Space Runaway Ideon
Sunrise produced Space Runaway Ideon in 1980, immediately following the massive success of Mobile Suit Gundam. Director Yoshiyuki Tomino led the project with a mandate to push the mecha genre beyond its previous boundaries. The series premiered on TV Tokyo and ran from 1980 through 1981 before transitioning into two feature films released in 1982. Later broadcasts included a run on the Animax satellite network starting in September 2006. This production timeline marked a significant shift for Tomino after his work on the original Gundam series.
Yuichi Higuchi created the mechanical designs at Studio Submarine for the television series version. His work defined the visual identity of the tanks and ships that became central to the show's aesthetic. Higuchi received full credit for the subsequent films while the television series credited only the design studio itself. Tomonori Kogawa handled character designs throughout the entire franchise. These specific contributions established the look that distinguished Ideon from other contemporary anime productions. The Animage Anime Grand Prix prize recognized this visual achievement during the second half of 1980.
On the planet Solo in the Andromeda Galaxy, archaeologists discovered three large armored tanks capable of combining into a godlike mecha. Cosmo Yuki and his friends Kasha Imhof and Deck Afta climbed aboard these tanks when they activated on their own. They repelled an initial assault by soldiers sent by Gije, who belonged to the Buff Clan military force. Karala Ajiba, the youngest daughter of commander Doba Ajiba, flew down to investigate against orders with her assistant Mayaya. After being mistaken for enemies, she was allowed onboard the Solo Ship along with Mayaya. Sheryl Formosa, a linguist studying the civilization, joined the crew alongside her sister Lin and children Piper Lou, Ashura Nobaku, and Fard Maraka. The Solo Ship fled using powerful DS Drive engines after cities on Solo were obliterated by Buff Clan soldiers. Bes Jordan, leader of the sparse military force stationed on Solo, ordered the tanks armed with missiles while the city destruction occurred. Moera Fatima replaced Bes as another pilot once Karala and Mayaya were identified as aliens. Mayaya died during this process while Karala survived despite initial distrust from others like Sheryl.
Karala revealed that she is pregnant with the child of an Earthling named Bes, shocking everyone on board the Bairal Jin. Doba declared he would hunt his daughter to the ends of the universe regardless of consequences. A strange light glowed from Karala's abdomen as Bes fired upon soldiers pursuing her and Joliver. The Ideon used its All Missiles attack on enemy forces while Cosmo brought the machine toward their shuttle. It was blown up by a stray blast seconds before the Ideon reached it. Karala and Joliver appeared unharmed in front of the Ideon as a glowing light enveloped them. They escaped into Null Space while Doba ordered his forces to track down the Solo Ship even if they had to go to the end of the universe. The Ideon released infinite power using Karala's baby as the trigger. Both races were wiped out completely as humanity and the Buff Clan scattered to the end of the universe. Their souls traveled through space to be reborn as wise and kindhearted beings who would use technology more wisely. The souls of Piper Lou and Karala's baby then traveled through space to lead everyone to a new planet resembling Earth.
The series won the Animage Anime Grand Prix prize for the second half of 1980, marking early critical recognition. This award highlighted the show's significance within the emerging mecha genre landscape. Critics praised the ambitious scope of Tomino's vision following Mobile Suit Gundam. The franchise established itself as a landmark work that influenced subsequent anime productions. Its legacy continues to resonate among fans of classic Japanese animation despite its controversial ending. The series remains a reference point for discussions about dark themes in mecha storytelling.
The first DVD box set was overproduced resulting in many unsold units years after release. Subsequent releases featured much fewer units produced which sold out quickly. The second boxset alone commanded prices exceeding 80,000 yen on Yahoo! Japan auctions or amazon.co.jp. All three boxsets sometimes sold for over 120,000 yen representing remarkable value for thirty-eight episodes and two movies. A Blu-ray box set released on the 2nd of February 2013 offered improved quality compared to earlier formats. Single DVDs re-released in 2006 went out of print due to low production runs similar to previous releases. An HD Blu-ray set finally arrived on the 5th of February 2019 after fan complaints cancelled an initial SDBD version planned for the 11th of December 2018. These limited editions demonstrate high collector demand despite the series' niche status.
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Common questions
Who produced Space Runaway Ideon and when did it premiere?
Sunrise produced Space Runaway Ideon in 1980 immediately following the massive success of Mobile Suit Gundam. The series premiered on TV Tokyo and ran from 1980 through 1981 before transitioning into two feature films released in 1982.
What are the mechanical design credits for Space Runaway Ideon?
Yuichi Higuchi created the mechanical designs at Studio Submarine for the television series version while Tomonori Kogawa handled character designs throughout the entire franchise. Higuchi received full credit for the subsequent films while the television series credited only the design studio itself.
Where does the story of Space Runaway Ideon take place?
The events occur on the planet Solo in the Andromeda Galaxy where archaeologists discover three large armored tanks capable of combining into a godlike mecha. Cosmo Yuki and his friends activate these tanks to repel an initial assault by soldiers sent by Gije who belong to the Buff Clan military force.
How does Space Runaway Ideon end its narrative arc?
Both races were wiped out completely as humanity and the Buff Clan scattered to the end of the universe after the Ideon released infinite power using Karala's baby as the trigger. Their souls traveled through space to be reborn as wise and kindhearted beings who would use technology more wisely.
When was the HD Blu-ray set for Space Runaway Ideon released?
An HD Blu-ray set finally arrived on the 5th of February 2019 after fan complaints cancelled an initial SDBD version planned for the 11th of December 2018. A previous Blu-ray box set had been released on the 2nd of February 2013 offering improved quality compared to earlier formats.