Gunbuster

''Gunbuster'', known in Japan as , is a Japanese original video animation (OVA) series produced by Bandai Visual, Victor Entertainment, and Gainax and released from October 1988 to July 1989. It was the directorial debut of Hideaki Anno, best known as the creator and director of ''Neon Genesis Evangelion''. The title is a combination of the titles of classic tennis manga and anime ''Aim for the Ace!'' and hit action drama film ''Top Gun'', whose plots inspired ''Gunbuster''s. To celebrate Gainax's 20th anniversary in 2004, a sequel to ''Gunbuster'', ''Diebuster'' (or ''Gunbuster 2''), was released as an OVA. The sequel features new characters and mecha but retains the format and many of the concepts of the original series.

The anime has had several releases to home video since it was first released. It would receive an English dub in 2022. It has also had soundtrack albums, a manga series, and merchandise such as toys, model kits, and video games. It received mostly positive reviews and won the Seiun Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 1990.

Characters

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:Noriko enlists in the Okinawa Girls' Space Pilot High School to follow in the footsteps of her father, Yuzo. Because Yuzo was the captain of the ''Luxion'' fleet that was attacked by the space monsters in 2015, Noriko has been nicknamed the by other students at the Space Pilot High School, who accuse her of nepotism. She is further subjected to bullying when Koichiro "Coach" Ohta selects her with senior student Kazumi Amano to represent Japan as part of the Top Squadron program. When Ohta convinces her that she has the same potential as Kazumi, Noriko undergoes intense training to improve her piloting skills and prove her peers wrong before venturing to space with Kazumi. Noriko was named after the wife of Gainax storyboard artist Shinji Higuchi.

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:Nicknamed the by her peers, Kazumi is the top Machine Weapon pilot of the Okinawa Girls' Space Pilot High School. She quickly becomes friends with Noriko but questions Ohta's decision to pair her with the freshman Noriko. Kazumi was named after Kazumi Okada (née Amano), who was the wife of Gainax CEO Toshio Okada at the time.

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:The Machine Weapon coach of the Okinawa Girls' Space Pilot High School and head of the Gunbuster development program. Ohta was a survivor of the space monsters' attack on the ''Luxion'' fleet in 2015, having lost sight in his right eye and sustained injuries to his right leg that require him to use a cane. He is always seen wearing aviator sunglasses to conceal the scar across his right eye. Because Captain Yuzo Takaya helped him escape during the attack, Ohta selects Noriko and trains her as a debt of honor to the captain. Ohta was named after manga artist , whose real name is Kōichirō Ōta. The cane Ohta uses is an homage to Dan Moroboshi, based on his appearance in the 1974 TV series ''Ultraman Leo''.

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:A Machine Weapon pilot based on the Soviet Union's moon base, Jung Freud develops a fierce rivalry with Kazumi over their piloting skills. Her name is derived from Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung and Austrian neurologist Sigmund Freud.

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:Captain of the space naval ship . After the decommissioned ''Exelion'' is detonated to destroy a massive space monster fleet outside the Solar System, Tashiro becomes admiral of the new flagship . He was named after , president of animation studio Group TAC.

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:Tashiro's second-in-command aboard the ''Exelion''. His real name is never mentioned throughout the series.

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:An American Machine Weapon pilot, Smith meets Noriko after they are dared by their respective dormitories to wander around the ''Exelion'' during warp. Smith and Noriko initially do not get along with each other due to differing personalities, but after Kazumi dissolves her partnership with Noriko out of fear for Noriko's safety, Noriko and Smith become partners. During the Top Squadron's first sortie at the Leaf 64 star system, Smith is killed, leaving Noriko with the guilt of not being able to help him during battle. Smith was named after Canadian translator Toren Smith, who lived with Gainax staff during his stay in Japan.

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:Noriko's best friend at the high school. By the time Noriko returns to Earth in 2032, Kimiko is married and has a daughter. Kimiko was named after the wife of Gainax animator Takami Akai.

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:Kimiko's daughter. When Noriko first meets her in 2032, Takami is three years old. By 2048, she is a senior student at the high school.

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:Kazumi's classmate and the second-best Machine Weapon pilot in the Okinawa Girls' Space Pilot High School. Kashiwara is so furious over Ohta's decision to pair Noriko with Kazumi that she challenges Noriko to a duel. Despite being more experienced, Kashiwara loses the duel after Noriko executes the . By 2032, Kashiwara becomes the school's coach and eventually the principal by 2048.

