Getta Robo (51 episodes, 1974-75)
Philip Nino Tan-Gatue

Introduction

First off, this review only touches on the original Getter Robo animated series. Getter Robo G will be reviewed separately.

Superman's rise to fame in the American comic book world of the 1940s led to the inevitable slew of similar superheroic characters. In Japan, 30 years later, Mazinger Z (92 episodes, 1972-74) would do the same for the super ROBOT genre. Interestingly, most of the first of Mazinger's "cousins" would be created by the master of anime and manga noir himself, the prolific Go Nagai.

Mazinger Z gave us the most basic of super robot formulae: hero gets into robot to fight mechanical monster of the week. Getter Robo was no different in that basic premise, but Getter introduced another concept that was to become as part of the super robot genre as the giant mecha themselves - "gattai" or "combination". The original Mazinger concept was to have the pilot fly a "hoverpilder" and link with Mazinger's head. Getter Robo was comprised of three airships which could form three different robots depending on the combination. (More on this later.) Many writers, such as our fellow otaku in Protoculture
Addicts, call this the "transformer syndrome" - where combinations form a great part of the mecha's appeal. While the Getter series is unique in having a different robot with every combination, the concept of "gattai" or "henshin" (transform) is now ubiquitous. Try naming a giant robot (with few exceptions like some GUNDAMS) that doesn't break down into component parts, or transform into another form...

Synopsis

For 30 years, Professor Saotome had been studying the Getter Rays and their applications as a special energy source. The Saotome Research Institute is constructed, equipped with a Getter Ray collection antenna that looks to me like a bare naked dandelion with spikes. We are introduced to many characters through sports scenes from the nearby high school. Ryo Nagare (Ryoma Nagare in the manga) is a soccer varsity player. Professor Saotome's eldest son Tatsuhito is his coach. Tatsuhiko has younger sister Michiru and little brother Genki watching his practices. Musashi Tomoe is president of the Judo Club. Yet another student, the aloof and seemingly antisocial Hayato Jin, displays considerable skill various sports, but generally likes to be left alone. Even in the beginning, however, we see that all three students have a thing for Michiru, and this will play a big role in the story. Ryo is invited by his coach and Michiru to the Saotome Research Institute, where he witnesses field tests involving a prototype Getter Robo, with Tatsuhito as main pilot.

Getter Robo is composed of three ships, Eagle, Jaguar and Bear. With Eagle on top, Jaguar in the middle and Bear at the bottom, the three ships form Getter One, specialized for air operations. Jaguar-Bear-Eagle would form the ground based Getter Two, unique with it's drill arm and claw arm. Bear-Eagle-Jaguar would form Getter Three, with its tank-like lower half and super strength for underwater exploration.

Soon, the Dinosaur Empire reveals itself to the world. It turns out that some of the dinosaurs had survived extinction by migrating underground, where they evolved into intelligent humanoid beings with high technology. Concerned about the Getter
Rays being used by mankind, and wanting to reclaim the earth for their own (amazing how they only want to come out in 1974, why not in 1774 where mankind would have no technology to fight back?) Mechasauruses Sai, Zu and Bird are ordered to wreak
havok in Japan. Sai is a triceratops, Zu is a double headed brontosaurus, and bado is a pteranadon. Mechasaurus Saki, bearing a resemblance to Godzilla in stature is ordered by Emperor Gore to destroy the prototype Getter, which Saki does easily. Tatsuhito is tragically killed as his family and student watch. Gore then makes his threat: abandon the Getter Project or suffer the consequences. Saotome refuses, and Mechasaurus Saki is ordered to (sarcasm alert) very very very slowly move towards the Saotome Research Institute and destroy it. Michiru takes her Command Machine to try to delay Saki.
Genki mentions the "real" Getter Robo. Pressed for the truth, Saotome reveals that the real getter robo has already been completed but now has no pilots. Ryo volunteers himself (what, don't these guys have backups???) and goes to search for Hayato and Musashi, whom Ryo knows will join out of their attraction to Michiru. Hayato initially doesn't seem to care, but eventually joins up. Getter Robo is born, but only after Musashi has to overcome his phobia of reptiles!

