PAPERBACK ONLY We've received numerous testimonials of appreciation for Nippon Shock Magazine's new editorial line. The issue on sensei Leiji Matsumoto generated a genuine wave of positive feedback that continued at the recently concluded ROMICS, where we conceived and participated as guests in a panel dedicated to the sensei, accompanied by Maestro Vince Tempera, Gianni Giuliano (the voice of Harlock), and expert friends such as Germano Massenzio, Francesco Nicodemo, president of the Leiji Matsumoto Cultural Association, Alessandro Falciatore of Anime Click, Mirko Fabbreschi of Raggi Fotonici, and also Emanuele Massetti, Arina Kotova, and Sonia San, who were cosplayers. Thanks to the many who came to listen to us (just look at the photo) and to those who came to the stand, who showed their support, sympathy, and appreciation for this change of direction. While we await the distribution data, we wanted to continue on the path we've taken, confident that we're on the right track. April marks the 45th anniversary of the super robot that started it all: Grendizer. So we wanted to celebrate it in the right way. What can we write about a character who's been talked about for 45 years and more? How can we approach a celebration by presenting something new and interesting about a series about which everything and its opposite has been said? In fact, while drafting the ideas, we realized that this world is so vast that there's always something to say that hasn't been said. We could have had Nagai speak, but the more we organized the contributions, the more we realized that Grendizer-Grendizer needed to be treated as a work of art, leaving room for a collection of contributions that would capture its value for those who lived firsthand the experience generated by its "appearance." For this reason, we brought in two highly esteemed experts, Pellitteri and Nicora, to outline the global impact, both sociological and on the toy world, which only those who lived through that moment can accurately recall, and they did so splendidly. So we wanted to publish a different contribution. In 1980, the writer and educator Gianni Rodari defended Grendizer, comparing his exploits to the ancient myth of Hercules and judging the modern technological fable he represented in relation to the eternal myth. He was the first to understand and communicate this absolute value. Grendizer represented an allegorical narrative capable of offering children and adolescents a psychic and mental field into which to apply their projections of good and evil, justice and injustice, in order to fuel a spark of knowledge that would grow over time, shaping them as human beings. Therefore, we wanted to involve an expert in myths and esoteric symbolism, Mike Plato, to give voice to that aspect that Rodari was the first to understand and that had never been fully explored until now. The Goldrake Dossier is rounded out with some of my curiosities that will delight readers, including an article by Fausto Avaro about the model that rekindled our passion for robot collecting among us of the Goldrake generation, and a piece by our trusted chef Ojisan (whom I thank, along with Chiara Zoli, for his assistance during the preparation of the dossier) celebrating the first Japanese food ever seen in an anime. We hope you enjoy what we've decided to publish. Of course, I'd also like to point out the invaluable dossier on Occhi di Gatto, edited by Germano Massenzio and Fabio Cassella, which is why the issue you're holding has two covers. Not only that, but also a lot of quality. As always, we look forward to your comments at nipponshock@gmail.com.