A col l ect i on of Genesi s Cl i mber MOSPEADA

and Super Di mensi on Caval r y Sout her n Cr oss

Pr e- Pr oduct i on Mat er i al s


























All English text 2010 Roger Harkavy
All production design content Tatsunoko Production Co. Ltd.
MOSPEADA is a trademark of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.
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Table of Contents

About The Imai Files 4

Introduction 5

Envelope M1 8

Envelope M2 50

Envelope M3 69

Envelope M4 86

Additional MOSPEADA Documents 96

Envelope SC1 101

Envelope SC2 109

Envelope SC3 112

Additional Southern Cross Documents 116

Coffees for Closers! 118
About The Imai Files
Permissions
The Creative Commons license deed on the second page of this PDF outlines what you can and
cannot do with the text and images in this document.

Permission to create derivative non-commercial works with these images is granted. This includes, but
is not limited to, using the text and images in online MOSPEADA and Southern Cross reference guides,
adapting the mechanical designs for role-playing games, or presenting the artwork with replacement
translations of the text.


No commercial use of this work is allowed.
Using This PDF
This PDF has been optimized for Adobe Acrobat Reader 9 and above. It may not display properly if you
are using older versions or non-Adobe PDF viewers.

The translations in this PDF are provided via text boxes which are placed over the original J apanese
text. The text boxes appear by default, but printing and viewing them is optional. The following
instructions are provided to help you toggle these in Adobe Reader 9.2.0.
Toggling Onscreen Display of Text Boxes
From the View menu, select Navigation Panels >Comments. On the Comments navigation panel,
select Show. To hide the text boxes, select Hide All Comments. To bring them back, select Show All
Comments.
Toggling Text Box Printing
From the File menu, select Print. To print the pages with the text boxes, set Comments and Forms to
Document and Markups. To print the pages without the text boxes, set Comments and Forms to
Document.
Acknowledgements
Preliminary guidance with identifying the contents of this material was provided by Tadayuki Osumi,
Matt Alt, Hiroko Yoda, and Egan Loo. All of the final translations in this document are the result of
weeks of hard work by Hidekazu and Nobuko Ochiai. Additional last minute assistance was graciously
provided by Shinji Aramaki to help me polish it up before I clicked the last button.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the generosity and understanding of the
owner of these files, my friend who wishes to remain anonymous.

All of you have my eternal gratitude for your assistance and support. Thank you.

And now, on to the files
Introduction
Several years ago, I learned that a friend of mine in J apan had acquired some assets from Imai Kagaku,
a defunct manufacturer of toys and model kits. Before their fourth and final bankruptcy in 2002, Imai
produced items for many licensed properties, ranging from internationally known characters (including
Thunderbirds, Tetsujin 28, and Tetsuwan Atom) to the obscure and forgotten (such as Galvion, Orguss,
and Beetras).

I discovered some of the Imai assets during a visit to a dusty
warehouse where part of my friends collection was being stored, when
I literally tripped over a filing box with the Imai logo on it. Curious, I
flipped the lid and discovered envelopes marked MOSPEADA and
Southern Cross, two shows I was very familiar with due to them being
imported into the United States during the 1980s.

Given my fondness for these shows, it seemed almost too good to be true, but within a few minutes the
surprise had worn off and I was diligently digging through the envelopes. As expected, there were
animation model sheets for finalized designs, marketing memos, and blueprints for the kits, plus many
sheets of pre-production artwork. I had seen some designs like these in the few vintage MOSPEADA
and Southern Cross publications that existed, but they represented only a small percentage of what I
had found.

Unfortunately my chances to delve more deeply into the artwork had to be cut short, but my friend
agreed to make sure it was accessible the next time I returned to J apan. A year later, was back, and
was given permission to borrow the material if I so desired. The search yielded roughly 100 sheets of
unproduced designs, all of which came back with me to the US.

I had the artwork scanned and enlisted the help of friends to begin deciphering what was in the sheets.
What we found was truly enlightening in understanding the genesis of these shows, discovering the skill
and craft that the creators invested in realizing the concepts.

After attempting unsuccessfully to get these published, I obtained permission from my friend to release
the images on the internet, which led to the creation of the PDF youre viewing right now. This file
includes scans of all of the unproduced designs and our translation notes, as well as translations of
additional documents from the files that I found notable.

Each model sheet presented in this document has a unique number identifying it (M2-04, SC3-03, etc.)
and a brief description of the contents in a beige text box. English text in a cyan text box is an
approximate translation of the J apanese text under it. Whenever possible, I have positioned the boxes
so that they do not obscure the artwork. The display and printing of the boxes can be selectively
enabled or disabled by following the instructions in the Using This PDF section above.

