Gaogaigar Final
Animation Production: Sunrise
Episodes: 8
By Keith "JC" Hayward

The Story

Once upon a time I was looking around the internet for a new super robot anime to get into. I wanted my bad guys bad, I wanted my good guys good, and I wanted my action hard hitting, heavy metal and full of absurd special buster attacks that were screamed at the top of the hero or villains' lungs. I was still trippin' on the high I got off seeing my childhood friend Mazinger Z back in action, rocket punches and all, in the new Mazinkaiser. But I wanted a world, story and design that was totally new to me, to compliment the grand return of my old friend, Z. I wanted zero angst and bad guys who I could not sympathize with. I simply wanted, heroes versus villains.

I can't remember who it was, but someone recommended that GaoGaiGar just might be the big bot action I was looking for. I scooped up a couple episodes of the series and I was quite amused. It gave me everything I ever wanted and in a completely new package with a whole cast of characters to kick it with and watch as they laid both Heaven and Hell upon the evil mechanations of the invading alien villains.

Only draw back of the TV Series I found was that it was a bit too happy and focused a little too much on the brave six year old star of the show, Mamoru Amami. Which is fine and dandy, were I a little kid, but being older I need my stories told through the eyes of the show's powerhouse hero, Gai and his giant robot, GaoGaiGar!

Enter GaoGaiGar Final. One of the single most epic, grand, outstanding and action packed anime series of all time.

My Opinion

As if the creator heard the pouty groans of his older fans the first part of the series has Mamoru acting very suspicious. Pillaging the various headquarters of the world protection organization known as GGG with only a self-righteous and annoying, “Trust me…” Mamoru double-crosses his robot friends (who bare a striking resemblance to Transformers!) left and right ‘til finally his actions go too far and he kills an innocent. Even then, his way too cute face says simply, “Trust me.”

He then goes to steal a couple Gao Machines, forms GaoGaiGar and makes a run for it, with the things he’s stolen.

The killing of an innocent was the last straw, so our powerhouse King of Braves, Gai steps up to bat in his badass GaoPhantom, forming his own GaiFaiGar and taking the fight to Mamoru. What follows is just about one of the greatest giant robot fights of all time and ends with a climatic BOOM that’ll leave you breathless and cheering for more!

And that’s exactly what you get.

That opening was just the beginning to a much bigger plot that takes the brave men, women and Transformers of GGG on the run from its own government, into space and to an abandoned solar system that resembles our own. There awaits the Eleven Kings of Sol, who want to re-create their world… and are willing to destroy the entire universe to do it. What follows is a never-ending roller coaster; and by that I don’t mean to just use a cliché, just to be using a cliché. I mean, this anime takes its heroes to it’s absolute destruction and defeat, then out of nowhere they make a cheer worthy comeback, standing tall, talking trash and handing out metal crushing special attacks again and again until out of nowhere the good guys are taken down yet again, only to come back! The rise and fall of this series never gets tired. You’ll be on your fifth fall of the heroes in this OVA and still be saying, “Oh no! GAI!!!!!!!” Then still be astounded on that sixth time when he and his friends are able to take victory from defeat!

This anime is a veritable Mardi Gras of super robot action. Right off the bat the party gets started hard, filled with lights laughter and good friends ‘til it winds down, you take a breather and party some more!!! That’s what this anime feels like. It feels like a kickass full day of partying with enthusiastic friends that winds down for rest, then grabs you to pull you to the next party! And when the party does stop, you’re left spent, laughing breathlessly and fully satisfied that you and your friends did any and every wild thing you could find and met a bunch of great exciting people in the process.

The animation quality in this OVA is top of the line and I can only remember one time when it slipped for a couple seconds, but with the amount of action, robots, explosions, and fight choreography going on for those 7 seconds, you’ll find yourself surprised that they were able to keep this level of excellence this long without slipping for even a still shot of characters enjoying tea.

The character designs are bright, vibrant, creative and beautiful. In the case of the female cast members, fan service is the order of the day. All females range from hot to sexy to “Whoa!” The robot design is also a notch or two above excellent. They combine, they stack, they transform and all with the best attention to detail a labor of love can provide. If you’re a Transformer fan, these designs will look instantly recognizable to you as from being form the Takara toy line. The fire engine brothers both bare an uncanny resemblance to Fire Convoy (RiD Optimus Prime) as do the fire engine sisters. There’s a police car bot, but his robot mode resembles more of a ninja than, Prowl. More designs abound with transforming flying cycles, transforming giant starships (and even tho they’re aircraft carrier size they still manage to grab their fair share of the action!), and there is even a hot chick cyborg character who is the French equivalent to Gai, that if you are a guy, you’ll want posters of and if you’re a girl you’ll be happy to see a strong female lead who’s not in need of being rescued, but does a fair amount of rescuing. Personalities of the heroes are all wonderfully positive, energetic and stand at the height of showing its viewers what it means to be a man/woman of action and courage.

Overall, I can’t say this anime is very cerebral. It won’t have you rushing to the library to check up on cultural, biblical or metaphorical references, nor does it tackle any real life issues and open your mind to a new way of thinking. This anime is complete and utter action fantasy and is not ashamed for a second at being that. This anime’s about the fun and high drama that we found back in the days of Voltron and Mazinger Z, where the bad guys must be stopped and the good guys are willing to lay their lives on the line for the sake of the universe, our entertainment… and above all else, GREAT JUSTICE!!! Seeing that there are enough Evangelion and RahXephon’s in the world, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Final Word

If you’re a fan of super robot or super anime like Mazinger Z or Gatchman like action, this should be at the top of your list to hunt down and enjoy. It’s over the top, big blasts of giant screamed out special attacks definitely isn’t for everyone, but for those of us(and you know who you are…) who dig this kind of stuff, your ship’s come in and it’ll keep you and your friends entertained for some time to come.

JC