Mazinger Z Watch Guide
Anime
Mazinger is a mecha franchise created by Go Nagai. Credited as the creator of the super robot subgenre, the original series follows Koji Kabuto protecting the earth from the mechanical beasts sent by Baron Ashura and Doctor Hell using the invincible robot created by his grandfather, the Mazinger Z. Since then, the franchise has cemented itself as one of the most influential anime of all times, with many series spawning from it.
TV, 1972,
92 eps
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Toei Anime Part 1: The original series, mostly having an original story line compared to the manga.
When to watch? Technically this show is newbie friendly, but I wouldn't recommend it to people who've never watched long episodic shows with no actual plot, it's a bit of an acquired taste.
When to watch? Technically this show is newbie friendly, but I wouldn't recommend it to people who've never watched long episodic shows with no actual plot, it's a bit of an acquired taste.
Movie, 1973,
1 ep
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Author:-
Toei Crossover Movie 1: A crossover between Mazinger Z and fellow Go Nagai Toei anime, Devilman. Effectively an alternate version of episode 34 of Mazinger Z.
When to watch? After episode 34 of Mazinger Z.
When to watch? After episode 34 of Mazinger Z.
Movie, 1974,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
Toei Anime Part 2: This is an alternate, improved version of the ending of Mazinger Z, acting as a prelude to Great Mazinger.
When to watch? After episode 92 of Mazinger Z.
When to watch? After episode 92 of Mazinger Z.
TV, 1974,
56 eps
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Toei Anime Part 3: Sequel to Mazinger Z.
When to watch? After the Great General of Darkness movie.
When to watch? After the Great General of Darkness movie.
Movie, 1975,
1 ep
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Toei Crossover Movie 2: A crossover between Great Mazinger and fellow Go Nagai Toei anime, Getter Robo.
When to watch? Honestly at any point during Great Mazinger.
When to watch? Honestly at any point during Great Mazinger.
Movie, 1975,
1 ep
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Author:-
Toei Crossover Movie 3: A crossover between Great Mazinger and fellow Go Nagai Toei anime, Getter Robo G.
When to watch? It's a sequel to the previous crossover and an alternate version to the ending of Getter Robo, so after them.
When to watch? It's a sequel to the previous crossover and an alternate version to the ending of Getter Robo, so after them.
TV, 1975,
74 eps
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Toei Anime Part 3: Sequel to Great Mazinger, but largely standalone.
When to watch? After finishing Great Mazinger.
When to watch? After finishing Great Mazinger.
Movie, 1975,
1 ep
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Author:-
Pilot movie for Grendizer, connections to the Mazinger series weren't planned yet, so Koji isn't featured.
When to watch? While preceding the series, this ended up as an alternate version of Grendizer episodes 1 and 72, so probably after them.
When to watch? While preceding the series, this ended up as an alternate version of Grendizer episodes 1 and 72, so probably after them.
Movie, 1976,
1 ep
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Author:-
Toei Crossover Movie 4: A crossover between Grendizer and Great Mazinger based on a manga story.
When to watch? Before episode 35 of Grendizer.
When to watch? Before episode 35 of Grendizer.
Movie, 1976,
1 ep
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Toei Crossover Movie 5: A crossover between Grendizer, Great and fellow Go Nagai Toei anime, Getter Robo G. Serves as the final crossover movie.
When to watch? After episode 35 of Grendizer.
When to watch? After episode 35 of Grendizer.
Movie, 2018,
1 ep
Me:-
Author:6
Toei Anime Part 4: Sequel to Grendizer, the long belated grand finale of the Toei universe.
When to watch? After finishing Grendizer.
When to watch? After finishing Grendizer.
TV, 1984,
23 eps
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Standalone series with no real relationship to the rest.
When to watch? You're probably better having watched a bunch of the others before this one.
When to watch? You're probably better having watched a bunch of the others before this one.
OVA, 1991,
3 eps
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Chibi crossover with fellow Go Nagai series, Devilman and Violence Jack.
When to watch? After reading the manga of all 3 series involved.
When to watch? After reading the manga of all 3 series involved.
Special, 2000,
3 eps
Me:-
Author:3
Short crossover between Mazinger Z, Great Mazinger, Getter Robo G, Steel Jeeg, God Mazinger, Govarian, Groixer X, Grendizer and Shin Getter Robo. Serves as an introduction to Mazinkaiser.
When to watch? It's just a fanservice short, but was made to lead into the next OVA, so maybe before Mazinkaiser.
When to watch? It's just a fanservice short, but was made to lead into the next OVA, so maybe before Mazinkaiser.
OVA, 2001,
7 eps
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Author:6
Kaiser Series Part 1: Reboot featuring a brand new robot, adapts more stories from the manga compared to the Toei anime.
When to watch? This OVA assumes you're familiar with the casts of Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger before watching it, so you should be.
When to watch? This OVA assumes you're familiar with the casts of Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger before watching it, so you should be.
OVA, 2003,
1 ep
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Author:6
Kaiser Series Part 2: Sequel to Mazinkaiser.
When to watch? After episode 7 of Mazinkaiser.
When to watch? After episode 7 of Mazinkaiser.
OVA, 2010,
3 eps
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Author:3
Kaiser Series Part 3: Spin-off of Mazinkaiser, completely standalone.
When to watch? After reading the first 2 volumes of the manga Mazinkaiser SKL Versus.
When to watch? After reading the first 2 volumes of the manga Mazinkaiser SKL Versus.
TV, 2009,
26 eps
Me:-
Author:8
Reboot of Z, more faithful to the manga than any other version, but also including original plot lines.
When to watch? Honestly the single most newbie friendly series here, I'd totally recommend it as your introduction to the franchise if you aren't ready for the Toei anime.
When to watch? Honestly the single most newbie friendly series here, I'd totally recommend it as your introduction to the franchise if you aren't ready for the Toei anime.
TV, 2024,
13 eps
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Author:4
Reboot of UFO Robo Grendizer, reworked as a standalone story.
When to watch? This is surprisingly newbie friendly, but still expects some level of familiarity with the Mazinger Z cast.
When to watch? This is surprisingly newbie friendly, but still expects some level of familiarity with the Mazinger Z cast.
