Friday, April 24, 2009

Super Robot Profiles: Machine Blaster

Boy, it's been a bit since I last did one of these, hasn't it? (Feels longer than it is, but still...)

Blocker Gundan 4 Machine Blaster is a series that I can't boast a huge amount of knowledge of, but I can tell you one thing for certain about it.



It took the venerable concepts of Mazinger Z (detachable head ship, super robot type weapons, etc.) and did them literally to death. (Well, perhaps I exaggerate.) It took an idea that wasn't too bad at all, and did it over and over again in so many ways that we end up with the idea practically becoming a parody of an idea.

And while these designs have a certain charm to them, they are U-G-L-Y.

Only a small community has much interest in Machine Blaster, and this is almost purely for posterity. Other series on at the same time (such as Combattler V, king of yo-yos, and Gaiking, Mr. giant-dragon-head-for-a-body) were much better.*

If Combattler V can kick your butt because you're goofy and lame, you're in trouble.

*Actual summary of Machine Blaster's "concept" from Wikipedia: "The number 4 comes from the team of 4 robots. The robots individually have their own weapon, but they can also be combined to form a fire ring which cuts through the enemies. It was not the most popular show since anime powerhouses Gaiking and Combattler V, which featured more creative combinations and designs, were ruling the airwaves."

-Signing off.

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