DAISUKE AND HIKARU: AN ANALYSIS BY GERDHA

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    DAISUKE AND HIKARU: AN UNTOLD STORY - ANALYSIS BY GERDHA

    This analysis was originally made by Gerdha; it is published on this Blog under her authorization.
    Copyright © Gerdha 2003, All Rights Reserved
    Images added by Joe7

    All the references to the original content of Ufo Robot Grendizer’s Roman Album are related to its translation in italian language by Stella Di Fleed, which was originally published on www.nagaifans.it (as of today 12/31/2021 no longer active). The analysis/interpretation of the content of Roman Album are the exclusive work by the authors of this article.

    Actarus_e_Venusia



    COPYRIGHT

    Copyright laws don't allow posting the complete translation of an intellectual work without author's formal authorization, except for excerpts, and solely for the purpose of analysis and commentary. So, I have selected only a few steps in the dossier of the original Japanese version, which then will be posted here without any profit making and exclusively for analytical purposes. The images on the site are property of claimants and have been collected here purely for informative purposes. All trademarks belong to their respective owners.

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    GERDHA: AN EXPLANATION

    In the summer of 2002, I found a French forum where very serious discussions about UFO Robot Grendizer were carried out and I decided to participate. I was the first user who was not French and was participating in the forum: so I was the only person, at that time, who had seen an anime version different from the French version (VF). There were therefore a lot of discussion about the interpretation of the characters and episodes, because the VF adaptation, while it was maintaining unaltered anime's spirit and sense, in many parts it was not completely faithful to the original version (VO).
    In particular, about Hikaru, VF showed great differences with VI DS (italian historical dubbing of 1978): this aspect, inevitably, provoked very different points of view not only about her, but also about Naida and Rubina's role in the anime. However, at that time, on the forum, some people of great culture and open-mindedness wrote: it was possible for me to engage in constructive discussions with them.

    The most active members on these in-depth analyses on episodes and characters were at that time (early spring 2003) Agnes, Jerome and Suzi (Suzi, besides, knew Grendizer's Arabic version). With self-irony, we called ourselves "The Crazy Team" (TCT). The posts of the TCT were very long and complex , and they were then jokingly nicknamed as "Monstrogoth Messages" (MM: "Monstrogoth" was the name given by the French dubbing to Vega Monsters).

    In particular, Suzi knew part of the VO. Then, she had the opportunity to ensure that Grendizer's Arabic version (VA) was very loyal to the Japanese original version (VO). Confronting her, I discovered that the Italian historic dubbing of 1978 (VI DS) was very similar to the Arabic version (VA). Then, I began suspecting that Grendizer's Italian version VI DS was fairly faithful to the VO.

    Stimulated by a series of posts made by Agnès, who analyzed Grendizer anime about its possible literary references (posts which were by herself nicknamed as "soap bubbles"), at winter of 2002-03 arose intense discussions on the question of the possibility that Daisuke loved Hikaru. French adaptation (VF) was made in a such way that, for most French fans, this hypothesis was almost impossible to conceive; I and Suzi, and a few other French-speaking users, instead, were of the opposite opinion.

    The large majority of the French fans, based on VF, was convinced that Daisuke was in love only with Rubina (Vegalia in VF): a point on which I and Suzi disagreed. At some point, to decide which version was the more correct on this, we invented a kind of role-playing game: "The Trial Of The Century" (TTOTC). I had the role of Prosecutions (towards the fact that Daisuke did not love Rubina), Agnès was the Defender (about the love between Daisuke and Rubina); the role of Judge was assumed by Jerome; the Jury was assumed by Suzi. All the other French forum members could comment it on their posts.

    It was the late spring of 2003. The "trial" was takeing place only on the basis of visual evidence of the episodes and logical-deductive reasoning result, without references to the dialogues of the different versions. The "trial" was suspended for the summer of 2003. At that time, I decided to give justice to Hikaru, writing this analysis based on the Italian version of the old dubbing (VI DS), which was published at the beginning of September 2003 on French forum.

    At that time, I had already had access to Grendizer Roman Album, but I did not have the full VO (only for some episodes). In early 2004 , I had access to the full VO: thanks to a relative of mine Japanese-Italian bilingual, was opened for me another perspective of analysis of UFO Robot Grendizer. But that is another story...

    NOTE: Gerdha's analysis on Hikaru was posted on that French forum at the beginning of September 2003. Gerdha follows VI DS (italian historical dubbing of 1978).

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    BACKGROUND

    Gerdha was sitting nervously in Myth's studio, while He was silently reading the massive documents package she had carefully prepared. She thought: “exams do never end in life”: even if her rational part was trying to calm her down, she could not stop her heart beating so hard and fast. She was afraid that the Myth would have heard it. After all, this was the first time she was meeting Him, so asking for his opinion was not an usual thing for her at all.
    The Myth finished to read the last paper, he put it on his desk and he looked at the not-so-young-after-all Prosecutor with a deep sight.
    “So this would be your demonstration, Attorney Gerdha?”
    She tried to simulate a calm breathing.
    “Well, yes, Sir. Mr. Drake Sr. and Jr. have been so helpful to bring me all the production notes proves, and I would say they are exactly what I still missed to feel confident about my interpretation of the character and her meaning in the story”
    The Myth looked at Gerdha with a subtle smile.
    “If I remember correctly, the TTOTC 1 Judge asked you some interesting questions a long time ago” “Which ones?”
    “It was written on his reply to the Act of Prosecution...“
    The Myth choose a paper from the package and read some lines:
    “... Could her view be altered by the interest she feels for the possible love affair between this Duke Fleed/Daisuke and Hikaru? .... Daisuke was probably in love with Hikaru? But was he really? Did he ever try to propose her or rather didn't he consider her until the middle of the story as a young girl with a crazy infatuation for him, an older guy? Would Daisuke be true to himself and his true nature if he indulge himself by allowing himself to carry on a relationship with someone he truly loves and forgetting about his origins, Fleed, and his duties. He is a prince, after all, she is only a young girl from the countryside...“ The Myth left suspended the sentence for a second. “If I remember correctly, even Defence and Jury had something to say on the matter...”
    Gerdha felt suddenly worried.
    “Dear Master, do you believe my proves are not enough as a proper answer to their questions?”
    “Well, I did not mean it exactly. But your proves are not compliance with TTOTC rules. You are going to present your theories through an episode by episode storyline and production notes analysis, but through the lens of Italian dialogues. This analysis is about “your” Hikaru somehow. Using this approach, you could never use your proves in TTOTC. Are you aware of this?”
    Gerdha sighs.
    “Oh yes, I am, Sir. But I have decided to take the risk to be defeated in TTOTC instead to keep my ideas for myself. I MUST give justice to Hikaru Makiba, Sir. I have to. This topic is too much important for me, I cannot stay quiet anymore.”
    The Myth fixed his eyes in Prosecutor’s one.
    “Even if this could mean the risk for you to be defeated in TTOTC. in the end?”
    Gerdha had no hesitations. “Yes, dear Master, absolutely”
    The man kept his eyes in Gerdha’s one. “May you please explain me why do you feel yourself so dedicated to this topic, Mademoiselle? Why defending Miss Hikaru is so important for you?”
    Gerdha smiled. “Oh, I suppose I should explain. But it’s something really too much personal, sorry. I hope you understand, Sir.”
    The Myth smiled too and stood up offering his hand to the not-so-young-attorney-after-all Prosecutor to be shaken. “I think this analysis is thrilling, Attorney Gerdha. I wish you good luck. What are you going to do with it now?”
    She shook his hand in silence and surprisingly she was not more trembling like a leaf. Gerdha took her paper package from the desk and finally answered. “Well, hoping that Mr. DJinspace’s 2 server has enough free space available, I am going home to post my considerations on his Forum”.
    She walked some steps to exit the studio room; once she reached the door, though, she turned back a last time to smile to the Myth, the Master, the first hero of her childhood dreams.
    Mr. Perry Mason was smiling at her too, and Gerdha closed finally the door behind her.

    th-Perry-Mason-zps8968a1af



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    HIKARU: OVERVIEW

    image


    Is Ufo Robot Grendizer a kid's anime? Well, at first sight the answer is yes: an “educative” story about the war between Earth and Vega's alien reign: after a lot of battles, it ends with earthlings' victory and the return to their planet of the two aliens who helped Earth's inhabitants in winning the war using a giant robot. Who could object to this description? It certainly exactly explains the anime storyline and it correctly describes the happenings displayed on TV screen for 74 episodes.

    Anyway, is this summary satisfying? Is it really anime's deep meaning? The true nature of Ufo Robot Grendizer is really the fact of being a kids' anime? Well, my answer is a giant loud “NO”. Please listen: when I talk about "adults" anime, I'm not referring to possible X-rated contents. As a matter of fact, Grendizer is probably one of the most modest animes in history. A modest anime with, strangely, some of the most sensual characters ever appeared in cartoons. Furthermore, they were created by an Author who surely never had any problem with “hard” stories; not only, he is also credited as the first one who introduced – years before Grendizer – sexual contents in manga and animes. It is interesting, isn't it? In fact, my friends, I am pleased to confirm that Go Nagai had really an effective active role in making characters and stories; he was personally involved in Grendizer anime's realisation process during its whole production phase, together with producer Toshio Katsuta. The interview to both Nagai and Katsuta included in the Roman Album cannot leave any single doubt about this.

    Since I, years ago, discovered the identity and, mostly, the curriculum of the Author of this story, I have wondered why Go Nagai created Daisuke Umon and developed Grendizer in that way, giving at first sight to viewers some particular hints, like, for example, the major impression that he is a sort of ascetic. Adding to this reflection the consideration that, on the other side, we have a female character like Hikaru Makiba, who seems to cry out loud her love for him without apparently having back an answer, we could easily imply to be in front of a very classical “literature schemed” story: a girl's impossile love from the countryside for a prince (romantic tale celebrated even in ballets like Giselle), the good prince dedicated to fight the evil forces, etc. If somebody would like to stop here this analysis, it would be logical to deduct that Daisuke Umon does not feel any sentiment different from a good friendship for Hikaru Makiba. In fact, this is the statement generally shared by the majority of fans around the world. As a matter of fact, watching Ufo Robot Grendizer using the conventional lens it would be difficult to counterpart it.

    But - as I have already expressed in many posts before (in that old French forum)- my opinion is that the whole Grendizer anime is a giant masquerade, in which a certain story was told without displaying it clearly. Only looking deeply into it, in particular keeping attention not only to dialogues, but also to visual aspects, to episode interconnections, to production notes, it is possible trying to understand what it is hidden in its story: the incredible personal evolution of two of the most revolutionary characters ever appeared in an anime: Daisuke Umon and Hikaru Makiba. in fact, Hikaru Makiba is not “one of the characters” of the story. She is THE co-main character of Ufo Robot Grendizer.

    I am not joking, my friends. The whole anime is built with a spiral-like storytelling approach, with different narrative level,s going on parallely but which also sometime intersect themselves in order to launch new plots, then go on again for a while for joining together in some moments to restart the scheme. There are lots of plot levels in Grendizer, but a couple of them are the most important of all, and involve exactly Daisuke Umon on one side and Hikaru Makiba on the other one. I have already talked in TTOTC about Daisuke’s personal journey (in French forum) as the main plot line of Grendizer: I won’t repeat here my reflections. What I have never analysed up to now is instead what I consider the second main storyline of the anime: Hikaru’s personal journey. And honestly, her story is as great as Daisuke's. With many more implications than those that at first sight one could expect...

