History Anime / SpaceRunawayIdeon

''Space Runaway Ideon'' (a.k.a. 伝説巨神イデオン, Densetsu Kyojin Ideon, lit. Legendary Giant God Ideon, also The Ideon) is a 1980 SuperRobotGenre, MechaShow anime. It was the project that Creator/YoshiyukiTomino worked on directly after ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''. As with its sister series it had its run cut short, it was planned for 43 episodes but got pulled after 39. The last 4 episodes were made into the movie ''Be Invoked''. Due to its angsty and bizarre ending, it is often cited as close inspiration for ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' (Creator/HideakiAnno himself describes ''Evangelion'' as ''Ideon'' meets ''Manga/{{Devilman}}''). Heck, it's probably best known today as the absolute heavyweight champion of the KillEmAll trope.

The full story goes as follows: A group of Terran colonists on a remote planet find a CoolStarship and three bulky starfighters that [[CombiningMecha combine]] into a {{Super Robot|Genre}}. The ship and the robot contain the so-called Ide, a source of infinite energy, which a militaristic [[HumanAliens alien-but-actually-human]] civilization of Buff Clan is after. This results in a rather monotonous [[MonsterOfTheWeek Strategy Of The Week]] as Buff Clan (unsuccessfully) employs increasingly more devastating technologies and renowned military commanders to bring down the Solo ship and get their hands on Ideon. Along the way, [[AnyoneCanDie many folks die]] and the Solo ship screws up their relationships with other Terran colonies and the Earth itself, all of whom now want Ide for themselves. Towards the end of the series, [[BolivianArmyEnding every known army in the universe gangs up against the Solo crew]]. It also becomes apparent that Ideon has a will of its own and that it is displeased with the humans' wars and infighting. Enough so to completely wipe all of them out. That's where the series abruptly cuts. In TheMovie, Buff Clan stages the final assault on the Solo ship and Ideon, this time with a planet-destroying WaveMotionGun. [[GoneHorriblyRight And succeeds.]] Ideon explodes and destroys what's left of Buff Clan army--but before that, it generates a swarm of meteors that [[EarthShatteringKaboom wipe out all life]] on both Earth ''and'' the Buff Clan homeworld (destruction of other Terran colonies is strongly implied). Cue the {{Mind Screw}}ing scene with the characters' spirits being somehow [[AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence reborn on a higher plane of existence]].

The series features rather formulaic combat engagements. These usually follow the pattern of Buff Clan (later, Earth, too) presenting their newest strategy/technology/commander, engaging Ideon (which may or may not be in combined form at the time), and getting their asses handed to them in every single episode. The grand scale of the battles commonly seen in various Franchise/{{Gundam}}s is unattainable with a single robot and a CoolStarship, so don't look for it here. Another notable feature is the shameless PlotArmor of major antagonists, as it is not uncommon to see them escape with ease while Ideon takes out their RedshirtArmy. To be fair, however, the show isn't bad, just a little monotonous. ''Be Invoked'', on the other hand, is a must for every anime fan out there. Otherwise, you miss out big time on how KillEmAll was done back in the days...

* Sanity Slippage: [[spoiler: Sheryl in ''Be Invoked'', after losing both his sister Lin and his lover Gije in the previous episodes.]]

* SpiritualSuccessor: Many people say that this show is the "spiritual predecessor" to ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion''. It uses many of the same themes and even has a kill-'em-all ending like ''Evangelion''.

* '''KillEmAll''': By the man himself.

* ApocalypseHow: In ''Be Invoked'' we see the energy from the Ideon's destruction spread out and engulf the remaining planets in the system. And then it just keeps getting larger... and larger...

%% * ALongTimeAgoInAGalaxyFarFarAway

* CreatorBreakdown: The whole how is based on Tomino's mood...

** [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/a_mecha.html Sol-Amber/Ideo-Delta]] making up the arms and [[LeaderFormsTheHead head]].
** [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/b_mecha.html Sol-Vainer/Ideo-Nova]] making up the torso.
** [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/c_mecha.html Sol-Conver/Ideo-Buster]] making up the waist and legs.

** [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/c_mecha.html Sol-Conver/Ideo-Buster]] making up the feet and legs.

** [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/a_mecha.html Sol-Amber/Ideo-Delta]] making up the arms and [[LeaderFormsTheHead head]]
** [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/b_mecha.html Sol-Vainer/Ideo-Nova]] making up the torso

* {{Transforming Vehicle}}s: The three component vehicles that could [[CombiningMecha combine]] to form Ideon can also switch between "Sol" land vehicles and "Ideo" aerial vehicles.

