Kouji Kabuto

Infobox animanga character
name = Kouji Kabuto
series = Mazinger


caption = The modern version of Kouji Kabuto, as seen in the Mazinkaiser OVA series.
first = Mazinger Z Episode 01: Birth of the Wondrous Robot (anime version)
last =
creator = Go Nagai
voiced by = Hiroya Ishimaru

nihongo|Kouji Kabuto|兜甲児|Kabuto Kōji, sometimes written Koji Kabuto, is a fictional character featuring in the works of mangaka Go Nagai. He is the main character of Super Robot series "Mazinger Z" and pilots the title robot. He reappears in the sequel "Great Mazinger" and helps battle the Mikene Empire. He also features in "Grendizer" as Duke Fleed's friend and sidekick.

He is voiced by veteran seiyuu Hiroya Ishimaru and has appeared in many other series. He is considered one of the stalwarts of the Japanese-exclusive strategy games the Super Robot Wars and appears in nearly every incarnation.

Fictional character biography

Mazinger Z

In his first appearances in both manga and anime versions of "Mazinger Z", Kouji Kabuto is originally an average student with great skill in driving motorcycles. He also has a sort of rivalry with overweight gang leader Boss, who he seemed to humiliate almost daily. He lives with his brother Shiro and his grandfather Juuzo. His parents are apparently deceased (though it is much later revealed his father is alive and training the pilot of Great Mazinger in the United States).

One day, Kouji receives a summons from his grandfather to meet him at his mountain cabin. Just as Kouji arrives, however, the cabin explodes. Searching the remains, he uncovers a hidden doorway into the mountain. Inside, he finds his dying grandfather, who asks him to pilot Mazinger Z and stop a man known as Doctor Hell. With his dying breath, Juuzo tells Kouji he can become either a god or a devil with Mazinger's power.

A grief-stricken Kouji continues into the hidden lab and is shocked to find a huge, humanoid robot. Reasoning this must be Mazinger Z, he then finds the piloting vehicle known as the Hover Pilder. Using it, he accidentally manages to dock into Mazinger itself, but unfortunately due to his lack of knowledge Mazinger goes berserk. Luckily, a girl named Sayaka Yumi ("Yumi Sayaka") appears in her own robot Aphrodite A and manages to stop him.

Alongside Sayaka (and later Boss and his junkheap robot Boss Borot), Kouji defended the Photoatomic Research Laboratory ("Koshiryoku Kinkyujou") and the world at large against the Mechanical Beasts of Doctor Hell. Eventually, Kouji defeated Dr. Hell, but shortly after had his Mazinger destroyed and was nearly killed by the Mikene Empire's far more powerful Warrior Beasts. He would leave Japan in the hands of Great Mazinger's pilot Tetsuya Tsurugi ("Tsurugi Tetsuya"), but later returned to help battle the Mikene Seven Generals.

Grendizer

Much later, in the series "Grendizer", Kouji was a NASA employee who returned to his native Japan to investigate UFO activity in an area dominated by the Space Science Lab of Dr. Umon. Initially Kouji hoped to meet the aliens on friendly terms but was soon drawn into the battle with the alien Vegan forces. In "Grendizer", Kouji is reduced to being a sidekick of the hero Duke Fleed, which many "Mazinger Z" fans did not appreciate.

For whatever reasons, Mazinger Z was hardly mentioned in "Grendizer", except for flashbacks in the opening episode and in the OVA spin-off "Grendizer vs Great Mazinger", where Kouji briefly piloted Great Mazinger (now a museum exhibit). Another appearance was in "Great Mazinger, Grendizer, Getter Robot G: Decisive Showdown! Great Sea Beast.", in which the various super-robots combine forces to take on a seemingly indestructible beast which emerges from the sea and proceeds to destroy Tokyo. Boss Borot did appear in some episodes of "Grendizer".

For much of the early series of "Grendizer" Kouji flew a small saucer-like spaceship of his own design which, although good enough against Vegan shuttles, was not much use against their giant robots, which were left to Duke Fleed and Grendizer. This sometimes made him look ineffectual, as Duke often had to rescue him — though Kouji often returned the compliment. When his saucer was destroyed, he designed a more powerful ship called the Double Spazer which enabled him to be more effective.

Mazinkaiser

In the modern "Mazinkaiser", Kouji returns again to pilot Mazinger Z, alongside Tetsuya with his Great Mazinger. Mazinger Z was captured and was transformed by Dr. Hell to be an evil robot vent on destroying the world. Kouji was redirected by his Hover Pilder to find Mazinkaiser and saves Great Mazinger, the Photoatomic institute, and eventually almost destroying Mazinger Z.

