Go Nagai

Born: September 6, 1945 (Wajima, Ishikawa, Japan)

Known for: Mazinger Z, Cutie Honey, Devilman

Go Nagai is a prolific manga artist whose work spans science fiction, fantasy, horror and erotica. He is credited with creating the super‑robot genre through his series Mazinger Z and pioneering the magical girl and ecchi genres with Harenchi Gakuen. His bold storytelling often pushed boundaries, introducing explicit humour and sexual innuendo to mainstream manga in the late 1960s.

Nagai’s series Cutie Honey (1973) featured one of the first female superheroes in manga, blending action with erotic parody. Devilman (1972) mixed horror, tragedy and apocalyptic themes and has influenced countless creators. Through Mazinger Z he established the template for piloted giant robots, inspiring franchises like Mobile Suit Gundam and Neon Genesis Evangelion.

Although Nagai’s early works attracted controversy for their sexual content, his innovations opened new creative possibilities. Today he is celebrated as one of the architects of modern manga and anime genres. For a discussion of how erotic themes have evolved over time, see our History of Mature Manga.