Fans of iconic mecha anime have a new title to add to their shelves. Titan Manga has officially licensed Grendizer U: The Inception, the manga adaptation of the 2024 Grendizer U television anime. The English release will hit stores on March 17, 2026, and includes an exclusive prequel story penned by renowned writer Tatsuto Higuchi, never before published.
Pre-orders for the manga are already live on Forbidden Planet and will soon be available through additional North American retailers.
A Legendary Mecha Returns
Grendizer U: The Inception brings the legendary UFO Robo Grendizer franchise back to life for a new generation. In this rebooted story, Earth faces an unprecedented crisis as the Vega Alliance, a ruthless alien force, launches an invasion. Humanity’s salvation arrives in the form of Duke Fleed, a noble alien refugee from the destroyed planet Fleed.
Piloting the powerful Grendizer—a state-of-the-art weaponized mech—Duke teams up with trusted ally Koji Kabuto to fend off the Vega forces. As the battle escalates, the pair must navigate both interstellar conflict and their own inner struggles to protect Earth from total annihilation.
The Grendizer U anime premiered in Japan on July 5, 2024, marking an official reboot of the beloved 1975-1977 UFO Robo Grendizer series by Gō Nagai. The new series blends modern animation with classic storytelling, honoring Nagai’s groundbreaking contributions to the mecha genre.
Franchise Legacy and Manga History
This new manga release is not the first time Grendizer has seen adaptations. Titan Comics previously published the French UFO Robot Grendizer series in English in September 2024. Prior to that, Gō Nagai wrote Grendizer Giga, a full reboot of the original Grendizer story, serialized in Champion RED from September 2014 to July 2015. The series even received an animated promo video in 2015 for the franchise’s 40th anniversary.
Gō Nagai’s influence on anime and manga remains profound. Since debuting in 1967, he’s created genre-defining works such as Cutie Honey, Devilman, Mazinger Z, and Getter Robo. He continues to innovate with ongoing projects like Devilman Saga and his autobiographical Gekiman! series.
Characters
Duke Fleed
An alien prince from the planet Fleed, Duke Fleed escapes to Earth after his homeworld falls to the Vega Alliance. Despite his tragic past, Duke resolves to protect his new home. Piloting Grendizer, he is Earth’s best defense against the alien threat. His strong moral code, sense of honor, and combat skills make him a compelling protagonist.
Koji Kabuto
Originally the hero of Mazinger Z, Koji Kabuto now serves as Duke Fleed’s closest friend and ally. A brilliant pilot and engineer, Koji supports Duke both in battle and emotionally. Their partnership is at the heart of Grendizer U, highlighting themes of camaraderie and sacrifice.
Did You Know?
- Grendizer U anime is a modern reboot of the 1975-1977 series UFO Robo Grendizer by Gō Nagai.
- The English manga includes an exclusive prequel story by Tatsuto Higuchi, previously unreleased.
- Duke Fleed pilots the Grendizer, one of the most iconic mecha designs in anime history.
- The original Grendizer series was part of Nagai’s Mazinger universe.
- Koji Kabuto bridges two legendary franchises: Mazinger Z and Grendizer.
With Grendizer U: The Inception on the horizon, fans of both classic and modern mecha have plenty to look forward to. The inclusion of a brand-new prequel story offers fresh content even for long-time followers of the franchise. The manga’s March 17, 2026 release promises to reignite interest in one of anime’s most beloved robot sagas.
