Getter Robo
Encyclopedia
is a Super Robot
manga
series created by Go Nagai
and Ken Ishikawa
, as well as an anime
series produced by Toei Animation
. The series was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 4, 1974 to May 8, 1975, with a total of 51 episodes.
, rebel loner Hayato Jin
and Judo master Musashi Tomoe
, who pilot three specially designed combat jets which can be combined together into three different giant robots, Getter-1 (for flight combat), Getter-2 (speed advantage for ground\underground combat), and Getter-3 (strength advantage for submarine combat). They were assembled by Prof. Saotome, who conceived the Getter Robo project as a means of deep-space exploration; it became instead Earth's first line of defense against the Dinosaur Empire, a civilization of reptile-like humanoids who evolved from the now-extinct dinosaurs that roamed the earth millions of years ago. They have lived many years underground, and they now want to reclaim the Earth as theirs and destroy humanity.
The series was groundbreaking in the anime mecha
genre: for the very first time, it introduced the concept of separate machines combining to form a Super Robot. Using three jets, Getter Robo could combine in three different ways to create three different versions of Getter Robo for different conditions and situations. This idea was originally discussed during the creation process for Mazinger Z
(the first Super Robot to be piloted internally), but was dropped and then developed for Getter Robo. This idea of combination and transformation proved to be a very powerful concept that has been used in the super robot genre ever since. Also, by adding three pilots to the robot was able to add an element of teen drama, probably influenced by the already popular anime sci-fi team show Gatchaman (better known in the U.S. as Battle of the Planets
, G-Force: Guardians of Space or Eagle Riders).
Chiryu Clan (Vulume 2 chapter 8): members of this clan were sent to destroy the Getter robo. the members were Dera (who has a blade on the spine and can spin fast enough to dig through the ground); Garo (who can extend his middle horn to stab his opponent, has two brain, two hearts and six lungs, giving him the ability to revive.); Neon the leader and three others. All born into the Chiryu clan are born with mysterious power. They are considered outcasts even by the Dinosaur Empire. They see the war as a chance to move the chiryu clan up in the Dinosaur Empire.
. It also introduced a new enemy, the Clan of the 100 Devils, who at that very moment were preparing an invasion of Earth from space. This would be the basis of a sequel with a new, improved version of the original robot, piloted by Ryoma, Hayato, and newcomer pilot Benkei Kuruma. The series, called Getter Robo G
, would not be as long and successful as the first one, lasting 39 episodes. The new robot and its pilots were also featured in the Go Nagai short features Great Mazinger vs Getter Robo G and Great Mazinger, Grendizer, Getter Robo G: Decisive Showdown! Great Sea Beast, despite the fact Getter Robo was conceived as existing in a different universe from the Mazinger/Grendizer continuity.
Note: the Getter Robo manga features both the stories of Getter and Getter G.
G also became famous in the U.S. as it was included in edited form as part of the Force Five
robot series produced for the American market, where its name was changed to Starvengers. Additionally, toys based on the Getter Robo mecha were licensed by the U.S. toy company Mattel
and sold under the company's Shogun Warriors
toy line.
There was a limited video release of Starvengers in the UK, renamed Formators.
, directed by Yoshiki Shibata, and featuring a new robot and an all-new team. The manga of Getter Go is considered one of Ken Ishikawa
's best works, featuring the Shin Getter Robo for the first time. The OVA remakes use a lot of ideas, characters and situations from Getter Go manga.
Despite this, the influence and popularity of the original show continued in Japan, and it found a way to stay with fans through video games (like the Super Robot Wars
game series, in which the Getter Robo is one of its lineup mainstays) and other merchandise. The series was even spoofed successfully in the mecha anime series Martian Successor Nadesico
, where the anime-within-anime Gekiganger III was a direct pun (and homage) to the Getter Robo legacy, among many other super robot series. Gekiganger III was the favorite show of the character Gai in Martian Successor Nadesico
. His voice actor, Tomokazu Seki
, has also said that Getter Robo is his favorite anime.
, decided to extend and explain some topics, like what was really happened to Benkei and the Saotome Institute, the reason Ryoma was scared of Getter Rays, what Getter is and such.
Also, it featured new insect-like enemies from the far future, later used in Getter āḥ.
All of this was told in the Getter Robo Go manga prequel, Shin Getter Robo, begun in 1997 and lasted 2 volumes.
was released in Japan. It has since concluded at 3 volumes, and was serialized in a monthly webcomic. This series continues the Ken Ishikawa
continuity of Getter manga, temporally taking place after Getter Robo Go and before Getter āḥ. The series features an older Hayato leading a new team of Getter Pilots (and a new Getter) as they defend the earth from large plant-like monsters.
was released in Japan, on Magazine Z
, authored by Hideaki Nishikawa. Due Magazine Z being cancelled, it continues as Apocrypha Getter Robo DARKNESS
Apocrypha Getter Robo Darkness is actually Getter Robot DASH, continuing with another title on Young Animal Arashi
after Magazine Z was cancelled. The chapter 0 of Getter Robo DARKNESS, published on the 2009/07 issue of the magazine, is actually a reprint of the sixth chapter of Getter Robo DASH, the last one published on Magazine Z.
Change!! Getter Robo: The Last Day of the World (released in America as Getter Robo: Armageddon
). Giant Robo director Yasuhiro Imagawa was to direct the OVA, but had a falling out with the studio after Episode 3. The OVA ran 13 episodes and was presented as the sequel to a story - which was never actually animated - about the Getter Team fighting a race of amorphous aliens called "Invaders." This production made use of an animation style reminiscent of the old Getter Robo and other 1970s anime shows with thick, sketchy lines.
Several fans of the original series complained about the OVA's story and characters, which were radically different from the TV series in many ways, including the recasting of Professor Saotome as a villain and the return of Musashi Tomoe
.
which ditched the Shin OVA plot and used a continuity closer to the original. The OVA introduced a Getter Robo design which is similar to the one in the Getter Robo Go series (with elements of Getter Robo G's design thrown in) as well as characters from Getter Robo Go that are closer in personality to those found in the original manga than the anime adaptation. Many fans consider this OVA to be a form of redemption for the unpopular Getter Robo Go anime, which was considered by many to be a flop in comparison to the highly praised Getter Robo Go manga. The OVA also included a three part miniseries that lasted five minutes called Dynamic Super Robot's Grand Battle which shows several Go Nagai
created robots doing battle with the Mycene empire from the anime Great Mazinger
. The short included appearances by Getter Robo G and Shin Getter Robo.
produced a new OVA called New Getter Robo
(also known as Getter Robo Re:Model), this time being a re-telling of the Getter Robo story.
In this new story humanity is under attack by demonic creatures called Oni. As in the original stories, Dr. Saotome creates a series of Getter-Ray-powered robots to fight the monsters, culminating the creation of Getter Robo. Both the robot and the Getter Team were redesigned for the new series. Getter Robo is more detailed and mechanical-looking than its earlier forms, and all three pilots - Ryoma, Hayato, and a combination of Musashi and Benkei's archetypes named "Benkei Musashibo" - are as violent and antiheroic as they were in the 70s manga. Ryoma is now an irresponsible street fighter, Hayato a bloodthirsty, sadistic terrorist, and Benkei a hedonistic and gluttonous apprentice monk. This remake is considered truer to the original story and spirit of Getter Robo (it was especially more faithful to the original manga version) than the previous remakes and sequels. 13 episodes were produced for this OVA.