    I hope you would like to follow me throughout the whole Grendizer arc in order to discover who Hikaru Makiba really is (provided that the Italian adaptation of the anime is accurate, but… well, I have more than a single proof that the Italian edition (VI DS 3) is very close to the original one at a general level). Let's find finally also Mr. Go Nagai’s touch in Ufo Robot Grendizer. It will be a long journey, I know, but I hope it will worth and...we'll have fun together in this new little “investigation” game. ^_^

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    HIKARU MAKIBA: THE GIRL FROM THE COUNTRYSIDE (eps 1-12)

    EPISODE 3

    Ep3 is the first episode where we know Hikaru Makiba. I know that we see her also in eps 1-2, but her real presentation is actually in ep3. As a matter of fact, I find interesting that the first aspect of her personality, showed in the anime, is her “deep sympathy” for Daisuke. Honestly, I find interesting too his first reaction is not a rejection, even if he is a bit surprised. As I remarked in a very old MM 4, Duke Fleed was for sure a beautiful, intelligent, rich and respected boy, likely used to get whatever he wanted without asking two times. How many stunning girls could have surrounded him, when he lived on Fleed? How many times he could have faced in his royal younghood girls sighing for him, ready to do whatever thing he would have asked? Well, in ep3 he faces, instead, something maybe unusual for him: his boss’ daughter is directly asking him to dance with her and soliciting him for a date. Hikaru finds Daisuke laying on the top of a ball of hay:

    Hikaru: Oh, Daisuke, you were disappeared, what are you doing here?
    Daisuke: Well, nothing special.

    A1 A2


    Hikaru: Uh, according to you, you never do anything. Why don't you go out with me sometimes? You see, why don’t we go to dance? Everybody’s dancing!

    A3


    Daisuke: Well, I don’t know...
    Hikaru: Oh, come on, or I give you a shaking! Hurry up!
    (she shakes the hay, letting Daisuke falling down)

    A1


    His surprise is clearly designed on his face at her words, but his answer is not a denial: also, it’s not him who blushes once Danbei finds him and Hikaru swept away by the hay.

    A2 A3


    It is a nice way, from a storytelling perspective, to introduce in a “kids' anime” a complex thematic like a possible lovestory between two characters. It is also a more interesting way for sure to depict a girl from the Japanese countryside of the ‘70s. I can tell you for sure (I have an insider in the Japanese society 5 ^_^) that a Japanese girl – especially who is living out of big cities – in the ‘70s could have never been allowed to ask directly a boy for a date. Besides, the scriptwriter (Keisuke Fujikawa) knew for sure about this social aspect. If he decided to depict such an untraditional and “independent” behaviour from Hikaru, it means that this was not an accident or a mistake: Fujkwa purposely introduced this as a characteristic of her personality.

    I would add something else: I think Fujikawa acted on the basis of instructions received from Shozo Uehara. The storyline about Hikaru’s strong and innovative personality and her deep link with Daisuke was in fact already presented in Uchu Enban Daisenso (the pilot movie, whose scriptwriter was Uehara himself). I mean, the basic idea about Hikaru’s revolutionary personality - respect to the usual Japanese female figures - was already introduced in the pilot movie (without entering in details, I am referring here mainly to her way to relate herself with her father and her relationship with Daisuke). Uehara is responsible for the scripts of eps 1 & 2 – where the main plot consists in characters and story overview presentation; ep3 is the first “real episode” of the anime. It was written by Fujikawa, but here Hikaru is the mainly focused character. Considering moreover the coherency with her presentation with "Uchu Enban Daisenso", I tend to believe Uehara was involved somehow in its content overview.

    Also, I find very interesting that Hikaru’s “official” presentation happens before Koji’s presentation: the first “Koji-centred” episode is ep4. If I was an Author, if I liked to give a presentation of the characters, I think I would proceed in a logical way. Well, it seems that in Grendizer case somebody ;-) thought that Hikaru Makiba deserved the stage light before Koji Kabuto... ^_^

    I agree with Suzi’s analysis 6 about Daisuke’s evolution in the first eps (see her MM about ep9 on French forum, now sadly suppressed): but I find those episodes containing also seeds of other characters’ presentation – confirming that Grendizer storytelling is complex and very different from all previous animes (honestly, I have difficulties in finding anything comparable. from this point of view, even in later products).

    In the first phase of the anime, we can see that the story is trying to “stabilise” itself, to find its own way, through episodes of alternate quality and script level. A long time ago we discussed about ep12 as the “turning point” of the anime (in French forum): in other words, the moment where, probably, the producer and Nagai decided to close the “uncertainty”, definitely changing anime's mood to an “adult” story (in the meaning I have clarified previously). Before ep12 and the closing of the first phase of the anime development, we can see still a couple of interesting episodes referring to Hikaru..

    EPISODE 9

    Ep9 has been already brilliantly examined by Suzi (on French forum): I honestly have nothing to add to her analysis. I would like only to underline that, at the farm party, Daisuke and Hikaru are clearly shown looking at each other with a love sight. That vision (plus other considerations perfectly described by Suzi) is th fact which convinces Mineo to leave the room and, then, the farm.

    A1 A2 A3

    A4 A5 A6


    There is no dialogue here: but we can see only a simple sight exchange between Hikaru and Daisuke. Six episodes after ep3 – nothing is explicitly shown to us – something is happened between them for sure, as the party scene is showed in a way that cannot leave any doubts about a growing feeling between them. Even if Hikaru is not surely a main character in ep9 (she is involved in very few scenes), she has anyway a central role in the turning point of that story. We'll see a very similar storytelling approach in future episodes too...

    EPISODE 11

    Before the end of this first phase of the anime, we can see another episode enlightening Hikaru's remarkable personality: ep11. This episode is usually commented because of “technical” purposes (the famous “energy” issue). This proves once more the multilayered level of storytelling applied in Grendizer. As a matter of fact, those few minutes at the hill in front of the farm give us other hints about a young girl fighting for her independence and trying to understand a guy with such a strange personality. They are alone on the hill, during an undoubtedly romantic night. She explicitly remarks:

    Hikaru: How is beautiful the moon, it’s like a mirror. I would like that we could see our heart reflected in the moon.

    A1 A2


    She notices Daisuke's worried expression - he is thinking to a possible Vega attack during the eclipse - then, she asks for an explanation.

    A1 A2


    His answer would be meant to reassure Hikaru: but she is disappointed, telling him:

    Hikaru: Uh, that’s what you were thinking...you disappointed me.

    A1 A2


    (Daisuke goes on with “technical details” on the eclipse: she is clearly angry)
    Hikaru: You really disappointed me, Daisuke. I thought you felt something for me.
    (Daisuke starts to explain himself better)
    Daisuke: But, Hikaru, I...

    A3


    They are interrupted by Danbei, who arrives in an angry mood, finding his daughter alone with a guy: he wants to beat Daisuke. Here is, once again, the novelty of Hikaru: contrarily to the classical Japanese female figures, she debates with her father and clearly refuses to accept his behaviour.

    A1 A2 A3


    Well, nothing comparable had been shown at that time on Japanese animes (a girl showing directly to a guy her interest + rebelling to her father). Hikaru Makiba is a character very far away from classical shy “girls from the countryside”...

    At the end of the first phase of Grendizer development, I would say that Authors (Katsuta, Nagai, Uehara, Fujikawa) were trying to create an anime strictly related to the original idea of the characters presented in "Uchu Enban Daisenso", balancing it with the requirement of the “story for kids”. The very different moods of the episodes 1-12 prove that the “direction” of the story was still to be completely developed. Or, maybe better, that someone still lacked the courage to do the final jump over the borderline.

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    1 TTOTC: it means "The Trial of The Century". It was a role play on the french forum, in which was making a trial about the characters. It was based on discussions based solely on visual evidence, relating to the fact that Duke Fled was really in love only with Rubina. They were not admitted evidence based on the dialogues of any edition then available. Gerdha had the role of Prosecutions , Agnès was the lawyer defender , the role of Judge was hired by Jerome, the Jury by Suzi and all other forum members who wish to comment on the various posts.

    2 DJinspace: it is the surname of French forum's founder and, at the same time, he is even the webmaster of the French forum which I (Gerdha) took part and in which was originally posted this analysis.

    3 VI DS: It means "Versione Italiana Doppiaggio Storico": Italian Version Historical Dubbing.

    4 MM: it means a "Monstrogoth Message", a long post of analysis. "Monstrogoth" is the French name for Vega's monsters.

    5 "I have an insider in the Japanese society": I have a Japanese relative acquired (Gerdha's note).

    6 "I agree with Suzi’s analysis" Suzi was a French forum's utent

    Edited by joe 7 - 9/1/2022, 23:01
     
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    HIKARU: A GIRL IN LOVE (episodes 13-22)

    HIKARU'S MODIFIED AGE

    After ep12, in Grendizer's storytelling something changes. Episodes'mood becomes stable, the scripts start to follow a better internal coherency; there is also a bigger attention to evolution's characters, being the anime's main plot line. Besides, something else changes from ep13 onward: Hikaru Makiba’s age. Suddenly, any reference to her as being a schoolgirl ends (even if she should continue to attend lessons, she has no lessons from now onward). From ep13, Hikaru lives and works always at the farm. We have discussed already the “age” issue on the forum 1 a long time ago, but I like to reprise the topic here, because I think that it is very important to understand the anime story. As I have underlined previously, the characters' presentation in the first phase of the anime is mostly coherent with Uchu Enban Daisenso, or UED (of course excluding Koji, who was a last-minute addition to the anime, but this is another – long – story to be told), including their ages. Hikaru Makino (farm inhabitants' surname in UED is different from Makiba) is a teen: she seems to be 15 years old. Hikaru Makiba could be a couple of years older in anime's first phase (since she is going to school in eps 1-12, she could be at maximum 17 years old).

    A1


    However, I firmly believe something changed in anime project around ep13. Assuming that the perspective of “adult” story meant necessarily properly developing the lovestory plot, it is clear how much was necessary “aging” Hikaru a bit (not too much, or the story wolud be not credible), in order to allow a better relationship with Daisuke. In that way, the teen girl became silently older of 3-4 years, by stopping going to school and transforming her female figure in a permanent reference in all episodes.

    A2 A3 A4



    EPISODE 14

    I like the idea of the relationship with Daisuke. See ep14 for example: it is a great example of masqueraded storytelling. While viewers watch this episode because of the first explicit connection with Mazinger Saga (giant laugh in the background ^_^), the real interest factor here lays in the subtle demonstration about the status of the relationship between Hikaru and Daisuke. First of all, the dialogue at the temple at New Year’s Eve daylight: Daisuke looks at Hikaru, confessing he supposes to have her same wish to express; Hikaru replies to him with complicity (look at visual aspects):

    Hikaru: Well, so you know what’s my wish.

    A1 A2


    During the traditional game scenes at the farm, the clues are even more clear, if possible. Once Hikaru has taken Daisuke in the bathroom to clean their faces, she laughs and tells him she purposely lost the game with Koji in order to find a way to be alone with him for a while; besides, their hands are together.

    A1 A2 A3


    The fact that Koji is fully aware of the situation is interesting; in the meantime, he confesses to Goro he understood her trick and accepted it.

    A4


    It is a very interesting observation, coming from Koji. It seems that the Authors wanted to remark that their developing relationship was not a secret and it was regarded with sympathy from Koji (at that moment, at least...). I would like to point out that, up to now, Mr. Fujikawa seems to have a particular affection towards Hikaru’s attitude to be outspoken about her feelings: he is the scriptwriter for eps 3, 11 and 14...

