Koji's hurt! Sayaka pilots Mazinger!

'''Koji's hurt! Sayaka pilots Mazinger!' (甲児ピンチ! さやかマジンガー出動! Kōji Pinchi! Sayaka Majingā Shutsudō!) is the 52th episode of the original Mazinger Z'' anime series. This episode was first aired in Japan on November 25, 1973.

Summary
Shiro accidently sends his Mazinger Z toy through the bathroom window. As Sayaka is currently bathing, he tries to recover it before she notices his presence. Using a fishing rod, Shiro ends up fishing Sayaka's towel instead of his toy and runs away before being found. Sayaka presumes the one spying on her was Koji and goes to confront him. Enraged, she attacks Koji on sight. As Sayaka's unwilling to listen to him, Koji fights back. After thrashing the room and trading insults, the two of them stop fighting when Dr. Yumi warns them about a Mechanical Beast attacking the city. Bazuson M1 proves to be a tough challenge as he is able to easily cut through Super Alloy Z. Koji asks Sayaka to create a opening for Mazinger Z to attack, but she is still angry with him and refuses to help. Koji tackles the Mechanical Beast managing to force it to retreat, however, he's critically injured as a result of the risky maneuver.

Koji is brought back to the Photon Power Laboratory to receive treatment. Feeling responsible, Sayaka apologizes and kisses an unconcious Koji.

After being repaired, Bazuson rushes to the laboratory. It's trajectory about to go through a hospital for kids with special needs. Realizing this, Boss and his going sortie to help evacuate as many children as possible even though they know Boss Borot has no chance against Bazuson. Before leaving, Boss asks Dr. Yumi to tell Koji he is his best friend.

Sayaka asks Shiro to not tell Koji about the Mechanical Beast and decides to sortie in Mazinger Z herself. However, Koji ends up hearing Mazinger Z steps moving away from the laboratory and realizes what happened. Out of options, Koji decides to board Aphrodite A to follow Sayaka. Both pilots have a hard time controling the other's robot.

Koji and Sayaka trade back mid battle and are able to defeat Bazuson by working together. After the battle is over, Koji collapses and dies on Sayaka's arms. A desperate Sayaka begs him not to die and confesses her love for him only for Koji to reveal he was only pretending to be dead. He teases her by saying he wouldn't marry a tomboy.

The episode ends just like it began: with the two of them fighting.

Recurring

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

Machines

 * Mazinger Z
 * Hover Pilder
 * Bazuson M1
 * Aphrodite A
 * Boss Borot

Weapons

 * Mazinger Z
 * Breast Fire
 * Koushiryoku Beam
 * Aphrodite A
 * Oppai Missile
 * Oppai Missile

Trivia

 * In this episode, Sayaka's breasts are never shown. However, in the 4th episode of the Mazinkaiser OVA series, they are completely exposed onscreen.