Ganbare!! Robocon (がんばれ!!ロボコン, Ganbare!! Robokon, lit. "Do Your Best!! Robocon") is a Japanese tokusatsu comedy television series created by Shotaro Ishinomori and produced by Toei Company. It aired on NET TV (now TV Asahi) from October 4, 1974, to March 25, 1977, running for a total of 118 episodes.
Overview
Ganbare!! Robocon belongs to the "Fushigi Comedy Series" lineage (though it predates the main branded Fushigi Comedy series by several years) and features a unique blend of live-action special effects, humor, and moral lessons aimed at children. The series focuses on the titular robot, Robocon, a clumsy but well-meaning robotic student who strives to be helpful but often causes more trouble than he solves.
Plot
The series revolves around a group of student robots from the "Gantz Robot Academy" who are dispatched to Earth to live among humans and learn about their ways, particularly about assisting them. Each robot is assigned to a human family and is given a point-based grading system by their stern, giant robot teacher, Gantz-sensei (voiced by Kiyoshi Kobayashi). Robots earn points for good deeds and lose them for misbehavior or failure. The ultimate goal is for each robot to accumulate 100 points to become a "Grade A" robot.
Robocon, despite his good intentions, is notoriously clumsy, gullible, and prone to mistakes, often finding himself at the bottom of the class with zero points. He is frequently punished by Gantz-sensei, sometimes even being melted down into a block of metal as a disciplinary measure, only to be reassembled later. Robocon's attempts to help the Kurihara family, with whom he lives, and other people around town, invariably lead to humorous chaos. Despite his setbacks, Robocon never gives up, constantly exclaiming "Ganbare! Robocon!" (I'll do my best! Robocon!) as he tackles new challenges.
Characters
- Robocon (ロボコン): The protagonist, a red and white, bumbling but good-hearted robot student. He is often at zero points but is always enthusiastic to help. Voiced by Keiko Yamamoto.
- Gantz-sensei (ガンツ先生, Gantsu-sensei): The massive, authoritative robot teacher who oversees the student robots. He is strict but fair, punishing Robocon frequently but also encouraging him. Voiced by Kiyoshi Kobayashi.
- Robo-Pā (ロボパー): A perpetually cheerful pink robot, often Robocon's friendly rival or companion. She often earns more points than Robocon.
- The Kurihara Family (栗原家, Kurihara-ke):
- Mr. Kurihara (栗原大作, Kurihara Daisaku): The father of the family.
- Mrs. Kurihara (栗原節子, Kurihara Setsuko): The mother of the family.
- Shigeru Kurihara (栗原シゲル): The eldest son.
- Mamoru Kurihara (栗原マモル): The younger son.
- Midori Kurihara (栗原ミドリ): The daughter.
- Robo-Gaki (ロボガキ): A mischievous, street-smart robot who often causes trouble.
- Robo-Megu (ロボメグ): A stylish, fashion-conscious robot.
- Robo-Kai (ロボカブ): A powerful, strong robot.
- Robo-Dorobō (ロボドロボー): A robot who is programmed to be a thief, but often fails.
Production
Ganbare!! Robocon was conceptualized by Shotaro Ishinomori, known for his work on Kamen Rider and Super Sentai. The series embraced a lighter, more comedic tone compared to Toei's other tokusatsu productions of the era. The robot designs were unique, combining mechanical elements with cartoonish expressions, and the costumes allowed for dynamic physical comedy from the suit actors. The series was a major success for Toei and became a significant part of children's television programming in Japan during the mid-1970s.
Broadcast
The series aired weekly on NET TV (now TV Asahi) every Friday from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Its lengthy run of 118 episodes indicates its popularity and enduring appeal.
Legacy and Sequels
Ganbare!! Robocon remains a beloved classic in Japan and is remembered for its humor, memorable characters, and the catchy theme song. Its success led to:
- Anime Adaptation: A short-lived anime series was produced in 1976.
- Moero!! Robocon (燃えろ!!ロボコン, Moero!! Robokon): A direct reboot of the series, which aired from 1999 to 2000, running for 50 episodes. This series updated the concept and designs for a new generation while retaining the core themes of a clumsy robot trying his best.
- Movies and Crossovers: Robocon and other characters have made appearances in various special features and movies, including crossovers with other Toei productions. In 2020, a new movie, Ganbareiwa!! Robocon: Urara~! Koi to Takoyaki Oodashii!!, was released, featuring both the original Robocon and the Moero!! Robocon version.
- Merchandise: The series spawned a wide range of merchandise, including toys, model kits, and other collectibles.
The enduring popularity of Robocon highlights its cultural impact as a representative tokusatsu comedy that champions perseverance and good intentions, even in the face of repeated failure.