Oct 28, 2023 23:13:00

'Grendizer U' special talk show in Machi★Asobi Vol.27 where the world-famous robot anime is remade with gorgeous staff after more than half a century

`` Grendizer U,'' a remake of the TV anime `

`UFO Robo Grendizer '' based on Go Nagai's original work that aired from 1975 to 1977, will air in 2024, approximately 50 years later. On the first day of the first run of Machi★Asobi Vol.27 on October 28, 2023 (Saturday), a 'Grendizer U' special talk show was held at Shinmachibashi Higashi Park Stage, so I went to see it.

Machi★Asobi
https://www.machiasobi.com/

Grendizer U 2024 ON AIR
https://grendizer-official.net/

At the venue, a teaser PV was shown before the talk show. The PV can be viewed below.

TV anime “Grendizer U” teaser PV/Broadcast starts in 2024! - YouTube


The panelists for this talk show are producer Yutaka Kashiwagi, series composition and scriptwriter Ichiro Okochi, promotional ambassador Yuriko Tiger, and promotional producer Kazuki Okawada.

Ms. Kashiwagi previously worked as a producer for the female idol group

AoP , and apparently once watched AoP dance on this Shinmachibashi Higashi Park stage. Ichiro Okochi has previously won the screenplay award for `` Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress '' at the New Type Anime Awards 2015-2016 , and has participated in Machi★Asobi.

Yuriko Tiger, the promotional ambassador, is a cosplayer from Italy. According to Kashiwagi, ``UFO Robo Grendizer'' is popular in Italy and France as a national anime like ``Sazae-san'' and ``Doraemon'' in Japan.

Yuriko's father was also a big fan of Grendizer, and photos of his father's Grendizer goods were also introduced at the venue.

In Italy, it was treated as big news on a level that Japanese people couldn't even imagine, with a morning news program saying, ``That 'UFO Robo Grendizer' is making a comeback!'' A 33.7m-long Grendizer statue was also created in Saudi Arabia, and it became a hot topic when it was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the 'world's largest metal sculpture of a fictional character.' ``Grendizer U'' is a title that is attracting attention not only from Japan but from all over the world.

The talk was about the staff of 'Grendizer U'.

The general director of 'Grendizer U' is

Mizuo Fukuda , known for 'GEAR Senshi Dendou,' 'Mobile Suit Gundam SEED,' and 'Neon Genesis GPX Cyber Formula,' and the character design is from 'Neon Genesis Evangelion' and 'The Secret of the Sea.' Yoshiyuki Sadamoto , known for works such as 'Nadia' and 'FLCL,' will be in charge of the music, and Kohei Tanaka, known for works such as 'Aim for the Top!,' 'Sakura Wars,' 'Mobile Fighter G Gundam,' and 'The King of Braves Gaogaigar,' will be in charge of the music. Mr. Okochi was chosen to compose the series and write the script after Mr. Fukuda and Mr. Sadamoto were selected as staff members. After that, it was decided that Mr. Tanaka would be participating, and he realized just how amazing 'Grendizer U' is.

Mr. Okochi also said that Mr. Sadamoto gave him an essence that made him think ``cool.'' According to Mr. Kashiwagi, Mr. Sadamoto would sometimes suddenly draw a picture of a motorcycle or mecha during a meeting, and Mr. Sadamoto's taste is fully reflected in the visuals of 'Grendizer U.'

In addition, the general director, Mr. Fukuda, was a die-hard Grendizer fan who had a single-digit membership number in the ``UFO Robot Grendizer'' fan club. According to Mr. Okawada, Mr. Fukuda even said in a magazine interview, ``If you don't think of yourself as a Grendizer, you're wrong.'' ``Grendizer U'' can be said to be a work filled with Mr. Fukuda and Mr. Sadamoto's love for Grendizer.

In addition, the design of 'Grendizer U' is not designed directly from 2D drawings, but is first modeled as a three-dimensional object and then designed to avoid failure. You can also expect a lot from Dizer's modeling.

Finally, a rock-paper-scissors competition was held at the venue with colored paper signed by Yuriko, and the talk show ended in a peaceful atmosphere.