A Brief History Of ‘Super Robots,’ Part Three: A Fine Robot Romance
From Wikipedia …
“Planetary Romance is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy in which the bulk of the action consists of adventures on one or more exotic alien planets, characterized by distinctive physical and cultural backgrounds.”
Director Tadao Nagahama’s ’Robot Romance Trilogy’ doesn’t follow that definition precisely, though in at least one instance there is romance.
And Interplanetary Intrigue.
But before we get to that, let’s discuss the other two series …
[ Continued in comments below. ]
NOTE: Each installment of the ‘Robot Romance Trilogy’ was created by ‘Saburo Yatsude’ [ A pseudonym for the staff at Toei Animation ] with animation production by Sunrise.
The kick-ass theme song to end all kick-ass theme songs.
In those early days, Super Robot ‘Fight Songs’ were a straightforward affair, where the singer runs down the list of available weapons and techniques. When your finishing move involves wrestling lightning from the air, hurling it through your enemy to paralyze them, then turning yourself into an enormous, nigh-indestructible drill to blast directly ’THROUGH’ your opponent, this can be a ’good’ thing.
‘Combattler V’ is a killing machine of the highest order, packed with more weapons than could ever possibly hope to fit inside its frame. And, on top of everything else, it is Five – Count ‘em – Five Toys In One …
Battle Jet [ 01 ]: Forms the head.
Battle Crusher [ 02 ] Forms the arms and upper torso.
Battle Tank [ 03 ] Forms the bulk of the torso. Only component which cannot fly under its own power.
Battle Marine [ 04 ] Forms the legs.
Battle Craft [ 05 ] Forms the feet. [ Oddly, by splitting in half first. ]
The first episode is an insane exercise in high-speed exposition, introducing the entire cast on the fly – including the robot – by the halfway mark.
Character designs by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko – Of ‘Gundam’ and ‘Dirty Pair’ fame – About whom you’ll hear a bit more in part four of this overview.
Some of you might recognize Combattler – Or ‘Combatra,’ as its name was Westernized – as one of the robots featured in Marvel’s ’SHOGUN WARRIORS’ comics of the 1970’s, along with ’RAYDEEN’ and ’DANGUARD ACE,’ neither of which was a part of the ‘Robot Romance’ cycle, so they’ll have to wait their turn.
A five-component mecha similar in structure to Comgattler V, ‘Voltes 5’ has its cult following, particularly in the Philippines, where it was dubbed into both Tagalog and English.
From wikipedia …
”In April 1979, shortly before the series finale, the authoritarian President Ferdinand Marcos issued a directive banning Voltes V and other similarly-themed anime series, ostensibly due to concerns about "excessive violence.” The ban, however, led to speculations that the series was actually pulled from broadcast due to its underlying themes of rebellion and revolution.”
”After Marcos’s regime fell in the 1986 People Power Revolution, the series returned on Philippine television and was aired on multiple broadcasters.”
Wikipedia goes on to say that, In 1999 ] the hitherto-unaired-in-the-Philippenes final five episodes of Voltes V were edited together and released theatrically by GMA Films as “Voltes V: The Liberation”.
Perhaps even more remarkably, on March 27, 2017, in celebration of the series’ 40th anniversary, a new Tagalog dub of Voltes V made a triumphant return to Philippine television on its original network, GMA
The series’ influence upon Philippine popular culture is nothing short of profound, extending to both music …
Here’s where we finally get that legitimate ‘Robot Romance’ …
Some of you might be familiar with its U.S. dub – ’STARBIRDS’ – which ran on cable television in the 1980’s. Like many dubs of the period, it was edited on video, and as a consequence had the original music track ‘Repealed and Replaced.’
The literally star-crossed romance between the human protagonist, pilot Kazuya Ryuuzaki and winged Baam Princess Erika forms the driving emotional force of the series, lending a Shakespearian subtext to the proceedings.
Part of the original story concept was that Daimos lacked weaponry, and had been designed to utilize his pilot’s expertise at martial arts. This, however, did not contribute much to the ‘Fun Factor’ of the toys, so weapons were later added.
[ Daimos was a late addition to Mattel’s large-scale ’SHOGUN WARRIORS’ toy line as well. ]
Upon deployment from its base, Daimos – eventually – transforms from a truck into a robot, in one of the most convoluted, ridiculous, and lengthy transformation sequences imaginable.
Seriously.
