A Visual History of Mecha - Episode 4

The Super Robot Boom - Mass Production
Covering 1975-1977, we talk about the copycats and the Shogun Warriors legacy.
This program was entirely funded by Patreon:
/ professorotaku

[@logandarklighter]

Of this era of Super Robots, I think in terms of just sheer design, my favorite is Combattler V. I can actually see where almost every part from each vehicle fits into the Robot mode! Though there is some fudging of proportions, or course. Close second is Great Raideen. Just a really clean design.

[@Aliexster]

One more episode before things get Real!

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

two more but I'm glad you're hyped

[@marcustepase2997]

Ufufufu *real* robot

[@ecwecwecw1]

I was really glad you mentioned Brave Raideen because I have always been curious about that series. I would love to hear you do a review of RahXephon which was partially inspired by Brave Raideen.

[@aspetty]

So curious with the Gundam Restrspective coming how much are you really going to delve into the Gundam franchise in History of Mecha?

[@RppRussell]

I've Always wondered if The Autobot Wheeljack's head from the 1984 Transformers were modeled after the head design of Steel Jeeg? (Also, is Steel Jeeg the original "Headmaster" that the Transformers borrowed from with which the Transformers "transform" into a head to combine with a giant robot body?)

[@mitchellalexander9162]

I only Came away from This thinking that: Wow. If there was a Super Robot Wars Game that restricted itself to 1976 and earlier Properties and IPs, a small handful of Super Robots would be fighting one HELL of a lots of Empires and colorful creatures trying to wipe out humanity.

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

WAY easier to deal with the licenses for too >w>

[@ChaosOverlordZ]

I look forward to when you get to Gundam.

[@thebaccathatchews]

The giant robot equivalent of Scooby Doo clones

[@Turbofurby]

I was a bit sketchy about watching this series at first and I should of said this at Episode 1 but damn the Pacific Rim theme will always get my attention.

[@adrianmercado3092]

The sequels to the so-called Romance Trilogy, Voltes V and Daimos, was (and still is) super popular in the Philippines and left a veritable mark on popular culture. The originator Combattler V, however, was never shown at all here so we know nothing about it.

[@richarddavis8863]

I’m a waiter so I meet a lot of random people, and when I meet Philippinos of a certain age I always bring up Voltes V and they get super excited I know about it

[@zeadsi]

is it just me or does it seem like every anime made during the Showa period had their anime opening sung by the same guy? lol

[@zeadsi]

Izumiko Jesus, that dude sure left his mark. 1200 is insane!

[@brendenmiles8564]

Just picked up this series (great stuff, btw), really helped as I am a bit of a newcomer to the Mecha genre, particularly the Super Robot angle (mostly trying to get into old-school stuff). I already absolutely love Mazinger and Getter Robo, but are there any other shows from the 70's era that are worth viewing? I actually am intrigued by Raideen, Jeeg, and even Daimos, but are there any others were worth checking out?

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

Weeeeeell, I hate to say 'watch the next episode and find out' but... well, watch the next episode and find out!

[@brendenmiles8564]

@@ProfessorOtakuD2 Yeah, I'll admit the other two shows in the Romance Trilogy do look pretty cool, as well as Zambot & Daitarn. But in terms of non-trilogies, is there anything else to speak of, or are Raideen and Jeeg probably my best bet for anything decently interesting?

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

I think Gaiking is probably a good choice, but other than that, you kinda just dive into what you think you might like and pull out if its not your jam.

[@brendenmiles8564]

@@ProfessorOtakuD2 Ah, okay then. Thanks for the comments, dude, really appreciate the response.

[@hitachicordoba]

I am forever scarred by having been too poor to get a Shogun Warrior toy as a kid. I later got a paper route and bought a Chinese diecast Lion Voltron toy from the swap meet.

[@memeboi3684]

Btw Hiroshi didn't become a cyborg due to the racing incident. He was a cyborg from the start, the incident happened just to make the audience (and later Hiroshi himself) realize that he isn't human.

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

I generally try to avoid saying spoilery stuff in the show proper, if for no other reason than to keep the surprises coming >:3

[@cmsgt4]

For about 30 years I have been looking for a mecha anime where the pilot enters the foot and takes an elevator to the top. I have been looking for another, possibly the same show where there is a girl robot on a conveyor belt going to be destroyed and the male robot tries and saves her. I assume the 2nd might have been mazinger but I have not been able to find an episode with that content. Any help is appreciated.

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

Shoot me a message on twitter with anything else you remember? Otherwise, maybe the series will help jog your memory? I'll see what I can think of.

[@FlickeredCodex]

cms-gt4 maybe it's Tryder G7?

[@pokemongirl5674]

These are very interesting. Are there any mecha anime that was covered so far something you would recommend people to watch if you've seen each one that is as I want to check out a couple of them.

[@ElectronicControl3R]

+pokemongirl5674 A Qiestion I am interested in as well, as my super robot list of viewed series is much smaller then my real robot list of viewed series.

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

+ElectronicControl3R +pokemongirl5674 A lot of these old shows like Mazinger and Getter Robo are worth checking out but most of the ones covered this episode aren't. If I spend more than a few minutes explaining their importance, that's probably the ones you should look at.

[@aaronlaluzerne6639]

Name of the mecha robot with the football helmet and it's anime series please.

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

UFO Warrior Daiapolon, from UFO Warrior Daiapolon

[@aaronlaluzerne6639]

@@ProfessorOtakuD2 Thank you for the reply and information.

[@Ojunix]

Guess we haven't reached GoShogun (US Macron 1) yet in the History but still looking forward to it. :) & "kill them all"?......call me intrigued.

[@Elementa2006]

This series is exciting, I dig Giant Robots but since you mentioned Jeeg's success in Europe, I'm surprised you ignored Grendizer's major impact in popularizing the mecha genre along with anime as a whole in both Central Europe and the Arab world

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

+Badre Bally I made a note of its success but I'm neither Central European nor Arab, so the impact is lost on me.

[@Elementa2006]

+ProfessorOtakuD2 fair enough

[@jamesguerra2472]

6

[@KamenSentaiMetalHero]

What about Gatchaman? They had a bird-themed Mecha.

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

They had a bird themed jet, not a robot.

[@gokujapan]

in 1975 america lost vietnam and japan mecha was in a golden age

[@exceedcharge1]

Whats the song at the end?

[@ProfessorOtakuD2]

Its the opening for Combattler V

[@exceedcharge1]

ProfessorOtakuD2 Thx