TV-Series
Description
Hizakuriger is a giant robot that appears in the anime RobiHachi, named as a parody of the shortened title for the classic Japanese travelogue Tōkaidōchū Hizakurige. Within the story's world, the robot is a functional, life-size model of the titular mecha from an obscure, long-forgotten black-and-white anime series from the year 1969 called Gingadouchuu Hizakuriger. The original show was directed by Yuma Yarge, the grandfather of the protagonist Robby Yarge. The production was troubled, and after humanity made first contact with aliens, the series' depictions of extraterrestrials were considered outdated, causing ratings to plummet and the show to be cancelled prematurely. The twelfth and final episode was reportedly lost, with the master film eventually being buried with the director.
The life-size Hizakuriger was constructed by a superfan named Armeni, who used production materials and sketches he received from Robby's father, Luci Yarge. In exchange for these anime artifacts, Armeni gave Luci the completed Hizakuriger robot, a spaceship called the Nagaya Voyager, and a large sum of cash, which unexpectedly made the Yarge family wealthy. The robot was stored in the Nagaya Voyager, and when Robby later took the ship to run away from home, Hizakuriger came into his possession.
In terms of personality and presentation, Hizakuriger is portrayed as comically silly and purposely lame rather than a formidable weapon. It is a large, functional prop that retains the aesthetic of a 1970s-era super robot, complete with its own theme music that plays upon activation and, notably, a mustache. Its primary ability is the fusion of two separate ships that combine to form the robot. However, its offensive capabilities are deliberately underwhelming. When the characters attempt to fire a giant laser from its chest, the result is a harmless, goofy flash of light more akin to a child's toy than a devastating weapon, although this effect is enough to confuse an enemy and allow for a quick escape.
Hizakuriger functions as a central asset and comic relief element for the main characters Robby and Hatchi. It serves as a disguise, a means of escape, and a source of situational comedy rather than a reliable tool for victory. Its existence is a direct link to Robby's family history, representing a legacy of which he was initially unaware. The robot is a physical manifestation of the series' affectionate parody of classic anime tropes, and its lack of power is a recurring joke. Despite its ineffectiveness in combat, the crew keeps Hizakuriger as a large and somewhat random part of their adventure across space.
The life-size Hizakuriger was constructed by a superfan named Armeni, who used production materials and sketches he received from Robby's father, Luci Yarge. In exchange for these anime artifacts, Armeni gave Luci the completed Hizakuriger robot, a spaceship called the Nagaya Voyager, and a large sum of cash, which unexpectedly made the Yarge family wealthy. The robot was stored in the Nagaya Voyager, and when Robby later took the ship to run away from home, Hizakuriger came into his possession.
In terms of personality and presentation, Hizakuriger is portrayed as comically silly and purposely lame rather than a formidable weapon. It is a large, functional prop that retains the aesthetic of a 1970s-era super robot, complete with its own theme music that plays upon activation and, notably, a mustache. Its primary ability is the fusion of two separate ships that combine to form the robot. However, its offensive capabilities are deliberately underwhelming. When the characters attempt to fire a giant laser from its chest, the result is a harmless, goofy flash of light more akin to a child's toy than a devastating weapon, although this effect is enough to confuse an enemy and allow for a quick escape.
Hizakuriger functions as a central asset and comic relief element for the main characters Robby and Hatchi. It serves as a disguise, a means of escape, and a source of situational comedy rather than a reliable tool for victory. Its existence is a direct link to Robby's family history, representing a legacy of which he was initially unaware. The robot is a physical manifestation of the series' affectionate parody of classic anime tropes, and its lack of power is a recurring joke. Despite its ineffectiveness in combat, the crew keeps Hizakuriger as a large and somewhat random part of their adventure across space.