Getter Robo Armageddon - Power Pack (Vols. 1-4)
from Adv Films
The original Getter Robo (1974) aired in the U.S. as Starvengers, part of Force Five (1980). A number of sequels were produced over the years, including the 1998 Change Getter Robo, which A.D. Vision is releasing as Getter Robo Armageddon. The series purports to pick up where the original left off, after the death of Professor Saotome, the inventor of the Getter Robots, and the conviction of heroic pilot Ryoma for his murder. The artists try to recapture the look of the original series, but many characters are so ugly, they don't look human. Although they were defeated years earlier in the Moon Wars, the Invaders, nasty aliens that consist largely of eyes and fangs, are attacking humanity, and only the Getter Robots can defeat them. The story is notoriously difficult to follow: the characters are underdeveloped, are difficult to distinguish, and have the unnerving habit of returning from the dead. Director Ukata Sato complicates matters by cutting to seemingly unrelated actions at a breakneck pace. The dubbed dialogue, which the actors tend to scream out, often fails to mesh with the subtitles. In one episode, Ryoma says, "No, he wouldn't make such a beast!" but the subtitle reads, "I don't know what he's planning to do with that thing." Fans of Nadesico may have trouble watching this sci-fi epic with a straight face, as it was clearly one of the inspirations for the mecha spoof Gekiganger 3. (Rated 15 and older: grotesque imagery, often graphic violence, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon
"Getter Robo: Armageddon" is the latest chapter in the more than two decades strong "Getter Robo" franchise Created by the legendary Go Nagai, "Getter Robo" blazed new trails in the world of anime when it originally aired on Japanese television in the seventies. Featuring three different vehicles that combined to form one massive robot, "Getter Robo" was the original transforming battle robot, spawning an entire genre of anime including "Robotech" and "Transformers." The Getter Robos were created to defend the planet from all that would threaten it. But the massive robot weapons were so powerful; those they protected began to fear them. A fear so great it drove humanity to destroy its saviors and their creator. But now a shadow has crept across the moon. The faint echoes of evil laughter can be heard. Terrified whispers tell of the Invaders. Mankind now cowers under the watchful eye of an extraterrestrial menace beyond their nightmares. Their only defenses are the Getter Robos, and the only man who can bring them back lies rotting in the Earth. Or does he? The Armageddon Power Pack contains the entire thirteen-episode "Getter Robo" series on four discs in one collector's edition case. Episodes come in the English-language, as well as the Japanese language with English subtitles. DVD extras include behind the scenes features, clean credit animation, Japanese laser disc covers and insert materials, production sketches and ADV previews.
Getter Robo Armageddon - Salvation (Vol. 4)
by Yutaka Sato
from Adv Films
In "Salvation", the fourth and final installment of Getter Robo: Armageddon, the valiant Getter Robos - human-controlled giant robots - face their darkest hour in a final apocalyptic battle between the forces of good and evil. The colossal Getter Dragon threatens the Earth with its terrifying power. Its only weak spot rests deep within its enormous, well-protected metal frame. The heroic Getter Robos have no choice but to enter the "belly of the beast" to destroy Getter Dragon and save humanity. It is a nightmare scenario that is guaranteed to claim the lives of many before the horrifying battle is won.
