[i][b]Mazinger Z[/b][/i] (マジンガーZ [i]Majingā Zetto[/i]) is a classic and extremely influential and popular giant [[super robot]] manga that ran in [i]Weekly Shonen Jump[/i] from 1972 until 1973. The series was created by [[Nagai Gou]] (Kiyoshi Nagai).

The story tells the adventures of [[Kabuto Kouji]], the young brave pilot of Mazinger Z, a powerful [[mecha]] with super powers that fights against evil hostile giant [[robot]]s called "mechanical [[monster|beasts]]".

Due to its popularity the original manga was turned into a 92 episode anime that debuted also in late 1972 and ended in 1974. It has spawned several notable sequels and spinoff series, among them [[UFO Robo Grendizer]], [[Mazinkaiser]], and [[Robot Girls Z]].

Mazinger Z was broadcast in several countries and became very famous worldwide. Its fame in some European countries was such that even "a giant statue of the titular robot":http://trip-n-travel.com/listicle/16496/ was erected in the province of Tarragona, [[Spain]], in the year 1979. 

It was also a very popular anime in [[Mexico]] during the 1980s, where it was dubbed into [[spanish_text|Spanish]] directly from the Japanese version, keeping all the original Japanese character names intact and broadcasting all the complete 92 episodes, unlike the version later aired in the [[united_states|U.S.]] (which was called [i][b]Tranzor Z[/b][/i] and was not very popular due to its severe censorship and many absent episodes).

Mexican director [[Guillermo del Toro]] has cited this show as a very important influence on his movie [[Pacific Rim]]. The comic [[Karmatron y los Transformables]] was also heavily influenced by Mazinger.

This tag should be used for the original manga/anime and related media. For the franchise as a whole use [[Mazinger (series)]].

h4. Photon Power Laboratory defenders

* [[Mazinger Z (Mecha)|]] (Tranzor Z) - [[Rocket Punch]]
* [[Aphrodai A]] (Aphrodite A) - [[Breast Missiles]]
* [[Dianan A]] (Diana A)
* [[Boss Borot]] (Robot Boss)

h4. Some characters

* [[Kabuto Kouji]]
* [[Kabuto Shirou]]
* Doctor [[Kabuto Juuzou]]
* [[Yumi Sayaka]]
* [[boss_(mazinger_z)|Boss]]
* [[Kabuto Shirou]]
* Yumi Hakase ([[Doctor Yumi]])
* [[Doctor Morimori]] 
* [[Doctor Nossori]] 
* [[Doctor Sewashi]]
* [[Mucha (mazinger)|]]
* [[Nuke (mazinger)|]]

* [[Doctor Hell]]
* Ashura Danshaku ([[Baron Ashura]])
* Blocken Hakushaku ([[Count Blocken]])

h4. Some mechanical beasts

* [[Garada K7 (robot)|]]
* [[Doublas M2 (robot)|]]
* [[Gromazen R9]]
* [[Goronko S2]]
* [[Kingdan X10]]
* [[Brutus M3]]
* [[Glossam X2]]
* [[Gorias W3]]
* [[Gelbros J3]]
* [[Jinrai S1]]
* [[Genocider F9]]
* [[Minerva X]]
* [[Grengus C3]]
* [[Spartan K5]]
* [[Demos F3]]
* [[Aeros B3]]
* [[Greyder F3]]
* [[Baras K9]]
* [[Belgas V5]]
* [[Bazila F7]]
* [[Balanger M2]]
* [[Damdam L2]]
* [[Devila X1]]
* [[Kirma K5]]
* [[Harkenschmitt X9]]
* [[Deathma A1]]
* [[Glanada E3]]
* [[Jetfire P1]]
* [[Drago Omega1]]
* [[Harpia Pi7]]

h4. See also

* [[Great Mazinger]]
* [[Mazinger Z: Infinity]]

h4.External Link

* "Wikipedia: Mazinger Z":[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazinger_Z]
* "OFFICIAL SERIES OPENING":https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyRoF689VRE
マジンガーZ