MECHA PROFILE

GIANT ROBO

THE ROBOT THAT OBEYED ONE VOICE

Giant Robo (ジャイアントロボ) is a Japanese giant robot created by Mitsuteru Yokoyama in 1967. Built as a weapon of conquest by the sinister Big Fire organization, it was claimed by a child — Daisaku Kusama — becoming the unlikely defender of a world it was never meant to protect.

— IDENTITY —
Full Name
Giant Robo (ジャイアントロボ)
Type
Super Robot
Creator
Mitsuteru Yokoyama
Debut
1967
Country of Origin
Japan
Original Medium
Manga
Publisher
Akita Shoten
Genre
Super Robot / Tokusatsu / Science Fiction
— DEVELOPMENT HISTORY —
Project Designation
Giant Robo
Original Designer (Story)
Dr. Lucius Guardian
Construction Purpose
Originally developed by captive scientists under the control of the Big Fire organization
Activation Method
Special control device entrusted to Daisaku Kusama
Historical Significance
One of the earliest giant robots directly descended from the legacy established by Tetsujin 28-gō, helping define the pre-Mazinger era of giant robot fiction
— CONTROL SYSTEM —
Primary Operator
Daisaku Kusama
Control Method
Remote control device
Pilot Location
External operator
Cockpit
None
Autonomy
Limited, command-based operation
Command Authority
Exclusive response to Daisaku's transmitter
This is one of the most consistent traits of the franchise — Giant Robo follows the tradition established by Tetsujin and is not piloted from within.
— PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS —
Robot Class
Giant Humanoid Robot
Body Structure
Humanoid
Head Design
Ancient Egyptian / Pharaoh-inspired helmet
Visual Characteristics
  • Massive humanoid frame
  • Cylindrical limbs
  • Large shoulder assemblies
  • Monumental "living statue" appearance
  • Distinct pharaoh-like head crest
— COMBAT CHARACTERISTICS —
Primary Combat Style
  • Close-quarters combat
  • Physical strikes
  • Grappling
  • Heavy impact attacks
Mission Profile
  • Monster elimination
  • Anti-invasion operations
  • Strategic defense
Operational Environment
  • Land
  • Sea
  • Urban combat zones
Unlike later super robots, Giant Robo's combat is generally portrayed as brute-force engagements against giant monsters and Big Fire creations.
Giant Robo — Vintage Mecha
Giant Robo — Voice-Activated Combat Unit · Operation Big Fire
— ASSOCIATED ORGANIZATION —
Affiliation
Unicorn
Role
Defender of Earth against Big Fire
Primary Enemy
Big Fire Organization
Enemy Leader
Emperor Guillotine
— ORIGINAL MANGA INFORMATION —
Creator
Mitsuteru Yokoyama
Publication Year
1967
Medium
Manga
Country
Japan
— ORIGINAL TV SERIES INFORMATION —
Title
Giant Robo
US Title
Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot
Broadcast Period
October 11, 1967 – April 1, 1968
Episodes
26
Network
NET Television (later TV Asahi)
Production Company
Toei Company
Director
Minoru Yamada
Writer
Masaru Igami
Runtime
Approximately 24 minutes
— MAIN CHARACTERS —
Daisaku Kusama
Master and controller of Giant Robo
Jūrō Minami
Agent of Unicorn
Chief Azuma
Commander of Unicorn operations
Dr. Lucius Guardian
Scientist responsible for Giant Robo's creation
Emperor Guillotine
Leader of Big Fire
— LEGACY —
Historical Position
One of the foundational giant robots of Japanese popular culture
Relationship to Tetsujin 28-gō
Created by the same author and expands many of the concepts introduced in Tetsujin
International Recognition
Known worldwide through the American adaptation, Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot, which became one of the most recognizable Japanese live-action exports of the late 1960s
— COLLECTIBLES —
Giant Robo Action Figure
Bandai Tamashii Nations
Giant Robo The Animation
Super Robot Chogokin — Action Figure
Shop on Amazon →