Mazinger Z

Mazinger Z (which is known as Tranzor Z in the United States) is an anime and manga series created by Go Nagai. The series, which ran for ninety-two episodes, was produced by Toei Animation. Mazinger Z aired on Fuji Television from December 3, 1972 to September 1, 1974. A sequel series, Great Mazinger, was released, as well as two OVA series (Daimaju Gekito Hagane no Oni and Mazinkaiser Deathmatch! Ankoku Daishogun). A new series, Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z Hen is due to be released in Japan in 2009.

The title character (a robot named Mazinger Z) is a giant Super Robot made from a fictitious metal called Chogokin Z. This metal is forged from a new element mined from a reservoir that can only be found in Mt. Fuji. This robot was built by Professor Juzo Kabuto as a secret weapon to fight against Dr. Hell and his mechanical beasts. Dr. Hell is intent on becoming the ruler of the world, and is aided by his right hand “man,” a hermaphrodite named Baron Ashura. Professor Juzo manages to finish Mazinger Z before being killed by a bomb planted by Baron Ashura. Before Professor Juzo dies, he tells his grandson, Kouji Kabuto about Mazinger Z and how the robot works. Kouji becomes the pilot of Mazinger Z, and uses it to battle Dr. Hell’s mechanical beasts in every episode of the series.

Mazinger Z is generally regarded as the forerunner for later Super Robot shows such as Beast King GoLion, Dairugger XV, and Daltanius. Mazinger Z introduced many of the features that have become expected in the Super Robot genre, such as mecha robots being piloted by a user in a cockpit, and that the Super Robot is a mechanical marvel that is the world’s only hope. This was also the first series to feature a female robot (with one of its primary weapons being missiles shot out of its breasts).

A company called 3-B Productions (which was made up of some members of the production team who worked on Star Blazers for Sunbow Productions), dubbed Mazinger Z into English and aired it on U.S. television in 1985. However, several changes were made. First, the title of the show was changed from Mazinger Z to Tranzor Z. The English dub cut the series down from ninety-two episodes to sixty-five episodes, many of the characters' names were changed, and the dub also created a modified storyline. Like other anime series being dubbed into English during the 1980’s, there was also editing of content, such as destruction, murder, torture, dismemberment, and male-on-female violence. Also, any shots of Aphrodite A (the female robot) shooting the missiles from her breast were cut and replaced with other footage.

Tranzor Z (the English dub) would be most appropriate for anime viewers nine or ten years of age and older. I have not personally seen Mazinger Z, but from the description of the content that was cut, I would recommend the original Japanese version for anime viewers who are sixteen years of age and older.