Customer Reviews

King of the Braves Gaogaigar: Heir to the Throne, Vol. 1

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Throughout the 90s the venerable "Super Robot" genre of anime had entered something of a decline. While this had lead to some interesting deconstructions of the genre such as Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Giant Robo, more traditional entries in the field suffered. A throwback to the kinds television programs which gave Americans the Shogun Warriors toy line and Voltron, GaoGaoGar is simple and unpretentious: it's a program about a cool looking robot having fight scenes with bizarre monsters.

While competing shows in the genre were unsuccessfully trying to shovel nihilistic themes onto a children's genre (*cough, cough* Getta Robo Armageddon) GaoGaiGar applied a back-to-the basics formula, mixing in well staged fight scenes with an over-the-top approach to weapon and mecha design which was later imitated by Gear Fighter Dendo, Gravion, and Goddanar. Though the plots are relatively simplistic, they carry an interesting underlying theme of corruption and redemption. The "Zondar" monsters which GGG fights are kaiju-sized embodiments of human vices, frustrations, and failings taken from innocent victims.

GaoGaiGar holds an interesting place in the history of the super robot genre because it marks both the end of the Takara's long-running "Brave" series of mecha shows, and the beginning of modern Super Robots. Though it's animation lacks polish the show's eclectic cast of characters, immense fight scenes, and completely over-the-top mentality make GGG a crowd pleasure. Die-hard fans of the Super Robot genre, or anyone giving a serious look to anime history of the mid-to-late 90s should give the show a look.

Fans of the horror anime-series Betterman may also want to give the show a passing glance as it takes place in the same continuity according to both series producer Sunrise's Studio 7, though aside from a few winks and nods in the latter GaoGaiGar Final OVA we don't see an official crossover between the shows.

This show is a throwback to the halcyon days of giant robot shows. It is rather formulaic - most episodes follow the formula of setup-giant monster-giant robot fight. Don't let that fool you into thinking the show is generic or bad, though. The hero, Guy, is cast in the mold of the true hero (much like Kamina in the more recent Gurren Lagann). There's none of the angst that plagues most giant robot shows, and while the plot is a little slow, it more than makes up for it with the action. Later episodes also include additional giant robot allies (the idea of a robot that is also a ninja is at once ridiculous and awesome).

If you want a show that mimics older robot shows, with completely over the top characters who are courageous and kick butt, this is a series for you.

GaoGaiGar is a series that fans of Super Robot should own. Not only is it a fun series, it pays homage to classic super robot shows. This series isn't well known but it's well known to the mecha/super robot fans on the internet. The characters are great and very likable. The first half of the show is good. The second half is amazing from what I hear. Id say if your fan of Super Robot or want to get into the genre, id say check this one out. There are some reviews on here that are pretty negative, but this show always isn't a hit for everyone. Also it's by Sunrise, so when you hear the OP song, it will get stuck in your head for days.

A blisteringly paced tribute to all things Brave, GaoGaiGar is a legendary anime that is long overdue for a US release. Recommended for mech heads of any age.

The people that have been complaining about GaoGaiGar are idoits and all they want to see is Robot Anime with no plot and episodes dedicated to fanservice and ridiculously giant boobs!!! GaoGaiGar is a True Super Robot Anime!!! Theres no way you can pass this up if you Love Awesome Robots!!!

I'm going to make this short and sweet: I couldn't get past the 3rd episode. I'm told the series picks up later on, but that's a terrible disclaimer and I'd advise anyone against wasting an hour and a half of mediocrity in order to possibly reach something worthwhile. The first 2 episodes end literally the exact same way and the 3rd is only slightly different, so much time is wasted with recycled animation, the characters are 2-D, the designs are rather stock, and the sound editing is terrible; non-dynamic with start/stop music.

Even if this is meant for little kids, they deserve much better. If you're looking for a melodramatic, exciting, super robot anime nostalgia, the values this series has been attributed, buy Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann; Don't waste your time and money here.

GaoGaiGar was advertised as a giant robot show made by fans of giant robot shows. If that were true it should have been more like Godannar, Gravion, New Getter Robo, Dai-Guard or Kirameki Project. Instead it's simplistic, repetitive and seem to have been made to sell toys to seven year olds. It's like Voltron, only dumber. If you're under ten you might enjoy it, but if you like old-school robots, stay away from this one.

I bought this title after reading a few decent reviews of it here, but it was a total waste of money. I was hoping GaoGaiGar would be similar to Godannar, a recent, terrific robot fighting anime that has similar-looking people (due to having the same character designer). But the two shows are completely different. The directing for GaoGaiGar is awful, the music ranges from bad to downright annoying, and the show has no plot. It's just a 50-episode long "working" show where the same repetitive thing happens over and over with every episode.

GaoGaiGar feels like a cheesy robot anime that might have been made in the mid 70's. However it was actually produced in 1997, so it's recent enough that no excuses can be given for the poor way in which it was made.