[[quoteright:266:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/trilogy0ck_2384.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:266:The three robots of the trilogy: Combattler-V, Voltes-V and Tosho Daimos]]

The ''Robot Romance Trilogy'' is a ThematicSeries of three SuperRobot television anime produced by Creator/{{Toei|Company}} and animated by Creator/{{Sunrise}} that were aired during the late 1970s.

All three shows were credited to "Saburo Yatsude" (a collective pseudonym for Toei's staff) and directed by Creator/TadaoNagahama. Creator/YoshiyukiTomino collaborated in at least two of them.

The trilogy is notable for presenting more complex storylines than those of most other Super Robot shows at the time, and indeed, the idea behind the trilogy was to create something that wasn't simply an overly long toy commercial. They also showed up fairly often in the early days of the ''VideoGame/SuperRobotWars'' video game series, although ''Combattler V'' and ''Voltes V'' have appeared more often than ''Daimos'' (an easy explanation of this is that the two used the same energy source, "Super Electromagnetic/Choudenji", which makes for easier crossover implementation).

''Voltes V'' and ''Daimos'' in particular are [[GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff very famous in the Philippines]], as anime used to be {{Banned|InChina}} in the Philippines under the UsefulNotes/FerdinandMarcos regime. Due to both shows dealing rather heavily with civil wars and/or resistance of some sort or another, they became {{movement mascot}}s against Marcos isolationism, with ''Voltes'' in particular becoming a genuine Filipino cultural icon, far more famous there than in Japan.

For AllThereInTheManual information, see the ''Literature/RomanRoboAnimeClimaxSelection'' and ''[[Literature/TadaoNagahamaRobotRomanceAnimationChronicleInfobook Tadao Nagahama: Robot Romance Animation Chronicle Infobook]]''.

Has a [[SequelSeries sequel]] [[Manga/VictoryFive manga]].

If you want to watch how most of the tropes used in the trilogy were born, watch the ''Mazinger'' saga (''Anime/MazingerZ'', ''Anime/GreatMazinger'' and ''Anime/UFORoboGrendizer'') and ''Manga/GetterRobo''. If you want to watch how those tropes are deconstructed, watch ''Anime/{{Zambot3}}'', ''Anime/SpaceRunawayIdeon'' and ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. If you want contrasting how those tropes are used in other kind of HumongousMecha shows, watch ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' -and other series of the franchise- and ''Franchise/{{Patlabor}}''. Watch ''Anime/{{Raideen}}'' to know about their immediate forefather and ''Anime/GoLion'' (or ''Anime/{{Voltron}}'') to learn about their most famous heir. If you want to see how the SuperRobotGenre is made nowadays, watch ''Anime/GaoGaiGar'' and ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann''. Lastly, if you are interested in more Creator/YoshiyukiTomino shows, watch ''Anime/{{Daitarn3}}'', ''Anime/AuraBattlerDunbine'', ''Anime/{{Xabungle}}'' or ''Anime/OvermanKingGainer''.
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!! The '''Anime/RobotRomanceTrilogy''' series are:
[[index]]
* ''[[Anime/CombattlerV Choudenji Robo Combattler V]]'' ("''Super-Electromagnetic Robot Combattler V''," aired 1976-1977)
* ''[[Anime/VoltesV Choudenji Machine Voltes V]]'' ("''Super-Electromagnetic Machine Voltes V''," aired 1977-1978)
* ''[[Anime/{{Daimos}} Toushou Daimos]]'' ("''Brave Leader Daimos''," aired 1978-1979)
[[/index]]

