A collection of Genesis Climber MOSPEADA and Super Dimension Cavalry Southern Cross

Pre-Production Materials

All English text 2010 Roger Harkavy All production design content Tatsunoko Production Co. Ltd.

MOSPEADA is a trademark of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.

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Table of Contents About The Imai Files 4 Introduction 5 Envelope M1 8 Envelope M2 50 Envelope M3 69 Envelope M4 86 Additional MOSPEADA Documents 96 Envelope SC1 101 Envelope SC2 109 Envelope SC3 112 Additional Southern Cross Documents 116 Coffees for Closers! 118

About The Imai Files

Permissions The Creative Commons license deed on the second page of this PDF outlines what you can and cannot do with the text and images in this document. Permission to create derivative non-commercial works with these images is granted. This includes, but is not limited to, using the text and images in online MOSPEADA and Southern Cross reference guides, adapting the mechanical designs for role-playing games, or presenting the artwork with replacement translations of the text.

No commercial use of this work is allowed.

Using This PDF This PDF has been optimized for Adobe Acrobat Reader 9 and above. It may not display properly if you are using older versions or non-Adobe PDF viewers.

The translations in this PDF are provided via text boxes which are placed over the original Japanese text. The text boxes appear by default, but printing and viewing them is optional. The following instructions are provided to help you toggle these in Adobe Reader 9.2.0.

Toggling Onscreen Display of Text Boxes From the View menu, select Navigation Panels > Comments. On the Comments navigation panel, select Show. To hide the text boxes, select Hide All Comments. To bring them back, select Show All Comments.

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Acknowledgements Preliminary guidance with identifying the contents of this material was provided by Tadayuki Osumi, Matt Alt, Hiroko Yoda, and Egan Loo. All of the final translations in this document are the result of weeks of hard work by Hidekazu and Nobuko Ochiai. Additional last minute assistance was graciously provided by Shinji Aramaki to help me polish it up before I clicked the last button.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generosity and understanding of the owner of these files, my friend who wishes to remain anonymous.

All of you have my eternal gratitude for your assistance and support. Thank you.

And now, on to the files

Introduction Several years ago, I learned that a friend of mine in Japan had acquired some assets from Imai Kagaku, a defunct manufacturer of toys and model kits. Before their fourth and final bankruptcy in 2002, Imai produced items for many licensed properties, ranging from internationally known characters (including Thunderbirds, Tetsujin 28, and Tetsuwan Atom) to the obscure and forgotten (such as Galvion, Orguss, and Beetras). I discovered some of the Imai assets during a visit to a dusty warehouse where part of my friends collection was being stored, when I literally tripped over a filing box with the Imai logo on it. Curious, I flipped the lid and discovered envelopes marked MOSPEADA and Southern Cross, two shows I was very familiar with due to them being imported into the United States during the 1980s. Given my fondness for these shows, it seemed almost too good to be true, but within a few minutes the surprise had worn off and I was diligently digging through the envelopes. As expected, there were animation model sheets for finalized designs, marketing memos, and blueprints for the kits, plus many sheets of pre-production artwork. I had seen some designs like these in the few vintage MOSPEADA and Southern Cross publications that existed, but they represented only a small percentage of what I had found. Unfortunately my chances to delve more deeply into the artwork had to be cut short, but my friend agreed to make sure it was accessible the next time I returned to Japan. A year later, was back, and was given permission to borrow the material if I so desired. The search yielded roughly 100 sheets of unproduced designs, all of which came back with me to the US. I had the artwork scanned and enlisted the help of friends to begin deciphering what was in the sheets. What we found was truly enlightening in understanding the genesis of these shows, discovering the skill and craft that the creators invested in realizing the concepts. After attempting unsuccessfully to get these published, I obtained permission from my friend to release the images on the internet, which led to the creation of the PDF youre viewing right now. This file includes scans of all of the unproduced designs and our translation notes, as well as translations of additional documents from the files that I found notable. Each model sheet presented in this document has a unique number identifying it (M2-04, SC3-03, etc.) and a brief description of the contents in a beige text box. English text in a cyan text box is an approximate translation of the Japanese text under it. Whenever possible, I have positioned the boxes so that they do not obscure the artwork. The display and printing of the boxes can be selectively enabled or disabled by following the instructions in the Using This PDF section above.

You may notice that many of the sheets feature a circular stamp with a date in an unfamiliar format. These shows were developed during the Showa period (the era of Emperor Hirohito), and the stamp was used to certify when the documents were received by Imai from the associated studios. Most of these were filed during the 58th year of Hirohitos reign, 1983.

MOSPEADA Artwork MOSPEADA was a property being developed by Artmic, a Kichijoji based animation and design studio. One would think that MOSPEADAs Normandy meets Starship Troopers concept would be an easy sell in the wake of the real robot revolution started by Mobile Suit Gundam, but Artmic had one

advantage over other studios when it came to dealing with Imai: Artmic founder Toshimichi Suzuki was the nephew of Imais president, so its not hard to figure out how the studio got their foot in the door. The primary artists who worked on MOSPEADA were Shinji Aramaki and Hideki Kakinuma, with planner Masayoshi Kubota also contributing some material. Whenever possible, the identity of the artist has been noted, although many of the model sheets lack credits.