Personality

Kouji is the archetype of 'hot-headed hero'. He is quick to anger and will not tolerate any injustice. While more than a little perverted (granted, no more than a normal teenage boy his age, not to mention that more often than not Kouji frequently gets told off or lectured/hit by a jealous Sayaka), Kouji nonetheless plays the part of chivalrous hero. Even when things are at their bleakest, he pulls through by virtue of an unyielding will.

Like many hot-headed main characters after him, Kouji occasionally lets his mouth run without thinking. On one occasion, on the unveiling of the new support unit Jet Scrander (that would allow Mazinger to fly), he gushes so much his younger brother Shiro teases that he speaks of the Scrander like it was his girlfriend; Kouji instantly retorts the Scrander is far better than any girlfriend, completely forgetting that Sayaka, his partner and love interest, is standing right behind him. Also, in "Mazinger Z" he shows some degree of sexism, somewhat toned down in "Mazinkaiser"; he more or less often comments on how girls shouldn't be in the battlefield, only to find himself in the receiving end of Sayaka's insults, scowls or slaps.

Unlike many similar hot-heads, though, Kouji is actually exceptionally bright when he allows himself to think things through. This is demonstrated both in the "Mazinger Z" series, when at least twice he had to completely disable mechanical beasts with hostages inside (one of them being Sayaka's crippled cousin, Yuri); and in the "Grendizer" series, where he buils his flying saucer all by himself and later develops the Cylone Beam. He is also an excellent shot (demonstrated in the "Mazinkaiser VS Ankoku Dai Shogun" movie when he shoots Archduke Gorgon in both his tiger head and human head with one shot).

Kouji's most famous trait (and indeed, his legacy) was his habit of yelling out weapon names before using them. His most famous battlecries, "Rocket Punch!" (that sent one or both of Mazinger's forearms flying at a foe), "Breast Fire!" (which activated the red heat sinks on Mazinger's chest, melting most enemies to slag) and "Mazin Go!" are well-known in Japan, even by people who have never watched "Mazinger" before. This has since become the trademark of Super Robot pilots everywhere.

Relationships

*Shiro Kabuto ("Kabuto Shiro"): Kouji's younger brother. He is very protective of Shiro, as they are the only family the other has.

*Sayaka Yumi ("Yumi Sayaka"): Kouji's partner and girlfriend. While tomboyish and sometimes violent, she and Kouji are close. Unfortunately, Kouji's tendency to rush into situations and speak without thinking often irritate her, resulting in a bop to Kouji's head. She pilots the robot Aphrodite A, and later Diana A (both infamous for beginning the trend of breast missiles).

*Boss: Originally Kouji's rival, Boss eventually had his own robot Boss Borot built literally out of junk. While at first antagonistic, the two became good friends and Boss and the Borot often helped out in battle.

*Tetsuya Tsurugi ("Tsurugi Tetsuya"): Though they're technically adopted siblings (Koji is the biological son of Kenzo Kabuto, Tetsuya's adoptive father), they don't meet in person until the end of Mazinger Z. They get along well in their first meeting, but when Koji returns with Sayaka from the USA during Great Mazinger, Tetsuya develops a strong jealousy towards him, and isn't able to fully get over it almost until the end.

*Daisuke Umon/Duke Fleed ("Duku Fureedo"): The hero of "Grendizer" and adopted son of Professor Umon, a leading scientist with whom Kouji starts to work with at the beginning of the series. Daisuke and Kouji become friends, but there is an underlying tension in the relationship and at times they even come close to blows. For much of the series, Duke Fleed, who is prepared to risk his life but not that of others, tries to discourage Kouji from joining him in battle against the alien Vegan, though he appreciates him as a potential replacement should he himself be killed. While Duke pilots the main Grendizer unit, Kouji pilots the Double Spacer that allows it to remain airborne for longer periods of time.

*Hikaru Makiba: Daughter of the owner of a ranch in the area where Grendizer is based and where Daisuke and Duke work in their spare time. Originally just a normal farmgirl, she soon proves to be a talented pilot and joins the battle against the Vegans. Kouji falls for her at this stage, but she is in love with Duke Fleed, and has been so for some time. This causes some tension between the trio but a good fight with the Vegans enables Kouji to work it out of his system and they are soon friends again.

