The new Grendizer U anime series has finally had its first episode and it was actually pretty decent.
The original UFO Robot Grendizer was released back in the late 70s in Japan, but it also found a huge audience across Europe and Saudi Arabia. The latter region is key, as much of the funding for this new Grendizer U comes from Saudi Arabia.
This version of Grendizer is also a bit different over the 70s original, not least for the modern animation and lovely character designs by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, but it also switches up some of the core elements of how the original story worked.
In that, the premise of the original Grendizer had Duke Fleed come to Earth with his mecha Grendizer and take on the alien Vega forces hell bent on galactic conquest.
Much of that is the same here, except for a few key points. The first is that the show is more based in Saudi Arabia this time around, which makes sense considering the investment. It’s honestly not at all jarring, as anime such as Gundam 00 were already set in the Middle East. Not to mention that an alien invasion of Earth would be global, so why not show it from a Saudi Arabian perspective.
The second and much more important change is that Koji Kabuto pilots Mazinger Z this time around. In the original, Koji piloted a funky flying saucer called the TFO (Terrestrial Flying Object) instead of Mazinger Z. This was later upgraded to the JFO (Japanese Flying Object) and then he piloted the Double Spazer that allowed Grendizer to fly.
In this new series, Koji is straight up piloting the Mazinger Z and this is a big and interesting departure. While the original Grendizer anime is part of the Mazinger saga, due to its alien origins, it was somewhat of a different beast. In Grendizer U though, Mazinger Z is directly compared to the much more powerful Grendizer, and that is certainly curious.
Considering that Mazinger Z is a massive tentpole franchise, it’s interesting to see it used directly here, but this is where I think Grendizer U will end up going full on epic super robot at some point. With other Mazinger saga mecha probably appearing later on, as well as each of the mecha working together more openly. This alone is pretty cool already, and I am looking forward to seeing Mazinger Z and Grendizer shaking hands in proper super robot fashion at some point.
If this is how I think it will play out, then it’s a smart move and one that could help reboot and refresh the Mazinger saga for modern audiences.
The story is playing out pretty similarly too, but it’s clear that the director Mitsuo Fukuda wants to have the narrative more upbeat and hopeful this time around. The addition of Mazinger Z here also feels like some serious teaming up action will be on the cards.
The animation and character designs really do look great though, and Gaina has done a great job here. The music by Kohei Tanaka is also wonderful, as he’s no stranger to super robot anime, having penned the score for GaoGaiGar among many others.
Naturally, I am very interested to see how Grendizer U develops, but thus far it’s actually solidly done and feels like a proper as well as modern super robot show.
Currently, Grendizer U is only streaming in Japan and Saudia Arabia, and it’s not clear when it will come to the US.
Follow me on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. I also manage Mecha Damashii and do toy reviews over at hobbylink.tv.
Read my Forbes blog here.