You may notice that many of the sheets feature a circular stamp with a date in an
unfamiliar format. These shows were developed during the Showa period (the era of
Emperor Hirohito), and the stamp was used to certify when the documents were received
by Imai from the associated studios. Most of these were filed during the 58
th
year of
Hirohitos reign, 1983.
MOSPEADA Artwork
MOSPEADA was a property being developed by Artmic, a Kichijoji based animation and design studio.
One would think that MOSPEADAs Normandy meets Starship Troopers concept would be an easy
sell in the wake of the real robot revolution started by Mobile Suit Gundam, but Artmic had one
advantage over other studios when it came to dealing with Imai: Artmic founder Toshimichi Suzuki was
the nephew of Imais president, so its not hard to figure out how the studio got their foot in the door.

The primary artists who worked on MOSPEADA were Shinji Aramaki and Hideki Kakinuma, with
planner Masayoshi Kubota also contributing some material. Whenever possible, the identity of the artist
has been noted, although many of the model sheets lack credits.


The tastefully decorated apartment building that used to house the Artmic offices, as it appears today in Kichijoji, Tokyo.

The feel of the robot designs and environments definitely drives home the original concept for the show,
a re-imagining of the D-Day invasion using transforming robots and giant alien insects, with maps
showing the path of the human fleets through the Solar System, and detailed descriptions of the various
ships used.

Despite the realistic warfare setting, the initial designs for the bike and fighter are more reminiscent of
something you would find in a 1970s super robot show: the original concept had the pilot seated inside
the robots head, which would detach and turn into a hover bike for the pilot.
Southern Cross Artwork
Southern Cross seems to have taken a much less direct route from the pen to the screen. The initial file
folders lack the Southern Cross title, and are simply marked Science Fiction Sengoku Saga.
(Sengoku refers to J apans Sengoku Jidai, a period marked by conflicts between feudal states from the
15th to 17th centuries.)

The sketches show the various factions that would be fighting each other, clad in heavily samurai-
influenced armor, blending tradition with high technology. It seems that Imai wasnt too receptive to the
original concept and attempted to graft giant robots onto it (understandably, because in 1983 robots
meant sales).

Unfortunately, the Ochiais and I discovered that the text in the initial Southern Cross model sheets was
beyond our ken. Despite the presence of two native J apanese speakers, we were not professional
translators, and the text relied heavily on archaic kanji that was difficult for us to translate effectively.
Readers with J apanese language skills are invited to translate the text themselves and share the
information as per the Permissions section above.
Further Reading
Fans of MOSPEADA and Southern Cross are encouraged to find the following publications from the
1980s:

This Is Animation #10: Southern Cross (Shogakukan, 1984, ISBN 4-09-101513-1) Aside
from a coloring book, this is the only dedicated publication Ive ever seen for this show.

Animedia MOSPEADA Color Graffiti (Animedia, 1984, no ISBN) Smaller format book with
some interesting pre-production information, including a wooden prototype of the Legioss.

B-Club Special #9: Artmic Design Works (Bandai, 1984, ISBN 4-89189-325-7) A complete
guide to everything this prolific studio had a hand in.

B-Club Special: Megazone 23, Parts I, II, and III Perfect Data Book (Bandai, year unknown,
ISBN 4-89189-476-8) Although its not a MOSPEADA book, the pre-production art presented
includes several non-transforming powered suits that are very similar to the ones proposed by
Artmic for MOSPEADA.

Two modern-day publications are worth tracking down for MOSPEADA enthusiasts:

Hobby Japan, June 2007 This issue includes a re-imagining of the mecha by Hideki
Kakinuma.

Entertainment Archive Series #8: MOSPEADA Complete Art Works (Shinkigensha, 2009,
ISBN 978-4-7753-0670-3) The most complete archive of MOSPEADA mecha, character, and
background artwork that a fan could ever hope for, plus coverage of toys, models, and new
artwork of the ride armor by Aramaki-sensei. If you get only one book on this list, get this one.
Envelope M1



The contents of envelope M1 give you a sense that Artmics designers were throwing out multiple
concepts, seeing what would stick with potential sponsors. Contained in the sketches are many ideas
that never made it to the screen, including non-transforming powered suits, bizarre alien designs, and a
variable hover bike that doubled as the cockpit and head of a larger transforming robot vehicle.