The tastefully decorated apartment building that used to house the Artmic offices, as it appears today in Kichijoji, Tokyo.

The feel of the robot designs and environments definitely drives home the original concept for the show, a re-imagining of the D-Day invasion using transforming robots and giant alien insects, with maps showing the path of the human fleets through the Solar System, and detailed descriptions of the various ships used. Despite the realistic warfare setting, the initial designs for the bike and fighter are more reminiscent of something you would find in a 1970s super robot show: the original concept had the pilot seated inside the robots head, which would detach and turn into a hover bike for the pilot.

Southern Cross Artwork Southern Cross seems to have taken a much less direct route from the pen to the screen. The initial file folders lack the Southern Cross title, and are simply marked Science Fiction Sengoku Saga.

(Sengoku refers to Japans Sengoku Jidai, a period marked by conflicts between feudal states from the 15th to 17th centuries.) The sketches show the various factions that would be fighting each other, clad in heavily samurai-influenced armor, blending tradition with high technology. It seems that Imai wasnt too receptive to the original concept and attempted to graft giant robots onto it (understandably, because in 1983 robots meant sales). Unfortunately, the Ochiais and I discovered that the text in the initial Southern Cross model sheets was beyond our ken. Despite the presence of two native Japanese speakers, we were not professional translators, and the text relied heavily on archaic kanji that was difficult for us to translate effectively. Readers with Japanese language skills are invited to translate the text themselves and share the information as per the Permissions section above.

Further Reading Fans of MOSPEADA and Southern Cross are encouraged to find the following publications from the 1980s:

This Is Animation #10: Southern Cross (Shogakukan, 1984, ISBN 4-09-101513-1) Aside from a coloring book, this is the only dedicated publication Ive ever seen for this show.

Animedia MOSPEADA Color Graffiti (Animedia, 1984, no ISBN) Smaller format book with

some interesting pre-production information, including a wooden prototype of the Legioss.

B-Club Special #9: Artmic Design Works (Bandai, 1984, ISBN 4-89189-325-7) A complete guide to everything this prolific studio had a hand in.

B-Club Special: Megazone 23, Parts I, II, and III Perfect Data Book (Bandai, year unknown,

ISBN 4-89189-476-8) Although its not a MOSPEADA book, the pre-production art presented includes several non-transforming powered suits that are very similar to the ones proposed by Artmic for MOSPEADA.

Two modern-day publications are worth tracking down for MOSPEADA enthusiasts:

Hobby Japan, June 2007 This issue includes a re-imagining of the mecha by Hideki Kakinuma.

Entertainment Archive Series #8: MOSPEADA Complete Art Works (Shinkigensha, 2009,

ISBN 978-4-7753-0670-3) The most complete archive of MOSPEADA mecha, character, and background artwork that a fan could ever hope for, plus coverage of toys, models, and new artwork of the ride armor by Aramaki-sensei. If you get only one book on this list, get this one.

Envelope M1

The contents of envelope M1 give you a sense that Artmics designers were throwing out multiple concepts, seeing what would stick with potential sponsors. Contained in the sketches are many ideas that never made it to the screen, including non-transforming powered suits, bizarre alien designs, and a variable hover bike that doubled as the cockpit and head of a larger transforming robot vehicle. One oddity is a model sheet where a nearly-finalized version of the MOSPEADA bike has a POLICE logo on it. Ive been told that mospeed is Japanese slang for speeding in traffic, and I wonder if some of the designers originally envisioned MOSPEADA as a show where cops chased bad guys on their transforming motorcycles.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-01Bulky powered suit, front.Shinji Aramaki, 10/25/82

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-02Valcom bulky powered suit, back.Shinji Aramaki, 10/22/82

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-03Moto-Protector bike, very close to final design.Shinji Aramaki, 1/28/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-04Ride Armor, very close to final design.Shinji Aramaki, 1/28/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-05Two views of bulky powered suit, flying and standing.Shinji Aramaki

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-06Bulky powered suit, flying.Shinji Aramaki

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-07Armor, with tires extended and being used as hover engines, very close to final design.Shinji Aramaki, 2/26/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxOpen Rotor

Roger HarkavyText Boxroooooooo sound effect

Roger HarkavyText BoxI woud like it to do this (open the rotor and jump into the sky).

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-08Moto-Spider Bike (probably misspelling of "Moto-Speeder"), with tires extended and being used as hover engines, very close to final design.Shinji Aramaki, 2/24/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-09Early Legioss robot mode.Shinji Aramaki, 2/29/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-10Early Legioss diver mode.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-11Early fighter, named Vector.Shinji Aramaki, 2/25/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxCombat plane mode, length 9 meters.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-12Early robot, named Super-Vector.Shinji Aramaki, 2/21/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxHeight 8.5 meters.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-13Early fighter, named Super-Vector.Shinji Aramaki, 2/21/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxSuper-VectorPlane mode. Length about 8.5m.VTOL plane.Triangle-wing jet plane (Sea Harrier).

Roger HarkavyText BoxNote: I tried to make a mock-up.The due date is March 4th (gerwalk mode).

