is a Super Robot

Super Robot

is a term used in manga and anime to describe a giant robot or mecha, with an arsenal of fantastic super-powered weapons, extreme resistance to damage unless the plot calls for it, sometimes transformable or combined from two or more robots and/or vehicles usually piloted by young, daring heroes,...

 mecha

Mecha

A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...

 anime

Anime

is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....

 series produced by Toei Animation. It was a reimagining of the original series

Gaiking

was a Japanese Super Robot mecha anime series produced by Toei Animation.It ran from April 1976 through January 1977 and consisted of 44 26-minute episodes. Gaiking was notable for being one of the few super robot series to take place in real places outside of Japan, and for being the first Super...

 created by Go Nagai

Go Nagai

, better known by the penname , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with Meakashi Polikichi, but is best known for creating Cutie Honey, Devilman, and Mazinger Z in the 1970s. In 2005, he became a...

 (who also created Mazinger Z

Mazinger Z

, known briefly as Tranzor Z in United States, is a Super Robot manga and anime series created by Go Nagai. The first manga version was serialized in Shueisha Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1972 to August 1973, and it later continued in Kodansha TV Magazine from October 1973 to September 1974. In...

), and was aired in TV Asahi

TV Asahi

, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....

 from November 12, 2005 to September 24, 2006, lasting a total of 39 episodes. It originally replaced Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo

Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo

is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yoshio Sawai, published by Shueisha, and serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine...

 in its timeslot.

Plot

Five years ago, Daiya Tsuwabuki was on a fishing trip with his father when giant monsters attacked. Daiya was saved by the crew of Daiku Maryu. In the present, Daiya believes that his father is still alive but no one believes him, not even his own mother. But when the same monsters attack the city, Daiya becomes the pilot of Gaiking and joins Daiku Maryu as they go to the world of Darius to stop them from taking over the earth.

Gaiking

A mysterious mecha formed from the Daikū Maryū's head plus Parts 1 (Arms and Chest) and 2 (Torso, Legs and Feet), it's piloted by Daiya and is the main machine of the series. It's the third Flame Giant, possessing an even mix of speed, power, and defense in comparison to the specialized Raiking and Vulking. Its attacks are versatile, including the Despair Sight eye lasers, Zaul Geyser (a helix beam from the chest's eyes), and the Volt Paralyzer electrical shocks in its horns. Unlike most super robots, Gaiking's Puncher Grind rocket punch does not return upon being fired, to Daiya's initial surprise. It must instead be retrieved using the Zector Hooks mounted in its shoulders, which can also be used for grappling opponents or objects. Each of its legs mounts a Counter Cross blade for use as swords or throwing stars. It can charge up its pilot's flame to release in a wave called Hydro Blazer - upon Daiya's training with Li, he learns to focus this into a concentrated ball called Shinryu Hydro Blazer. It can also call for the Gaiking Axe, Gaiking Spear and Gaiking Shield from the Daiku Maryu, or combine the Spear with one of the Counter Crosses to form a larger pike.

Gaiking's greatest feature is called Face Open; when used, it causes Gaiking to emit four times the heat it normally does, also quadrupling the machine's speed and power. However, the strain on the pilot's flame is potentially life-threatening, requiring the use of a limiter to keep it from killing Daiya.

Daikū Maryū

A gigantic dragon-shaped robot that protects the earth from the invaders from the world of Darius. It was originally created by Garis as a weapon for the Darius Empire, but was stolen along with the other two Great Dragon Ships and used as the flagship of the rebellion. Being the third ship to be created, it has all-terrain capabilities and is a hybrid performance-wise of the Daichi Maryu and Tenku Maryu, from which it derives its name. Unlike its sister ships, it cannot be controlled in an unmanned state. Its armaments are the same as the Daiku Maryu's from the original series - with its head or the Superior Stinger attached, it can utilize the Killer Bite and Death Fire attacks, while no head is required for it to use its Dragon Cutter spinning blades or to simply bludgeon the opponent with its massive body. Partway through the series it gains the ability to curl into a wheel-like form, which activates a barrier called the Volution Protect. In this form it can be used as a gigantic buzzsaw in the Spinning Death Coaster attack. It was commanded by Captain Garis and later on by Lulu. It requires someone with an exceptionally strong flame to move the wheel that allows the helmsman to pilot it, which originally meant only Rongo could pilot it - after his injury, Naoto became the new helmsman.

