Metal Armor Dragonar - The 1987 anime series
Metal Armor Dragonar (機甲 戦 記 ド ラ グ ナ ー Kikō Senki Doraguna) is a 48-episode mecha robot anime series, made by Sunrise and aired from 1987 to 1988. Conceived shortly after the release of Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ, Dragonar was to be both an "initial" series to attract new fans to anime. mecha, is a potential successor to the Gundam franchise. In fact, his plan was to renovate the first Gundam; and the mecha was designed by Kunio Okawara, the mechanical designer for most of the Gundam series. Although the series enjoyed good grades and gained a loyal fan following, it failed to surpass Gundam and ended up as a single series, possibly due to its lightweight, ZZ Gundam-like version of the true robot genre. mecha. Game developer Banpresto has made Dragonar appear in two of its popular franchises, Super Robot Wars and Another Century's Episode; fans responded positively and Sunrise recognized them in 2005 by releasing a collection of commemorative DVDs from the series, a remastered version of the previous two-part laserdisc box set released years earlier.
History
The Dragonar story takes place in the year 2087 AD, when a military force called the United Lunar Empire Gigano arose and captured the Moon. Their stated goal is the rebirth of humanity, but their main intention on the part of some of its members is the destruction of all who inhabit the Earth. To this end, the Empire uses humanoid battle machines called Metal Armor, as well as a giant mass pilot cannon. Originally intended to send lunar material into Earth's orbit for later recovery, the mass driver is reconfigured to launch small meteorites towards the home world.
By the time the story unfolds, a lot of bombing has already taken place. The Earth Alliance became the army of the Earth Federation, unable to compete with the military might of the Giganos, manages to steal three prototypes of metal armor, called Dragonar, with the intention of decoding them with the help of the Giganos scientists in exile. However, the ship carrying the Dragonar (posing as a refugee ship) is chased into a neutral colony by Giganos and an attack is organized to retrieve them. Kaine, Tapp and Light, three friends and EFM apprentices, are on the colony during the attack and find a dying Giganos spy who gives them three discs. Pursued by Giganos' weapons, the trio enter the colony dock and find the Dragonar. Using the disks, they activate the machines and use them to protect the colony. However, as the Dragonars were set up to be operational only by their initial user, the three friends find themselves forced to become the first Metal Armor pilots of the Earth Alliance army, which becomes the Earth federation during the war against technology. advanced and veterans of the forces of Giganos.
Characters
Military of the Earth Federation (formerly Earth Alliance)
Kaine Wakaba (ケ ー ン ・ ワ カ バ, Kēn Wakaba) - The pilot of Dragonar-1 and the main character of the story. Kaine, a XNUMX-year-old Earth Alliance trainee, now Earth Federation military trainee, graduated from Japan, lives in Alucard with his mother, who helps run the colony. His parents have split up and Kaine resents her father for putting his job before his family. When his mother is apparently killed in the attack on Alucard, he is more than willing to help fight Giganos. Voiced by Masami Kikuchi
Tapp Ocean (タ ッ プ ・ オ セ ア ノ Hosean Tappu) - One of Kaine's best friends and a Dragonar-2 pilot. Tapp is an African American New Yorker and graduated from an American training academy and was transferred to the astronaut academy on Alucard. Tapp tends to be cheerful and relaxed, even in situations where Kaine and Light are stressed. Even so, he can be serious when the need arises. His family lives in Alliance / Federation occupied New York. Voiced by Hōchū Ōtsuka.
Light Newman (ラ イ ト ・ ニ ュ ー マ ン Raito Nyūman) - Kaine and Tapp's friend and the Dragonar-3 pilot. Originally from the United Kingdom, Light's grandfather was in parliament and his father leads the European branch of the Federation when the alliance became a federation during the war. However, he prefers to avoid leadership positions, displaying a natural aptitude for intelligence gathering and electronic warfare, making him the perfect pilot for Dragonar-3 (which he affectionately calls "D3-chan"). Voiced by Kenyuu Horiuchi.
Linda Plato (リ ン ダ ・ プ ラ ー ト Rinda Purāto) - Meio's younger sister, she becomes an enlisted member of the Alliance after the attack on the Alucard colony. Combined with her role as a communications officer / operator for the Earth Federation army, she is a real tribute to Sayla Mass from Mobile Suit Gundam. Voiced by Kayoko Fujii.
