(translated into English as Ultra Star God Gransazer or Super Star God Gransazer, also known simply as Gransazer) is a Japanese drama produced by Toho Company Ltd. and Konami. The series aired on TV Tokyo from October 4, 2003, to September 25, 2004, with 51 half-hour episodes. This series is the first of Toho's "Seishin (Star God)" series.
The premise of this series is similar to both the Super Sentai series and the manga/anime series Saint Seiya: there are 12 heroes, divided into four tribes, and each tribe has a giant transforming robot. The events and characters are described below, using in-universe tone.
Plot
Some 400,000,000 years after caveman was destroyed by aliens, 12 direct descendants of the civilization's warriors (called "Sazers") have their powers awakened and form four tribes: Flame, Wind, Earth, and Water. Each Sazer is based on a Zodiac sign represented in an animal totem or spirit representation. At first, the Gransazer tribes waged war against each other. However, after discovering the truth about their ancestry and the reason for their awakening, they united. Together, they worked to protect Earth from the Warp Monarch, an alliance of alien species, from extinguishing all life on the planet once again.Gransazers Episode 27.
The GranSazers Descendants of the warriors from the ancient human civilization, they later learn that the GranSazers were created to protect Earth from the Bosquito. Each GranSazer is marked by a glowing symbol, corresponding to their astrological sign, on the back of their left hand. This symbol can turn into a Knuckle-Riser. By setting the Knuckle-Riser to "Transformation Mode", they can equip high-powered suits that transform them into GranSazers. Their transformation call is
GranSazer is composed by 12 members split amongst four elements. When three members of the same element have been awakened and gathered, a Tribe is formed. When three members gather and set their Knuckle-Risers to ChouSeiShin mode, they can summon a machine of incredible power called an . Once a Tribe's respective ChouSeiShin has been summoned, one member can set their Knuckle-Riser to "Boarding Mode" to "Dive-In" and board their ChouSeiShin. The one who is on their ChouSeiShin can change into a giant folding robot. The other two GranSazers would later pilot jetfighters called Gran Vehicles.
Each GranSazer also has their own unique weapon, which can be summoned by setting their Knuckle-Riser to "Arms Mode". When piloting their respective ChouSeiShin, they can equip the ChouSeiShin with a large version of their personal weapon by setting their Knuckle-Riser to "Sazer-Gear Mode". They can also communicate with other Sazers by setting the Knuckle-Riser to "Communication Mode".
The GranSazers can also perform a combination attack called "Formation Zero". The attack involves Sazer-Tarious, Sazer-Mithras, Sazer-Lion, Sazer-Dail, Sazer-Tragos and Sazer-Pisces all performing a sandwich jump kick on the enemy.
Flame Tribe The are the first tribe to recognize the alien threat and the second to be fully assembled. From the very beginning, they were assisted by Professor Horiguchi, who helped them realize their duty as Gransazers. The Flame warriors are carrying bird-shaped armour with red-based colours and they pilot the Flame-Driver Grand Vehicles. This tribe is also the one and only tribe which has two members (Tarious and Lion) that can equip Garuda with a large version of their personal weapon by setting their Knuckle-Riser to "Sazer Gear Mode" rather than other tribes which only their leader (Remls, Tawlon and Gorbion) can use this mode on their ChouSeiShin.
Sazer Tarious , born on December 14, 1983, is a rash postman, usually going in head first. Within his temper, Tenma transformed for the first time after being harassed by Sazer-Velsou. Immediately afterwards, he defeated Velsou. Often locking horns with Mika and the others, he doesn't quite like being made the leader, but he accepts the role. Tenma cares a lot about his comrades as well as about the world he lives. Despite frequently bickering with Mika, Tenma developed a serious crush on her as the show progresses.
With his Knuckle Riser, Tenma transforms into , the Flame warrior under the sign of Sagittarius, his red armour is shaped after a falcon. Sazer Tarious is the leader of Flame Tribe and also the leader of all 12 Gransazers as well.
Sazer-Tarious' main weapon is the Falcon Bow, a bow and arrow set situated on the left wrist (in place of the Knuckle Riser). It can fire Flame-powered shots and even a continuous stream of fiery arrows. Its finishing attack called "Burning Falcon", which involves the shooting of a giant fiery arrow from the Falcon Bow. His second attack is the "Cosmo Punch", in which Sazer-Tarious jumps up, then spins towards his adversary before striking with a flaming outstretched fist.
Sazer Mithras , born April 6, 1983, is the tomboyish elder sister of Ken and the wise member of the Flame Tribe. Having helped Professor Horiguchi with his research, she was the first Sazer to be awakened. Her cool and reserved attitude often clashes with the bright personality of Tenma, but when push comes to shove she proves to be a true friend and is fond of him as well.
With her Knuckle Riser, Mika transforms into , the flame warrior under the sign of Aries; her white and red armour is shaped after a swan. Her main weapons are the Swan Sector, a pair of fans. Its finishing attack, known as the "Brand Tornado", resembles a blast from a flamethrower tornado.
Mika later makes a cameo appearance in Justirisers Episode 35, when she injured Shouta because she thought that he was a stalker. When asked by Yuka, she said that she had such skills because she used them in what she used to do, being a 'friend of justice'.