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-14Early combined fighters.Shinji Aramaki, 2/21/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxSuper-Vector & Span Loader fighter combination.(Concorde type.)21m long, 22m wide.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-15Early fighter, looks like it doesn't transform.Shinji Aramaki, 2/18/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxMOSPEADA `jacket soldier cargo'.Span Loader.14m long, 22m wide.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-16Side view of early robot.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-17Cutaway side view of early fighter showing pilot placement and joints.

Roger HarkavyText BoxCentral body part. (Flying mode.)

Roger HarkavyText BoxStored landing gear.

Roger HarkavyText Box.5 meter dislocation upwards.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-18Cutaway side view of early fighter showing joints.

Roger HarkavyText BoxVector nozzles.

Roger HarkavyText BoxFlying Mode

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-19Cutaway side view of early diver showing joints.

Roger HarkavyText BoxGERWALK

Roger HarkavyText BoxWing turns down under arm.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-20Cutaway side view of early fighter showing joints.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-21Side view of early fighter.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-22Six-legged Inbit with size comparison to a man and a powered suit.Hideki Kakinuma

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-23Bipedal Inbit with shoulder cannon.Hideki Kakinuma

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-24Ostrich-like bipedal Inbit.Hideki Kakinuma

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-25Hunchbacked bipedal Inbit.Shinji Aramaki, 2/19/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit battle walker.(Invader.)4.5m high.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-26Horizontally-stretched bipedal Inbit.Hideki Kakinuma

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-27TLEAD robot mode. Close to final design.6/3/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxTLEAD

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-28Early fighter with arms deployed.Shinji Aramaki, 1/22/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxVAC and bike, flying form.In this mode, the powered suit is a hover bike.The hover bike becomes the fighter's cockpit.Side view.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-29Three transformation modes, shown from back.Shinji Aramaki, 1/22/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxThe legs extend and bend and the upper nozzle bends down to the back side.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThe wings are stored on the front side. The nose bends and rotates around to the back side.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-30Early Legioss robot mode.Hideki Kakinuma, 1/20/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxRobot variation.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-31Early robot showing how legs fold up, with human for scale.Shinji Aramaki, 1/21/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxRobot variation.Leg mode.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-32Closeup of head ejection sequence.Shinji Aramaki, 1/22/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxEjection for head.It is a powered suit that turns into the cockpit.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-33Explanation of hover bike/powered suit/Legioss head transformation.Masayoshi Kubota, 1/22/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxBike transformation 2

Roger HarkavyText Boxhuman

Roger HarkavyText Boxcowling or front body

Roger HarkavyText Boxside cover or manipulators

Roger HarkavyText Boxsub engine or legs

Roger HarkavyText Boxmain engine or body

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-34Explanation of hover bike/powered suit transformation.Masayoshi Kubota, 1/21/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxBike Transformation 1

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-35Three views of early hover bike.Shinji Aramaki 1/22/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxPowered suit in hover mode.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-36Side view of early powered suitShinji Aramaki 1/22/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxSide view of powered suit.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-37Early pilot suit and side view of bike with POLICE logo.Shinji Aramaki 1/25/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxHandlebars.

Roger HarkavyText BoxAramaki would like to revise this design.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThis rotates and includes the machinegun.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-38Four-step transformation for Legioss.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-39Four-step transformation for Legioss.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-40Four-step transformation for Legioss.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM1-41Four-step transformation for Legioss.

Envelope M2

Envelope M2 includes sketches that introduce a variety of non-transforming robots to fill specific combat support roles (reminiscent of another show that featured transforming jet fighters fighting aliens). The naming for the transforming jet (alternating between Vector and Zector) eventually gives way to the one were familiar with. Im told that with Tatsunokos Super Dimensional shows, there was an effort to make the titles similar using an oss or uss sound (i.e. Southern Cross, Orguss, etc.). Even though this new transforming robot show was titled MOSPEADA, they managed to carry on the tradition with the name of the main robot: Legioss.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-01Size comparison chart for human mecha.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxHuman side battle war machines.

Roger HarkavyText BoxTigerRH NOTE: Name is pronounced like the German WW2-era tank.

Roger HarkavyText BoxCondor NB-1

Roger HarkavyText BoxCougar NA-5 to support front guard.

Roger HarkavyText BoxJackal NA-1 to support the rear guard.

Roger HarkavyText BoxArmo-Fighter Vector AF-2.

Roger HarkavyText BoxHuman.

Roger HarkavyText BoxBoxer for hand to hand combat.

Roger HarkavyText BoxTLEAD.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-02Size comparison chart for Inbit mecha.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit side #2 battle war machines.

Roger HarkavyText BoxEager, 6 meters tall.

Roger HarkavyText BoxGrab, 8 meters tall.

Roger HarkavyText BoxFrog unmanned vehicle, 4 meters tall.

Roger HarkavyText BoxVector.

Roger HarkavyText BoxHuman (with bike suit).

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-03Size comparison chart for human mecha.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxHorizon: Big shuttle for descent, launched from space battleship, descends to ground level, range: can fly around the world at 20,000 feet, can carry 6 Vectors, 1 Tiger, and 40 troops. During the second attack only three shuttles made it through the atmosphere.

