Best Sci-Fi Anime of 1976

This is the first installment of Tadao Nagahama's Romance Super Robot Trilogy. (The second is Chou Denji Machine Voltes V, and the third is Toushou Daimos.) Millennia ago, the inhabitants of planet Campbell abandoned their world to search for new planets to settle. One faction, headed by the scientist Oreana, reached Earth but was delayed in carrying out their mission. By the early 21st century, Oreana's group awakens again and starts their campaign to take over Earth. The only force capable of opposing the Campbellians' enormous biomechanical slave beasts is the super-electromagnetic robot Combattler V together with its pilots.

Earth remains under threat: aliens from the planet Zeraz seek to invade because their own world is being consumed by a black hole. Under the command of Great Darius and his four generals, they unleash destruction and chaos. After an ESP warrior is killed by the aliens, Professor Hi-Tech recognizes the danger and constructs the massive Space Dragon (Daiku Maryuu), piloted by Pete, and the giant robot Gaiking, operated by former baseball player Sanshiro Shiwobuki. Daiku Maryuu is a large dragon-shaped spaceship whose head serves as Gaiking's torso. When Gaiking enters battle, Daiku Maryuu launches the robot's other parts and then reconnects its neck with its tail, becoming indestructible. The narrative follows the conflict between the crew of the semi-transformable carrier Daikuu Maryuu and the Super Mecha Gaiking against an invading alien race from the planet Zela, whose homeworld is being destroyed by a black hole. Gaiking is piloted by baseball star Sanshiro Tsuwabuki (renamed Aries Astonopolis in the English version, with the carrier called "Great Space Dragon," a direct translation of "Daikuu Maryuu"). Gaiking is notable as one of the few super robot series set in real locations outside Japan and as the first super robot series to feature a mobile carrier for its primary robots.

Dr. Kazuki, who foresaw an invasion of Earth by the Izaru people, constructed a robot based on magnetic science and sphere joint theory. After undergoing a dangerous enhancement procedure, Dr. Kazuki's daughter Mai becomes the pilot of "Mighty" or "Magnetman Minus." Takeshi Houjou becomes the pilot of "Puraiza" or "Magnetman Plus." The pilots would embrace each other and then physically transform their conjoined bodies into a metallic plate that locks onto the Gakeen (short for "Gathering Keen") robot's frame, thus enabling the super robot to move and fight. This sequence was notable, to an adult viewer, for its almost-sexual connotation.

A 16-year-old boy named Takeshi has recently started an American football team at the BlueSky orphanage. During a game, a bright light in the sky interrupts the match. Takeshi learns that he is the son of the king of planet Apolon, sent to Earth by his father's loyal retainer Rabi to escape execution by General Dazaan. He possesses unique energy powers that allow him to control UFO saucers hidden beneath the ocean floor, which can transform into robots that move in sync with his own actions.

The world's peace is suddenly endangered by Mogool, a base located at the bottom of the sea. Helqeen, the tyrannical ruler of the Mogoolian Empire, seeks to conquer Earth alongside her loyal followers Goroskie and Zan-gack. To thwart her ambitions, Dr. Yuri—who foresaw this dire event—assembles four powerful robots to create the Blocker Corps! He also recruits four members endowed with the super ability known as "elepath," a talent for piloting giant robots. A fierce battle for survival erupts between the Blocker Corps and Mogool! A series of fantastic and spectacular confrontations unfolds.

After a meteor impacts Earth, causing a temporary shift in the climate that allows dinosaurs to roam the planet once more, a newly established expedition team is tasked with moving these creatures to a secure habitat.

Concealed within the Arctic, the Gaira aliens hatch their scheme to take over Earth. After being kidnapped and coerced into their service, Dr. Yan constructs the supreme weapon: Groizer X, a transformable aerial robot. He entrusts it to his daughter Rita, who manages to flee from the Gaira and crash-lands in Japan. There, pilot Jo Kaisaka encounters the wounded Rita. Taking command of Groizer X, Jo joins forces with Rita to resist the Gaira invasion.

Five teenagers from Edo City venture onto a mysterious rocky island, where they uncover the mecha created by Doctor Hoarai to defend against an impending invasion by subterranean rock people. Although the scientific community had mocked Hoarai’s warnings, the youths choose to assist him. Having transferred his consciousness into a computer after his death, the doctor guides the team as they pilot the vehicles to protect the planet. Thus, the Gowapper 5 Gordam team is formed. Led by Youko Misaki and supported by the giant fighting robot Gordam, the Gowapper squad must battle the overwhelming forces of the inhuman subterranean race.

Second season of UFO Senshi Dai Apolon.