Name(s): Mazinkaiser: Deathmatch! General Dark / Mazinkaiser: Shitou! Ankoku Dai Shougun / マジンカイザー　死闘！暗黒大将軍 / Mazinkaiser ¡Combate a Muerte contra el General Negro!
Format: Original video animation [OVA] (1 episode)
Studio(s): Brain’s Base
Related: Mazinkaiser (2001-2002)

As of writing this, it’s September 6th, and that means it’s Go Nagai’s birthday. Following the success of the Mazinkaiser OVA, this movie was produced to give the Mazinger franchise a proper climax until Shin Mazinger would be released six years later to reboot it. Taking inspiration from the Great General of Darkness plot of the Mazinger Z TV series, said villain launches a worldwide attack with the Mikene Army. National landmarks are destroyed and multiple Mazinger characters die as they fail to combat the enemy army. Most of the movie is Kouji and Sayaka trying desperately to get back to Mazinkaiser as many people sacrifice themselves to ensure he gets there safely.

This is drastically different in tone from most Mazinger works. Though Mazinkaiser did get more serious in its finale, it never got as violent as this. In this movie, in addition to several long-time characters dying, many people are literally decapitated with blood galore. It feels similar to one of Getter Robo’s more modern adaptations in that respect, even down to certain frames being filled with thick outlines and sharp, sketchy movement like in some of Getter Robo: Armageddon. It seems like it could’ve been a direct inspiration. Anyway, if you want to see apocalyptic Mazinger this is about the closest you’ll get, though I don’t think it transcends the Mazinkaiser OVA. That one felt interesting as a modern Mazinger update in the spirit of the original TV series.

Whereas Shin Mazinger was much more of a drama, Mazinkaiser still placed a large emphasis on (genuinely funny) humor and a light tone that escalated properly during the finale. The Mazinkaiser movie storms right out of the gate with violence and plot, but that’s all it is: an over-the-top fireworks show. The final battle with the Great General of Darkness is even a letdown, being extremely short and simple for how long it took to get to it.

If you view this as an extension of the Mazinkaiser OVA it’s easier to justify it, but as a stand-alone work, it has less charm and diversity. JAM Project’s music is great, besides the opening song, which is a rip-off of Europe’s “The Final Countdown,” even to the point of including the song’s title during the chorus. This a must-watch for Mazinger fans anyway, especially now that it’s properly subbed.