Must be seen to be believed …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FRhSDN52zk
[ The stock transformation footage would be recycled every week, so that’s nearly two minutes per episode that needn’t be freshly animated. ]
Years ago, I watched the entire series, dubbed into English in the Philippines by – I believe – Two entirely dissimilar sets of voice actors, on highly compressed VCD disks.
The Crimestoppers tip says to watch out for pickpockets blending in at large gatherings. That’s a follow-up to last week’s warning about costumed gatherings. A pickpocket or other type of thief could blend in at CosUCon very easily.
This is a great and efficient Sunday installment, down to the inclusion of Svengoolie’s ‘rubber chicken’ in the ‘needs-to-be-disposable-for formatting-purposes’ upper right panel.
Back in the 1990’s, before Disney purchased ABC (… and prior to synergized cross-promotion) the ABC Soaps would make up their own off-brand variations of trending topics.
Characters would watch ‘Power Strangers’ …
… while playing on their ‘Pretendo’ consoles.
[ That one always made me shudder somehow. ]
Of course, post-Disney, General Hospital character Spinelli could be seen standing in line for a certain 2012 blockbuster film, wrestling with moral dilemmas while asking himself the musical question …
Honeymoon using her powers – the risks of that – in public – seem tremendous. One, we now know she has powers. Two, I seem to remember at least one origin story about a boy bitten by a spider…
I like the “insider” backstage perspective. Honeymoon is a tremendous character, bringing a youthful vigor and fresh energy to the cast. From the day she hid in the back of BB-Eyes’ van we’ve been treated to a smart, courageous young crime fighter. Her Onee-San, Pop Pop, father, Junior, and step-mother, Sparkle, have her back. She stepped up in notable fashion at Ace Tower during the action-packed conclusion of “The Fall of the Blackhearts.” Today, she wows the crowd at cosUcon with her take on Chimetra. She shares many qualities with her good friend and mentor, the Chimera, another great character.
What a delight to see a rubber chicken (it could even be Kerwyn)! And Svengoolie himself (though, as a note of minor criticism, I think he would not stoop to using the old “ladies and germs” intro). And Berwyn! (For those not in the know, Berwyn is a suburb of Chicago and has become a stock joke on Sven’s show.) Connie most definitely looks more mature today than in the dailies, while Honeymoon should do well for herself.
Meanwhile, Big Margie looks on maliciously, waiting for her Gangster Moment….
Pequod over 7 years ago
Svengoolie now commands the stage. The crowd enjoys his chatter
Rubber chicken around his neck has heard this MC patter.
Connie Wong breaks into song, a Cavalier sharp-dressed
As backstage, at tender age, Honeymoon is lightly stressed.
Imoto-Chan steps out on the stage. Channels the Chimetra
A hush falls over the large crowd. Transfixed? Yes, you betcha.
Light beam, strike! Now levitate the mini pyramid
She is focused like a champ, anxiety well hid.
Good times abound at cosUcon, yet not all things are right
Larceny by Big Margie, a plan hidden out of sight.
Who might be so foolish as to steal with Tracy near?
The arrogance of criminals who are too dim to fear
The skills of the detective whose reputation does precede
His presence at the cosUcon. Whose brains are dulled by greed?
The Margies did not reckon on such a worthy foe
Nor the mighty Buster Bot who may strike a massive blow
For what is right by skill and might, for honor of the show
Stop a crook. Her world be shook. Criminality laid low.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Connie looks much more like her real-life counterpart on Sundays than on weekdays.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Berrrrrrr-wynnnnn …
Vista Bill Raley and Comet™ over 7 years ago
Good morning guys!
Don Bagert Premium Member over 7 years ago
So Honeymoon is using her powers…
AnyFace over 7 years ago
A Brief History Of ‘Super Robots,’ Part Three: A Fine Robot Romance
From Wikipedia …
“Planetary Romance is a subgenre of science fiction or science fantasy in which the bulk of the action consists of adventures on one or more exotic alien planets, characterized by distinctive physical and cultural backgrounds.”
Director Tadao Nagahama’s ’Robot Romance Trilogy’ doesn’t follow that definition precisely, though in at least one instance there is romance.
And Interplanetary Intrigue.
But before we get to that, let’s discuss the other two series …
[ Continued in comments below. ]
NOTE: Each installment of the ‘Robot Romance Trilogy’ was created by ‘Saburo Yatsude’ [ A pseudonym for the staff at Toei Animation ] with animation production by Sunrise.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
’Super Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V’ [ 1976 ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjSlEQbEcUo
The kick-ass theme song to end all kick-ass theme songs.