    EPISODE 17

    This development has a big surprise about the staff: writers'group starts to enlarge. In ep16 appears Toyohiro Ando (please note: ep16 - even with plot holes and bad drawing - is anyway telling about a lovestory!), who will work again only in ep21: after this, he goes away. The biggest news, however, is Mitsuru Mashima's arrival in the staff in ep22. Before this last remarkable event, Keisuke Fujikawa writes another Hikaru/Daisuke centred episode: ep17. It contains most interesting hints about Hikaru’s personality and about the kind of relationship she was creating at that moment with Daisuke. Hikaru and Daisuke, who were in the stable, have a nice talk about family, looking at the horse and its baby:

    Daisuke: What a great thing is a family.
    Hikaru: Maybe, but for what myself is concerned, sometimes I feel so constrained by my father.

    A1 A2 A3


    They agree about going together to a horse riding, tomorrow. Yeah: despite his hesitation (which is the latest visual evidence we have in the stable scene), Daisuke has agreed about the horse riding with her. But, after a moment, while he is looking at the red moon, he says that they must postpone the horse riding.

    A1 A2


    Well, in ep17 we can see the first time in which Hikaru is arguing with Daisuke: she is disappointed by his behaviour.

    A1 A2


    Hikaru is not an adoring girl for a beautiful guy: she clearly shows a strong attitude. She desires to build an “equal” relationship with him. She is not disappointed for the fact that Daisuke has cancelled the trip: she is disappointed because he refuses to explain her the reason for this. Hikaru told him about the fact that - for her - is important having the possibility to stay alone with him, out of her father’s control. Then, she is forced to suppose he does not want to stay with her. Daisuke clarifies explicitly that he would like to go horse riding with her, but not tomorrow. This is not a good explanation for her.

    A1 A2 A3 A4


    The interesting thing in ep17 is that Daisuke himself is uneasy and embarrassed in this situation: please see his facial expression. He prefers not to give her any explanation, instead to lie. After all, if he wanted, he could invent an excuse. I personally find ep17 a great and underestimated episode: it is the first situation in which Daisuke shows a sort of uneasiness towards his fake identity. Anyway, Hikaru’s feelings for Daisuke are still at a development stage, more in the “infatuation” stage than in the “love” stage. Once she comes back in the living room, she is still angry, stating that she is tired of Daisuke, because “sometimes he changes mood and becomes strange” and she “cannot get mad because of him”.

    A1 A2


    Danbei, who is aware of his daughter’s sympathy for his farmer, gets angry with Daisuke as he enters the room and screams his disapproval for the fact he’s letting her suffering. Daisuke is surprised: he did not think that the postponement of the horse riding was really important.

    A3 A4


    At the end, the incident was solved: at the following day, even in the middle of a snow storm, the horse riding takes place. Daisuke and Hikaru are looking at each other with a happy expression: the visual aspects of the scene leave no doubts.

    A1


    We can see that, at the end of the second development phase of Grendizer, Hikaru Makiba is growing as a character. She is keeping again the same major features of the first phase. Anyway, her link to Daisuke is changing. She is still in the “infatuation” phase, for now. See also the very quick reference in ep20, when, as soon as Daisuke exits the living room after winning a card game with Danbei, she exclaims:

    Hikaru: He is wonderful. He is fantastic in everything he does!

    A2


    Hikaru, anyway, criticizes Dasuke when she thinks is necessary. Daisuke himself has a growing feeling for her and he trusts in her: for this motive he starts to feel uneasy in keeping his double identity with her. This situation could not last forever for sure.

    Also, thanks to the high broadcast rates of the anime at that moment (ep21 had the largest japanese audience of whole anime broadcast) Katsuta & Nagai probably thought that the moment to turn definitely Grendizer in the “adult” story they had devised since the beginning was come.

    __________________________
    1 "We have discussed already the “age” issue on the forum": Gerdha refers to her old French forum where she took part.

    Edited by joe 7 - 26/10/2019, 17:43
     
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    HIKARU: AN ONGOING LOVESTORY (Eps 23-25)

    The dice is taken. Ufo Robot Grendizer will never be the same from now on and Hikaru Makiba is going to be the centre of the new story developments. Two new scriptwriters had been hired: Mitsuru Mashima and Tatsuo Tamura, helping Uheara and Fujikawa (the latter will definitely stop working on Grendizer after ep31).

    This staff change for sure is the basis of the change of direction in the story, that we can see from ep23 for at least the next 25 episodes. Katsuta and Nagai are going to show, for the first time in anime history, a real lovestory: but they are going to do it in their own way. By the way, at the same time of Grendizer airing in Japan, Leiji Matsumoto was showing to the public on a different TV channel other lovestories in “Yamato” second series, but with a complete different atmosphere and – I would say – audences...

    EPISODE 23 (part 1)

    Well, the new story development starts with a change in the script style. For the first time, there is no trick: the script is clearly aimed to reach the point of Hikaru finally discovering Daisuke’s real identity. Or, to be precise, to reach the point where Daisuke decides that the time has come to stop liying and to reveal the truth to Hikaru. Anyway, his decision would be not understandable without the key scene at the farm. I have to tell, this scene gave me a strange impression, since the first time I saw it: why the heck Hikaru was so angry with Daisuke? After all, that was not the first time he “disappeared” in a crucial moment. Besides, why Daisuke needs to justify himself in that way? Why he simply did not tell her: “Well, where I was is none of your business!”? Or, more simply, he could accept the opportunity of the excuse Koji offers him (“Daisuke had to do an urgent task for Umon”). Instead, he shamefully lowers his eyes. Why? Well, Hikaru has just accused him exactly of what he knows to be guilty of: being a liar and a person she cannot trust. It would be hard to explain anyway Daisuke and Hikaru’s behaviours simply thinking to a discussion between two good friends. There is something different: otherwise, we cannot give a proper explanation to this scene.

    For me, that scene describes enough clearly a discussion between two persons in love. Koji’s words are an indirect confirmation of this interpretation: facing Hikaru’s reaction to his tentative of defending Daisuke (“Hey, now you are mad at me?”), he first looks at both, then he leaves with an eloquent “Ah, I don’t want to get involved in this!”, which is a typical way for a friend to leave alone a troubled couple. Oh, I can hear lots of you gasping at these words of mine. How can I possibly suppose that Duke Fleed, the prince (or, better, the king) of an entire planet, a man who – as I remarked previously – was for sure used to meet and to be loved by a lot of stunning girls (we'll know a couple of them during the story), could be in love for a “girl from the countryside”? We can understand Hikaru's falling in love for him (even without knowing his real identity), but we could find hard to believe the mutual case: according to literature schemes, it would not be possible a similar situation, wouldn’t it? ;-)

    Instead, here is Grendizer's innovation and its unicity once more. Here is the genius' touch, the desire to experiment, the intention of creating a “great”, irreplaceable story. I don’t want to repeat here some very old considerations of mine 1, but I have already expressed more than once my opinion: one of the main characteristics of Duke Fleed’s personality is his desire (for a long list of reasons, which I won’t describe again here for brevity) during nearly the whole anime (at least up to the “final arc”) to live on Earth forever and to have a complete, new, simple life there, possibly forgetting about his past royal role. Hikaru is the perfect partner for him in achieving this desire. Perfect. Hikaru for sure is a strong, independent, honest, sweet woman, but – more importantly – she is in love for him without being “influenced” by external factors like his social position, wealth or whatever. Following the initial surprise for her interest, Daisuke for sure has evolved his feelings during the first 22 episodes, up to making a strong bond with her, while, on the other side, Hikaru has been changing her sentiments from a “teen crush” to a deeper feeling, mostly related to his personality (see eps 21 and 22), based on her trust on him. Daisuke knows this: in this episode, he finds himself in a terrible position. Continuing to live a double identity hidden to Hikaru would mean for sure to lose her. But what would be her reaction, if she could face the truth? This is Daisuke’ biggest fear. What if she would change her approach to him? What if she would see in him the alien prince, instead of the farmer he would like to be for the rest of his life?

    A1 A2

    A3 A4


    Episode 23 is crucial to understand Grendizer's anime. Honestly, I think it’s a pity its drawing was not assigned to a better team (the sakkan was Toshio Mori). Luckily, the script comes from Shozo Uehara, Daisuke and Hikaru's creator (he is the writer of Uchu Enban Daisenso). He knew very well where his characters came from and where the story was intended to go.
    The discussion at the farm is really a turning point of the anime. Hikaru has always been strong, she took care for years of her family, being also a mother, instead than only a daughter and an older sister. We could say also being a wife, in the meaning of the need for her to take care also of Danbei. Hikaru has spent her youth acting as an older woman. She thought to have finally found someone who can support and someone to trust, instead of confiding only on herself. But, suddenly, she finds herself alone once again in a difficult moment, without a proper explanation! Her anger is perfectly understandable. She has also a terrible doubt about being wrong in trusting Daisuke. Why did he refuse to tell her where he has been, disappearing from the farm in that crucial moment? She needs to stay alone to reflect, while searching for the white fugitive mare. By the way, in Italian version it is called “Biancone”; it is not Daisuke’s horse, but only Danbei's best animal 2.

    A1 A2 A3 A4


    With anger, Hikaru tells this to Daisuke (that is, the fact she want to be alone to reflect), while he tries to reach her. She can live alone by herself, she is not scared. Anyway, she cannot trust a man who tells lies. Once they arrive to the dangerous canyon, Daisuke interposes himself and tells her, with disappointment:

    Daisuke: Let's stop now. I think it’s stupid to risk your life because you are acting as a naughty baby. (then, with a softer voice) Come on, let’s go back home.

    A1 A2


    (Hikaru, still angry - see visual expression - replies her question)
    Hikaru: Where have you been? Please, tell me. Where have you been?

    A3


    (Daisuke lowers again his eyes: he is embarrassed)
    Daisuke: I can’t. I cannot tell you this.

    A4


    This is really too much for Hikaru. Even in an isolated place, alone with her, facing her anger, Daisuke does not want to share the truth with her. She really cannot have anything to do with him. She was wrong, he is only a nice guy, but not somebody to confide in. That’s why she is looking to him with that expression and she launches her horse along that dangerous canyon.

    A1 A2 A3


    She lived alone counting on herself for years, now she will go on in that way once again. Bye bye Daisuke.
    But destiny (well, in this case it has Mr Uehara's face and pen ^_^) has a big surprise coming. For a casualty, Hikaru’s horse get scared and unsaddles her, letting her falling down the precipice. Daisuke has no hesitation (could he?): he saves her transforming himself in Duke Fleed, but she is passed out and she cannot see him.

    A1 A3 A4

    A1 A2 A4


    You can see here the greatness of Uheara’s script: Daisuke thinks that the moment has come to confess to Hikaru his real identity, whatever reaction she could have and whatever consequences in their relationship this revelation could cause. He could change his aspect once again in Daisuke Umon, while she was passed out: he would have enough time to do it. Instead, he remains in front of her as Duke Fleed. When Hikaru awakens, she can recognise him only through his voice:

    Daisuke: My real name is Duke Fleed. I wasn’t born on Earth. My homeland is Planet Fleed.

    A6 A7 A9 A10


    Poor Hikaru, what a shock! I thought about it sometime: how could I react discovering my boyfriend is an alien? (well, very likely it won’t happen, so I won’t waste time in trying to figure out, I cannot really predict after all... LOL! ^_^) She probably has thought to some possible explanations for her question “where have you been?”, but Daisuke’s alien nature was not for sure included in her hypotheses. Hikaru, of course, is upset: rushing away is a very logical reaction for her.

    A1 A2 A3 A4


    Daisuke/Duke Fleed runs after her. When Hikaru falls (also, it’s raining, as in every typical Japanese dramatic scene), he tries to help her. Despite this, Daisuke receives a disturbed reaction from her:

    Hikaru: Don’t touch me!

