Vega Beast Gai Gai was the Monster of the week in Episode 69 of the Anime UFO Robot Grendizer. It was the the 75th Beast in the series and was piloted by Commander Zuril Junior, son of Minister Zuril.

Gai Gai was a humanoid type Beast, with a Light to Dark Blue/Green color scheme, with two pink horns and three small black crest in the head; it sport a white collar around the head, a long brown tail, with a pink underside, that reach the back of the upper torso, giving it a hunch back look; this is where the Pilot's Cockpit is located, above the head. Besides Super strength, Gai could blast a stream of flame from its mouth, fire laser beams from the eyes that would generate a Red Twilight of Solar Electrons, that shock its enemies and damage electric systems; Gai was particularly bigger than Grendizer (though this can be attributed to animation error). Its one of the few Beasts NOT defeated by any of the series heroes.

Quick Note 1: It could be argue Gai Gai is also a Saucer Beast due to its ability to Coil around itself giving it a Saucer Shape, but the Japanese word for Vega Beast, “Vega Juu”, is use rather than “Enban Juu” (the word for Saucer Beast) to describe it, and this ability is seen only while entering the Atmosphere; when transforming to fight Grendizer in its first time, Commander Zuril never uses this mode on Gai again.

Laying low in the North Sea with a search party of Military Enemy Forces around, a tired and sleep deprived Minister Zuril spent his thoughts writing letters to his son when he is inform the Energy supply is at a low; he contacts Skull Moon Base for assistance, while still rejecting the King's plead to reconsider returning until he success defeating Grendizer and Space Center. As King Vega discuses with General Gandal who to send, a young Commander, Zuril Junior, volunteers and takes off to Earth on Gai Gai with the needed Energy Supply, as well wanting to surprise his father, not having seen him in a long time.

Quick Note 2: YES! He is called Zuril Junior – its quite audible in the Japanese Version, which would use English from time to time in terms and names. Also, there is a minor point in the beginning where Hikaru gets from her father a scarf that belong to her mother; it has zero value to the plot, and that's all the attention it will get.

Gai is detected and Grendizer is sent out to face it; Zuril Jr introduces himself to Duke and challenges to a fight, Grendizer's weaponry proving useless to Gai Gai's strength. The Beast then creates an Red Twilight around Grendizer, zapping it and Duke, but Gandal orders Zuril Jr to rendezvous with Queen Spazer to deliver the fuel and leaves. Duke drops from the Twilight, escaping its effects, the other Spazer are launch to Grendizer's aid to search for the enemy as Gai lands in the Queen Spazer, to a surprise Minister wanting to congratulate the pilot personally, but his mood changes when is his Son who greets him.

The two enter into an argument, with the Father ordering him to return to Skull Moon Base, while the Son desires to stay with him an fight; the Minister's motives, of course, not wanting to lose him. As their discussion continue in the Minister's quarters, Grendizer (along with the Team) proceeds to search and find the Queen Spazer under the ice; the Queen emerges and an all out battle ensues, with the vessel in a positional disadvantage been swarmed and bombard by the Team.

Gandal calling to Zuril Jr to engage as well, informs him the primary reason why is his father rejection of his help was he didn't want him to be in any danger, as proven by his letters in the desk (how did Gandal knew of these is beyond me, but this sets the things into motion); As the battle gets worse, Zuril is knocked out and carried away, as Junior proceeds to his father's quarters and reads the many letters to him. Now understanding his situation, Zuril Jr talks to his father, who passes out, before taking the initiative on his own to save him; the Head Pod of the Queen takes off with the unconcious Minister Zuril, as Commander Zuril fights the Team, the blazing battle Damage warship crashing and exploding on impact in the snow land below.

Zuril/Gai fire the Twilight Beam which has Koji and Duke trapped, then the Monster grabs onto Grendizer; under suggestion of Umon, Maria fires Spark Bomber, which dissipates the Twilight; meanwhile, the Minister wakes up and learns from the pilot of his Son's battle with Grendizer on Earth, he contacts him and implores him to escape, expressing his feelings to him as a father and with tears in their eyes, his Son bids farewell. The Minister takes control of the vessel and tries to go back to him, but due to the lack of fuel, a return trip would not be possible.

Quick Note 3: I'll give props here, this was a sad scene, as a emotionally wrecked Zuril releases the controls back to the pilot. This is why the Son got drawn in this pic – this was a Zuril Focus Episode. But this character development will be fuck up hard in Ep.72 – and I was shocked for it.

Duke tries to convince Commander Zuril to return to his father, which he rejects; Mecha Ejects, breaking frees from Gai's grasp, but grabs on to its legs. Refusing to let go and ignoring Duke's last words, Commander Zuril activates the self Destruct, blowing up with Gai Gai, though Grendizer still survives. As the King commends the Son bravery, a now broken father collapses and can only ask “why did you go and leave me from this world before your father?”.

As team Grendizer returns to base, Duke's recognizes the Commander, who chose to sacrifice himself to save his father's life.