Of the many properties that were Cartoon Network originals, Toonami had one original giant robot that tore its way into the public consciousness like no other for the cable network. The action-packed programming block might have hit the ground running thanks to mech-based anime. Airing in the early aughts, the original anime series might have only had two seasons to its name, but its legacy as a story that helped put Toonami on the map remains. In a surprising twist, the anime series has returned in a way that many fans might not have seen coming.
Videos by ComicBook.com
The Big O first premiered on Cartoon Network in 1999, created by Sunrise, the same studio that brought Mobile Suit Gundam to life as a part of Bandai Namco. If you haven’t seen the series, it drops into a mysterious city wherein its inhabitants aren’t fully aware of their civilization’s history. The star of the series, Roger Smith, is perhaps one of the closest examples of an “anime Batman” outside of the Caped Crusader’s anime appearances, sporting a giant mech known as the Big O. The mech, and Smith, are set to return in the video game Super Robot Wars Y, specifically as part of the digital entry’s DLC content. You can check out the trailer announcement for more.
Super Robot Big O
Super Robot Wars Y arrived on consoles and PCs earlier this month on August 28th, bringing major mechs into the franchise’s latest entry. Alongside the Big O, the game features mechs from G Gundam, the original Gundam series, Code Geass, Gundam Wing, Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, and even Godzilla’s Jet Jaguar to name a few. Unfortunately, the DLC featuring Roger Smith and his mech has yet to secure a release date, though Bandai Namco has confirmed that it is “coming soon.”
For those who might not be familiar with the Super Robot Wars franchise, the video game series first hit the scene in 1991 with “Super Robot Wars.” Capturing something of a “gacha model” for the series, the long-running franchise created a story that pits classic anime mech pilots against one another, creating a crossover like no other.
As for a new Big O anime series, that possibility has yet to be hinted at officially. During the anime’s original run, it faced a controversial ending as the storyline came to a close long before we could receive a satisfying ending for Roger Smith and company. Luckily, fan demand brought the anime back for a season two, giving Smith’s world a rather definitive ending. Should the series return, we have to imagine that it will be either as a reboot or a sequel series that takes place following the events of the original.
Want to stay up to date on the possibility of Big O making a comeback? Follow along with Team Anime on ComicBook.com for the latest on Roger Smith and his cursed city, and hit us up in the comments.
Most Viewed
-
Image courtesy of Lucasfilm. -
Image Courtesy of Paramount Pictures -
Image courtesy of Atari -
Courtesy of Pathea Games -
Image Courtesy of Bones Film/Passione
