Mazinger Z vs. Devilman

Mazinger Z vs. Devilman
Poster of the film Mazinger Z tai Devilman
Directed by	Tomoharu Katsumata
Written by	Susumu Takahisa
Produced by	Toshio Katsuta
Starring	Hiroya Ishimaru Ryōichi Tanaka
Music by	Michiaki Watanabe
Production companies	Toei Animation, Dynamic Production
Release date	July 18, 1973 (1973-07-18)
Running time	43 minutes
Country	Japan
Language	Japanese

Mazinger Z vs. Devilman (マジンガーＺ対デビルマン, Majingā Zetto tai Debiruman) is a 1973 animated movie that crossed over two then-popular anime series, both of which were created by manga artist Go Nagai. Note, however, that the movie features alternate versions of events from both series, and is therefore not canonical to either one.

Story

The movie opens with a battle between the Super Robots Mazinger Z and Aphrodite A against three of Doctor Hell’s Mechanical Beasts. The heroes win, but the battle apparently frees the female demon Sirène from below the ground. She flies away before they can do anything about it. However she is seen by Akira Fudo, who transforms into his real form of Devilman to fly after her.

Dr. Hell, who observed the battle, correctly realizes that Sirène is part of the “Demon Tribe” that according to a legend ruled the Earth in prehistoric times. Using his new flying fortress, Navalon, Dr. Hell and his henchman Baron Ashura follow Sirène to the Himalaya Mountains, were the rest of the demons are frozen. Hell helps to free some of the demons, and places a mind control transceiver into their chests. He makes a deal with them to help them defeat their enemy, Devilman, if they will help him defeat Mazinger Z. They are unaware that Devilman has spied on their conversation.

Later, Akira goes to warn Koji about this but ends up mocking the Mazinger Z for being unable to fly; this leads to the two hot-tempered teenagers racing each other on motorcycles. It turns out the Photon Power Laboratory, is already working on solving the robot's disadvantage against flying enemies by creating the Jet Scrander, a giant winged jet pack. However one of the demons has spied on them and reports this development to Dr. Hell. He sends demons Bugo and Sirène to destroy the Scrander. They manage to damage it before being driven off by Koji's ray gun; Sirène escapes by taking Shiro and Sayaka hostage. They are then saved by Devilman. When Koji goes to pick them up, he watches Akira change into Devilman and learns his secret. Devilman follows Bugo to the sea, but falls into a trap; he's rescued by Koji in the Mazinger Z. Afterwards they talk, and Akira reveals to him that he's a rogue member of the Demon Tribe who fights to protect humanity.

The combined forces of Dr. Hell and the demons then attack the Laboratory; Devilman flies to help defend it, but is overwhelmed and captured. He's taken above the clouds, where he's placed on an ice cross and tortured by the demons for being a traitor. However, as soon as the Scrander is repaired, Koji uses it to fly the Mazinger Z into the clouds, killing the demons, freeing Devilman and finally destroying the flying fortress. Dr. Hell escapes, but swears to get Mazinger Z someday.

The movie ends with Koji and Devilman on good terms. Devilman flies off, stating the Demon Tribe is still out there. Shiro is upset Devilman has left, but Sayaka assures he will always be in their hearts.

External links

• Mazinger Z Vs. Devilman (movie) (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Mazinger Z tai Devilman (in Japanese) at allcinema
• Mazinger Z tai Devilman at Animemorial
• Majingâ Zetto tai Debiruman (1973) at IMDb