【Episode Review Diary】The Legend Begins! Absolute Muteki Raijin-Oh Episode 1: “Raijin-Oh Appears!” Did They Really Just Dump Earth’s Defense on Elementary Schoolers?! [Ichikon Riri / Vtuber]
Today, I watched Episode 1 of “Absolute Muteki Raijin-Oh," the absolute pinnacle of 90s robot anime and the very first entry in the Eldran series!
It’s a legendary masterpiece filled with that ultimate childhood dream: “What if your own school turned into a robot base?!"
Watching it now as an “adult" brought so many hilarious nitpicks and fresh discoveries—it was ridiculously entertaining! ✨
Let’s dive right in with all my love and comedic, sharp-witted commentary!
🎬 Anime Info
Title: Absolute Muteki Raijin-Oh
Broadcast Period: 1991
Genre: Robot / SF
Streaming Media: Bandai Channel
📖 Synopsis
An evil organization from the 5-Dimensional World, the Jark Empire, launches an invasion to conquer Earth! Eldran, the Warrior of Light protecting the Earth, fights valiantly with the giant robot Raijin-Oh, but is heavily wounded and crash-lands into the school building of Class 5-3 at Yoyo Elementary School. Before vanishing, Eldran entrusts Raijin-Oh and the future of Earth to the children of Class 5-3. Thus begins the battle intertwining the daily lives of Class 5-3 with the fate of the Earth!
💨 Akumajuu (Evil Beasts) From Exhaust Fumes?! Environmental Issues You Only Notice as an Adult
Right from the start, the evil 5-dimensional organization appears!
Their spawned “Akumajuu" (Evil Beasts) are actually created from humans’ negative feelings and annoying things. The Evil Beast in Episode 1, “Exhaust," was born straight from car exhaust fumes!
When I was a kid, I just thought, “Man, what a weird-looking monster~," but watching it now, I couldn’t help overthinking it: “Wait, is this a deeply social message about environmental issues…?! (Laughs)"
The malice born from human ego and environmental destruction turning into a giant monster that threatens us in return… that’s actually a super educational theme.
It feels almost surreal and deeply ironic that the evil organization is practically lecturing humans on manners and environmental protection lol.
🏫 Packed with Nitpicks! A Too-Free School and Eldran’s Ultimate “Not My Problem" Toss
The setting itself, Yoyo Elementary School, is full of things to poke fun at! The principal is doing Tai Chi right in the middle of the schoolyard—the freedom and vibe of a Heisei-era elementary school is just top-tier (lol).
…And right as I was soaking in that peaceful vibe, Raijin-Oh suddenly crashes straight into the school building!! “Wait, won’t the kids die…!?" I panicked, worried about a massive disaster, but before I could even process it, Eldran—the Warrior of Light inside—drops this line:
“I must rest. You must protect the Earth." (Summary)
Like, seriously?! That is the ultimate way to pass the buck! (lol)
He casually hands out Warrior Medals and modifies the entire school into a secret base without a second thought… Um, Eldran, what about building codes and zoning laws?! (Lol)
🦁 Incredible Gimmicks! Kouji-kun’s Acrobat Boarding & Combination Sequence
That said, the gimmicks of the remodeled school are every bit as cool as a kid could dream of!
When you insert the medal into your desk, the classroom desks and windows transform into a command center monitor. It’s the ultimate fantasy every 90s elementary schooler wanted to copy♪ (Well, maybe not that much)
And then we have our three pilots chosen: Jin, Asuka, and Kouji.
Among them, Kouji-kun’s boarding sequence for the lion-type “Juuou" is way too acrobatic to handle!
He literally leaps headfirst into a machine stored upside down on the gymnasium ceiling—his reflexes are insane, or rather, it’s a level-five accident waiting to happen (lol).
There has to be some kind of mysterious Eldran safety barrier protecting him, right?!
And finally, the long-awaited combination into Raijin-Oh!
Ken-Oh, Hou-Oh, and the head of Juuou turning straight into the “Raijin Shield" is absolute perfection! Shouting the robot’s name—"Raijin-Oh!"—with a heroic pose and victory cry is pure, unadulterated romance.
I love it♪
📝Riri’s Thoughts
Making elementary schoolers fight for their lives out of nowhere is basically an impossible difficulty setting, but Class 5-3 somehow pulls off a stellar debut!
And right at the end, their team name is officially decided: “The Earth Defense Group" (Chikyuu Bouei-gumi)!
Knowing that this marks the legendary beginning of the Eldran series gives me all the feels… That said, saving the world doesn’t exempt you from homework!
Ending on the reality check that “Earth’s peace and homework are two totally different things!" made me smile, reminding me that a student’s true duty is still studying after all (lol).
Filled with deep environmental undertones and pure boyhood romance, Episode 1 was a blast. I can’t wait to see what kind of Evil Beasts they’ll fight next, and how the teamwork of Class 5-3 will grow from here!