Goldorak

There are at least two United States versions of this series. One (the superior in my opinion) was part of Jim Terry's Force Five, a show composed of five different animated series from Japan. Another is a feature-length "movie" composed of four or five of the show's pivotal episodes spliced together. The Force Five version went all the way through the original series while the "movie" only covers the first "boss villain's" introduction and defeat.

Either way you get it, Grandizer is a fun show. The hero, Duke Fleed (aka Orion Quest) is an experienced pilot right off the bat so they can skip the tedious training and such that seems to be the mainstay of most super and giant robot shows. Grandizer is also interesting in that he doesn't triumph because he is much more powerful than his foes (though he is powerful), he wins because he's *better* than they are.

Duke himself is an alien, physically superior to humans. Also, he is the reluctant hero type. However, he knows it was his fault the Vegan empire came to Earth and it's his responsibility to fight them. He only hesitates for the briefest of moments before unearthing Grandizer and heading into combat once more. His angst is there but not the alpha and omega of his character. Contrast this to shows like Evangelion, in which the characters' angst was all there was to them.

The supporting cast, including Koji Kabuto from "Mazinger Z", come off well with the exception of a midget cowboy apparently put in just to make fun of Americans. Fortunately, he doesn't do much. It's a lot of fun to see how Duke will prove himself superior to Koji from episode to episode. It's as if Go Nagai, creator of both "Grandizer" and "Mazinger Z", didn't really like Koji and wanted to humiliate him at every opportunity.

If you can find the "movie" version, pick it up. It's a lot of fun especially if you enjoy "old-school" super robots. The Force Five version is more satisfying, if you can get ahold of it. I am unaware of any subtitled in English versions of the original Japanese unless you can track down a fan sub.

This bland robot show (which aired as 'Goldorak' as I remember it) lacked the amorality, female nudity and blood splattering violence of 'Albator, le corsair de l'espace'(another children's cartoon on French tv in Canada at the time) -- thus it was less interesting to young boys in my grade.

Interestingly, the Quebec courts passed a law in 1999 forbidding parents from naming their child 'Goldorak.' I'm not making this up.

I grew up watching this anime in Arabic and I can still watch it today. Please note that the English dubbed version of this anime is horrible and I would claim it is unwatchable. It was so bad that the translations were canceled after about 8 episodes (out of 72) I believe. If you want to see this anime, get the original Japanese with English subtitles and avoid the dubbed version like the plague.

I really believe that this cartoon helped shape my personality somewhat because it introduced me to the idea of heroes in a clear and direct way. Daisuki is a clean cut hero similar to Superman in the Western world, except in a giant robot. He always did good and never wavered which I believe is a good lesson to teach kids. Unlike Supes however, Daisuki had to get his hands dirty and there was a lot of killing in this show. The deaths usually happen during battle with the bad guys getting blown up. There is nothing overly gross or graphic so don't worry about questionable content however bad guys do die in this show as do some not so bad guys. I don't know about you, but I hate how western cartoons have degenerated to be politically correct. They end up breeding soft kids who are easy prey for bullies and whatnot. I don't think there is anything politically correct about avoiding human violence to a minimal degree and if anything it is good to show how a hero should behave in the face of wrong. Note that I am about as liberal a person as you will find and I think that this show is perfect for kids. People are too quick to forget that nations are founded by those who fight, not those who get run over or run away. The world already has too many underachieving ninny whiners and I am tired of it. Its important to have courage and not be passive in the face of evil people so you can bet your petuty that my kids will be watching this anime as they get older.

Grendizer is a lot better than many modern anime and cartoons but its old. This was made in the 70's so you cannot expect modern quality animation. The show is also a bit repetitive but so are many other TV shows, cartoons and anime so I don't didn't knock it down too much for that. I really do wish that this anime is remade to modern technology and with deeper script but for now, this gets the job done.

I knew it as Goldrake in my childhood in Italy and I love it above all other cartoons. Japanese animation was massive in Italy at the anime with all sorts themes from mechs like Goldrake, Gundam, Jeep Robot, Mazinga and Daitarn 3 or Captain Harlock to the weird and sinister like Bem to the sweet and romantic like Heidi and Lady Oscar. All massively popular. I would love to see a live action version of Goldrake but the japs are napping on this subject whilst Hollywood subjects us to imitations like Transformers and Pacific Rim for a perceived western audience.

Cult series across France, Belgium, Italy, Quebec, as well as some part of the Arabic world, like Tunisia. The show was a huge hit for children growing in the late 70s or early 80s. Adults may find it somewhat repetitive, unless they have an interest for anime and mangas. It has been designed with a target audience of 5 and 6 y.o. boys in mind.

Crappy English tranlastions can account for part of its lack of success in the English-speak world. One UK translation is supposed to be correct, more respectful of the original.

A web search should reveal more than a few fan sites. The series ran on French tv (FR2, FR3 and TVA) from 1978 to 1989.

A lot more imaginative than what most shows offer today--although its not a family show, just a children show. ;-)))