Giant Robots!: Johnny Sokko, Voyage Into Space and Gigantor

Presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

Part of the UCLA Film & Television Archive screening series A Film Series for You: Celebrating Giant Robot’s 30th Anniversary. Learn more at cinema.ucla.edu.

In-person: Giant Robot founder Eric Nakamura.

For a generation of TV-watching children growing up in Los Angeles (and across the U.S.) in the 1970s and ’80s, the fantastical sci-fi adventures of Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot achieved instant cult status upon first viewing. Originally produced by the Toei Company and airing on Japan’s NET TV in 1967 as Giant Robo, the 26-episode manga-esque series followed the high-adrenaline exploits of a schoolboy who accidentally becomes a secret agent in command of an imposing, missile-launching flying robot. In 1970, low-budget impresario Roger Corman’s American International Television company imported the action-packed Japanese series to the U.S., dubbed the dialogue, and edited numerous episodes into the compilation TV film Voyage Into Space. The beloved telefilm became a staple of local stations and UHF channels for over a decade — at one point airing five nights a week on KTLA in Los Angeles due to its popularity. 

The live-action Voyage Into Space is heavy on practical effects, with a host of unforgettable hostile aliens and monsters (Emperor Guillotine and the Gargoyle Gang!) adorned in elaborate costumes, rubber suits and make-up, with miniatures, explosions and machine-gun battles to match. In addition to the allure of its mod-mecha production design, the true heart of the series is the powerful bond between young Johnny Sokko (played by the charismatic Mitsunobu Kaneko) and his heroic giant robot, a seemingly skyscraper-sized automaton (with King Tut stylings). Together, they save Japan and the world — but at a tragic cost that no doubt left more than a few pint-sized viewers with a reluctant tear or two.

Join us for this special screening of the Japanese cult TV classic that inspired the name of Giant Robot magazine! Preceded by an episode of the anime adventures of space age-robot Gigantor.

Adapted from the Tetsujin 28-go manga, this noir-ish black-and-white Japanese cartoon is a genre-predecessor to Johnny Sokko, with a small boy in command of a giant robot designed to fight for good against evil. A super-charged anime import brought to U.S. television by noted animation producer Fred Ladd, the beloved cult-classic series features arguably one of the catchiest television theme songs ever written.

DCP, b&w, 25 min. Dubbed. US credits: Syndicated. Production: Delphi Associates; a Trans-Lux Television Presentation. Producers: Fred Ladd, Al Singer. With: Billie Lou Watt, Peter Fernandez. Special thanks to Jennifer Laderman.

With his powerful Giant Robot, child secret agent Johnny Sokko battles Emperor Guillotine, the Gargoyle Gang and other violent space invaders threatening Japan and the world. The beloved cult-classic import from Japan inspired a generation of TV viewers, including the Beastie Boys (Intergalactic music video), director Brad Bird (The Iron Giant) and the founders of the highly influential Japanese American art and culture magazine Giant Robot.

DCP, color, 98 min. Dubbed. U.S. credits: Syndicated. Production: American International Television, A Toei Company Ltd. Production. Producer: Salvatore Billitteri. With: Mitsunobu Kaneko, Akjo Ito, Toshiyuki Tsuchiyama.