    A3 A6 A10


    (Daisuke’s terrible internal tension and anguish explode in an incredible act: he slaps Hikaru)
    Daisuke: Stupid! 3

    A3


    What a wonderful script, what a special anime; Mazinger saga, anime for kids, where are you? In a few drawings, without a word, we can see something very deep about Daisuke and Hikaru’s feelings. Daisuke has just been overcome by his fears and emotions: he looks at his own hand with incredulity. He really gave a slap to Hikaru? How could it have been possible? Maybe he is not so strong? (well, we are going to see in a couple of episodes the final evolution of this process).

    A2 A5


    Even Hikaru is astonished: not only the man she loves hides a really incredible secret: he has just acted in an irrational way. She could have never imagine this before. This is too much for her: Hikaru passes out in his arms, while the rain continues to fall and a thunderbolt cuts and burns a tree (what a perfect symbol, what a genial way to describe that crucial moment for both characters and Grendizer's story).

    A1 A3 A5


    We are going to see something even more surprising. In the following scene, Hikaru, still passed out, is laying in a cavern under some covers (I refuse to discuss here why, how, when Daisuke could have brought that covers there. Maybe he used that cave in the past. Well, who cares, it has zero importance now). Daisuke, back to his earthling aspect, is near a fire. He is looking at her with a sweet expression.

    A1 A3 A4


    When she wakes up and sees him again in his usual aspect, she has a relieved face, but, immediately, has a worried expression comes at her: she is naked! Keeping the sweet expression, Daisuke explains:

    Daisuke: You could not keep your wet clothes on. They are put there drying.

    A1 A2 A3 A4



    ---------------------------------------------------------

    JOE7'S DEEPENING ON GERDHA'S ANALYSIS

    Before presenting it, let's pass to the facts: at first light, due to the coming of an UFO in the woods, Danbei's favorite white mare, Shiraba, frightened by the noise, runs away from the ranch. Hikaru and Danbei go to her research, but they don't find Daisuke. In fact, he had gone immediately to a mission with Grendizer, hunting the UFO. Hikaru goes up to the Space Center to find Daisuke, but she does not find him: she only meets Umon and Koji. The latter tries clumsily to justify Daisuke's absence, without convincing her. At the end, Danbei, in seeking the mare, is wounded. At that moment , when they bring Danbei at the ranch, Daisuke returns. But he finds a very angry Hikaru. Where had been Daisuke in those dawn hours, when Hikaru searched him everywhere? What had he done? Here is the dialogue:

    Daisuke: How is Danbei? (onboard of Grendizer, Daisuke had seen the scene of Danbei's fall from the horse, so he knew what happened)
    Hikaru: Wait a moment. Where have you been?

    A1 A2


    Daisuke: Tell me how is Danbei. (he tries to slip away the question, but Hikaru does not listen)
    Hikaru: Answer my question. Where have you been?
    (Daisuke is increasingly embarrassed, he puts his hand on his head, then he looks down: these are signs of confusion. He does not want to tell the truth to Hikaru and he does not know what to say).
    Daisuke: You…don't know?
    Hikaru: I know nothing!

    A1 A2 A3

    A4 A5


    Koji (he intervenes): Wait! He had to make an important job for Umon!
    Hikaru (says angrily): Koji, let Daisuke talks!
    (Koji looks at right and left, confounded)
    Koji: Hey, now you are mad at me?
    (then he goes away with a smile that implies something)
    Koji: Well, it's better if I go. I don't want to get involved in this!

    A1 A2 A3 A4



    Besides, Daisuke's revelation scene to Hikaru is done with a film movement around the two characters, emphasizing the importance of the event. Also, the cavern scene has a romantic background music.

    -------------------------------------------------------------
    1 "I don’t want to repeat here some very old considerations of mine": Gerdha is speaking about her interventions on French forum.

    2 "By the way, in Italian version it is called “Biancone”; it is not Daisuke’s horse, but only Danbei's best animal" : here Gerdha refers to VF (French Version) which has a wrong dubbing with respect to the horse: on French forum it was creating problems of interpretation of the episode.

    3 "Daisuke: Stupid!" In this dialogue, Gerdha had written that Daisuke did not say anything. In fact, she wrote this analysis in summer 2003, basing on VI DS (old Italian version dubbing), which, at that point, was wrong: in fact, in VI DS Duke Fleed is silent. Subsequently, Gerdha, reviewing the series a few years later with the help of her Japanese relative, she discovered that Duke Fleed in the Japanese original version (VO) says "Stupid!" in that scene.

    Edited by joe 7 - 25/11/2019, 17:37
     
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    EPISODE 23 (part 2)

    Daisuke makes a movement, picking up Hikaru's clothes. But, without a word, Hikaru's hand is inadvertently on Daisuke's hand: they touched their hands. They look each other deeply in their eyes; afterwards, Daisuke exits from the cave.

    A2 A4 A5 A6


    I must confess 1 , when I first saw ep23 (I was 12 years old), I could not believe my eyes, watching this scene. I never saw anything similar in a cartoon before (I don’t know about France, Canada, Luxembourg and Arabic countries: but up to 1978, in Italy, we get broadcasted only Disney, Hanna&Barbera, MGM and a couple of Bulgarian cartoons: there were no naked women in front of a man, until now). I remember my total surprise: I did not believe it. “What... this does mean he stripped her??? Eekk!!!”. The fact that, during these latest 25 years 2, I never met a single Grendizer fan recalling this scene, is very interesting. Even in this forum 3, nobody has ever underlined this in any post since I joined (from a year, eheh ^_^). On the contrary, I have read on 99% of internet sites all over the world that “surely” Daisuke did not love Hikaru (these are the most polite comments: I have found even worse definitions of their relationship in various languages). Well, my dear friends, please let me be very honest: sorry if I could be rude. Do you know how many female webmasters are in the world? Well, I don’t know the answer, but for sure no woman is the webmaster of 99% of Grendizer sites. You can take it for granted.

    Please let me explain. I am not a supporter of the sex opposition philosophy in general, there are all my previous posts here which can prove this. Anyway it’s a fact that, in a lot of cases, male and female approach life in a different way.

    Actually, about the arguments I read in internet about Hikaru and Daisuke, one of the best examples of this "different male and female approach" is the fact that the male Grendizer audience has never interpret the cave scene of ep23 as the most clear prove that Daisuke and Hikaru were in love for each other. Rather, probably they had also started an “official” relationship at that point of the story. Even without taking into account the situation at the farm, the cavern scene does not offer any different interpretation, unless we think that Shozo Uheara was drunk while he wrote the script, together with all the design team – including Nagai and Katsuta – and ep23 is only a funny joke.

    For God’s sake, I would really like to know from Agnes and Suzi and whoever other female here if they would allow a friend (even a good one) to undress them completely – I mean including lingerie - without previous agreement, without any specific urgent need (okay, Hikaru’s dresses were wet, so what? In the worst case she would have taken a flu, which would have been surely annoying, but come on, her life would have not been in danger for that). Mostly, what would be their reaction, waking up in a strange place, discovering themselves naked (repeat, without underwear). Personally, if this happened to me, at least I would scream to this “friend” something not really polite. Surely I would cancel his name from my friends list for good. But I was afraid I could be maybe too much old-fashioned and over-reacting, then I asked recently for the opinion of some friends - male and female - on this topic (like a philosophic question, of course ;-) ). Guess what, my female friends have all confirmed they would react exactly like me, if not worse, in a similar situation. Besides, my males frends told me that in no case they would take off underwear from a girlf, without a life danger situation. Everybody of us agreed on the same reasoning: unless the stripper is our boyfriend, there is no way a situation like the cavern in ep23 would not cause in me and my female friends an “irritated” reaction. An ordinary male (I mean, not a psycho) would not undress completely a woman unless she is his girlfriend in the same situation.

    So, I could affirm as a general statement that, without an adequate level of intimacy, no man would be allowed from a “normal” woman to act like Daisuke – undressing a girl of all clothes including lingerie while she is passed out without an immediate life danger - or in case to not get a bad reaction in response.

    We are talking about a Japanese (!) cartoon of 1975 (!!!). So, I feel enough confident to be not completely mad and out-of-this-world. I think that what happens in the cavern in ep23 is an indirect confirmation that Daisuke and Hikaru had a lovestory going on. Please consider also the kind of look they are clearly designed as exchanging while she stops him in giving her dry clothes.

    A4


    We cannot see any proposal or kiss or whatever explicit hint: but the cavern scene, in my opinion, has no different purpose and meaning than letting the viewer understand that something more than a simple good friendship was going on between the two characters (I am not talking about a strict sexual relationship, but about a lovestory anyway). If not, why they put this scene? It’s so strange and out of the usual mood of the anime that – unless we suppose all the design and production teams were getting crazy – it must have a specific deep meaning. Daisuke does not give any excuse, Hikaru does not have any bad reaction (she is surprised but not angry - even supposing her big confusion for the incredible revelation just received, anyway her womanhood could not have been completely darkened).

    A2


    The ongoing lovestory explains well also Daisuke's feelings: he trusts Hikaru, he thinks she will understand him in the following scene. See the visual aspects: the rain has stopped (great symbol once more), he is looking at himself in a pool. Hikaru’s face appears near his one in the pool itself (I personally consider this as one of the best scenes of the whole anime).

    A1 A2 A3


    He briefly explains her his story and his necessity to hide and to use a fake identity, without looking at her,

    A4 A5


    Hikaru is no more angered or scared. She simply says him :

    Hikaru: I still can’t believe that you are not the person I have always supposed... I need to be alone for a while.

    Daisuke only says her to pay attention. After, he observes her while she is riding away. He is confident anyway that “She would need a bit of time, but then she’ll understand”. Well, apart from any other reflection, I consider this as the confirmation of Daisuke’s high consideration about Hikaru’s mind and soul. It is very far from Grendizer fans' usual thoughts about this incredible female character, sadly. The episode is not finished yet. After the battle with Blacky’s monster and having saved Hikaru’s life, Daisuke and Hikaru meet each other.

    A2 A3 A4 A5


    Confirming Daisuke’s great opinion about her, Hikaru hasn’t needed a lot of time to understand. Everything is clear for Hikaru now: all her doubts about the man she is in love with, for having gone away. Daisuke is happy: his fears have gone away too. He has found a really incredible woman to trust and to love. Can you think how relieved could he feel? There is no more need to lie to her. It is possible starting a new phase of their relationship. He reminds her that his real name is Duke Fleed, not Daisuke. Hikaru has no hesitation: Duke Fleed will be anyway Daisuke Umon for her: this is the name she knew him. He will be forever Daisuke, for what herself is concerned. Exactly the words he hoped to hear from her.
    Well, is it a sunset or a daylight which is shining at the end of the episode behind Yatsuga-take?

    A1 A2 A3



    --------------------------------------------------

    JOE7'S DEEPENING ON GERDHA'S ANALYSIS

    About Daisuke and Hikaru's dialogue after the rain, it remembers the saying: "A discussion is like rain: after, the serene comes back and the ties are stronger than before". The dialogue between them is very intense:

    Hikaru: Why you have been hiding this to me?

    A1


    Hikaru turns and walks away. Daisuke does not answer. He does not know what to say. At one point, he turns around and says:

    Daisuke: Hikaru!

    She turns: there is total silence, with only a romantic background music. They look themselves silently, saying nothing. Daisuke could not give a better answer: with that look, he said everything.

    A2 A6 A8


    Hikaru understands what Daisuke is trying to say her. After Hikaru goe away, the scene takes place with a close-up that becomes a very close-up on Daisuke's eyes, which are glowing: it is a sign that he is sure about the fact that Hikaru will understand him. This scene ends with the same scene in which it started (try to compare), with a symmetry.

    A1 A3 A6


    Let's move on to the next scene: Hikaru has became Blacky's prisoner. He tells Duke Fleed to bring Grendizer below the dam, so the robot will be swept away by the water and it will be destroyed when the monster will destroy the dam.

