UFO Robot Grendizer (UFOロボ·グレンダイザー) is an anime and manga created by Go Nagai, as the third entry in the original Mazinger series. It is also a reimagining of an animated short film also made Nagai, Uchu Enban Daisenso.
Synopsis
Grendizer focuses on protagonist Duke Fleed, the crown prince of the now ruined Planet Fleed and the Super Robot Grendizer. When the Vegan Empire attack the peaceful Planet Fleed to expand their military rule as a result of the radiation emanating from their former home planet; they opt to steal the Grendizer for their own exploits. The robot was stolen by the surviving prince and using a Spazer to escape came to Earth. Duke is adopted by scientist Dr. Genzo Umon, as his own son and is renamed Daisuke Umon. Working on a ranch with his friend Hikaru Makiba and her family, they get a visit from space travel student Koji Kabuto who then goes to meet a swarm of UFOs that have been appearing around Japan, unaware that UFOs are the Vegan Empire. Duke saves Koji with Grendizer and begins a long battle against the Vegan Empire with Koji, Hikaru, and Duke's lost sister Maria Fleed joining him.
Reception
Grendizer was the second longest running animated Mazinger series in Japan, having 74 episodes. It also was a major success in France and Italy, there known as respectively Goldorak and Goldrake. It was also one of the first anime programs to be a major success in Europe and Canada, where it continues to have a strong following.