Roger HarkavyText BoxDrop Version Armo-Fighter Vector and TLEAD: Battle trooper Vector connected with heavy battle robot TLEAD, has ability to drop down through the atmosphere. Capacity is only two people.

Roger HarkavyText BoxAtlanta Normal Size Shuttle: Only holds 15 troops.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-04Size comparison chart for human ships.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxIzumo Mothership: This 1,000 meter ship is made for battles between colonies. For the first third of the show, this will belong to Alice Base. It can store 60 drop shuttles.

Roger HarkavyText BoxGargantua Mothership: 600 meters, can store 20 drop shuttles, 60 space fighters, mass produced.

Roger HarkavyText BoxBattleship Gardenia: Most common mass-produced ship.

Roger HarkavyText BoxDestroyer Barbarian: This mid-sized destroyer can carry a lot of big missiles.

Roger HarkavyText BoxBattleship Bilkeniya: For transportation rather than combat, can store 60 drop shuttles.

Roger HarkavyText BoxColony Battery Cannon-Boy: Mobility is limited, interstellar cannon unit, can destroy small 1 km planetoids.

Roger HarkavyText BoxFast Attack Destroyer: Has a very strong shield and can break through enemy defenses.

Roger HarkavyText BoxCrab-Pot Drop Pod: Huge, can store 200 troops and ten Vectors. After dropping, can be used as a fortress, but in the first and second stage attacks these were all destroyed completely.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-05Size comparison chart for human fighters.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxArmed Fighter Zector: This is an old type fighter used during the first drop operation. On Mars Base, this fighter is used for training. Some of these survived the first drop and can work in an atmosphere.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSpace Combat Plane Gross SF6: Air defense combat plane from Mars Base. Non transforming space fighter, does not have ability to fly in an atmosphere.

Roger HarkavyText BoxMabo SB2: Long distance anti-battleship bomber. Made for battles between colonies. Has one proto-missile and cannot fly in atmosphere.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-06Size comparison chart for human mecha.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxLight Battle Mecha Flying Goose: In the previous big war on Earth, this walking mecha was used instead of jeeps. Has vulcan cannons and holds two people.

Roger HarkavyText BoxIron Mechanic Soldier Storman: 3 meter tall super-small armored soldier. In the previous war on Earth, this mecha was very important and strong, but now it's not good enough to fight against alien war machines.

Roger HarkavyText BoxMobile trench mortar Hood: For one person, mobile trench mortar.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSix wheel armored car.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-07Mars Base Space Fleet4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxMars Base Space Fleet

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-08Inbit in flight.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit mecha with boosters.(in upper atmosphere and lower satellite orbit)

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-09Inbit and human mecha4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxHuman side and Inbit side with space booster in battle formation.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThese fight each other in orbit.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-10Legioss and TLEAD combined and in robot mode with size comparison.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxVector and Tread shuttle for drop operations.

Roger HarkavyText BoxVector.

Roger HarkavyText BoxVector.

Roger HarkavyText BoxTLEAD.

Roger HarkavyText BoxTLEAD.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-11Legioss and TLEAD combined transformation.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxExample of combination between TLEAD and Legioss.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-12Super Legioss.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-13Inbit and human rifle.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxArmor for Inbit.

Roger HarkavyText BoxDrift.RH NOTE: we couldn't figure out what this means.

Roger HarkavyText Box2.2 meters high.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-14Bipedal Inbit.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-15Early Eager design with cannon.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit side two-legged war machine Eager.For one person, 5m, 20cm.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-16Shoulder missile launcher concepts.Shinji Aramaki, 4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxInfrared sight.

Roger HarkavyText BoxMissile launcher pack.

Roger HarkavyText BoxRocket launcher pack 9 x 2.

Roger HarkavyText BoxStabilizer fins for rocket.

Roger HarkavyText BoxLaser guidance system.

Roger HarkavyText BoxOptional armament for ride armor.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-17Human rifle concept.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxOne-handed machine gun for regular soldiers.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM2-18Gauntlet weapon concepts.4/30/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxOptional armaments for ride armor hand guard.

Roger HarkavyText BoxHeat sword.

Roger HarkavyText BoxVent.

Roger HarkavyText BoxRocket launcher.

Roger HarkavyText BoxRelease lever.

Roger HarkavyText BoxPower manipulator claw.

Envelope M3

The contents of envelope M3 contain more explorations of the MOSPEADA universe, including primitive mecha the Earth-based resistance use against the Inbit, and a map of the human colonies failed battle plan to retake their homeworld.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-01Old human mecha "Daniel."6/1/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxOld armament Daniel.Earth guerillas use this.Draft.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-02Old human mecha "Wolf."6/1/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxHuman side.Troop transport Wolf.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-03Early Izumo design.6/1/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxSecond drop operation Izumo. It opens to show numerous cannons and missile launchers inside. Giant mothership, plays an important role in the second drop operation. It was sunk when it charged into the enemy's troops to open the way for the rest of the fleet.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-04"Visual vocabulary" for details on human mecha.6/1/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxHuman side armo-soldier.Type 99.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThese three lines go around the nose.

Roger HarkavyText BoxTurbine engine.

