Mazinger Z

Aired: 1972 - 1974

A giant robot anime produced by Toei Doga (Toei Animation), based on Go Nagai's manga in Weekly Shonen Jump and TV Magazine. Dr. Juzo Kabuto completes Mazinger Z, made of Super Alloy Z capable of "being god or devil," only to be killed by Dr. Hell's Mechanical Beast army from the Mycenae Empire. Grandson Koji Kabuto inherits the legacy, piloting Mazinger Z via Hover Pilder against Baron Ashura, Count Brocken, and other foes. As the first proper depiction of a "piloted giant robot" in TV anime, it became the direct ancestor of all later mecha works including Mobile Suit Gundam and Macross. The Ichiro Mizuki OP is one of the most iconic anime theme songs ever. 92 episodes.

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