OVA
Description
Professor Saotome directs the Saotome Getter Ray Research Institute and created the Getter Robo series. He is father to Tatsuhito and Michiru Saotome. His background includes developing the Getter Robo prototype with Tatsuhito as pilot. During an early test, Getter Rays beneath the Institute reacted violently to the reactor, forcing Saotome to cut power before Tatsuhito was consumed. This event solidified his resolve to find pilots capable of harnessing Getter Rays against emerging threats.
Appearance-wise, he is an elderly man with a short, broad stature, a beard, and typically wears a white lab coat with a tie and traditional geta footwear. Flashbacks depict him younger with dark brown hair and a mustache, standing taller than his present self.
His personality features a sharp tongue and self-centered demeanor, often berating dissenters—including daughter Michiru. He exhibits paranoia about impending threats, placing unwavering faith in Getter Rays. Despite this, he harbors deep affection for his family, haunted by memories of Tatsuhito’s near-death during the prototype test, his transformation into an Oni, and being forced to kill him to prevent carnage. These traumas weigh heavily on him.
As a scientist, Saotome leads in energy, biology, and robotics, with unparalleled understanding of Getter Rays and their effects—including their role in creating Oni. He briefly piloted the Bear Getter Machine and Getter-3 but lacked the physical constitution for prolonged combat due to age. He occasionally communes with Getter Rays, seemingly intuiting their intended path for future events.
In *New Getter Robo*, after identifying the Oni threat, Saotome recruits three unconventional pilots: martial artist Ryoma Nagare (tested via hired assassins), terrorist Hayato Jin, and monk Benkei Musashibō. During an Oni attack on the Institute, he burns Tatsuhito alive to stop his rampage, earning Michiru’s lasting scorn. Years later, he frequently descends into the old lab’s lower levels amid Getter Ray surges, sometimes accompanied by Hayato. In the climax against the Four Heavenly Kings, he opens a valve releasing concentrated Getter Rays to empower the Getter Team, knowing it will consume him.
Across other media, his character diverges. In manga, he displays ruthless pragmatism, killing brainwashed staff and Tatsuhito to contain threats. His Getter Ray obsession intensifies, leading to mental instability. In *Getter Robo Armageddon*, he becomes the primary antagonist after Invaders infect him following Michiru’s death during a Getter Robo G test. Resurrected as a puppet, he pilots a Getter-like Metal Beast and battles the original team before regaining his senses and aiding in his own destruction. The manga *Shin Getter Robo* depicts his final days consumed by Getter Ray-induced madness, merging with the energy during an alien attack on his lab.
His legacy endures through Hayato Jin, who adopts his role as successor by building new Getter Robos and leading Saotome Labs, referring to Getter Robo Āḥ as "the last of Saotome’s machines."
Appearance-wise, he is an elderly man with a short, broad stature, a beard, and typically wears a white lab coat with a tie and traditional geta footwear. Flashbacks depict him younger with dark brown hair and a mustache, standing taller than his present self.
His personality features a sharp tongue and self-centered demeanor, often berating dissenters—including daughter Michiru. He exhibits paranoia about impending threats, placing unwavering faith in Getter Rays. Despite this, he harbors deep affection for his family, haunted by memories of Tatsuhito’s near-death during the prototype test, his transformation into an Oni, and being forced to kill him to prevent carnage. These traumas weigh heavily on him.
As a scientist, Saotome leads in energy, biology, and robotics, with unparalleled understanding of Getter Rays and their effects—including their role in creating Oni. He briefly piloted the Bear Getter Machine and Getter-3 but lacked the physical constitution for prolonged combat due to age. He occasionally communes with Getter Rays, seemingly intuiting their intended path for future events.
In *New Getter Robo*, after identifying the Oni threat, Saotome recruits three unconventional pilots: martial artist Ryoma Nagare (tested via hired assassins), terrorist Hayato Jin, and monk Benkei Musashibō. During an Oni attack on the Institute, he burns Tatsuhito alive to stop his rampage, earning Michiru’s lasting scorn. Years later, he frequently descends into the old lab’s lower levels amid Getter Ray surges, sometimes accompanied by Hayato. In the climax against the Four Heavenly Kings, he opens a valve releasing concentrated Getter Rays to empower the Getter Team, knowing it will consume him.
Across other media, his character diverges. In manga, he displays ruthless pragmatism, killing brainwashed staff and Tatsuhito to contain threats. His Getter Ray obsession intensifies, leading to mental instability. In *Getter Robo Armageddon*, he becomes the primary antagonist after Invaders infect him following Michiru’s death during a Getter Robo G test. Resurrected as a puppet, he pilots a Getter-like Metal Beast and battles the original team before regaining his senses and aiding in his own destruction. The manga *Shin Getter Robo* depicts his final days consumed by Getter Ray-induced madness, merging with the energy during an alien attack on his lab.
His legacy endures through Hayato Jin, who adopts his role as successor by building new Getter Robos and leading Saotome Labs, referring to Getter Robo Āḥ as "the last of Saotome’s machines."