The TV series Getter Robo and Getter Robo G are Toei's version of Getter Robo based Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa's Getter Robo concept and not the manga. Getter Robo Go is a futuristic Getter Robo show that mimics the old Getter Robo TV series in style (Family friendly). Like the previous two, it also follows the monster of the week formula.
The OVAS are mostly based on the Getter Robo manga, and sometimes other Ken Ishikawa manga like Kyomu Senki. Each OVA is set in a different alternate continuity and thus can be watched in any order.
The Getter Robo manga by Ken Ishikawa(Getter Robo, Getter Robo G, Getter Robo Go, Shin Getter Robo, Getter Robo Ah) is considered to be the main continuity of the franchise as each entry is connected to each other. The manga not by Ken Ishikawa like Go Nagai's Devilman vs Getter Robo and Getter Robo Darkness aren't considered in the Ken Ishikawa continuity. The only exception is Getter Robo Hien by Naoto Tsushima as it's based on the notes left by Ken Ishikawa after his death.
series by Banpresto
, usually found in the super deformed
style which the series is popular for; Getter appeared in almost every non-original exclusive installment with Gundam
and Mazinger
(except for Judgement
, K and L, in which Getter does not take part). The Getter Robos also received their own turn based strategy game similar to the Super Robot Wars
series for the Sony
PlayStation
titled Getter Robo Daikessen!. This game featured the various versions of Getter Robo from the manga and anime and OVAs produced until that point, as well as an original pink mecha piloted by a trio of ninja women. Shin Getter and Black Getter are included in Another Century's Episode 3
, which features the storyline of Getter Robo Armageddon
.
In Powerpuff Girls Z
, Dy. Na.Mo, a robot with 3 individual parts that can combine to make various forms similar to Getter Robo appears in episode 50 of the show.
In anime parody series All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku
one episode features Nuku Nuku's creator utilizing a series of robots called "Geta Robo", shaped like a giant wooden clog (a Geta
). Its creator is voiced by Akira Kamiya, who played Ryoma Nagare in Getter Robo.
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,...
manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
series 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...
and Ken Ishikawa
Ken Ishikawa
was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator with Go Nagai, of the Getter Robo anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations...
, as well as an 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
Toei Animation
Toei Animation Co., Ltd. is a Japanese animation studio owned by Toei Co., Ltd. The studio was founded in 1948 as Japan Animated Films . In 1956, Toei purchased the studio and it was reincorporated under its current name...
. The series was broadcast on Fuji TV from April 4, 1974 to May 8, 1975, with a total of 51 episodes.
Plot
The plot involves three strong-willed teenagers: martial artist Ryoma NagareRyoma Nagare
Ryoma Nagare is a fictional character created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa. He is the protagonist and main pilot in the Getter Robo franchise. He is a hot-blooded youth in high school. He pilots the Getter-1, Getter Dragon, and Shin Getter-1 in the manga and anime...
, rebel loner Hayato Jin
Hayato Jin
Hayato Jin is a fictional character from the mecha series, Getter Robo. The aloof and seemingly anti-social Hayato Jin, displays considerable skill at various sports, but generally likes to be left alone. Despite this he eventually gets all the girls, including the Kyoryu Empire android spies....
and Judo master Musashi Tomoe
Musashi Tomoe
Musashi Tomoe is a fictional character from the mecha series Getter Robo. He is most famous for his sacrificial final battle that helped end the fight with the Dinosaur Empire. He has however, appeared in subsequent manga and stories due to his popularity and nostalgic quality...
, who pilot three specially designed combat jets which can be combined together into three different giant robots, Getter-1 (for flight combat), Getter-2 (speed advantage for ground\underground combat), and Getter-3 (strength advantage for submarine combat). They were assembled by Prof. Saotome, who conceived the Getter Robo project as a means of deep-space exploration; it became instead Earth's first line of defense against the Dinosaur Empire, a civilization of reptile-like humanoids who evolved from the now-extinct dinosaurs that roamed the earth millions of years ago. They have lived many years underground, and they now want to reclaim the Earth as theirs and destroy humanity.
The series was groundbreaking in the anime 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:...
genre: for the very first time, it introduced the concept of separate machines combining to form a Super Robot. Using three jets, Getter Robo could combine in three different ways to create three different versions of Getter Robo for different conditions and situations. This idea was originally discussed during the creation process for 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...
(the first Super Robot to be piloted internally), but was dropped and then developed for Getter Robo. This idea of combination and transformation proved to be a very powerful concept that has been used in the super robot genre ever since. Also, by adding three pilots to the robot was able to add an element of teen drama, probably influenced by the already popular anime sci-fi team show Gatchaman (better known in the U.S. as Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets
Battle of the Planets is an American animated television adaptation of the Japanese anime series Science Ninja Team Gatchaman . Of the 105 original Gatchaman episodes, 85 were used in the Battle of the Planets adaptation, produced by Sandy Frank Entertainment...
, G-Force: Guardians of Space or Eagle Riders).
Getter Team
- : The team leader. Strong, and trained martial arts in his father's footsteps. Pilots Getter-1.
- Voiced by: Akira KamiyaAkira Kamiyais a Japanese voice actor. He has been represented by Theater Echo, Aoni Production, and others. He is currently represented by Saeba Shoji.-Career:Kamiya made his debut on Mahou no Mako-chan in 1970 while working for Theater Echo...
- : Both a delinquent and a genius in the manga, he pilots the second jet and robot.
- voice actor: Keaton YamadaKeaton Yamadais a Japanese voice actor. He switched from going by his real name, Shunji Yamada, to going by Keaton Yamada in the 1980s. He is currently represented by Remax.- Voice Roles :*Attacker You! *Bonobono...
- : A JudoJudois a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...
expert, pilots the third robot. In the manga, he takes over the role of piloting the third jet and robot, despite failing at all the given physical and mental tests. - Voiced by: Toku NishioToku Nishiowas a Japanese actor and voice actor from Gifu Prefecture, Japan. He was represented by Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society.He was most known for the roles of Mammoth Nishi , Musashi , and Mister Popo ....
- : A baseball player, pilot of the third robot in the second series.
- Voiced by: Jouji Yanami
- : Inventor of the Getter Robo. In the original manga he initially piloted the third jet himself, only to have Musashi forcibly taking over the role from him.
- Voiced by: Kousei Tomita
- : Professor Saotome's beautiful and strong-willed daughter, pilots a jet of her own which doesn't combine with the others, but resupplies fuel and energy.
- Voiced by: Rihoko YoshidaRihoko Yoshidais a Japanese voice actress. Among her most noteworthy roles are Megu-chan in Majokko Megu-chan, Monsley in Future Boy Conan, Maria Grace Fleed in UFO Robo Grendizer, Michiru in Getter Robo, Klara in Heidi, Girl of the Alps, Rosalie Lamorliere in The Rose of Versailles, Miwa Uzuki in Steel Jeeg, ...
- : Professor Saotome's son, the child tagalong present in nearly all 1970's Japanese action cinema.
- Voiced by: Hiroko Kikuchi
Dinosaur Empire
- : The supreme commander of the Dinosaur Empire. In the second volume of the original manga, Gore was abandoned by his people when they are forced to return to the earth. He decided that he will die honorably by battling Getter Robo, however even this chance was stolen from him when a Hyaki empire mech opened fire on his ship, killing him.
