Planetary Robo Danguard Ace ran from March 1977 to March 1978 and gave us 56 episodes. Matsumoto Leiji is listed as the original creator and it certainly bears his mark. Not only the character designs but the message at the end that “youth must survive” was his trademark. The show traces the efforts of 2 groups as they attempt to reach the 10th planet Promete at the outer edge of our solar system (Pluto was still a planet in 1977). The heroes are JASDAM while the villains are the Doppler Army.
Matsumoto shied away from nationalistic fervor so the heroes don’t represent any nation or the United Nations. They are a scientific organization called JASDAM that was formed to reach the newly discovered planet Promete. How that organization got funding to match a nation’s budget or permission to develop and use military-grade weapons is never mentioned. Opposing them is the Doppler Army formed by a rogue scientist named Doppler. How Doppler recruited so many people or bankrolled a private military and space exploration force at the same time is never explained. Details, bah!
I had wanted to see Danguard Ace for some time as it is one of the super robots pulled into Marvel Comics’ Shogun Warriors (along with Combattler V & Raideen). It certainly didn’t disappoint. The show leaned into science-fiction more than a super hero vibe like so many of the 70s super robot shows.
No super robot show can be discussed without mentioning the hero’s robot. Danguard Ace sports the primary colors familiar to super robots. Red, light gray, blue and black. Instead of the familiar sword it uses a double-headed spear or lance. It transforms into an aircraft that is better described as a flying fortress. The transformation stands out in super robot anime. It separates into 3 pieces which quickly recombine into the other mode. The pieces are not designed to operate independently. Danguard Ace isn’t afraid to be different. Instead of the standard 50 meter height in robot mode, it towers above other anime mecha with a height of 200 meters. That’s a 65 story building! For those of you keeping score, that’s taller than the Ideon and matching the Gunbuster. Also, it has 2 cockpits and operates best when there’s a copilot.
Planetary Robo Danguard Ace has one of the most intricate storylines of any 70s mecha show. The opening credits features a song so kiddy-ish it almost repelled me. However, from the first episode it was clear the opening credits director and the script writer(s) were not on the same page. The mature and constantly developing story kept me watching. The fact that one episode out of place ruins the show makes it clear why Danguard Ace was never picked up for broadcast on North American television. American television rejects any kids show where the order of episodes can’t be changed. Mazinger Z had a stint on American airwaves because episode order made no difference (for the most part).
It’s interesting to see a super robot show that tries something different. Most of them give the main robot to the hero in the first episode after which he wins a fight. Mobile Suit Gundam even fits this formula. In Danguard Ace the hero, Takuma, is training hard for a robot that hasn’t been built yet. It isn’t completed until the end of episode 4. In aircraft mode, it is used briefly in episode 5. It appears briefly in robot mode in episode 11 but it isn’t until episode 12 that it sees action.
The main themes of Danguard Ace are perseverance and dedication. Takuma trains hard and competes with two other pilot candidates. It isn’t until episode 10 that he is chosen as Danguard Ace’s pilot and even then his training continues. Instead of being handed the robot after 12 minutes, Takuma has to earn it.
Most super robot shows introduce some kind of change halfway through to keep things interesting. This show takes the characters from Earth to space. The first half of the show is rushing to train while defending an island base. This was familiar territory for super robot fans of the time. The second half is rushing to planet Promete in an attempt to beat the Doppler Army which has a space ship of its own. This was a kind of space odyssey reminiscent of Space Battleship Yamato (which Matsumoto worked on).
Many details bear mentioning. Episode 24 had a touching message of friendship between the nations of Japan and the United States. This message had special meaning for Matsumoto whose father served the Japanese military during World War II. As in Getter Robo G, nazi imagery was used to identify the villains as clearly evil. The scientist Doppler dresses as and refers to himself as “fuhrer”. His soldiers dress as nazi officers of World War II. Most of them have German names. The giant robots sent to battle Danguard Ace are called mecha satans. I think we know who the bad guys are here!
If you get the chance (and the time) Planetary Robo Danguard Ace is a great sample of 70s super robot action.
