is a Japanese
mecha
In science fiction, or mechs are giant robots or machines controlled by people, typically depicted as humanoid walking vehicles. The term was first used in Japanese (language), Japanese after shortening the English loanword or , but the mean ...
media franchise
A media franchise, also known as a multimedia franchise, is a collection of related media in which several derivative works have been produced from an original creative work of fiction, such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or ...
created by
Ken Ishikawa
was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator (with Go Nagai) of the ''Getter Robo'' anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations. According to Nagai, he considered Ishikawa his greatest friend and ally ...
and
Go Nagai
, better known by the pen name , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with ''Meakashi Polikichi'', but is best known for creating popular 1970s ...
. An
anime
is Traditional animation, hand-drawn and computer animation, computer-generated animation originating from Japan. Outside of Japan and in English, ''anime'' refers specifically to animation produced in Japan. However, in Japan and in Japane ...
television series produced by
Toei Animation
() is a Japanese animation studio primarily controlled by its namesake Toei Company. It has produced numerous series, including ''Sally the Witch,'' ''GeGeGe no Kitarō,'' ''Mazinger Z'', ''Galaxy Express 999'', ''Cutie Honey'', ''Dr. Slump'', ' ...
was broadcast on
Fuji TV
JOCX-DTV (channel 8), branded as and colloquially known as CX, is a Japanese television station based in Odaiba, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Owned and operated by the it is the key station of the Fuji News Network (FNN) and the Fuji Network Sys ...
from April 4, 1974, to May 8, 1975, with a total of 51 episodes. The manga was serialized in
Shogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, comics (manga), non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.
Shogakukan founded Shueisha, which also founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hit ...
's ''
Weekly Shōnen Sunday
is a weekly ''shōnen'' manga magazine published in Japan by Shogakukan since March 1959. Contrary to its title, ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' issues are released on Wednesdays. ''Weekly Shōnen Sunday'' has sold over 1.8billion copies since 1986, ...
'' from April 7, 1974, to August 24, 1975, and was compiled in six volumes by
Shogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, comics (manga), non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.
Shogakukan founded Shueisha, which also founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hit ...
and three volumes by
Futabasha
is a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Higashigokenchō, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.[会社概要]
" Futabasha. R ...
.
Plot
The plot involves three strong-willed teenagers:
Ryoma Nagare
The following is a list of characters from the anime and manga series ''Getter Robo''.
Getter Robo
Getter Team
* Voiced by: Akira Kamiya - is the protagonist and main pilot in the Getter Robo franchise. He is a hot-blooded youth in high ...
,
Hayato Jin
The following is a list of characters from the anime and manga series ''Getter Robo''.
Getter Robo
Getter Team
* Voiced by: Akira Kamiya - is the protagonist and main pilot in the Getter Robo franchise. He is a hot-blooded youth in high ...
and
Musashi Tomoe
The following is a list of characters from the anime and manga series ''Getter Robo''.
Getter Robo
Getter Team
* Voiced by: Akira Kamiya - is the protagonist and main pilot in the Getter Robo franchise. He is a hot-blooded youth in high ...
, who pilot three specially designed combat jets (Eagle, Jaguar, and Bear) which can be combined into three different giant robots, Getter-1 (balanced and for flight combat), Getter-2 (fast and for ground combat), and Getter-3 (strong and for marine combat). They were assembled by Prof. Saotome, who conceived the Getter Robo project as a means of deep-space exploration. The Getter machine is powered by an energy source known as Getter Rays, which are the invisible manifestation of the pilot's willpower. It became instead Earth's first line of defense against the Dinosaur Empire, a civilization of reptile-like humanoids who evolved from the now-extinct dinosaurs that roamed the earth millions of years ago. They have lived many years underground after being forced to do so by getter ray radiation from space that did not affect the apes who evolved into humans; they now want to reclaim the Earth as theirs and destroy humanity.
Volume list
Shogakukan
is a Japanese publisher of dictionaries, literature, comics (manga), non-fiction, DVDs, and other media in Japan.