In those early days, Super Robot ‘Fight Songs’ were a straightforward affair, where the singer runs down the list of available weapons and techniques. When your finishing move involves wrestling lightning from the air, hurling it through your enemy to paralyze them, then turning yourself into an enormous, nigh-indestructible drill to blast directly ’THROUGH’ your opponent, this can be a ’good’ thing.
‘Combattler V’ is a killing machine of the highest order, packed with more weapons than could ever possibly hope to fit inside its frame. And, on top of everything else, it is Five – Count ‘em – Five Toys In One …
Battle Jet [ 01 ]: Forms the head.
Battle Crusher [ 02 ] Forms the arms and upper torso.
Battle Tank [ 03 ] Forms the bulk of the torso. Only component which cannot fly under its own power.
Battle Marine [ 04 ] Forms the legs.
Battle Craft [ 05 ] Forms the feet. [ Oddly, by splitting in half first. ]
The first episode is an insane exercise in high-speed exposition, introducing the entire cast on the fly – including the robot – by the halfway mark.
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/2906863/combattler_v_episode_1_the_attack_of_campbellians/
Character designs by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko – Of ‘Gundam’ and ‘Dirty Pair’ fame – About whom you’ll hear a bit more in part four of this overview.
Some of you might recognize Combattler – Or ‘Combatra,’ as its name was Westernized – as one of the robots featured in Marvel’s ’SHOGUN WARRIORS’ comics of the 1970’s, along with ’RAYDEEN’ and ’DANGUARD ACE,’ neither of which was a part of the ‘Robot Romance’ cycle, so they’ll have to wait their turn.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
In the meantime, enjoy this update of the opening credits, created for the 2012 ‘Pachinko’ game …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuYF9rrUtig
AnyFace over 7 years ago
’Super Electromagnetic Machine Voltes 5’ [ 1977 ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wpipSyYsTE
A five-component mecha similar in structure to Comgattler V, ‘Voltes 5’ has its cult following, particularly in the Philippines, where it was dubbed into both Tagalog and English.
From wikipedia …
”In April 1979, shortly before the series finale, the authoritarian President Ferdinand Marcos issued a directive banning Voltes V and other similarly-themed anime series, ostensibly due to concerns about "excessive violence.” The ban, however, led to speculations that the series was actually pulled from broadcast due to its underlying themes of rebellion and revolution.”
”After Marcos’s regime fell in the 1986 People Power Revolution, the series returned on Philippine television and was aired on multiple broadcasters.”
Wikipedia goes on to say that, In 1999 ] the hitherto-unaired-in-the-Philippenes final five episodes of Voltes V were edited together and released theatrically by GMA Films as “Voltes V: The Liberation”.
Perhaps even more remarkably, on March 27, 2017, in celebration of the series’ 40th anniversary, a new Tagalog dub of Voltes V made a triumphant return to Philippine television on its original network, GMA
The series’ influence upon Philippine popular culture is nothing short of profound, extending to both music …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraelectromagneticpop!
… and art:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Robot_-_Suffer_Reboot
AnyFace over 7 years ago
’Fighting General Daimos’ [ 1978 ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQgVxUCO4RA
Here’s where we finally get that legitimate ‘Robot Romance’ …
Some of you might be familiar with its U.S. dub – ’STARBIRDS’ – which ran on cable television in the 1980’s. Like many dubs of the period, it was edited on video, and as a consequence had the original music track ‘Repealed and Replaced.’
The literally star-crossed romance between the human protagonist, pilot Kazuya Ryuuzaki and winged Baam Princess Erika forms the driving emotional force of the series, lending a Shakespearian subtext to the proceedings.
Part of the original story concept was that Daimos lacked weaponry, and had been designed to utilize his pilot’s expertise at martial arts. This, however, did not contribute much to the ‘Fun Factor’ of the toys, so weapons were later added.
[ Daimos was a late addition to Mattel’s large-scale ’SHOGUN WARRIORS’ toy line as well. ]
Upon deployment from its base, Daimos – eventually – transforms from a truck into a robot, in one of the most convoluted, ridiculous, and lengthy transformation sequences imaginable.
Seriously.
