Getter Robo Arc
| Company type | Manga series, Anime television series |
|---|---|
| Industry | Entertainment |
| Founded | July 19, 2001 |
| Founder | Ken Ishikawa |
| Defunct | September 19, 2003 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Manga, Anime |
| Parent | Futabasha (manga publisher) |
is a manga series crafted by Ken Ishikawa, forming part of the Getter Robo universe originally developed by Ishikawa and Go Nagai. It was serialized in Futabasha's Super Robot Magazine from July 19, 2001, until September 19, 2003, comprising three tankōbon volumes, with two special aizōban editions released by Futabasha prior to its premature termination. The storyline is set a decade after the events of Shin Getter Robo and Getter Robo Go, centering on a new Getter Team led by Hayato as they confront the Andromeda Stellaration invasion using the advanced mecha, Getter Robo Arc. An anime adaptation produced by Bee Media and Studio A-Cat was broadcast between July and September 2021.
Plot
Nearly two decades following Ryoma Nagare, Go Ichimonji, and Messiah Tyr’s departure from Earth aboard Shin Getter 1 bound for Mars, humanity is in the process of recovering from a nearly devastating war. However, the planet faces a dire threat from the Andromeda Stellaration—an alien species resembling technorganic insects—posing the risk of total annihilation. Under the leadership of Hayato Jin, the Saotome Institute prepares new pilots to defend Earth utilizing Professor Saotome’s ultimate creation: Getter Robo Arc.
Takuma Nagare, son of Ryoma, pursues his father’s legacy alongside his companion Baku Yamagishi. During an encounter with a metal beast, Takuma and Baku commandeer a downed Getter D2 following its pilot’s demise. Hayato sends Sho Kamui piloting Getter Arc to support them and subsequently recruits Takuma into the institute. Recognizing their capabilities, Hayato assigns Takuma and Baku to join Sho in piloting Getter Robo Arc as humanity’s final bulwark against the Andromeda Stellaration menace.
Saotome Institute
- At 19 years old, he is Ryoma Nagare’s son and one of the original Getter Team pilots’ descendants. After losing his mother to visiting scientists, he seeks truth at the Saotome Institute. Possessing Ryoma’s genetic traits, Takuma exhibits remarkable endurance, strength, and regenerative abilities. Favoring a revolver over elaborate weaponry, he pilots Getter Arc with an emphasis on strength and close-quarters combat.
- Also 19 years old, Sho is a Human-Dinosaur hybrid and offspring of Emperor Gore, former Dinosaur Empire ruler. Calm and composed with superior physical prowess surpassing normal humans—including resistance to Getter Ray radiation and formidable striking power—Sho is heir to the Dinosaur Empire throne. He has been accepted into the Saotome Institute to aid in battling the Andromeda Stellaration and pilots the speed-oriented Getter Kirik.
- A 22-year-old Zen Buddhist monk and younger sibling of Messiah Tyr. Baku supports Takuma’s mission while excelling in detecting Getter Rays and electronic infiltration. He commands the defense-centric Getter Khan.
- The original Getter Pilot who now leads the Saotome Institute. Having retired from active piloting due to age and past experiences, Hayato also assumed guardianship of Sho Kamui as his stepfather after taking him under his care.
- The chief researcher at the Saotome Institute and close associate of Professor Saotome. Renowned for his intellect and eccentric nature, he made significant contributions to Getter Ray studies and maintains a strong bond with Takuma.
- A major sergeant responsible for training both Arc and D2 teams. Formerly a Getter pilot himself, he commanded Shin Getter-3 during Earth’s defense against the Andromeda Stellaration assault.
- The pilot of Getter D2 who perished during an attack by the Andromeda Stellaration.
- One of the initial Getter 1 pilots and leader of the first Getter Team alongside Hayato and Benkei. He piloted Shin Getter-1 to repel the initial Andromeda Stellaration offensive but was unable to prevent Benkei’s death. His body merged with Shin Getter-1, becoming one with the Getter Rays before leaving Earth for Mars.
- An original Getter pilot commanding both Getter Poseidon and Shin Getter-3. He destroyed invading insectoids using Getter Dragon but succumbed to its overwhelming power along with Professor Saotome and others. His spirit remained within Getter Dragon until finally finding peace after passing leadership to the new generation.
- The founder of the Saotome Institute who pioneered research into Getter Rays and developed multiple Getter Robo units for Earth's defense against existential threats. He died during an Andromeda Stellaration attack when Benkei overloaded Getter Dragon.
- Leader of the Go Team piloting Getter Go. Previously boarded Shin Getter-1 to merge with it alongside Ryoma and Messiah. A clone now operates Shin Gettā Robo Taraku to protect Earth against ongoing Andromeda Stellaration incursions.
