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.