* CombiningMecha: The eponymous Ideon itself is made out of three [[TransformingVehicle transforming component vehicles]], including [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/a_mecha.html Sol-Amber/Ideo-Delta]] making up the arms and [[LeaderFormsTheHead head]], [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/b_mecha.html Sol-Vainer/Ideo-Nova]] making up the torso, and [[http://www.counter-x.net/ideon/technology/sixth_civilisation/c_mecha.html Sol-Conver/Ideo-Buster]] making up the feet and legs.

* CombiningMecha

* {{TransformingVehicle}}s: The three component vehicles that could [[CombiningMecha combine]] to form Ideon can also switch between "Sol" land vehicles and "Ideo" aerial vehicles.

* TransformingVehicles: The three component vehicles that could [[CombiningMecha combine]] to form Ideon can also switch between "Sol" land vehicles and "Ideo" aerial vehicles.

* FantasticRacism: Kasha and Sheryl have a lot of racism because of Karala Ajiba enter in the crew of ship, but Sheryl after [[MyGreatestFailure some events]] accept her in the crew, but Kasha hate anyone from Buff Clan.

* ReadingsAreOffTheScale: At one point, the crew uses the most advanced computer humanity has ever created in order to analyze the Ide. It'd be safe to say that [[spoiler: infinity]] would be considered WAY off the scale.))
* {{Revenge}} (Lotta tries to shoot Karala once because of this.

* XMeetsY: ''Anime/MazingerZ'' meets ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam'' meets ''Manga/{{Devilman}}'' (or alternatively, CosmicHorrorStory).

''Space Runaway Ideon'' (a.k.a. 伝説巨神イデオン, Densetsu Kyojin Ideon, lit. Legendary Giant God Ideon, also The Ideon) is a 1980 SuperRobotGenre, MechaShow anime. It was the project that YoshiyukiTomino worked on directly after ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''. As with its sister series it had its run cut short, it was planned for 43 episodes but got pulled after 39. The last 4 episodes were made into the movie ''Be Invoked''. Due to its angsty and bizarre ending, it is often cited as close inspiration for ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' (Creator/HideakiAnno himself describes ''Evangelion'' as ''Ideon'' meets ''Manga/{{Devilman}}''). Heck, it's probably best known today as the absolute heavyweight champion of the KillEmAll trope.

YoshiyukiTomino apparently wants to make a remake of it. [[http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2011-03-18/shinbo-tomino-want-to-do-new-madoka-magica-ideon Complete with the death scenes.]]

''Space Runaway Ideon'' (a.k.a. 伝説巨神イデオン, Densetsu Kyojin Ideon, lit. Legendary Giant God Ideon, also The Ideon) is a 1980 SuperRobotGenre, MechaShow anime. It was the project that YoshiyukiTomino worked on directly after ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''. As with its sister series it had its run cut short, it was planned for 43 episodes but got pulled after 39. The last 4 episodes were made into the movie ''Be Invoked''. Due to its angsty and bizarre ending, it is often cited as close inspiration for ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'' (Hideaki Anno himself describes ''Evangelion'' as ''Ideon'' meets ''Manga/{{Devilman}}''). Heck, it's probably best known today as the absolute heavyweight champion of the KillEmAll trope.

* HappyEnding: Yes, everyone's dead, but ...there's an afterlife! And the children are singing! And dead lovers are re-united! And everyone finally learns to shed hatred and violence and exist together! It's actually very uplifting (the biggest clue of of all is in the triumphant closing music).

* TroubledChild: Fard. Like most of the other kids, [[spoiler: he lost his parents when the Buff Clan attacked the colony on Solo]]. Spends most of his time, moping, cries easily, is an {{ExtremeDoormat}} and carries [[SecurityBlanket a rag doll]] with him for most of the series.

* SpoilerOpening: The theme song basically foreshadows everything in the entire series. Yes, including the parts about [[spoiler: the galaxy being ripped apart, the time of resurrection and the birth of a new world]]. All this despite being [[VocalDissonance cheery and catchy as hell]].

* WaveMotionGun: The Ideon Gun, despite also being known as the Wave Leader Gun, is actually an [[NonIndicaticeName aversion/subversion]] to the trope, as it doesn't fire the standard beam found within Wave Motion Guns. Rather, it fires '''miniature black holes'''.

* MusicalSpoiler: The theme song basically foreshadows everything in the entire series. Yes, including the parts about [[spoiler: the galaxy being ripped apart, the time of resurrection and the birth of a new world]].

* AfroAsskicker: Cosmo Yuki.

* MacrossMissileMassacre: The Ideon's chief weapon, and decidedly the UrExample.

* WaveMotionGun: Wave Leader Gun, also called the Ideon Gun.

** The Ideon Gun itself can be a form of aversion/subversion to the trope, as it doesn't fire the standard beam found within Wave Motion Guns. Rather, it fire what appears to be a tornado with lightning in it.

* PapaWolf: The Ideon itself. NewPowersAsThePlotDemands are activated by children being in danger. Some of the DangerouslyGenreSavvy characters even try to deliberately utilize this.