Тосё Даймос: Битва Роботов и Звёздная Любовь

Japanese anime television series

Tōshō Daimos (闘将ダイモス) is a Japanese anime television series produced by Toei Company and animated by Nippon Sunrise, directed by Tadao Nagahama as his last work. It is the third and final installment of the Robot Romance Trilogy, following Chōdenji Robo Combattler V and Chōdenji Machine Voltes V. It aired on TV Asahi and its affiliates from April 1, 1978 to January 27, 1979, consisting of 44 episodes.

After the destruction of their home world, the survivors of the planet Baam head towards Earth with the goal of negotiating the purchase of land for emigration. Unfortunately, during the negotiations, the leader of planet Baam is assassinated by his second in command and the delegation from Earth is framed for the murder. In the ensuing chaos, Doctor Isamu Ryūzaki of the Earth delegation is shot and killed. Shortly after the disastrous end of the talks, the Baam began a campaign of terror against Earth. The only thing standing between the Earthlings and annihilation is the transforming, karate using super robot, Daimos and its pilot, Kazuya Ryūzaki, but that changes when he meets and falls in love with a mysterious girl named Erika, who turns out to be the daughter of the deceased Baam leader. Over the course of their struggles to reunite, Kazuya and Erika each learn that the other's people are not all evil, but also that their own people are not all good.

Daimos was produced by Toei Animation with animation from Sunrise and sponsorship from Popy for the toys. The main mecha's name is derived from Deimos, one of the two moons of Mars. While producing the series, Nagahama based the series's theme around William Shakespeare's novel Romeo and Juliet, linking to its theme of Star Crossed lovers revolving around the main characters. The concept itself was added during production, as he believes it can emphasize its dramatic nature such as humiliation, forbidden love and war for national interests. The series's use of martial arts as the mech's main fighting style came from series producer Takeyuki Suzuki, with martial artist Kazutoshi Takahashi hired to do some of the needed poses and fighting styles to be used for the series. Originally meant to have 50 episodes, the series was cut short to 44 due to low ratings in Japan alone. According to Nagahama, the series would have continued after episode 44, in which future unproduced episodes would revolve around both the Daimobic Base crew help the Baam Empire settle on Mars through terraformation.

Daimos was broadcast in Japan by TV Asahi from April 1, 1978 to January 27, 1979, replacing Voltes V in its initial timeslot. The series' opening theme is titled "Tate! Tōshō Daimos" by Isao Sasaki featuring Koorogi '73 and Columbia Yurikago kai with the ending theme titled "Erika no Ballad" by Kumiko Kaori and Koorogi '73. 3B Productions strung the pivotal episodes of the show together to form a compilation movie under the title Starbirds. Alongside Voltes V, the series was licensed by Telesuccess Productions in the Philippines. In December 2020, Discotek Media licensed the series for its DVD and Blu ray release in North America.

Popy released a diecast toy of Daimos during the series' run in 1978. Like its anime counterpart, the toy could transform from robot to Tranzer mode. Aside from its array of weapons, the toy came with two mini replicas of Kazuya's Tryper 75S car. The company also released a Jumbo Machinder version of Daimos. The toy was first imported into North America by Mattel as part of their Shogun Warriors line of imported Super Robot toys. Bandai later released it as part of the Godaikin line in the 1980s. In 2008, Bandai released a newer, smaller Daimos toy as part of their Soul of Chogokin line. This toy is more anime accurate and more poseable than its Popy diecast predecessor. Unlike the original Popy toy, this toy has a more complex transformation in order to remain faithful to its anime design. In addition to its weapons and two miniature Tryper 75S cars, the toy comes with a larger sized Tryper car that features an opening cockpit, movable wings and a Kazuya driver figure. A miniature replica of the Galva FX II plane is also included in the package. Bandai Spirits later released a non transformable version of Daimos under the Soul of Chogokin Full Action line, with more articulation and assortment of accessoriries.

In the Graphika Manila event of 2024, Riot Inc. showcased a pitch material clip proposing a live action adaptation of Daimos. This presentation confirmed ongoing negotiations between GMA Network and Toei for the production of the live adaptation of the show. Earlier, Annette Gozon Valdes, Senior Vice President of GMA Network, has expressed the network's intent to produce this adaptation. Prior to this, GMA Network successfully aired a live adaptation of Voltes V titled Voltes V: Legacy in 2023. Following its local success, plans are underway to release it in Japan and internationally.