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:Noriko's father and admiral of the ship . He was killed when the space monsters attacked his fleet at the Perseus Arm in 2015.

Outline

''Gunbuster'' is Hideaki Anno's directorial debut. Because Gainax originally intended to make '' Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise'' and break up, but ''Wings of Honnêamise'' consequently performed poorly, Gainax made ''Gunbuster'' to help recuperate the losses from ''Wings of Honnêamise''. Taking into account the same work's bad reputation of simply being shown to anime fans, this work has works originally planned by Haruhiko Mikimoto, who worked on ''Super Dimension Fortress Macross'' and was popular for beautiful girl characters. The title appears to begin as a parody of the anime ''Aim for the Ace!'' and the film ''Top Gun'', is a homage to Shōwa era anime and tokusatsu, and completely changes in a clearly approachable style. The plots of ''Aim for the Ace!'' and ''Top Gun'' would inspire the plot of ''Gunbuster''.

This work starts out as a parody at the core, but later, the story has serious content, getting conceptions from Joe Haldeman's science fiction novel ''The Forever War'', actively inserting time dilation. The sixth and last episode is shot in black-and-white and has the last scene show minimal coloring. In the remastered version, that part is black-and-white. Regarding planning for the last step, Anno and Okada said, "If that is it, it is good".

The characters' names come from staff members and people Gainax was closely involved with. The protagonist Noriko Takaya is named after this work's art staff member . Koichiro Ohta is named after Toshio Okada's friend and manga artist Nao Minda's real name.

Themes

One theme of ''Gunbuster'' is personal relationships. Noriko, characterized as a plucky and emotional girl, looks up to Kazumi, her mature and confident senior. She also has a friendship with Kimiko, but Kimiko ages normally on Earth as opposed to Noriko's slower aging in space because of time dilation.

The feeling of the world aging faster than Noriko instills a sense of loss. In ''Gunbuster'', when a character approaches the speed of light in space, time slows down for that character. Aspirations and relationships become lost because of the priority to rescue humanity in space. Most science fiction stories do not address this problem, and ''Gunbuster'' shows the consequences of this dilemma.

The importance of hard work and will resonates in ''Gunbuster'', as it starts with this theme and continues throughout the series. Although Noriko makes mistakes in the series, she deals with the weight of the consequences of these mistakes, along with the weight of trauma, in her interactions with other characters and grows as a character. Because of how rigorously Ohta trains Noriko, she grows into a master pilot.

Music

The first soundtrack album, , was released in Japan through Victor Entertainment on June 7, 1989. It features the opening theme and ending theme by Noriko Sakai, plus the insert song by Noriko Hidaka and Rei Sakuma, Kohei Tanaka's score for the series' first four episodes, and two original radio dramas. The CD release also includes , a collection of sound clips by the voice cast. The album was reissued on December 18, 1996.

The second soundtrack album, , was released on March 21, 1990. It features more of Tanaka's score for all six episodes, plus the image song by Kazuki Yao, one radio drama, and the symphonic suite . Like the first soundtrack, this album was reissued on December 18, 1996.

A box set titled was released on August 24, 1994. The three-disc set compiles the first two soundtracks and adds more background music and dialogue tracks, as well as new songs and karaoke tracks.

FlyingDog released the soundtrack on March 26, 2013, exclusively on music download and streaming media platforms. The album compiles the first two soundtracks, omitting the opening and ending themes, radio dramas, and character voice clips.

Releases

Japan

''Gunbuster'' was originally released in Japan by Bandai Visual over three volumes on VHS and LaserDisc, with two episodes per volume. It was then re-released on a LaserDisc box set in 1995, featuring two new Science Lesson episodes. The series was released on Region 2 DVD in 2001. A remastered four-disc DVD set was released in 2004 with dramatically improved image quality and new extras such as three short animations, a rough cut of episode five, and an unmatted version of episode six. In addition, a supplemental DVD titled ''Gunbuster Perfect Guide'' was released, featuring exclusive interviews with the staff and voice cast plus a 161-page book with original artwork and production notes.

In 2006, a theatrical version of ''Gunbuster'' was released in Japan, featuring a 5.1 soundtrack containing new sound effects, the original score, and re-recorded dialogue by the original Japanese voice actors. The feature-length film is an abridged version of the original OVA series, using the same animated footage as the original. It was released as a double feature with a condensed version of ''Diebuster'' as .

