Daimajuu Gekitou: Hagane no Oni

大魔獣激闘 鋼の鬼

Aired: 1987

A supernatural robot OVA born from a cancelled television project. Originally conceived as a Mazinger Z remake titled 'Daimajin Ga,' the project was shelved due to various circumstances, and this standalone work was released by restructuring its core concept. Toshihiro Hirano, Shou Aikawa, Kouichi Ohata, and other talents assembled to depict an intense clash between humanity and monstrous great demon beasts in the dark, weighty style characteristic of the late 1980s. The story follows the protagonist as he pilots a giant robot harboring the power of an ancient war god, delivering a satisfying supernatural romance that revives mythological motifs in a modern setting. The ending theme 'JUST BECAUSE,' sung by J-WALK, is remembered as a hidden gem among 1980s OVA songs, lending a bittersweet yet powerful afterglow to the fierce battles.