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!! The '''Anime/RobotRomanceTrilogy''' provides examples of:
* AirborneAircraftCarrier:
** ''Anime/CombattlerV'': Several of them: Graydon's was TheDragon Garuda's personal aircraft, and its specs included slave monster production, missiles from its top, levitation even while underwater, an underside tractor beam, teleportation, a buzzsaw hidden in one of six wings, and a pink heat ray; Bromber, Warchamides' attack saucer could levitate even underwater, an underside tractor beam, yellow eye lasers, and missile launchers at the midsection; and Santomagma, BigBad Empress Janera's warship used in the final episode. It was heavily armour-plated and its capabilities included tornadoes from its underside, spike missiles from the carapace, mouth flamethrower, freezing wind from front and side mouths, launch-able front and side heads, fangs strong enough to break a MadeOfIndestructium HumongousMecha, and laser beam bolts from all four heads.
** ''Anime/VoltesV'': Boazanian Flagships, Zeltan and Sugoshin Godor, all of them equipped with formidable weapons and even DeflectorShields.
** ''Anime/{{Daimos}}'': Guranrol and Cobrard. Both could carry around combat troops and several [[{{Robeast}} Mecha Soldiers]]. The first was equipped with giant missiles and four giant blades that could be turned into giant spinning cutters. The second was equipped with four-headed cobras that fired green lasers and a turret shot tinier missiles.
* AlasPoorVillain: TheDragon of each series is always pitiable, well, after a fashion, as opposed to the BigBad, who is always a despicable bastard.
* AlienInvasion: It happens in all three series. Subverted in ''{{Anime/Daimos}}'', since the Baam-Seijin had not planned on invading our planet and they intended to negotiate to settle peacefully. Too bad the BigBad had other plans.
* AlwaysChaoticEvil: Subverted or averted. The Campbellians attacking Earth were only a tiny rebel faction. The Boazanians were not evil, but they were led by a corrupt ruling class and a greedy emperor. The Baam-Seijin were no more good or evil than your average Earth inhabitant.
* AllThereInTheManual: Tadao Nagahama reveals a lot of supplementary material in the Literature/RomanRoboAnimeClimaxSelection.
* ArmCannon:
** Combattler-V is the king of this trope among HumongousMecha. He is equipped with Atomic Burner (its hands withdraw inside its arms and are replaced with a flamethrower), Rock Fighter (it shoots missiles from its fingers), Battle Guleggar (Combattler releases a chain with metal collar from the arms, used for grabbing opponents by the neck) and Magne Claw (Combattler's wrists shot a spiked, square projectile).
** Voltes-V's Voltes Bazooka. The entire weapon is hidden in his right arm, and is deployed by tilting the right hand downward (which also becomes the weapon's grip held by the left hand) allowing the barrel to telescope out of the arm.
** Daimos has the Daimos Chain Shark, two chains with a hook shoot from above Daimos' hands. They can be used to deal damage or to drag the enemy.
* ArmedLegs:
** Combattler-V has Battle Returns, a pair of frisbee that launch from the ankles to reach farther distance enemies.
** Daimos has a retractable spike on each foot to simultaneously kick and stab {{Robeast}}s with.
* AsskickingPose: Everybody, after transformation.
* BellBottomLimbedBots: All three animes have them. ''Anime/VoltesV'', ''Anime/{{Daimos}}'', and ''Anime/CombattlerV'' all have forearms and legs that are armored with armlets and greaves.
* BigBad: Empress Janera, Emperor Zu Zambojil and Great Marshall Olban.
* BittersweetEnding: [[spoiler: ''Anime/{{Combattler V}}'' is pretty much the ''only'' trilogy entry to have a relatively happy ending (Garuda's final fate aside).]]
* CallingYourAttacks: The main characters[or in the case of Anime/VoltesV, the actual MainCharacter's younger half-brother] kept that proud tradition of SuperRobotGenre:
** '''Hyoma''': CHOUDENJI YO-YO! BATTLE GULEGGER! ROCK FIGHTER!
** '''Kenichi''': TEN-KUU KEN! CHOUDENJI TOP! GROUND FIRE!
** '''Kazuya''': DAIMOS KICK! DAIMOS CHOP! SOURYUKEN!
* CharacterDevelopment - HumansAreFlawed: The three series touched on serious themes like ParentalAbandonment (explored ''very'' seriously in ''Anime/VoltesV'') and all kinds of racial-based prejudices (especially the FantasticRacism in Voltes V and Daimos).
* ChestBlaster:
** Combattler-V has the Grand Light Wave Rail and Grand Dasher, where it forms a tangible energy trail from its chest, turns into a ''tank-like vehicle'' and rams down its opponents.
** Voltes-V has the Voltes Laser and Choudenji Wave from the yellow orb on his chest, and the Grand Fire from where is "belt buckle" is. They are just minor weapons though. His {{BFS}}, the Ten Kuu Ken, on the other hand, is sheathed on his chest.
** Daimos has Double Blizzard, where the torso of the robot opens and launches throws two freezing tornadoes at its enemies. Later it got upgraded to Fire Blizzard.
%%* Combining Mecha: Combattler and Voltes.