One oddity is a model sheet where a nearly-finalized version of the MOSPEADA bike has a POLICE
logo on it. Ive been told that mospeed is J apanese slang for speeding in traffic, and I wonder if some
of the designers originally envisioned MOSPEADA as a show where cops chased bad guys on their
transforming motorcycles.
M1-01
Bulky powered suit, front.
Shinji Aramaki, 10/25/82
M1-02
Valcom bulky powered suit, back.
Shinji Aramaki, 10/22/82
M1-03
Moto-Protector bike, very close to final design.
Shinji Aramaki, 1/28/83
M1-04
Ride Armor, very close to final design.
Shinji Aramaki, 1/28/83
M1-05
Two views of bulky powered suit, flying and standing.
Shinji Aramaki
M1-06
Bulky powered suit, flying.
Shinji Aramaki
M1-07
Armor, with tires extended
and being used as hover
engines, very close to final
design.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/26/83
Open Rotor
roooooooo sound effect
I woud like it to
do this (open the
rotor and jump
into the sky).
M1-08
Moto-Spider Bike (probably misspelling of "Moto-Speeder"), with tires extended and being used
as hover engines, very close to final design.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/24/83
M1-09
Early Legioss robot mode.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/29/83
M1-10
Early Legioss diver mode.
M1-11
Early fighter, named Vector.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/25/83
Combat plane mode, length 9 meters.
M1-12
Early robot, named Super-Vector.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/21/83
Height 8.5 meters.
M1-13
Early fighter, named Super-Vector.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/21/83
Super-Vector
Plane mode. Length about 8.5m.
VTOL plane.
Triangle-wing jet plane (Sea Harrier).
Note: I tried to make a mock-up.
The due date is March 4
th
(gerwalk mode).
M1-14
Early combined fighters.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/21/83
Super-Vector & Span Loader fighter combination.
(Concorde type.)
21m long, 22m wide.
M1-15
Early fighter, looks like it doesn't transform.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/18/83
MOSPEADA `jacket soldier cargo'.
Span Loader.
14m long, 22m wide.
M1-16
Side view of early robot.
M1-17
Cutaway side view of early fighter showing pilot placement and joints.
Central body part. (Flying mode.)
Stored landing gear.
.5 meter dislocation upwards.
M1-18
Cutaway side view of early fighter showing joints.
Vector nozzles.
Flying Mode
M1-19
Cutaway side view of early diver showing joints.
GERWALK
Wing turns down
under arm.
M1-20
Cutaway side view of early fighter showing joints.
M1-21
Side view of early fighter.
M1-22
Six-legged Inbit with size comparison to a man and a powered suit.
Hideki Kakinuma
M1-23
Bipedal Inbit with shoulder cannon.
Hideki Kakinuma
M1-24
Ostrich-like bipedal Inbit.
Hideki Kakinuma
M1-25
Hunchbacked bipedal Inbit.
Shinji Aramaki, 2/19/83
Inbit battle walker.
(Invader.)
4.5m high.
M1-26
Horizontally-stretched bipedal Inbit.
Hideki Kakinuma
M1-27
TLEAD robot mode. Close to final design.
6/3/83
TLEAD
M1-28
Early fighter with arms deployed.
Shinji Aramaki, 1/22/83
VAC and bike, flying form.
In this mode, the powered suit is a hover
bike.
The hover bike becomes the fighter's cockpit.
Side view.
M1-29
Three transformation modes, shown from back.
Shinji Aramaki, 1/22/83
The legs extend and bend
and the upper nozzle bends
down to the back side.
The wings are stored on the front
side. The nose bends and rotates
around to the back side.
M1-30
Early Legioss robot mode.
Hideki Kakinuma, 1/20/83
Robot variation.
M1-31
Early robot showing how legs fold up, with human for scale.
Shinji Aramaki, 1/21/83
Robot variation.
Leg mode.
M1-32
Closeup of head ejection sequence.
Shinji Aramaki, 1/22/83
Ejection for head.
It is a powered suit that turns into the cockpit.
M1-33
Explanation of hover bike/powered suit/
Legioss head transformation.
Masayoshi Kubota, 1/22/83
Bike transformation 2
human
cowling or front body
side cover or manipulators
sub engine or legs
main engine or body
M1-34
Explanation of hover bike/
powered suit transformation.
Masayoshi Kubota, 1/21/83
Bike Transformation 1
M1-35
Three views of early hover bike.
Shinji Aramaki 1/22/83
Powered suit in hover mode.
M1-36
Side view of early powered suit
Shinji Aramaki 1/22/83
Side view of powered suit.
M1-37
Early pilot suit and side view of bike with POLICE logo.
Shinji Aramaki 1/25/83
Handlebars.
Aramaki
would like to
revise this
design.
This rotates and
includes the
machinegun.
M1-38
Four-step transformation for Legioss.
M1-39
Four-step transformation for Legioss.
M1-40
Four-step transformation for Legioss.
M1-41
Four-step transformation for Legioss.
Envelope M2



Envelope M2 includes sketches that introduce a variety of non-transforming robots to fill specific
combat support roles (reminiscent of another show that featured transforming jet fighters fighting aliens).