Must be seen to be believed …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FRhSDN52zk
[ The stock transformation footage would be recycled every week, so that’s nearly two minutes per episode that needn’t be freshly animated. ]
Years ago, I watched the entire series, dubbed into English in the Philippines by – I believe – Two entirely dissimilar sets of voice actors, on highly compressed VCD disks.
Blew through the entire run in two days.
I enjoyed it that much.
NEXT TIME: SHOGUN WARRIORS
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Darn, I’d meant to thread those.
Oh well.
Neil Wick over 7 years ago
Big Margie is getting a little impatient. I wonder if Sven’s ad-libbing is messing up the timing of her heist.
Neil Wick over 7 years ago
The Crimestoppers tip says to watch out for pickpockets blending in at large gatherings. That’s a follow-up to last week’s warning about costumed gatherings. A pickpocket or other type of thief could blend in at CosUCon very easily.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
“Oversight” is, of course, a pun on the “Overwatch” games.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
So we have this odd phenomenon where a comic strip created in 1931 is actively dealing with pop cultural elements from 2017.
“Either change with the times or get left behind.”
AnyFace over 7 years ago
This is a great and efficient Sunday installment, down to the inclusion of Svengoolie’s ‘rubber chicken’ in the ‘needs-to-be-disposable-for formatting-purposes’ upper right panel.
AnyFace over 7 years ago
About ‘Oversight’/‘Overwatch’ …
Back in the 1990’s, before Disney purchased ABC (… and prior to synergized cross-promotion) the ABC Soaps would make up their own off-brand variations of trending topics.
Characters would watch ‘Power Strangers’ …
… while playing on their ‘Pretendo’ consoles.
[ That one always made me shudder somehow. ]
Of course, post-Disney, General Hospital character Spinelli could be seen standing in line for a certain 2012 blockbuster film, wrestling with moral dilemmas while asking himself the musical question …
“What would ‘The Avengers’ do …?”
Night-Gaunt49[Bozo is Boffo] over 7 years ago
And that particular “chicken” looks like a half dinosaur to me even to the teeth.
therese_callahan2002 over 7 years ago
Yes, I saw his ad-libbing last night when I watched “Munster Go Home.”
Cheapskate0 over 7 years ago
Honeymoon using her powers – the risks of that – in public – seem tremendous. One, we now know she has powers. Two, I seem to remember at least one origin story about a boy bitten by a spider…
A R V reader over 7 years ago
Obviously, Big Margie doesn’t watch Svengoolie to know well enough that he ad-libs.
Pequod over 7 years ago
I like the “insider” backstage perspective. Honeymoon is a tremendous character, bringing a youthful vigor and fresh energy to the cast. From the day she hid in the back of BB-Eyes’ van we’ve been treated to a smart, courageous young crime fighter. Her Onee-San, Pop Pop, father, Junior, and step-mother, Sparkle, have her back. She stepped up in notable fashion at Ace Tower during the action-packed conclusion of “The Fall of the Blackhearts.” Today, she wows the crowd at cosUcon with her take on Chimetra. She shares many qualities with her good friend and mentor, the Chimera, another great character.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad175/mwithrow3/d2d5fb99-a7c2-4a48-835b-0449ba45c1b2_zpscw33rx8q.png
Thanks to Vista Bill, Neil Wick, 22ph, Night-Gaunt49, JPuzzleWhiz, Ray Toler and Chris Sherlock for the kind words. Very much appreciated!
AnyFace over 7 years ago
Dang GoComics advertising scripts are making FireFox run so slowly today, it makes me want to do this …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axSnW-ygU5g
BreathlessMahoney77 over 7 years ago
cricket … cricket….
Don Bagert Premium Member over 7 years ago
I don’t know. The Connie Mail Wong panel just turns me off. The look would be good for a young-adult Liza Minnelli, though…
Sisyphos over 7 years ago
What a delight to see a rubber chicken (it could even be Kerwyn)! And Svengoolie himself (though, as a note of minor criticism, I think he would not stoop to using the old “ladies and germs” intro). And Berwyn! (For those not in the know, Berwyn is a suburb of Chicago and has become a stock joke on Sven’s show.) Connie most definitely looks more mature today than in the dailies, while Honeymoon should do well for herself.
Meanwhile, Big Margie looks on maliciously, waiting for her Gangster Moment….
Morrow Cummings over 7 years ago
Without Anyface and Neil, the comment count would be pretty low.
kantuck-nadie over 7 years ago
Give the award to Honeymoon! Just think what $10k could do for college?