Mazinger Z is a good old mech story, a giant robot trying to protect the earth from a greater evil force, fighting monsters and with charismatic characters. However, this simplicity is what makes Mazinger Z so special and a huge inspiration to others of the same genre. The story starts with Koji Kabuto, who is the grandson of a huge scientist (Dr. Juzo Kabuto), his father and mother died in a fatal accident while on a joint project, so, he lives with his grandfather and his brother, Shiro Kabuto. One day, a great earthquake appears in the town, destroying Koji's house, and killing his grandfather too.Before dying, Juzo says to Koji about a super weapon he was developing, called Mazinger Z, and that Koji has to pilot it to save the earth from the attacks of Dr. Hell, an evil being, who has a huge army of mech beasts, one part of the army commanded by Baron Ashura, and the other commanded by Count Blocken.

With that said, Mazinger Z holds the story pretty well, being straight up to the point where Koji fights the villains, but unfortunately, the end doesn't go how it was expected with Mazinger fighting Dr. Hell, lefting the reader to go to Great Mazinger to see how it goes. The annoying part comes for the amount of chances that Mazinger had to defeat Baron Ashura and Count Brocken where almost in every chapter, and for no reason, he just let they leave, causing the manga to just end with Mazinger defeating Baron Ashura.

As for the characters, they are pretty funny sometimes and engaging, Koji is a good protagonist, Sayaka is sweet, Boss is the silly guy who has a crush on Sayaka, Shiro helps Koji when he needs to. And for the villains, they have a unique design and unique personalities (villains who are just evil can be pretty good). However... It seems that the supporting characters haven't done anything, they are just showing to get their robots destroyed or get hurt sometimes. It leaves me pretty sad, because I like the characters.

The art is the usual Go Nagai, the designs are unique, like Mazinger's design.

In conclusion, I recommend if you're a fan of the Super Robot genre, it can be considered as the father of the genre, and if you're a fan of Go Nagai I recommend it too. His writing, art and essence, are always present (I apologize if it has some english errors here and there).