Rose Pattenton (ロ ー ズ ・ パ テ ン ト ン Rōzu Patenton) - Rose was born on the Moon and became a refugee when Giganos declared independence. She escapes to Alucard and subsequently embarks on Idaho before the colony is destroyed. She at 16 she is a warm and charming personality who assists in the supervision of refugee children. Her character is perhaps a nod to Frau Bow from Mobile Suit Gundam. Voiced by Akiko Hiramatsu.
Ben Rooney (ベ ン ・ ル ー ニ ー Ben Rūnī) - Kaine, Tapp and Light's immediate superior, a gruff but caring soldier who takes the three trainees under his wing and instructs them in piloting. Often nicknamed 'Umiboozu' (sea monster) by Kaine due to its large size. He has a close relationship with Lt. Diane Lance, whom he marries at the end of the series. Voiced by Yuu Shimaka.
Diana Lance (ダ イ ア ン ・ ラ ン ス, Daian Ransu) - Diane was thought to be a refugee, but it turns out she is a lieutenant in the Earth Federation army. She works in the information branch and is active in the 1st and 2nd arc but is subsequently reassigned and returns only in the finale, which she shows her marrying Ben Rooney.
Kenny Duncan
Yama
Douglas
Lang Plato
Genil
Jirsett soul
Jim Austin - Kaine's father who left his family for the Earth Federation army. He is a very good driver.
Aoi Wakaba - Kaine's mother, who administered the Alucard space colony and was initially presumed dead after an attack by Giganos, but was later found alive but captured by Giganos and used as a threat to Kaine Wakaba as part of their plan to take down the Federation.
Giant of the United Lunar Empire
Meius Plato - Giganos' best driving ace, nicknamed Blue Hawk (蒼 き 鷹, Aoki Taka). He gained fame piloting the Falguen and is fiercely loyal to Guiltorre. His father Lang Plato is the engineer who helped develop the Dragonar and has a younger sister, Linda, who opposes the war. Despite his calm nature and popularity with younger pilots, he is repeatedly scorned by his superiors for failing to capture the Dragonars and begins to mock under Dorchenov's command, eventually being framed for Guiltorre's murder by Dorchenov. Eventually, he and Kaine put their differences aside and defeat Dorchenov by exploiting the weakness of Dorchenov's machine and attacking with a volley of missiles and ending with a combined attack using their beam swords (which was recognized and implemented in Super Robot Wars). It's a real tribute to Gundam's Char Aznable. Voiced by Jurota Kosugi
Practice team member Dan Kruger. Fiercely loyal to Meius Plato. Of the Plato squad members, he is the only one to die, which happens as he protects Meio and the rest of the squadron from enemy fire while the rest flee for cover while their sensors have been damaged earlier.
Practice team member Welner Fritz. Fiercely loyal to Meius Plato.
Practice team member Karl Geiner. Fiercely loyal to Meius Plato.
Marshal Guiltorre The supreme commander of Giganos. Although he declares war on the Earth Federation, he truly appreciates the Earth for his beauty in him, and ultimately wonders if declaring war was really the right option, moments before being assassinated by Dorchenov.
Chephov Giganos lieutenant stationed on an abandoned satellite, who captured the three Dragonars but then began training and befriending them. Shot by Meius Plato for refusing Guiltorre's orders that the Dragonar pilots be taken into his custody. Given a funeral ceremony by Kaine, Tapp and Light.
Gon Jem Leader of the platoon "Gon Jem Shittenoh" and pilot of the YAMA-13 Geyzam, and later of the YGMA-14 Gilgazamune. ridiculed with the nickname of "Garbage of Giganos". Despite his infamy, he respects and appreciates his subordinates Gold, Ganan, Zin and Min to the point of swearing revenge against the Dragonar Team for the death of the first three.
Lee Sue Min Gon Jem Shittenoh member and pilot of the Stark Deins. Eventually he joins Meius Plato's platoon when fighting Dorchenov. Her car is best known for the chainsaws attached to her arms, which makes her a deadly opponent when she's in close proximity.
Goal Gon Jem Shittenoh member and pilot of Stark Gewei. He is usually seen carrying a chain gun and is prone to random firing during fits of anger. Due to his wild nature, low level of intellect and size, he is nicknamed "Gorilla", something he hates to be called.
Ganan Gon Jem Shittenoh member and pilot of the Stark Gan Dolla. He is known to carry a knife (or more) wherever he goes. His last words are a cry for help after Kaine cuts his unit in half with his lightsaber, which destroys the robotic unit and sends the motorcycle unit, with Ganan aboard, to crash into a cliff. , killing him instantly.
