Goldrake: The Return to Rai 2 is a Success

You can call it by its original name UFO Robot Grendizer, you can use the "wrong title" Atlas UFO Robot, or you can simply call it Goldrake: the important thing is that you know who we're talking about, one of the most beloved Anime giant robots, the first to arrive in Italy, even predating Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger, of which it is actually a sequel.

It was in 1977 when this Anime, created by the great master Go Nagai, made its debut on Italian networks, overturning and revolutionizing the world of animation in the minds and hearts of viewers. But in reality, the series was born in Japan in 1975 and is therefore celebrating 50 years since its first broadcast.

For the occasion, RAI has decided to re-broadcast the 74 episodes of the historic series – with the original 1977 dubbing – at a rate of two per week every Sunday on Rai 2 at 7:00 PM, and it started just yesterday, October 5th. The episodes are also available on RaiPlay.

Goldrake on TV in 2025: How Did It Go?

Actually, this year Goldrake/Grendizer [or even Goldorak if you like the Franco-German name] had already returned to TV on Rai 2 last January with the remake miniseries Goldrake U, but after an encouraging reception, many of the "old guard" expressed perplexity and disappointment for a realization too far from the stylistic features of Nagai's original work. So, how did it go with the re-broadcast of the original episodes?

Judging by the audience data provided by Auditel, it is undoubtedly an encouraging experiment: the network's share increased from 1.6% of the previous broadcast [TG2 Dossier] to 4.2% for the first episode, with a peak of 4.6% and a corresponding 721,000 viewers during the second; the subsequent broadcast [N.C.I.S.: Hawai'i] then dropped to 3.8%, a sign that the audience was clearly looking for the beloved Robot. For comparison, 4.2% is the same share recorded by Che Tempo che Fa on Nove.

...now we have to see if this pace will be maintained for the next 72 episodes...

Goldrake: The Synopsis

UFO Robot Goldrake stars the prince of the planet Fleed, Duke Fleed, who, following the destruction of his people by the invader Vega, manages to escape and hide on Earth, assuming the identity of the peaceful Actarus [original name Umon Daisuke] at a Japanese farm owned by Professor Proctor [Umon Genzo] who adopts him as a son. However, when Vega's fleets set their sights on Earth, Actarus must return to command his flying saucer containing the powerful robot and, assisted by the terrestrial hero Alcor [Koji Kabuto], already a pilot of Mazinger Z, and the beautiful Venusia [Hikaru Makiba], fight for the salvation of his new home.

Goldrake: The Video Game

In November 2023, Microids published a video game starring Goldrake titled UFO Robot Goldrake: The Feast of the Wolves: naturally, our Review is at your disposal!