Sazer Lion , born August 3, 1986, is Mika's younger brother by three years. Ken is the last member of Flame Tribe to be awakened; this happened when he wants to save his sister from being defeated by Ryoko and Jin and at the same time, Akira attacks the unactivated Garuda with Dolcrus. He is the calm-and-collected pole of the tribe, a shy but caring and compassionate person who deeply loves his sister. After meeting Ran, he developed a crush on her but did not admit it.
With his Knuckle Riser, Ken transforms into , the flame warrior under the sign of Leo, his armour is shaped after a swallow in dark red colour with his arms coloured in black. His main weapons are the Double Crescent, a pair of swords. Its finishing attack, called "Hien Zan" (Flying Swallow Slash), resembles a large wave of fire.
Wind Tribe The is the first tribe to be fully assembled, deceived by Akelon who disguised as Saeki Karin to attack the other GranSazers, especially Flame Tribe. After they realized that they were deceived, they turned against Karin and allied with the other GranSazers to defeat her. The Wind Tribe armoured suits are all insect-shaped with purple-based colours and pilot the Wind-Driver Grand Vehicles.
Sazer Remls Back when he first met Karin, , born May 24, 1975, was awakened as Sazer Remls, tricked by the Akelon into fighting the Flame Tribe. Akira, who works as a doctor was the one who stood by Karin's side the longest, fighting with Ryoko and Jin while still believing her. He may seem distant and cold but he is actually loyal and compassionate and if required, he can be a fierce fighter. He is the oldest GranSazer. Akira fell in love with Ai (Sazer-Pisces).
With his Knuckle Riser, Akira transforms into , the wind warrior under the sign of Gemini; his indigo armour is shaped after a Japanese rhinoceros beetle. Sazer-Remls is also the leader of Wind Tribe. Sazer-Remls' main weapon is the Iron Gale, a rifle cannon. Its finishing attack is called "Final Judgement", which is a concentrated ball of air. His second attack is the "Remls Tornado", a strong tornado blast from Remls' palm.
Dentsuin later makes a cameo appearance in Justirisers Episode 30, as the doctor who assessed Mio's condition.
Sazer Velsou Recruited and recited by Karin as well, , born January 23, 1979, is the ambitious social worker of the Wind Tribe, aware of her unknown skills and with a dislike towards weaklings. Along with that, she is also rather calculating and intelligent. After realized that Mika did not kill her after being defeated in one-by-one battle, Ryoko started to doubt the motivations of Karin and became the first to leave the evil scientist, to be joined by Jin soon after. Under her personal training, Tappei has now become a freedom fighter. She fell in love with Naoto (Sazer-Tawlon) and they were finally married in the end of series.
With her Knuckle Riser, Ryouko transforms into , the wind warrior under the sign of Aquarius; her magenta-coloured armour is shaped after a butterfly. Sazer-Velsou's main weapons are the Sel Cross, a pair of bucklers. Its finishing attack is called "Full Moon Slash", which is a vertical slash of magenta-tinted air that charges at the target. Sazer-Velsou's second attack is the "Velsou Illusion", a psychokinetic attack that disables her enemies.
Sazer Dail The final member of the Wind Tribe, , born September 25, 1978, was bad books by Karin and joined them looking for fun rather than being devoted to his mission at first. He enjoys having his powers and playing around with them, always up for a challenge. Despite that, he enjoys teamwork and thus was soon convinced by Ryoko that the Sazers have to work as one big team. He often shows up just in time to level the odds.
With his Knuckle Riser, Jin transforms into , the wind warrior under the sign of Libra; his purple armor is shaped after a stag beetle. Sazer-Dail's main weapon are the Axe Tagger, axe-shaped tonfas. Its finishing attack is called "Dai Senpuu Haa" (Great Whirlwind Slash), which is a horizontal tornado blast.
Earth Tribe The is the third tribe to fully awaken. This tribe is the most divided one because each of the three members have conflicting personalities. Karin tried to enlist the Earth Tribe into her group, but failed, causing the Earth Tribe to fight together with the Flame Tribe. Their armored suits are shaped after four-legged mammals with yellow and orange-based colors, piloting the Earth-Driver Grand Vehicles.
Sazer Tawlon , born May 5, 1977, was once a famous and highly prized fighter who is now mostly retired from the spotlight, going back to teaching young talents the ways of self-defense. When Naoto saw the battle between Garuda and Dolcrus, a lightning power from the sky transforms his body, thus awakens him as an Earth warrior. Often he is not to be found, for Naoto trains almost constantly. He fell in love with Ryoko (Sazer-Velsou) and they were finally married in the last episode.
With his Knuckle Riser, Naoto transforms into , the ground warrior under the sign of Taurus; his armor is shaped after a bull in yellow colour. Sazer-Tawlon is the leader of the Earth Tribe. Sazer-Tawlon's main weapon is the Bull Cannon, a pair of shoulder cannons. Its finishing attack is called "Matador Burst", which is a charged shot.
Sazer Tragos The second member of the Earth Tribe is , born January 3, 1978. Gou is a serious, dedicated, and faithful policeman with a strong sense of justice. Gou suddenly transformed for the first time when he was attacked by Akaki Junya, a man that was believed to be the culprit of a robbery who was also Ran's friend. After Gou realizes that he is awakened as Earth warrior, he immediately aligns with the Flame Tribe and fights some duels with Jin. He fell in love with Professor Aya Stacy, an 18-year-old scientist.
With his Knuckle Riser, Gou transforms into , the ground warrior under the sign of Capricorn; his amber-coloured