* ConqueringAlienPrince: Each of the installment's Prince's want to conquer Earth for different reasons - Garuda under orders, Heinel for honour and Richter for {{Revenge}}.
* ConvenientlyAnOrphan: Most of the parents of the heroes are dead or missing (and in the case of Erika, her father dying broke off the war).
* CoolAirship: The aerial bases of the alien invaders.
%%* Cool Car
%%* Cool Bike
* CoolHelmet: All three shows, though the Combattler crew's helmets had inbuilt computers to help pilot the mech.
%%* The Dragon: Prince Garuda, Prince Heinell and Prince Richter.
* DubNameChange: The names of the characters were changed when they were broadcast in the Philippines and USA.
* TheEvilPrince: Garuda, Richter and Heinel. Although the last one rather was not quite evil... but irrational and misled.
* FallingIntoTheCockpit:
** ''Anime/CombattlerV'' played it straight with the main characters. The first time they deployed Combattler, they handled it reasonably well in spite of the fact Chizuru was the only pilot could be expected having got basic training. It was justified later: there is a computer built into each one of their helmets, and it help them to pilot it.
*** And it was deconstructed, too. In one episode, a child, Kotaro, snuck into the cockpit, thinking he could use Hyouma's helmet to drive Combattler. As a matter of fact, he could not, and he almost got himself -and everyone else- killed. This prompts Hyouma to punish both Kotaro and Ropet at the end of said episode by making them stand while wearing signs and tells them to think about what they had done.
** It was apparently played straight but quickly subverted in ''Anime/VoltesV'': When the Voltes Team was roughly shoved into their vehicles, Kenichi protested they didn't know how to drive them. Then his mother reminded him flatly they HAD got training to pilot aircrafts.
** ''Anime/{{Daimos}}'' justified the trope: Kazuya was a space pilot but nobody had taught him to pilot Daimos before shoving him into the cockpit. However, his MotionCaptureMecha was piloted through a mental interface, allowing him to pilot it and use his martial arts to fight (and still in the first battle he needed to be informed of Daimos' weapons).
* FantasticRacism: Boazanians look down on hornless races. Miwa thought AlwaysChaoticEvil applied to the Baam-Seijin.
* FingerFirearms:
** Combattler-V's Rock Fighter.
** Voltes-V's Finger Missiles.
* FinishingMove: Combattler uses Choudenji Tatsumaki and Chodenji Spin straight after (it paralyzes the enemy with a stream of electro-magnetic energy and then rams through it with the drills on its hands while spinning); Voltes uses V-no-Jigiri (it uses its sword to slice the enemy mecha with a V-shaped slash, later powered up by first paralyzing the enemy with the Choudenji ball); and Daimos uses Double / Fire Blizzard (It shoots twins tornadoes from its ChestBlaster)
* FlyingBrick: The three mechas are are strong, tough and despite being hundreds of feet tall are very capable of flight.
* HotBlooded: Hyouma, Kenichi and Kazuya are virtually ''burning'' on it!
** Hyouma Aoi simply ''can't'' stay calm or quiet. He is so HotBlooded that, when [[spoiler:TheDragon shot his arms off]], he still tried to crawl to his vehicle's cockpit, demanding to be allowed to pilot.
** Kenichi Go outdoes Hyouma. You only have to watch the scene where he and his brothers finally learn about his father's past. He swears loudly to defeat the enemy while shedding plenty of ManlyTears. Ironically enough, his older half-brother, Prince Heinel, who is the actual MainCharacter of Anime/VoltesV, greatly outdoes him in that department.
** Kazuya Ryuuzaki. His emotions are not like a flood; they are like a bloody ''tsunami''. When he is infatuated, he walks over with a silly, fond smile. When he is upset and sorrowful, he sobs loudly, cries ManlyTears and even punches walls. [[BewareTheNiceOnes When he is pissed off...]] don't bother writing a will. There will be nothing left of you after he is through with you. And God helps you if you make Erika upset...
--->'''Kazuya''': The Baam-Seijin are not monsters, Miwa... YOU ARE!
* HotBloodedSideburns: Out of all heroes, Kenichi sports the most magnificent pair.
* HomeBase:
** The Nanbara Connection, located in the coastline and protected by a Beehive Barrier.
** The Falcon Camp, located on a bird-shaped pennisula [[spoiler:and secretly doubling as a CoolStarship]].
** The Space Daimobic, which has multiple functions of TheBattlestar, SpaceBase and MissionControl).
* HumansAreBastards: Plays with the trope, mixing it with...
** RousseauWasRight: In a nutshell, many characters -on both sides- think humans are scum and they are not worthy of anything... but there always are good people that makes them reconsider.
** Professor Yotsuya bluntly says he hates humanity in the SECOND episode of the first series. Still, he got forced to follow his friend's [[spoiler:last will]] and help the Combattler team fight the Campbellians. He managed to regain his faith on humanity in the process, even if his newfound faith was often tested.
%%* HumongousMecha