- Voiced by: Hiromu Jin
- : Emperor Gore's field commander.
- Voiced by: Kenichi Ogata
- Emperor Gore's chief of engineering and designer of mechasauruses. (In the manga it was stated he was the Prime Minister of Science.
- Voiced by: Keaton YamadaKeaton Yamadais a Japanese voice actor. He switched from going by his real name, Shunji Yamada, to going by Keaton Yamada in the 1980s. He is currently represented by Remax.- Voice Roles :*Attacker You! *Bonobono...
- : Emperor Gore's master, very little is known about this very tall demon aside from being a member of the One Hundred Demon Empire that appears in Getter Robo GGetter Robo Gis 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...
. Has the power to manipulate the ground to his will. - Voiced by: Kouji Yada
Chiryu Clan (Vulume 2 chapter 8): members of this clan were sent to destroy the Getter robo. the members were Dera (who has a blade on the spine and can spin fast enough to dig through the ground); Garo (who can extend his middle horn to stab his opponent, has two brain, two hearts and six lungs, giving him the ability to revive.); Neon the leader and three others. All born into the Chiryu clan are born with mysterious power. They are considered outcasts even by the Dinosaur Empire. They see the war as a chance to move the chiryu clan up in the Dinosaur Empire.
Mechasauruses
All Mechasauruses in the series are capable of surviving in magma and those without requiring to flight can burrow very fast; however, as demonstrated in episode 16 with Geru, mechasauruses cannot survive in magma if it moves on them with enough force to cause an eruption.- Mechasaurus Zuu: Appears in episodes 1 and 2. Appears as a two headed plesiosaurPlesiosaurPlesiosauroidea is an extinct clade of carnivorous plesiosaur marine reptiles. Plesiosauroids, are known from the Jurassic and Cretaceous Periods...
. Powers include swimming, yellow heat ray from eyes, a flamethrower from each of its twin mouths, and a whip-like tail capable of constriction. - Mechasaurus Bado: Appears in episodes 1 and 2. Appears as a black pterodactyl. Powers include flight, three missiles under each wing, and hurricane winds from the wings.
- Mechasaurus Zai: Appears in episodes 1 and 2. Appears as a pink elephant-like triceratopsTriceratopsTriceratops is a genus of herbivorous ceratopsid dinosaur which lived during the late Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous Period, around 68 to 65 million years ago in what is now North America. It was one of the last dinosaur genera to appear before the great Cretaceous–Paleogene...
. Powers include charging, anti-getter ray ear shields, homing missiles in the larger nasal horn, and super sonic burrowing using the larger nasal horn. - Mechasaurus Saki: Appears in episode 1. Appears as a brown humanoid tyrannosaur with two horns on its head. Powers include a sickle left hand, constricting tail that emits electricity, a flame-like red heat ray from the mouth, anti-getter ray chest plate, and dual launchable horns. Saki is the first Mechasaurus slain by Getter Robo, specifically using the Getter Tomahawk.
- Mechasaurus Baji: Appears in episode 3. Appears as a nautilusNautilusNautilus is the common name of marine creatures of cephalopod family Nautilidae, the sole extant family of the superfamily Nautilaceae and of its smaller but near equal suborder, Nautilina. It comprises six living species in two genera, the type of which is the genus Nautilus...
with a hermit crab shell. Powers include tentacles, morphing its shell into a flying drill, spewing lime digestive acid from its mouth, can consume large amounts of metal and concrete, can multiply by being severed to pieces so long as it's in its shell, and reformation. In episode 8 of Getter Robo ArmageddonGetter Robo Armageddon, often simply referred to as Change!! Getter Robo in Japan, is an original video animation released in 1998 by Bandai Visual, based on the manga and anime series Getter Robo, created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa...
an invader brutally killed by Black Getter bears great similarity to Baji. - Mechasaurus Goru: Appears in episode 4. Appears as an apatosaurusApatosaurusApatosaurus , also known by the popular but scientifically deprecated synonym Brontosaurus, is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived from about 154 to 150 million years ago, during the Jurassic Period . It was one of the largest land animals that ever existed, with an average length of and a...
with two horns on its head. Powers include a drill hidden in its neck hole, searchlights in its eyes, a mace-like tail, levitation, a tractor beam on the chest, a flamethrower in the mouth, and can retract limbs to form a ship mode. - Mechasaurus Giga: Appears in episode 5. Appears as a brown tyrannosaur with a face on its torso. Powers include a flamethrower in both mouths, a mace-like tail, high resistance to intense winds, and regeneration.
- Mechasaurus Ribo: Appears in episode 6. Appears as a black allosaurusAllosaurusAllosaurus is a genus of large theropod dinosaur that lived 155 to 150 million years ago during the late Jurassic period . The name Allosaurus means "different lizard". It is derived from the Greek /allos and /sauros...
with spikes along the back. Powers include a buzzsaw-like form, and spike-like missiles along its back.- Submarine Dinosaur Bomb: Appears in episode 6. Appears as a dark blue torpedo that resembles a piranha. Not really a mechasaurus, only a weapon used when Mechasaurus Ribo was failing against Getter Robo.
- Mechasaurus Bella: Appears in episode 7. Appears as a green manta ray with a fish head and head horn. Powers include teleportation, flight, a flamethrower from the mouth, radioactive fog spawned from a purple ray from the horn called the Magnetic Stroke, a clubbed tail, and electrical resistance.
- Mechasaurus Giro: Appears in episode 8. Appears very similar to the Ultraman Jack monster Black King and is piloted by a dinosaur minion named Gram. Powers include super sonic running, resistance to intense winds, 3-tube missile launchers on each shoulder, and a long chain hidden in the horn on its head.
- Mechasaurus Shigu: Appears in episode 9. Appears as a gray cobra with limbs and is piloted by a dinosaur minion named Captain Radora who bears great similarity to DevilmanDevilmanis a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai which originally started as an anime adaptation of the concept of Nagai's previous manga series, Demon Lord Dante. A 39 episode anime series was developed by Toei in 1972 and Nagai began Devilman as a manga in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen...
. Powers include a red lava beam from the mouth, an extendable neck ideal for coiling, clear eye beams that rival the Getter Beam's power, can escape as a cobra hidden in the armor, and flight. - Mechasaurus Buzz: Appears in episode 10. Appears as a fat humanoid alligator with a buzzsaw in its chest. Powers include homing buzzsaws launched from the head, swimming, an extendable tail, and the buzzsaw in its chest.
- Mechasaurus Kili: Appears in episode 11. Appears as a green diplodocusDiplodocusDiplodocus , or )is a genus of diplodocid sauropod dinosaur whose fossils were first discovered in 1877 by S. W. Williston. The generic name, coined by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1878, is a Neo-Latin term derived from Greek "double" and "beam", in reference to its double-beamed chevron bones...
and is used by the knight-like Captain Balkime. Powers include powerful tail whips, a beam resistant helmet that covers the head, turning the head and neck into a large drill, reformation so long as the head is intact, and lava spray from the helmet. - Mechasaurus Uru: Appears in episode 12. Appears as a green wolf with spikes around the torso. Powers include a rocket launch in its forehead, super speed, immensely sharp teeth strong enough to tear the Drill Arm, and a four shot missile launcher hidden in the back.
