The Classic Giant Robot Encyclopedia

Fun Facts

Curiosidades verificadas sobre el anime mecha clásico — desde los estudios de animación hasta los robots que cambiaron la cultura pop.

Origins Records Production Characters Weapons 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s

— Featured Fact —

1963
Origins · 1960s Tetsujin 28-go was controlled by remote — no pilot inside

Unlike most mecha that followed, Tetsujin 28-go had no cockpit and no onboard pilot. The giant robot was operated entirely via a handheld remote control by young Shotaro Kaneda — making it the first "drone mecha" in anime history.

— All Facts —

Gundam’s model kits saved the franchise from permanent cancellation

After Mobile Suit Gundam was cut short due to low ratings in 1979, Bandai acquired the licensing rights and began producing detailed plastic model kits called “Gunpla.” The kits sold extraordinarily well — far better than the original toys had — generating enough commercial interest to justify a theatrical film trilogy in 1981. Without Gunpla, the entire Gundam franchise would likely have ended after its first 43 episodes.

Getter Robo’s manga and anime launched simultaneously in 1974

Unlike most anime adaptations that follow an established manga, Getter Robo launched both its manga (in Weekly Shōnen Sunday) and its anime (on Fuji TV) on the same week in April 1974. The anime ran for 51 episodes and concluded in May 1975. Ken Ishikawa continued the manga story independently for decades, developing it into increasingly dark and cosmic territory far beyond the original anime.

The Grendizer Italian theme song sold over one million copies

When Grendizer aired in Italy as “Goldrake,” the Italian dub created an entirely new soundtrack. The first Italian theme song became one of the best-selling singles of 1978, and the second theme surpassed it — selling over one million copies. Random episodes were also compiled into theatrical films released in Italian cinemas, reflecting the series’ extraordinary popularity in the country.

Tetsujin 28-go ran 97 episodes entirely in black and white

Japan’s first giant robot anime, Tetsujin 28-go, aired from 1963 to 1966 on Fuji TV for a total of 97 episodes — all produced in black and white. The series was animated by TCJ (Tele-Cartoon Japan) under director Yonehiko Watanabe, and adapted Mitsuteru Yokoyama’s manga, which had been running since 1956 in Shōnen Magazine.