DVD Review: Danguard Ace
By Robert “Rob Base” Greenwood
(Most parts taken from Wiki)
Planet Robo Danguard Ace (惑星ロボ ダンガードA (エース)) was a Japanese anime series created by Leiji Matsumoto & Dan Kobayashi. It was licensed by Jim Terry Productions as part of the Force Five TV promotion as simply “Danguard Ace”.
The English dialog was written by Lynn Garrison, who later combined a number of episodes into a feature length presentation which gained a cult following on Showtime network during the late eighties.
The lead robot also appeared in Marvel Comics’ Shogun Warriors series, as well as the Mattel toy line of the same name.
In 2009, William Winckler Productions produced three all new English dubbed movie versions edited from the original series. Producer William Winckler, known for Tekkaman the Space Knight, wrote, produced and directed the English films, which are seen on broadband in Japan.
Danguard Ace is Matsumoto’s only contribution to the giant robot genre.
Danguard Ace takes place on a future Earth in which nearly all natural resources have been depleted. People have begun looking toward other planets to survive, in particular the fictional tenth planet, Promete. Although people had hoped to peacefully begin settlement there, disaster strikes as the first explorers are destroyed by betrayal.
After this event, an individual named Mr. Doppler leaves toward Promete on his own ship, and declares himself Chancellor of the planet. Using Promete’s resources, Chancellor Doppler constructs a vast military force greater than that of Earth’s. He forbids anyone approaching the planet, under the insane belief that only he is entitled to it.
To gain control of Promete, the governments of Earth begin constructing massive combat robots. Doppler is able to attack and destroy all robots before they are completed, except for Danguard Ace. The forces sent to attack Danguard’s base were destroyed because of the efforts of Captain Dan. Nothing is known of this mysterious man, save that he previously served Doppler while under mind control.
Takuma Ichimonji, son of the man who betrayed the initial Promete exploration team, becomes a cadet at Danguard’s base. Ichimonji hopes that he might restore his fathers honor by fighting against Doppler’s forces.
Some of the main characters designs were similar to characters from Space Battle ship Yamato or known in the U.S. as Star Blazers.
Takuma Ichimonji character resembles Space Cruiser Yamato character Susumu Kodai. The doctor on the show resembles Dr. Sakezo Sado from Space “Cruiser” Yamato.
To hardcore Anime fans, series such as Danguard Ace and Space cruiser Yamato are more nostalgic than iconic. As new younger fans come into the world of Anime and Manga these new breed of fans don’t have a connection to the older works and unfortunately great series like Danguard Ace will eventually disappear from the Foreign (American and abroad) mind completely.
Hopefully with great DVD releases coming from Shout and Sound foundry we will help a new age discover what started the flood.
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