Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace

From wikipedia:

Planetary Robot Danguard Ace (惑星ロボ ダンガードA（エース）, Wakusei Robo Dangādo Ēsu) is a Japanese science fiction anime series created by Leiji Matsumoto with Dan Kobayashi. Danguard Ace was Matsumoto's only contribution to the mecha genre. Some of the main character designs were similar to characters appearing in Space Battleship Yamato, which was known in the U.S. market as Star Blazers. The Takuma Ichimonji character resembles the Space Battleship Yamato character Susumu Kodai. The doctor on the show resembles Dr. Sakezo Sado from Space Battleship Yamato.

Danguard Ace takes place on a future Earth in which natural resources have been depleted. People have begun looking toward other planets to survive, in particular to the fictional tenth planet, Promete. Although people had hoped to peacefully settle there, disaster strikes as the first explorers are destroyed by betrayal.

After this event, an individual named Mr. Doppler announces that all attempts to reach Promete surrender to his command, those who do not will be destroyed. Using his own resources, Doppler constructs a vast military force greater than that of Earth's. He forbids anyone from approaching the planet, under the insane belief that only he is entitled to it.

To gain control of Promete, the governments of Earth begin constructing massive combat robots. Doppler is able to attack and destroy all of them before they are completed, except for Danguard Ace. The forces sent to attack Danguard's base were destroyed because of the efforts of Captain Dan. Nothing is known of this mysterious man, except that he previously served Doppler while under mind control.

Takuma Ichimonji, son of the man who betrayed the initial Promete exploration team, becomes a cadet at Danguard's base. Ichimonji hopes that he might restore his father's honor by fighting against Doppler's forces. 

John's Notes

This wasn't an anime that I was really familiar with prior to Jim Terry Productions Force Five - might be why I like it so much now. It has some rather mature themes. The robot design is pretty rad.

Popy and Mattel

As with other popular anime and tokusatsu series, Popy and other manufacturers produced a plethora of toys related to Dangard Ace, eventually leading to a Mattel licensing deal as Shogun Warrior toys.

• Popy GA-78 Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace ST - Mattel Shogun Two-in-One #2729 Dangard Ace
• Popy (unknown) Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace mini - Mattel Shogun Collector's #2995 Dangard
• Popy GB-01 Waikusei Robo Dangard Ace Gard Rancher - Mattel Shogun Action Vehicle #2699 Dangard Launcher
• Popy PB-02 Waikusei Robo Danguard Ace Sky Arrow - Mattel Shogun Action Vehicle #2733 Sky Arrow
  

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