Exhibition - Grendizer: an exhibition in the Paris metro to celebrate 50 years

By Mulder, 10 may 2025

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Grendizer, the iconic robot from the world of Japanese animation, the RATP is partnering with Japan Expo for the third consecutive year to offer Parisian travelers an immersive exhibition in the corridors of the Châtelet – Les Halles metro station. This unique initiative, accessible free of charge from May 14, 2025, will take over the passageways leading to line 11, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the cult universe of one of the first anime series to have won the hearts of French viewers. We can already imagine the wonder of passers-by discovering, between connections, the gigantic murals and legendary posters of this saga that has marked entire generations. The station will be transformed into a veritable temple dedicated to the most famous Japanese robot, where nostalgia will mingle with the amazement of those who may be discovering Grendizer for the first time.

Grendizer is much more than just a robot for generations of fans. Since its appearance on French screens in the 1970s, it has left its mark on pop culture, paving the way for the craze for Japanese anime in France. As soon as it was broadcast, the giant robot piloted by Actarus sparked an unprecedented social phenomenon, becoming a symbol of the fight against injustice and a mythical hero for young and old alike. This exhibition honors this cultural heritage while recalling the impact of Go Nagai's work on several generations. We can still remember the school playgrounds where children would imitate Grendizer's lightning attacks, shouting “Fulguropoing!” at the top of their lungs in an outburst of energy and camaraderie. This emotional connection, so strong that it has spanned decades, is magnified here by the exhibition's setting in such an iconic location as Châtelet.

The exhibition features giant murals, iconic posters, and immersive installations that transport visitors into the intergalactic world of Grendizer. Unpublished anecdotes about the creation of the series, as well as tributes to its creator Go Nagai, punctuate the journey. This return to the roots will delight enthusiasts and intrigue the curious, offering them an overview of the evolution of manga since its creation in 1975. It is a true journey through time, where visitors can rediscover the impact of this character on global pop culture. In the corridors, the vibrant atmosphere seems to pay homage to the epic battles between Grendizer and the forces of Vega. The soul of the robot resonates in these tunnels, where each image brings back childhood memories of Saturday mornings in front of the television, captivated by the exploits of Actarus.

Alongside the exhibition, Isan Manga is offering a reissue of Grendizer in three special editions. The red version is faithful to the French translation, the blue version respects the original Japanese names, and the green version is an exclusive edition for E.Leclerc stores. These box sets of over 400 pages, including 200 previously unpublished pages, will be available in October, with a preview at Japan Expo in July. For collectors, each pre-order will entitle the purchaser to a limited edition bookplate. These special editions revive an undiminished enthusiasm for the original work and show how relevant Grendizer remains in today's cultural landscape. For fans of the original series and newcomers alike, these items serve as bridges between the past and the present.

The enthusiasm for Grendizer shows no signs of waning, and this exhibition in the heart of Paris is proof that the steel giant remains as firmly rooted in the collective imagination as ever. The nostalgia is still there, and you can almost hear the legendary cry of “Fulguropoing!” echoing through the subway tunnels. Visitors wander around in awe, as if time has stood still, as if Grendizer himself is watching over the capital. Each image and each panel is an invitation to remember and share childhood stories in which Grendizer was a hero who came from the stars to save Earth. Visitors leave the exhibition with a smile on their faces, their minds filled with dreams of space adventures, convinced that Grendizer's legacy will never fade.

(Source: press release)