Giant Robot

Giant Robot...launch!!

Off-topic vacation blogging continues. Other entries in this series: Ultraman

In 1967 a series called Jainto Robo premiered in Japan. In 1969, it came to the US as Giant Robot. Somewhere around 1975 or 1976 (when I was 5 or 6; my mom can probly tell me for sure) I discovered this series, in the great pre-Star Wars sci-fi reawakening of the 70s. It remains one of the greatest pieces of television ever created.

Led by the alien Guillotine, an evil society called Gargoyle is bent on subjugating the planet by creating a never-ending stream of giant monsters that rise from the oceans and destroy cities. Battling for Earth is a secret organization called Unicorn. One of Gargoyle's monsters sinks an ocean liner carrying Unicorn agent Jerry Mano and a 9-year old boy named Johnny Sokko. Jerry and Johnny are marooned together on a secret island where Jerry discovers an imprisoned scientist who has been forced to create a 100-foot tall invincible robot to serve Gargoyle.

The scientist foils Gargoyle's plan by detonating a nuclear bomb, killing himself and his captors, but the the bomb activates the robot. By accident, Johnny has possession of the robot's control device, disguised within a wristwatch. The robot imprints upon and will only respond to the first voice it hears through the control device, and as the robot wakes up, Johnny commands it to save him and Jerry. As the only one that can control Giant Robot, Johnny helps Jerry and Unicorn fight Gargoyle, battling a staggering array of monsters and villians over 26 one-hour episodes.

Not only did this show epitomize my Creature Feature fascination with giant creatures that destroy miniature sets, it was a metaphor for the complicated experience that is growing up, casting off the comforts of immaturity. Johnny, through no choice of his own, is thrust into this intergalactic conflict, becomes one of the good guys in his own right, and when called upon to save himself, his team and the planet, does so without hesitation or regret. Although often disrespected by Gargoyle's agents as a mere child, Jerry Mano and Unicorn never treat Johnny like a child and he rewards them with repeated heroism and steely resolve. Johnny Sokko was the hero to us, not the robot.

Sadly, this show is not available yet on DVD. According to Wikipedia, Sony has come into possession of the rights to this show and I hope they will see fit to release it in a set worthy of its place in the memories of legions of children of the 70s. Given the recent proliferation on DVD of Japanese anime and giant monster shows from the 70s (most of it was originally broadcast in Japan in the 60s), I am hopeful. Memo to any Redskins fans working at Sony and reading this story: I'll preorder.

In the absence of an authorized set, I have managed to find a couple of places on the web to buy bootleg DVDs of Giant Robot, and as soon as that major media enterprise buys out Curly R and I'm writing from Boca Grande full time, I intend to buy it.

More on Giant Robot:
Stomp Tokyo. Glen Johnson's memory page on Giant Robot. You Tube has most of the first episode of Giant Robot in two parts. Part one. Part two.