Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Mazinger Z: TV Series Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

Mazinger Z Collection 1 brings the mecha action fans are looking for. Created by Go Nagai (Cutie Honey, Devilman), Mazinger Z features animation produced by Toei Animation (Digimon Adventure, Dragon Ball Z). Broadcast on the Fuji Television Network and Toei Channel, Mazinger Z Collection 1 features theme music composed by Michiaki Watanabe. Mazinger Z features voice performances by Hiroya Ishimaru and Kousei Tomita. Fans of classic mecha anime series with hand-drawn animation will be especially interested in seeing this classic anime by Go Nagai.

Kōji Kabuto (Hiroya Ishimaru) loses his beloved grandfather and becomes an orphan when Dr. Kabuto is assassinated by someone sent to kill him by the evil Dr. Hell (Kousei Tomita). The loss of his grandfather causes Kōji and his younger sibling, Shiro, to be left all alone. Revenge goes straight to the top of the list of possible remedies.

Kōji decides to seek true revenge for the loss of his grandfather with the help of the giant robot Mazinger Z. The giant robot was one of the greatest inventions of Dr. Kabuto, his lost grandfather. With the help of Dr. Yumi, Sayaka, and Aphrodite A., Mazinger Z takes on the villains to defeat the menaces of the times. Can Mazinger Z help Kōji seek revenge and find true peace? As the tale unfolds, even bigger threats await and danger is around the corner. The fate of the entire universe could be at stake. The heroism of Mazinger Z is just what was needed.

There is something wonderfully special about classic mecha series. Mecha anime is sometimes one of the most difficult genres in anime. Despite the mecha genre sometimes being a bit difficult and not quite as simplistic as some other genres, the mecha aspect allows for one to explore difficult and complex themes about war and the role it plays in society. The mecha designs by Go Nagai (an important figure in classic anime) are exquisite and add a lot of charm to the series.

The character designs Keisuke Morishita (Great Mazinger, Manga Mito Kōmon), Yukiyoshi Hane (Uchu Kubo Blue Noah, The Laws of the Sun) are impressive and certainly are well-suited for the characters. The cast have impressive and memorable designs and the animation team does a good job bringing these characters to the screen.

The animation is full of old-school charm. The classic animation style is easy to enjoy and there is a lot to be said about the value of vintage anime. There is something unmistakably profound about classic hand drawn animation and what it brings to the table. The classics do a great job of highlighting the artistry animators conveyed. Without talented animators working on said classics, these gems would be lost. Instead, new fans continue to discover these works and appreciate them for their special qualities.

The score by Akira Ifukube (Shin Godzilla, Godzilla Minus One), Michiaki Watanabe (Getter Robo Go, Great Mazinger) is fantastic fun. Ifukube and Watanabe do a great job with the themes and the big action beats of the score. The mecha series necessitates a fun and compelling musical style and the score certainly helps to provide a sense of intensity and cohesion to the production that would be lacking otherwise.

Written by Keisuke Fujikawa (Galaxy Express 999, UFO Robo Grendizer) and Susumu Takaku (Cutie Honey, Voltron), Mazinger Z Collection 1 brings the action-packed goods. The writing for Mazinger Z is fun with exciting energy that captivates and brings something special to the table. Fujikawa and Takaku handle the energy and the action is explosive fun. The laid-back style of writing adds charm to the series too.

Directed by Yūgo Serikawa (Cyborg 009, Three-Eyed One: The Prince of Devil Island), Mazinger Z is great fun. Serikawa brings the classic anime vibes that Japanese anime fans appreciate. Mazinger Z is exactly the kind of antidote mecha fans who appreciate classic Japanese animation have come to appreciate and cherish. There is no mistaking the fun factor and what Mazinger Z brings to the table.

Mazinger Z: TV Series Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray by Discotek Media, Mazinger Z Collection 1 is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original television broadcast aspect ratio of 1.33:1 full-frame. The stunning high-definition presentation is one of the best elements of the release. The film-based presentation looks excellent and the clarity and detail present is fantastic. There is a great sense of fine detail present in the image. This is one of the qualities one can most appreciate with classic hand drawn animation and it is well conveyed with the encoding by Discotek.

The line art and background animation make a strong impression and is enormously satisfying. There are some occasional specks on the print and slight imperfections but these aspects add to the charm of the presentation and do not take away from the quality encoding. Blu-ray also remains the best way to experience something if one wants the absolute best presentation quality available – showcasing how physical media remains vastly superior to streaming platforms. Streaming video services provide video quality with lower video bit-rates and more compression compared to physical media (which provides a much better and more enjoyable experience).

Mazinger Z: TV Series Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release is presented in Japanese uncompressed PCM 2.0 (with English subtitles). The audio quality on the release is worthwhile and pleasing. Dialogue is clear and well reproduced. The sound effects certainly impress, too. There is plenty to enjoy about the presentation and what it brings to the table. The audio design is well reproduced.

The Blu-ray release provides exceptional lossless audio encoding – one of the highlights of the physical media format and one of the reasons physical media remains so essential in an era of digital streaming (which provides lower bit-rates and only lossy – non-lossless – audio by comparison to the physical media format). For enthusiasts seeking the best possible option, eeking out the best available, Blu-ray reigns supreme.

Mazinger Z: TV Series Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The release includes a nicely designed o-card slipcover. The artwork on the slipcover is the same as the artwork featured on the sleeve art underneath the slipcover. Even so, Discotek Media made a nice quality slipcover and it adds a nice element of collectability to the release that enhances the fun. Enthusiasts will love the design and it will look outstanding on the shelf.

On disc supplements include:

Clean Opening (HD, 1:02)

Clean Ending #1 (HD, 1:11)

Toy Commercials (SD, 2:16) advertising toys produced for the mecha anime series.

The release does have a few nice extras. However, Discotek Media could have done a bit better in the supplemental department. The extras were not as impressive as they could have been and there are certainly ways in which the extras package could have been more well-rounded overall.

The set could have included some audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and art galleries. Art galleries would have made an impression most-of-all and this type of feature is something to usually look forward to on Discotek release. Otherwise, the package is well-rounded and fans will be pleased with other areas of the package.

Mazinger Z: TV Series Vol. 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mazinger Z Collection 1 delivers action-packed mecha fun for fans of old-school classic anime. Fans of vintage gems will find plenty to appreciate in this fan-favorite classic by creator Go Nagai (Devilman, Cutie Honey). The series has a fun sense of charm and the characters make the series all the more entertaining. The action and spectacle bring the goods to the table – and plenty of beautiful art (providing an abundance of nostalgia one can swim in).

The Blu-ray release provides impressive high-definition video and quality lossless audio encoding. The set also includes a handful of supplemental features. The set also provides a nice collectable slipcover. Anime fans who cherish classic mecha will want to consider adding this gem to their collection. There is always something special about a well-done old-school anime series and Mazinger Z delivers exactly what fans of the genre are looking for. Highly recommended.