Mazinger Z (1972)
Go Nagai's groundbreaking super robot anime — the series that defined the giant mecha genre and captivated generations of viewers worldwide.
Mazinger Z - Series Information
- Original Title: マジンガーZ
- First Air Year: 1972
- Last Air Year: 1974
- Created by: Go Nagai
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 92
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Italian, Japanese, Spanish
- First Air Date: December 3, 1972 (Mexico - A), December 3, 1972 (Spain - 13), December 3, 1972 (South Korea - 12)
- Networks: Fuji TV
- Production Companies: Toei Animation
- Production Countries: Japan
Mazinger Z - Plot
Mazinger Z, known briefly as Tranzor Z in the United States, is a Japanese super robot manga series written and illustrated by Go Nagai. The first manga version was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1972 to August 1973, and it later continued in Kodansha TV Magazine from October 1973 to September 1974. It was adapted into an anime television series which aired on Fuji TV from December 1972 to September 1974. A second manga series was released alongside the TV show, this one drawn by Gosaku Ota, which started and ended almost at the same time of the TV show. Mazinger Z has spawned several sequels and spinoff series, among them UFO Robot Grendizer and Mazinkaiser. It was a very popular cartoon in Mexico during the 1980s, where it was dubbed into Spanish directly from the Japanese version, keeping the Japanese character names and broadcasting all 92 episodes, unlike the version aired in the U.S.
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Mazinger Z - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Go Nagai
Main Cast
- Joji Yanami
- Minori Matsushima
- Hiroya Ishimaru
- Haruko Kitahama
- Hidekatsu Shibata
- Hiroshi Otake
- Kosei Tomita
- Isamu Tanonaka
- Junpei Takiguchi
- Koji Yada
Writers
- Keisuke Fujikawa
- Hiroichi Fuse
- Susumu Takaku
Mazinger Z - FAQs
Is Mazinger Z based on a manga?
Yes, Mazinger Z is directly based on Go Nagai's manga of the same name. The original manga was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from October 1972 to August 1973, then continued in Kodansha TV Magazine through September 1974, running almost simultaneously with the anime adaptation.
Where can you watch Mazinger Z online?
Streaming availability for Mazinger Z varies by region. You can check current platforms, rental, and purchase options for your country on JustWatch, which aggregates all available viewing options in one place and updates listings regularly.
Who are the main voice actors in Mazinger Z?
The principal voice cast includes Hiroya Ishimaru as Kouji Kabuto, Minori Matsushima as Sayaka Yumi, Joji Yanami as Professor Gennosuke Yumi, Kosei Tomita as Dr. Hell, Haruko Kitahama and Hidekatsu Shibata as Baron Ashura, and Junpei Takiguchi as Count Blocken.
What is Mazinger Z about?
Mazinger Z follows teenager Kouji Kabuto, who pilots a colossal super robot built by his late grandfather to battle the forces of the villainous Dr. Hell. The series is widely credited with pioneering the piloted giant robot genre and remains a foundational work in anime history.
How many episodes does Mazinger Z have?
Mazinger Z consists of 92 episodes across its main run, which aired on Fuji TV from December 1972 to September 1974. An additional set of 4 special episodes is also available, bringing the total episode count including specials to 96.
What sequels and spin-offs did Mazinger Z inspire?
Mazinger Z spawned several notable follow-ups, including Great Mazinger (1974), UFO Robot Grendizer (1975), and the reimagining Mazinkaiser. The franchise influenced countless mecha anime series and remains a touchstone of the super robot genre worldwide.
When did Mazinger Z first air?
Mazinger Z first aired on December 3, 1972, on Fuji TV in Japan. The series ran until September 1974, completing its 92-episode run. It was also broadcast in Mexico, Spain, South Korea, and Italy, gaining a significant international following.
What is Tranzor Z and how does it relate to Mazinger Z?
Tranzor Z was the localized title used when Mazinger Z was adapted for American audiences. The U.S. version altered character names, edited content, and aired a reduced episode count. By contrast, the Mexican Spanish dub retained the original Japanese names and broadcast all 92 episodes faithfully.
More About Mazinger Z
Explore further details about Mazinger Z on these authoritative resources.