[b]Mazinger Z[/b] (also known as [b]Tranzor Z[/b]) is the titular [[super robot]] [[mecha]] from the [[Mazinger Z]] [[science fiction]] series by [[Nagai Gou]].

It is piloted by [[Kabuto Kouji]] and is armed with photonic laser rays in its eyes, "breast fire" thermal chest rays, a supersonic -and corroding- "hurricane" wind generator in its mouth, missiles, the "[[rocket punch]]" and super strength. 

Mazinger can fly, travel underwater and is constructed from a special, almost indestructible alloy called [i]Super Alloy Z[/i]. 

The titanic robot was created by Doctor [[Kabuto Juuzou]] ([[Kabuto Kouji]]'s grandfather) to combat [[Doctor Hell|Dr. Hell]] and his Mechanical Beasts, who desired the metal for their own nefarious purposes.

Mazinger Z is notable because it was actually the very [b]first piloted giant robot in the history of anime[/b]. According to Nagai, the idea of a manned robot came from one occasion when he was stuck in very heavy traffic inside a very small red car and he imagined it producing wings on its sides (like the [[pilder]] [[aircraft]]) and a giant robot body so it could walk above the other cars.  

The famous and iconic [[RX-78-2]] from [[Mobile Suit Gundam]] was one of the many subsequent manned mecha inspired by this popular classic super robot.

h4. See also

* [[Pilder]]
マジンガーZ Mazinger マジンガー