Shogakukan founded Shueisha, which also founded Hakusensha. These are three separate companies, but are together called the Hit ...
has compiled the series' chapters into 6 ''
tankōbon
is the Japanese
Japanese may refer to:
* Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia
* Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan
* Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or cultur ...
'' volumes. The first four volumes compile the chapters of the ''Dinosaur Empire'' arc (equivalent to the ''Getter Robo'' anime story) while the last two volumes compiles the chapters of the ''Hundred Demons Empire'' arc (equivalent to the ''
Getter Robo G
, known as ''Starvengers'' in the United States, is a super robot anime series by Toei Animation based on ''Hundred Demons Empire'' arc of ''Getter Robo'' manga by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa. This direct sequel to ''Getter Robo'' was broadc ...
'' anime story). The manga was re-released in 3 ''
aizōban'' volumes by
Futabasha
is a Japanese publishing company headquartered in Higashigokenchō, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.[会社概要]
" Futabasha. R ...
in 2002.
;Futabasha edition
Sequels and remakes
''Getter Robo G''
The last episode of the ''Getter Robo'' series showed the defeat of the Dinosaur Empire, but with a high price: the death of one of the Getter Robo pilots,
Musashi Tomoe
The following is a list of characters from the anime and manga series ''Getter Robo''.
Getter Robo
Getter Team
* Voiced by: Akira Kamiya - is the protagonist and main pilot in the Getter Robo franchise. He is a hot-blooded youth in high ...
. It also introduced a new enemy, the Clan of the 100 Demons, who at that very moment were preparing an invasion of Earth from space. This would be the basis of a sequel with a new, improved version of the original robot, piloted by Ryoma, Hayato, and newcomer pilot
Benkei Kuruma
, popularly known as simply Benkei, was a Japanese warrior monk (''sōhei'') who lived in the latter years of the Heian Period (794–1185) .html" ;"title="/sup>">/sup>. Benkei led a varied life, first becoming a monk, then a mountain ascetic, ...
. The series, called ''
Getter Robo G
, known as ''Starvengers'' in the United States, is a super robot anime series by Toei Animation based on ''Hundred Demons Empire'' arc of ''Getter Robo'' manga by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa. This direct sequel to ''Getter Robo'' was broadc ...
'', would not be as long and successful as the first one, lasting 39 episodes. The new robot and its pilots were also featured in the Go Nagai short features ''
Great Mazinger vs. Getter Robo G'' and ''
Grendizer, Getter Robo G & Great Mazinger: Decisive Showdown! Great Sea Beast'', despite the fact Getter Robo was conceived as existing in a different universe from the Mazinger/Grendizer continuity.
''G'' also became famous in the U.S. as it was included in edited form as part of the
Force Five
''Force Five'' is an American adaptation of five different anime television series. In the United States, this series was primarily shown only in New England, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, though it did make brief appearances in other markets, s ...
robot series produced for the American market, where its name was changed to ''Starvengers''. These episodes would later be the basis for the direct to video series;
Robo Formers. Additionally, toys based on the Getter Robo mecha were licensed by the U.S. toy company
Mattel
Mattel, Inc. ( ) is an American multinational toy manufacturing and entertainment company founded in January 1945 and headquartered in El Segundo, California. The company has presence in 35 countries and territories and sells products in more ...
and sold under the company's
Shogun Warriors toy line.
There was a limited video release of Starvengers in the UK, renamed ''Formators''.
''Getter Robo Go''
After some years, the franchise was revived in 1991 with the new series ''
Getter Robo Go
, sometimes romanized as ''Getter Robot Go'' and known in the United States as ''Venger Robo'', is a Japanese mecha anime and manga series and the third entry in the ''Getter Robo'' franchise originally created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa. ...
