Nostalgia: ‘Giant Robot’ Great Serial For Kids
I am slowly going into nostalgia mode, and may evoke some memories in people who were kids when Doordarshan was the single channel on TV, and when there was a serial called ‘Giant Robot’ that would come on TV. Nowadays, there are such a lot of cartoon channels, but at that time, there was this show among the few that would be coming on TV which was of interest specifically to children (along with Spiderman, and a few others). From what I recall, it used to come in the late afternoon. This is actually a very old serial, which was created in Japan in the late 60′s, became a craze in the US in the 70′s and then was recycled here in India by Doordarshan in the 80′s. But all this does not matter really, nobody cares whether this was recycled or not. There was the thrill of watching it, and it used to get tense when you had to go somewhere (parental pressure or something else unavoidable), and how am I going to be able to miss this episode, and wait for the next episode ?
When the time would come to watch it, all other activity would cease, including playing out and being with friends (I mean, you could still be with friends, but watching the TV for this cartoon).
Now I that remember it, you would not catch anybody of this generation dead watching it. It was not glitzy, the effects were not great, animation was no big deal, and the plot was laughable, but who cares. If you really want to read in details about Giant Robot, then refer to Wikipedia.
So what was it about? It was about this boy called Johnny Sokko who, through a complicated sequence of events, came into control of a giant robot that was capable of flying, and firing a large number of different types of weapons (I remember the laser that would come out of its eyes). Why does this boy need a robot ? Well, because ever since he got control of this robot (using his watch as a controller), he became a member of a group called the Unicorn.
Unicorn in turn was fighting to save the earth from the clutches of a group called the Gargoyle (commanded by an alien emperor called Guillotine). Gargoyle has a number of members, and are responsible for creating monsters that would rampage on earth.
If you want to watch some clips of Giant Robot, then watch it on YouTube.
I wonder how many people were really interested in the story of this serial? I for one primarily watched it because
- It had a large robot that could fly and do a number of destructive things
- There was usually a battle involving some monster
- It had tension, with usually the robot managing to save things in the end
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28 comments | Leave your comment
Jun 8th, 2007 at 7:35 am | #
I clearly remember watching it religiously every wednesday on tv way back in 1984-85..I was in 4-5th standard and never missed a single episode of it…and yup i did cried a lot after watching the last episode (when giant robot takes the evil machine into space and gets destroyed)…I wish i could get my hands on its dvd sumday (japenese producers u listening?)
Thanx Deepti for sharing this info
)
Cheers!
Ravi
Jun 9th, 2007 at 3:02 pm | #
Got a good dose of nostalgia after reading this. I remember all of us kids in our apartment sat together to watch Gaint Robot. It was such exciting at that time to see unimaginable monsters and Giant robot fiting them out. Also the way the child would command giant robot and the robot coming to life was a hit.
Thanks for putting up this topic.
Regards
Jul 12th, 2007 at 5:47 pm | #
Hey…
Its really gives us a great pleasure to recall our childhood days especially when we talk about our favourite Scifi Serial “GIANT ROBOT”. Im really amazed that people still remember this Serial. I still rember the 1st second and third episodes of the serial. I never used to miss any of its episodes. Especially on Wensday we use to keep all our work aside and stick to the TV’s to watch this amazing serial. I still remember that i along with my friends use to depict the GIANT ROBOT Actions in our school. And i like the dialogue “GIANT ROBOT COMMON” by which the great robot starts flying to fight with the Damn Monster. Nowadays we see lot of KIDS Serials aired in different Channels but “GIANT ROBOT” is one such Name that we do not forget in our entire life
Cheers
Vijay
Jul 17th, 2007 at 1:56 pm | #
i remember seeing this serial. anyone having any knowledge of how to watch this serial again please msg me.
Oct 16th, 2007 at 1:56 pm | #
Ya Friends It is a very nostalgic tv serial which we people will not forget. I used to leave all my playing activities for this serial. I searched internet for this Giant robot and finally in my this age I got the DVDs fo this Giant robot .Its really nostalgic
Oct 16th, 2007 at 4:36 pm | #
Hey Sajan,
Please let me know from where did you got that DVD? If you read this article..then you would see that I was the first one to comment on this(back in June)and I mentioned that I would like to get my hands on the DVD as and when its available in the market!
Looking forward for your response buddy
)
Cheers!
Ravi
Oct 19th, 2007 at 6:15 pm | #
I’m so glad to see comments about Giant Robot! I used to have a plastic watch which I used to give instructions to the imaginary “Giant Robot”… Never missed an episode wherever I was, whatever I was doing!! Please let me know how to get its DVD. I don’t mind spending any amount of money for it!
Nov 20th, 2007 at 12:09 pm | #
hi
well i am looking for old cartoon tv series called
history of man and u can search another name which is
onces up a time -history
well this used to come on sunday then its othe week day some
where in the evening
if u search u will get few cilp on net but not the full 30 moives
related with it
if u find any link to download whole moive plz
sent me
my id is
alok_ojha_2002@yahoo.com
Nov 22nd, 2007 at 4:18 pm | #
Recently I was recollecting those episodes of giant robot and thought of Buying DVDs to watch it again. Someone please suggest me where to buy the DVDs. I want to watch this along with my little children to share my feelings of childhood with them.
