Mazinger is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Go Nagai in the early 1970s. It features a giant robot, also named Mazinger Z, piloted by a young hero named Kouji Kabuto. The story revolves around Kouji's battles against evil forces, particularly the villainous Dr. Hell and his mechanical monsters. The series is notable for popularizing the giant robot genre in anime and has inspired numerous sequels, spin-offs, and merchandise. Mazinger Z is often credited with introducing the concept of a pilot controlling a robot, which has influenced many subsequent works in the genre.