    A2


    Daisuke's reaction is furious: he clenches his fists until they shake, sweating. He thinks about the fact that Blacky wants to destroy Grendizer, the most precious weapon for Earth's salvation. At the other side, there is Hikaru's life. Daisuke doesn't hesitate: he brings Grendizer below the dam.

    A1 A2 A3


    It should be noted that for the first time there is a mention about Grendizer's difficulties under water: a deficiency to which, coincidentally, Hikaru will remedy driving the Marine Spacer.
    There is another thing to note: when Hikaru went to find Rigel's precious mare, her father, worried about Hikaru, shouted: "Hikaru, don't go! You are more valuable than Shiraba! (the white mare)". It is a hidden message: to Daisuke, Hikaru is more important than Grendizer. It can be seen also looking his state of tension: we have never seen before Daisuke tighten so much his fists.

    When Hikaru is released, Daisuke, onboard of Grendizer, tells her to run away. What are her reactions? First, she is shocked, looking the giant robot in front her; then she is surprised. She understands that Daisuke is in that giant robot!

    A1 A2 A3


    Subsequently, she seems uncertain, almost disgusted. She refuses the situation.

    A4 A5


    At the end, she runs, confused and frightened. She cannot accept the situation. It is a truly exceptional psychological construction.

    A6 A7 A8


    After, the Vega monster destroys the dam: Grendizer remains motionless, waiting for the tide water. We can see that the promises made by a prince were binding, and that Blacky knew that. Should be noted here that it is the first time that Grendizer fights in water: it is visibly in difficulty. it will have to leave the water to beat the monster. It is beginning to develop the future "weakness of Grendizer".

    A3


    Meanwhile , Hikaru turns and looks at the first dam collapsing. Frightened, she says: "Daisuke!". For the first time, she cares for him and, after saying his name, she comes back. From this moment onward, Hikaru makes her decision: she will not run away anymore.

    A1 A2 A3


    Meanwhile, Grendizer is dragged away by the current: it slams against a rocky outcrop. Daisuke clashes with the console, fainting. Meanwhile, Hikaru is running towards him. She does not show the fear she showed before.

    A1 A2 A3


    From here onwards, the scene described in the original Japanese title of the story: "Hikaru screaming at the rapids" begins. The girl, running toward him, is shouting:

    Hikaru: Daisuke! The largest dam is in danger! Daisuke!
    (No answer: Daisuke is still unconscious)
    Hikaru: Daisuke! Stand up, please! The dam will be destroyed!
    (Running in slow motion, while Daisuke begins to open his eyes, Hikaru repeats)
    Hikaru: Daisuke!
    (Duke Fleed sees, in a confused way, Hikaru's figure approaching him: since then, Grendizer starts to get up. Clearly, Hikaru has a strong influence on Daisuke)

    A1 A2 A3 A4


    (Hikaru, then, approached her hands to her mouth and repeats)
    Hikaru: Daisuke! Please, take them out! The largest dam is in danger!
    (Daisuke, finally, recovers completely and once again his thinking is especially related to Hikaru)
    Daisuke: No! If the great dam will be destroyed, then Hikaru will die and with her all the others!

    Note: before Hikaru, after "all the others"

    A1 A2 A3


    The monster's destruction takes place out of the water, as you can see. It is a hidden sign of Grendizer's weakness.
    At the end, Daisuke has again his terrestrial clothes: she meets Hikaru.

    Hikaru: Now I understand why you wanted to hide your identity. Daisuke, you are the guardian of Earth!

    A1


    Daisuke: I am very glad you understand me, Hikaru. You can call me Duke Fleed.
    Hikaru: I prefer Daisuke. I'd rather call you that.
    Daisuke: Thanks.
    (Appears a romantic background music)

    _____________________________________________
    1 "I must confess": here, Gerdha is speaking about herself.

    2 "these latest 25 years": this analysis was made in 2003.

    3 "this forum": obviously, the French forum.

    4 "Well, is it a sunset or a daylight which is shining at the end of the episode behind Yatsuga-take?": Here, Gerdha refers to a discussion on French forum about Grendizer's location. In French version (VF) it was not absolutely clear about the anime locations. She was working about on "Nagaifans", another site.

    Edited by joe 7 - 26/10/2019, 18:51
     
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    EPISODE 24

    In ep24 Tatsuo Tamura enters in writers' team. In his first episode, a vegan (Whiter) discovers the double identity of Grendizer’s driver (Mineo, as you recall, did not reveal it to Blacky and Gandal).

    A1


    Confirming anime's changing mood. Hikaru saves Daisuke’s life for the first (and not last!) time in this story. She runs, risking her life, to the Research Centre to advise Daisuke about the fake identity of the hosted scientist (by the way, note the script: a fake identity against another fake identity... ;) really, Mr. Tamura was a good writer...), but she finds herself troubled, as the enemy reaches her near main door's Centre and he tries to strangle her.

    A2


    Luckily, Daisuke is at the balcony and he sees everything. His instinctive reaction is to protect Hikaru, using the only weapon he can utilise: the most precious thing he owns, the fleedian royal medal, the only souvenir of his own family he still possesses.

    A3 A4


    It’s the first time we can see the definitive form of the royal medal on the screen; Daisuke wears it in ep7 (it was Gorman 's story), so this idea was already in Author’s minds since from the beginning: but here it appears definitely as a plot element.

    A5


    Anyway, once the enemy is defeated, Hikaru and Daisuke find themselves together: he expresses all his worries for the danger she has passed by. But Hikaru affirms she cannot leave anybody threatening his life. It won’t be the last time we will listen to this strong woman telling Daisuke this same concept...

    A3 A4 A5



    JOE7'S OBSERVATIONS

    In this episode, Hikaru puts Daisuke's medallion on his neck, while he smiles for a moment. Daisuke likes the subtle intimacy between him and Hikaru.

    A1 A2



    Edited by joe 7 - 9/11/2019, 15:58
     
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    GREAT MAZINGER AGAINST GRENDIZER

    Yeah, I know, it could seem I am digressing...as a matter of fact, I'm using a little trick here, ^_^ But, really, there are temptations which I can’t resist to, LOL! Besides, I was waiting for this moment from such a long time... :lol: The day before ep25's airing, Saturday 20th March 1976, on Japanese cinemas a spin-off Toei movie called “Great Mazinger versus Grendizer” was released.

    Pay attention: I have told the day before ep25's broadcast.

    I underlined this nice event for a couple of reasons. First, the staff who took care of this movie is, for the most part, shared with the anime's staff: the producer is Toshio Katsuta, Keisuke Fujikawa is the scriptwriter, director of animations and character design are assigned to Kazuo Komatsubara, while the scenarist is Itou Iwamitsu. I know that my opinion is contrary to the usual statements, but, given this impressive list, I find very unlikely that this movie has no correlation at all with the anime. Usually, spin-off movies were used by Toei to “give an anticipation” to the public about some major events soon coming in the anime. It happened in other movies (for example: Great Mazinger's creation, Musashi's death in Getter Robot, etc). In this case, the “preview” is related to TFO's destruction, which was going to be displayed in a couple of weeks in Grendizer's anime.

    A1 A2


    Anyway, I believe that what happens in this movie between Daisuke and Hikaru cannot be underestimated at all: this is the second point of interest. Please note that what I am going to refer about dialogues cannot be disputed, as I get a translation from Japanese of these scenes from my mothertongue stepsister. So, my dear friends, take a deep breath and relax, because you are going to discover something very interesting.
    At the farm, once he has opened the stable and he has let the cows exit, Daisuke invites Hikaru on a horse trip. Please note: he invites her (great move, guy, it was time. Go on, go on...). Hikaru is glad to accept immediately the invitation; she asks Goro to take care of the animals, while she is outside: so her brother giggles and comments on the fact she wants to stay alone with Daisuke.

    A1 A2


    After some scenes, Daisuke and Hikaru are shown in an isolated location, close to a fall.

    A3


    (it’s the same place depicted in ep66, where Danbei will pray for Hikaru).

    A4 A5


    In order to not be disturbed, Daisuke leaves his radio-clock hung on a tree and he spends tender moments with Hikaru. They are undoubtedly depicted here as a couple in love: this could be enough to think to a parallel situation in the anime, given the common developing staff.

    A1 A2


    Besides, if someone could have still doubts about the situation, Goro kindly informs us about what’s going on between Daisuke and Hikaru. In fact, as Umon is unable to contact Daisuke to advise him about Vega’s attack, Koji drives his jeep to the farm, searching for him. He asks Goro if he knows where Daisuke is, and the boy answers:

    Goro: Yes, he has gone to the river with my sister. They are in love with each other, like two pigeons. So I think it’s better to leave them alone, don’t you think?

    A3 A4


    Koji is disappointed (“Dammit, he thinks about love in such a bad moment!”) and he rushes to take the TFO out of the garage, while Goro screams him he cannot do anything on the matter, then he reflects:

    Goro: It’s sad having a broken heart!

    A5 A6


    Once onboard of the little yellow spacer, Koji finally thinks to himself:

    Koji: Okay, let’s let them flirting – I don’t need him and I can do this (referring to the fight) by myself

    I believe wholeheartedly that the content of the movie IS somewhat related to the anime. As the anime was getting aired in the meantime, I don’t see any reason why the same staff should have described in this movie a complete different plot for what the Grendizer characters are concerned. At contrary, depicting a changed situation in the movie would have been risky as it could have get the viewers confused. I understand that I could give the impression to be really crazy (LOL! After all I am a TCT founder!) but I can’t help in sharing a further consideration (ah, those temptations I cannot resist… ^_^). The movie producer is Mr. Toshio Katsuta, the man who was supervising Ufo Robot Grendizer realisation together with Mr. Go Nagai himself. I find nearly impossible that Nagai was not aware of the script of the movie, so I would tend to believe that he agreed too with the explicit admission of an ongoing lovestory between Daisuke and Hikaru displayed in it. The movie could have been designed at least a couple of months before the releasing; as a matter of fact, I don’t have any information on the matter. Anyway, I made my assumption considering the plot of TFO destruction, the anime usual making schedule and the fact that, strangely, Komatsubara did not work as artistic director in the anime from ep18 to ep32, just as Fujikawa did not write any script from ep 17 to ep31. So, I would feel enough confident in supposing that the lovestory plot between Daisuke and Hikaru was clearly in all anime design team’s minds and it was considered as a stated fact around eps 23-24. Considering the evolution of the relationship between Daisuke and Hikaru, which the same staff was developing at that time in the anime serie, I find the movie script consistent and also as an indirect proof that Daisuke and Hikaru were in love for each other at that point of the anime story. Yes, it’s true, Daisuke thinks to Fleed destruction at one point of the spin-off movie; the comparison between his life on Earth and his life on Fleed has been often a sort of recurring theme in Grendizer story. In fact, his past on his native planet will have a sudden comeback on the TV screen few hours later.

    SUZI'S NOTE 1

    One last thing to note about this: in the movie "Grendizer against Great Mazinger", you can note a strange happening: the evolution of the relationship between Hikaru and Daisuke. For the first time, we can see Daisuke inviting Hikaru, as if he had suddenly forgotten all about the war; besides, he puts the watch-radio on the branch, so as not to be disturbed. This invitation was actually a DATE, or an "amorous rendezvous". Take a look below on this page of the Mazinger Bible 2, where Go Nagai speaks of the film and he says that it was a "date" between Daisuke and Hikaru. I have highlighted in blue the word in katakana which says "date ": デート. Even Koji and Goro noticed this: it was the motivation of their reactions.

