Gorg giant is easily one of the best anime of the 80s, and now it’s been re-mastered and finally available on Blu-ray.
When the DVD version of the series was released in 2016, it was understandably overjoyed. Originally broadcast in 1984, Gorg giant it was a huge missed opportunity on Sunrise’s part. Mainly because if it had been given an international release when it was originally created, it likely would have blown people’s minds.
The animation alone for a TV series from this era is exceptionally good. There is no earthly reason why the animators had to put so much effort into this show. But they went to great lengths, and the results were and still are truly wonderful.
It also had a great story and delved into mysterious ancient civilizations, which were all the rage in the 80s for cartoons. I, for one, grew up looking likeable Mysterious cities of gold AND Ulysses 31both of which had a Japanese made end, and I can totally see that Gorg giant fits very well between these two shows.
However, Gorg giant it was and is on another level, and in 2016, I was very happy to finally have it available in any format outside of Japan.
Fast forward to the end of last year, when The giant Gorg The Japanese Blu-ray remaster was released in the West, and again, I’m faced with the question “what if?”
This new Blu-ray release shows again how insanely good the animation is for a TV anime series. While the likes of Future Conan Boy defined an entire generation of children’s anime, Gorg giant does too. The sad truth about all this, however, is that in Japan, when Gorg giant released, he did so in indifferent silence.
Since my review of the DVD version, I have interviewed The giant Gorg creator and director, Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, and heard directly from him about how the show was received. I also spoke with Mamoru Nagano about how he worked on the show and redesigned the interior of the friend vehicle called the Beagle.
Having talked to both of these legendary figures in anime only made me appreciate it Gorg giant so much more.
The remaster for this series is really impressive.
When a new mecha show came out in the 80s, the mecha had stunts and were on full display in the first episode for all to see. This was a big part of how the money was ultimately made through model kits and toy merchandising.
Gorg giant turned all of that on its head by having a titular mech that didn’t show up until episode four and had no gimmick to speak of other than being blue and looking pretty cool.
Instead, Yasuhiko and his team focused on creating a fun look Treasure Island with an interesting idea to meet aliens who had arrived in Earth’s distant past and fallen asleep only to wake up in the present day.
Much of the appeal of the show, aside from how great it looked, was the thoughtful, gradual pacing where you discover what is so special about this small island in the Pacific and why very powerful corporate forces want to control it. that.
Back when I reviewed it Future Conan BoyI was quite open about how wonderful it was for families, even today, decades after its initial release. I really feel the same is true for Gorg giant. It’s a great show on so many levels, and it’s also more nuanced than you’d first think, with many of the characters playing against type in surprising ways.
As for this Blu-ray release, as with other Discotek Blu-rays, there aren’t any real extras to speak of. It’s just all 26 episodes nicely remastered with a solid translation handled via English subtitles. However, all of this then comes at a very reasonable $37.46, which is a fraction of what the Japanese Blu-ray box set cost when it was released in 2022.
That said, a small plus is that the cover has a map of the Austral Islands on the reverse, which is a very nice touch.
In general, Gorg giant is a true classic in the anime medium. With great animation, a great story, and engaging characters, this is one of the best anime ever made. So don’t bother me, as I watch this at the same time Gorg on the same channel Gorg.
Gorg giant is available on Blu-ray from the Crunchyroll online store for $37.46.
Disclosure: Crunchyroll sent me this Blu-ray for the purposes of this review.
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