'', directed by Hiroki Shibata, and featuring a new robot and an all-new team. While originally planned as a remake of ''
Mazinger Z
is a Japanese super robot manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai. The first manga version was serialized in Shueisha's ''Weekly Shōnen Jump'' from October 1972 to August 1973, and it later was reissued in Kodansha ''TV Magazine ...
'', sponsor Yutaka Nakamura turned instead to rebooting Getter Robo, with the anime focusing on a new Getter Team, Go Ichimonji, Sho Tachibana and Gai Daido, fighting the forces of Prof. Rando and his Metal Beasts. At the same time, Nagai and Ishikawa penned a 7 volume ''Getter Robo Go'' manga from 1990 to 1993, with a dramatically different plot, albeit sharing several characters. The ''Go'' manga continued the story of the original 1970's installments, and later featured the debut of the Shin Getter Robo in its final 3 volumes. Many products were released, such as CDs, toys, video cassettes, and later a DVD set. In addition to that, this was the first time Go Nagai and Toei Animation began working together since the Gaiking incident.
In the advent of Getter Robo Go's success, the influence and popularity of the original show continued in Japan, and it found a way to stay with fans through video games (like the ''
Super Robot Wars
''Super Robot Wars'', known in Japan as is a series of tactical role-playing video games produced by Bandai Namco Entertainment, formerly Banpresto. Starting out as a spinoff of the ''Compati Hero'' series, the main feature of the franchise is ...
'' game series, in which the Getter Robo is one of its lineup mainstays) and other merchandise. The series was even spoofed successfully in the mecha anime series ''
Martian Successor Nadesico
, sometimes referred to as simply , is a Japanese anime television series produced by TV Tokyo, Yomiko Advertising and Xebec and directed by Tatsuo Satō, with manga artist Kia Asamiya providing original character designs, Keiji Gotoh servin ...
'', where the anime-within-anime ''
Gekiganger III'' was a direct pun (and homage) to the Getter Robo legacy, among many other super robot series. ''
Gekiganger III'' was the favorite show of the character Gai in ''Martian Successor Nadesico''. His voice actor,
Tomokazu Seki
is a Japanese voice actor and singer. He has previously worked with Haikyō. He is honorary president of and affiliated with Atomic Monkey and the chairman of theater company HeroHero Q. He is a special lecturer at Japan Newart College.
Caree ...
, has also said that ''Getter Robo'' is his favorite anime. Tomokazu Seki would also voice Go (the protagonist of ''Getter Robo Go'') in ''
Getter Robo Armageddon
''Getter Robo Armageddon'', known in Japan as , is an OVA released between August 25, 1998 to May 25, 1999 by Bandai Visual and was animated by Brain's Base and Studio OX. The OVA is based on the manga and anime series ''Getter Robo'', created ...
''.
''Shin Getter Robo''
After the ending of ''Getter Robo Go'', Ishikawa, motivated by his editor
Kazuki Nakashima
is a Japanese playwright, novelist, contributing editor and screenwriter. In addition to working on '' Getter Robo'', he is a fan of Ken Ishikawa. He took pride in being a "Getter Person". This was the same Futabasha's chief producer and pro ...
, decided to extend and explain some topics, like what really happened to Benkei and the Saotome Institute, the reason Ryoma was scared of Getter Rays, what Getter is and such.
The series features the return of the original Getter Robo, alongside Getter Robo G, the latter of whom had mysteriously vanished alongside Benkei as of the events of Getter Go.
The manga would also feature the first full look at Shin Getter 2, who had made a brief appearance in Getter Go, and the first ever appearance of Shin Getter 3.
Additionally, it featured new insect-like enemies from the far future, later used in Getter Arc, which would also revisit the fate of Getter G.
All of this was told in the ''Getter Robo Go'' manga prequel, ''Shin Getter Robo'', begun in 1996 and lasted 2 ''
tankōbon
is the Japanese
Japanese may refer to:
* Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia
* Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan
* Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or cultur ...
'' volumes. The title was later reprinted into a single ''
aizōban'' volume of 500 pages.