The naming for the transforming jet (alternating between Vector and Zector) eventually gives way to
the one were familiar with. Im told that with Tatsunokos Super Dimensional shows, there was an
effort to make the titles similar using an oss or uss sound (i.e. Southern Cross, Orguss, etc.). Even
though this new transforming robot show was titled MOSPEADA, they managed to carry on the tradition
with the name of the main robot: Legioss.
M2-01
Size comparison chart for human mecha.
4/30/83
Human side battle war machines.
Tiger
RH NOTE: Name is pronounced
like the German WW2-era tank.
Condor NB-1
Cougar NA-5 to support
front guard.
Jackal NA-1 to support
the rear guard.
Armo-Fighter Vector AF-2.
Human.
Boxer for hand to hand combat.
TLEAD.
M2-02
Size comparison chart for Inbit mecha.
4/30/83
Inbit side #2 battle war machines.
Eager, 6 meters tall.
Grab, 8 meters tall. Frog unmanned
vehicle, 4 meters tall.
Vector. Human (with
bike suit).
M2-03
Size comparison chart for human mecha.
4/30/83
Horizon: Big shuttle for
descent, launched
from space battleship,
descends to ground
level, range: can fly
around the world at
20,000 feet, can carry
6 Vectors, 1 Tiger, and
40 troops. During the
second attack only
three shuttles made it
through the
atmosphere.
Drop Version Armo-Fighter Vector
and TLEAD: Battle trooper Vector
connected with heavy battle robot
TLEAD, has ability to drop down
through the atmosphere. Capacity
is only two people.
Atlanta Normal Size Shuttle: Only
holds 15 troops.
M2-04
Size comparison chart for human ships.
4/30/83
Izumo Mothership: This 1,000 meter ship
is made for battles between colonies. For
the first third of the show, this will belong
to Alice Base. It can store 60 drop
shuttles.
Gargantua Mothership: 600 meters, can
store 20 drop shuttles, 60 space fighters,
mass produced.
Battleship Gardenia: Most common
mass-produced ship.
Destroyer Barbarian: This mid-sized
destroyer can carry a lot of big missiles.
Battleship Bilkeniya: For transportation
rather than combat, can store 60 drop
shuttles.
Colony Battery Cannon-Boy: Mobility is
limited, interstellar cannon unit, can
destroy small 1 km planetoids.
Fast Attack Destroyer: Has a very strong
shield and can break through enemy
defenses.
Crab-Pot Drop Pod: Huge, can store 200
troops and ten Vectors. After dropping,
can be used as a fortress, but in the first
and second stage attacks these were all
destroyed completely.
M2-05
Size comparison chart for human fighters.
4/30/83
Armed Fighter Zector: This is an old type
fighter used during the first drop
operation. On Mars Base, this fighter is
used for training. Some of these survived
the first drop and can work in an
atmosphere.
Space Combat Plane Gross SF6: Air
defense combat plane from Mars Base.
Non transforming space fighter, does not
have ability to fly in an atmosphere.
Mabo SB2: Long distance anti-battleship
bomber. Made for battles between
colonies. Has one proto-missile and
cannot fly in atmosphere.
M2-06
Size comparison chart for human mecha.
4/30/83
Light Battle Mecha Flying Goose: In the
previous big war on Earth, this walking
mecha was used instead of jeeps. Has
vulcan cannons and holds two people.
Iron Mechanic Soldier Storman: 3 meter
tall super-small armored soldier. In the
previous war on Earth, this mecha was
very important and strong, but now it's
not good enough to fight against alien
war machines.
Mobile trench mortar Hood: For one
person, mobile trench mortar.
Six wheel armored car.
M2-07
Mars Base Space Fleet
4/30/83
Mars Base Space Fleet
M2-08
Inbit in flight.
4/30/83
Inbit mecha with boosters.
(in upper atmosphere and lower satellite orbit)
M2-09
Inbit and human mecha
4/30/83
Human side and Inbit
side with space booster in
battle formation.
These fight each other in orbit.
M2-10
Legioss and TLEAD combined and in robot mode
with size comparison.
4/30/83
Vector and Tread shuttle for drop operations.
Vector.
Vector.
TLEAD.
TLEAD.
M2-11
Legioss and TLEAD combined transformation.
4/30/83
Example of combination between TLEAD and Legioss.
M2-12
Super Legioss.
4/30/83
M2-13
Inbit and human rifle.
4/30/83
Armor for Inbit.
Drift.
RH NOTE: we couldn't
figure out what this means.
2.2 meters high.
M2-14
Bipedal Inbit.
4/30/83
M2-15
Early Eager design with cannon.
4/30/83
Inbit side two-legged war machine Eager.
For one person, 5m, 20cm.
M2-16
Shoulder missile launcher concepts.
Shinji Aramaki, 4/30/83
Infrared sight.
Missile launcher
pack.
Rocket launcher
pack 9 x 2.
Stabilizer fins for
rocket.
Laser guidance
system.
Optional armament for ride armor.
M2-17
Human rifle concept.
4/30/83
One-handed machine gun for regular soldiers.
M2-18
Gauntlet weapon concepts.
4/30/83
Optional armaments for ride armor hand guard.
Heat sword.
Vent.
Rocket launcher.
Release lever.
Power manipulator claw.
Envelope M3