Bandai Visual released a Blu-ray set of the OVA series with extras. It was released in Japan on February 24, 2012, in regular and complete limited edition sets. Both sets feature the newly re-recorded 5.1 audio (that was used for the theatrical compilation), along with the original 2.0 mix, remastered video, a brand new short, audio commentary, video shorts, and a 16-page booklet. The complete edition also included a bonus disc, full of production materials, previously unseen video footage, and a 100-page booklet.

North America

''Gunbuster'' was first released with English subtitles in North America starting on February 1, 1990, on VHS by U.S. Renditions as their first release. It was later re-released by Manga Entertainment. On November 24, 2006, Bandai Visual USA released a limited, region-free reprint of the 2004 Region 2 remastered DVD set exclusively at Kinokuniya Bookstores. On February 20, 2007, Bandai Visual USA officially released the remastered Region 1 DVD box set under their Honneamise label, with the series spanning over three discs.

''Gunbuster: The Movie'' was released on Blu-ray in the U.S. by Honneamise. It was initially released on DVD as the box set ''Gunbuster vs. Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie''. Following the liquidation of Bandai Visual USA and Bandai Entertainment's acquisition of the Honneamise label, a high-definition Blu-ray version was released in November 2008 by Bandai Entertainment. Maiden Japan later licensed ''Gunbuster: The Movie'' on Blu-ray and DVD on May 17, 2016. It was re-released by Sentai Filmworks on September 13, 2022.

In an interview with Anime on DVD, Jonathan Clements stated that "the Music & Effects track has been lost, and n English dubwould need to be reconstructed from the ground up". Discotek Media released ''Gunbuster'' on Blu-ray on May 30, 2023, with a dub produced by Sound Cadence Studios, marking the first time the OVA series was dubbed in English.

United Kingdom and Europe

''Gunbuster'' was released for the European market by Kiseki Films on a region 2 DVD, but this release suffered from poor video quality and inconsistent subtitles. In addition, the bath scene in episode two was heavily edited, with the footage replaced with slowed-down mecha scenes while retaining the audio track.

''Gunbuster: The Movie'' was released on Blu-ray by Beez Entertainment in the UK in 2008. Anime Limited released the OVA series on Blu-ray in August 2023 in two editions: standard Blu-ray and Collector's Edition; the latter includes a 48-page art book and a double-sided A3 poster. The Blu-ray includes Discotek Media's English dub.

Plot and episodes

In 2015, a space expedition fleet led by Admiral Yuzo Takaya is destroyed by . Six years later, Takaya's daughter Noriko enlists in the in Okinawa. She is suddenly selected with senior student Kazumi Amano to represent Japan in an upcoming space expedition. When it is known across the high school that she is the daughter of Yuzo and that Coach Koichiro Ohta was one of the survivors of the 2015 space attack, Noriko is subjected to bullying and harassment. Ohta, however, believes Noriko has the same potential as Kazumi, and through , she strives to become the best Machine Weapon pilot and take control of the experimental giant robot to help Earth win the war against the space monsters.

Manga

In 1989, Bandai published , an anthology manga featuring side stories of the OVA's characters. The manga ran for two volumes.

In 2010, Kadokawa Shoten published a new manga adaptation of ''Gunbuster'', with artwork by Kabocha. The manga ran for five volumes, with the final volume released in 2013.

Merchandise

Toys

In the mid-1990s, Kaiyodo, in association with Xebec, released a PVC figure of Gunbuster. Though limited in posability, the figure featured an extra set of arms and hands, as well as the weapons Buster Tomahawk and Buster Home Run from the radio dramas. In 2005, Kaiyodo released a newer figure sculpted by Katsuhisa Yamaguchi (of Revoltech fame). Though shorter than the original, this newer figure was more detailed and poseable than its predecessor. A newer version of Gunbuster was released in the Revoltech line as Figure No. 101 in 2011. Once again sculpted by Yamaguchi, it is capable of transforming into both Buster Machines and has parts to replicate tearing out the power generator core.

In November 2006, Bandai released a large diecast toy replica of Gunbuster under the ''Soul of Chogokin'' line. Just like in episode five of the series, the toy is a combination of Buster Machines 1 and 2. It includes an array of weapons that were used in both the anime and radio drama, as well as a miniature of Kazumi's RX-7 Machine Weapon and a display stand designed to resemble a launchpad. Also included are accessories that can be used to replicate the final scene in episode 6, where Gunbuster removes its degeneracy generator core from its chest. The toy was re-released in September 2015 as "GX-34R Gunbuster (Buster Alloy Color Ver.)", featuring a dark blue metallic finish. In 2013, Bandai released a smaller, more affordable Gunbuster figure under the '' Super Robot Chogokin'' line. Despite lacking the transformation feature of the ''Soul of Chogokin'' toy, this figure features extreme poseability and comes with two Buster Home Runs and parts for the Double Buster Collider, as well as the power generator core parts. A Tamashii Web exclusive , released in July 2013, included the Buster Shield, Buster Missile arms, two Buster Tomahawks, and effect parts for the Buster Colliders and Super Inazuma Kick.

