Mazinkaiser

Mazinkaiser
Cover for the BluRay Box Set
マジンカイザー (Majinkaizā)
Genre	Mecha
Original video animation
Directed by	Masahiko Murata
Written by	Satoru Nishizono Shinzo Fujita
Music by	Kazuo Nobuta
Studio	Brain's Base
Licensed by	ADV Films
Released	September 25, 2001 – September 25, 2002
Runtime	30 minutes
Episodes	7
Anime film
Mazinkaiser vs. the Great General of Darkness
Directed by	Masahiko Murata
Written by	Satoru Nishizono
Studio	Brain's Base
Released	July 25, 2003
Runtime	65 minutes

Mazinkaiser (マジンカイザー, Majinkaizā^?) is an anime OVA series released in 2001–2002 (and Mazinkaiser vs the Great Darkness General in 2002), inspired by Go Nagai's Mazinger series. The OVA follows Kouji Kabuto, Tetsuya Tsurugi and the rest of the "Mazinger Team" as they fight against Dr. Hell's Mechanical Beasts.

An army of machines, led by Baron Ashura, defeats Kouji's Mazinger Z and Tetsuya's Great Mazinger. In the aftermath, Kouji stumbles upon a forgotten laboratory. Inside, he finds Mazinkaiser, the most powerful robot ever built. The series chronicles Kouji's experience with the machine as he copes with Kaiser's power while defeating Dr. Hell's forces.

The OVA's design is inspired by the original Mazinger Z manga from 1972, rather than Toei Animation's TV series. Mazinkaiser emulates Go Nagai's character designs, and its operatic plot is supported by a "tongue-in-cheek" cynicism in regard to the gratuitous sex and violence. Some of the Episodes draw their plot elements from the Mazinger Z manga, "Episode 3: Kouji Assassination Order!" being a good example.

An English version was released by ADV Films.

In the 2002 OVA Mazinkaiser, Tetsuya fights alongside Kouji against Doctor Hell's forces. The OVA version of Great Mazinger is physically identical to the original, but with black coloring on the arms and legs instead of blue. Great is seriously damaged during the initial battle in the series. It became worse when the captured Mazinger Z attacks the Photon Power Labs even though Tetsuya does his best to defend the lab against Mazinger Z. Lastly, the rampaging Mazinkaiser leaves him badly injured while Great Mazinger is a complete wreck. Consequently, he leaves together with Jun to treat for his injuries.