The contents of envelope M3 contain more explorations of the MOSPEADA universe, including
primitive mecha the Earth-based resistance use against the Inbit, and a map of the human colonies
failed battle plan to retake their homeworld.
M3-01
Old human mecha "Daniel."
6/1/83
Old armament Daniel.
Earth guerillas use this.
Draft.
M3-02
Old human mecha "Wolf."
6/1/83
Human side.
Troop transport Wolf.
M3-03
Early Izumo design.
6/1/83
Second drop operation Izumo. It opens to show numerous cannons and
missile launchers inside. Giant mothership, plays an important role in
the second drop operation. It was sunk when it charged into the
enemy's troops to open the way for the rest of the fleet.
M3-04
"Visual vocabulary" for
details on human mecha.
6/1/83
Human side armo-soldier.
Type 99.
These three lines go around the nose.
Turbine engine. Shoulder hinge, repeats on opposite side.
This sensor is on
every corner, but has
no function.
Condor B-1
Jackal A-G
M3-05
Human mecha.
6/1/83
Armo-soldier Golem.
Old armo-soldier for Earth military forces.
M3-06
Early Protect Inbit.
6/1/83
Inbit-sized armor suit.
Height is 2m.
Bazooka.
M3-07
Early Protect Inbits.
6/1/83
Ogre.
Inbit fits
inside.
Detail.
Inbit armor suit.
Type 2.
M3-08
Early Protect Inbit.
6/1/83
Inbit armored soldier.
Type 3.
M3-09
Early pilot suits.
6/20/83
Protector suit variations (only for humans).
A Type
B Type
C Type
D Type
A Type
B Type
C Type
D Type
M3-10
Early ride armors.
6/20/83
Powered suit variations (human plus bike).
Stick
Ray, equipment
for arm is
different
Types A and B are almost
the same.
Type C and D are 50%
different from Stick and Ray.
7/2 note: all the documents
will be available.
M3-11
Diagram showing different waves of attacks on
Earth from Mars and Jupiter.
6/20/83
Diagram of second drop operation.
Battalion from other colonies.
Battalion from Jupiter Juno Base.
Both battalions merge in
outer space.
Battalion from Mars
Base.
Armored colony orbiting Mars.
Platoon from armored colony.
Combined force
attacking Earth.
The hero of this story is in this battalion, which is Mars Base
Drop Section #21.
In the first
episode, all of
the drop ships
will attack Earth.
These are
additional ships
from other
colonies.
These are
additional ships
from other
colonies.
Inbit Shellpacks
in orbit.
The flagships
follow this path
back to their
home bases.
M3-12
Size comparison chart showing Ikazuchi, Horizont, Garfish, and
Legioss/TLEAD including numbers of each in the fleet.
(no translation notes, gomen nasai)
M3-13
Legioss docked with booster shooting down Inbit in space.
Note Go Nagai's Devilman character on the booster.
6/7/83
M3-14
Early Condor firing all missiles.
6/7/83
Image Illustration
Mecha dropping from orbit, coming
through the clouds, parachute open
and gunning the engines.
M3-15
Gamo and Eagers with early boosters in flight.
6/7/83
Image Illustration
M3-16
Early Condor and other non-transforming mecha on battlefield.
Envelope M4



Envelope M4 contains eight unused MOSPEADA and Legioss designs that are notable due to the
dates on the sketches: November 1983, one month after MOSPEADA started airing. With the exception
of one or two, the designs appear to be the basic robot designs with add-on parts that equip them for
different missions. Its possible that an initial positive response to the show spurred Imai and Gakken to
commission more designs from Artmic, in the hopes that the series could be extended.
M4-01
Ride armor with shoulder cannon.
11/9/83
MOSPEADA heavy armament type (able to transform)
Sight built into helmet.
Heavy output
dual beam
cannon.
Sensor
intensification
system.
Small six-
missile
launcher.
Hand
grenades, 3
on each side,
six total.
Long-range
dual beam
cannon.
M4-02
Ride armor optimized for space.
11/9/83
Light armor for outer space.
(Transforms into astro-bike.)
Helmet integrated into body.
Front vector nozzle.
80mm beam cannon.
Soldier wears airtight space suit.
Vernier nozzles on
front and back of
calves.
Impulse boosters
for outer space.
Missile pod, 3 in each one.
M4-02
Ride armor prototype.
11/9/83
Ride armor test prototype. Enhanced booster ride armor.
This isn't a 2-wheeled
motorcycle, it is a
transformed hover-bike.
Sensor.
Design is adapted from
Blowsuperior.
Auxilliary booster.
Enhanced
boosters.
Smoke
mortar.
M4-04
Ride armor "economy version."
11/9/83
Non-transformable, easily mass-produced, fast attack ride armor.
These
parts are
very
simple.
Since this is a non-
transforming bike,
there are no tires.
M4-05
Legioss optimized for space.
11/83
AFC/S-B1 Legioss Interceptor (specialized for outer space).
Mars Base (Air Defense Battle Type).
M4-06
Armored Legioss.
AFC/3-B
(Legioss with additional armor.)
M4-07
Recon Legioss.
AFC/S-02
(Deep Reconnaissance type.)
M4-08
Legioss optimized for ground operations.
AFC/R-01
(Equipped for ground combat.)
M4-09
Copy of M4-08 filled in with colored marker.
Additional MOSPEADA Documents
MP1 Typed Story Outline
About 90 years from now, about 2070 AD, the Earth does not belong to humankind because of
powerful invaders who come from outer space called Inbit. Earth belongs to them, and humans have
retreated to colonies in space, such as the former military base on Mars or other planets in the solar
system.

