Film studio Big One has revealed that a live-action film adaptation of the legendary super robot manga Getter Robo is in the works. The movie is planned to release in the Spring of 2025, as part of the series’ 50th anniversary.
A crowdfunding project on Campfire was announced simultaneously with the announcement, campaigning for a pilot version of the film with a stretch goal of JPY$5,000,000. The campaign is set to end on April 19. While not released as of this writing, a separate Kickstarter campaign for the cause is expected to be announced later in April for overseas fans of the series to chip in.
▍Pilot Film Crowdfunding for Getter Robo
According to the pitch on the fundraiser, the Getter Robo Live-Action’s pilot film is planned to be 3~5 minutes long, meant to serve as a proof of concept for the film before its expected full release in 2025. The Campfire page further elaborates on each payment plan from Plan A to G, which includes rewards such as a making-of digital artbook and being listed in the end credits of the pilot film.
The pilot film is planned to be a compilation of different action scenes that will be featured in the cinematic release. The pitch proposed several scenes such as the three Getter Machines combining, fight scenes with the mechasaurus, Getter-1 transforming into its other forms, and many more.
Concept arts for the Getter-1, Getter-2, and Getter-3 were revealed on the page, giving us a sneak peek at what the Getter Robo’s different forms will look like in action!
▍About Getter Robo
The Getter Robo series is a mecha media franchise that was first established by manga artists Ken Ishikawa and Go Nagai in 1974. Beginning life as a manga series first serialized in the Weekly Shōnen Jump, the series became quickly recognized as a classic alongside Nagai’s own Mazinger Z series.
The franchise is perhaps well known for its darker take on the super robot genre, exploring the consequences of the destructive nature and moral ambiguity of a giant robot laying waste to foes with the power of a mysterious energy known only as the Getter Rays.
While the original TV anime eschewed these themes for a more child-friendly take on the story, many of the adaptations that followed kept the more serious undertones set by the manga by Ishikawa. 2025 would mark the 50th anniversary of the franchise.
▍Getter Robo Live-Action Film Staff
Original Work: Getter Robo by Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa
Director, Producer: Junya Okabe
Screenplay: Junya Okabe, Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa
Screenplay Cooperation: Yoshiaki Tabata
Filming: Takumi Furuya
Mecha Design & Image Board: Skan Srisuwan
Sound Director: Michael Verta
Film Production: Big One
Creative Production: Blast