Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace
Matsumoto's sole mecha series pits Earth against a mad ruler.
**Wakusei Robo Danguard Ace** (惑星ロボ ダンガードA（エース）, *Wakusei Robo Dangādo Ēsu*) is a Japanese science fiction anime series created by Leiji Matsumoto alongside Dan Kobayashi. It stands out as Matsumoto's sole work in the mecha genre. **Synopsis** Set on a future Earth where natural resources are exhausted, humanity turns its hopes to the tenth planet, Promete, for survival. The first exploration team is destroyed by betrayal, dashing hopes of peaceful settlement. A man named Mr. Doppler then declares that all attempts to reach Promete must submit to his command or be destroyed. Using his own resources, he builds a military force stronger than Earth’s and, driven by the delusion that only he deserves the planet, forbids anyone from approaching it. In response, Earth’s governments begin constructing massive combat robots, but Doppler destroys them all before completion—except for Danguard Ace. The forces sent to attack Danguard’s base are wiped out thanks to Captain Dan, a mysterious figure whose past includes serving Doppler while under mind control. Takuma Ichimonji, son of the man who betrayed the first Promete expedition, becomes a cadet at Danguard’s base, hoping to restore his father’s honor by fighting Doppler. **Production** Several main character designs resemble those from *Space Battleship Yamato* (known in the U.S. as *Star Blazers*). Takuma Ichimonji is similar to Susumu Kodai, and the doctor character resembles Dr. Sakezo Sado from the same series. **International Release** The series was released in English three times, first by M&M Productions under the title "The Planet Robot Danguard Ace" that saw limited release in Hawaii and the Philippines. It was then licensed and redubbed by Jim Terry Productions, as part of the Force Five promotion and was rereleased later by combined episodes into a feature-length presentation. The titular robot also played a leading role in Marvel Comics’ *Shogun Warriors* series and its associated toy line. In 2009, William Winckler Productions produced three new English-dubbed film versions edited from the original series. Winckler, known for *Tekkaman the Space Knight*, wrote, produced, and directed these films, which were released on broadband in Japan and as a three-volume DVD set in the United States.
- Creator
- Leiji Matsumoto with Dan Kobayashi
- Genre
- science fiction, mecha
- Setting
- future Earth with depleted natural resources, tenth planet Promete
- Protagonist
- Takuma Ichimonji
- Antagonist
- Mr. Doppler
- Key figure
- Captain Dan
Lore & Background
The series takes place on a future Earth where natural resources have been depleted, prompting humanity to look toward the tenth planet, Promete, for survival. The first explorers are destroyed by betrayal, after which Mr. Doppler announces that all attempts to reach Promete must surrender to his command or be destroyed. Using his own resources, Doppler builds a vast military force and forbids anyone from approaching the planet, believing only he is entitled to it. To counter him, Earth's governments begin constructing massive combat robots, but Doppler destroys all except Danguard Ace, thanks to the efforts of Captain Dan, a mysterious man who previously served Doppler while under mind control. Takuma Ichimonji, son of the man who betrayed the initial exploration team, becomes a cadet at Danguard's base, hoping to restore his father's honor by fighting Doppler's forces.
Reader's Guide
Danguard Ace holds significance as Leiji Matsumoto's only foray into the mecha genre, distinguishing it from his other space opera works. The series was released in English three times: first by M&M Productions under the title 'The Planet Robot Danguard Ace' with limited release in Hawaii and the Philippines, of which only a Story Record LP remains; then by Jim Terry Productions as part of the Force Five promotion, later compiled into a feature-length film that gained a cult following on Showtime during the 1980s; and in 2009, William Winckler Productions produced three new English dubbed film versions edited from the original series, released on broadband in Japan and on DVD in the United States. The titular robot also had a leading role in Marvel Comics' Shogun Warriors series and the eponymous toy line. Internationally, a French-dubbed version was released in the early 1980s, and the series was released in Hong Kong and Italy in 1978, becoming the first anime broadcast on a private channel in Italy, with further releases in South Korea and Taiwan in 1986.
Did You Know?
- Danguard Ace is Leiji Matsumoto's only contribution to the mecha genre.
- The character Takuma Ichimonji resembles Susumu Kodai from Space Battleship Yamato.
- The series was released in English three times, including a 2009 version by William Winckler Productions.
- It was the first anime ever broadcast on a private channel in Italy.
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