Mazinkaiser

Director
Masahiko Murata
Production
Bandai, Dentsu, Dynamic Planning
Country of origin
Japan
Format
OVA
Running time
7 episodes
Year
2001

Mazinkaiser

By Mark McPherson
20th May 04

Mazinger Z, also known as Tanzor or whatever you've known it as, is one of the most beloved mecha anime series of the 1970's. It was here where we saw the birth of the infamous "Rocket Punch" attack. Now, for the first time in over 2 decades, Mazinger Z returns to the stage in an all new OAV.

Mazinkaiser starts out pretty quickly, by bringing back all the original mecha villains to destroy a town in Japan. Then, the good guys arrive. We start out with the arrival of Mazinger Z, piloted by Kabuto Koji. Later on, some of the other strange mecha buddies arrive including Great Mazinger (piloted by Tetsuya), Aphroda-A (piloted by Sayaka) and Boss' robot. It's surprising how little the mecha and character designs have changed from the original series. You'll even notice that the character lines are thicker. Anyway, the opening fight ends with Great Mazinger damaged and the minions of Doctor Hell capturing Mazinger Z with Kabuto MIA.

Later on, the main base of the Mazinger team is attacked by the new Mazinger Z, now property of Doctor Hell. Just when it looks like the base is about to be destroyed, a large robot arrives on the scene that takes out the Mazinger Z easily and Kabuto is piloting it. Mazinger Z isn't the only mecha to be replaced. In the second episode, Aphroda-A is ripped apart limb-by-limb and is replaced I a new mech that is more suited to Sayaka's physical structure. Also, Great Mazinger pretty much takes a back seat after episode 2 since Tetsuya ends up badly injured.

Don't get your hopes up though if you are expecting it to be exactly like the original. Just like Go Nagai's other incantations, Mazinkaiser knows no limits. This means there is a lot of violence and some perversion. In fact, there is a lot of perversion in the show. In episode 3, the Mazinger team is attacked by three twin android women who Boss just can't enough of staring at. Also, in episode 4, two new members of the Mazinger team show up and they both happen to be twin sisters. In this episode, Kabuto is seduced by these two women into massaging them, causing Sayaka to huff some smoke. This turns Sayaka and Kabuto's relationship even more sour when they try to escape Doctor Hell's underwater base by Kabuto using Sayaka's breasts as a distraction to all the guards.

Still, all the furious mecha action is there, including all your favorite attacks such as "Breast Fire" and "Wirlwind". In conclusion, Mazinkaiser offers great nostalgic insight for old-school fans and great mecha animation with fanservice for newbies. To simply, if you like comedy, violence, giant robots, fanservice and old-school anime, Mazinkaiser should be at the top of your list.

10/10

-- Mark McPherson 20th May 04

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