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Inspired by manga pioneer Osamu Tezuka, Go Nagai aimed to become a manga artist. After finishing high school, he worked as an assistant to manga creator Shôtarô Ishinomori, debuting with "Meakashi Pori Kichi" in the November 1967 issue of Bokura Magazine. His breakthrough came in 1968 with the provocative manga "Harenchi Gakuen" ("Shameless High School"), which not only achieved great success but also transformed the manga industry. The manga sparked controversy, leading conservative Parent/Teacher Associations in Japan to publicly burn copies. In 1969, Nagai began what would become his life's work. In 1971, he published "Devil King Dante," about a demon awakening in modern times to destroy humanity, influenced by an ancient evil alien called "God." The following year, he released some of his finest works and founded Dynamic Productions. His "Dante" series foreshadowed the more popular "Devilman," which became a 1972 anime series. He then created the iconic "Mazinger Z," launching the "Super Robot" genre in Japan and influencing many giant robot series, from Mobile Suit Gundam (1979) to Beast King GoLion (1981), known as Voltron in the US. Other notable giant robot works include "Getter Robo" (1974), the first heroic giant robot to combine from separate vehicles, and follow-ups to "Mazinger Z," such as "Great Mazinger" and "UFO Robo Grendizer." Nagai is also famous for his provocative, sex-themed parodies, most notably the 1972 "Cutey Honey," featuring android Honey Kisaragi, who battles monsters and demons and can transform into various outfits, especially from her blonde persona to her red-suited superhero form. He created a similar heroine, "Kekkou Kamen," a parody of Japan's pioneering TV superhero show "Gekkou Kamen" (1958). While Gekkou Kamen was a man dressed in white costume, cape, mask, and turban, Kekkou Kamen was a woman who wore only a mask, occasional cape, gloves, boots, thin scarf, and nothing else. Around 1981, Dynamic Productions separated from Toei Animation, granting Nagai greater creative freedom. He produced works such as a two-part OVA remake of "Devilman" in 1987 and recent sequels to "Cutey Honey," "Getter Robo," and "Mazinger Z." His creations, especially "Devilman," have also been embraced by heavy metal rock bands.