The Inbit invaders are mysterious. Humans dont know who they are, where they come from, or what
their goals are. It has been 20 years since they arrived.

In the colonies, where humans live peacefully, the population has increased since the retreat from
Earth. The idea of beating the invaders has become more prominent in their minds. Mars Base has
become a staging area for the human military forces from all of the other colony states.

Most of the soldiers were born on colony worlds in the last 20 years, and have no memory of Earth.
They have been trained in simulators since they were children.

The first drop operation, launched from Mars Base, failed. The operation concluded with a tremendous
loss of human life and equipment. The humans learned from this operation and developed new
strategies, tactics, and weapons.

Years have passed, and a new generation of soldiers embarks on the second drop operation. It fails,
but a small percentage of them have survived. Among them is our main character.

This is the first time they have seen Mother Earth. Aside from the Inbit bases and small human
settlements, nature has reclaimed much of the planet. Wherever these soldiers go, they face never-
ending jungles, vast expanses of desert, blue seas, and ruined metropolises. All of these are things
they have never experienced.
MP2, MP3, MP4 Handwritten Notes About the Inbit Occupation
Basic Design of the Inbit
The Inbit are evolving on a cosmic scale. Using bio-aggregation techniques, they are trying to
understand the nature of the cosmos by wandering from planet to planet. They are not good, nor are
they evil. They arrived on Earth as a result of their instincts, and by accident. As a result, they dont
have any emotional ties to the creatures that live there already.
Constitution
The Inbit base is called Reflex Point, which is protected by a force field. When the Inbit arrived on the
earth, they structured themselves using the example they found in Earths insect societies.

As a result, there are two types of Inbit: non-thinking workers, and thinking leaders. As a result of their
experience, the leaders may develop different ideas from one another.
Attacks
Basically, Inbit dont attack anyone unless they are attacked. The lower-grade soldiers attack based on
telepathic instructions from their hive brains. They will automatically attack any military forces they find,
as well as non-military humans that possess any weapons or war machines.
Evolution
Inbit evolve much more quickly than humans do. For example, initially their sight was limited to
monochrome images, but now they have better vision than humans. They are evolving even more
quickly, now that the conflict with the humans has escalated. As a result, they will certainly evolve into
more powerful forms.
Instinct
Protecting their own species is a strong Inbit instinct, as well as connecting with the power of their new
environments.

As a result of this relationship, the Earth has recovered from the damage that humans did to it. The
Inbit are guiding this recovery by enhancing the natural power of Earth. Obviously, they dont care what
will happen to the humans as a result.

The Earth is eventually returning to a more primitive state, where glacier-covered areas, deserts, and
jungles all exist in jumbled patterns.
Humans
Inbit never use machines. They have vehicles that are powered by their own life energy. At first glance,
they seem like beetles. In space, they receive additional bio energy from their base at Reflex Point.
Illumination
For our human heroes, the process of mastering oneself will help them on the road to Reflex Point.
Some of them may even come in psychic contact with the Inbit queen, but they will continue on their
mission.
Secret Setting
The characters are mostly unaware of what the Inbit are planning.

1) The interaction between the humans an Inbit is like an experiment.
2) The Inbit are watching to understand what human beings are. The Earth is like their lab.
3) Ray and Stig and other characters are some of their model cases. They are guinea pigs, so to
speak.
a) They want to see drama based on the emotions of each person:
Stigs military mind
Rays energy as a pure Earth person
J im and Yellows changing characteristics
Fouquet and Mints backgrounds as people from ruined civilizations
b) Those who win the game of reaching Reflex Point will only do so using their natural intelligence
and stamina.
c) This is a sort of model case to observe how different people can live together, relate to, and
travel with each other.
4) Aisha is the X-factor in this group. She seems to have memories of being a human, but she might
be one of the Inbit.

MP5 Handwritten Flow Chart Showing Themes






















MP6, MP7 List of Mecha With Notes
RH NOTE: The list of mecha on the first page is exactly what ended up being used in the show, but one
notable thing is the true name of the Legioss traveling companion: not Tread, but TLEAD. The
acronym is spelled out in English on one of the sheets: Transport Legioss Escort Armored Dreadnought.
Hoquets armor is also called Strider here, something I hadnt seen anywhere else.
Ride-Armor System
For the purpose of conducting the first drop operation, Mars Base felt that fire power, armor, mobility,
and the ability to penetrate enemy territory were absolutely imperative to even the odds with the Invid
after landing on Earth to compensate for the low number of soldiers. The Ride-Armor system satisfies
this requirement and is the most effective and compact weapon system they have developed.

