Great Dangaioh
Encyclopedia
is a 13-episode anime
TV series that ran from 5 April 2001 through 5 July 2001 on TV Asahi
in Japan
. It was created and directed by Toshiki Hirano
, and produced by AIC. Hirano's wife, Narumi Kakinouchi
, was the animation director for episodes 1 and 3.
Great Dangaioh is related to Dangaioh
. Although initially it appears to be an unconnected series reusing similar plot concepts, late in the series it is revealed that Great Dangaioh is, in fact, a sequel to the original OVA.
Somewhere in Japan, a bright light suddenly blasted from the ground. The light in a blink destroyed everything within a hundred mile radius
. People argued that falling space debris
caused it, but others felt that the unusual movement of terrestrial
magnetism
caused the light. The truth, however, remained hidden and blurred from people's memories. A little girl is the only one that knows what the light is.
Ten years later, an army of giant robot
s suddenly appear and devastates the Earth. They call themselves "EX Tartaro," whom pilot four major robot
s - the Four Kyokuohand. Their mission is to "purify the world". Three battle robots, the Dangaioh, defeated the enemy with ease. Sensing the strength of their enemy, the Ex Tartao united to form one giant robot. The three members of the Dangaioh team united into Dangaioh to reveal their true powers and eventually destroyed the invading force.
The plot was devised by madman Dr. Katou, who was once the co-planner of the Dangaioh. The Dangai Project began preparations for a battle from a threat from the outer space pirate "Bunker". Dr. Katou and Yonamine had a big dispute, leading to Dr. Katou's betrayal. Now, in a secret underground organization, Dr. Yonamine and the Dangaioh are prepared to face off against Dr. Katou and his robotic troops.
With various weapons equipped, this makes Dangaioh have various attacks to help defeat its enemies:
to state at an anime event that "Any series called Dangaioh seems destined to not be completed" , as the original Dangaioh
OVA series was also left unfinished.
Ending Theme - "Kimi no tame ni Ai wo"
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....
TV series that ran from 5 April 2001 through 5 July 2001 on 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....
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. It was created and directed by Toshiki Hirano
Toshiki Hirano
is a Japanese anime director, animator, and character designer. His wife is animator and manga artist Narumi Kakinouchi. Some of his works have appeared in the adult manga magazine Lemon People.-Character Designer:...
, and produced by AIC. Hirano's wife, Narumi Kakinouchi
Narumi Kakinouchi
is a female Japanese manga artist, animator, director, character designer, and an animation director. Some of her work has appeared in the adult manga magazine Lemon People....
, was the animation director for episodes 1 and 3.
Great Dangaioh is related to Dangaioh
Dangaioh
is an anime OVA series produced by Anime International Company studios and released in Japan in 1987. Dangaioh featured character designs by creator Toshiki Hirano, mechanical designs by Shoji Kawamori, and animation direction by Masami Ōbari.-Plot:...
. Although initially it appears to be an unconnected series reusing similar plot concepts, late in the series it is revealed that Great Dangaioh is, in fact, a sequel to the original OVA.
Plot
Great Dangaioh is very loosely related to the original Dangaioh series.Somewhere in Japan, a bright light suddenly blasted from the ground. The light in a blink destroyed everything within a hundred mile radius
Radius
In classical geometry, a radius of a circle or sphere is any line segment from its center to its perimeter. By extension, the radius of a circle or sphere is the length of any such segment, which is half the diameter. If the object does not have an obvious center, the term may refer to its...
. People argued that falling space debris
Space debris
Space debris, also known as orbital debris, space junk, and space waste, is the collection of objects in orbit around Earth that were created by humans but no longer serve any useful purpose. These objects consist of everything from spent rocket stages and defunct satellites to erosion, explosion...
caused it, but others felt that the unusual movement of terrestrial
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
magnetism
Magnetism
Magnetism is a property of materials that respond at an atomic or subatomic level to an applied magnetic field. Ferromagnetism is the strongest and most familiar type of magnetism. It is responsible for the behavior of permanent magnets, which produce their own persistent magnetic fields, as well...
caused the light. The truth, however, remained hidden and blurred from people's memories. A little girl is the only one that knows what the light is.