- Mechasaurus Mesa: Appears in episode 13. Appears as a dark green plesiosaur with a silver tail. Powers include swimming, two torpedoes in its mouth, regeneration after a set amount of time, and evolve.
- Mechasaurus Super Mesa: Appears in episode 13. Appears as a brown version of its first form with purple octopus tentacles and three snakes on the head. Powers include swimming, constriction by octopus tentacles, resistance to explosives, near instant regeneration, and twin homing torpedoes from the chest.
- Mechasaurus Kiwi: Appears in episode 14. Appears as a brown turtle with red and silver metal wings much like Mazinger ZMazinger 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...
's Iron Cutter; is piloted by Captain Gamma. Powers include swimming, flight via propeller on the neck which is used for combat and defense from beams, thick shell, a whip-like tail, yellow hologram rays from eyes, and a flamethrower in the mouth. - Mechasaurus Shiba: Appears in episode 15. Appears as a ceratosaurusCeratosaurusCeratosaurus meaning "horned lizard", in reference to the horn on its nose , was a large predatory theropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic Period , found in the Morrison Formation of North America, in Tanzania and Portugal...
with butterfly wings and is used by General Bat. Powers include flight, a lime green laser on the nasal horn, an orange heat ray from the wings, bombs stored in the chest, and a radar jamming tetrahedral force field. - Mechasaurus Geru: Appears in episode 16. Appears as a pterodactyl and is piloted by Captain Kukku and later a subterranean named Shik. Powers include flight, regeneration of the wings, can activate a hallucinating machine disguised as a stone, missile launchers in each shoulder, a red heat ray from the mouth, and hurricane force winds from the wings.
- Mechasaurus Jiga: Appears in episode 17. Appears as a brown and pink spotted snake with metal spikes along the back and is used by a female and cobra using spy named Rumi. Powers include swimming, a lava-like flamethrower in the mouth, and molten saliva.
- Mechasaurus Zen:
- Mechasaurus Zen 1: Appears in episode 18. Appears as a wide brown apatosaurus with metal wings and is piloted by a gladiator named Bekei. Powers include flight and a rocket launcher on the forehead.
- Mechasaurus Zen 2: Appears in episode 18. Appears just like the first save for a large claw for the right hand. Powers include a rocket launcher on the forehead and using its right hand claw like a buzzsaw.
- Mechasaurus Dodo: Appears in episode 19. Appears as a humanoid reptile with meat hook claws for arms and bat wings and is controlled by the shady Captain Rosso. Powers include flight, using its meat hook claw arms as melee weapons and can survive decapitation.
- Mechasaurus Yogu: Appears in episode 20. Appears as a limbless turtle with metal wings and is used by Captain Megados. Powers include flight, can emit fog from its mouth, can summon dozens of unmanned fighter planes in its image, dual stinger missile launchers on the chest, and clusters of fire balls from the mouth.
- Plesiosaurus Submarine: Appears in episode 20. Appears as a blue plesiosaurus and is used simply as underwater transportation for speed boats used by scouts of the Dinosaur Empire.
- Yogu Fighter: Powers include flight, carpet bombs, mouth missiles, and a pair of machine guns on each wing. Will explode if Mechasaurus Yogu's antennae are destroyed.
- Mechasaurus Gora: Appears in episode 21. Appears as a green wyvern with a pair of rockets on each wing. Powers include flight, encasing itself in fire, a mace tail, white acid spray from the mouth, a red electric net from the chest, and a twin missile launcher on the torso. The acid spray does not work while underwater.
- Mechasaurus Gin: Appears in episode 22. Appears as a reptilian humanoid with a large horn that protects the alligator-like head. Powers include a yellow energy field, a yellow boomerang disguised as its uni-brow, mouth missiles, and anti-getter ray armor.
- Getter Q ( Queen): Appears in episode 22. Appears as a feminine version of Getter 1 much like the female robots in the Mazinger franchise. Possesses no known powers, although in the early Super Robot WarsSuper Robot Warsis 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...
games it possessed a Getter Beam. - Mechasaurus Gira:
- Mechasaurus Gira 1: Appears in episode 23. Appears as a pink pterodactyl. Powers include flight, hurricane force winds from the wings, and combining with Gira 2.
- Mechasaurus Gira 2: Appears in episode 23. Appears as a blue tyrannosaur with a drill for the left arm. Powers include its drill arm, a green flamethrower in the mouth, and combinging with Gira 1.
- Super Mechasaurus Gira: Appears in episode 23. Appears as a combination of Mechasaurus Gira 1 and Mechasaurus Gira 2, Powers include its drill arm, a flaming whirlwind caused by hurricane force winds and a green flamethrower, and flight.
- Mechasaurus Gigi: Appears in episode 24. Appears as a pink apatosaurus with a head on each wing. Powers include flight, bombs from its underside, projectile resistance, a whip-like tail, and a small fighter version armed with three missile launchers in each wing.
- Mechasaurus Bamu: Appears in episode 25. Appears as a reptilian vulture with yellow bug eyes. Powers include flight, three fans that can create tsunamis over 100 feet and tornado force winds, cameras in the eyes, and an entrapping blue sonic ring beam on the torso fan.
- Mechasaurus Mega: Appears in episode 26. Appears as a short necked apatosaurus with spears on its body and is used by General Garerii. Powers include missile spears and whip-like tail.
- Mechasaurus Bari: Appears in episode 26. Appears as a humanoid butterfly with a drill on the abdomen and is used by General Bat. Powers include flight, mouth missiles, and tail missiles.
- Mechasaurus Babo: Appears in episode 27. Appears very similar to GigantorGigantorGigantor is an American adaptation of the anime version of Tetsujin 28-go, a manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama released in 1956. It debuted on U.S. television in 1964. As with Speed Racer, the characters' original names were altered and the original series' violence was toned down for American viewers...
and is used by Captain Kila. Powers include flight, swimming, missiles from within the wrists, a tornado summoned from the abdomen, can summon Dinosaur Fighters from the abdomen, can emit electricity from the antennae on the head.- Dinosaur Jet: Appears in episode 27. Appears as a purple and black fighter jet. Powers include flight and a pair of machine guns at the nose. Are used by Mechasaurus Babo to fight smaller opponents and are later used by other mechasauruses such as Guda and Zori.
- Mechasauurs Godo: Appears in episode 28. Appears as a humanoid snake with a wing for the left arm. Powers include a hidden drill in each end of the wing arm, vehicle storage in the chest, projectile resistance, constricting detaching tail, a flamethrower in the mouth, and mouth missiles.
- Mechasaurus Baru: Appears in episode 29. Appears as a snake with limbs and bat wings just below the head. Powers include flight, a pendulum-like ax, dual bomb compartments on the chest, three laser cannons in each wing, and head detachment.
- Mechasaurus Dagu: Appears in episode 30. Appears as a three headed apatosaurus on tank treads and is used by General Bat. Powers include flight, ultrasonic waves from the middle mouth that disrupts electricity, missiles and a flamethrower from the side mouths, nose drill on the middle head, and missiles from the mouth on the torso.
- Mechasaurus Yaba: Appears in episode 31. Appears as a red demon with four bladed arms. Powers include flight, a punk heat beam from the upper arms touching each other, and can use the lower set of arms like buzzsaws.
