Ah, yes, Zambot 3. As far as I know, this was the first major deconstruction of super robot series and, I feel that in many ways, it is the most complete one. Of course, someone from the outside looking in could easily misconstrue Zambot as a regular 70s robot anime. Everything, from the design to the music, looks like it's playing things straight. That is entirely the point. STORY: 7/10
Since the idea of Zambot is to take your typical Super Robot series and deconstruct it, naturally the premise is as simple as an alien invasion, and for a variety of reasons, the only thing that can stop it is the giant robot and the kids who pilot it. Where it stands, though, is that the alien invasion is barely even the main plot. The main story involves the effects of the fighting. People hate Zambot, because they feel that it is the only thing that the Gaizock aliens want to destroy and that if it were to leave the planet, the fighting would stop. Most of the episodes have a fight scene in the episode solely for having a fight scene, and it does affect the pacing. The first sixteen or so episodes are rather directionless, but after that the plot point that defines the show comes along: the human bombs. After those are introduced, almost all of the episodes involve them, since it's a very dramatic plot point.
As for people hating the Jin family even when they are the only ones able to fight, when you think that Mecha-Boosts are exclusively attacking Japan (and mostly areas where Zambot is) it makes more sense. That, coupled with the trauma of losing their homes, makes the idea of lashing out against their sole protector seem like misguided aggression, but it isn't exactly unrealistic, especially when the Jin family aren't hiding the fact that they are descended from aliens themselves.
But what sells the ability to get into the setting is also how this isn't a singular sentiment that people hold towards Zambot. The Zambot is seen by many as a good thing, especially those who are in power. It creates a disconnect of the fact that people in the military can understand what the Jin family are going through while the common people aren't as easy to sell on the idea.
Overall, it's difficult to say how much of Zambot is filler and how much of it was world building. You certainly get the general feel of the setting, the constant fighting, and the effects on a greater scheme through small episodic plots and when the later episodes come along things start getting strung together in a more cohesive story. Honestly, I think Zambot could easily be remade into a modern anime and the plot could be adapted point-for-point.
Unfortunately, I don't think that Zambot 3 was the most ambitious when it comes to design. Compare it to some of Tomino's later works, especially. Zambot doesn't have the bombastic presence of the Giant God Ideon, nor does it have the desire to lean towards practicality that Gundam (sort of) has. It just sort of looks like a 70s Super Robot. This obviously works to the plot, since the rather grim narrative being juxtaposed with an overall look and style of a merry robot action anime is definitely memorable. Zambot's aged well, but overall it's just sort of average looking.
General Presence: 1/2
Visual Design: 1/2
Backgrounds: 1/2
Animation: 1.5/2
Attention to Detail: 0.5/1
Visual Effects: 0.5/1
SOUND: 6.5/10
If you like 70s robot sounds, you'll like what Zambot offers. Thankfully, I love the oldschool mecha sound effects, and Zambot has a ton. Other than that, the voice acting is serviceable (actually kind of above average if looking from the perspective of a 21st century viewer towards usual 70s anime acting), the music is fitting if not exactly the most memorable (even the opening is far from the strongest 70s robot theme), and if you like those oldschool mecha sound effects, you'll like the ones in Zambot.
The music can still be incredibly emotional. It really amplifies key scenes. Just as important, though, is the lack of music being used often to enhance the atmosphere. The final scene of the series really drives home both of these points.
Interestingly, Zambot manages to do well what many newer series fall flat on and that is making the characters engaging. Yeah, they aren't anything too special but their characterizations, motivations, and goals are always clear and sensible. It has the standard "Tomino" way of making characters defined with all showing and no telling, so if you don't pay attention they might end up feeling samey or over simplistic. Kappei and Kouzuki are the two main characters, and perfectly sum up the deconstructive elements. Kappei is the kid thrust into the pilot seat and his arc is about dealing with the responsibility that entails in that he needs to listen to others and keep himself in check to not cause unnecessary damages to the area. He's a hotshot showoff who hates when people are angry about Zambot's actions, which is understandable, especially given his age. Kouzuki, his best friend and second most important character, is the catalyst for Kappei's development (just like how Kappei is the cause of Kouzuki's).
Killer the Butcher (yes, that's actually his name) is a blatantly evil antagonist who, surprisingly, kills and butches for kicks, and that's all he needs to be. He manages to be entertaining while being a mustache-twirlingly evil villain. Perhaps it's because he's really goofy that ironically he serves both as a sort of comic relief while doing horrific things such as his human bomb plot. Zambot isn't about the conflict of good vs. evil, it's about owning up to the damages the conflict of good vs. evil cause. That said, there is a twist at the end that really puts Gaizock's goal into perspective and ties it all together with the general theme of the show.
This paragraph has some light spoilers about the interactions between Kappei and Kouzuki, so skip if it you feel that's not something you want to see. Early on, Kouzuki acts sort of as the voice of the populous in an attempt to get Kappei to cool off, but you can tell he's acting more out of anger and echoing the opinions of people who don't know Kappei. Shortly, Kouzuki learns that Zambot, while not necessarily a good thing, is definitely not a bad thing and he has a little dilemma about what to think. Eventually, he realizes that it's better to be supportive towards the people protecting him, especially since Gaizock is clearly not just targeting the Jin family, and sort of becomes the person to try and reign in the angry citizenship.
Zambot all in all is known as being the first well-known super robot deconstruction, so as it serves there I think it manages to still hold up as one of the strongest. While it meanders about for a lot of the plot, doing world building is necessary for the goals of the series. Honestly, I kind of have a desire for a modern remake that fits the story into 13 episodes. I haven't seen many 70s series, but Zambot has aged very well and at 23 episodes, it's a hell of a lot better than a lot of modern 2-cour anime. I'd say that anime fans should check it out for the historical significance and the absolutely incredible last episodes if nothing else.
Watch it for the historical value if nothing else. It's shorter than even your average 2-cour anime today so there's very little reason not to. Also, the end of the series is nothing short of beautiful.
Pros:
+Very realistic deconstruction of Super Robots
+Kappei and Kouzuki have good characterization and great development
+Action scenes avert stock footage and are well thought-out
Cons:
-Much of the plot could be compressed
-Tomino fare of fitting fights in every week even where not necessary, and characters that take some time to get to know
-Silly elements may be off-putting to some viewers due to the overall depressing nature of the plot
No comments:
Post a Comment