mazinger z (mecha)
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Mazinger Z (also known as Tranzor Z) is the titular super robot mecha from the Mazinger Z science fiction series by Nagai Gou.
It is piloted by Kabuto Kouji and is armed with photonic laser rays in its eyes, "breast fire" thermal chest rays, a supersonic and corroding "hurricane" wind generator in its mouth, missiles, the "rocket punch" and super strength.
Mazinger can fly, travel underwater and is constructed from a special, almost indestructible alloy called Super Alloy Z.
The titanic robot was created by Doctor Kabuto Juuzou (Kabuto Kouji's grandfather) to combat Dr. Hell and his Mechanical Beasts, who desired the metal for their own nefarious purposes.
Mazinger Z is notable because it was the first piloted giant robot in the history of anime. According to Nagai, the idea of a manned robot came from one occasion when he was stuck in very heavy traffic inside a very small red car and he imagined it producing wings on its sides (like the pilder aircraft) and a giant robot body so it could walk above the other cars.
The RX-78-2 Gundam from Mobile Suit Gundam was one of the many subsequent manned mecha inspired by this popular classic super robot.