Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen

[valondar]

Shin Mazinger Shougeki! Z-Hen


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Just curious as to whether or not anyone else saw this complete trainwreck of a series.

I thought Mazinger had a fair bit going for it - this is really impressive animation, in some respects I liked it a lot more than Basquash's animation (specifically, while CGI is used the mecha remain 2D, which would be my preference) and the style is gorgeously retro. Not 'retro' in the updated, dark, angsty style of Casshern Sins. Retro retro. As in almost none of this would feel out of place in the 1970s AT ALL.

Unfortunately, what brings down Shin Mazinger is... it's retro. Allow me to clarify by invoking everyone's favourite recent Super Robot anime, Gurren Lagann. Gurren Lagann may be ripped wholesale from hoary old cliches, but it was definitely a modern Super Robot series, giving us characters who were clearly defined and likeable and who did things other than smash each other up with their mecha.

Shin Mazinger is a throwback to the days when character and personality don't matter a wit. You just need a broadly drawn cariacture and you're good to go. For four whole episodes people have either fought, acted epic, been hotblooded and/or ridiculous, given expository dialogue, or fought. Unbelievably crazy mecha silliness is jampacked into each an every episode with such intensity that it might EXPLODE but given how completely shallow the affair is it's just no bloody fun at all. I mean this makes me appreciate the subtelty of the classic Gundam series's characterisation... and that series isn't subtle at ALL. I just think a series which dresses Zeus up in this insanely campy gold-plated robo-suit (it must be seen to be BELIEVED) should be, um, entertaining.

Also the cast is frigging enormous, a whole ocean of simply defined characters that likely aren't going to get any deeper. What's the deal with the two identical twin girls who each sit in a breast of their giant robot? Hm, I think that IS the deal. Etc.

The OP is fairly awesome, though, the incidental music is great (you couldn't ask for a more wonderfully bombastic super robot sound), production values etc. etc. And I might be a little harsh on it - I guess if you're looking for nothing more than stolidly melodramatic excess it works fairly well.

[cedulet]

I kow when i was a kid i was a fan of Mazinger z (I still have a MZ robot toy) but i don't remember anything about the series characters, story etc..

some blogs say this version has nothing to do with the old one. that Shin means 'True' and not 'New'

for me the first ep was a mess with all those characters coming from nowhere saying things that don't make sense, it felt like i was watching ep 20 or something. if this is a new version should't it start form cero? introducing the characters correctly

it reminds me to Karas which also started like this. I'm still confused

[SantaBla]

Originally Posted by valondar

Unfortunately, what brings down Shin Mazinger is... it's retro. Allow me to clarify by invoking everyone's favourite recent Super Robot anime, Gurren Lagann. Gurren Lagann may be ripped wholesale from hoary old cliches, but it was definitely a modern Super Robot series, giving us characters who were clearly defined and likeable and who did things other than smash each other up with their mecha.

Today, Gurren Lagann is today's most favourite super robot show, but have you forgotten who's the father of Super Robot shows? It's the 1972 Mazinger Z series of course.

All I can say is, this is aimed at the old nostalgic fans, that's all. Even the first episode showed this. I don't think the characters need to be well defined and overemotional, if it does have them, then call the show whatever you want but it's not Mazinger.

[Aznmonster]

Originally Posted by SantaBla

Today, Gurren Lagann is today's most favourite super robot show, but have you forgotten who's the father of Super Robot shows? It's the 1972 Mazinger Z series of course.

All I can say is, this is aimed at the old nostalgic fans, that's all. Even the first episode showed this. I don't think the characeters need to be well defined and overemotional, if it does have, then call the show whatever you want but it's not Mazinger.

I agree,without Mazinger there would no be TTGL.People seem to forget that.

[ingram]

finally i found a thread about shin mazinger, personally i like this new mazinger series, i like that kind of mix between mazinger z and god mazinger, the role of kenji akabane like koji kabuto is good, it has a good start and hope it ends the same way

Originally Posted by valondar

Unfortunately, what brings down Shin Mazinger is... it's retro. Allow me to clarify by invoking everyone's favourite recent Super Robot anime, Gurren Lagann. Gurren Lagann may be ripped wholesale from hoary old cliches, but it was definitely a modern Super Robot series, giving us characters who were clearly defined and likeable and who did things other than smash each other up with their mecha.

but guys, that's what a good super robot show is about, we dont get involved into the characters mind and personality, leave that to the real type mecha animes like gundam or macross we want to see hotblood, pasion, courage, and a kickass mecha beating the bad guys

Originally Posted by SantaBla

Today, Gurren Lagann is today's most favourite super robot show, but have you forgotten who's the father of Super Robot shows? It's the 1972 Mazinger Z series of course.

i think that more than mazinger, the father of super robot shows is tetsujin 28 or astroganga, but mazinger will always be one of the best

Originally Posted by SantaBla

All I can say is, this is aimed at the old nostalgic fans, that's all. Even the first episode showed this. I don't think the characters need to be well defined and overemotional, if it does have them, then call the show whatever you want but it's not Mazinger.

amen

[SantaBla]

Originally Posted by ingram

i think that more than mazinger, the father of super robot shows is tetsujin 28 or astroganga, but mazinger will always be one of the best

Yes perhaps but it was Mazinger who set the standards (the pilot-in-a-robot thing).

[kirant]

Sorry for bumping such an old thread, but I've been watching this show myself, and it is AWESOME.

Now, I may have a completely different point of view, seeing as I consider TTGL one of the worst Super Robot Shows I can name. Honestly, IMO, TTGL is what happens when you try tor cram lovable characters into a show where fighting is required to be over the top. I feel the personality and heartfelt emotions are mostly left to Real Robot shows.

That being said, I LOVE this show, but much of it is a throwback for old fans. Many of the minor characters are stuff the old fans will recognize (IE Lori and Roll) from older shows (Mazinkaiser in this case, 2002). Yes, the 1st episode is a mess, but every other episode does great. They end on suspense and keep you hooked. There's not a place where you'll stop watching and think "You know...the series could have ended nicely right there". Throw in some really well done "Beyond the Impossible" (How many rocket punches can we cram in?) and it's a great show for those who grew up to Mazinger Z.

Just my two cents though.

[Anathemus]

What about Mazinkaiser SKL the new OVA? it's still not on the database and let me tell you... it's the most pretty straight forward kickass mechs anime I've seen so far, I always hated mech shows..but this one was really enjoyable... the artwork is pretty awesome, the soundtrack (metal) is cool as well, and it doesn't take itself too seriously, thumbs up for the show