Vulking

A mecha similar to Gaiking except to its features. It is made of Daichi Maryū's head plus Parts 1 and 2. It has a powerful defense and overwhelming long ranged attacks, compensating for its slow speed. Its back-mounted Hydrute Cannons can be pulled off its back for use as enormous handaxes, while it also features Rapid-Fire Missiles on its back and can fire rapid-fire bolts from its hands in a Corona Blast. It also has the same Despair Sight as Gaiking, and can fire all of its weapons in its Endless Burn attack. When needed it can call for the Miracle Drill from Daichi Maryu, which can attach to the hands of itself or Gaiking. It was piloted briefly by Proist and then Saspazi, who was forced to burn himself out piloting it. Soon after it was claimed by Lee when he captured Daichi Maryū, and used as his personal mech thereafter.

Daichi Maryū

The second of the Three Dragon Ships, It was a Dragon-like mech like Daikū Maryū except for the design. It was designed to house in Vulking and its weapons, especially its most powerful one, the Miracle Drill. The ship was commanded by Vestaanu.

Raiking

Raiking is the fastest mecha in the Gaiking Anime. It is the fusion of Tenkū Maryū's head plus Parts 1 and 2. It has enormous speed and agility as well as an arsenal of powerful electrical attacks. Unlike Gaiking, it can launch its Counter Hook arms as remote-guided flying units and reattach them at will. While the arms are detached, its elbows can fire a Zector Beam electron whip, counterpart to Gaiking's Zector Hooks - upon grappling a target, they can electrocute it using the Desperizer Shockwave. Raiking's Despair Sight is mounted in its fingertips, allowing it to shoot precision beams or rapid bombardments, while its right leg contains a scythe which can be hurled at its enemies as the Skull Harken attack. Its signature attacks are the "Lightning Death Storm", a tornado blast fired from the arms, and the "Electro Blazer", where all of its electrical energy is gathered into a ball and released in a large beam. Raiking can also unleash a combination attack with Tenkū Maryū using the Giant Cutter blade attached to the battleship's underside. It was piloted by Proist until she placed a mind-controlled Noza in it - afterwards, Noza took it as his personal machine.

Tenkū Maryū

The third of the Three Dragon Ships. A Wyvern-shaped like dragon robot that was built for high speed combat. It houses Raiking and its weapons. One of them is the Giant Cutter. It is eventually captained by Kain, one of Nouza's subordinates.

Gaiking The Great

The most powerful machine of the Daikū Maryū crew, made up of Daikū Maryū's head plus Raiking Part 1 and Vulking Part 2. It has ten times the power output of Gaiking, allowing it to surpass all of its component machines put together. Its mobility is greatly improved thanks to the G Wing inherited from Raiking, which also gives it the ability to use the finger-mounted Despair Sight beams in a manner akin to an enormously long energy sword. Its Giga Puncher Grind has the ability to return upon being thrown, unlike the original Puncher Grind, and its turbines are repurposed for its Burning Death Storm. Vulking's legs provide it with greater defensive strength, and the stronger Gigantor Cross as an upgrade to its Counter Cross blades, which can also be combined for use in its Hydro Blazer Giga Burst finisher. It can still use Volt Paralyzer, which is now drastically enhanced in power and no longer requires direct contact with Gaiking's horns. When dire need arises, it can utilize Face Open: The Great to enhance its power even further. Only Daiya can handle the mech's full potential, as it places an enormous strain on the pilot's flame.

Darius Forces

The forces of Darius, also known as the Darius Army, are commanded by Emperor Darius XVII's four generals: Noza, Vestarnu, Saspazi, and Proist. Noza commands the army of giants, Proist commands the Infinite Fleet, Vestarnu commands the steel beasts, and Saspazi commands the demon beasts. As of episode 14 the steel beasts are upgraded to hyper steel beasts by order of King Darius; unlike regular steel beasts these are usually, but not always, one of a kind instead of mass produced and are much stronger bodies and weapons. As of episode 19 Proist becomes the commander of the entire Darius Army and succeeds the previous Emperor Darius, becoming Emperor Darius XVIII. Near the end of the series a new group four generals is conceived under Proist's rule.