- Mechasaurus Bull: Appears in episode 32. Appears as a blue minotaur with red bat wings and is piloted by Captain Jizora and then Captain Gahora. Powers include flight, toxic sand or acidic snow from the torso, dual rocket launchers from between the eyes, finger missiles, and a sword concealed in the torso spikes. Mechasaurus Bull reappears is episode 2 of Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter RoboShin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robois an anime OVA series based on the works of Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa. It was released in four episodes on four DVDs from December 2000 to June 2001.Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo draws heavily from Ken Ishikawa's manga Getter Robo Go...
, although his powers and design are very different than that of the original. - Mechasaurus Garu: Appears in episode 33. Appears as a green coelophysisCoelophysisCoelophysis , meaning "hollow form" in reference to its hollow bones , is one of the earliest known genera of dinosaur...
with metal pendulum wings and is piloted by Captain Asma. Powers include flight, pink eye rays, its pendulum bladed wings, a detachable head, and Dinosaur Empire Fighters hidden in the torso. - Mechasaurus Ubi: Appears in episode 34. Appears as a black reptilian horse with a tentacle for the tail and a harpoon on the forehead. Powers include flight, a flamethrower in the mouth, missiles in the chest, yellow growth rays in the eyes, and can launch the harpoon on its forehead.
- Captain Paikai: Appears as a reptilian humanoid. Powers include teleporting in a tornado, a human disguise, a flue that summons Mechasaurus Ubi, and a whip.
- Mechasaurus Aroo: Appears in episode 34. Appears as an aqua colored gladiator. Powers include flight and a launchable harpoon for each hand.
- Mechasaurus Zari: Appears in episode 35. Appears as a brown komodo dragonKomodo dragonThe Komodo dragon , also known as the Komodo monitor, is a large species of lizard found in the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Gili Dasami. A member of the monitor lizard family , it is the largest living species of lizard, growing to a maximum length of in rare cases...
with six spider legs for arms and is piloted by Captain Desposo. Powers include swimming, invisibility, an explosive magma beam from the mouth, its powerful tail, flight using retractable bat-like wings, yellow eye beams that rival the Getter Beam in power, and after burners for faster flight. - Mechasaurus Dada: Appears in episode 36. Appears as a brown horned lizardHorned lizardHorned lizards are a genus of lizards which are the type genus of the family Phrynosomatidae. The horned lizard is popularly called a "horned toad", "horny toad", or "horned frog", but it is neither a toad nor a frog. The popular names come from the lizard's rounded body and blunt snout, which...
. The only power it possesses is traveling in a dusty tornado. - Mechasaurus Mogi: Appears in episode 36. Appears as a green mechanical piranhaPiranhaA piranha or piraña is a member of family Characidae in order Characiformes, an omnivorous freshwater fish that inhabits South American rivers. In Venezuela, they are called caribes...
and is used by General Bat. Powers include flight, carpet bombs from the underside, reformation, high speed burrowing, mouth missiles, a launchable large blade on the head, and sharp teeth. - Mechasaurus Magu: Appears in episode 37. Appears as a humanoid with a humanoid with a snake head on the chest. Powers include melting lighting bolts from the trident-like head and green energy bolts from the "ears" of the snake head.
- Mechasaurus Nada: Appears in episode 38. Appears as an orange humanoid with a pair of bladed ax arms and rockets on the back. Powers include flight, extending its bladed arms with enough force to slice the Arm Drill, a flamethrower in the mouth, and a pair of missile launchers on the abdomen. Special mutant sea creatures assist it to trap Getter Robo.
- Mutant Sea Anemone: Only has strong tentacles.
- Mutant Clam: Powers include their thick shells and great jaw strength.
- Mutant Seaweed: Only has enemy entrapping using its leaves.
- Mechasaurus Doge: Appears in episode 39. Appears as a brown salamanderSalamanderSalamander is a common name of approximately 500 species of amphibians. They are typically characterized by a superficially lizard-like appearance, with their slender bodies, short noses, and long tails. All known fossils and extinct species fall under the order Caudata, while sometimes the extant...
with metal bat wings. Powers include flight and hurricane force winds from the wings. Is assisted by General Bat's Magma Cannon, a large gun that fires bubbles of magma to counter the Getter Cannon. - Mechasaurus Bedo: Appears in episode 40. Appears as a red serpent with purple tentacles and a dog head and is used by Captain Kilba. Powers include flight, can create blizzards that are below Antarctica freezing levels, and using its tentacles for constriction.
- Mechasaurus Guda: Appears in episode 41. Appears as an aircraft carrier with an apatosaurus head with size being stated to be 140 meters long and is used by General Bat. Powers include flight, using a cloud to disguise itself, large amounts of bombs from the underside, can summon dinosaur jets, a tractor beam in the mouth, a red heat ray from the top of the body, and is armed with six turrets.
- Mechasaurus Zori: Appears in episode 42. Appears as a brown snake with tank treads and bladed wings and is used by General Bat. Powers include flight, can summon dinosaur jets from within the wings, can produce a hurricane force whirlwind by spinning, and a flamethrower in the mouth.
- Mechasaurus Gamo: Appears in episode 43. Appears as a green turtle. Powers include swimming, orange variations of dinosaur jets on its back, mouth homing missiles, and an extendable neck.
- Statue Robot: A twenty foot robot disguised as a statue used to assist Mechasaurus Gamo. Powers include dividing itself into tiki heads and mouth missiles.
- Mechasaurus Gada: Appears in episode 44. Appears as a blue and purple snail with jet wings and is used by Captain Kilkila. Powers include flight, can summon dinosaur jets from its shell, bombs from its underside, an extremely thick shell, a flamethrower in the mouth, and swimming.
- Mechasaurus Moa: Appears in episode 45. Appears as a purple crocodile with a green shell and is used by Captain Koya. Powers include flight in space, body retraction, satellite control, energy absorbing mirrors released from the mouth, saucer-like bombs from the mouth, and can spin its shell to form a buzzsaw.
- Mechasaurus Guma: Appears in episode 46. Appears as a purple manta ray with a snake head for both the regular head and tail and is used by the metallic Captain Snore. Powers include flight, green energy bolts from the mouth that rival the Getter Beam in power, bombs from the underside, can extend its tail, and a flamethrower in the tail mouth.
- Electric Saucer: Special flying saucers later used to assist Mechasaurus Guma. Only power aside from flight is firing lightning bolts from the underside.
- Mechasaurus Bagu: Appears in episode 47. Appears as a purple bat with humanoid legs. Powers include flight and a flamethrower in the mouth that can reduce landscapes to ash and create earthquakes.
- Mechasaurus Zon: Appears in episode 47. Appears as a brown alligator with tank treads on the abdomen. Powers include its strong jaws and orange laser beams from the back.
- Mechasaurus Zoru: Appears in episode 48. Appears very similar to the GyaosGyaos, is the name of several daikaiju from Daiei's Gamera film series, introduced in their 1967 production Gamera vs. Gyaos and one of Gamera's most famous opponents...
from the GameraGamerais a giant, flying turtle from a popular series of kaiju films produced by Daiei Motion Picture Company in Japan. Created in 1965 to rival the success of Toho Studios' Godzilla during the daikaiju boom of the mid-to-late 1960s, Gamera has gained fame and notoriety as a Japanese icon in his own...
films. Powers include flight, boomerang style buzzsaws near the wings, and a drill in the mouth. - Mechasaurus Yamo: Appears in episode 48. Appears as a skinny green gecko. Powers include swimming, reformation, and can create whirlpools from its body.
