GIANT ROBO THE ANIMATION - The Day the Earth Stood Still Episode. 6 Sin and Punishment All For the Sake of Big Fire GIANT ROBO OFFICIAL ART Shoukatsu Ryou Koumei[1] ------------------------ Possessing an intellect even greater than the Magnificent Ten, he is the B.F. Organization's strategist. As the one and only person possessing the will of Big Fire, he has even assumed control of the three guardians that would originally obey no orders beyond those of Big Fire himself. Of course, he's scheming and highly resourceful, and he is the one who laid the foundation for almost all of the plans the B.F. Organization undertakes. He has been known to circumvent even the Magnificent Ten on times, and it seems that he is alienated from them, but nothing ever damages his invincible smile, and it seems as though the entire world is resting in the palm of his hand. What is the true intent of his "Earth Cessation Operation"?! In the next episode, the answer to that will finally become clear! (Shou Kikou) Kaei and (Shin Sanzan) Koushin ------------------------------------------- Experts of the International Police Organization powerful enough to rival Taisou. Of the two, Shou Kikou prefers action, and is the type whose low-brow portion very much matches the concept of "motion", whereas Koushin is icily silent and gives the impression of preferring ingenious "plans". However, while their personalities are diametrically opposite, they were trained by Kaimei the Bursting Fireball of the Nine Great Lords of Heaven and are bound by a deep bond of friendship. After Kaimei perished in battle, they, along with Taisou, were the three candidates to become a new member of the Nine, but an anecdote lingers that the two of them, held fast to their beliefs even unto death and declined, leaving Taisou no choice but to accept the position. Sunny the Magician[2] --------------------- Albert's daughter, whose special power is sorcery. Such power is hidden with her that is thought that she might even fill the seat on the Magnificent Ten that was vacated by Cervantes in the future. However, because she's still very young mentally, when she appears in this episode she is being sheltered at Hanzui's side. Furthermore, nothing is known about her mother. Big Fire[3] ----------- A youth still possessed of a childlike visage, he is the leader of the B.F. Organization. It is said that he possesses such incredible powers that both the Nine Great Lords of Heaven and the Magnificent Ten would be at his feet, all is shrouded in mystery, and it is said that all who have tried to unravel it have perished. He has never been casually sighted, and there are even voices who doubt his very existence, but then why has he appeared to his subordinates at the extremity of the Earth Cessation Operation? And finally, what is the meaning behind his actions?! Strange Robots (#1-3) and Big Gold ---------------------------------- Combat robots under the Magnificent Ten's control, and an animate rock controlled by Mask the Red. As shown in the opening for this episode, they have various special combat abilities. Also, because Big Gold is alive, it is capable of moving within the Anti-Shizuma Field. Guardians of Big Fire --------------------- Obeying him like shadows, two robots and a shapeshifting lifeform. The have an assortment of powers for combat on sky, sea, and land, but like their master Big Fire those powers are mostly unclear. At least, since Garuda and Neptune are capable of moving within the Anti-Shizuma Field, it is clear that their powerful energy sources are not Shizuma Drives. Survey Postcard Q&A In Gratitude for the Fans' Voices, Director Imagawa Keeps on Candidly Answering Your Questions! ------------------------------------------------------------ - Who Does Director Imagawa Look Like(?) Series Installment 3! In "Mobile Fighter Legend G Gundam" episode 29, "Giving Up the Contest? Nervous and Sighing over Love", Director Imagawa became a character himself, and even did the voice acting for it!! "Pardon me, okay?" Okay everyone, check it out! - Many of the characters appearing in "G.R." have nicknames (such as "Silent" Chuujou). Director Imagawa, how did you think up all those nicknames? Saitama Prefecture, T.T., male I don't have any real methodology behind how I did it, but I thought along the lines of the nicknames or aliases used for the characters appearing in "Suikouden". I tried with all my might to come up with single words that would summarize the