Getter Robo itself has only one main power up in the series. At first, Ryo would see out of the robot using video screens. Later, he gets to see out of a cockpit in Getter One's mouth. Later, it is revealed that Emperor Gore has lieutenants; these lieutenants end up piloting the mechasauruses. This is a trend that would go on with the other Getter series. Soon, other supporting characters enter, such as Musashi's "yes-man" classmate and his inventor friend. A significant guest was Getter Queen, a Mechasaurus piloted by Gore's daughter, who betrays him and commits suicide (reminded me too much of the Minerva X
episode in Mazinger Z). Later, the Dinosaur God appears, giving the Dinosaur Empire stronger Mechasauruses. Ultimately, Getter Robo is defeated. The bad guys die after Musashi does a kamikaze and destroys everything...more on this later.

Comments

First, the robot itself. Getter Robo was actually toned down from the manga (as was the violence!), where he actually had a CAPE. In this anime, the cape is made into a flat, metallic "mach wing." However, later versions brought back the cape. Unlike Mazinger Z, Getter Robot had few weapons. Getter One was armed with the Getter Beam (from the navel!?!?) and Getter Tomahawk (which he pulls out of his shoulder). Getter Two has his Drill Arm, Drill Hurricane and Getter Vision, where he moves so fast that he seems to multiply ninja like. Getter Three has the Getter Missiles and a judo inspired attack called "Musashi Daisetsudan!" (Musashi's master stroke) which is basically a glorified judo toss.

Problem

The combination is so unbelievably simple, with ships "crashing" together and arms and legs popping out, that to watch the Getter saga is to suspend one's engineering intellect. This is later explained in the 90s remakes as using nano technology, but what the heck, many 70s anime and tokusatsu were downright unbelievable. Still, Getter Robo became a hit.

Characters

Ryo Nagare - soccer player. Unfortunately, Getter Robo never had soccer weapons. In charge of Getter One's aerial attacks. Cool headed and idealistic. Voiced by Akira Kamiya, who became THE standard seiyuu for anime giant robot pilots (Akira Hibiki of Raideen, Sanshiro Tsuwabuki of Gaiking, Takuma Ichimonji of Danguard Ace, Prince Sinclair (Lotor) of Golion and Roll Kuran of Dangaioh). Ryo was named Ryoma in the original manga and in subsequent 90s revivals.

Hayato Jin - arguably Go Nagai's favorite character in Getter Robo - cool, aloof jack of all trades. Initially a loner, but eventually gets all the girls - including Kyoryu Empire android spies! Voiced by Ki-Ton Yamada, who eventually became the voice of Combattler V's Juzo Naniwa.

Musashi Tomoe- It appears that this character was never in the manga (not sure).
In the manga, Getter Three was piloted by professor saotome himself! During the manga, Getter is upgraded to Getter Robo G, with the third pilot being Benkei Kurama. Hence, when Getter Robo G was to be produced, the writers had to get rid of Musashi and replace him with Benkei. How? They killed Musashi off! In the Getter Robo G vs Great Mazinger movie, Musashi dies another way, and he dies in different ways again in the Shin Getter Robo and SGR vs Neo GR OAVs! This guy gets killed more than Kenny of South Park! On another hand, I just have one thing to say about Michiru Saotome's
uniform - those brass buttons are situated just where her nipple should be! It's amazing how Go Nagai got away with this!

Music and Songs

I will go on record to say that the opening theme, Getter Robo, is probably my all-time favorite robot theme song! Composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi (Gaiking, Grendaizer, Goranger, and others) and sung by the great Isao Sasaki to lyrics by Go Nagai itself, it is perfect. Heck, even my wife can appreciate this song! The music is very action oriented
as opposed to Mazinger music, which seemed more "grand" and heavy".

Conclusion

This series suffers story-wise from being a 70s robot - with relatively shallow plots and ridiculous monsters. Getter Queen comes to mind - as she never even tried to fight Getter Robo but blew herself up! A funny episode introduces America's super robot, TEXAS MACK!!! Texas Mack was brought back in the Shin Getter vs Neo Getter series, and I dare say he was much cooler in the modern version.

So the stories were cheesy - I didn't care as a kid and I don't care now. What's not to like about plain old monster bashing with cool music to boot?

Getter Robo eventually inspired an animated film (just an episode repeat), a team-up with Great Mazinger and a sequel series, Getter Robo G. The 1990s brought us Getter Robo Go, Shin Getter Robo and Neo Getter Robo, as well as a playstation game Getter Robo Daikaissen. All these Getter mechs, as well as all transforming mecha, trace their origins to the grand, original Getter Robo.

DVD Player...Switch On!

Philip Nino Tan-Gatue