The Ride-Armor system consists of two parts: a soldier wearing a bulletproof and crashproof riding suit
and a motorcycle called an Armor- Bike. A soldier using this equipment can quickly penetrate enemy
territory. When he/she encounters enemies, he/she can quickly transform the Armor-Bike into the Ride-
Armor form. In this configuration, he/she can quickly attack the enemies by using the feedback-
controlled enhanced strength of the Ride-Armor, and the heavy firepower.
TLEAD
TLEAD is a weapon specifically developed for drop operations. Developed while the Legioss was still in
the experimental stage, it is a reinforced booster for the purpose of increasing the Legioss cruising
distance and combat efficiency in both inside and outside the influence of gravity.

TLEAD can transform into a heavy Armo-Soldier and can play a role as a backup for the Legioss in
space, or as a supporting weapon that can act independently from the Legioss on the ground.

Reflex Point Invid
J ourney to
Reflex Point
Playing field: The Earth
Aisha as an
observer
What are human beings?
What is the purpose of life
in the universe?
Ray and others behavior as a
sample study group
Upcoming
convergence to
become the universes
ultimate intelligence.
In addition to the above, bombing is one of the most important functions of the TLEAD. It can fit many
different types of munitions inside, such as napalm bombs.
Legioss
Originally, the Armo-Fighter was a defensive weapon used in conflicts between the colonies. However,
during the campaign to retake Earth, a joint effort between the colonies was undertaken to repurpose
and refine it as an anti-Inbit weapon.

The Legioss is the successor to the Condor Armo-Fighter that was used during the first drop operation,
and was mass produced for the second drop operation. The mass produced model, the AFC-01I Iota is
typical of the Legioss form, specifications, and performance. In addition to the Iota, there are other
specialized types. Each Legioss also contains one Armor-Bike in the chest that the pilot can use in
emergency situations.

The Legioss is the latest Armo-Fighter and can fight in any environment: in outer space, in an
atmosphere, and on the ground.
MP8 Animation Production Schedule


RH NOTE: List of 39 episodes scheduled for production, complete with air dates and animation studios
assigned to each. Unfortunately MOSPEADA was halted at the 25 episode mark due to low interest in
the show and associated merchandise.
IP1, IP2 Unproduced Model Kits from Imai
These are notes from an Imai internal planning memo. Several entries on this list were unproduced:

5) Legioss soldier (kit #4 on list, produced) with optional armor parts, 11 cm tall, 500 yen
6) Optional armor parts for soldier, diver, and fighter modes, 300 yen
7) Variable Super Legioss and TLEAD, 16 cm tall, 700 yen
8) Combination set of kit #4, #6, and #7, 1200 yen
9) Legioss maintenance diorama set, includes engine parts, checkup panel, and mechanic figures,
500 yen
15) MOSPEADA (kit #11 on list, produced) with optional armor parts and armored sidecar, 1/15 scale,
13.3 cm tall, 800 yen
16) MOSPEADA maintenance diorama set, 1/15 scale, 500 yen
17) Inbit Eager poseable kit, 1/72 scale, 8.3 cm tall, 300 yen
18) Inbit Grab poseable kit, 1/72 scale, 11 cm tall, 500 yen
19) Inbit booster, 1/72 scale, 6.9 cm long, 300 yen
20) Legioss cockpit display, 1/15 scale, 800 yen

There is a note at the bottom saying, Other than these, we will be adding various other mecha. We will
meet in two weeks. Apparently at that next meeting, they chose to cut certain kits instead of add more.

Aside from the unused box art that appears in the B-Club Special: Artmic Design Works, previously I
had seen no additional evidence that Imai was planning TLEAD model kits.

In the Imai memos that catalog the Legioss kits, they are always listed in soldier, then diver, then fighter
mode. As a result, the letters S D F stand out very prominently. Coincidence?
Envelope SC1



Envelope SC1 bears the date 11/02/83 and the label on it is very nondescript. The text says simply,
new animation sketches. The kanji for secret is circled. All of the sketches within are the
preproduction designs on the following pages. There are no finalized designs for the series in this
envelope.

It appears that this is the original concept for the show, and seems to be devoid of any giant robots.
Many of the different feuding factions are depicted in the sketches, and the armor designs are heavily
detailed, which probably would have made them difficult to animate. Its apparent that the designs for
these different clans eventually evolved into the different branches of the Southern Cross army.
SC1-01
Samurai-styled HPS-04 Raizin armor and E-102 Taka mechanical falcon.
SC1-02
Explanation of sengoku concept, showing four warring factions at ease and in
combat on mechanical horses.
SC1-03
Five armor designs with diamond-shaped faction symbol.
SC1-04
Five armor designs with round faction symbol.
SC1-05
Diagram of flying fortress, manned by armored soldiers.
SC1-06
Character wearing armor similar to ATAC, helmet off and wielding a sword.
SC1-07
Character wearing armor similar to TASC, helmet on and sword sheathed.
Envelope SC2



Envelope SC3 is dated 12/20/83 and 12/29/83, and the label gives more details about the contents:
Science Fiction Sengoku Saga.

The only unproduced designs in the envelope, shown on the following pages, are two sheets featuring
the Zor flagship. The ship was intended to have a complex transformation, but there doesnt seem to be
any apparent reason for it. A note on one of the sheets (perhaps from a frustrated planner who wanted
remind his designer the deadline was looming) says, Never mind the transformation, just finish the
design.

