Baron Ashura's Great Plan

"Baron Ashura's Great Plan!" it's the seventh episode of Mazinger Z. This episode first aired in Japan on January 14, 1973.

Summary
Ozones B3 rampages across the city. Koji and Sayaka rush to confront it, but Baron Ashura calls the Mechanical Beast back as soon as the two arrive. Ozones B3 lits the surroundings on fire. As Mazinger Z is busy using his extinguisher to put out the flames, it escapes the battle. As Koji and Sayaka arrive back at the Photon Power Laboratory, Dr. Yumi informs them he has been summoned to the Earth Defense Inquiry Committee.

Meanwhile Boss and his gang are driving through the ruined city when they spot a crowd gathering around a shapeshifted Baron Ashura. While disguised, he goads the people around to revolt against the Photon Power Laboratory arguing that it's the lab's fault the city keeps getting attacked by Mechanical Beasts. Boss goes to the lab to inform them about the growing resentment against the lab, but he arrives after Dr. Yumi had already left.

When the protesters see Dr. Yumi's car approaching, they surround it and force Yumi to leave. The crowd proceeds to throw stones at him and his driver injuring both of them. Koji, Sayaka, Boss, Nuke and Mucha arrive in time to rescue them, but Gennosuke is in no condition to see the committee and asks Koji to go in his place.

The members of the Earth Defense Inquiry Comittee decide to shut down the Photon Power Lab. Koji tries to argue against the decision, but they reason that photon energy is the reason Dr. Hell keeps attacking the city.

Koji goes back to the laboratory and informs Sayaka of what happened. He expects her to side with him, however she argues that they should stop fighting as she doesn't want to end up losing her father because of photon energy. In response, Koji calls her coward, slaps her and berates Sayaka for not being willing to make sacrifices in the name of their fight for peace. After their fight, Koji goes back home.



The laboratory's scientists detect a Mechanical Beast approaching and sound the alarm. Sayaka refuses to deploy. Boss phones Koji's house, but he also seens unwilling to fight. Shiro arrives and warns Koji that the protesters are coming to their house to attack him.

Back at the infirmary, Sayaka begs Dr. Yumi to give up on Photon Research. She argues that Koji lost his father,mother and grandfather because of photon energy and she doesn't want to end up losing her family like him. Dr. Yumi say they can't let someone as evil as Dr. Hell win and promises her he won't let anything separate them. Sayaka then vows to keep on fighting and goes to stop Ozones B3.



Meanwhile, the crowd arrives at Koji's house. They blame him and photon reasearch for the various attacks they suffered. Koji tries to convince them they are being manipulated by Baron Ashura, but they refuse to listen to him. He gives up arguing with them and goes back inside. However, after Shiro tells him he must keep on fighting to honor their deceased relatives who died for photon energy, Koji concedes and sorties in Mazinger Z.

After Ozones B3's defeated, Koji and Sayaka apologize to each other for their previous behavior.

Recurring

 * Koji Kabuto
 * Sayaka Yumi
 * Shiro Kabuto
 * Gennosuke Yumi
 * Dr. Hell
 * Baron Ashura
 * Boss
 * Nuke
 * Mucha

Machines

 * Mazinger Z
 * Hover Pilder
 * Ozones B3
 * Saluud
 * Aphrodite A

Weapons

 * Extinguisher
 * Oppai Missile
 * Breast Fire
 * Rocket Punch

Trivia

 * The episode ends without addressing the decision to shut down the Photon Power Lab. As its activities continue as normal after this episode, it's fair to assume Dr. Yumi managed to change the committe's mind off screen.
 * This episode is the first instance of the Photon Power Lab being shown to respond to a higher authority.