Watch Danguard Ace

Introduction:
Danguard Ace is a classic mecha anime series that was initially released in Japan in 1977. In 2010, Shout! Factory secured the distribution rights for the series and released a DVD box set of all 56 episodes. Shout! Factory's release of Danguard Ace marks the first time the series has ever been released in its entirety in the United States.

Plot:
The show follows a group of pilots who are tasked with defending Earth from an alien invasion. The aliens in question are the Golliath Empire, a technologically advanced civilization from another galaxy. The Goliath Empire is led by Emperor Barel, who seeks to conquer and rule over all the planets in the universe. In response to the threat, the Earth Defense Force creates a new weapon to combat the invading force: the transformable mecha known as Danguard Ace.

The series follows the adventures of two young pilots, Takuma (the main protagonist) and his best friend, Minoru, as well as a cast of other characters who form the Danguard Ace team. Over the course of the series, the team battles the Goliath Empire's army of robots, spaceships, and other advanced technology, as they try to defend Earth. The battles take place both on Earth and in space, as both sides deploy various weapons in their battles.

Themes:
The series revolves around the classic theme of good versus evil. The Goliath Empire is portrayed as a malevolent force seeking to conquer and exploit others for its benefit, while the Earth Defense Force is presented as a benevolent protector of the planet and its inhabitants. The series also explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and sacrifice. The characters are all willing to risk their lives to protect those they care about, and there are many moments of genuine emotional resonance throughout the series.

Animation:
Despite being over 40 years old, the animation in Danguard Ace still holds up today. The character designs are distinctive and well-drawn, and the mecha designs are truly impressive. The transformation sequences for Danguard Ace are particularly noteworthy, as they are some of the most intricate and entertaining transformation sequences in anime history. The battle scenes, both on Earth and in space, are also well-animated and exciting to watch.

Sound:
The series' soundtrack is also quite good, with a catchy opening theme song that sets the tone for the entire show. The score for the series is composed by Shunsuke Kikuchi, who also composed the music for classics like Dragon Ball and Kamen Rider. The voice acting for the English dub is serviceable, but fans of the show may want to check out the original Japanese audio for a more authentic experience.

Conclusion:
Overall, Danguard Ace is an excellent classic mecha anime series that holds up surprisingly well today. The animation and designs are top-notch, and the story is engaging and exciting, with plenty of action and emotion to keep viewers invested. Fans of classic mecha anime like Gundam and Voltron will definitely enjoy this series, as will anyone who appreciates great animation and storytelling. If you're looking for a new mecha series to watch, or just want to experience a classic anime gem, give Danguard Ace a try.