    A7

    A7a


    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    1 Suzi is a forumist and Gerdha's friend. She gathered information from Gerdha's Japanese relative.
    2 Mazinger Bible: it is a volume published in 2002 by Futabasha, which contains 505 pages produced by Go Nagai's Dynamic Production studio, in which there are cards, interviews, insights and images on the protagonists of the Mazinger saga: Mazinger Z, the Great Mazinger and Grendizer.

    Edited by joe 7 - 9/11/2019, 18:19
     
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    EPISODE 25

    Ep25 is “Naida’s episode”: it is common opinion. Well, I assure you that the reason why my opinion is a bit different is not based on the fact I dislike Naida's character to all extent (not as much as Rubina, but The Irritating Princess is really out of scale...). I simply think that – just as Rubina – Naida is in reality mainly a plot trick to let the story go where the Authors wanted it to be. Ep25 realisation has a story in itself, which is subtle, told by Katsuta in the Roman Album: but this is not the right place to discuss. What I want to underline is, instead, how important is ep25 to define Hikaru’s personality and her relationship with Daisuke.
    It’s not a casualty - for me - that ep25 is located immediately after ep23 and 24: it cannot be a coincidence at all. I would like to point out the strict coordination between certain parts of the scripts of eps 23-24-25. Three different scriptwriters (Uheara-Tamura-Mashima) but only one project: for what Hikaru’s evolution is concerned, there are no plot holes and the overall story is perfectly designed and coherent in itself. Uheara takes care of the big turning point (ep23), Tamura is responsible of confirming the direction (ep24) and it’s Mashima who writes what I consider as one of the best scripts with one of the most pregnant scenes of the whole anime.
    We don’t see Hikaru for nearly the whole episode, but we can feel her presence anyway. In fact, we must suppose she knew of Naida’s arrival. First, it’s impossible nobody told her the big news about another host at the Centre; secondly, who other than Hikaru could have given to Naida the red dress (by the way, see how similar it is to the one borrowed to Mineo in ep9 – I think it’s even possible that the original idea was the dress to be exactly the same...);

    A1 A2


    Thirdly, it’s likely that Daisuke took Naida to the farm for starting the horse riding, so Hikaru should have get the news about Naida at least from her father.

    A3


    Anyway, given what happens at the medical centre and the dialogues there, it’s clear that the two girls never met before 1. However, for sure Hikaru knows perfectly who Naida is while the latter has no idea about the identity of the woman in front of her. Very interesting. How to explain this? Well, I personally think Daisuke talked to Hikaru about his past love for Naida “out of screen” somewhere in between eps 23-24, and this explains Hikaru’s strange behaviour, both in medical room and in front of the cell. I mean, I have always found strange Hikaru’s sweetness towards Naida, like she gave up the war before even starting the fight. My personal explanation of this behaviour is that Hikaru knew about the passion which linked Duke Fleed and Naida on their native planet, and thought she could not counterpart that resurrected feeling: it’s enough difficult to “fight” against a ghost, go figure if it comes back from the deads. Hikaru supposes her lovestory with Daisuke – after all they have “renegotiated” their relationship from such a short time – could not survive to the storm caused by Naida’s comeback.
    But on the other side, strangely, it seems that Daisuke did not tell anything to Naida about Hikaru, like if he wanted to “hide” or “protect” his feelings for Hikaru. He has a new life on Earth and he does not share the information with Naida. I don’t want to discuss here about Daisuke’s mental attitude in ep25, from a psychological point of view is extremely interesting, but this is not the point here at all (this is not an ep25 analysis, ehehe ^_^). The point here is the incredible scene of the two girls in front of Daisuke’s room, which I consider a masterpiece of the whole anime. Hikaru trying to not show to Naida her feelings for Daisuke is really poignant; she could scream her pain and hate towards Naida, but her strengthens and her deep respect for the man she is in love for is wonderfully designed in her tentative to reject the tears coming to her eyes. Why showing anger when the most important thing is Daisuke’s state of mind? Why sharing something so personal as her feelings for Daisuke to the woman (she supposes) he loves and is going to take her place near him?

    A1


    I have wondered for years why Naida decides to kill herself. From a theoretical point of view, her act is absolutely nonsense. I would like my French friends to know that their edition suffers of a big censorship at the end of the episode: the original version (aired in Italy and Arabic countries) shows some scenes which demonstrate clearly Naida’s purpose to suicide, despite Duke Fleed’s reiterate tentatives to stop her. Why does Naida want so deeply to die, despite the fact she is perfectly aware that Duke Fleed is healthy again, he is willing to fight and he screams her repeatedly to stop her action? Honestly, even if I agree with Suzi about the fact that Naida’s suicide could prove to Daisuke the story of the fleedian brains was fake, I find absurd she kills herself for a demonstration purpose: as he was healthy again, she could have told him directly and find if the case another way to prove her story was false. And I don’t find also a possible guiltiness feeling from her side due to the killing tentative towards Daisuke to be a good enough reason for a suicide, as she is perfectly aware that he is in good shape again. No, I think the reason of her desire to die is different.

    A2


    In front of the room where Daisuke is locked, seeing Hikaru’s rejected tears and facing her unusual behaviour, Naida suddenly has a revelation: there is another woman in Duke Fleed’s life, somebody so special he did not tell anything about her. They have stayed together for days, and he did not feel the need to share a single word about this Hikaru Makiba, who clearly knows the deep of him despite the “low profile” she is trying to impersonate. Here is, for me, the explanation of the dialogue between Naida and Hikaru:

    Naida: Tell me, you are in love with him, right?
    Hikaru: But, I...
    Naida: I supposed so. I love him too, maybe more than you. Love is the greatest strengthens.

    and Naida’s following decision to kill herself.

    A7 A8


    Naida is weak, she cannot find a purpose in her life different from her passion for Duke Fleed. She survived all those years in the terrible Vegan enslaving, repeating herself she loved him and being convinced he shared the same sentiment, and now she must face the fact that life has gone on for him and he loves another woman. Apart of the problem of the lie about the fleedian brains and the guiltiness feeling for having tried to kill him (plus maybe other issues linked to Planet Fleed destruction, but this is another story...), I believe this is the fundamental reason why Naida decides to suicide anyway. Hikaru’s strengthens and Naida’s weakness: that’s what ep25 is about - amongst many other goals.
    Finally, I have a last consideration to share. As we have discussed in other posts, ep25 is a big turning point of the story from Daisuke’ character perspective, but it’s the same for Hikaru too. ”Love is the greatest strengthens”. The look she shares with Naida in front of Daisuke’s locking door proves that also Hikaru had a revelation in ep25: there is a difference between being in love for somebody and to love someone. She is going to elaborate this insight in the following episodes...

    JOE7'S OBSERVATIONS

    Notice the dialogues between Naida and Hikaru:

    Naida (she just woke up after the operation): Duke Fleed…where is him? (then, she turns and sees, for the first time, Hikaru. She does not know her, and asks:)
    Naida: Who are you?
    Hikaru: I'm a friend of Daisuke...I mean, Duke.

    Note that Hikaru tells Naida the terrestrial name of Duke Fleed, which Naida does not know: then she correct herself. Besides, throughout all the episode, Naida calls him always "Duke". It is almost as if she rejected the fact that Daisuke is on Earth and she thought they are still on Fleed.

    A4 A5


    Look closely Hikaru's behavior: in front of the door with bars, she says Naida about the state of Daisuke and, after finishing, she has her eyes moist with tears. But she does not want to cry in front of her.

    A3 A4


    Naida looks down, confused: but, when she raises her head, she has a surprised expression. She has found that Hikaru is crying and that she is striving to hold back her tears. Why this unknown woman is so interested to Duke Fleed?

    A1 A1 A2


    Then Daisuke screams umpteenth time, Hikaru does not take it anymore, she lost control for a moment and shouts:

    Hikaru: “DAISUKE!”

    A4


    At that moment, Hikaru became aware that she had made ​​a misstep: she revealed to Naida her feelings. She has once again called Daisuke with his earthly name, the same name she said first Naida by accident, not using the name of Duke Fleed. She turns away, embarrassed. And Naida understands that Duke made a life with another name, in the midst of other people. And with another woman. Not with her.

    A5 A6


    ----------------------------------------------------------------------

    1 this means that Hikaru gave the pink robe to Naida without seeing her, through a third person. Perhaps she did not want to see her (Joe7's note).

    Edited by joe 7 - 11/11/2019, 21:22
     
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    HIKARU: THE NEW DEAL (EP 26-30)

    EPISODE 26 - 27 (PART 1)

    Episode 25 represented the final episode of the first airing of Grendizer in Italy (6th May 1978). I still remember myself shaking for emotions at its end, and wondering what the hell would have happened in the rest of the story. I had to wait 7 months for knowing the answer. And I still remember my big surprise seeing ep26 beginning, plus my astonishment continuing for the whole episode – I did not even realised immediately the big news of Grendizer fighting against more than one monster, LOL.

    Theoretically, Miss Naida is dead from few days or weeks at maximum; why does Daisuke seemed to not be sad or at least recalled her for a moment? Ep26 seems at first impression to be totally “unrelated” with the previous ones, and Daisuke – more then soon recovered from his high depression – acts here as ep25 has been a giant soap bubble (^_^) exploded without leaving any trace in his soul. But as I explained, Grendizer is for me like a big matrioska doll, which we are asked to open carefully at every episode in order to find out what it really contains.

    I personally consider ep26 as only a pure introduction to ep27. Ep27 is the real Grendizer episode to be analysed, while ep26 depicts only the “official” scenario (the strategic situation from the battle perspective and the need for Hikaru to get blood to survive) to be developed in details by ep27. Actually, Uehara needed more than 23 minutes to properly tell the story of (in random order) the destruction of TFO, Danbei becoming aware that aliens are not friends, Blacky’s death & Gandal being seriously injured, and the start of a new phase of Daisuke&Hikaru’s relationship. Instead to create a mess rushing to add events to events (like instead it will sadly happen in the final episodes), probably supported by the high ratings Grendizer still had at that times, the staff thought rightfully to use the necessary time to develop correctly all the elements required to properly close an era in Grendizer and to finally complete the definitive move to the “adult story” they wanted to create.

    And a change in the relationship between Daisuke and Hikaru was necessary at the scope. I called this part of the post as “the new deal”, because it’s how I see the deep meaning of the blood transfusion. I repeat again what me and Suzi have already told in this Forum weeks ago: in the original version of the anime, the reference to the blood transfusion exists only in ep27 and nobody mentions it neither explicitly nor implicitly in no moment in the following 47 eps. I am sorry, my friends, but the French version (VF) is totally wrong in each moment it refers to the blood transfusion as the reason of any Hikaru’s “special power” or similar. (Gerdha refers to the fact that the VF says in several later episodes that Hikaru acquired, by transfusion, physical strength and special powers that allow her to become a fighter).

    A1 A2


    So, the big question is: why inserting the plot of the blood transfusion, if it is never used nor alluded after? It’s such a big event, it must have a meaning. Well, considering the previous “trilogy” (eps 23-24-25) it’s not so difficult to understand it: after all the emotions and upsettings happened in ep25, and the discover of the real personality of his former girlfriend (I won’t enter in details here), Daisuke wants to confirm his love to Hikaru. Face it: he never offered previously nor will offer later his blood to save any earthling (and in lots of cases it would have been probably useful...) but he has no hesitation towards Hikaru; from her side, Hikaru seems not to be extremely surprised for the event and simply thanks him with a smile. Paying attention to the visual aspects of the scene, we could notice enough clearly the kind of look they exchange when she takes his hands between hers. The blood transfusion is a sort of deal Daisuke exchanges with Hikaru, and given the nature of the act, it’s a treat which could not be withdrawn later...In fact, by its very nature, it is a solemn and permanent agreement: it is not that Daisuke in the future can take away from Hikaru the blood that he has given her, saying: "Sorry, I was wrong / I changed my mind, could you give me back my blood?". Since that donation has a specific psychological meaning, it is a pact that Daisuke will no longer withdraw. Because of this it is so important.

