History Anime / Gigantor

* RealityEnsues: In the 2004 series, towards the end, with Shotaro's role as KidDetective. Because he used to be supported by the Chief Ootsuka and Professor Shikishima he could operate one. [[spoiler: But when Ootsuka is removed from his position and Shikishima dies he loses a lot of his privileges.]]

''Gigantor'' -- Tetsujin Nijuhachi-go, or "Iron Man #28" in the original Japanese -- is a HumongousMecha controlled by a young boy, Jimmy Sparks (Shotaro Kaneda). They live on a remote island with Jimmy's uncle, a scientist, and [[TheyFightCrime fight crime]]. Originally set just after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, the English dub portrayed the show as being set in the then future year of 2000. Based on the original manga by ''Mitsuteru Yokoyama,'' it is one of the first popular anime to air in America, both the original form, produced by Eiken Studios (formerly called TCJ), and in the revamped ''New Adventures of Gigantor'' originally produced in 1980 by Creator/TMSEntertainment, and aired internationally in the late '80s / early '90s. The sequel, ''Tetsujin 28 FX'' was produced by the same production that created ''New Gigantor'' and was aired in 1990's in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}. It was also remade in 2004 and given a live-action adaptation in 2005. Recently, ''Tetsujin-28 Gao'' was produced by the same company that created and animated the first Gigantor series and was aired by 2013.

* DudeLooksLikeALady: In the 21st episode of the '80s series, the woman in a fancy Chinese suit (the culprit of abducting and [[{{Brainwashed}} brainwashing]] children, including Makie)[[spoiler: turned out to be a man when the mask was removed.]]

** This also happened in ''FX'' wherein Futaba showed her underwear, depicting a blue hued original Tetsujin in the back part, to the 2 men.

** The manga and the 2004 version of the series has some amounts of UsefulNotes/WorldWarII references. One of these example is the Tetsujin project, which is initiated by Dr. Kaneda,being based on German rocket missiles initiated by Werner von Braun.

** This is rarely shown in the 1980's series (notably, teal haired Gura / Coldark) and ''FX'' (notably, purple haired Franken).

* AlternateHistory: At least in the 2004 version, it's mentioned that in 1945 the Japanese attempted a last ditch attempt to stop the Americans by launching the ''other'' Tetsujin models on the West Coast. It didn't work.

** The 21st episode has children becoming mindless child soldiers (cue the helmet they worn is a brainwashing device) of a fancy dressed lady [[spoiler: or rather a man dressed in that costume.]] Unfortunately, Makie was among them.

* DownerEnding: In the 2004 series [[spoiler: Tetsujin got smelted along with the Black Ox clones ]]

** Shotaro's stepbrother (Shoutarou) in the 2007 movie is based on most characters that resembled him from Yokoyama works, notably Tendou the Berserker
** Tsukie Kayano is based on Liu Bei's mother from the Yokoyama's adaption of The Romance of the Three Kingdoms
* TheFifties: The setting of both the 2004 series and the original anime.

* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: In the ''Gigantor'' dub. The original version was set around the end of World War II (or about a decade after it in the 2004 anime). Eventually inverted by the aforementioned 2004 series, which not only is truer to the original Japanese version (including retaining the characters' original Japanese names), it was even released under the original name of ''Tetsujin-28'' in North America.

* YouKilledMyFather: In the 1980's series where Shotaro's father was killed by Branch (Dr. Murkybottom). This trope was only applied in the 24th episode wherein Shotaro seeks revenge on Branch but [[spoiler: Branch was later abducted by aliens which were actually Uchuu Maoh's minions.]]

''Gigantor'' -- Tetsujin Nijuhachi-go, or "Iron Man #28" in the original Japanese -- is a HumongousMecha controlled by a young boy, Jimmy Sparks (Shotaro Kaneda). They live on a remote island with Jimmy's uncle, a scientist, and [[TheyFightCrime fight crime.]] Originally set just after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, the English dub portrayed the show as being set in the then future year of 2000. Based on the original manga by ''Mitsuteru Yokoyama,'' it is one of the first popular anime to air in America, both the original form, produced by Eiken Studios (formerly called TCJ), and in the revamped ''New Adventures of Gigantor'' originally produced in 1980 by Creator/TMSEntertainment, and aired internationally in the late '80s / early '90s. The sequel, ''Tetsujin 28 FX'' was produced by the same production that created ''New Gigantor'' and was aired in 1990's in UsefulNotes/{{Japan}}. It was also remade in 2004 and given a live-action adaptation in 2005. Recently, ''Tetsujin-28 Gao'' was produced by the same company that created and animated the first Gigantor series and was aired by 2013.

* {{Expy}}: Shotaro's stepbrother (Shoutarou) in the 2007 movie is based on most characters that resembled him from Yokoyama works, notably Tendou the Berserker

* DownerEnding: In 2004 series [[spoiler: Tetsujin got smelted along with the Black Ox clones ]]

On a more unsavory note, protagonist Shotaro Kaneda is the {{Trope Namer|s}} of [[{{Lolicon}} Shotacon]] (aka Shotaro Complex), playing off the pre-existing term Lolicon (or, Lolita Complex).

