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by X-Rider Shown in the Philippines a full 23 years after it’s first airing in Japanese TV, Combattler V was probably meant to continue the revival of giant robotdom in local minds. Tosho Daimos and Chodenji Machine Voltes V (pronounced “five”) were certified hits, both when they were first shown here in 1979 and in 1999. However, Combattler V did not meet with the same welcome as did his brethren, perhaps because it was not in its proper place.... Combattler V was billed as Voltes V’s “grand-daddy”. In reality, the order of shows in Japan were Combattler, Voltes and then Daimos. This is known as Tadeo Nagahama’s Romance Super Robot Trilogy. Combattler V was broadcast in Japan from April 17, 1976 (that makes this show older than me) up to May 28, 1977. In my opinion, reaching 54 episodes is significant because Combattler appeared among other Mazinger-wannabees with poor designs and even lousier toys (such as UFO Senshi Dai Apolon and Go Whopper 5 Gordam). The hit in robot anime involved transforming robots like Kotetsu Jeeg and Getter Robo. Unfortunately Getter Robo had ridiculously impossible transformations. Tadeo Nagahama then took his cue from there and decided to make a robot series for Nippon Sunrise and Toei Animation, featuring a robot whose transformation could be duplicated in the toys. I believe that Nagahama chose to put 5 pilots for two reasons: 1) GATCHAMAN (editors note: also known as Battle of the Planets, G-Force, and Eagle Riders) and 2) GORANGER, prototypes of the animated and live action five-man team series. Combattler V was formed by 5 machines, Battle Jet, Battle Crasher, Battle Tank, Battle Marine and Battle Craft, using the command “Let’s Combine”. He stood 55 meters tall and weighed 550 tons. The story was the usual aliens-wanna-conquer the earth schtick. In this case, it was the alien Kyanbelu led by Queen Oreana and Prince Garuda. (Incidentaly, the voice actor of Garuda in Japan was the same as that of Heiner (Zardoz) in Voltes V and Richter (Ulrich) in Daimos. I’ve heard his original Japanese voice and he’s great! Zardoz’ dubbed voice was also good, but the guy who does Garuda’s Filipino voice sucks.) The five good guys who pilot Combattler are so plain and stereotypical (leader, rebel, big guy, girl, small guy) that I won’t mention their names anymore. All I’ll say is Hyoma Aoi sound so much better than Glen Hyoma! The feel for the series seems rough and somehow primitive, compared to other robot shows of 1976 to 1977. I personally find Gaiking better in terms of character designs and music. Also in some episodes, the animation sucks like heck. Combattler has a catchy theme song (sung by Ichirou Mizuki!!!), but the background music, already quite primitive and uninspiring in the original Japanese, has been butchered in the Philippine version. We end up hearing “V! V! V! Victory” all the time. Also, the Combattler combination actually worked, and I think that’s what made it popular in Japan. I say this coz they used the same combination for Voltes V a year later (and the same voice actress for Jamie/Megumi and Erika – Miyuki Ueda). It’s Combattler’s WEAPONS that stretch the imagination more than Getter Dragon pulling an axe out of his shoulder. V lasers, Battle Chainsors, Cutter Kick, and Atomic Burner are hardly original (although the twin lancers are cool) but Super electromagnetic yo-yos? Super electromagnetic spin, where Combattler puts his hands together to form a drill, spins and crashes through the bad guy? I pity the poor pilots. The storyline is also too simple, with some episode logic quite unbelievable. It lacks the maturity and depth of characterization of its descendant, Voltes V. Still, this is one fun show, good for a mindless party-drinking binge. Still, Combattler was a pioneer for transforming robots in 1976. It developed a popularity that enabled it to consistently appear in Super Robot Wars games later on. The toys are quite popular among Japanese and American collectors. When Marvel Comics picked three robots to form their Shogun Warriors comic series, they got Raideen, Danguard Ace and Combattler V. Combattler is also the first non-Go Nagai robot to be resurrected in the Soul of Chogokin toy series by Bandai. There have been better designed robots, and more realistic storylines, but Combattler’s effect on the history of Super Robots can’t be overlooked. I give it 3 ˝ over 5 stars.
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