    A3 A4 A5


    But, referring to Hikaru, ep27 major points of interest have still to finish. A great scene revealing a lot about her personality happens also in the cavern where she meets Daisuke bringing him Umon’s message. The argument at the farm in ep23 (where Daisuke is revealed) is not an isolated case. Hikaru – very far from being a woman needing to be helped or protected - is in reality the only character in the story who can counterpart Duke Fleed and who is able to convince him that he is wrong and to let him change his opinion or plans.

    A6


    Here is the first example of the new deal: Umon has not explained all the truth in his message to Daisuke, in order to avoid him to worry for his life, but Hikaru, who knows the truth, proposes an alternative plan to free Umon and Koji and to allow also Daisuke to take the mechanical piece needed for repairing Grendizer. Daisuke worries for her (“Do you want to be killed?”). But Hikaru replies without being impressed, convincing him to change his mind.

    A7


    Hikaru: Don’t you have faith in me? I succeeded in taking vegans for fools once! (when she run away)
    Daisuke: It’s a high risk!
    Hikaru: But Umon’s life is in danger! If we lose more time in discussions, maybe it will be too late for saving him!
    Daisuke: Your life would be in danger too, don’t forget it!
    Hikaru: I know, but I am ready to risk it. Come on, Daisuke, jump on and let’s go!

    A1 A2


    She is the one who rides Daisuke to the Centre, she is the one who treats Blacky for a fool (and as in ep23 Grendizer saves her falling from a precipice – Uehara evidently loved this circumstance ^_^), she is the one that – in the end – saves the situation.

    A3 A4 A5


    After all, Hikaru Makiba enters “de facto” in Grendizer Team in ep27, even if she will need some episodes still to make up her mind and then to let do the same to the male characters of the story...

    Edited by joe 7 - 10/11/2019, 18:49
     
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    EPISODE 26 - 27 (PART 2): JOE7'S DETAILS

    Before concluding the analysis of this episode, I would describe a particular scene, the final one, where Daisuke, onboard of Grendizer, intentionally destroys the Mother Ship and kills Blacky. But before we describe it, I would like to set the point on some facts: first, at the previous episode happens the attack on the Ranch, and Vega monster Hado Hado launches the flames that almost kill Hikaru.

    A1 A2


    Please note that Daisuke, onboard of Grendizer, was nearby and he saw the scene. So, he knows that the monster nearly killed Hikaru.

    A3 A4


    Not only this. When Hikaru recuperates, Daisuke grabs her hands, then he is silent for a time, grimly. More than usual. As if he thought to who did this to Hikaru.

    A5


    Also, before he run away, he gives one last look right at Hikaru.

    A6 A7


    Another important antecedent is the attempt of Blacky himself to kill Hikaru: first, he gives a terrible slap that makes her fly (Blacky's hands are larger than those of humans), then he throws her into the ravine. Grendizer saves her. But this means that Daisuke saw the scene. He knows what Blacky did.

    A4 A5


    Not only: in ep23, Blacky had taken Hikaru as hostage, and here Duke Fleed was furious: it can be seen by how he clutched his fists until they tremble. Rarely we can see Daisuke so angry.

    A1 A2


    And now, we can describe the scene of the destruction of the Mothership just as Daisuke's revenge against those who had tried, in that story, to kill twice Hikaru (Blacky also killed Mineo in ep9). In fact, Grendizer, with antigravity beam, launches Hado Hado, the Vega monster, guilty of having seriously wounded Hikaru, against the Mother Ship, causing the beginning of its destruction. The same Mothership where Blacky is present.

    A3 A4


    A very clear message. Not only. He attacks it in full force: parallel rays, space thunder, rain of fire. All the most powerful weapons of Grendizer simultaneously used, something that never happened before, and with the intention to destroy and kill.

    A5 A6


    It is like saying that Blacky, in this story, really crossed the line, and it seems that the straw that broke the camel was his attempt to kill Hikaru twice. Blacky, understanding that he lost, launches his Mothership against Grendizer in a desperate suicide attack.

    A7


    Look at the color on Blacky's background: yellow, indicating tension, rage and pure hatred; while the background of Daisuke/Duke Fleed is light blue: sign that he is making this attack not in anger and hatred, but with a cold and determined intent to destroy the enemy. A determination that was seen so explicitly only there.

    A8 A9


    And I'm quite sure, given the extremes described above, that Daisuke did this primarily to avenge Hikaru. Otherwise, you do not understand his abnormal behavior. In addition, there was also the imperative to immediately destroy the Mother Ship, before it could fall on the farm or the Research Center. And other considerations: but the heart of the reasoning seems just this: revenge for Hikaru . Another example of how important is Hikaru for Daisuke.

    Edited by joe 7 - 10/11/2019, 18:50
     
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    EPISODE 28

    Ep28 sees Lady Gandal’s change of aspect and mostly the arrival of Zuril at Skarmoon. The episode is designed to introduce the new Grendizer era, starting with the modified war strategy which vegans are going to implement after Blacky’s death. But I would like to notice anyway the further interesting factor of Danbei taking Daisuke with his family to a very special and private event.

    A1 A2 A3


    Life seems going on in the expected direction for Daisuke: despite the war and its issues, his personal life is showing some remarkable positive aspects. His relationship with Hikaru is progressing and her father is changing attitude towards him (from a simple farm worker to a “family member”). Maybe a little candlelight for hope in a future happy life can be enlighten.

    A4



    Edited by joe 7 - 10/11/2019, 19:02
     
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    EPISODE 30

    But a new big turning point of the anime is soon coming – what I personally consider the biggest of all: episode 30 and the discover of the poisoning injury. Like ep23 ("Destroy the dam", in which Daisuke reveals himself to Hikaru), this episode would have deserved, in my opinion, Araki’s design skills, but nevermind (the sakkan, or artist, was Toshio Mori). Keeping the attention focused on Hikaru, we can see in this episode an indirect prove of her strong personality and her ongoing lovestory with Daisuke. Umon asks her to assist him in the first tentative to lower Daisuke's pain, and she is not scared or embarrassed, even if she is, of course, worried.

    A1 A2


    For more, she is able to block Daisuke’s unconscious movements by herself, showing an incredible physical strengthens (I repeat, unrelated to the blood transfusion), which explains why later she won’t need any particular training to drive the Spacers (personal note: these are the original “crossed references” between episodes...). (Gerdha here refers to discussions on the French forum).

    A3 A4 A5


    Episode 30 ends with Daisuke driving his motorbike just after knowing his death sentence.

    A6


    We are not shown the moment when he communicates the terrible news to Hikaru, but, for sure, it happens immediately after, as she knows already the truth in the following real episode - ep32 (in my opinion, ep31 is only a trick to pay the due tribute to Toei money which was intended to be used for the “third chapter of Mazinger saga”, plus to let Banta character exiting in silence in order to cancel the last reference to the “anime for kids” still around). The poisoning injury is what stays behind whole Daisuke’s character evolution throughout all episodes from now to the end, but in reality it is going to affect also Hikaru’s personality and their relationship as well. The new deal is still there alive and kicking, but now it should need a “little” further re-negotiation...

    Edited by joe 7 - 10/11/2019, 19:48
     
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    HIKARU: THE RENEGOTIATIONS (EPISODES 32-36)

    EPISODE 32

    After ep30, Grendizer anime concentrates its plots for some episodes mainly on the poisoning injury storyline (eps 32-33-36), but with some remarkable sub-plots. We can see here and there some very interesting changes in Hikaru’s personality, which are necessary in order to let the writers develop in a correct way the “big-bang” of her soon coming new role.
    Ep32 is a family-centred episode, and the first real hint about Duke Fleed’s family, plus the first plot about the soon coming spacers. Without analysing it deeply, I think it’s interesting to notice that, as I remarked previously, Hikaru knows about Daisuke’s injury as they exit together at the end of the episode from the Research Centre after he has been “cured” following the battle. And please note that they are chatting when they reach the main door and Goro arrives with his new drawing. It’s a brief moment, but it’s designed clearly.

    A1 A2 A3


    So, once again, even if we are not shown anything explicitly which can “confirm” us the lovestory (a kiss, a proposal, something “classical” I mean), we can see Daisuke and Hikaru acting as they love each other. The look they are exchanging exiting the Centre lasts a fraction of second but it is there, it’s designed and we cannot ignore it.

    EPISODE 33

    Just as we cannot forget the poisoning injury as the main plot, which from now on is going to let all the other sub-plots have a meaning, like planets receiving light and life from the sun. One of the consequences of Daisuke's sickness and being sentenced to death is Hikaru who is starting to find a way to help him. But how? In the beginning, she thinks that all she can do is to support him psychologically, and it is exactly what happens in eps 32 and 33. In the latter, for example, her words are what let Daisuke find new strengthens in the fight and mostly give him the right idea on how to defeat the monster: he recognises it to be a little animal he played with in Fleed, but completely transformed by vegatron radiations as soon as Hikaru talks to him about the fact he could save Earth as he saved the life of the little bird at the farm.

    A1 A2 A3


    It’s Hikaru that – even if indirectly – saves the situation once more. And this time she is, after all, also responsible of Daisuke’s salvation. It’s the first time, and it won’t be the last one.

    Edited by joe 7 - 10/11/2019, 22:39
     
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    EPISODE 34

    In fact, soon after, in ep34, her action saves directly Daisuke’s life; interposing herself between Daisuke and Gauss in the forest, Hikaru convinces the latter to not kill Daisuke. TCT 1 had months ago an amazing discussion in this forum (Gerdha's forum, obv) about ep34, so I would not repeat here all the considerations made then about the particular narrative structure of this episode and the literature references we can find in it, but I would like to stress again that, in my opinion, this episode represents another example of a tricky scriptwriting method to hide its true meaning. Shozo Uehara is the scriptwriter of ep34, and we should take this information in consideration analysing it. Here is the start of the re-negotiation of the deal Daisuke made with Hikaru in ep27: she wants to help him personally, to be at his side as a pure psychological support is not more enough for her. But the first tentative does not give the expected results, and for more Daisuke seems to be all but enthusiast for Hikaru’s initiative. It could seem at first sight it’s a consequence of a misogynist personality, but it’s absolutely not true. We are going to be told the real reason of his approach in ep37 and ep39, but since now we receive anyway an important hint about the ongoing situation: like for all human relationships (and particularly when love feelings are involved) sometime a “re-negotiation process” becomes necessary, and for sure Hikaru has taken the initiative for what her relationship with Daisuke is concerned. Given the strong personalities involved, Grendizer anime viewers are going to see some major news soon. And as Grendizer is not a “standard” story, it will be something never seen before. Well, as a matter of fact, after 35 years we can say it’s something nobody has been able to see in any robotic anime even later.

    JOE7'S NOTE

    Please note Daisuke's frightened face, where you can see that he fears for Hikaru!

    A1 A2 A3


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
    1 TCT: “The Crazy Team”. This was the user group of the forum to which Gerdha belonged: besides her, there were also Agnes, Jerome and Suzi.