''Getter Robo Arc''
''
Getter Robo Arc
is a manga series written and illustrated by Ken Ishikawa based on ''Getter Robo'' franchise created by Ishikawa and Go Nagai. It was first serialized in Futabasha's ''Super Robot Magazine'' from July 19, 2001 to September 19, 2003, compiling ...
'' is a 3-volume manga taking place in a science fiction post-apocalyptic futuristic setting. Ryoma's son Takuma joins the human-dinosaur hybrid Kamui and Messiah Tayel's younger brother Baku Yamagishi aboard the Getter Robo Arc, fighting, alongside the Dinosaur Empire, the insect-like enemies of the from the far future. Unfortunately, ''Super Robot Comics'', the magazine in which ''Arc'' was published, was canceled and the story ended prematurely. On November 2, 2020, an anime adaptation of ''Arc'' was announced for a Summer 2021 release, it will produced by Bee Media with
Jun Kawagoe
is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and director. He is known for directing anime based on the works of Go Nagai, Ken Ishikawa, Takashi Yanase, and twice, Shotaro Ishinomori.
Works (as director)
* '' Shuten Douji'' (1991) episode 3
* ' ...
as director.
''Getter Robo Armageddon''
The concept was re-invented in 1998 with the retro-styled
OVA
, abbreviated as OVA and sometimes as OAV (original animation video), are Japanese animated films and series made specially for release in home video formats without prior showings on television or in theaters, though the first part of an OVA s ...
''Change Getter Robo!!: The Last Day of the World'' (released outside Japan as ''
Getter Robo: Armageddon''). ''
Giant Robo
is a Japanese manga series by Mitsuteru Yokoyama. The manga, which was first published in 1967, spawned a live-action ''tokusatsu'' television series of the same name, as well as a series of original video animations called '' Giant Robo: ...
'' director Yasuhiro Imagawa was to direct the OVA, but had a falling out with the studio after Episode 3. This would lead to
Jun Kawagoe
is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and director. He is known for directing anime based on the works of Go Nagai, Ken Ishikawa, Takashi Yanase, and twice, Shotaro Ishinomori.
Works (as director)
* '' Shuten Douji'' (1991) episode 3
* ' ...
taking over as the director from episode 4 onwards, a position he would keep throughout the following 2 OVAs. The OVA ran 13 episodes and was presented as the sequel to a story - which was never actually animated - about the Getter Team fighting a race of amorphous aliens called "Invaders." This production made use of an animation style reminiscent of the old Getter Robo and other 1970s anime shows with thick, sketchy lines, albeit with character and robot designs more reminiscent of Ken Ishikawa's original manga.
''Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo''
Two years later, the same staff returned for the four-part OVA ''
Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo
is an anime OVA series based on the works of Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa. It was released in four episodes on four DVDs ranging from December 2000 to June 2001.
''Shin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo'' draws heavily from Ken Ishikawa's manga ...
''. The plot of the OVA is loosely based on the original Getter Robo, with the Dinosaur Empire as the antagonists. The OVA introduces a new Getter Robo, the titular Neo Getter Robo, which is similar in design to the Getter Robo from ''Getter Robo Go'' and also shares elements of Getter Robo G's design. In addition, it features characters from ''Getter Robo Go'' that are closer in personality to those found in the original manga than the anime adaptation. The OVA also included a three part miniseries that lasted five minutes called ''Dynamic Super Robot's Grand Battle'' which shows several
Go Nagai
, better known by the pen name , is a Japanese manga artist and a prolific author of science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He made his professional debut in 1967 with ''Meakashi Polikichi'', but is best known for creating popular 1970s ...
created robots doing battle with the Mycene empire from the anime ''
Great Mazinger
is a Japanese manga comic book and anime television series by manga artist Go Nagai. The story is a sequel and direct continuation of '' Mazinger Z'' series after its initial success. The series was aired on Japanese television in 1974, ...
''. The short included appearances by Getter Robo G and Shin Getter Robo.