• Baora: First appear in episode 1. Powers include swimming, an organ that allows them to reform their entire body in a matter of hours, anamorphic tentacles with clam shell for clamping, heat absorption, and green fire balls from the mouth,
• Protex: First appear in episode 1. Powers include swimming, missile spikes from the back, high jumping, and levitation.
• Zergaia: First appear in episode 3. Powers include swimming, flight, storage of steel and demon beasts, twin howitzer cannons, an energy cannon called a Hydrate Cannon in the mouth, mutating weapons called Bio Bombs from the underside, and an underside energy cannon. They act as the primary flagships of the Darius forces.
• Dairox: First ppear in episode 3. Powers include swimming, spear octopus tentacles, and a high body temperature that indicates self destruction.
• Depro: First appears in episode 4. Is actually a small slime creature that acts as Saspazi's pet with reformation properties.
• Garblaz: Appear in episode 4. Powers include swimming, heat resistance, a drill horn, and teleportation.
• Galgoras: First appear in episode 5. Powers include flight, yellow sonic waves from the mouth, and sharp talons.
• Gelg: First appear in episode 5. Powers include swimming and tentacles.
• Aroga: Appear in episode 6. Powers include green eye lasers, swimming, and camouflage.
• Prototype Demon Beasts: First appear in episode 7. The start out as mutations before having their genetics altered by bio bombs, often possessing weapons from their bodies such as teeth, claws, and horns.
• Bliza Lintes: Appears in episode 7. Powers include flight, a sword, and electrical shockwaves from the sword called the Sen-Pu-Jin. Is used by former general of the giants, Bliza.
• Dorman: First appears in episode 7. Powers include flight, a large sword that reflects energy based attacks and emits energy surges, teleportation, armor, immense strength, and a large boomerang. Is used by Noza as his personal machine.
• Surveillance Mosquito: Appears in episode 8. Powers include flight and purple leg lasers.
• Barakris: Appears in episode 8. Powers include flight, infrared detection, immunity to radar detection, and pink eye lasers.
• Bitra: Appear in episode 9. Powers include flight and mouth energy balls.
• Domega: Appears in episode 9. Powers include swimming, bitra production from its thick shell, mouth energy balls that can cluster into smaller ones, levitation, and skull bashing.
• Dairu: Appear in episode 9. Powers include swimming and sentry storage within themselves.
• Skilarus: Appears in episode 10. Powers include swimming and kirberos spawning.
• Kirberos: Appear in episode 10. Powers include swimming, pink mouth lasers, and coiling.
• Rick Zerunga: Appears in episode 11. Powers include flight and swords for hands.
• Misha Zerunga: Appears in episode 11. Powers include flight, a sword, and a round shield.
• Grocteror: First appear in episode 11. The only possess flight and storing giants within themselves as they act as Noza's four transport ships. They can fire a green laser from their largest eye and when four combine they form a Death Point Cross, creating a portal to Earth.
• Kodor Zerunga: First appears in episode 12. Powers include flight, an ax for the right hand, and a round shield.
• Ura Zerunga: First Appears in episode 12. Powers include flight, a spear for the right hand, and a slicing disc on a cable for the left hand.
• Kane Zerunga: First appears in episode 12. Powers include flight, a sword for the right hand, and a shield for the left hand.
• Karab: First appears in episode 12. Powers include flight, pendulum blades near their mandibles, self destruction, and yellow sonic waves from the mouth.
• Tousei: Appear in episode 12. Only known power is sharp fangs.
• Super Dorman: Appears in episode 13. Powers include flight, immense strength, a large sword identical to the original Dorman,and a hyper mode similar to Gaiking's Face Open that allows super sonic movement and allows it to create large black fire balls.
• Keteros: Appears in episode 14. Powers include speed, spawning arrows from the left hand, a bow for the right hand, and waist detachment with the lower half emitting electric shocks.
• Gigaminos: Appears in episode 15. Powers include thick armor, a harpoon that can extend long distances and pierce its own armor, and green lightning bolts from the head horns.
• Grandera: Appears in episode 16. Powers include projectile resistant armor and laser cannons all over its body.
• Bareon: First appears in episode 16. Powers include flight, twin swords, an energy deflecting cape, green energy balls it spawns from the palms used for throwing, and a hyper mode similar to Gaiking's Face Open called Chest Break. Heavily resembles Getter Dragon from Getter Robo G
  Getter Robo G
  is a super robot anime series created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa and produced by Toei Animation. This direct sequel to Getter Robo was broadcast on Fuji TV from May 15, 1975 to March 25, 1976, with a total of 39 episodes .People familiar with Mattel's popular Shogun Warriors toy...
  
