 | This article has multiple issues. Please helpimprove it or discuss these issues on thetalk page.(Learn how and when to remove these messages) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
|
| Getter Robo | |
 Firstaizōban volume cover | |
| ゲッターロボ (Gettā Robo) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Super robot[1] |
| Created by | |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Tomoharu Katsumata |
| Written by | Shun'ichi Yukimuro |
| Music by | Shunsuke Kikuchi |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Original network | FNS (Fuji TV) |
| Original run | April 4, 1974 – May 8, 1975 |
| Episodes | 51 |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Go Nagai[a] |
| Illustrated by | Ken Ishikawa[a] |
| Published by |
|
| Magazine | Weekly Shōnen Sunday |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | April 7, 1974 –August 24, 1975 |
| Volumes | 6 |
| Anime film | |
| Great Mazinger vs. Getter Robo | |
| Directed by | Masayuki Akehi |
| Written by | Keisuke Fujikawa |
| Music by |
|
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Released | March 21, 1975 |
| Runtime | 30 minutes |
| Anime television series | |
| Getter Robo G | |
| Directed by |
|
| Written by |
|
| Music by | Shunsuke Kikuchi |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Original network | Fuji TV |
| Original run | May 15, 1975 – March 25, 1976 |
| Episodes | 39 |
| Manga | |
| Shin Getter Robo | |
| Written by | Ken Ishikawa |
| Published by | Futabasha |
| Magazine | Weekly Manga Action |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | 1996 –1998 |
| Volumes | 2 |
 Anime and manga portal | |
Getter Robo (Japanese:ゲッターロボ,Hepburn:Gettā Robo) is a Japanesemechamedia franchise created byKen Ishikawa andGo Nagai. Ananime television series produced byToei Animation was broadcast onFuji TV from April 4, 1974, to May 8, 1975, with a total of 51 episodes. The manga was serialized inShogakukan'sWeekly Shōnen Sunday from April 7, 1974, to August 24, 1975,[2] and was compiled in six volumes byShogakukan and three volumes byFutabasha.
The plot involves three strong-willed teenagers:Ryoma Nagare,Hayato Jin andMusashi Tomoe, 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.
While already collaborating with Toei Animation producer Ken Ariga, Dynamic Pro president Takashi Nagai approached his brother and the founder ofDynamic Pro, Go Nagai, along with Ariga, to initiate the creation of another mecha series.[3] Takashi proposed the concept of three main characters, and during discussions with Ken Ariga, the idea of three different piloted robots combining into one robot with three distinct forms emerged. Although Go Nagai was initially confused by the concept, he agreed to participate in the project. Later, it was decided that the anime production could not proceed until a manga version was also released. With Go Nagai already illustrating and writing multiple manga creations such asMazinger Z,Violence Jack, andCutie Honey, he expressed his inability to take on more work to his brother and recommended his assistant and friend, Ken Ishikawa, for the job.[4]
Go Nagai assisted with the creation of characters Getter-2 and Getter-3 when Ishikawa faced difficulties after designing Getter-1. Nagai also contributed foundational ideas forGetter Robo, such as the concept of Getter Rays, but left the detailed development of the settings and plot to Ishikawa.[4][5]
Shogakukan has compiled the series' chapters into sixtankōbon volumes. The first four volumes compile the chapters of theDinosaur Empire arc (equivalent to theGetter Robo anime story) while the last two volumes compiles the chapters of theHundred Demons Empire arc (equivalent to theGetter Robo G anime story). The manga was re-released in threeaizōban volumes byFutabasha in 2002.[6]
| No. | Japanese release date | Japanese ISBN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 19, 2002 | 4-575-72372-X | |
| |||
| 2 | February 19, 2002 | 4-575-72373-8 | |
| |||
| 3 | March 19, 2002 | 4-575-72380-0 | |
| |||
The last episode of theGetter 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. 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 pilotBenkei Kuruma. The series, calledGetter Robo G, would not be as long and successful as the first one, lasting 39 episodes.[7] The new robot and its pilots were also featured in the Go Nagai short featuresGreat Mazinger vs. Getter Robo G andGrendizer, 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 theForce Five robot series produced for the American market, where its name was changed toStarvengers.[8] 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 companyMattel and sold under the company'sShogun Warriors toy line.[9][10]
There was a limited video release of Starvengers in the UK, renamedFormators.
After some years, the franchise was revived in 1991 with the new seriesGetter Robo Go, directed by Hiroki Shibata, and featuring a new robot and an all-new team. While originally planned as a remake ofMazinger Z, 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 volumeGetter Robo Go manga from 1990 to 1993, with a dramatically different plot, albeit sharing several characters. TheGo manga continued the story of the original 1970s 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.[11]
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 theSuper Robot Wars game series, in which the Getter Robo is one of its lineup mainstays) and other merchandise.[12] The series was even spoofed successfully in the mecha anime seriesMartian Successor Nadesico, where the anime-within-animeGekiganger III was a direct pun (and homage) to the Getter Robo legacy, among many other super robot series.[13][12]Gekiganger III was the favorite show of the character Gai inMartian Successor Nadesico. His voice actor,Tomokazu Seki, has also said thatGetter Robo is his favorite anime. Tomokazu Seki would also voice Go (the protagonist ofGetter Robo Go) inGetter Robo Armageddon.[14]
After the ending ofGetter Robo Go, Ishikawa, motivated by his editorKazuki Nakashima, 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 theGetter Robo Go manga prequel,Shin Getter Robo, started in 1996 and lasted twotankōbon volumes. The title was later reprinted into a singleaizōban volume of 500 pages.[15]
Getter Robo Arc is a three-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 Andromeda Flow Country (アンドロメダ流国,Andoromeda Ryōkoku) from the far future. Unfortunately,Super Robot Comics, the magazine in whichArc was published, was canceled and the story ended prematurely.[16] On November 2, 2020, an anime adaptation ofArc was announced. It was released in 2021, and was produced by Bee Media and directed byJun Kawagoe.[17][18]
The concept was re-invented in 1998 with the retro-styledOVAChange Getter Robo!!: The Last Day of the World (released outside Japan asGetter Robo: Armageddon).Giant Robo director Yasuhiro Imagawa was to direct the OVA, but had a falling out with the studio after Episode 3. This would lead toJun Kawagoe 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.