Ten years later, an army of giant robot
Giant Robot
Giant Robot may refer to:* Giant Robot , magazine of Asian American popular culture* Mecha, a piloted or remote-controlled limbed vehicle* Giant Robot Week, week-long event that aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami in 2003...
s suddenly appear and devastates the Earth. They call themselves "EX Tartaro," whom pilot four major robot
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
s - the Four Kyokuohand. Their mission is to "purify the world". Three battle robots, the Dangaioh, defeated the enemy with ease. Sensing the strength of their enemy, the Ex Tartao united to form one giant robot. The three members of the Dangaioh team united into Dangaioh to reveal their true powers and eventually destroyed the invading force.
The plot was devised by madman Dr. Katou, who was once the co-planner of the Dangaioh. The Dangai Project began preparations for a battle from a threat from the outer space pirate "Bunker". Dr. Katou and Yonamine had a big dispute, leading to Dr. Katou's betrayal. Now, in a secret underground organization, Dr. Yonamine and the Dangaioh are prepared to face off against Dr. Katou and his robotic troops.
Main Characters
- Amagi Kuya
- A 15 year old boy who is the Dangaioh B's pilot and leader of Dangaioh. He carries on the will of his brother, who was the official nominee for pilot on the Dangaioh project. He has a lot of faith and mental prowess to make up for his weaknesses. He's a quiet but hot-blooded young man. Aside from that, he is also very sensitive. Kuya can be very indecisive however. For example, he would give up his life to protect someone he likes, but when someone confesses love for him, he cannot give them a clear answer.
- Manami Mishio
- A 15 year old girl who is the pilot of Dangaioh's F and controls the brainBrainThe brain is the center of the nervous system in all vertebrate and most invertebrate animals—only a few primitive invertebrates such as sponges, jellyfish, sea squirts and starfishes do not have one. It is located in the head, usually close to primary sensory apparatus such as vision, hearing,...
of Dangaioh. Although Mishio isn't as physically fit and strong as the other pilots, she has an amazing memory and analytical skills, which prove useful in combat. She is also quiet, tender and always has a smile on her face.
- Hitomi Chidou
- A 15 year old girl who is the Dangaioh's X pilot and controller of Dangaioh's heart. Hitomi uses "hot-blooded", "Battle Soul" and "Victory" in her guiding philosophyPhilosophyPhilosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
. She's very upfront and speaks her mind. She has seen the gentle side of Kuya in battle and has a bit of an attraction for him. Hitomi has the courage to charge into a group of enemies in a fight.
Supporting Characters
- Gunji Yonamine
- The leader of the Dangai Project and the creator of Dangaioh. He's is the leading authority in robotic engineering. Gunji easily won the title of "genius scientist" while he was still a young man. He comes from honorable ancestry and therefore is able to use his connections in politicsPoliticsPolitics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, conglomeratesConglomerate (company)A conglomerate is a combination of two or more corporations engaged in entirely different businesses that fall under one corporate structure , usually involving a parent company and several subsidiaries. Often, a conglomerate is a multi-industry company...
, and the militaryMilitaryA military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
to build Awaruda base and Dangaioh.
- Miya Shikitani
- The beautiful scientistScientistA scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
and designer of Dangaioh who is an authority on, and possesses a high-level of ESPExtra-sensory perceptionExtrasensory perception involves reception of information not gained through the recognized physical senses but sensed with the mind. The term was coined by Frederic Myers, and adopted by Duke University psychologist J. B. Rhine to denote psychic abilities such as telepathy, clairaudience, and...
power, maybe due to the incident that happened in the past. 10 years ago after the incident, she receives telepathic messages from an unidentified entityEntityAn entity is something that has a distinct, separate existence, although it need not be a material existence. In particular, abstractions and legal fictions are usually regarded as entities. In general, there is also no presumption that an entity is animate.An entity could be viewed as a set...
to begin planning a secret operation called the Dangai Project. During her time cooperating with Gunji Yonamine over the past 10 years, she continues to receive telepathic messages from the unidentified entity on designing a weapon called Dangaioh.