''New Getter Robo''
In 2004, director
Jun Kawagoe
is a Japanese animator, storyboard artist, and director. He is known for directing anime based on the works of Go Nagai, Ken Ishikawa, Takashi Yanase, and twice, Shotaro Ishinomori.
Works (as director)
* '' Shuten Douji'' (1991) episode 3
* ' ...
produced a new OVA called ''
New Getter Robo
is an anime original video animation co-produced by Dynamic Planning and Bandai Visual. The series is a re-imagining of the 1970s manga ''Getter Robo'', created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa, that incorporates aspects of Japanese mythology like ...
'', this time being a re-telling of the Getter Robo story.
In this new story, humanity is under attack by demonic creatures called
Oni
An is a kind of ''yōkai'', demon, orc, ogre, or troll in Japanese folklore. Oni are mostly known for their fierce and evil nature manifested in their propensity for murder and cannibalism. Notwithstanding their evil reputation, oni possess ...
. As in the original stories, Dr. Saotome creates a series of Getter-Ray-powered robots to fight the monsters, culminating the creation of Getter Robo. Both the robot and the Getter Team were redesigned for the new series. Getter Robo is more detailed and mechanical-looking than its earlier forms, and all three pilots - Ryoma, Hayato, and a combination of Musashi and Benkei's archetypes named
"Benkei Musashibo" - are as violent and antiheroic as they were in the 70s manga. Ryoma is now an irresponsible street fighter, Hayato a bloodthirsty, sadistic terrorist, and Benkei a hedonistic and gluttonous apprentice monk.
''Getter Robo Hien''
In 2007, a new manga entitled ''
Getter Robo Hien: The Earth Suicide'' was released in Japan. It has since concluded at 3 volumes, and was serialized in a monthly webcomic. This series continues the
Ken Ishikawa
was a Japanese manga artist. He is renowned as the co-creator (with Go Nagai) of the ''Getter Robo'' anime series, as well as four of their subsequent manga continuations. According to Nagai, he considered Ishikawa his greatest friend and ally ...
continuity of ''Getter'' manga, temporally taking place after ''Getter Robo Go'' and before ''Getter Arc''. The series features an older Hayato leading a new team of Getter Pilots (and a new Getter) as they defend the earth from large plant-like monsters.
''Apocrypha Getter Robo''
;''Dash''
In July 2008 a new manga entitled ''
Apocrypha Getter Robot Dash
, originally titled , is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Hideaki Nishikawa based on Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa classic ''Getter Robo'' series. It was initially serialized monthly in Kodansha's ''Magazine Z''. As the title suggests, ...
'' was released in Japan, in ''
Magazine Z
was a Japanese seinen mixed-media magazine published by Kodansha, aimed at adult males, but particularly at hardcore anime and manga fans, featuring articles as well as manga tied into popular franchises. Original manga were also featured in the ...
'', authored by
Hideaki Nishikawa. Owing ''Magazine Z'' being cancelled, it continues as ''Apocrypha Getter Robo DARKNESS''.
;''Darkness''
''
Apocrypha Getter Robo Darkness
, originally titled , is a Japanese manga written and illustrated by Hideaki Nishikawa based on Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa classic ''Getter Robo'' series. It was initially serialized monthly in Kodansha's ''Magazine Z''. As the title suggests ...
'' is actually ''Getter Robot Dash'', continuing with another title on ''
Young Animal Arashi
was a monthly Japanese manga magazine published by Hakusensha. A sister magazine to ''Young Animal'', it was released on the first Friday of every month in B5 format from 2000 to 2018.
Series featured in the magazine
The following is a partia ...
'' after ''Magazine Z'' was cancelled. The chapter 0 of ''Getter Robo DARKNESS'', published in the July 2009 issue of the magazine, is actually a reprint of the sixth chapter of ''Getter Robo DASH'', the last one published in ''Magazine Z''.
