THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS Mazinkaiser exists in a liminal state between adaptation and new property: Mazinkaiser itself and a fair number of the mechanical beasts are brand-new, but veteran Mazinger fans will recognize some of the setups and structure of the series. Similar to its super robot contemporaries Shin Getter Vs Neo Getter and Getter Robo Armageddon, Mazinkaiser incorporates motifs and concepts from all iterations of the source material: if one hasn't read Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger before watching, it is more than likely that the show will feel barren. Even then, there are those that may be turned off from its almost dogmatic faithfulnessto the manga, and write it off as stagnation rather than homage. One such example can be found in the third episode, which is essentially a straight adaptation of the Gamia Q storyline from Mazinger Z. It's a faithful retelling of the story that will either bore or impress, and I fell into the latter group. I found the callbacks and homages to be more endearing than annoying, but it is a polarizing element all the same.

In terms of presentation, Mazinkaiser is more than competent: the thick linework transfers Go Nagai's style seamlessly, and the animation is generally smooth. The show carries a lot of visual comedy, and all of it is well-executed. Boss Borot steals the show here, and any scene he's in is a real crowd pleaser. It's all good fun.

The general sound of Mazinkaiser is outstanding. JAM Project hits the opening out of the park, the battles are conducted with some great effects, and every punch/slam/kick is incredibly impactful. Even the most mundane battles are raised to an exciting level with the sound design. As a final note, the seiyuus do an excellent job, Koji's and Boss' especially. They bring the characters to life and improve the series considerably.

All in all, Mazinkaiser is an excellent translation of Mazinger Z to the modern age, while contributing to the mythos in a substantial way. It's a great watch, and I have no qualms in recommending it if you enjoy the franchise as a whole.