- Chiho Kazamaki
- The doctorPhysicianA physician is a health care provider who practices the profession of medicine, which is concerned with promoting, maintaining or restoring human health through the study, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, injury and other physical and mental impairments...
on call in the Awaruda basement. Physical and Mental status of the pilots are her top priority and she constantly updates Miya Shikitani on the pilot's condition. She's also the one person the Dangaioh pilots turn to when they have problems with their lives or complaints and enjoys making fun of the younger pilots, especially Kuya. She's rather close to Miya Shikitani for some reason.
- Ryuko Shima
- The public relations officer of the Agwaruda base. The eldest of the support girls, she is looked upon by the others like a big sister.
- Kyoko Tamahara
- One of the 8 main operators at the Agwaruda base and the only one that works within the central command centre when Dangaioh is on an operation.
- Kasumi Yamagata
- Is the reserve pilot for the Dangaioh team. She's Kuya's junior and is often impatient, longing to become a permanent member of the pilot's roster.
- Kozue Mori
- Is the head mechanic of the Agwaruda base and leads her team in the heavy demands that maintaining the Dangaioh mechas require.
- Kaori Tsukishiro
- The assistant to Miya Shikitani who lives in the Awaruda Base and also possesses ESP powers. A major basement staff candidate with a short temper, mainly because she's only an assistant and candidate. She tends to pester Kuya.
- Mia Alice
- One of the pilots of the original Dangaioh, Mia left Earth in 1987 to secretly fight against an evil intergalactic empire. Mia has strong psychic powers which allows her to devastate things around her by will, but this is checked by her compassionate nature. What is her connection to Earth's new Dangaioh unit?
- Kyoji Reisen
- Kyoji is a mysterious young man that is shadowing the movements of the 3 Dangaioh pilots. He shows signs of having a strange power.....is he an ally or an enemy of the Dangaioh team?
Villain
- Danjou Katou (Dr. Kadou)
- The co-planner of Dangaioh and the enemy of Great Dangaioh in the first episode. He was opposed to Gunji Yonamine's opinions when it comes to producing manned or unmanned robots. Expelled from the research institute following the disagreement, he secretly stole the robot data and related documents to build his powerful robots to achieve his goal of "purifying the world".
Mechanics
- Dangaioh was created by Gunji Yonamine and Dr. Miya Shikitani. It is formed by 3 separate robots codenamed Dangai-numbers; the Dangaioh B, Dangaioh F, and Dangaioh X.
-
-
- Dangaioh B (Burst)
- Dangaioh B is piloted by Kuya Amagi. Because this unit places the most stress upon a pilot, it was given to Kuya, who was seen as physically strong enough to handle the unit. Burst forms the headHeadIn anatomy, the head of an animal is the rostral part that usually comprises the brain, eyes, ears, nose and mouth . Some very simple animals may not have a head, but many bilaterally symmetric forms do....
and chestChestThe chest is a part of the anatomy of humans and various other animals. It is sometimes referred to as the thorax or the bosom.-Chest anatomy - Humans and other hominids:...
of Dangaioh when merged and gives the pilot of Dangaioh Burst primary control of Dangaioh itself. Alone, it primarily uses projectile weapons, such as pistols and rifles.
-
-
-
- Dangaioh F (Flail)
- Dangaioh F is piloted by Manami Mishio. Not built for physical combat, Flail's role is electronic warfare, jamming, analysis and recon. When merged into Dangaioh, Flail forms the bodyBodyWith regard to living things, a body is the physical body of an individual. "Body" often is used in connection with appearance, health issues and death...
. In combat, its primary weapon is a cloud of electronic beacons that disrupts enemy functions. Dangaioh F is the most fragileFragileFragile may be an adjective meaning brittle.It may also refer to:-In albums::*Fragile , 1971*The Fragile, a 1999 album by Nine Inch Nails*Fragile , 2000*Fragile , 2000...
of the three.
