Big O

Big O is a Japanese mecha anime television series created by Keiichi Sato and directed by Kazuyoshi Katayama for Sunrise.

Big O is a Japanese mecha anime television series created by Keiichi Sato and directed by Kazuyoshi Katayama for Sunrise. The series is set in the memory-lost city of Paradigm City and follows negotiator Roger Smith, who pilots the giant robot Big O while investigating the city's hidden past.

Premise

The story follows Roger Smith in Paradigm City, where the population has no shared memory of the past. As Roger handles negotiations and citywide threats, the series gradually explores the origins of the city's amnesia and the Megadeus robots.

Production and release

Big O was created by Keiichi Sato, directed by Kazuyoshi Katayama, and produced by Sunrise. It debuted on WOWOW in October 1999, and a second season expanded the series to 26 episodes.

Characters and mecha

The series centres on Roger Smith, his butler Norman, and the android Dorothy. The title mecha, Big O, is a Megadeus robot that Roger pilots during confrontations and investigations.

Reception and legacy

The show is known for its noir-influenced tone, mystery-driven plotting, and distinctive visual style. International interest, including broadcast exposure outside Japan, helped support continuation beyond the initial run. Big O was broadcast internationally and developed a wider audience outside Japan, including viewers in Canada.