History YMMV / Zambot3

* [[SugarWiki/HeartwarmingMoments]]: Kappei befriending Chieko in episode 13.

* [[SugarWiki HeartwarmingMoments]]: Kappei befriending Chieko in episode 13.

* HeartwarmingMoments: Kappei befriending Chieko in episode 13.

* TearJerker:
** The human bombs episode ends with Kappei's friend Hamamoto quietly accepting that he has a bomb inside and he's going to explode and leaves with other human bombs to die in a desolate place without causing more damage. Then suddenly Hamamoto has a FreakOut and starts crying to his parents for help right before he explodes. Kappei reacts to this by falling on his knees and bawling his eyes out.
** Two episodes later, Kappei's dearest childhood friend, Aki, herself becomes a human bomb, though she is unaware of this, having no memory of what happened to her after she was captured by the Gaizok. Kappei lets her into his living quarters before realizing that she's become a human bomb, and when he finally learns the truth, it's too late. All that remains of Aki is a piece of the pajamas she was wearing at the moment of her death. In a poignant moment, Kappei remembers his friend as he watches the room in which Aki was killed disposed of in the sea. Even Kozuki weeps when he learns of Aki's demise.
** The finale saw Kappei slowly losing his allies one by one. First his family and dog, and then ''his two friends Uchuta and Keiko''. And Kappei had to face the final enemy of Gaizok ''alone'' with no backing of anyone and thinking that the humans that he protected all this time hated him. And did we mention that [[ChildSoldiers he's just a kid by this point??]] (lessened with the actual final result that [[spoiler:the humans finally accepted Kappei and cheered for his heroism]], but [[BittersweetEnding the walk to that point is a HARSH one]])

** The finale saw Kappei slowly losing his allies one by one. First his family and dog, and then ''his two friends Uchuta and Keiko''. And Kappei had to face the final enemy of Gaizok ''alone'' with no backing of anyone and thinking that the humans that he protected all this time hated him. And did we mention that [[ChildSoldiers he's just a kid by this point??]] ''Goddammit Tomino''. (lessened with the actual final result that [[spoiler:the humans finally accepted Kappei and cheered for his heroism]], but [[BittersweetEnding the walk to that point is a HARSH one]])

* SpiritualSuccessor: Anime/{{Daitarn 3}}
** Though this is arguable, considering the two shows couldn't possibly be any more different, at least in terms of tone. ''Daitarn'' might be a successor, but not necessarily a spiritual one. One could make an equally strong or perhaps stronger case for Tomino's ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' and ''Anime/SpaceRunawayIdeon'' as spiritual successors.

* TearJerker: The human bombs episode ends with Kappei's friend Hamamoto quietly accepting that he has a bomb inside and he's going to explode and leaves with other human bombs to die in a desolate place without causing more damage. Then suddenly Hamamoto has a FreakOut and starts crying to his parents for help right before he explodes. Kappei reacts to this by falling on his knees and bawling his eyes out.

* FridgeHorror: The BigBad Gaizok states that [[spoiler: it is made by the Gaizok race and is numbered eight and sent out to destroy creatures "with bad thoughts".]] Does this imply that [[spoiler: it is only ONE OF THE SEVERAL bio-computers manufactured, while the others are roaming the galaxies and trying carry out their designated massacre jobs?]]

** Two episodes later, is Kappei's friend, Aki, herself becomes a human bomb, though she is unaware of this. Kappei realizes too late that Aki has been implanted with a bomb and is unable to reach her before she detonates in his own bedroom. All that remains of Aki is a piece of the boys' pajama shirt Kappei had lent her to wear. The episode includes a poignant moment in which Kappei reminisces about playing with Aki and their friend Michi before the Gaizok invasion.

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: The series became quite popular when it aired in Italy in 1981, a year after its (eventually) more famous successor, ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''. By contrast, it wasn't particularly popular when it first aired in Japan, with much of its recognition as a game-changer in the robot anime genre coming after successor ''Gundam'' became a belated sensation.

* TearJerker: The human bombs episode ends with a kid quietly accepting that he has a bomb inside and he's going to explode and leaves with other human bombs to die in a desolate place without causing more damage. Then suddenly the kid has a FreakOut and starts crying to his parents for help right before he explodes. Kappei reacts to this by falling on his knees and bawling his eyes out.

* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: The series became quite popular when it aired in Italy. By contrast, it wasn't particularly popular when it first aired in Japan, with much of its recognition as a game-changer in the robot anime genre coming after successor ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' became a belated sensation.

* EarWorm: The opening theme.
* HarsherInHindsight: Human bombs.

* CompleteMonster: Butcher. During the series' run, this guy commits any sort of horrible action, the ''mildest'' of which is mass murder of innocent civilians with the excuse of [[HumansAreFlawed humans being worthless]]. One his crueler deeds is [[spoiler: implanting mini-bombs inside unknowing human prisoners, just to release them, let them go back to their families - and only ''then'' blow them up. ''Alive''. Even ''children'']]. All the while, he admires his work, is proud of the bloodshed and jokes about the horrible deaths of his victims, treating his killing sprees as a funny game.

* CompleteMonster: Butcher. [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The name says it all]].

* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: It has dark themes and a BittersweetEnding, but was marketed to kids, nonetheless.

* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids: It has dark themes and a DownerEnding, but was marketed to kids, nonetheless.

* CompleteMonster (Butcher. [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The name says it all]].)
* HarsherInHindsight (Human bombs)
* WhatDoYouMeanItsForKids (It has dark themes and a DownerEnding, but was marketed to kids, nonetheless.)