Getter Robo Armageddon - Resurrection (Vol. 1)
by Yutaka Sato
from Adv Films
Getter Robo offers gun battles, cyborg monsters, explosions, and showers of blood--in the first minutes of the first episode. Created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa, Getter Robo was originally broadcast in 1974-75. The series helped to spark the craze for combining robots: three rocket planes with pilots link together to form the multiform mecha of the title ("getter" is derived from gatta, "combine" in Japanese). Tough, aggressive Kei looks a bit like Demi Moore in GI Jane; Go is the taciturn, noble hero and Gai, a big lug of a mechanic, offers semi-comic relief. The Getter Robots and their cyborg foes, the creations of the mad Dr. Saotome, are brilliantly designed machines whose angled, curving forms suggest power and mobility. The series is long on action and short on plot development. Every episode boasts at least one major battle, with flying metal tentacles, daring dive-bomber maneuvers, mechanical hand-to-hand combat, screams, gobbets of blood, and explosions. What's at stake in these conflicts and the relationships among the characters emerges more slowly. Getter Robo is part of the same universe as the artists' Grandizer and was an important series in the development of contemporary mecha anime. However, fans of Nadesico may have trouble watching it with a straight face, as this robot adventure is one of the series that was satirized in Gekigangar 3. Parental guidance suggested; suitable for ages 14 and up: considerable violence, profanity, brief nudity. --Charles Solomon
Getter Robo Armageddon - Transfiguration (Vol. 2)
by Yutaka Sato
from Adv Films
Getter Robo Armageddon - Ascension (Vol. 3)
by Yutaka Sato
from Adv Films
A dark shadow has fallen across the Earth. The black robot has arrived and brings with it a new terror. But its terrifying exoskeleton is not nearly as frightening as what hides inside it. The Getters take their fight to the seared shell of New York City. The former center of the world becomes a dangerous playground for deadly robot fighting. The winner of the battle will claim the ultimate prize: The chance to face the ultimate evil from behind the moon. Humanity is pinned to the ground. The count is almost out. The epic struggle for the survival of mankind has escalated to whole new levels with this exciting third installment of the Getter Robo: Armageddon saga. As the war against the Invaders wages on, fans will find themselves captivated by the story of the brave souls who dared to rise up with their Getters and fight for their very right to exist.
New Getter Robo, Vol. 4: Crash
from Geneon [Pioneer]
New Getter Robo - Complete Box Set
by Jun Kawagoe
from Geneon [Pioneer]
Contains Episodes Volumes 1, 2, 3 and 4. Huge monsters stalk the earth! Resembling the ancient legends of the Oni, the monsters begin attacking the laboratory where Prof. Saotome is developing the Getter Robo, a robot so powerful it overwhelms ordinary pilots! Prof. Saotome then locates three of the most dangerous men on the planet to draft as pilots: Ryoma the fighter, Hayato the beserker and Benkei the giant!
New Getter Robo - Rude Awakenings (Vol. 1) + Series Box
from Geneon [Pioneer]
The 2004 OAV New Getter Robo brings back the durable mecha franchise created by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa in 1974-75. Earth is being attacked by oni ("demons" in Japanese folklore) that may also be aliens. Professor Saotome, who makes Commander Ikari in Evangelion look like Mr. Rogers, has created three vehicles that link to form the redoubtable mecha of the title. ("Getter" comes from getta, "combine" in Japanese.) He needs three pilots who can withstand the strain of guiding these powerful machines: thuggish martial artist Ryoma, screeching fanatic Hayato and none-too-bright monk Benkei. Except for a few bits of CG, New Getter Robo looks no better than the original series did more than 30 years ago. The blood-soaked fights may excite adolescents, but many recent mecha shows offer more coherent story-telling, more likeable characters, and more skillfully directed battles. (Rated 16 and older: graphic violence, grotesque imagery, profanity, brief nudity, sexual and gross humor, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon
New Getter Robo, Vol. 3: Hell on Earth
from Geneon [Pioneer]
New Getter Robo, Vol. 2: The Yin-Yang Master
from Geneon [Pioneer]
The Getter Robo chases the enemy into a mysterious dark cloud in the sky. As the Getter One breaks through the whirlwind, Ryoma finds himself alone in an alternative Heian-era Japan where modern technology has been applied to the ancient weapons. Then Ryoma meets the mighty Shogun Raiko Minamoto and they face off against a powerful enemy, Seimei Abe, the Ying-Yang Master who uses a mysterious and powerful sorcery! The sequel to Getter Robo Armageddon! This DVD features anamorphic widescreen presentation, biligual audio, and 2 fan friendly subtitle streams, and special Dual Cover featuring original illustration by Ken Ishikawa, Fujio Suzuki. Based on the original story by GO NAGAI (Devilman) & KEN ISHIKAWA!
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