- Mechasaurus Nui: Appears in episode 49. Appears as a gray slug with green wings and an allosaurus face on the torso and is used by Captain Kulba. Powers include a sonic ray from the eyes and using the mouth on its chest for capturing opponents.
- Might Battleship Dai: Appears in episodes 50 and 51. Powers include swimming, storage, extendable howitzer cannons all over the body, a long range sonar, thick armor, and a white energy barrier.
- Mechasaurus Gai: Appears in episode 50. Appears as a mechanical hand-less version of Emperor Gore. Powers include flight and a sword hidden in each arm.
- Dinosaur Jet Field: Appear in episodes 50 and 51. Special bombers used by Dai led by Mechasaurus Gai that are also armed with lasers.
- Mechasaurus Goda: Appears in episode 50. Appears as a red plesiosaur with octopus tentacles. Powers include swimming, blinding ink from the mouth that disrupts sonar, and using its tentacles for constriction. Mechasaurus Goda is the last mechasaurus used by General Bat.
- Mechasaurus Zaro: Appears in episodes 50 and 51. Appears as a blue coelophysis with a spiked wheel. Powers include swimming, flight using its spiked wheel, and mouth missiles
- Mechasaurus Moba: Appears in episodes 50 and 51. Appears as a turtle with a red shell. Powers include swimming, flight, and can summon lightning spewing geckos from its shell.
Getter Robo G
The last episode of the Getter Robo series showed the defeat of the Dinosaur Empire, but with a high price: the death of one of the Getter Robo pilots, Musashi TomoeMusashi Tomoe
Musashi Tomoe is a fictional character from the mecha series Getter Robo. He is most famous for his sacrificial final battle that helped end the fight with the Dinosaur Empire. He has however, appeared in subsequent manga and stories due to his popularity and nostalgic quality...
. It also introduced a new enemy, the Clan of the 100 Devils, who at that very moment were preparing an invasion of Earth from space. This would be the basis of a sequel with a new, improved version of the original robot, piloted by Ryoma, Hayato, and newcomer pilot Benkei Kuruma. The series, called 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...
, would not be as long and successful as the first one, lasting 39 episodes. The new robot and its pilots were also featured in the Go Nagai short features Great Mazinger vs Getter Robo G and Great Mazinger, Grendizer, Getter Robo G: Decisive Showdown! Great Sea Beast, despite the fact Getter Robo was conceived as existing in a different universe from the Mazinger/Grendizer continuity.
Note: the Getter Robo manga features both the stories of Getter and Getter G.
G also became famous in the U.S. as it was included in edited form as part of the Force Five
Force Five
Force Five was a syndicated anime cartoon anthology during the late 1970s/early 1980s. In the US, this series was primarily shown only in New England and Virginia, though it did make brief appearances in other markets, such as Dallas, Texas and San Jose, California on KICU-TV 36. It was also shown...
robot series produced for the American market, where its name was changed to Starvengers. Additionally, toys based on the Getter Robo mecha were licensed by the U.S. toy company Mattel
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. is the world's largest toy company based on revenue. The products it produces include Fisher Price, Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels and Matchbox toys, Masters of the Universe, American Girl dolls, board games, and, in the early 1980s, video game consoles. The company's name is derived from...
and sold under the company's Shogun Warriors
Shogun Warriors
The Shogun Warriors were the central characters of a line of toys licensed by Mattel Inc. during the late 1970s that consisted of a series of imported Japanese robots based on the then popular anime shows featuring giant robots...
toy line.
There was a limited video release of Starvengers in the UK, renamed Formators.
Getter Robo Go
After some years, the franchise was revived in 1991 with the new series Getter Robo GoGetter Robo Go
or Getter Robo Go, also known as Venger Robo or Venger Robot Go outside of Japan, is a Japanese mecha anime and manga series created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa....
, directed by Yoshiki Shibata, and featuring a new robot and an all-new team. The manga of Getter Go is considered one of Ken Ishikawa
Ken Ishikawa
was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator with Go Nagai, of the Getter Robo anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations...
's best works, featuring the Shin Getter Robo for the first time. The OVA remakes use a lot of ideas, characters and situations from Getter Go manga.
Despite this, the influence and popularity of the original show continued in Japan, and it found a way to stay with fans through video games (like the 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 series, in which the Getter Robo is one of its lineup mainstays) and other merchandise. The series was even spoofed successfully in the mecha anime series Martian Successor Nadesico
Martian Successor Nadesico
, is a science fiction comedy anime TV series, and a later manga series created by Kia Asamiya. The manga, published in English by CPM Manga, is significantly different from the anime....
, where the anime-within-anime Gekiganger III was a direct pun (and homage) to the Getter Robo legacy, among many other super robot series. Gekiganger III was the favorite show of the character Gai in Martian Successor Nadesico
Martian Successor Nadesico
, is a science fiction comedy anime TV series, and a later manga series created by Kia Asamiya. The manga, published in English by CPM Manga, is significantly different from the anime....
. His voice actor, Tomokazu Seki
Tomokazu Seki
is a Japanese voice actor. He formerly worked for Haikyou and is now the head of Atomic Monkey.-About:Some of his most notable roles include Shinichi Chiaki from Nodame Cantabile, Gilgamesh from Fate/stay night, Rob Lucci from One Piece, Gundam characters Domon Kasshu and Yzak Joule, from G Gundam...
, has also said that Getter Robo is his favorite anime.
Shin Getter Robo
After the ending of Getter Go, Ishikawa, motivated by his editor Nakashima, of FutabashaFutabasha
is a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Higashigokenchō, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.-List of magazines published by Futabasha:*Bravo Ski*Comic Seed!*Futabasha Web Magazine*Manga Action ZERO*Tōji Rō*Getter Robot Saga...
, decided to extend and explain some topics, like what was really happened to Benkei and the Saotome Institute, the reason Ryoma was scared of Getter Rays, what Getter is and such.
Also, it featured new insect-like enemies from the far future, later used in Getter āḥ.
All of this was told in the Getter Robo Go manga prequel, Shin Getter Robo, begun in 1997 and lasted 2 volumes.
Getter Robo Āḥ
Getter Robo Āḥ is a 3-volume manga taking place in a sci-fi post-apocalyptic futuristic setting. Ryoma's son Takuma joins the human-dinosaur hybrid Kamui and Messiah Tayrr's younger brother Baku Yamagishi aboard the Getter Robo Āḥ, fighting, alongside the Dinosaur Empire, the insect-like enemies of the from the far future. The title is written as ゲッターロボ アーク in Japanese, leading some fans to read it as "Ark", and the Revoltech figure of the primary Getter Machine is titled "Getter Arc". However, the manga collections show the title with the Siddham character for "Āḥ". Unfortunately, Super Robot Comics, the magazine in which Āḥ was published, was canceled and the story ended prematurely.Getter Robo Hien
In 2007, a new manga entitled Getter Robo Hien: The Earth SuicideGetter Robo Hien: The Earth Suicide
is a Japanese manga created by Naoto Tsushima based on Ken Ishikawa's draft and notes after his death. It was a monthly serialized super robot manga continuing the Getter Robo mythos by way of the titular Getter Robo Hien...
was released in Japan. It has since concluded at 3 volumes, and was serialized in a monthly webcomic. This series continues the Ken Ishikawa
Ken Ishikawa
was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator with Go Nagai, of the Getter Robo anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations...
continuity of Getter manga, temporally taking place after Getter Robo Go and before Getter āḥ. The series features an older Hayato leading a new team of Getter Pilots (and a new Getter) as they defend the earth from large plant-like monsters.