*Maria Grace Fleed: Duke Fleed's tomboyish younger sister, raised by her family's butler on Earth after the destruction of their homeland. She appears late in the series and falls in love with Kouji; it is hinted he is attracted to her as well even though they never stop arguing, but at the end of the series both she and Duke return to space to rebuild their homeworld. It's a running gag in many "Super Robot Wars" games as well in the "Dynamic Heroes" e-click manga that Sayaka and Maria are rivals for the oblivious Kouji's attention.

Mecha and equipment

Robots

Kouji has at one point or another piloted the three generations of Mazingers (Grendizer is excluded because its security system shooting anybody trying to pilot it who isn't of Fleed royalty).

*Mazinger Z: The robot most associated with Kouji. While tiny compared to the powerhouses of today (only 18 meters tall), Mazinger Z was a breakthrough in anime (being the first robot actually piloted by the hero, rather than being sentient or remote-controlled).
*Great Mazinger: Kouji piloted Mazinger Z's successor when hypnotised by a Vegan officer. He proved just as good at piloting it as he was piloting its predecessor.
*Mazinkaiser: The ultimate Mazinger. Depending on the universe, Mazinkaiser is Mazinger Z's prototype, successor machine or, in one case, Mazinger Z itself after it is evolved by Getter Rays.
*Grendizer: Duke Fleed's robot, Kouji doesn't pilot it in in the anime but he does it briefly in the Grendizer manga, claiming it's too complex to ride for him

Other vehicles

* Hover Pilder/Jet Pilder: the control vehicle for Mazinger Z. The Jet Pilder was created as a replacement for the Hover Pilder after it was destroyed.
* Brain Condor: Great Mazinger's control vehicle.
* Kaiser Pilder: Mazinkaiser's control vehicle.
* TFO: A small, earth-made flying saucer, often used by Kouji to assist Duke Fleed in Grendizer.
* Spazers: Kouji has at one point or another piloted each of the Spazers, support craft used to assist Grendizer.

Other equipment

* Pilot suit (Z version): When piloting Mazinger Z, Kouji wears a pilot suit made out of Super Alloy-Z. As his suit is made of the same material used in Mazinger Z's construction, it provides him with excellent defense. Among other things, it is bullet proof and somewhat heat resistant. His helmet is famously shaped like the Photonic Research Lab.

This suit would later reappear in the Mazinkaiser OVAs.

* Motorcycle: Kouji is known for riding motorcycles to blow of stream and has often gone out on rides with Sayaka when no danger is threatening Japan.

* Pilot suit (Dizer version): When Kouji began aiding Duke Fleed in earnest, he began wearing a pilot suit for protection. Unlike his original pilot suit, this one was blue and included a mouthpiece.

* Photon Gun: Kouji's original pilot suit included a holster for a photon pistol that fires a much smaller(anti-personnel) version of Mazinger Z's Photonic Beam (since Kouji wears armour based on Mazinger Z's). Its power was demonstrated in the Mazinkaiser VS Great General of Darkness OVA, when Kouji manages to penetrate Archduke Gorgon's tiger head and human head with one shot.

Other versions

*In Tranzor Z Kouji was named Tommy Davis, which was somewhat confusing as he was unrelated to the counterparts of Sayaka Yumi and her father, whose last names were also Davis. He was voiced by Gregg Berger in the dub.
*When Grendizer was shown in the United States as part of Force Five, Kouji's name was Lance Hyatt.
*Italian translators never identified Kabuto as the same character in Grendizer and in the Mazinger series. In the Italian version of Grendizer (broadcast for first in Italy), Kouji was called Alcor; in Mazinger Z, Ryo Kabuto; in Great Mazinger, Koji Kabuto. As a result, many in Italy thought that the heroes of Japanese cartoons all looked alike. In the Italian version of Mazinkaiser, he was called Koji Kabuto again.
*The same confusion took place in France: he was called Alcor in the French version of Grendizer (from which the Italian one was taken), and Koji in the French version of Mazinger Z (which was broadcast much later in France).
*The same kind of confusion took place in Arabic speaking nations: While he was still called Kouji in the Arabic version of Grendizer, he was called "Maher" in the Arabic version of Mazinger Z that was translated after Grendizer's success in the Middle East.

Trivia

*In an episode of Shin Cutie Honey (which is full of insider references to Go Nagai's other work), Honey disguises herself as a prison inmate and looks identical to Kouji.
*Kouji (along with Sayaka) is the only human character to have appeared in virtually all incarnations of the Super Robot Wars (excluding the Original Generation games and the first Super Robot War, which had no human characters at all).
* Koji Kabuto and Sayaka Yumi make cameo appearances as elderly versions of themselves in Slayers Try episode 18.