About Mazinger Z
Mazinger Z stands as the foundational work of modern mecha anime, introducing the revolutionary concept of giant robots piloted from within and establishing the template for the super robot genre.
Created by Go Nagai in 1972, this groundbreaking franchise transformed the landscape of Japanese science fiction entertainment and inspired countless works that followed, including Mobile Suit Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion.
The Mazinger Z franchise features the titanic super robot Mazinger Z, constructed from the fictional Super-Alloy Z and powered by Photonic Energy. Unlike previous robot series where mechs were remote-controlled, Mazinger Z introduced the concept of a human pilot controlling the robot from within a cockpit, creating the template for all future piloted mecha.
Mazinger Z is the original manga and anime series that launched the franchise. It ran for 92 episodes from December 1972 to September 1974, and has since expanded through sequels such as Great Mazinger and UFO Robot Grendizer, plus modern reimaginings like Mazinkaiser and Shin Mazinger.
Mazinger Z emerged as Go Nagai’s vision of what giant robot entertainment could become. The creator, inspired by traffic jams and the desire for a robot that could be controlled like a vehicle, developed the concept of internally piloted mecha that would define the genre for decades to come.
This approach established Mazinger Z not merely as entertainment, but as a cultural phenomenon that would influence the entire mecha genre and inspire creators worldwide.
History of Mazinger Z
In 1972, Go Nagai created a work that would fundamentally alter the landscape of anime and manga. The original Mazinger Z manga was serialised in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1972 to August 1973, continuing in Kodansha’s TV Magazine from October 1973 to September 1974. The anime adaptation, produced by Dynamic Productions and animated by Toei Animation, aired on Fuji TV from December 1972 to September 1974.
The series achieved extraordinary popularity during its run, with its period of greatest success lasting from roughly October 1973 to March 1974, when it regularly scored audience ratings in the high twenties. Episode 68, broadcast on 17th March 1974, achieved the series’ highest rating of 30.4%, making Mazinger Z one of the highest-rated anime series of all time.
Following the conclusion of the original series, the franchise expanded with immediate sequels. The anime culminated in the destruction of the original robot by new enemies and the immediate introduction of its successor, Great Mazinger, along with its pilot, Tetsuya Tsurugi. This was followed by UFO Robot Grendizer, completing the original trilogy.
In more recent years, the franchise has experienced revivals through works such as Mazinkaiser and the 2018 theatrical film Mazinger Z: Infinity, which takes place ten years after the Great Mazinger series.
The revolutionary concept
Go Nagai’s inspiration for Mazinger Z came from a simple observation. One day, he observed a traffic jam and mused that the drivers in the back would love a way to bypass the cars in front of them. From that thought came the idea of a giant robot that could be controlled from the inside, like a car.
The series introduced the concept of mecha as robots which are ridden by humans and controlled like vehicles to Japanese science fiction. Previous depictions of human-controlled giant robots in Japan, such as in Tetsujin 28-go, depicted the robot as remote-controlled, rather than vehicle-like.
In its original concept, the robot was named Energer Z and was controlled by a motorcycle that was driven up its back and into its head. However, the recent popularity of Kamen Rider led to Nagai replacing the motorcycle with a hovercraft to make Mazinger Z stand out. He later redesigned the concept, renaming it Mazinger Z as a play on the Japanese words ma (魔, demon) and jin (神, god).
The series is noteworthy for introducing many of the accepted stock features of super robot anime genres, including the first occurrence of mecha robots being piloted by a user from within a cockpit.
Story and characters
The Mazinger Z saga follows teenager Koji Kabuto, who inherits the mighty robot from his grandfather, Professor Juzo Kabuto. Professor Kabuto constructed Mazinger Z from the fictional metal Super-Alloy Z, which is forged from a new element (Japanium) mined from a reservoir found only in the sediment of Mt. Fuji.
The story begins when Kabuto’s former colleague, Dr. Hell, establishes his headquarters on a mobile island, forms the new Underground Empire, and plans to use ancient Mechanical Monsters to become the new ruler of the world. Professor Kabuto manages to finish Mazinger Z just before being killed by a bomb planted by Hell’s right-hand person, Baron Ashura.
As Professor Kabuto lies dying, he manages to inform his grandson Koji about the robot and its use. Koji becomes the robot’s pilot and, from that point on, battles both the continuous mechanical monsters and the sinister henchmen sent by Doctor Hell.
Supporting characters include Sayaka Yumi, pilot of the female robot Aphrodite A and later Diana A, and the comic relief character Boss with his ramshackle robot Boss Borot.
Cultural impact and legacy
Mazinger Z helped to create the 1970s boom in mecha anime and established the template that countless series would follow. The series was a very popular cartoon in Mexico during the 1980s, and in Italy, France, and the Middle East, later entries in the franchise like Grendizer achieved extraordinary popularity.
The series’ influence extends far beyond anime, with acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro citing the show as an important influence on Pacific Rim. In 2001, the Japanese magazine Animage elected Mazinger Z TV series the eleventh best anime production of all time.
Go Nagai is credited with pioneering the super robot genre with Mazinger Z, which created one of the biggest staples of the industry. Anime director Hideaki Anno (Evangelion) cited Mazinger as a source of inspiration for Evangelion.
The franchise’s enduring popularity is evident in its extensive merchandising, including model kits, plastic and die-cast metal toys (the famous Soul of Chogokin line), action figures and other collectibles. A 40-foot tall statue of Mazinger Z was even built in a suburb of Tarragona, Spain, in the early 1980s.
The Mazinger universe
The franchise encompasses multiple interconnected series, each building upon the foundation established by the original:
Original trilogy:
- Mazinger Z (1972-1974) - The foundational series
- Great Mazinger (1974-1975) - Direct sequel featuring an upgraded robot
- UFO Robot Grendizer (1975-1977) - Space-based continuation
Modern revivals:
- Mazinkaiser (2001-2002) - OVA reimagining with enhanced designs
- Shin Mazinger Shogeki! Z-hen (2009) - Anime reboot closer to the original manga
- Mazinger Z: Infinity (2018) - Theatrical sequel film
The franchise has also spawned numerous manga adaptations, video games, and spin-off series that explore different aspects of the Mazinger universe.
Mecha design and technology
The titular Mazinger Z robot was created by Doctor Juzo Kabuto using Super Alloy Z, forged from the fictional element Japanium. The robot is powered by Photonic Energy and controlled via the Hover Pilder, a small aircraft that docks into the robot’s head.
Mazinger Z’s signature weapons include the Rocket Punch (launched forearms), Breast Fire (heat beams from the chest), and the Rust Hurricane (corrosive wind from the mouth grille). These attack patterns became standard templates for super robot series that followed.
The series also pioneered the concept of female mecha companions, introducing robots like Aphrodite A and Diana A. While not as powerful as the main robot, these female mechs played significant roles in battle and established another lasting genre convention.
Appearances
- Mazinger Z characters
- Mazinger Z mecha
- Mazinger Z technology
- Mazinger Z timeline