Invincible Super Man Zambot 3

Invincible Super Man Zambot 3 (無敵超人ザンボット3, Muteki Chōjin Zanbotto Surī) is a super robot anime series created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and Yoshitake Suzuki, featuring character design by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko. It was produced by Sunrise and was first broadcast on Japanese TV in 1977. The series lasted for 23 episodes.

Invincible Super Man Zambot 3
無敵超人ザンボット3
Genre	Mecha
Created by	Yoshiyuki Tomino Yoshitake Suzuki
Directed by	Yoshiyuki Tomino
Music by	Takeo Watanabe
Country of origin	Japan
Original language	Japanese
No. of episodes	23[1]
Production
Producers	Yoshikazu Tochihira (Nippon Sunrise) Nobuyuki Okuma (Sotsu Agency)
Running time	25 minutes[1]
Production companies	Nagoya TV Sotsu Agency Nippon Sunrise
Original release
Network	ANN (Nagoya TV, TV Asahi)
Release	8 October 1977 (1977-10-08) – 25 March 1978 (1978-03-25)

Plot

The series focuses on the survivors of planet Beal, which was wiped out by a mysterious entity known as Gaizok. The few remaining survivors escaped to Earth and split into three families, named Jin, Kamie, and Kamikita. While attempting to start a new life, the Jin family prepared for a Gaizok invasion of Earth by building three vehicles which when combined form the super robot Zambot 3.^[2]

While defending against Gaizok attacks, the Jin family also face harsh criticisms from the people they protect, who blame them for causing the invasion.

Production

Zambot 3 was the first program that ran on Nagoya TV's anime block. It was also the first in-house production of Nippon Sunrise.^[3]

Video game adaptations

Zambot 3 appears in several of the Super Robot Wars video-games, including Super Robot Wars V.^[4]

Reception

Otaku USA wrote: "Zambot 3 was the first of a new breed of Super Robot anime in 1977 and a hell of an emotional and action packed rollercoaster. If you ever get the chance to watch this show, take the time and do it! This isn’t just another anime with a Tomino Ending; it’s an underrated classic."^[5]