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 —

Mazinger Z ran for 92 episodes across two years

The Mazinger Z anime series aired on Fuji TV from December 3, 1972 to September 1, 1974, producing 92 episodes in total. Creator Go Nagai later admitted he was surprised by the show’s success — he had been counting on Devilman to be his defining work. Mazinger Z’s popularity instead launched an entire franchise that included Great Mazinger, Grendizer, and multiple sequel series spanning decades.

Grendizer was more popular in France than in Japan

UFO Robot Grendizer (1975) had modest success in Japan, but as “Goldorak” in France it became a cultural phenomenon — several episodes reportedly achieved 100% television ratings. The show was also the first anime ever broadcast in France. In the Arab world, a 2019 YouGov survey found that 36% of respondents named Grendizer their favorite anime of all time, ahead of any other series.

Voltes V was banned by presidential decree in the Philippines

On August 27, 1979 — with only four episodes remaining before the finale — President Ferdinand Marcos banned Voltes V from Philippine television via presidential decree, citing “excessive violence and harmful effects on children.” Many historians believe the real reason was the show’s central theme of rebellion against a tyrannical ruler, which resonated uncomfortably with life under martial law. The series finally aired its ending in 1999, twenty years later.

Mobile Suit Gundam was nearly cancelled after 39 episodes

When Mobile Suit Gundam premiered in 1979, it was planned for 52 episodes. Poor ratings caused the network to cut it down to 39 — but the production team negotiated a one-month extension to wrap up the story, bringing the final count to 43 episodes. The show only became a legend after cancellation, when Bandai’s model kits sold in massive numbers and syndicated reruns found a devoted audience.