  .
• Zykros: Appears in episode 17. Powers include flight, purple eye lasers, back spike missiles, and an extra pair of immensely strong arms in the back. Is based on the protexes.
• Kaizaurus: Appears in episode 17. Only known power is super sonic flight. Is based on the galgorases.
• Underwater Hunter: Appears in episodes 17 and 18. Powers include swimming and a harpoon. Is quickly taken out by Kill Jaguar before being finished off by Gaiking after sneaking up on it from underwater.
• Graneps: First appears in episode 18. It is a hybrid creature with the lower half of Keteros for speed, the armor of Gigaminos, the arms of Zykros for strength, and the wings of Kaizaurus for super sonic flight. Its only unique power is an extremely powerful freezing cannon in its torso that can only be resisted by windarium ore.
• Mogara: Appears in episode 20. Its only known power is sharp claws used for burrowing and slashing.
• Ground Dragon Pressure: Appears in episode 21. It is a pair of floating landmasses that are 20 kilometers in diameter each designed to press together when the Daiku Maryu comes between them; when they are close enough an electromagnetic field is emitted to prevent escape.
• Gorbax: First appear in episode 21. Their only known power is levitation.
• Dopas: Appears in episode 22. Powers include levitation, octopus tentacles, green energy balls from the mouth, armor, and an ink cloud from the mouth for quick escapes.
• Broll: Appears in episode 22. It appears identical to Depro and is used to infect unsuspecting enemies to control their nervous system which is under Saspazi and Depro's control.
• Elkages: Appears in episode 23. Powers include summoning four human sized versions of itself, yellow lasers from its chameleon-like eyes, a large blade on the right wrist, teleporting short distances, and agility. Second generation human sized ones have the added ability of phasing through walls.
• Dorakros: Appears in episode 27. It is a fast transport ship used by Vestarnu during a raid attempt with second generation Elkages assassins.
• Dvorzark: Appears in episode 31. It is a "Super Maryu" composed of five hundred pieces. Powers include flight, hurricane force winds from the wings, flames from the mouth called Death Fire, extensible spear tails, rapid fire missiles from the mouth, an extremely powerful lightning ball called Omega Death Light, immensely thick armor, and can spawn monsters from the remains of its body should it be destroyed.
• Barangus: Appears in episode 32. Powers include swimming, fire balls from the mouth, arm shields, and can spin at super sonic speeds while its speared fingers are out. The spinning technique is a homage to Combattler V
  Combattler V
  is the first part of the Robot Romance Trilogy of Super Robot series created by "Saburo Yatsude" and directed by Tadao Nagahama. The robot's name is a portmanteau of Combine, Combat and Battle, and the V is intended both as an abbreviation for "victory" and in reference to the five component...
  
  's Super Electromagnetic Spin.
• Baidorus: First appear in episode 33. Appears in episode 33. Powers include swimming, a drill on its head, flight, and projectile resistant armor.
• Artificial Steel Beast: Appears in episode 34. Powers include extensible octopus tentacles, swimming, a red laser beam from the torso, and regeneration. It is an artificially created steel beast created by the NEX corporation in Los Angeles under the direct command of the president based on blue prints recovered from the Darius Army; it heavily resembles dairoxes.
• Gareans: Appear in episodes 35, 36, 37, and 38. Powers include flight, energy swords, energy guns in the left wrist, and two of them can combine to form a fast ball. They serve as Dorman-like giants used by the new four generals that serve Proist.
• Final Dvorzak: Appears in episode 37. Powers include flight, body tentacles, emitting electricity, regeneration, and pink regenerator beams from the eyes.
• King Darius: A giant used by Emperor Darius XVII throughout the series and later Proist shortly after his death. Upon Proist controlling it the overall shape of the body changes to her will. Powers include immense strength, thick armor, green mouth flames called the Darius Blazer that rival Gaiking The Great's Hydro Blazer Giga Burst, levitation, black energy balls from the palms, and can throw a lance made of green energy.
• Triple Eagle: Appears in the final episode. Powers include flying in space, mouth fire balls, and sonic waves from its mouths.

Series differences

This version features a completely different story and main character. However, some of the names are very similar to the original series. Both Daikū Maryū and Gaiking have similar designs to the originals: Gaiking's torso is still skull shaped, the support machines come from Daikū Maryū. Gaiking also uses its Face Open attack in manner different from the original. Two of Daiku Maryu's weapons from the original series, Miracle Drill and Giant Cutter, are attached to Daichi Maryu and Tenkuu Maryu in this series. There are also differences in terms of location setting, and Daiku-Maryu's ability to jump across both Earth and the Underground World from the use of the Dimensional Jump. Additionally while Daiya has the same last name as Sanshiro (Tsuwabaki), the two characters are NOT related.

Cast

• Daiya Tsuwabuki
  Mayumi Tanaka
  Mayumi Tanaka
  is a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo currently affiliated with Aoni Production.She is best known for the roles of Ryuunosuke Fujinami in Urusei Yatsura, Pazu in Laputa: Castle in the Sky, Monkey D. Luffy in One Piece, Krillin, Yajirobe and Uranai Baba in Dragon Ball...
  