* IfItSwimsItFlies: Battle Marine and Volt Frigate, the machines that form the Combattler and Voltes' legs respectively, are able to swim and fly (and Battle Marine also carries around the Battle Tank, that cannot fly on its own).
* KineticWeaponsAreJustBetter: All robots were equipped with energy-based weapons, but more often than not, they used missiles, flamethrowers, or blunt and bladed weapons. Kazuya, of course, used Daimos' fists and legs mainly.
%%* LatexSpa ceSuit
%%* Mecha Show
* MotionCaptureMecha: ''Anime/MazingerZ'' showed hints of it and its Korean rip-off ''[[Animation/RobotTaekwonV Taekwon V]]'' started it, but ''Daimos'' [[TropeCodifier properly introduced]] the trope in anime.
%%* Official Couple: Hyoma and Chizuru; Kazuya and Erika.
* OncePerEpisode:
** ''Combattler-V'': [[CombiningMecha To combine their vehicles]] -needless to say, it happened every episode-, the team yelled "Let's combine", and if they were ready to combine correctly, [[RobotBuddy Ropetto]] authorized the combination repeating: "Combine OK". And then you have the FinishingMove ("Choudenji Tatsumaki" and "Choudenji Spin") that were used every episode.
** ''Voltes-V'': Again, the team every episode yelled "Let's Volt In!" to combine in Voltes-V. And every episode they killed the MonsterOfTheWeek with the [[FinishingMove V-Slash]].
** ''Daimos'': Every episode, to [[TransformingMecha transform]] and activate Daimos, Kazuya yelled "Daimos, Battle Turn!", -pretty uselessly- as performing a kata with his arms.
* TheProfessor:
** Dr. Nanbara and Dr. Yotsuya from ''Anime/CombattlerV''.
** Dr. Kentaro Go from ''Anime/VoltesV'' (who also was: [[spoiler: [[LukeIamYourFather the]] [[TheDragon Dragon's]] DisappearedDad]]), along with Dr. Hamaguchi and Dr. Sakunji (who bordered on SadistTeacher)
** Dr. Shinnichirou Izumi from ''{{Anime/Daimos}}'', also Kazuya's foster father after the guy's dad (Dr. Ryuuzaki, another professor) is murdered when he's a child.
* RecurringElement: Cast-wise, each of the trilogy will have Miyuki Ueda cast as the heroine of the series ([[Anime/CombattlerV Chizuru]], [[Anime/VoltesV Megumi]], [[Anime/{{Daimos}} Erika]]) and Creator/OsamuIchikawa cast as blond-haired [[TheDragon villainous right hand man]] that serve as a recurring enemy ([[Anime/CombattlerV Garuda]], [[Anime/VoltesV Heinel]], [[Anime/{{Daimos}} Richter]])
* RedIsHeroic: Hyoma Aoi and Kenichi Gou wear red, Kazuya's civilian outfit is red (although his piloting suit is majorly white, with some red tints). Likewise, all titular robots are partially red.
* {{Robeast}}: Slave Beasts and Magma Beasts in Combattler; Beast Knights in Voltes; and Mecha Warriors in Daimos.
* RobotBuddy:
** Combattler team's buddy was named Ropetto.
** The Voltes team has Takko-chan, built by Hiyoshi.
** The Daimovic crew have Cairo, the ButtMonkey domestic robot worker.
* RocketPunch: The trilogy gives us several variants:
** Combattler-V is equipped with Battle Guleggar (Combattler releases a chain with metal collar from the arms, used for grabbing opponents by the neck) and Magne Claw (Combattler's hands withdraw into its arms and its wrists shot a spiked, square projectile).
** Voltes-V, very similarly to ''Neo Manga/GetterRobo'', has the Chain Knuckle, a RocketPunch on a chain, but swapping the fist out for a nasty-looking mace.
** Daimos has the Daimos Chain Shark, two chains with a hook shoot from above Daimos' hands. They can be used to deal damage or to drag the enemy.
* TheSeventies: The three series were made in that decade.
%%* Seventies Hair: Obviously.
%%* SuperRobotGenre: Seminal series for this genre.
* TelescopingRobot: All mechas have a ton of weapons stored inside them.
* ThematicRoguesGallery: Being SuperRobotGenre shows, the heroes employed a HumongousMecha to fight HumongousMecha enemies:
** ''Anime/CombattlerV'' fought Campbellians Slave Beasts and Magma Monsters
** ''Anime/VoltesV'' fought Beast Knights, fighting robots mimicked Earth animals/humans.
** ''Anime/{{Daimos}}'' fought Battle Robots and Mecha Warriors
* TomatoInTheMirror:
** I'm sorry, Garuda, you in reality [[spoiler:are the last member of a long series of clones made by Orellana.]]
** I'm sorry, Kenichi, Daijirou, and Hiyoshi, in reality you [[spoiler:are half-Boazanian.]]
** I'm sorry, Erika, in reality you [[spoiler:are the Princess of the Baam-Seijin.]]
%%* TomboyAndGirlyGirl: [[Anime/VoltesV Megumi]] and [[Anime/CombattlerV Chizuru]] respectively.
* TransformationNameAnnouncement: Let's Combine! Let's volt in! Daimos Battle Turn!
* TransformationSequence: Daimos has one of the most infamously long ones, helping pioneer the "transfer from little vehicle to larger one" system seen in other series such as ''Anime/GoLion''.
* TransformingMecha: Daimos is one of the first examples that did it regularly, but Combattler V also had the Grand Dasher attack later on in the series.
%%* VillainousBSOD: All Dragons went through one.
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