Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen
Starts Airing: April 4, 23:20
Station: TV Tokyo
Episodes: 26
Director: Yasuhiro Imagawa (Seven of Seven, Tetsujin 28th)
Production: Bee Media, CODE
Webpage: http://www.shin-mazinger.com/
The old favorite original anime from the 80’s is back! Originally known as Tranzor Z or Mazinger Z which was a hit not just in Japan, but also in the USA, Philippines, and Spain! Shin Mazinger, which also means True Mazinger will not be called a remake, or a reboot, nor will it be a continuation – at least that’s what the creators are encouraging us to believe. Confusing eh? I guess they just want to preserve the Mazinger legend of old, but it’s really just a 2009 remake rehashed and more fast paced, more details. More like old characters, but new but similar stories.
All video available on the net are purely Japanese. No subs yet available for download.
Set in contemporary times, the battle of the Gods (extraterrestrials thought to be Gods by the ancient Greeks) continues. Hades (in mythology, the ruler of the underworld, embodied by Dr. Hell) has returned to attack the Earth and exterminate the human race, and to protect it Zeus sends a robot born from him, Z Mazinger (this is why the Z of Zeus is before the name and not after it as in Mazinger Z, where it’s not related to the Greek god).
The robot is given by chance to a student called Koji Kabuto (the classic Mazinger hero) and together with Aphrodite (piloted by Sayaka) and other classic Mazinger characters such as Tetsuya he defends the planet. Many other gods are involved, and their relationships of love and envy are part of the plot.
Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z Hen (????????????? Shin Majing? Sh?geki! Zetto Hen, lit. True Mazinger Impact! Z Chapter) is a new Mazinger anime series which premiered in Japan on April 4. According to the production staff, it has no relation to the 1970s show and should not be described as a Mazinger Z remake.
Along with the TV series, a new manga, Shin Mazinger Zero (?????????? Shin Majing? Zero?, lit. True Mazinger ZERO) is set to start on April 18, 2009 (cover date June 2009) in the magazine Champion Red. The pair responsible for the sh?nen manga Akumetsu, Yoshiaki Tabata and Yuki Yogo, will write and illustrate the Shin Mazinger Zero manga
Plot
In the near future, a mineral known as “Japanium” is discovered under Mt. Fuji. This ore is discovered to produce a powerful energy source known as “Photon Energy”. Dr. Juzo Kabuto and his associates have begun researching Photon Energy, planning to use it as a solution to the energy crisis plaguing the earth, when the nefarious Dr. Hell and his associate, Baron Ashura attack his lab. Along with this, the mysterious Shirogane House” also has begun to become intwined with the affairs of these two parties. During all of this, Juzo’s grandchildren, Kouji and Shiro, encounter one of Baron Ashura’s robots on its way to attack Dr. Kabuto’s mansion, where he has begun work on his greatest invention. Dr. Kabuto, seeing the danger at hand, sends out the Pilder to Kouji, allowing him to combine with the giant robot, Mazinger Z, to fight for justice.
Characters
- Koji Kabuto – The protagonist of the story. After the death of his parents, Koji works hard as the ‘Mother Hen’ to the surviving members of his family – his brother Shiro, and his grandfather Juzo. Koji has a high regard for his grandfather, whose patented inventions were the source of the Kabuto family’s income and shows zero tolerance to anyone who ever insults his grandfather. During the primary attack of Ashura Corps., Koji becomes the pilot of his grandfather’s greatest invention – the Super Robot Mazinger Z.
- Shiro Kabuto – Koji’s younger brother.
- Juzo Kabuto – Koji’s grandfather. Known as a great inventor in addition as the man who discovered the Japanium Ore, which lead to the creation of the Photon Energy and Super-Alloy Z (a metal alloy that is stronger than any other metal known to man). Also the creator of Mazinger Z.
- Sayaka Yumi – The daughter of Professor Yumi. She pilots Aphrodai A, a female robot.
- Sennosuke Yumi – Sayaka’s father, a renowned professor of mechanics, and head of the Photon Power Labs.
- Boss – Renowned leader of all the high-school delinquents in Japan. He comes to Atami village because it’s the only area in Japan without a gang leader.
- Baron Ashura – Dr. Hell’s right hand, Baron Ashura is a half-man, half-woman combination. He/she commands the Ashura Corps, one of the divisions of Dr. Hell’s army.
- Count Brocken – Another loyal servant of Dr. Hell. Brocken is a German cyborg whose head is completely separated from his body. He commands the Air Division of Dr. Hell’s army.
- Viscount Pygman – Third servant of Dr. Hell, a pygmy warrior with a series of bizarre physical abilities. He takes the form of Jim Mazinger, a character from Violence Jack. His role in the series is not yet fully known.
- Dr. Hell – Koji’s archnemesis. He, along with Juzo Kabuto, discovered Bardos Island, home of the ancient Mycenaeans. A mad scientist, Dr. Hell uses the technology of the Mycenaeans to build his army of giant robots in a campaign for world domination. To achieve this, he seeks the technology being developed at the Photon Power Lab.
- Tsubasa Nishikiori – Head Mistress of the Kurogane House, a spa in Atami. She and her staff has a mysterious connection with the Kabuto family as well as vast knowledge about Dr. Hell and the Mycenaeans. Tsubasa originally appears in Violence Jack.
- Inspector Ankokuji – A detective who serves to investigate the Kabuto family and later is given orders to protect them. He also serves as a comic relief to the series.
- Archduke Gorgon – In the original series, he leads the Mycenaeans against both Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger. His role in the series is not yet fully known.
- Ankoku Daishogun – General of the Mycenaean Army. He appears in front of a stunned Koji Kabuto at the very opening of the series. In the original Mazinger Z series, he successfully defeated Mazinger Z in battle as his own army is superior to Dr. Hell’s, but was defeated later by Great Mazinger. Ankoku Daishogun also appears in Mazinkaiser as the main antagonist after the fall of Dr. Hell. His role in the series is not yet fully known.
