Real Life
- Given the timing of the GaoGaiGar's release and design of the "nose" and paintjob of LinerGao, it seems extremely likely that LinerGao is meant to specifically be a modified 500 Series Shinkansen
, which was put into regular service roughly a month after the first episode of GaoGaiGar aired. - Similarly, StealthGao is almost certainly inspired by the B-2 Spirit, which had been formally adopted for American military use a month prior to the show going on air; unlike LinerGao, though (which is just 99% a shinkansen) StealthGao is somewhat more heavily modified from its inspiration (likely to make sure that the show didn't run up against Northrop Grumman's patents and copyrights).
Media References
GaoGaiGar was one of the definitive
Hot-Blooded Shōnen anime of
The '90s, and even today is still a colossal influence on Japanese and robot media in general and is referenced in all sorts of places.
- Transformers: Galaxy Force (Transformers: Cybertron in the US) contains many visual references to GaoGaiGar's stock "Final Fusion" and "Hammer Connect" sequences, most notably in the sequences where Liger Jack (Leo Breaker) and Sonic Bomber (Wing Saber) "Link Up" with Galaxy Convoy (Optimus Prime). Galaxy Convoy's chest and shoulders also bear physical resemblance to ChoRyuJin, as does Omega Supreme from Transformers: Super Link (Transformers: Energon in the US). In the US series Transformers: Animated, Safeguard's combination sequence is in homage to the sequence of RyuJin combinations.
- Likewise, Leo Breaker's design is heavily based on Galeon/GaiGar.
- The stock "Final Fusion" sequence is extremely iconic of the show, making it worthy of a great many fan parodies (though reaction to these parodies by other fans is greatly mixed). One recent fan-parody video (by the group MAD) intersperses soundtrack and footage of the Impulse Gundam combination sequence from Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny with that of GaoFighGar's Final Fusion sequence from GaoGaiGar FINAL. Most of these videos ironically do not use GaoGaiGar's sequence audio, but rather GaoFighGar's from Episode 4 of FINAL, as it is the only version where the sound effects synced with exactly one rendition of the music track.
- In Yu-Gi-Oh! GX, the character Sho Marufuji (Syrus Truesdale in the English version) plays a Fusion monster "Super Vehicroid Stealth Union", a monster that is a fusion of a drill rig, a bullet train, a stealth fighter and a semi truck, and is a clear tribute to GaoGaiGar. And in addition, a Duel Monster spirit Kaibaman bears resemblance and homage to Soldato J.
- The character Subaru Nakajima from the Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Striker S anime possesses a number of nods to GaoGaiGar, some of them incredibly blatant. Her transformation sequence in the show includes at least two direct visual references to GaoGaiGar in that she is surrounded by a tornado of green fog prior to transformation and that a jewel slides into place on her device Mach Caliber in exactly the same manner, and with exactly the same dimensions, as the crown G-Stone in GaoGaiGar's Final Fusion. If the video is switched around in some locations, the sequence matches the sound effects as well. The character has exhibited at least two abilities that are strikingly similar to GaoGaiGar's Broken Magnum and Protect Shade respectively. Certain members of the fan community, namely the Otakuism blog, thus refer to Subaru as "GaoGaiGar-tan".
- The series also appear in Harobots, from being one of Sunrise's series. This series' units can act as 'wild' units or as the player's units.
- A parody of GaoGaiGar is featured in Hayate no Gotoku. A character named Cyborg Butler appears in the 38th episode, has the same hairstyle like Guy (though fans noted that his face looked more like Viral of Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann) as well as his voice actor Nobuyuki Hiyama (also voices Viral and Guy). He is also prone to yell dramatically or shout Gagagagagaga while running. His attacks are all parodies of Drill Knee, Broken Magnum, Hell And Heaven and Goldion Hammer (he even shouts Hikari ni Nare!!! like Guy while doing it). Before he uses the Goldion Hammer parody, his superior tells him that the move is approved (just like Taiga approving Goldion Hammer for use). In his last moments, he also makes a statement regarding of courage. The link between Guy's and Viral's visual styles as well as the over-the-top yelling and attacks that the voice actors are known for might indicate that it was more of a parody of Nobuyuki Hiyama himself rather than any one of his portrayed characters.
- In Super Robot Wars Original Generation Gaiden, Kai Kitamura's Gespenst Mk II M Custom's signature move is the Jet Phantom, an upgrade from the Jet Magnum.
- In Kimi ga Aruji de Shitsuji ga Ore de, in the episode 8, the character Kojūrō Takeda (voiced by Guy's voice actor, Nobuyuki Hiyama) beats up the main character Ren Uesugi (voiced by Tomokazu Seki from Mobile Fighter G Gundam), in the same vein of Guy beating up Palparepa in GaoGaiGar FINAL, all while preaching the virtue of love towards one's master (instead of courage). He later charges towards Ren by yelling "HIKARI NI NARE!!!" after Ren shouts "Bakuretsu God Finger!!!".
- In the summer of 2011, SanThree (Sanyo Bussan) introduced a pachinko machine, Brave King GaoGaiGar CR, based upon the series.
- In Super Robot Wars Z, a mech called Gunleon can be considered a homage to GaoGaiGar. Gunleon is a lion-themed robot, that uses construction tools as weapons and is powered by a glowing green energy source. Two of Gunleon attacks involve it transforming into Magna Mode which heavily resembles Genesic GaoGaiGar.
- In the last episode of Yahari Ore no Seishun Love Come wa Machigatteiru, Zaimokuza (voiced by Nobuyuki Hiyama who voices Guy in GaoGaiGar) does a "Zaimokuza Crusher" just like the "Goldion Crusher".
- In episode 19 of Gundam Build Fighters Try, titled "Fateful Reunion", there is a Psyco Gundam MK-II colored after King J-Der that was coincidentally defeated by the Gundam Tryon 3, which, while based on the Super Robot Genre, has a lion mecha forming the chest/body very similar to Galeon/GaiGar for GaoGaiGar.
- Gaist Crusher:
- The series' Gaist Crusher Garrison (shortened for GCG) is a reference to the Gutsy Geoid Guard.
- The Gaist Crushers' power being fueled by the power of resolve/determination is as similar to the main characters' abilities strengthen via the power of courage.
- The monstrous Gaists are a nod to the Zonders, due to the use of a metallic ore to create their monster form via assimilating a living host and/or evolving them.
- In Xenogears, there is a child in Billy's orphanage that looks almost identical to Mamoru, who first appears during Renmazuo's launch sequence, and can later be conversed with at the Snowfield Hideout. In addition, parts of the G-Elements design are also reminiscent of GaoGaiGar's design. And then there's its fusion sequence, which, well...