-
-
-
- Dangaioh X (Cross)
- The Dangaioh X is piloted by Hitomi Chidou. Of the three Dangai Numbers, Cross has the heaviest armour and highest power output, due to the fact it houses the main engineEngineAn engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
for the merged Dangaioh, of which it forms the legs. In battle, X excels mainly on close combatClose combat*Close combat is a generic term for both Close Quarters Battle and Hand to hand combat.*Mêlée generally refers to disorganized close combat.*CQB is an acronym for Close Quarters Battle, such as that which occurs in urban warfare....
, using kicks and punches that are augmented by Dangaioh's engine. A single edge knife as well as a grappling hook launcher is equipped to the arms.
-
- Dangaioh
- When all three Dangai-numbers are put together, they form Dangaioh. Dangaioh excels at fighting opponents accordingly using high-speed maneuvers and its powerful weapons. However, its overall strengths cannot fully function in an underwaterUnderwaterUnderwater is a term describing the realm below the surface of water where the water exists in a natural feature such as an ocean, sea, lake, pond, or river. Three quarters of the planet Earth is covered by water...
environment. The battle abilities of the Dangaioh require high human tolerancesPhysiological tolerancePhysiological tolerance or drug tolerance is commonly encountered in pharmacology, when a subject's reaction to a drug is reduced at a later time even though the dose or concentration at the effect site is the same. This means that larger doses are required to achieve the same effect...
. The pilots of the Dangaioh are subject to constant physical stress, even the possibility of death if they stay in their units for too long. Therefore, the Dangaioh requires its pilots to be physically and psychologically strong and have excellent teamworkTeamworkTeamwork is action performed by a team towards a common goal. A team consists of more than one person, each of whom typically has different responsibilities....
abilities.
With various weapons equipped, this makes Dangaioh have various attacks to help defeat its enemies:
- Burning Gloves
- Dangaioh's forearms are fired out with high powered rockets and still be controlled to grab or subdue the opponent.
- Burning Pressure (Pressure Burning Glove)
- Extra boosters on the rocketing forearms are fired to increase speed and power.
- Flame Arrow
- A blue stream of energy is fired from a particle beam cannon mounted on the chest.
- Dangai Blade
- A pair of blue beam sabers are released from the upperarm slots where the forearm use to be.
- Cross Tornado
- With a pair of high powered boosters fired on each side of the body, Dangaioh spins at high speeds while holding the Dangai Blades high. Then launches itself towards the opponent either punching a hole through or slice them in half. This attack it often performed while having the Burning Gloves holding the enemy in place.
- Stream Blaster
- The newest weapon equipped onto Dangaioh. The red chest plate would fire a wave of red energy that would obliterate everything in its path. However, its power was too much for the pilots to handle that it risks their safety.
Episodes
The series was originally intended to be 26 episodes long, but was cancelled halfway due to poor reviews and low ratings. This prompted creator Toshiki HiranoToshiki Hirano
is a Japanese anime director, animator, and character designer. His wife is animator and manga artist Narumi Kakinouchi. Some of his works have appeared in the adult manga magazine Lemon People.-Character Designer:...
to state at an anime event that "Any series called Dangaioh seems destined to not be completed" , as the original Dangaioh
Dangaioh
is an anime OVA series produced by Anime International Company studios and released in Japan in 1987. Dangaioh featured character designs by creator Toshiki Hirano, mechanical designs by Shoji Kawamori, and animation direction by Masami Ōbari.-Plot:...
OVA series was also left unfinished.
| No. | Episode Title | Airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|
Theme Music
Opening Theme - "Fighting Chance"- Singer: Go Takahashi
- Lyrics: Yuko Ebine
- Music: Akira Tsuji
- Producer: Takahiro Ando
Ending Theme - "Kimi no tame ni Ai wo"
- Singer: Kasumi Yamagata (Mizuno Manabi)
- Lyrics: Yuko Ebine
- Music: Akira Tsuji
- Producer: Akira Tsuji