All of the remaining model sheets in this envelope contain finalized designs for the armor and robots
that appeared in the show. It seems that at this point, the show was shaping up to be a concept that a
toy or model company in the early 1980s would want to sponsor. Robots galore, on both sides of the
conflict.
SC2-01
Transformation sequence for Zor mothership.
SC2-02
Detail sketch for Zor mothership.
Never mind the transformation,
just finish the design.
Envelope SC3



Envelope SC3 is dated 2/21/84 and the model sheets inside are the first to bear the Southern Cross
name and logos.

Three successive iterations of model kit blueprints for J eannes Spartas robot are presented on the
following pages. Note that the blueprints show an early version of the robot with a more ornate head
design (this version can also be seen in This is Animation #10).

The first sheet sets the scale at 1/32 (for a 193mm tall model). The second one has those figures
scratched out and the scale is revised to 1/40 (154mm). The third one seemingly finalizes the scale at
1/48 (129mm) after comparing the size of the proposed product to other robot models like the Legioss
and Orgroid. The lesson? Sometimes the specs of a real robot need to be fudged to hit a price point.
SC3-01
First blueprint for early Spartas robot kit, 1/32 scale.
SC3-02
Second blueprint for early Spartas robot kit, 1/40 scale.
SC3-03
Third blueprint for early Spartas robot kit, 1/48 scale.
Additional Southern Cross Documents
Southern Cross TV Promotional Flyer
This is a large glossy flyer that shows the various TV networks that would be airing Southern Cross with
a chart showing the various armies and a listing of the model kits offered by all three companies,
including several unproduced items. The Bioroid for Seifriet is listed as belonging to Philip.
Arii
1/12 Glorie Military Police Suit for Lana, 700 yen
1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Charles, 800 yen
1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Anjay, 800 yen
1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Louie, 800 yen
1/48 Glorie Military Police Robot
1/48 Zor Late Generation Type 1 Bioroid
1/48 Zor Bi-Hover
1/48 Tactics Armored Space Corps/A Tactic Armored Corps Variable Robot [both groups listed together,
this could be a typographical error]
1/12 Navy Division Suit for Yamashita
1/12 Mountain Squad Suit for Fogel
Imai
1/12 Tactics Armored Space Corps Suit for Paul, 800 yen
1/12 Tactics Armored Space Corps Suit for Marie, 700 yen
1/48 A Tactics Armored Corps Variable Hover Tank for J eanne, 1,000 yen
1/12 Cold Squad Suit for Alexander
1/48 Cold Squad Robot
1/12 Desert Squad Suit for Ohka
1/48 Desert Squid Robot
1/12 Tactics Corps Suit for Thomas
1/48 Tactics Corps Robot
1/48 Zor Middle Generation Type 1 Bioroid
LS
1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for J eanne, 700 yen
1/12 Glorie Military Police Suit for Alan, 800 yen
1/48 Zor Bioroid Specialized for Philip
1/20 Hover Bike
1/12 Tactics Space Corps Suit for Henry
1/144 Tactics Space Corps Rocket
1/12 City Defense Flying Corps Suit for Robert
1/144 City Defense Flying Corps Fighter
1/12 Reconnoitering Suit [no name listed for soldier]
1/48 Reconnoitering Robot
Southern Cross/Galvion Promotional Booklet
This is a small 22 page booklet showing line art for each armys body armor, plus a revised list of kits to
look for, including unproduced items. Again, Seifriets Bioroid is listed with the name Philip, and
J eannes robot is dubbed Spartas instead of having a generic name.

LS: 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for J eanne, 700 yen
Arii: 1/12 Glorie Military Police Suit for Lana, 700 yen
Imai: 1/12 Tactics Armored Space Corps Suit for Paul, 800 yen
LS: 1/12 Glorie Military Police Suit for Alan, 800 yen
Arii: 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Charles, 800 yen
Imai: 1/12 Tactics Armored Space Corps Suit for Marie, 700 yen
LS: 1/48 Zor Bioroid Specialized for Philip, 800 yen
Arii: 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Anjay, 800 yen
Imai: 1/48 Variable Spartas for J eanne, 1,000 yen
LS: 1/20 Flash Clapper, 800 yen
Arii: 1/12 A Tactics Armored Corps Suit for Louie, 800 yen
Imai: 1/12 Cold Squad Suit for Alexander, 800 yen
LS: 1/12 Tactics Space Corps Suit for Henry, 800 yen
Arii: 1/48 Glorie Military Police Robot, 500 yen
Imai: 1/48 Cold Squad Robot, 500 yen
LS: Tactics Space Corps Rocket [no scale listed], 600 yen
Arii: 1/48 Zor Late Type 1 Bioroid, 500 yen
Imai: 1/12 Desert Squad Suit for Ohka, 800 yen
Flyer from
Gakken catalog
showing retailers
how to market
transforming
robot toys to kids.