    Edited by joe 7 - 25/11/2019, 17:12
     
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    HIKARU'S TRILOGY (EPISODES 37-39)

    Nearly 9 months have passed since the beginning of the anime (ep 37 get aired on 13th June 1976), and some major changes in the production staff have already happened. Tomoharu Katsumata (director) and Keisuke Fujikawa (writer) have left the team, but the show has still good ratings, even if constantly decreasing since ep25. But Katsuta and Nagai seem to not care about this possible issue and they continue to develop the story they like without hesitations. After all, after ep23 and mostly ep25 (which by the way gave a big exposure to the anime even in the press) the story has become what they thought it should have been, and now the time has come for a new big change.
    Daisuke is ill, destined to die in an unknown time: he could not be able to fight properly as in the beginning of the serie, due to the pain at the arm. Vega’s war strategy is more insidious after Zuril’s arrival. Umon has found a good way to enhance Grendizer abilities – the Double Spacer and its possibility to be connected with the robot – but it could not be enough. The Authors had this basic idea of the hero’s weakness which requires help from other people to succeed (an incredible thematic totally unknown to previous animes and actually never adopted later in the same way), but at the same time they started to develop also the theme of the war of attrition changing to a war for survival. The Roman Album does not explain if the idea of the spacers came first so they chose Hikaru as a second driver on its basis or if it was instead the idea of developing Hikaru in a certain way that let the inspiration of more spacers come. From the tone of the interviews in the Roman Album, and seeing what happens in the narrative arc, I tend to believe to the second case, even if I cannot be sure. Hikaru’s development is clearly aimed to let her have a role different from the simple “girl from the countryside” before the spacers plot introduction, there is no “change of direction” in the “Venusia’s Trilogy” (as I call it ^_^). Anyway, eps 37-39 are crucial in the anime story, and once again a trilogy sees the writing team dividing his duties in the order Mashima-Tatsuta-Mashima.

    EPISODE 37 (PART 1)

    Just to underline the fact that ep37 is a turning point of the story, Kazuo Komatsubara takes the role for the last time as Artistic Director of an episode. And as a last gift, he applies a change of design to Daisuke and Hikaru’s clothes. Pay attention: only to Daisuke and Hikaru. Please don’t tell me this is a casualty or Komatsubara did not have enough time to devise a change of suit also for Koji... I personally don’t find a different explanation on the change of BOTH and only THEIR clothes that they were not intended to show only Hikaru’s change of role soon coming (which is quiet obvious) but also Daisuke’ change of attitude towards life after the happenings of ep30.
    I always had the impression that Daisuke and Hikaru somehow agreed the change of clothes between them before the episode. He could have changed his outfit some days before – after all Mizar and Rigel don’t say a comment on the matter – so Hikaru decided to change dress approach (well, yes, it’s a real modification of approach towards herself I would say) too. Please note also that the new clothes of Daisuke and Hikaru have the same design, just as if they had planned them together.

    A1 A2 A3


    Hikaru’s speech to her father has always been a matter of great interest between female Grendizer fans ;) What a girl!

    Danbei: Go back home and change your dress!
    Hikaru: You are retrogressive. This is today fashion. Who’s decided I cannot wear a skirt I like?

    A4 A5


    Danbei: I’ve decided it!! I don’t like it, and that’s all!
    Hikaru: Well, I will wear this dress anyway even if you dislike it!!! I guess Daisuke instead likes it very much...

    A6


    Hikaru’s final words seem to confirm that her change of outfit was somehow discussed with Daisuke before, as she clearly supposes to know his own tastes. Again, viewers are not told directly and explicitly anything, but once more in Grendizer visual aspects are crucial. When Daisuke sees her first, while Goro and Danbei are playing with the machine-gun, his expression is surely surprised,

    A1


    but soon after, during Goro’s speech, he is smiling.

    A2


    it’s true, he turns away at a certain point to go back to work without telling a word, but how could he express his appreciation about Hikaru’s outfit in front of her upset father?

    A3


    See what happens in the following scene at the farm (one of my favourite one of the whole anime). And, my dear French friends, please sit down in a comfortable chair because you are going to discover something new. Daisuke is feeding a horse, while Umon calls him asking to take Grendizer in order to help Koji.

    A4


    Hikaru arrives without him noticing her and listens to the call. Daisuke turns to rush to the Centre and runs into Hikaru; they stay in front of each other looking deeply in the eyes. Listen to this dialogue:

    Daisuke: Hikaru ...
    Hikaru: I have heard the call, Daisuke. You must fight again.
    Daisuke: Yes.

    A5


    Hikaru: Daisuke, I am aware you could lose your life in the battle and you could not come back again. I... I would like you to not go (shaking her head then looking again at him in the eyes). I hope one day this horrible war will end and you will stay with me, forever with me.

    A6 A7 A8


    Daisuke looks at her, then he puts both his hands on her shoulders.
    Daisuke: Hikaru, nothing will give me more happiness than your affection. Don’t be afraid, they won’t kill me. So don’t worry and wait for me. See you soon!

    A1


    Then, driving the motorbike, Daisuke says to himself:
    Daisuke: I'm sorry, Hikaru.

    A2


    Well, I am probably only a stupid romantic girl, but I understand here that Mr. Daisuke has told to the viewers he loves Miss Hikaru (well, actually he told her it too, but she knew it already as she does not show any surprise at his words). Nice, it was time ^_^ I clearly remember myself jumping up and clapping at the scene. :lol: I could be satisfied for this episode only on the basis of this scene, but actually Mr. Mashima is a very kind guy and has more and more surprises coming soon...
    (to be continued)

    Edited by joe 7 - 11/11/2019, 18:40
     
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    EPISODE 37 (PART 2)

    In fact, Daisuke's words have a tremendous impact on Hikaru. Alone in her living room, she realises that her hopes for him to stay at her side forever are destined probably to remain only a wishful thinking, for two main reasons.

    A3


    First, even if Daisuke is confident to not be killed by Vegans, the war is becoming clearly more and more tough (by the way, ep37 introduces the plot of the issue of the energy supply for Vega) and this situation could not allow him to take care of their relationship in the same way in the near future. Secondly, the poisoning injury will kill him anyway sooner or later: fighting could speed the process but in any case Daisuke's destiny is already written without possibly known escape.

    A4


    Their love is in a certain way sentenced to death just as Daisuke’s life. How could she manage such a terrible situation? Is there anything she can do in order to help him? Is it possible for her to continue to stay home at her farm while the man she loves is fighting to save her planet?

    A5


    She has already tried some weeks before (ep34) to help him, but somehow he refused her aid.

    A6


    That was nice, he worried for her life because he loves her, his desire to protect her (ah, I know Attorney Agnes is smiling reading this statement, hihi ^_^ - Gerdha here refers to TTOTC1 who was then in progress) was surely a beautiful sign of love but... does she want really to be protected? Is it really her wish to be protected by Daisuke? Oh no, this is not her aim, she does not want to be protected, because she doesn’t need it. She is used to fight in her life, she is not scared by challenges. She is a girl from the countryside, some literature schemes would like her to stay quiet at home waiting for her prince to come back... so what? Who cares? She is Hikaru Makiba, dammit, this is the only thing that matters.
    Whatever classical scriptwriters could like her to do, her life lays instead in the pen held by some revolutionary guys who clearly up to now does not wish to adhere to conventional female figure development rules. But... how to overcome Daisuke’s sure objections? One thing is for sure: they are both stubborn persons. A huge fight could be near to come between them... but it could worth anyway. Sometime a couple has to fight in order to find its right internal balance.
    The plot of the rescue of Hikaru and Goro seems, at first, to be the usual story once again. But it’s a trick instead. A great wonderful trick. Following the usual Koji’s K.O. (oh, one day I will write a MM2 about this poor guy to give justice to him too ^_^: Gerdha's note), suddenly Hikaru finds herself driving Double Spacer.

    A7


    And the girl from the countryside has finally the opportunity to show to the audience who she really is: a strong unscared confident woman, who takes her responsibilities when needed. The greatest and most unusual female figure ever appeared up to that moment in an anime. And, after having destroyed the monster, and having collapsed for the incredible emotion, she wakes up in Daisuke's arms on Grendizer's hand.

    A1 A2 A3

    A4 A5 A6


    Sunset is shining and he is watching her with a loving expression designed on his face (by the way: this is someway Komatsubara’s testament in the anime, as this is the final scene of the last episode he took personally care in Grendizer, even if he continued to keep the role of Character Designer for other 11 episodes). But Daisuke’s own words are a beautiful gift for Hikaru too:

    Daisuke: How are you now?
    Hikaru: I...
    Daisuke: You have saved me, thank you. I knew what happened from Dr. Umon. But you should promise me that you won’t risk your life in a battle anymore
    Hikaru: But...

    A1 A2


    Daisuke: Look at sky, the sun is going down. I won’t let this beautiful Earth to fall in Vegan’s arms: I promise I will defend it. Please, Hikaru, if you are not in danger I feel stronger.
    Hikaru: (sighs) Oh, Daisuke...

    while the scene and the episode fade in the sunset light (and the stupid romantic girl I am cannot help herself but to imagine a tender scene to follow... well, nevermind, this way probably it’s even more romantic, which is good anyway ^_^ After all, I have get the official confirmation of Daisuke’s love for Hikaru, which is nice. :lol: I can switch off TV with a big smile on my face. :lol: :lol:

    A3 A4 A5


    But I would like to underline another aspect of ep37 related to Hikaru. When she finds herself driving Double Spacer and she asks Koji to teach her how to use weapons in order to save Grendizer, she receives a refusal from both Koji and Umon.

    A1 A2


    So, Hikaru menaces to explode the Double Spacer against the monster, as they don’t allow her another solution.

    A3


    Umon, at this point, agrees and orders to Koji to give the proper instructions to Hikaru.

    A4


    Very interesting. And very strange. This is the first, but also the only, occasion where Hikaru menaces to kill herself in the whole anime. It could seem a situation similar to Naida’s in ep25 but it is in reality a complete different case. Double Spacer is transporting also Koji and Goro; how could Umon possibly believe that Hikaru intended to really launch the spacer against the monster? It’s a total nonsense.

    A5


    In fact, I personally think that Umon does not believe her intentions, but, anyway, he agrees to let her fight with the Double Spacer for a different reason. He knows her, he has a high consideration of her personality, he is aware about her love for Daisuke and he understands that what is going on is a sort of “sign of destiny” (so to speak): this is what Hikaru can do to support Daisuke, this is what she can do to give help in saving her own planet from Vega forces; moreover, a further driver available for the Double Spacer could be anyway very helpful.
    But... now a big problem raises up: how to handle the situation with Daisuke? He knows his son, and he is sure that he won’t accept the novelty with a smile. Hikaru will need some support for succeeding in changing his mind. A little “conspiration” is going to start...

    JOE7'S NOTES

    This, in fact, is the last episode that Komatsubara drew, and the final scene seems the last episode of the Grendizer series, with Hikaru in Daisuke's arms. A tribute of the master, as if it were the rwal final scene of the Grendizer series. Moreover , it is remarkable that, in this episode, Komatsubara has designed two uniforms for Hikaru: a blue and yellow one, and a red and yellow one. The same colors of the uniform of Duke Fleed: the second version, red and yellow, among other things, has a combination of colors near to those ones of the Duke Fleed costume. A final observation about Hikaru's dress at the end of the story: it is noteworthy that it has the same colors of the sunset, not only of Duke Fleed's costume. Another hidden signal of the authors on the bond that exists between them.

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    1 TTOTC: The Trial Of The Century. It was a kind of role-playing game in which they made a trial about the characters. Gerdha had the role of Prosecutions, Agnès was the Lawyer Defender, the role of Judge was hired by Jerome, the Jury by Suzi and by all other forum members who wish to comment on the various posts.

    2 MM: Monstrogoth Message. Gerdha and her colleagues' posts were often very long and complex, then many people called them jokingly as "Monstrogoth Messages", MM. "Monstrogoth" was the name given by the French dubbing to Vega Monsters. So , it could be translated as "monstrous message". ^_^

    Edited by joe 7 - 11/11/2019, 20:58
     
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36 replies since 6/6/2016, 21:38   3308 views
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