Roger HarkavyText BoxShoulder hinge, repeats on opposite side.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThis sensor is on every corner, but has no function.

Roger HarkavyText BoxCondor B-1

Roger HarkavyText BoxJackal A-G

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-05Human mecha.6/1/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxArmo-soldier Golem.Old armo-soldier for Earth military forces.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-06Early Protect Inbit.6/1/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit-sized armor suit.Height is 2m.

Roger HarkavyText BoxBazooka.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-07Early Protect Inbits.6/1/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxOgre.

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit fits inside.

Roger HarkavyText BoxDetail.

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit armor suit.

Roger HarkavyText BoxType 2.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-08Early Protect Inbit.6/1/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit armored soldier.

Roger HarkavyText BoxType 3.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-09Early pilot suits.6/20/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxProtector suit variations (only for humans).

Roger HarkavyText BoxA Type

Roger HarkavyText BoxB Type

Roger HarkavyText BoxC Type

Roger HarkavyText BoxD Type

Roger HarkavyText BoxA Type

Roger HarkavyText BoxB Type

Roger HarkavyText BoxC Type

Roger HarkavyText BoxD Type

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-10Early ride armors.6/20/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxPowered suit variations (human plus bike).

Roger HarkavyText BoxStick

Roger HarkavyText BoxRay, equipment for arm is different

Roger HarkavyText BoxTypes A and B are almost the same.

Roger HarkavyText BoxType C and D are 50% different from Stick and Ray.

Roger HarkavyText Box7/2 note: all the documents will be available.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-11Diagram showing different waves of attacks on Earth from Mars and Jupiter.6/20/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxDiagram of second drop operation.

Roger HarkavyText BoxBattalion from other colonies.

Roger HarkavyText BoxBattalion from Jupiter Juno Base.

Roger HarkavyText BoxBoth battalions merge in outer space.

Roger HarkavyText BoxBattalion from Mars Base.

Roger HarkavyText BoxArmored colony orbiting Mars.

Roger HarkavyText BoxPlatoon from armored colony.

Roger HarkavyText BoxCombined force attacking Earth.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThe hero of this story is in this battalion, which is Mars Base Drop Section #21.

Roger HarkavyText BoxIn the first episode, all of the drop ships will attack Earth.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThese are additional ships from other colonies.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThese are additional ships from other colonies.

Roger HarkavyText BoxInbit Shellpacks in orbit.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThe flagships follow this path back to their home bases.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-12Size comparison chart showing Ikazuchi, Horizont, Garfish, and Legioss/TLEAD including numbers of each in the fleet.(no translation notes, gomen nasai)

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-13Legioss docked with booster shooting down Inbit in space. Note Go Nagai's Devilman character on the booster.6/7/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-14Early Condor firing all missiles.6/7/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxImage Illustration

Roger HarkavyText BoxMecha dropping from orbit, coming through the clouds, parachute open and gunning the engines.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-15Gamo and Eagers with early boosters in flight.6/7/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxImage Illustration

Roger HarkavyText BoxM3-16Early Condor and other non-transforming mecha on battlefield.

Envelope M4

Envelope M4 contains eight unused MOSPEADA and Legioss designs that are notable due to the dates on the sketches: November 1983, one month after MOSPEADA started airing. With the exception of one or two, the designs appear to be the basic robot designs with add-on parts that equip them for different missions. Its possible that an initial positive response to the show spurred Imai and Gakken to commission more designs from Artmic, in the hopes that the series could be extended.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-01Ride armor with shoulder cannon.11/9/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxMOSPEADA heavy armament type (able to transform)

Roger HarkavyText BoxSight built into helmet.

Roger HarkavyText BoxHeavy output dual beam cannon.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSensor intensification system.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSmall six-missile launcher.

Roger HarkavyText BoxHand grenades, 3 on each side, six total.

Roger HarkavyText BoxLong-range dual beam cannon.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-02Ride armor optimized for space.11/9/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxLight armor for outer space.(Transforms into astro-bike.)

Roger HarkavyText BoxHelmet integrated into body.

Roger HarkavyText BoxFront vector nozzle.

Roger HarkavyText Box80mm beam cannon.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSoldier wears airtight space suit.

Roger HarkavyText BoxVernier nozzles on front and back of calves.

Roger HarkavyText BoxImpulse boosters for outer space.

Roger HarkavyText BoxMissile pod, 3 in each one.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-02Ride armor prototype.11/9/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxRide armor test prototype. Enhanced booster ride armor.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThis isn't a 2-wheeled motorcycle, it is a transformed hover-bike.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSensor.

Roger HarkavyText BoxDesign is adapted from Blowsuperior.

Roger HarkavyText BoxAuxilliary booster.

Roger HarkavyText BoxEnhanced boosters.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSmoke mortar.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-04Ride armor "economy version."11/9/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxNon-transformable, easily mass-produced, fast attack ride armor.

Roger HarkavyText BoxThese parts are very simple.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSince this is a non-transforming bike, there are no tires.

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-05Legioss optimized for space.11/83

Roger HarkavyText BoxAFC/S-B1 Legioss Interceptor (specialized for outer space).Mars Base (Air Defense Battle Type).