List of ''Getter Robo'' series
;Manga
;Anime
Video games
The various Getter Robos are mainstay characters in the ''
Super Robot Wars
''Super Robot Wars'', known in Japan as is a series of tactical role-playing video games produced by Bandai Namco Entertainment, formerly Banpresto. Starting out as a spinoff of the ''Compati Hero'' series, the main feature of the franchise is ...
'' series by
Banpresto
(formerly Coreland Technology Inc.) was a Japanese video game developer and publisher headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo. It had a branch in Hong Kong named Banpresto H.K., which was headquartered in the New Territories. Banpresto was a partly-own ...
, usually found in the
super deformed
Chibi, also known as super deformation, or S.D. is a style of caricature originating in Japan, and common in anime and manga where characters are drawn in an exaggerated way, typically small and chubby with stubby limbs, oversized heads, and m ...
style which the series is popular for; Getter appeared in almost every non-original exclusive installment with
Gundam
is a Japanese military fiction media franchise. Created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Sunrise (now Bandai Namco Filmworks), the franchise features giant robots, or mecha, with the name "Gundam". The franchise began on April 7, 1979, with ''Mobile ...
and
Mazinger
is a long-running series of manga and anime featuring giant robots or mecha.
Series
The series in order:
''God Mazinger'' is related by name only and ''Mazinkaiser'' is an OVA retelling of earlier ''Mazinger'' stories, based partly on des ...
(except for ''
Judgement
Judgement (or US spelling judgment) is also known as ''adjudication'', which means the evaluation of evidence to make a decision. Judgement is also the ability to make considered decisions. The term has at least five distinct uses. Aristotle s ...
'', ''
K'', ''
L'', ''
UX'', ''BX'', and ''X'', in which Getter does not take part). The Getter Robos also received their own turn based strategy game similar to the ''Super Robot Wars'' series for the
Sony
, commonly stylized as SONY, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan. As a major technology company, it operates as one of the world's largest manufacturers of consumer and professional ...
PlayStation
is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...
titled ''Getter Robo Daikessen!.'' This game featured the various versions of Getter Robo from the manga and anime and OVAs produced until that point, as well as an original pink mecha piloted by a trio of ninja women. Shin Getter and Black Getter are included in ''
Another Century's Episode 3'', which features the storyline of ''
Getter Robo Armageddon
''Getter Robo Armageddon'', known in Japan as , is an OVA released between August 25, 1998 to May 25, 1999 by Bandai Visual and was animated by Brain's Base and Studio OX. The OVA is based on the manga and anime series ''Getter Robo'', created ...
''.
Legacy
In an interview with
Kazuki Nakashima
is a Japanese playwright, novelist, contributing editor and screenwriter. In addition to working on '' Getter Robo'', he is a fan of Ken Ishikawa. He took pride in being a "Getter Person". This was the same Futabasha's chief producer and pro ...
, the writer of ''Gurren Lagann'' and chief editor on the ''Getter Robo Saga'' compilation, Getter Robo was cited as one of ''
Gurren Lagann
''Gurren Lagann'', known in Japan as , is a Japanese mecha anime, mecha anime television series animated by Gainax and co-produced by Aniplex and Konami. It ran for 27 episodes on TV Tokyo between April and September 2007. It was directe ...
''s main inspirations.
Video game company
SNK
is a Japanese video game hardware and software company. It is the successor to the company Shin Nihon Kikaku and presently owns the SNK video game brand and the Neo Geo video game platform. SNK's predecessor Shin Nihon Kikaku was founded in 1978 ...
also commented they were influenced by the series when designing the three main characters of ''
The King of Fighters '94
''The King of Fighters '94'' (''KOF 94'') is a fighting game released by SNK for the Neo Geo (system), Neo Geo-based arcade game, arcade system in 1994, as the first in ''The King of Fighters'' series. The game was also released for the Neo Geo ...
''.
Notes
References
External links
*
{{Toei Animation
1974 anime television series debuts
1974 manga
ADV Films
Fuji TV original programming
Shogakukan manga
Shunsuke Kikuchi
Super robot anime and manga
Toei Animation television
Shōnen manga