Talking about Mazinger Z is like reading an old epic. It may look dated but its essential. In making an iridescent example Mazinger Z is like Gilgamesh an epic far from perfect but without Gilgamesh there would have been no Homer and without Homer there would have been no epics of King Arthur and from there up to the Lord of the Rings. You understand the importance right? Now here I dont want to give Mazinger Z a 100 on quality it wouldnt make sense but its an iconic work for many reasons and I want to talk to you about these. 1. Without it you wouldnt have had Evangelion. The work of Go Nagai a revolutionary author has put the Super Robots on the map. We all know the story but repeating it doesnt hurt. During a traffic jam the author came up with the original idea thinking of the beauty of a gigantic steel fortress with legs that could get away from the traffic. As in many of the works that the author will face in that period the manga had a dark and violent style while anime whose target was children lowers the dark tones a lot a striking example is Devilman. But putting the super robot with an inner pilot was the great revolution and like all things that evolve the genre evolves until it comes to Evangelion. But no Mazinger no Party folks. 2. A mirror of the fears and changes of the society of the time. There are moments of strong misogyny in the anime 1972 so we need to consider the period okay? but as in all of Nagais works women play a very important role. Sayaka represents the Japanese woman of the 70s with a mini skirt boots and motorcycle she doesnt want to depend on a man she is strong and independent she flirts with no problem A free woman. Elements that will culminate in Cutie Honey. But there is also a strong sense of nationalism Dr. Hell wants to conquer the World but everything takes place in Japan. The focal point is the new Japan that is advancing a technological Japan in which the Mazinger Z represents the pinnacle of made in Japan that will invade the world in the 80s. 3. The first Japanese product to create its universe and have an impact on various industries. Not many people talk about this but going to check various internet archives Mazinger Z in the span of its short duration not only recorded a television share of 30 but it was the first franchise to create a universe contiguous. No animated product had done that at that time I do not consider Tezukas work of course. The impact on the toy industry was incredible too although some small toys from other anime Astro Boy in the first place Mazinger Z was the first product to evolve the anime concept and make it saleable on other mediumsand for this reason the anime is also episodic. After having given you three important reasons why it is necessary to see Mazinger Z it seems right to me to contextualize it with what we see today. Compared to Rocky Joe from the same period or other more or less contemporary works Tiger Mask Attack no.1 The Star of the Giants Mazinger Z looks pretty lame. But should you watch it? And all the episodes? My reply is: Yes. You know I found online various abridged walkthroughs for the series but for me it is pretty pointless. Mazinger Z is one of those products of its time which has had later on some incredible Reboots. If you do not want to spend 92 episodes you may go to Shin Mazinger Z: The Impact a more fresh take on the original one with only 26 episodes. But I always tell people this about Mazinger Z putting it in comparison with Dragon Ball Z. Would you skip episodes or you do not mind as you enjoy seeing your characters on screen?. With this said Mazinger Z takes a moral 100 for its impact. A decent 60 considered todays standard.