Dancouga: Super Beast Machine God (超獣機神ダンクーガ, Chōjū Kishin Dankūga) is a Super Robot anime television series produced by Ashi Productions, directed by Seiji Okuda and written by Keisuke Fujikawa. It ran on TBS for 38 episodes from 5 April 1985 to 27 December 1985. The TV anime was licensed by Central Park Media under their Software Sculptors label in 1995, and was released on subtitled VHS. The series's license was later picked up by Discotek Media. After the series ended, four original video animations were released between 1986 and 1990. A sequel series, Dancouga Nova – Super God Beast Armor, aired in Japan in 2007.
The series marks the debut of animator and artist Masami Ōbari, who would later become one of the most prolific mecha designers in the anime industry.
Contents
Plot
Four soldiers (Shinobu Fujiwara, Sara Yuki, Masato Shikibu and Ryo Shiba) pilot the mecha Dancouga and fight to liberate portions of Earth from alien invaders known as the Muge Zorbados Empire. Dancouga is an example of the combining type of Super Robot. Unlike the traditional "component machines struggle against the monster of the week before combining and easily dispatching the monster" format, Dancouga does not combine until midway through the series and the Cyber Beast Machines were capable of effectively fighting their enemies. The mecha began as four vehicles which could transform into animals (an eagle, cougar, tiger and mammoth, respectively) and humanoid robots before combining to form Dancouga.
Many of the Dancouga story elements revolve around religion (primarily Christianity, although the series also borrows from Taoist philosophy) and music. The theme of gods is present in most episodes.
Characters
Shinobu Fujiwara (藤原 忍, Fujiwara Shinobu) (Voiced by: Kazuki Yao): Born in Australia to a Japanese father and an Australian mother, Shinobu was a cadet of the Australian Space Military Academy before the invasion of the Muge Empire forces. After the school closed he was transferred to the Far East's special armoured unit, the Bestial Fighter Troop or Cyber Beast Force (Jyusenki Tai). Straightforward and a talented pilot, his hobby is hang gliding.
Sara Yuki (結城 沙羅, Yūki Sara) (Voiced by: Yuriko Yamamoto): From the Izu Peninsula, red-haired Sara Yuki was assigned to the Far East Armoured Unit a few days later than Shinobu. Balanced, civil and nurturing of children, Sara enjoys swimming and music.
Masato Shikibu (式部 雅人, Shikibu Masato) (Voiced by: Shigeru Nakahara): Born in Iwate Prefecture to the head of an arms-manufacturing plant, Masato entered the military academy as a sixth-team trainee. He is the youngest member of the Jyusenki Tai, often providing comic relief. Masato is close friends with Laura Sullivan.
Ryo Shiba (司馬 亮, Shiba Ryō) (Voiced by: Kaneto Shiozawa): After graduating from the military academy, Ryo practiced his kenpō. When the Jyusenki Tai was formed, General Ross Igor asked him to join the force. An orphan, Ryo is calm, sensible and spiritual.
Shapiro Keats (シャピロ・キーツ, Shapiro Kītsu) (Voiced by: Norio Wakamoto): Shapiro was a former commander of the Australian Military Academy before defecting to the Muge Zorbados Imperial forces, where he quickly rose through the ranks to commander after being tortured. Stubborn, intelligent and manipulative, Shapiro has delusions of godhood. Sara shoots him in the back as he celebrates an early victory, killing him.
Laura Sullivan (ローラ・サリバン, Rōra Sariban) (Voiced by: Rie Fujiwara (series), Hiroko Kasahara (God Bless)): Laura is an American from Sacramento, California whose mother was killed in an attack by the Muge forces. Found by Sara, she is adopted by Professor Hazuki. Kind, quiet and shy, Laura is close to Masato and her dog Becky.
Ross Igor (ロス・イゴール, Rosu Igōru) (Voiced by: Masaru Ikeda): From Russia, Ross Igor is the commander of the Jyusenki Tai and father of Black Knight Alan Igor (from whom he is estranged). Apparently different strategists, General Igor's plan was roughly the same as Alan's. He dies in episode 29, "General Attack Pt II", trying to save Laura's life; it is later learned that Laura is the daughter of Alan Igor and the granddaughter of Ross.
Mecha
Each machine used to form Dancouga is capable of changing to vehicle, animal and humanoid forms. When a mecha is in open mode, a barrier appears which makes it impenetrable to enemy fire. Triggering this mode utilizes the Aggressive System, which activates automatically when the pilot reaches a certain level of anger.
Eagle Fighter (イーグルファイター Īguru Faitā): Piloted by Shinobu Fujiwara and modified by Professor Hazuki from Shinobu's fighter, a standard model used at the Australian space military base. Quick and nimble, the Eagle Fighter forms Dancouga's head.
Land Cougar (ランドクーガー Rando Kūgā): Special tank designed for, and piloted by, Sara Yuki. In cougar mode, the mecha can leap long distances. The Land Cougar forms Dancougar's left foot.
Land Liger (ランドライガー Rando Raigā): Piloted by Masato Shikibu, it is similar in operation to Land Cougar but armed differently. In liger mode, the mecha can leap like Land Cougar. The Land Liger forms Dancouga's right foot.
Big Moth (ビッグモス Biggu Mosu): Piloted by Ryo Shiba, its name is an abbreviation of "big" and "mammoth". The largest of all Jyusenki, a heavily armed tank which can transform into a mammoth. It forms Dancouga's body.
Dancouga (ダンクーガ, Dankūga): The combined form of the first four Jyusenki Tai vehicles derives its power from the spiritual energy of all its pilots, making it greater than the sum of its parts. With a sweep of its arm, it can destroy waves of attackers. Dancouga's primary weapons are the Dankuken, a sword in its right leg, and the Daigan (a beam cannon formed from the handheld weapons of its component machines).
Black Wing (ブラックウイング Burakku Uingu): Developed and piloted by Ross Igor's son, Alan, like the Jyusenki Tai mecha the Black Wing is transformable and has fighter and humanoid modes. Since the mecha was not developed by Professor Hazuki, it lacks the Aggressive System. It is slightly longer than the Eagle.
Gundor (ガンドール Gandōru): A large, gray spacecraft built and commanded by Professor Hazuki, Gundor can fire a powerful energy cannon from its "mouth" (Gundor Hō 「ガンドール砲」). It transforms into a huge winged dragon, and is the new base of operations for the Jyusenki Tai after their original operations center is destroyed.