Giant Robo (OVA)

Giant Robo (OVA)

Giant Robo: The Day the Earth Stood Still (ジャイアント・ロボ - 地球が静止する日, Jaianto Robo - Chikyū ga seishi suru hi?) is an original video animation series written and directed by Yasuhiro Imagawa (G Gundam, Seven of Seven), and inspired by Mitsuteru Yokoyama's manga series of the same name.

Giant Robo is an homage to Yokoyama's career. The series features characters and plotlines from the manga artist's entire canon of work, effectively creating an all-new story. The events take place in the near future, ten years after the advent of the Shizuma Drive triggers the third energy revolution. The series follows the master of the titular Robo, Daisaku Kusama, and the Experts of Justice, an international police organization locked in battle with the BF Group, a secret society hell-bent on world domination.

The OVA is recognized for its "retro" style and operatic score. The character designs emulate Yokoyama's drawing style and the mechanics are inspired by steampunk literature. The action setpieces are influenced by Hong Kong action cinema, specifically the new school of wuxia and the 1970s kung fu wave.

The first installment of the series, "The Black Attaché Case," was released July 22, 1992. Originally intended to finish within 36 months, the seven volume series was ultimately released over the span of six years. "The Grand Finale" was released January 25, 1998. The OVA has since been translated into English, Cantonese, Dutch, French, Italian and Korean.