Jan 11th, 2008 at 3:34 pm | #
Hi Deepti,
I too am a fan of this remarkable serial… In fact i was searching for this in thought of why not showing this off again in Dhordharshan or in any other TV today…
Well thanks for the youtube idea…
Thanx Deepti for sharing this info
)
Jan 23rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm | #
Its my all time favourite series in ma child hood….. cantr forget the days when used to fite with ma dad for changing the channel….. bcse it used play during new time…. every wednesday 8.30 sharp….. wht ever work i have i will just leave that all alone just to watch this series…
i rem one more series tooo “alif laila” that was also one of ma favourite…:)
Feb 9th, 2008 at 2:28 pm | #
Japanese name of the serial was “Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot”.
http://imdb.com/title/tt0170962/
Apr 8th, 2008 at 6:28 pm | #
GIANT ROBOT one of the famous serial on DD those days. We friends used to sit together and watch the serials. Can I get remind those old days by getting the CDs.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:35 am | #
I definitely remember seeing this. The roclets coming out of its fingers and what not. Missing the good old days.
May 23rd, 2008 at 12:48 pm | #
Who can forget this. Gaint Robot on TV was the most awaited event during those days. Remembering it is digging our childhood days
. I used to act like a giant robot by carrying a “Carry bag” on my back and put hands up in the air 
. I found this forum in Google while i was searching it to watch it once again. Very happy to see all ur comments. Thanks for posting this.
Jun 2nd, 2008 at 1:11 pm | #
I cant resist of thinking about the last episode, when i cried the next day for that show.I am now deeply moved by those thoughts, like to see that full episode again.
Aug 21st, 2008 at 4:14 pm | #
Ah! yes! i remember those sundays… gaint robot, ramayana, spiderman, chitra har, rangoli, circus, fauzi, then their was a space program (in the line of startrek i dont remember the name) all were my favourite… i wish to go back to those day… if granted…
Sep 22nd, 2008 at 8:42 am | #
AS A 3 YEAR OLD KID MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE GAINT ROBOT WENT UNBROKEN,THAT WAS UNTIL HE WAS RIP FROM ME IN THE LAST SHOW, DESTORING HIMSELF AND THAT ULGY MONSTER. I AM 44 YEARS OLD NOW AND THE GAINT ROBOT STILL LIVE ON ,WHO COULD EVER FORGET THOSE MISSLES COMING OUT OF HIS FINGERS (PRICELESS).THET DON’T MAKE LIKE THAT ANYMORE.
Oct 4th, 2008 at 11:09 pm | #
Hi Buddy, am happy to see the photographs of my childhood hero GIANT ROBOT hai by saying gaint robot i do recollect my childhood days- every wednesday 7.00 pm i used to watch sorry sorry i used to live as a giant robot, hi buddy please send me the videoes or send me any message regarding giant robot once again i want to live as a giant robot please please please………… let me live as a giant robot; i would like to share the giant robot video with my childhood friends with whom i used to watch the giant robot
please send me the giant robot videoes…. Thank you buddies GIANT ROBOT
Jan 15th, 2009 at 12:44 pm | #
when I was little I used to see this seriel , but that time I was frightend afterc seeins those seen, But I never miss that seriel.
Jan 18th, 2009 at 4:10 pm | #
Thanks a lot for reminding the older days of Giant Robot, Gayab-aaya…. YES! the specific programmes was called as “FUN-TIME”, also, spiderman, he-man was much tremendously popular those days,,, GREAT DAYS OF MY CHILD-HOOD are a HISTORY NOW…..
THANK YOU… I can never be in that days now, but I can remember them now….
Feb 3rd, 2009 at 1:21 am | #
Yes I remenber its a great serial
Feb 7th, 2009 at 6:53 pm | #
yes, i still remember it , that was a craze in children , as i was one of them
Mar 5th, 2009 at 4:13 pm | #
I love to see Giant robot again, pls anyone can send me clips
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:10 pm | #
This is a great article. Just refreshed my childhood memories. I did some search and found few clips on youtube.
Do the search for “Johnny Sokko and his Flying Robot” “Giant Robot”
Sep 19th, 2009 at 9:47 pm | #
I was a die hard fan of this series in the early 80′s when this started playing..I remember persuading my father to buy a TV so that I could watch this series (Got solid support from mom, who wanted to watch the rest of the stuff as well)..and I also remember the devasation and grief I felt, when the Giant Robot finally gives up its life to destroy the evil emperor…It was way too much for a 6 yr old to handle..Now I am 31, and while reading all these posts and penning my own, I miss those child hood days, which will never come back…
Nov 13th, 2009 at 4:37 pm | #
Its gives a great feeling to go down our memory lane and think about our fav serial Giant Robot…I still remember it was my birthday on wednesday( in 3 or 4th Std) when I got a special permission from my dad that me and my friends will watch giant robot at our place as it used to clash with DD news at 7.00 which he wanted to see…
Please share the link or the place from where I can buy the DVD of this fantastic serial
Jun 11th, 2010 at 9:50 pm | #
It is like I am again in my school days when i watched this video on the net. I want to thank for taking me back to my childhood.
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