[[ImmuneToBullets The flying bullets go]]\\

[[StuffBlowingUp And everything explodes]]\\

* AdorablyPrecociousChild: Shotaro is an excellent example.

* Expy: Shotaro's stepbrother (Shoutarou) in the 2007 movie is based on most characters that resembled him from Yokoyama works, notably Tendou the Berserker

** This also happened in ''FX'' wherein one of Masato's (female) friends showed her underwear, depicting a blue hued original Tetsujin in the back part, to the 2 men.

* NuclearWeaponsTaboo: In the 2005 series there's the Sun Bomb, powered by an element (Bagume) that can only be kept stable in water, no less.

In late 2009, the city of Kobe in Japan completed a statue of the robot. It is ''full size,'' 60 feet tall and weighing in at more than 50 tons. [[http://tinyurl.com/zoynwhq Just looking at it]] shows how impressive a real-life Humongous Mecha would be.

* BigBad: [[spoiler: Uchuumaou (Moldark)]] in the '80s series.

* YouKilledMyFather: In the 1980's series where Shotaro's father was killed by Branch (Dr. Murkybottom). This trope was only applied in the 24th episode wherein Shotaro seeks revenge on Branch but [[spoiler: Branch was later abducted by aliens which were actually Uchuumaou's minions.]]

** Anime classic ''Manga/{{Akira}}'' makes a ShoutOut to ''Gigantor'' with some character names: Shotaro Kaneda and Shikishima. Katsuhiro Otomo was a fan of the series though.

* UrExample: Gigantor created the SuperRobot, which Creator/GoNagai's series would expand upon.
* YouKilledMyFather: In the 1980 series where Shotaro's father was killed by Branch (Dr. Murkybottom). This trope was only applied in the 24th episode wherein Shotaro seeks revenge on Branch but [[spoiler: Branch was later abducted by aliens which were actually Uchuumaou's minions.]]

* DudeLooksLikeaLady: In the 21st episode of the '80s series, the woman in a fancy Chinese suit (the culprit of abducting and [[{{Brainwashed}} brainwashing]] children, including Makie)[[spoiler: turned out to be a man when the mask was removed.]]

On a more unsavory note, protagonist Shotaro Kaneda is the {{Trope Namer|s}} of {{Shotacon}} (aka Shotaro Complex), playing off the pre-existing term Lolicon (or, Lolita Complex).

Tetsujin-28 also has the distinction of being the first HumongousMecha anime in history, predating ''Anime/MazingerZ'' by a solid 10 years, [[UrExample making it the grandpappy of all the mecha series you see today.]]

In late 2009, the city of Kobe in Japan completed a statue of the robot. It is ''full size,'' 60 feet tall and weighing in at more than 50 tons. [[http://tinyurl.com/zoynwhq Just looking at it]] shows how impressive a real-life HumongousMecha would be.

On a more unsavory note, protagonist Shotaro Kaneda is the TropeNamer of {{Shotacon}} (aka Shotaro Complex), playing off the pre-existing term Lolicon (or, Lolita Complex).

** ''Gao'' has some amount of color haired characters. (e.g. Prof. Shikishima in purple-hued hair)

** The 47th Episode has Shotaro becoming a (temporary) mindless "test pilot" of Tetsujin as part of the Canadian criminal's (Dorombo's) plot to sell Tetsujin.

** Shown briefly in the 1980s series (particularly Makie's/Bonnie's).
** This also happened in FX wherein one of Masato's (female) friends showed her underwear, depicting a blue-hued original Tetsujin in the back part, to the 2 men.
* ProductPlacement: In the original Japanese version, there's a sponsor spot (just before the opening proper) for the Japanese candy company Glico (makers of Pocky). It goes "GURIKO! GURIKO! [[PunctuatedForEmphasis GU! RI! KO!]]" ("guriko" being the Japanese pronounciation.)

** The manga and the 2004 version of the series has some amounts of World War II reference. One of these example is the Tetsujin project, which is initiated by Dr. Kaneda,being based on German rocket missles initiated by Werner von Braun.
** Anime classic ''Manga/{{Akira}}'' makes a ShoutOut to ''Gigantor'' with some character names: Shotaro Kaneda and Shikishima. Otomo Katsuhiro was a fan of the series though.

* SubmarinePirates: The 15th episode of the 1980 series, ''The New Adventures of Gigantor'' ("The Pirate Submarine").
* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: In the ''Gigantor'' dub. The original version was set around the end of World War II (or about a decade after it in the 2004 anime). Eventually inverted by the aforementioned 2004 series, which not only is truer to the original Japanese version (including retaining the characters' original Japanese names), it was even released under the original name of ''Tetsujin 28'' in North America.

** This is rarely shown in 1980s series (notably, teal-haired Gura/Coldark) and FX (notably, purple-haired Franken).

In late 2009, the city of Kobe in Japan completed a statue of the robot. It is ''full size,'' 60 feet tall and weighing in at more than 50 tons. [[http://www.crunchgear.com/2009/10/06/japan-finally-completes-its-gigantic-gigantor-statue-video/ Just looking at it]] shows how impressive a real-life HumongousMecha would be.