characters, and I'll try to work on preparing things that you wouldn't expect just from knowing them. For example, the Dazzling Cervantes isn't called that just because of his powers of illusion. Clever conversation, and intense charisma, the fact that he becomes like an old friend before you know it, is why he was christened that way. A whole bunch of meanings are included in this way, so please try to imagine what the rationale behind the names is. I think this helps make the G.R. world more fun. - I want some UFO Catcher dolls of the G.R. characters. Saitama Prefecture, Sugiyama Yoshiko, female That's great, I want some too! (smiley) It'll look neat if we put a lot of Q-chans (a B.F. Organization fighter) into the game machines, and if we plop just _one_ Murasame in with them... (smiley) - I thought about the casting for the members of the B.F. Organization and the remaining members of the Magnificent Ten. How about this? Big Fire: Horiuchi Kenyuu, Kawarazaki: Tomita Kosei, Doki: Yamadera Kouichi, Fitzcarraldo: Suzuoki Hirotaka, Juujouji: Director Imagawa himself, Hanzui: Ootsuka Chikao, Koumei: Terashima Mikio, Yuuki: Ootsuka Akio, Mask the Red: Ootsuka Yoshitada, Zangetsu: Yashima Shoumei (I mean, he's Daisaku's Papa, right? And there's noone besides Yashima-san, is there?) Toukyou Prefecture, C.O., female Good job of thinking this far through, but you missed about Zangetsu. (smiley) You put together such an incredible group of talents, that even I couldn't have predicted them, so it's only to be expected that you didn't get them all right. Anyway, I think it's incredible that you thought this much up. I originally thought of appearing as one of the Magnificent Ten myself, but that would be rude to the other seiyuu, who should be called vetrans among vetrans, and if Ootsuka Chikao would have acted for me it would surely have been the granting of my wishes and would have really helped my work. For those people who were looking forward to him appearing, please accept my apologies. - First Taisou, then Youshi, and now Tetsugyuu... If this is going to keep happening, can't you please kill two or three of hte Magnificent Ten? Fukuoka Prefecture, M.I., male (I like this drawing (smiley)) - Please show us Daisaku, Dr. Kusama, and Cervantes once more. Please, make the "Birth" and "Domino Operation" come into being! By the way, when did Dr. Kusama get that scar on his left eye? Hyougo Prefecture, S.U., female I've gotten a lot of other letters asking me to make the "Birth" chapter (especially a theatrical version). I have no plans to do so right now, but I too would love to see it through some time, so please keep giving us your support that it will materialize. As for the scar on Dr. Kusama's left eye, he received it during an experiment prior to the "GR Project". I've heard a lot of people saying "Isn't Zangetsu Dr. Kusama"? This is incorrect. It _is_ someone with some connection to the International Police Organization, but at the very least it is not Dr. Kusama. - "G.R."'s coolness is just all the way thorough, isn't it? Saitama Prefecture, O.M., male Among my objectives in making "G.R.", of course I was trying to make something that would be interesting to watch, but I tried to make something that could be enjoyed even if all the important pieces of animation - the story, the pictures and motion, and voice acting - were all jumbled. To thoroughly craft each individual element, so that the overall animation would reach an even higher level, was my goal, but I think that the animation couldn't have reached an even comparable level without the help and support of the staff. But especially among them are the seiyuu, who are so good I myself can't believe it. I think they far exceeded all my expectations in making this work. So please, after you're done watching, try going back and just listening to the voices. I'm sure you'll be able to fully appreciate the magnificence at work there. - Did Dr. Fogler really make the Anti-Shizuma Drive for revenge? Also, why in episode one was Ginrei trying to protect Fogler so earnestly[4] if she knew the truth of the Tragedy? Also, isn't GR-2 nuclear powered too? If it's different, then what's up with the "GR Operation"? Mie Prefecture, T.N., male Starting with the first question, the answer to it is the point of the next episode, and please watch it and find out with your own eyes. As to the second question, at that point Ginrei was trying to forget her past and concentrate on her duties, setting aside private emotions. That takes a lot of inner strength, but she pulled it off quite marvelously. But knowing that the contents of the attache case was an Anti-Shizuma Drive, and hearing of its maker, her father's last request from her brother, her heart lapsed into confusion. So, at the time she saved Dr. Shizuma in Episode. 