| Gaiking: Legend of Daiku-Maryu | |
| ガイキング LEGEND OF DAIKUU-MARYUU (Gaikingu: Legend of Daikū Maryū) |
|
|---|---|
| Genre | Mecha |
| TV anime | |
| Studio | Toei Animation |
| Network | TV Asahi |
| Original run | November 12, 2005 – September 24, 2006 |
| Episodes | 39 |
Gaiking: Legend of Daikuu-Maryuu (ガイキング LEGEND OF DAIKUU-MARYUU Gaikingu Rejendo Obu Daikū Maryū, lit. Gaiking: Legend of the Demon Dragon of the Heavens) is a Super Robot mecha anime series produced by Toei Animation. It was a reimagining of the original series created by Go Nagai (who also created Mazinger Z), and was aired in TV Asahi from November 12, 2005 to September 24, 2006, lasting a total of 39 episodes. It originally replaced Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo in its timeslot.
Contents |
Five years ago, Daiya Tsuwabuki was on a fishing trip with his father when giant monsters attacked. Daiya was saved by the crew of Daiku Maryu. In the present, Daiya believes that his father is still alive but no one believes him, not even his own mother. But when the same monsters attack the city, Daiya becomes the pilot of Gaiking and joins Daiku Maryu as they go to the world of Darius to stop them from taking over the earth.
A mysterious mecha formed from the Daikū Maryū's head plus Parts 1 (Arms and Chest) and 2 (Torso, Legs and Feet), it's piloted by Daiya and is the main machine of the series. It's the third Flame Giant, possessing an even mix of speed, power, and defense in comparison to the specialized Raiking and Vulking. Its attacks are versatile, including the Despair Sight eye lasers, Zaul Geyser (a helix beam from the chest's eyes), and the Volt Paralyzer electrical shocks in its horns. Unlike most super robots, Gaiking's Puncher Grind rocket punch does not return upon being fired, to Daiya's initial surprise. It must instead be retrieved using the Zector Hooks mounted in its shoulders, which can also be used for grappling opponents or objects. Each of its legs mounts a Counter Cross blade for use as swords or throwing stars. It can charge up its pilot's flame to release in a wave called Hydro Blazer - upon Daiya's training with Li, he learns to focus this into a concentrated ball called Shinryu Hydro Blazer. It can also call for the Gaiking Axe, Gaiking Spear and Gaiking Shield from the Daiku Maryu, or combine the Spear with one of the Counter Crosses to form a larger pike.
Gaiking's greatest feature is called Face Open; when used, it causes Gaiking to emit four times the heat it normally does, also quadrupling the machine's speed and power. However, the strain on the pilot's flame is potentially life-threatening, requiring the use of a limiter to keep it from killing Daiya.
A gigantic dragon-shaped robot that protects the earth from the invaders from the world of Darius. It was originally created by Garis as a weapon for the Darius Empire, but was stolen along with the other two Great Dragon Ships and used as the flagship of the rebellion. Being the third ship to be created, it has all-terrain capabilities and is a hybrid performance-wise of the Daichi Maryu and Tenku Maryu, from which it derives its name. Unlike its sister ships, it cannot be controlled in an unmanned state. Its armaments are the same as the Daiku Maryu's from the original series - with its head or the Superior Stinger attached, it can utilize the Killer Bite and Death Fire attacks, while no head is required for it to use its Dragon Cutter spinning blades or to simply bludgeon the opponent with its massive body. Partway through the series it gains the ability to curl into a wheel-like form, which activates a barrier called the Volution Protect. In this form it can be used as a gigantic buzzsaw in the Spinning Death Coaster attack. It was commanded by Captain Garis and later on by Lulu. It requires someone with an exceptionally strong flame to move the wheel that allows the helmsman to pilot it, which originally meant only Rongo could pilot it - after his injury, Naoto became the new helmsman.
A mecha similar to Gaiking except to its features. It is made of Daichi Maryū's head plus Parts 1 and 2. It has a powerful defense and overwhelming long ranged attacks, compensating for its slow speed. Its back-mounted Hydrute Cannons can be pulled off its back for use as enormous handaxes, while it also features Rapid-Fire Missiles on its back and can fire rapid-fire bolts from its hands in a Corona Blast. It also has the same Despair Sight as Gaiking, and can fire all of its weapons in its Endless Burn attack. When needed it can call for the Miracle Drill from Daichi Maryu, which can attach to the hands of itself or Gaiking. It was piloted briefly by Proist and then Saspazi, who was forced to burn himself out piloting it. Soon after it was claimed by Lee when he captured Daichi Maryū, and used as his personal mech thereafter.