Apocrypha Getter Robo DASH
In July 2008 a new manga entitled Apocrypha Getter Robot DashApocrypha Getter Robot Dash
is a Japanese manga created by Hideaki Nishikawa based on Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa classic Getter Robo series. It was initially serialized monthly in Kodansha's Magazine Z. As the title suggests, the story takes place in an alternate universe, where the concepts of the Getter series are seen under...
was released in Japan, on Magazine Z
Magazine Z
was a Japanese seinen mixed-media magazine published by Kodansha, aimed at teenage males and above, but particularly at hardcore anime and manga fans, featuring articles as well as manga tied into popular franchises. Original manga were also featured in the magazine.It was announced in September...
, authored by Hideaki Nishikawa. Due Magazine Z being cancelled, it continues as Apocrypha Getter Robo DARKNESS
Apocrypha Getter Robo DARKNESS
Sequel of Apocrypha Getter Robo DASH.Apocrypha Getter Robo Darkness is actually Getter Robot DASH, continuing with another title on Young Animal Arashi
Young Animal Arashi
is a Japanese magazine featuring seinen manga. It is released the first Friday of every month in B5 format by Hakusensha publishing firm.-Some series featured in the magazine:* Masamune Shirow** Dominion: Tank Police* Hikari Asada Art: Maru Asakura...
after Magazine Z was cancelled. The chapter 0 of Getter Robo DARKNESS, published on the 2009/07 issue of the magazine, is actually a reprint of the sixth chapter of Getter Robo DASH, the last one published on Magazine Z.
Change!! Getter Robo (Shin Getter Robo)
The concept was re-invented in 1998 with the retro-styled OVAOriginal video animation
, abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation...
Change!! Getter Robo: The Last Day of the World (released in America as Getter Robo: Armageddon
Getter Robo Armageddon
, often simply referred to as Change!! Getter Robo in Japan, is an original video animation released in 1998 by Bandai Visual, based on the manga and anime series Getter Robo, created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa...
). Giant Robo director Yasuhiro Imagawa was to direct the OVA, but had a falling out with the studio after Episode 3. The OVA ran 13 episodes and was presented as the sequel to a story - which was never actually animated - about the Getter Team fighting a race of amorphous aliens called "Invaders." This production made use of an animation style reminiscent of the old Getter Robo and other 1970s anime shows with thick, sketchy lines.
Several fans of the original series complained about the OVA's story and characters, which were radically different from the TV series in many ways, including the recasting of Professor Saotome as a villain and the return of Musashi Tomoe
Musashi Tomoe
Musashi Tomoe is a fictional character from the mecha series Getter Robo. He is most famous for his sacrificial final battle that helped end the fight with the Dinosaur Empire. He has however, appeared in subsequent manga and stories due to his popularity and nostalgic quality...
.
Neo Getter Robo
Two years later, the same staff returned for the four-part OVA Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter RoboShin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo
is an anime OVA series based on the works of Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa. It was released in four episodes on four DVDs from December 2000 to June 2001.Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo draws heavily from Ken Ishikawa's manga Getter Robo Go...
which ditched the Shin OVA plot and used a continuity closer to the original. The OVA introduced a Getter Robo design which is similar to the one in the Getter Robo Go series (with elements of Getter Robo G's design thrown in) as well as characters from Getter Robo Go that are closer in personality to those found in the original manga than the anime adaptation. Many fans consider this OVA to be a form of redemption for the unpopular Getter Robo Go anime, which was considered by many to be a flop in comparison to the highly praised Getter Robo Go manga. The OVA also included a three part miniseries that lasted five minutes called Dynamic Super Robot's Grand Battle which shows several 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...
created robots doing battle with the Mycene empire from the anime Great Mazinger
Great Mazinger
is a manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai, made as a direct continuation of the successful Mazinger Z series...
. The short included appearances by Getter Robo G and Shin Getter Robo.
New Getter Robo
In 2004, director Jun KawagoeJun Kawagoe
Jun Kawagoe is a Japanese anime director. He's known for directing anime based on the works of Go Nagai, Ken Ishikawa and once, Shotaro Ishinomori.- Works :* Getter Robo Armageddon 1998 episode 4-13...
produced a new OVA called New Getter Robo
New Getter Robo
is an anime original video animation co-produced by Dynamic Planning and Bandai Visual. The series is a re-imagining of the 1970s manga Getter Robo, created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa, that incorporates aspects of Japanese mythology like the Oni and Abe no Seimei.- Plot :An alternate retelling of...
(also known as Getter Robo Re:Model), this time being a re-telling of the Getter Robo story.
In this new story humanity is under attack by demonic creatures called Oni. As in the original stories, Dr. Saotome creates a series of Getter-Ray-powered robots to fight the monsters, culminating the creation of Getter Robo. Both the robot and the Getter Team were redesigned for the new series. Getter Robo is more detailed and mechanical-looking than its earlier forms, and all three pilots - Ryoma, Hayato, and a combination of Musashi and Benkei's archetypes named "Benkei Musashibo" - are as violent and antiheroic as they were in the 70s manga. Ryoma is now an irresponsible street fighter, Hayato a bloodthirsty, sadistic terrorist, and Benkei a hedonistic and gluttonous apprentice monk. This remake is considered truer to the original story and spirit of Getter Robo (it was especially more faithful to the original manga version) than the previous remakes and sequels. 13 episodes were produced for this OVA.
Continuities
The TV series, OVAs and manga are considered to be three different series because of the various differences between them.The TV series Getter Robo and Getter Robo G are Toei's version of Getter Robo based Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa's Getter Robo concept and not the manga. Getter Robo Go is a futuristic Getter Robo show that mimics the old Getter Robo TV series in style (Family friendly). Like the previous two, it also follows the monster of the week formula.
The OVAS are mostly based on the Getter Robo manga, and sometimes other Ken Ishikawa manga like Kyomu Senki. Each OVA is set in a different alternate continuity and thus can be watched in any order.
The Getter Robo manga by Ken Ishikawa(Getter Robo, Getter Robo G, Getter Robo Go, Shin Getter Robo, Getter Robo Ah) is considered to be the main continuity of the franchise as each entry is connected to each other. The manga not by Ken Ishikawa like Go Nagai's Devilman vs Getter Robo and Getter Robo Darkness aren't considered in the Ken Ishikawa continuity. The only exception is Getter Robo Hien by Naoto Tsushima as it's based on the notes left by Ken Ishikawa after his death.
Getter Machines
Getter Robo is composed of three jet-like vehicles piloted by one of the three pilots. Eagle is the red jet, controlled by the pilot of Getter-1. Jaguar, the white jet, is used by Getter-2's pilot. Getter-3's operator uses Bear, the yellow machine. All three are armed with missiles, but are generally very weak and never used in combat unless absolutely necessary. They also appear when the pilots use the Open Get verbal command to break up the current form, so that they can change into another or so they can dodge an enemy's attack.Getter-1
(Formed from Eagle+Jaguar+Bear)- Pilot: Ryoma Nagare
- Height: 38 m
- Weight: 220 tons
- Weapons
- Getter Cutter (AKA Getter Razor) - Getter-1 uses the blades on its forearms as slicing weapons.