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-06Armored Legioss.

Roger HarkavyText BoxAFC/3-B(Legioss with additional armor.)

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-07Recon Legioss.

Roger HarkavyText BoxAFC/S-02(Deep Reconnaissance type.)

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-08Legioss optimized for ground operations.

Roger HarkavyText BoxAFC/R-01(Equipped for ground combat.)

Roger HarkavyText BoxM4-09Copy of M4-08 filled in with colored marker.

Additional MOSPEADA Documents

MP1 Typed Story Outline About 90 years from now, about 2070 AD, the Earth does not belong to humankind because of powerful invaders who come from outer space called Inbit. Earth belongs to them, and humans have retreated to colonies in space, such as the former military base on Mars or other planets in the solar system. The Inbit invaders are mysterious. Humans dont know who they are, where they come from, or what their goals are. It has been 20 years since they arrived. In the colonies, where humans live peacefully, the population has increased since the retreat from Earth. The idea of beating the invaders has become more prominent in their minds. Mars Base has become a staging area for the human military forces from all of the other colony states. Most of the soldiers were born on colony worlds in the last 20 years, and have no memory of Earth. They have been trained in simulators since they were children. The first drop operation, launched from Mars Base, failed. The operation concluded with a tremendous loss of human life and equipment. The humans learned from this operation and developed new strategies, tactics, and weapons. Years have passed, and a new generation of soldiers embarks on the second drop operation. It fails, but a small percentage of them have survived. Among them is our main character. This is the first time they have seen Mother Earth. Aside from the Inbit bases and small human settlements, nature has reclaimed much of the planet. Wherever these soldiers go, they face never-ending jungles, vast expanses of desert, blue seas, and ruined metropolises. All of these are things they have never experienced.

MP2, MP3, MP4 Handwritten Notes About the Inbit Occupation

Basic Design of the Inbit The Inbit are evolving on a cosmic scale. Using bio-aggregation techniques, they are trying to understand the nature of the cosmos by wandering from planet to planet. They are not good, nor are they evil. They arrived on Earth as a result of their instincts, and by accident. As a result, they dont have any emotional ties to the creatures that live there already.

Constitution The Inbit base is called Reflex Point, which is protected by a force field. When the Inbit arrived on the earth, they structured themselves using the example they found in Earths insect societies. As a result, there are two types of Inbit: non-thinking workers, and thinking leaders. As a result of their experience, the leaders may develop different ideas from one another.

Attacks Basically, Inbit dont attack anyone unless they are attacked. The lower-grade soldiers attack based on telepathic instructions from their hive brains. They will automatically attack any military forces they find, as well as non-military humans that possess any weapons or war machines.

Evolution Inbit evolve much more quickly than humans do. For example, initially their sight was limited to monochrome images, but now they have better vision than humans. They are evolving even more quickly, now that the conflict with the humans has escalated. As a result, they will certainly evolve into more powerful forms.

Instinct Protecting their own species is a strong Inbit instinct, as well as connecting with the power of their new environments. As a result of this relationship, the Earth has recovered from the damage that humans did to it. The Inbit are guiding this recovery by enhancing the natural power of Earth. Obviously, they dont care what will happen to the humans as a result. The Earth is eventually returning to a more primitive state, where glacier-covered areas, deserts, and jungles all exist in jumbled patterns.

Humans Inbit never use machines. They have vehicles that are powered by their own life energy. At first glance, they seem like beetles. In space, they receive additional bio energy from their base at Reflex Point.

Illumination For our human heroes, the process of mastering oneself will help them on the road to Reflex Point. Some of them may even come in psychic contact with the Inbit queen, but they will continue on their mission.

Secret Setting The characters are mostly unaware of what the Inbit are planning. 1) The interaction between the humans an Inbit is like an experiment. 2) The Inbit are watching to understand what human beings are. The Earth is like their lab. 3) Ray and Stig and other characters are some of their model cases. They are guinea pigs, so to

speak. a) They want to see drama based on the emotions of each person:

Stigs military mind Rays energy as a pure Earth person Jim and Yellows changing characteristics Fouquet and Mints backgrounds as people from ruined civilizations

b) Those who win the game of reaching Reflex Point will only do so using their natural intelligence and stamina.

c) This is a sort of model case to observe how different people can live together, relate to, and travel with each other.

4) Aisha is the X-factor in this group. She seems to have memories of being a human, but she might be one of the Inbit.

MP5 Handwritten Flow Chart Showing Themes

MP6, MP7 List of Mecha With Notes RH NOTE: The list of mecha on the first page is exactly what ended up being used in the show, but one notable thing is the true name of the Legioss traveling companion: not Tread, but TLEAD. The acronym is spelled out in English on one of the sheets: Transport Legioss Escort Armored Dreadnought. Hoquets armor is also called Strider here, something I hadnt seen anywhere else.