Allied Forces
- Sho, formerly a member of the Go Team and pilot of Getter Sho, now commands the Allied Forces in their battle against the Andromeda Stellaration.
- An ex-US Army pilot featured in Getter Robo Go, who has since risen to the rank of admiral within the Allied Forces.
Dinosaur Empire
- Once the leader of the Dinosaur Empire and father to Sho Kamui and Emperor Gore III; he was killed near the conclusion of the original Getter Robo series. He makes a spectral appearance in episode four.
- The current ruler of the Dinosaur Empire and Kamui’s half sibling. Although a ceasefire exists with the Saotome Institute amid the Andromeda Stellaration conflict, he harbors deep mistrust toward humans and wrestles with anxiety over Kamui’s rising influence.
- A scientist and counselor serving the Dinosaur Empire, acting as a surrogate parent to Kamui. He engineered the Getter Saurus by integrating Saotome Institute’s Getter Ray technology with Mechasaurus advancements.
- An advisor on military strategy to Emperor Gore, now retired and afflicted by dementia.
- , and
- Kamui’s childhood companions from the lower-tier Ryu Clan, who later became pilots of Getter Saurus nineteen years afterward.
Andromeda Stellaration
- The mastermind behind the Andromeda Stellaration’s assaults on Earth that involve Getter Rays. This figure appears as a hologram in the anime series.
- A senior general responsible for orchestrating attacks aimed at severing the Saotome Institute’s connection to Getter Rays.
- An American scientist allied with the Andromeda Stellaration, accountable for the death of Ryoma Nagare’s wife during an operation nineteen years ago. He also survived the defeat of the Hundred Oni Empire at the hands of Getter Dragon.
- A warrior commanding insector robot offensives against the Saotome Institute, modeled after the mythical Chinese Monkey King. This character features in episode three of the anime.
Hundred Oni Empire
- The emperor ruling over the Hundred Oni Empire (Hyakki Empire), who met his end at the conclusion of Getter Robo G. He appears in a flashback sequence in episode six.
Getter Corps
- A clone derived from Musashi Tomoe, an original getter pilot. Formed from memories stored within Getter Emperor, he was dispatched to Earth as commander of the Getter Corps.
Others
- Ryoma’s wife and mother to Takuma, who was killed by Carter McDonald during an invasion nineteen years prior.
- The leader of the Green Earth cult and elder brother to Baku. During the Andromeda Stellaration incursion nineteen years ago, he merged with Shin Getter-1 and departed Earth for Mars.
- Hayato’s former fiancée and member of self-defense forces who combated Professor Rando’s troops during Getter Robo Go. She sacrificed her life while defusing bombs planted globally by Rando.
Manga
Getter Robo Arc, both written and illustrated by Ken Ishikawa, represents the third entry in the Getter Robo franchise following Getter Robo Go. It was serialized in Futabasha's Super Robot Magazine from July 2001 until September 2003, concluding its initial arc across three volumes. The storyline remained incomplete due to Ishikawa’s passing in 2006. Futabasha reissued the manga twice: once in 2007 as an Aizoban edition and again in 2016 as a limited Kanzenban version.
Anime
Bee Media and Studio A-Cat produced an anime television adaptation announced by Bandai Namco Entertainment on November 2, 2020. The series broadcasted from July 4 through September 26, 2021, on networks including AT-X, Tokyo MX, BS SkyPer!, and BS11. Directed by Jun Kawagoe, with scriptwriting by Tadashi Hayakawa and music composed by Yoshichika Kuriyama alongside Shiho Terada. The opening theme Bloodlines ~Unmei no Ketto~ and multiple ending themes such as "Dragon 2021," "Storm 2021," "Heats 2021," and Tomo yo were performed by JAM Project.
Medialink secured streaming rights for Asia via their Ani-One Asia YouTube channel simultaneously with Japan’s premiere. Outside Asia, Sentai Filmworks licensed the series, offering it on Hidive beginning July 4, 2021 (subtitled) and August 14, 2021 (English dubbed).
Episode Catalogue
{{Episode list
EpisodeNumber => '13' Title => 'The Endless Conflict' TranslitTitle => 'Hateshinaki Tatakai' NativeTitle => '果てしなき戦い' NativeTitleLangCode => 'ja' DirectedBy => 'Jun Kawagoe' Aux2 => 'Jun Kawagoe' Aux3 => 'Hidekazu Yamana, Takayuki Chiba,
Kenji Hattori, Gaku Bun Xu' OriginalAirDate =>
}}
References