* BigBad: [[spoiler: Uchuumaou (Moldark)]] in the 80s Series.
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Happened TWICE in the 80s Series.
** 21st episode has children becoming mindless child soldiers (cue the helmet they worn is a brainwashing device) of a fancy-dressed lady [[spoiler: or rather a man dressed in that costume.]] Unfortunately, Makie was among them.
** 47th Episode has Shotaro becoming a (temporary) mindless "test pilot" of Tetsujin as part of the Canadian criminal's (Dorombo's) plot to sell Tetsujin.
* DudeLooksLikeaLady: In the 21st episode of the 80s series, the woman in a fancy Chinese suit (the curlpit of abducting and [[{{Brainwashed}} brainwashing]] children, including Makie)[[spoiler: turned out to be a man when the mask was removed.]]

[[caption-width-right:283:''Bigger than big! Taller than tall! Quicker than quick! Stronger than strong! Ready to fight for right! Against wrong!'']]

-->--'''Rough translation of the Japanese version's BraggingThemeTune'''

''Gigantor'' -- Tetsujin Nijuhachi-go, or "Iron Man #28" in the original Japanese -- is a HumongousMecha controlled by a young boy, Jimmy Sparks (Shotaro Kaneda). They live on a remote island with Jimmy's uncle, a scientist, and [[TheyFightCrime fight crime]]. Originally set just after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, the English dub portrayed the show as being set in the then-future year of 2000. Based on the original manga by Mitsuteru Yokoyama, it is one of the first popular anime to air in America, both the original form, produced by Eiken Studios (formerly called TCJ), and in the revamped ''New Adventures of Gigantor'' originally produced in 1980 by Creator/TMSEntertainment, and aired internationally in the late 80s/early 90s. The sequel, Tetsujin 28 FX was produced by the same production that created New Gigantor and was aired in 1990s in Japan. It was also remade in 2004 and given a live-action adaptation in 2005. Recently, Tetsujin 28 Gao was produced by the same company that created and animated the first Gigantor series and was aired by 2013.

Tetsujin-28 also has the distinction of being the first HumongousMecha anime in history, predating ''Anime/MazingerZ'' by a solid 10 years, [[UrExample making it the grandpappy of all the mecha series you see today]].

!!Tropes:

* BigBad: [[spoiler: Uchuumaou (Moldark)]] in the 80s Series
* BrainwashedAndCrazy: Happened TWICE in the 80s Series
** 21st episode has children becoming mindless child soldiers (cue the helmet they worn is a brainwashing device) of a fancy-dressed lady [[spoiler:or rather a man dressed in that costume]]. Unfortunately, Makie was among them.
** 47th Episode has Shotaro becoming a (temporary) mindless "test pilot" of Tetsujin as part of the Canadian criminal's (Dorombo's) plot to sell Tetsujin.
* DudeLooksLikeaLady: In the 21st episode of the 80s series, the woman in a fancy Chinese suit (the curlpit of abducting and [[{{Brainwashed}} brainwashing]] children, including Makie)[[spoiler: turned out to be a man when the mask was removed]].

* HumongousMecha: TropeMaker

* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: in the ''Gigantor'' dub. The original version was set around the end of World War II (or about a decade after it in the 2004 anime). Eventually inverted by the aforementioned 2004 series, which not only is truer to the original Japanese version (including retaining the characters' original Japanese names), it was even released under the original name of ''Tetsujin 28'' in North America.

* YouKilledMyFather: In the 1980 series where Shotaro's father was killed by Branch (Dr. Murkybottom). This trope was only applied in the 24th episode wherein Shotaro seeks revenge on Branch but [[spoiler: Branch was later abducted by aliens which were actually Uchuumaou's minions]]

** ''Gao'' has some amount of color-haired characters. (e.g. Prof. Shikishima in purple-hued hair)

* DudeLooksLikeaLady: In the 21st episode of the 80s series, the woman in a fancy Chinese suit (the curlpit of abducting and [[{{Brainwashed}} brainwashing]] children, including Makie)[[ spoiler: turned out to be a man when the mask was removed]].

* DudeLooksLikeaLady: In the 21st episode of the 80s series, the woman in a fancy Chinese suit (the curlpit of abducting and [[Brainwashed brainwashing]] children, including Makie)[[ spoiler: turned out to be a man when the mask was removed]].

* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: in the ''Gigantor'' dub. The original version was set around the end of World War II (or about a decade after it in the 2004 anime), also making it the earliest (if not the first) example of a {{Macekre}}. Eventually inverted by the aforementioned 2004 series, which not only is truer to the original Japanese version (including retaining the characters' original Japanese names), it was even released under the original name of ''Tetsujin 28'' in North America.

Tetsujin-28 also has the distinction of being the first HumongousMecha anime in history, predating MazingerZ by a solid 10 years, [[UrExample making it the grandpappy of all the mecha series you see today]].