  
• Sakon
  Hideyuki Tanaka
  Hideyuki Tanaka
  is a Japanese voice actor. He is a graduate of the Toho Gakuen School of Music. He is most known for his roles in Dokaben , Kinnikuman , Captain Tsubasa , Touch , Saint Seiya , Metal Gear Solid and Slam Dunk .-TV Anime:*Akagi...
  
  
• Naoto Hayami
  Naomi Shindoh
• Puria
  Reiko Kiuchi
  Reiko Kiuchi
  Reiko Kiuchi is a seiyū who was born on July 10, 1968 in Tokyo. She is affiliated with Ken Production.-Animation:*Ashita no Nadja *Beet the Vandel Buster and Beet the Vandel Buster Excellion...
  
  
• Daimon-jiisan
  Ryûzaburô Ôtomo
  Ryuzaburo Otomo
  is a Japanese voice actor, actor and narrator from Tokyo. He is currently affiliated with Aoni Production as of December 2006, and was formerly affiliated with 81 Produce and the Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society....
  
  
• Shizuka Fujiyama
  Satsuki Yukino
  Satsuki Yukino
  Satsuki Yukino , real name Yuki Inoue , is a popular Japanese voice actress from Ōtsu, Shiga. Yukino is also a singer as part of the Hinata Girls...
  
  
• Doctor Wan
  Shinji Nakae
  Shinji Nakae
  , known by the stage name , was a male Japanese voice actor and narrator from Kōtō, Tokyo. He graduated from Kamakuragakuenchūgakkō Senior High School, and was affiliated with Aoni Production at the time of his death....
  
  
• Jian Xin
  Takeshi Kusao
  Takeshi Kusao
  is a Japanese voice actor who works for Aoni Production.Among his many roles, he is best known as the voices of Future Trunks , Hanamichi Sakuragi , Lamune , Ryo Sanada , Cless Alvein , Yukimura Sanada , and Dororo is a Japanese voice actor who works for Aoni Production.Among his many roles, he is...
  
  
• Vice-captain Rosa
  Tomoe Hanba
  Tomoe Hanba
  is a Japanese voice actress who works for Arts Vision.-Anime:* Etna Makai Senki Disgaea* Phil Phleira Deed in The Candidate for Goddess* Viro in Elemental Gelade* Aura and Moogle in Final Fantasy: Unlimited* Maki Amakasu in Iketeru Futari...
  
  
• Lulu
  Tomoko Kawakami
  Tomoko Kawakami
  was a Japanese voice actress from Tokyo. Having graduated from the Toho Gakuen School of Music, Kawakami was affiliated with Production Baobab at the time of her death.-Career:...
  
  
• Captain Garis
  Toru Ohkawa
  Toru Ohkawa
  is a seiyū from Kagoshima Prefecture who is affiliated with Mausu Promotion.He is a Hanshin Tigers fan.-Television animation:* Ai No Kusabi * Amatsuki * Baki the Grappler...
  
  

Songs

• "GAIKING" by Psychic Lover
  Psychic Lover
  is a pop-rock band consisting of vocalist and guitarist . Originally consisting of six members, YOFFY and IMAJO are the only two who remained for their rise to fame. Much of their work has been featured as opening and closing themes of Japanese television series and Anime...
  
   (OP, EP 39 Ending)
• "Boku ni dekiru koto" by Hideaki Tokunaga
  Hideaki Tokunaga
  is a Japanese pop singer-songwriter and actor.Although Tokunaga failed to pass the test of Star Tanjō! in 1982, he debuted as a recording singer in 1986. After he released hit songs such as "Yume o Shinjite" and "Kowarekake no Radio" in 1990, his single "Wednesday Moon" reached No...
  
   (ED1)
• "oh! my god" by Psychic Lover (ED2)

Appearance in games

Gaiking: Legend of Daikū Maryū is included in the 2009 Super Robot Wars

Super Robot Wars

is a series of tactical role-playing video games produced by Banpresto, which is now a Japanese division of Namco Bandai. The main feature of the franchise is having a story that crosses over several popular mecha anime, manga and video games, allowing characters and mecha from different titles to...

 game, Super Robot Wars K for the Nintendo DS

Nintendo DS

The is a portable game console produced by Nintendo, first released on November 21, 2004. A distinctive feature of the system is the presence of two separate LCD screens, the lower of which is a touchscreen, encompassed within a clamshell design, similar to the Game Boy Advance SP...

. It was hinted that the series' Dimensional Jump between Earth and the other world is the main focus of this game. The show also featured in Super Robot Gakuen. In 2010, Gaiking was again featured in a Nintendo DS SRW game, Super Robot Wars L.

External links

Toei Animation's Official Gaiking Homepage