1 there was no confusion within her. Also, GR-1 is the only nuclear powered one. GR-2,3 have some other power source, and therein is hidden part of the truth about the "GR Project". Regarding that secret...well, please let me stop right here. (smiley) Just like revealing the end of a novel before one is finished reading it spoils the surprise, if I revealed that right now all the fun would be gone... - I LOVE ISSEI DOUJIN!! I thought he was pretty cool in Yokoyama's "Suikouden", but now I'm _really_ into it! (heart) Kanagawa Prefecture, I.Y., female I'll explain for the benefit of those not familiar with Yokoyama's "Suikouden". At one point he realizes his own incompleteness, and parts from his companions, to come back to them when his training is complete. His reappearance scene is super-cool, and because I was struck by it so much I decided to let him appear in "G.R." And if I was to talk about him from now on, I think it would have to do with the bare feet sticking out of his short monk's garb. His unmonk-like vigor, the confidence that comes from his powers, a he seems to have a buoyancy and easy-goingness. It's like those frank legs of his are the distillation of all that. Could it be that the person who sent me this letter is feeling the same sort of attraction? That's a little naughty (smiley) - Who is that we see behind Cervantes during the flashback in Episode. 5? Gunma Prefecture, K.F., female Wooooooow! I've gotten a _bunch_ of questions about this, but sadly, it's a secret. (smiley) If I ever get the chance to make the "Birth" episode, I'm sure it will become clear.[5] - Yamaguchi Kappei-san did such a great job this time around. His voice in the retrospective was _so_cute_! Kanagawa Prefecture, M.N., male I hear that! Before, there were some people who expressed the opinion that Yamaguchi-san's voice was out of place in this show, but the precise reason I chose him was because he was the only person who could pull of Daisaku's voice in Episode. 5, and in return I sought him out for the role. - Chief Chuujou's name is exactly the same as the actor's name Chuujou Shizuo. Were you aware of this? Fukushima Prefecture, N.U., female Yes, I was. In my opinion, Chuujou Shizuo is among the five best actors in Japan, and out of respect I took the liberty of using the name. So last year, when he passed on to another world, I was truly grieved... At the outset, I had only planned to use the surname and avoid using the full name in the show. Of course, not only did I not want to be rude, but it's not a good thing borrow someone's name in the first place, and when I the director was describing to the staff the images of a "dependable boss", I used his name in code when referring to the dramas he acted so beautifully. Also, I wanted Ieyumi to do be his voice actor at all costs. And then, after all that, because of my mistake not only the surname but the full name made its way onto one of the telopsas "Chuujou Shizuo: Ieyumi Iemasa". Certainly an impolite thing to have done. I can't say much except that I'm terribly sorry, and that I deeply apologize to Ieyumi-san as well, and to all those who are reading this column, please continue watching "G.R." regardless. - Director! It's alright to go around killing people! (tearful anger) I wanted Tetsugyuu-san to become the "second Taisou-san", but... "Can't happiness be obtained without sacrifice?" Aichi Prefecture, M.K., female I've received countless letters expressing the same opinion, but actually, it's hard for me too to kill off the characters I like. Truly (smiley) But when working out the story, I had no choice but to let the flowers of death bloom for him (or her) there! That's what happened. If I could go back, rather than let Youshi die I would have let her reappear along with Issei in Episode. 5. However, I thought it was impossible for me to prepare any further place for her in Episode. 