- Getter Beam - A beam of purple Getter Energy, fired from Getter-1's stomach. The beam is Getter-1's most powerful weapon, and is particularly dangerous to enemies who are sensitive to Getter Rays (which typically includes most Getter villains).
- Spiral Getter Beam (Seen in Getter Robo Armageddon OVA and video games) - Getter-1 fires its Getter Beam while covered in its Getter Wing cape, resulting in it spreading and spiraling outwards, hitting multiple enemies.
- Getter Tomahawk - A gigantic hand axe, and Getter-1's main melee weapon. The robot can wield two at a time, although it only uses one in the original series.
- Tomahawk Boomerang - Getter-1 throws the tomahawk. It spins extremely quickly, cutting through anything it hits like a buzzsaw. Typically the weapon will curve in mid-air, hitting moving enemies and returning to the Getter after striking its target.
- Getter Machine Gun (Seen only in the manga, Getter Robo Armageddon OVA and video games) - Pulling out a pair of machine guns, Getter-1 sprays the battlefield with bullets.
- Missile Machine Gun (Seen only in the manga and video games) - A big, Gatling gun-type that fires missiles.
Getter-2
(Formed from Jaguar+Bear+Eagle)- Pilot: Hayato Jin
- Height: 38 m
- Weight: 220 tons
- Weapons
- Getter Arm - Getter-2 can use its claw as a crushing weapon.
- Getter Drill (AKA Drill Arm) - Getter-2 strikes an enemy with the drill attached to its left arm.
- Drill Missile (AKA Drill Punch, Drill Attack or Jet Drill) - The drill spins quickly and is launched at an opponent like a rocket. The aftereffects of the attack vary by series and battle - sometimes the drill returns to the Getter, sometimes it falls to the ground, and sometimes it explodes. Losing the drill does not prevent the Getter from changing forms.
- Drill Storm (AKA Getter Hurricane or Getter Storm) - The drill spins at extremely high speeds, creating a tornado extending forward from the tip. Enemies caught in the winds are immobilized.
- Getter Vision - Moving at high-speeds, Getter-2 can create afterimages of itself to confuse opponents.
Getter-3
(Formed from Bear+Eagle+Jaguar)- Pilot: Musashi Tomoe
- Height: 20 m
- Weight: 220 tons
- Weapons
- Getter Missile - Getter-3 fires a pair of missiles attached to the sides of its head.
- Getter Smash (Seen only in video games) - Getter-3 extends its arms and performs a double punch.
- Getter Crush (Seen only in video games) - Getter-3 does a left-right hook punch combo followed by a double hook punch.
- Ganseki Otoshi (Seen in Episode 10 Kyuukooka! Getter 3 wa yuku) - Getter-3 crushes an enemy by landing on it.
- Daisetsuzan Oroshi - Getter-3 grabs an enemy and uses its extending arms to spin them above its head, followed by a devastating throw attack. The technique is based on Musashi's signature judo throw, which is a modified Hammer ThrowHammer throwThe modern or Olympic hammer throw is an athletic throwing event where the object is to throw a heavy metal ball attached to a wire and handle. The name "hammer throw" is derived from older competitions where an actual sledge hammer was thrown...
. - Machine Guns (Seen only in Shin Getter Robo: Armageddon OVA) - In the Armageddon OVA, Getter-3 was armed with machine guns on the tank part of its body.
Video games
The various Getter Robos are mainstay characters in the Super Robot WarsSuper 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...
series by Banpresto
Banpresto
is a Japanese toy company, best known in America for game development, headquartered in the Shinagawa Seaside West Building in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It was founded April 1977 as Hoei Sangyo, Co. Ltd. The company was renamed Coreland in 1982, and during the 1980s it worked mainly as a subcontractor for...
, usually found in the super deformed
Super deformed
Super deformed or SD is a specific style of Japanese caricature where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby, with stubby limbs and oversized heads, to make them resemble small children...
style which the series is popular for; Getter appeared in almost every non-original exclusive installment with Gundam
Gundam
The is a metaseries of anime created by Sunrise studios that features giant robots called "Mobile Suits" ; usually the protagonist's MS will carry the name Gundam....
and Mazinger
Mazinger
is a long running series of manga and anime featuring giant robots or mecha. The name can also be pronounced "Mazinga", as it is has been known in several countries, including in the United States of America.-Series:The series in order:...
(except for Judgement
Super Robot Wars Judgement
, is a tactical role-playing video game released for the Game Boy Advance by Banpresto.-Gameplay:Judgement features several systems used in previous games, as well as new ones...
, K and L, in which Getter does not take part). The Getter Robos also received their own turn based strategy game similar to the 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...
series for the Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
PlayStation
PlayStation
The is a 32-bit fifth-generation video game console first released by Sony Computer Entertainment in Japan on December 3, .The PlayStation was the first of the PlayStation series of consoles and handheld game devices. The PlayStation 2 was the console's successor in 2000...
titled Getter Robo Daikessen!. This game featured the various versions of Getter Robo from the manga and anime and OVAs produced until that point, as well as an original pink mecha piloted by a trio of ninja women. Shin Getter and Black Getter are included in Another Century's Episode 3
Another Century's Episode 3
, abbreviated as A.C.E.3, is a mecha action video game produced by Banpresto and developed by From Software. It is the sequel to the popular 2006 game Another Century's Episode 2, and the third game in the Another Century's Episode series. It was released for the PlayStation 2 on September 6,...
, which features the storyline of Getter Robo Armageddon
Getter Robo Armageddon
, often simply referred to as Change!! Getter Robo in Japan, is an original video animation released in 1998 by Bandai Visual, based on the manga and anime series Getter Robo, created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa...
.
Influences
In an interview with Kazuki Nakajima, the writer of Gurren Lagann and chief editor on the Getter Robo Saga compilation, Getter Robo was cited as one of Gurren Lagann's main inspiration.In Powerpuff Girls Z
Powerpuff Girls Z
Powerpuff Girls Z, known in Japan as or PPGZ for short, is a magical girl anime series based on the American animated television series The Powerpuff Girls. The anime is co-produced by Cartoon Network Japan and Aniplex and was animated by Toei Animation, featuring character design by Miho Shimogasa...
, Dy. Na.Mo, a robot with 3 individual parts that can combine to make various forms similar to Getter Robo appears in episode 50 of the show.
In anime parody series All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku
All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku
is a Japanese single-volume manga series written and illustrated by Yuzo Takada and serialized in Weekly Manga Action. The manga was released as a single volume in December 1997...
one episode features Nuku Nuku's creator utilizing a series of robots called "Geta Robo", shaped like a giant wooden clog (a Geta
Geta
Geta may refer to:*Publius Septimius Geta , a Roman emperor*Geta, Åland, a municipality in Finland*Getå, a minor locality in Sweden*Geta, Nepal*Geta , a type of Japanese footwear...
). Its creator is voiced by Akira Kamiya, who played Ryoma Nagare in Getter Robo.
External links
- (ita) Getter Robot in Anime Mundi