Two years later, the same staff returned for the four-part OVAShin Getter Robo vs Neo Getter Robo. 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 fromGetter Robo Go and also shares elements of Getter Robo G's design. In addition, it features characters fromGetter 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 calledDynamic Super Robot's Grand Battle which shows severalGo Nagai created robots battling with the Mycene empire from the animeGreat Mazinger. The short included appearances by Getter Robo G and Shin Getter Robo.
In 2004, directorJun Kawagoe produced a new OVA calledNew Getter Robo, this time being a re-telling of the Getter Robo story.In this new story, humanity is under attack by demonic creatures calledOni. 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.
In 2007, a new manga entitledGetter 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 theKen Ishikawa continuity ofGetter manga, temporally taking place afterGetter Robo Go and beforeGetter 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.
Published in 2008, the mangaApocrypha Getter Robot Dash was released in Japanese magazineMagazine Z, authored byHideaki Nishikawa [jp] for another alternate re-telling of the original Getter Robo story. AfterMagazine Z discontinued in 2009, it was renamedApocrypha Getter Robo DARKNESS.[19]
Apocrypha Getter Robo Darkness continued serialization with its new title under seinen magazineYoung Animal Arashi five months later.[19] Chapter 0 ofGetter Robo DARKNESS, published in the July 2009 issue of the magazine, is a reprint of the sixth chapter ofGetter Robo DASH, the last one published inMagazine Z before its cancellation.
| Title | Writer | Illustrator | Publishing company | Magazine | No. of volumes | Original run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getter Robo | Go Nagai[a] | Ken Ishikawa[a] | Shogakukan | Weekly Shōnen Sunday | 6 | 1974—1975 |
| Getter Robo Go | Ken Ishikawa[b] | Tokuma Shoten | Monthly Shōnen Captain | 7 | 1991—1993 | |
| Shin Getter Robo | Futabasha | Weekly Manga Action | 2 | 1996—1998 | ||
| Getter Robo Arc | Super Robot Magazine | 3 | 2001—2003 | |||
| Getter Robo Armageddon: Try to Remember | Yasuhiro Imagawa | Hisashi Matsumoto | Kodansha | Magazine Z | 3 | 2001 |
| Getter Robo Hien: The Earth Suicide | Naoto Tsushima | Gentosha | Comic Magna | 3 | 2007—2008 | |
| Apocrypha Getter Robo Darkness | Hideaki Nishikawa | Hakusensha | Young Animal Arashi | 4 | 2008—2014 | |
| Getter Robo Devolution | Eiichi Shimizu | Tomohiro Shimoguchi | Akita Shoten | Bessatsu Shōnen Champion | 5 | 2015—2019 |
| Title | Director | Head writer | Character designer | Composer | Studio | No. of episodes | Release year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getter Robo | Tomoharu Katsumata | Shun'ichi Yukimuro | Kazuo Komatsubara | Shunsuke Kikuchi | Toei Animation | 51 | 1974—1975 |
| Getter Robo G | Osamu Kasai | Shozo Uehara | 39 | 1975—1976 | |||
| Getter Robo Go | Hiroki Shibata | Hiroyuki Hoshiyama | Joji Oshima | Chumei Watanabe | 50 | 1991—1992 | |
| Getter Robo Armageddon | Yasuhiro Imagawa(ep. 1–3) Jun Kawagoe(ep. 4–13) | Yasuhiro Imagawa(ep. 1–4) Shinzo Fujita(ep. 5–13) | Kenji Hayama | Yasunori Iwasaki | Brain's Base & Studio OX | 13 | 1998—1999 |
| Shin Getter Robo x Neo Getter Robo | Jun Kawagoe | Shizo Fujita | Fujio Suzuki | Kazuo Nobuta | Brain's Base | 4 | 2000—2001 |
| New Getter Robo | Shinsuke Onishi | Kazuo Nobuta &Try Force | 13 | 2004 | |||
| Getter Robo Arc | Tadashi Hayakawa | Hideyuki Motohashi | Yoshichika Kuriyama & Shiho Terada | Bee Media &Studio A-Cat | 13 | 2021 |
The various Getter Robos are mainstay characters in theSuper Robot Wars series byBanpresto, usually found in thesuper deformed style which the series is popular for; Getter appeared in almost every non-original exclusive installment withGundam andMazinger (except forJudgement,K,L,UX,BX, andX, in which Getter does not take part).[20] The Getter Robos also received their own turn based strategy game similar to theSuper Robot Wars series for theSonyPlayStation titledGetter 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.[21] Shin Getter and Black Getter are included inAnother Century's Episode 3, which features the storyline ofGetter Robo Armageddon.[22]
In an interview withKazuki Nakashima, the writer ofGurren Lagann and chief editor on theGetter Robo Saga compilation,Getter Robo was cited as one ofGurren Lagann's main inspirations.[23] Video game companySNK also commented they were influenced by the series when designing the three main characters ofThe King of Fighters '94.[24]
A live-action film adaptation was announced, produced by Big One and directed by Junya Okabe with a planned release for the franchise's 50th anniversary in 2025.[25]