4 in the main plot of the story. And for Komiya-san, who was playing her voice, her character had assumed an existence far greater than expected, and it was already past the point of portraying life or death and I had no choice but to bring that to completion. And in that interest, I prepared that kind of drama. And about the last part of the "Earth Cessation Chapter", there is a lot going on, including "things that end after becoming happy", "things that end while giving the impresison of hope in the midst of sorrow", and "things that conclude by standing up and overthrowing sorrow", as well as many other things. I won't say what shape things will take at the end, but I will endeavor not to betray the expectations of you the fans, so I ask you to please look forward to it. (Those who want their full name to appear may indicate so in the comment area of the survey card.) Chapter/Tracks -------------- Side 1 1. Avant Title 2. Main Title 3. The Assembled Magnificent Ten, The Council of Judgement 4. The Pronouncement of the Schemer, The Council of Shoukatsu Ryou Koumei 5. Dark Whisperings of Albert the Impact, Dark Clouds Try to Hide the Light 6. Daisaku, Awakened from Nightmares; The Council of his Shock 7. Daisaku, the Council of his Shock Upon Seeing Robo 8. Daisaku, the Council of his Third Shock Upon Seeing Ginrei 9. What Will Not Return, The Council of the Beautiful, Painful Memories 10. "Judgement of Heaven, Netting of Earth" Genya's Council, Fortifying His Will Against the Sadness 11. Hanzui the Demon of Confusion, Sunny the Magician, The Council of the Uncovered Truth 12. The Magnificent Ten, the Council of Dispatch for Battle 13. However, the Power of the Giant Monster Sphere: the Council of the Robot Servitors Fallen Silent 14. The Magnificent Ten, the Council of Adjournment 15. Parting over Growing Doubts, Hanzui and Zangetsu the Midday 16. Zangetsu's Obstacle, the Council of Neptune of the Three Guardians 17. The Council of Yuugi the Twilight's Change of Form 18. The Council of Kawarazaki the Agitator Taking Flight! 19. That Which Dances and Rules the Skies, The Council of Garuda of the Three Servants 20. Juujouji of the Chime of Life, Council of the Sound Which Reduces the Artificial Men to Dust 21. That Which Devours Juujouji, Council of Achiles of the Three Guardians 22. Penitance, and the Council of "All For the Sake of Big Fire" 23. Eyecatch Side 2 24. Eyecatch 25. Daisaku and Murasame, the Council of the Whereabouts of Happiness 26. Murasame the Immortal, the Council of the Display of his Powers 27. Abrupt Change of Circumstance, the Council of the Sighted Great Monster Sphere 28. The One Who Urges the Giant Monster Sphere Onward, the Council of Genya 29. Silent Chuujou, the Council of his Action! 30. Arrival! Council of Mask the Red 31. The Mightiest Fingers in the B.F. Organization! The Council of the Fabulous Fitzcarraldo 32. The Keppuu-Ren, Permitting Not the Wielder of the Seven-Segment Staff to Proceed Them, the Council of Doki the Direct Descendant 33. The Council of the Stone Animal, Whose Steps Shake the Mountainside 34. Council of the Great Decisive Battle 35. Daisaku, Council of his Dissent Towards Adults 36. However, The Council of that Fate Bringing Danger Towards Daisaku 37. Ginrei, Arrives at a Decision; The Council of her Shining Flight from the Earth 38. Subtitle 39. Ending Staff Title 40. Final Episode Preview: "The Grand Finale - The Beautiful, Illusory Night Descends" Translator's Notes ------------------ [1] This is hard. This is a character from the Romance of Three Kingdoms, the chief advisor to Ryu Bi, the popular lord opposing the powerful So So. It turns out that "Shoukatsu Ryou" is his proper name (surname first) and Koumei is a nom de guerre. [2] This is written "Sanny", but I opted for the more obviously English spelling of what is clearly a Western name. [3] It turns out that Big Fire is none other than Babel II, the super-powerful ESPer from the story of the same name (originally a manga from Yokoyama Mitsuteru). There is an OVA series which shows what Babel II, and his three servant creatures (Achiles, Garuda, and Neptune), are up to. [4] Imagawa answers this question as though the writer has written "protecting Shizuma so earnestly if she knew the truth..." This may mean that the question portion as written in the liner notes is in error. [5] Actually, if the person writing the letter had looked at the liner notes and watched her LD player more carefully, she might have discovered that the scene she was talking about is chapter-marked "Zangetsu the Midday" (Chapter 15 in vol. 5). While this isn't explicitly stated, I'd say it's a fairly safe bet who the identity of this person is...