In the 1970s, while many anime featured humans controlling or piloting giant robots, Astroganger featured a unique concept: the protagonist, Kantarou Hoshi, fused with Ganger, a giant robot possessing its own will, to maximize the robot's capabilities. The series is also known for its on-screen sound effects—such as those for walking, landing, or firing beams—which significantly influenced subsequent anime productions.
00:21In the 1970s, there were many anime in which humans controlled or piloted giant robots, but in Astroganger, the giant robot Ganga, which has its own will, fuses with the main character, Kantaro Hoshi, and maximizes its robotic capabilities.
00:46This work is also known for its sound effects, such as the sound of walking, landing, and beam emission, which influenced later anime works.
01:00So let's take a look at this piece right away.
01:04The anime show Astroganger aired for a total of 26 episodes from 1972 to 1973.
01:17The story begins with the Blaster Alien, who are stealing the oxygen and greenery that inhabit planets where living things live, using their immense military force to conquer peaceful planets in space one after another.
01:35Then, Maya, a female scientist from the planet Kantharos, one of the planets destroyed by the Blaster Aliens, escapes to Earth with the living metal before the planet Kantharos is destroyed.
01:50After arriving on Earth, Maya meets an Earthling named Dr. Hoshi by chance, and the two have a son, Kantaro.
02:00Maya predicts the destruction of the Earth by the Blaster aliens, and creates a giant living robot, Ganga, by growing living metal using the energy of an undersea volcano.
02:16Maya gives birth to Ganga safely, but her health deteriorates due to the aftereffects of the Blaster Alien's rays that she was exposed to while escaping from Planet Kantaros.
02:29Then, fearing that the Blaster Aliens will take over the Earth, he entrusts his son Kantaro and Ganga to Dr. Hoshi and passes away.
02:41And just as Maya had feared, 10 years after the destruction of Planet Kantharos, the Blaster Alien finally sets his sights on conquering Earth, appearing on the planet and causing one strange incident after another.
02:55At first, the Earthlings, who knew nothing about the incident, could not understand Dr. Hoshi's explanation of the Blaster Alien's involvement in the incident.
03:06However, ignoring their negative views, his son Kantaro merges with Ganga and fights to protect the Earth.
03:16First, Kantaro, who fights Ganga, is half-Japanese, with Maya from the planet Kantaros and Dr. Hoji from Earth as his parents.
03:28He fights against the Blaster Alien to protect his mother's murderer and the Earth.
03:34During the battle, Kantaro uses the pendant to summon Ganga, turns the Earth into light, and is sucked into the disc-shaped part of Ganga's chest, thereby fusing with it.
03:49However, as he is still a young boy, he fights the Blaster Alien while listening to instructions from his father, Dr. Hoshi, through a communication device.
04:00And the specs of Ganga, a giant robot created from living metal on the planet Kantharos, are that it is 40 meters tall and weighs 2 tons.
04:17Like humans, they have their own will and can act independently, but by fusing with Kantaro they can unleash their true power.
04:26Even after the fusion, other characters, or Gangars with their own wills, can still communicate with Kantaro, even during battle.
04:37Although it is a metal robot, it is also a living organism, so it can be recognized as a giant hero.
04:44Ganga has no special weapons, but fights using his huge body, superhuman strength, and the urban space.
04:54In addition, the jet propulsion function on its back allows it to fly, enabling it to fight not only on Earth but also in outer space.
05:03However, Ganga also has weaknesses: rust and sudden low temperatures drastically reduce its fighting power.
05:13This weakness is used against it by the Blaster Alien, but it is overcome by its metallic properties, which allow it to grow when heated.
05:22Their enemy, the Blaster Aliens, attacks planets in space, exploiting all resources and food, as well as oxygen and greenery.
05:34The reason why the Blaster Aliens are stealing resources is thought to be because resources have been depleted on their home planet.
05:43It attacks Earth in a large flying saucer, but inside it is equipped with many smaller flying saucers and also houses various facilities, including a giant robot factory.
05:57Basically, all Blaster Aliens have the same appearance, but each one has a number painted on their forehead or chest that serves as a name, and individuals are identified by calling out that number.
06:09However, the higher-ranking Blaster aliens are called Chiefs or similar names.
06:17Now, we are finally in the final episode, and the Blaster Alien sends in a monster similar to the one shown on the front, Space Panther.
06:26This space panther can steal your life energy just by getting close.
06:32Blaster Alien uses the Space Panther's abilities to try to steal Ganga's life energy as well.
06:42Then the Space Panther attacks an island and steals all the life energy from the islanders and all of its creatures.
06:51Dr. Hoshi notices something strange happening on the island and sends Ganga and Kantaro to the island.
06:59Ganga and Kantaro find many people and creatures lying dead here and there, and are attacked by the Space Panther.
07:08However, having already taken a large amount of life energy, the Space Panther stops attacking.
07:17Seeing this, the Blaster Alien plans a direct confrontation by sending Ganga and Space Panther into space, where there is no life around.
07:28However, when Ganga and Space Panther crash into the Blaster Alien's giant flying saucer, the saucer fires a beam of light at Ganga and Space Panther, restraining them both.
07:44Ganga realizes that Space Panther is targeting Kantaro's life energy, so he removes the chest piece and returns Kantaro to Earth.
07:55Then, together with Space Panther, they invade the giant flying saucer.
08:02With Kantaro gone, Space Panther attacks the Blaster Alien in order to steal their life energy.
08:11In the end, the Space Panther is thrown by Ganga, causing the saucer to explode, and Ganga explodes along with the saucer.
08:22The show ends with Kantaro, who was on his way to Earth, seeing the explosion, learning of Ganga's fate, and calling out Ganga's name.
08:36Now, let's take a look at Astroganger in action.
08:40Somewhere, somewhere, if there is something, there will be a huge force.
09:08Akimotoki 111
09:13Here, the light of Astroganger's raw light, if there is anything, really, quite together with Andart YEAH!
09:21If you feel like making a little round tree, or if you feel like getting your hands on one, join the light, or if there's a game, turn up the music and Turbe Sea to keep your brains going.
09:24The manufacturer has created a wonderful mask...
09:27Soon you will have confidence in your relationship and it will bring you happiness.
09:30Tomorrow is going to be tough
09:34If there's something for someone, for someone
09:42A great force roars
09:46I'll stand up soon
09:52With everyone's wishes on my back
09:56I will bravely go today too
10:05Ganga Ganga Astro Ganga
10:26Anytime, anytime, if there's something
10:32A great force roars
10:38Fight, fight, clash
10:42After the battle, basking in the sunset
10:47Casting a shadow, today passes by
10:55Ganga Ganga Astro Ganga
11:08What did you think? When there is no fighting in the movie
11:13Where is Ganga and what is she doing?
11:16I was always puzzled because there was no explanation.
11:21Also, in the final episode, the giant flying saucer that Ganga was on
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