Zin Gon Jem Shittenoh member and pilot of the Stark Dauzhen. The womanizer is a little more civilized than the group. His favorite weapon is a pair of Sai. The unique attribute of Zin's machine is the ability to generate holograms of itself to confuse the opponent, although it can be denied by D-3's jammers.
Mordel
Perkins
Dorchenov - Dorchenov is an ambitious Giganos officer who, although not seen much in the beginning, becomes the main villain of the series when he carries out an Empire coup and assassinates Guiltorre, and blames Giganos ace Meio Plato that happens to also be on the scene. Although he is primarily a political figure in Giganos, he is as capable as a pilot in metal armor.
Production
Much confusion had surrounded the early release of this series even before it aired. Japanese anime magazine Animec, for example, named the title as "Stillevar" and not "Dragonar", despite the fact that the mecha and character design had already been approved. Before the series aired, fans in North America believed this was a Gundam prequel.
Character stylist: Kenichi Ohnuki
Mechanical Designer: Kunio Okawara
Dragonar first opening directed by: Masami Ōbari
Episodes
1 Fire from the sky
「炎 の 日」 - Honoo no Hi February 7, 1987
2 Battle among the wrecks
「廃 墟 の 死 闘」 - Haikyo no Shitou February 14, 1987
3 The blue hawk of Giganos
「ギ ガ ノ ス の 蒼 き 鷹」 - Giganos no Ao Kitaka February 21, 1987
4 Men at the front
「男 た ち の 戦 場」 - Otoko-tachi no Senjou February 28, 1987
5 The good luck charm
「誓 い の 出 撃」 - Chikai no Shutsugeki March 7, 1987
6 Special training
「戦 士 へ の 試練」 - Senshi and no Shiren March 14, 1987
7 Requiem for Lieutenant Chekov
「さ ら ば チ ェ ホ フ」 - Saraba CHEHOFU March 21, 1987
8 Prisoner 216
「捕 虜 奪回 作 戦 前 編」 - Horyo Dakkai Sakusen (Zenpen) March 28, 1987
9 Space was full of ships
「捕 虜 奪回 作 戦 前 編」 - Horyo Dakkai Sakusen (Kouhen) 11 April 1987
10 Direct confrontation
「体 あ た り の 防 戦」 - Tai Atari no Bousen April 18, 1987
11 In the stake of the atmosphere
「熱望 の 大地」 - Netsubou no Daichi April 25, 1987
12 Land of Norway
「そ れ ぞ れ の 帰 還」 - Sorezore no Kikan 2 May 1987
13 Shooting star
「マ ス ド ラ イ バ ー 発 射 指令」 - MASUDORAIBAA Hassha Shirei 9 May 1987
14 A new start
「新 た な る 旅 立 ち」 - Arata Naru Tabidachi May 23, 1987
15 Target: modules D
「D (ド ラ グ ナ ー) 艦隊 危機 一 髪」 - D (DORAGUNA) Kantai Kikiippatsu May 30, 1987
16 The wrong uniform
「補給 基地 の 罠」 - Hokyuu Kichi no Wana June 6, 1987
17 Sabotage
「ノ ー ラ ッ ド 破 壊 工作」 - NOURADDO Hakai Kousaku 13 June 1987
18 The assault of the blue hawk
「奇襲 の 蒼 き 鷹」 - Kishuu no Aoki Taka June 20, 1987
19 The flight of modules D
「飛行 兵器 D (ド ラ グ ナ ー)」 - Hikou Heiki D (DORAGUNAA) June 27, 1987
20 Meeting on the ocean
「洋 上 の 再 会」 - Youjou no Saikai 4 July 1987
21 Operation Schwalg
「敵 MA (メ タ ル ア ー マ ー) 奪取 作 戦」 - Teki MA (METARUAAMAA) Dasshu Sakusen 11 July 1987
22 The Aomori fortress
「ギ ガ ノ ス 要塞 破 壊 命令」 - GIGANOSU Yousai Hakai Meirei 18 July 1987
