauty, Ginrei ("Silver Bell"), who jumps off the train, along with Shizuma. Tetsugyu seems kind of disappointed to have caught just the professor, and not the girl. Q-Boss's train had bunches of helicopters stored inside the wagons (what?). Ginrei disposes of one of them via gun (they just don't seem to make helicopters like they used to... ^_^;;). She seems to want to use some kind of power, because there's no end to this enemy. Tetsugyu asks her to leave it to him, because she shouldn't use that power. He fights the enemy, while having the professor and the case on his back. He disposes of quite a number of helicopters using his axes (which are extendable, nevertheless) and a technique called the "Black Whirlwind". That doesn't change the fact that Ginrei calls him a stupid ox (name pun), because he put Shizuma in danger. Their train is destroyed by Q-Boss, whose train turns into a caterpillar-like robot, with a giant drill for a nose. A kid tells Tetsugyu via telecommunication to run faster, which makes him angry. Ginrei is contacted as well (via ring) and is told to keep running straight ahead (where there is a bascule bridge). When they get there, it parts, due to a ship coming that way. They jump, followed by Q-Boss. Suddenly, a giant hand (coming out of the ship) catches them and punches the robot. The train bot flies off, and Q-Boss tries to make it move (uselessly). We can see a gigantic silhouette moving in the distance (steps SFX and all). It's a huge pharaoh-headed robot, and next to its head is a boy. It's... Giant Robo! Q-Boss does a desperate attack "for Big Fire", and the boy, Kusama Daisaku orders Robo to punch it. Q-Boss flies off, saying this is impossible (tell me about it... one hit kill punch?). Tetsugyu and Ginrei recognize Daisaku, as Giant Robo takes off, holding them in its hand. We hear Ginrei's voice-over. "Come to think of it, this was my first encounter with Daisaku-kun. I think it was the first day of the incident. Yes, the seven days that nobody can ever forget."

Unfortunately, due to the length of the episode and to my lack of time, I'll have to halt the review here. So far, so good. This is a battle that can be seen in either SRW appearance Giant Robo has had. Incidentally, in SRW64, Q Boss doesn't stay dead, whereas in SRW Alpha they mass-produce that machine (which does get a name, not that I would remember it). I'll give my marks when I finish the review.

***

This should've been the part where I reviewed my new toys, but it's been almost 2 months since I was supposed to do that. At any rate, I have a new camera, so I'll even take photos of each one of them. Here's a tentative list of the following review-posts.

1. Revoltech Getter 1 (from New Getter Robo)

2. HCM Pro Nu Gundam (from Gundam: Char's Counterattack)

3. Revoltech Shin Getter 1 (from Change!! Getter Robo: The Last Day of the Earth)

4. HCM Pro Sazabi (from Gundam: Char's Counterattack)

5. Revoltech Mazinkaiser (from Mazinkaiser and Mazinkaiser vs the General of Darkness)

6. HCM Pro Force Impulse Gundam (from Gundam Seed Destiny)

7. Revoltech Giant Robo and GR-2 (from Giant Robo the Animation: The Day the Earth Stood Still)

8. HCM Pro Freedom Gundam (from Gundam Seed and Gundam Seed Destiny)

9. HCM Pro Strike Freedom Gundam (from Gundam Seed Destiny)

10. HCM Pro Destiny Gundam (from Gundam Seed Destiny)

***

Before I sign off, I'd like to express my thanks to my high-school classmates. Thanks for these 4 years, thanks for the wonderful prom, thanks for being the crackpots they are and hopefully will always be. This particular screwball will never forget you! (You get a cookie if you guess which one I am)

Signing off, yours truly.