Ride-Armor System For the purpose of conducting the first drop operation, Mars Base felt that fire power, armor, mobility, and the ability to penetrate enemy territory were absolutely imperative to even the odds with the Invid after landing on Earth to compensate for the low number of soldiers. The Ride-Armor system satisfies this requirement and is the most effective and compact weapon system they have developed. The Ride-Armor system consists of two parts: a soldier wearing a bulletproof and crashproof riding suit and a motorcycle called an Armor- Bike. A soldier using this equipment can quickly penetrate enemy territory. When he/she encounters enemies, he/she can quickly transform the Armor-Bike into the Ride-Armor form. In this configuration, he/she can quickly attack the enemies by using the feedback-controlled enhanced strength of the Ride-Armor, and the heavy firepower.

TLEAD TLEAD is a weapon specifically developed for drop operations. Developed while the Legioss was still in the experimental stage, it is a reinforced booster for the purpose of increasing the Legioss cruising distance and combat efficiency in both inside and outside the influence of gravity. TLEAD can transform into a heavy Armo-Soldier and can play a role as a backup for the Legioss in space, or as a supporting weapon that can act independently from the Legioss on the ground.

Reflex Point Invid

Journey to Reflex Point

Playing field: The Earth

Aisha as an observer

What are human beings? What is the purpose of life in the universe?

Ray and others behavior as a sample study group

Upcoming convergence to become the universes ultimate intelligence.

In addition to the above, bombing is one of the most important functions of the TLEAD. It can fit many different types of munitions inside, such as napalm bombs.

Legioss Originally, the Armo-Fighter was a defensive weapon used in conflicts between the colonies. However, during the campaign to retake Earth, a joint effort between the colonies was undertaken to repurpose and refine it as an anti-Inbit weapon. The Legioss is the successor to the Condor Armo-Fighter that was used during the first drop operation, and was mass produced for the second drop operation. The mass produced model, the AFC-01I Iota is typical of the Legioss form, specifications, and performance. In addition to the Iota, there are other specialized types. Each Legioss also contains one Armor-Bike in the chest that the pilot can use in emergency situations. The Legioss is the latest Armo-Fighter and can fight in any environment: in outer space, in an atmosphere, and on the ground.

MP8 Animation Production Schedule

RH NOTE: List of 39 episodes scheduled for production, complete with air dates and animation studios assigned to each. Unfortunately MOSPEADA was halted at the 25 episode mark due to low interest in the show and associated merchandise.

IP1, IP2 Unproduced Model Kits from Imai These are notes from an Imai internal planning memo. Several entries on this list were unproduced: 5) Legioss soldier (kit #4 on list, produced) with optional armor parts, 11 cm tall, 500 yen 6) Optional armor parts for soldier, diver, and fighter modes, 300 yen 7) Variable Super Legioss and TLEAD, 16 cm tall, 700 yen 8) Combination set of kit #4, #6, and #7, 1200 yen

9) Legioss maintenance diorama set, includes engine parts, checkup panel, and mechanic figures, 500 yen

15) MOSPEADA (kit #11 on list, produced) with optional armor parts and armored sidecar, 1/15 scale, 13.3 cm tall, 800 yen

16) MOSPEADA maintenance diorama set, 1/15 scale, 500 yen 17) Inbit Eager poseable kit, 1/72 scale, 8.3 cm tall, 300 yen 18) Inbit Grab poseable kit, 1/72 scale, 11 cm tall, 500 yen 19) Inbit booster, 1/72 scale, 6.9 cm long, 300 yen 20) Legioss cockpit display, 1/15 scale, 800 yen There is a note at the bottom saying, Other than these, we will be adding various other mecha. We will meet in two weeks. Apparently at that next meeting, they chose to cut certain kits instead of add more. Aside from the unused box art that appears in the B-Club Special: Artmic Design Works, previously I had seen no additional evidence that Imai was planning TLEAD model kits. In the Imai memos that catalog the Legioss kits, they are always listed in soldier, then diver, then fighter mode. As a result, the letters S D F stand out very prominently. Coincidence?

Envelope SC1

Envelope SC1 bears the date 11/02/83 and the label on it is very nondescript. The text says simply, new animation sketches. The kanji for secret is circled. All of the sketches within are the preproduction designs on the following pages. There are no finalized designs for the series in this envelope. It appears that this is the original concept for the show, and seems to be devoid of any giant robots. Many of the different feuding factions are depicted in the sketches, and the armor designs are heavily detailed, which probably would have made them difficult to animate. Its apparent that the designs for these different clans eventually evolved into the different branches of the Southern Cross army.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC1-01Samurai-styled HPS-04 Raizin armor and E-102 Taka mechanical falcon.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC1-02Explanation of sengoku concept, showing four warring factions at ease and in combat on mechanical horses.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC1-03Five armor designs with diamond-shaped faction symbol.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC1-04Five armor designs with round faction symbol.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC1-05Diagram of flying fortress, manned by armored soldiers.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC1-06Character wearing armor similar to ATAC, helmet off and wielding a sword.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC1-07Character wearing armor similar to TASC, helmet on and sword sheathed.

Envelope SC2

Envelope SC3 is dated 12/20/83 and 12/29/83, and the label gives more details about the contents: Science Fiction Sengoku Saga. The only unproduced designs in the envelope, shown on the following pages, are two sheets featuring the Zor flagship. The ship was intended to have a complex transformation, but there doesnt seem to be any apparent reason for it. A note on one of the sheets (perhaps from a frustrated planner who wanted remind his designer the deadline was looming) says, Never mind the transformation, just finish the design. All of the remaining model sheets in this envelope contain finalized designs for the armor and robots that appeared in the show. It seems that at this point, the show was shaping up to be a concept that a toy or model company in the early 1980s would want to sponsor. Robots galore, on both sides of the conflict.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC2-01Transformation sequence for Zor mothership.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC2-02Detail sketch for Zor mothership.