23 In front of Meiyo Plato
「対 決 マ イ ヨ ・ プ ラ ー ト」 - Taiketsu MAIYO PURAATO 25 July 1987
24 Pursuit in Shanghai
「上海 大 逃走」 - Shanhai Dai Tousou 1 August 1987
25 Module D Mark II
「D (デ ィ ー) 兵器 改造 計画」 - D Heiki Kaizou Keikaku 8 August 1987
26 The savage legion
「恐怖 の グ ン ジ ェ ム」 - Kyoufu no Gunjemu 15 August 1987
27 The tragedy of the Dragoons
「見 参! ド ラ グ ナ ー 遊 撃 隊」 - Kenzan! DORAGUNAA Yuugeki Tai 22 August 1987
28 The bite of the cobra
「脅 威 の 毒蛇 部隊」 - Kyoui no Dokuhebi Butai 29 August 1987
29 Linda's rescue
「潜入! リ ン ダ を 救 え」 - Sennyuu! RINDA wo Sukue 5 September 1987
30 The claws of Min
「必殺! チ ェ ー ン ソ ー ・ ア タ ッ ク」 - Hissatsu! CHEENSOU ATAKKU 12 September 1987
31 The Gellpock triangle
「月 か ら の 刺客」 - Tsuki Kara no Shikaku September 19, 1987
32 Revenge
「復讐 の 狙 撃 兵 (ス ナ イ パ ー)」 - Fukushuu no Sogeki Hei (SUNAIPAA) September 26, 1987
33 Coup on the Moon
「ギ ガ ノ ス の 異 変」 - GIGANOSU no Ihen October 3, 1987
34 The Earth Spider Strategy
「迫 撃! 土 蜘蛛 作 戦」 - Hakugeki! Tsuchigumo Sakusen October 10, 1987
35 The self-propelled gun
「恐怖! 無限 機動 砲」 - Kyoufu! Mugen Kidou Hou 17 October 1987
36 The Wrath of Gun Jem
「猛攻! 怒 り の グ ン ジ ェ ム」 - Moukou! Ikari no GUNJEMU October 24, 1987
37 Ken's three days
「打倒! 毒蛇 の 青 竜 刀」 - Datou! Dokuhebi no Seiryuutou November 7, 1987
38 Gilga Zamune!
「登場! 究 極 の M ・ A (メ タ ル ア ー マ ー)」 - Toujou! Kyuukyoku no M. A (METARUAAMAA) November 14, 1987
39 The last charge of Gun Jem
「壮 絶! グ ン ジ ェ ム の 最 期」 - Souzetsu! GUNJEMU no Saigo 21 November 1987
40 Heidelnekken
「狡猾! ハ イ デ ル ネ ッ ケ ン 少佐」 - Koukatsu! HAIDERUNEKKEN Shousa November 28, 1987
41 The return of the blue hawk
「復活! ギ ガ ノ ス の 蒼 き 鷹」 - Fukkatsu! GIGANOSU no Aoki Taka December 5, 1987
42 Phobetor
「発 動! ギ ガ ノ ス 無敵 要塞」 - Hatsudou! GIGANOSU Muteki Yousai 12 December 1987
43 Dorchenoff's proposal
「決断! 巨大 要塞 攻 撃 指令」 - Ketsudan! Kyodai Yousai Kougeki Shirei 19 December 1987
44 Dragonar vs Dragonar
「非 情! ド ラ グ ナ ー 対 ド ラ グ ナ ー」 - Hijou! DORAGUNAA Tai DORAGUNAA December 26, 1987
45 Revenge of the Blue Hawk
「特 攻! 復讐 の 蒼 き 鷹」 - Tokkou! Fukushuu no Aoki Taka January 9, 1988
46 Find Aoi Wakaba!
「突入! ア オ イ ワ カ バ 救出」 - Totsunyuu! AOIWAKABA Kyuushutsu January 16, 1988
47 The truth
「肉 迫! ミ ン 大尉 の 猛追」 - Niku Hasama! MIN Taii no Moutsui January 23, 1988
48 The last glow of the Empire
「大 宇宙 (お お ぞ ら) の 凱歌」 - Dai Oozora no Gaika January 30, 1988
Technical data
Author Hajime Yadate
Regia Takeyuki kanda
character design kenichi ohnuki
Mechanical design Kunio Ōkawara
Music Toshiyuki Watanabe, Kentaro Haneda
Studio Sunrise
Network Nagoya Broadcasting Network, Asahi TV
1st TV February 7, 1987 - January 30, 1988
Episodes 48 (complete)
Episode duration 25 min
Italian publisher Yamato Video (VHS and DVD)
Italian network Italy Teen Television
1st Italian TV March 28 - June 1, 2005
Italian dialogues Gabriella Fantini, Francesco Prandoni (translation)
Italian dubbing studio Coop. ADC, HEADQUARTERS