The second of the Three Dragon Ships, It was a Dragon-like mech like Daikū Maryū except for the design. It was designed to house in Vulking and its weapons, especially its most powerful one, the Miracle Drill. The ship was commanded by Vestaanu.
Raiking is the fastest mecha in the Gaiking Anime. It is the fusion of Tenkū Maryū's head plus Parts 1 and 2. It has enormous speed and agility as well as an arsenal of powerful electrical attacks. Unlike Gaiking, it can launch its Counter Hook arms as remote-guided flying units and reattach them at will. While the arms are detached, its elbows can fire a Zector Beam electron whip, counterpart to Gaiking's Zector Hooks - upon grappling a target, they can electrocute it using the Desperizer Shockwave. Raiking's Despair Sight is mounted in its fingertips, allowing it to shoot precision beams or rapid bombardments, while its right leg contains a scythe which can be hurled at its enemies as the Skull Harken attack. Its signature attacks are the "Lightning Death Storm", a tornado blast fired from the arms, and the "Electro Blazer", where all of its electrical energy is gathered into a ball and released in a large beam. Raiking can also unleash a combination attack with Tenkū Maryū using the Giant Cutter blade attached to the battleship's underside. It was piloted by Proist until she placed a mind-controlled Noza in it - afterwards, Noza took it as his personal machine.
The third of the Three Dragon Ships. A Wyvern-shaped like dragon robot that was built for high speed combat. It houses Raiking and its weapons. One of them is the Giant Cutter. It is eventually captained by Kain, one of Nouza's subordinates.
The most powerful machine of the Daikū Maryū crew, made up of Daikū Maryū's head plus Raiking Part 1 and Vulking Part 2. It has ten times the power output of Gaiking, allowing it to surpass all of its component machines put together. Its mobility is greatly improved thanks to the G Wing inherited from Raiking, which also gives it the ability to use the finger-mounted Despair Sight beams in a manner akin to an enormously long energy sword. Its Giga Puncher Grind has the ability to return upon being thrown, unlike the original Puncher Grind, and its turbines are repurposed for its Burning Death Storm. Vulking's legs provide it with greater defensive strength, and the stronger Gigantor Cross as an upgrade to its Counter Cross blades, which can also be combined for use in its Hydro Blazer Giga Burst finisher. It can still use Volt Paralyzer, which is now drastically enhanced in power and no longer requires direct contact with Gaiking's horns. When dire need arises, it can utilize Face Open: The Great to enhance its power even further. Only Daiya can handle the mech's full potential, as it places an enormous strain on the pilot's flame.
The forces of Darius, also known as the Darius Army, are commanded by Emperor Darius XVII's four generals: Noza, Vestarnu, Saspazi, and Proist. Noza commands the army of giants, Proist commands the Infinite Fleet, Vestarnu commands the steel beasts, and Saspazi commands the demon beasts. As of episode 14 the steel beasts are upgraded to hyper steel beasts by order of King Darius; unlike regular steel beasts these are usually, but not always, one of a kind instead of mass produced and are much stronger bodies and weapons. As of episode 19 Proist becomes the commander of the entire Darius Army and succeeds the previous Emperor Darius, becoming Emperor Darius XVIII. Near the end of the series a new group four generals is conceived under Proist's rule.
This version features a completely different story and main character. However, some of the names are very similar to the original series. Both Daikū Maryū and Gaiking have similar designs to the originals: Gaiking's torso is still skull shaped, the support machines come from Daikū Maryū. Gaiking also uses its Face Open attack in manner different from the original. Two of Daiku Maryu's weapons from the original series, Miracle Drill and Giant Cutter, are attached to Daichi Maryu and Tenkuu Maryu in this series. There are also differences in terms of location setting, and Daiku-Maryu's ability to jump across both Earth and the Underground World from the use of the Dimensional Jump. Additionally while Daiya has the same last name as Sanshiro (Tsuwabaki), the two characters are NOT related.
Gaiking: Legend of Daikū Maryū is included in the 2009 Super Robot Wars game, Super Robot Wars K for the Nintendo DS. It was hinted that the series' Dimensional Jump between Earth and the other world is the main focus of this game. The show also featured in Super Robot Gakuen. In 2010, Gaiking was again featured in a Nintendo DS SRW game, Super Robot Wars L.