Roger HarkavyText BoxNever mind the transformation, just finish the design.

Envelope SC3

Envelope SC3 is dated 2/21/84 and the model sheets inside are the first to bear the Southern Cross name and logos. Three successive iterations of model kit blueprints for Jeannes Spartas robot are presented on the following pages. Note that the blueprints show an early version of the robot with a more ornate head design (this version can also be seen in This is Animation #10). The first sheet sets the scale at 1/32 (for a 193mm tall model). The second one has those figures scratched out and the scale is revised to 1/40 (154mm). The third one seemingly finalizes the scale at 1/48 (129mm) after comparing the size of the proposed product to other robot models like the Legioss and Orgroid. The lesson? Sometimes the specs of a real robot need to be fudged to hit a price point.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC3-01First blueprint for early Spartas robot kit, 1/32 scale.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC3-02Second blueprint for early Spartas robot kit, 1/40 scale.

Roger HarkavyText BoxSC3-03Third blueprint for early Spartas robot kit, 1/48 scale.

Additional Southern Cross Documents

Southern Cross TV Promotional Flyer This is a large glossy flyer that shows the various TV networks that would be airing Southern Cross with a chart showing the various armies and a listing of the model kits offered by all three companies, including several unproduced items. The Bioroid for Seifriet is listed as belonging to Philip.

Arii 1/12 Glorie Military Police Suit for Lana, 700 yen 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Charles, 800 yen 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Anjay, 800 yen 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Louie, 800 yen 1/48 Glorie Military Police Robot 1/48 Zor Late Generation Type 1 Bioroid 1/48 Zor Bi-Hover 1/48 Tactics Armored Space Corps/A Tactic Armored Corps Variable Robot [both groups listed together, this could be a typographical error] 1/12 Navy Division Suit for Yamashita 1/12 Mountain Squad Suit for Fogel

Imai 1/12 Tactics Armored Space Corps Suit for Paul, 800 yen 1/12 Tactics Armored Space Corps Suit for Marie, 700 yen 1/48 A Tactics Armored Corps Variable Hover Tank for Jeanne, 1,000 yen 1/12 Cold Squad Suit for Alexander 1/48 Cold Squad Robot 1/12 Desert Squad Suit for Ohka 1/48 Desert Squid Robot 1/12 Tactics Corps Suit for Thomas 1/48 Tactics Corps Robot 1/48 Zor Middle Generation Type 1 Bioroid

LS 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Jeanne, 700 yen 1/12 Glorie Military Police Suit for Alan, 800 yen 1/48 Zor Bioroid Specialized for Philip 1/20 Hover Bike 1/12 Tactics Space Corps Suit for Henry 1/144 Tactics Space Corps Rocket 1/12 City Defense Flying Corps Suit for Robert 1/144 City Defense Flying Corps Fighter 1/12 Reconnoitering Suit [no name listed for soldier] 1/48 Reconnoitering Robot

Southern Cross/Galvion Promotional Booklet This is a small 22 page booklet showing line art for each armys body armor, plus a revised list of kits to look for, including unproduced items. Again, Seifriets Bioroid is listed with the name Philip, and Jeannes robot is dubbed Spartas instead of having a generic name. LS: 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Jeanne, 700 yen Arii: 1/12 Glorie Military Police Suit for Lana, 700 yen Imai: 1/12 Tactics Armored Space Corps Suit for Paul, 800 yen LS: 1/12 Glorie Military Police Suit for Alan, 800 yen Arii: 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Charles, 800 yen Imai: 1/12 Tactics Armored Space Corps Suit for Marie, 700 yen LS: 1/48 Zor Bioroid Specialized for Philip, 800 yen Arii: 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Anjay, 800 yen Imai: 1/48 Variable Spartas for Jeanne, 1,000 yen LS: 1/20 Flash Clapper, 800 yen Arii: 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Louie, 800 yen Imai: 1/12 Cold Squad Suit for Alexander, 800 yen LS: 1/12 Tactics Space Corps Suit for Henry, 800 yen Arii: 1/48 Glorie Military Police Robot, 500 yen Imai: 1/48 Cold Squad Robot, 500 yen LS: Tactics Space Corps Rocket [no scale listed], 600 yen Arii: 1/48 Zor Late Type 1 Bioroid, 500 yen Imai: 1/12 Desert Squad Suit for Ohka, 800 yen

Roger HarkavyText BoxFlyer from Gakken catalog showing retailers how to market transforming robot toys to kids.

The Imai FilesCreative Commons License DeedTable of ContentsAbout The Imai FilesIntroductionEnvelope M1Envelope M2Envelope M3Envelope M4Additional MOSPEADA DocumentsEnvelope SC1Envelope SC2Envelope SC3Additional Southern Cross Documents"Coffee's for Closers!"