Studio HalfEye also released a transformable replica of Gunbuster in 2006. In contrast to Bandai's diecast toy, this figure is made of resin plastic and priced higher.

Hong Kong-based toy company CCS Toys released a premium Gunbuster figure in February 2024 under the ''Mortal Mind'' line to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the OVA series.

Figures of Noriko have also been manufactured as well. Yellow Submarine (a division of Takara) released a poseable doll, while Kotobukiya and Kaiyodo sold non-poseable figures. Bandai had a limited-edition Noriko & Nono figure set bundled with the North America and Japan DVD release of ''Gunbuster vs. Diebuster Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie''. Good Smile Company released a Nendoroid figure of Noriko in June 2024.

Model kits

In November 2019, Aoshima Bunka Kyozai released a 1/1000 scale Gunbuster model kit. The kit was reissued in August 2020 as the , featuring additional weapons and accessories. In October 2023, the kit was reissued as the , which features a redesigned waist and hip assembly and includes effect parts and a display stand to replicate Gunbuster's signature attack.

In November 2021, Bandai released a Gunbuster kit from their Shokugan Modeling Project (SMP) Alternative Destiny line. In February 2022, an online-exclusive expansion kit called the was released, featuring additional weapons and accessories.

Kaiyodo released a Gunbuster model kit in November 2023. The kit includes figurines of Noriko and Kazumi.

In February 2025, Good Smile Company released the Moderoid Miniature Combining & Transforming Gunbuster model kit. At 115 mm in height, it is the smallest Gunbuster figure to fully transform into Buster Machines 1 and 2 without removing or changing parts. Bandai will release a new Gunbuster kit from their SMP line in August 2025. Like the Moderoid Miniature Gunbuster, this kit features perfect transformation. An expansion kit will also be released exclusively on the Premium Bandai website, featuring parts to make the kit anime-accurate and all of Gunbuster's weapons and accessories.

Cosplay

''Gunbuster'' has been popular with cosplayers. Cosplay pieces have been sold. Cosplayers enjoy acting as Noriko. Gainax's Kenki Yamaguchi cosplayed as Ohta.

Video games

In February 2005, Bandai released ''Top wo Nerae! Gunbuster'' for the PlayStation 2 console, developed by Shade. It expanded the series with a game that played out as an entirely new third edition that added to the themes of the original two animated series. The 25-episode story featured both roaming adventure scenes where defense pilot Noriko Takaya converses with characters and collects items to develop the story, as well as action scenes that put Noriko and co-pilot Kazumi Amano into the cockpit of Gunbuster to battle in heated combat. The action parts allow the player to perform all the trademark moves, such as the Buster Beam, Homing Laser, and Super Lighting Kick, with Noriko shouting out the commands with just as much enthusiasm as Noriko does in the show. Kara Dennison, a writer for '' Otaku USA Magazine'', said the game provides recap sequences, something she noted video games generally do not have when a player takes a break from a video game for some time and forgets what happened after the player returns.

In March 2010, Heiwa Corporation released the pachinko game ''CR Top wo Nerae!''

''Cybernetic Hi-School'', the third installment of Gainax's eroge strip-quiz video game series for the PC-9801 and MSX, focused on characters from ''Gunbuster''.

Reception

A writer for ''Anime News Network'' stated that ''Gunbuster'' conveys a message to courageously face fears and that Noriko is the most developed character. The writer called ''Gunbuster'' "enriching and heartwarming" but said that some of the things in the first episode were unnecessary and could have been cut for time constraints. That writer also commented that the story could have allowed more character development for other characters but overall praised ''Gunbuster''. Michael Toole, who also wrote for ''Anime News Network'', said the anime starts as a parody, but it later alternates between fan service and existential horror because of time dilation and the need to fight space monsters. He noted that the series makes humorous references and praised its brilliance. He previously saw the series in the mid-1990s and called it a "masterpiece", but after watching it again, he remarked on its cohesion. Jason Huff of ''The Anime Review'' stated that ''Gunbuster''s story is cohesive and praised its music. A writer for '' THEM Anime Reviews'' praised the quality of the series and favored the ending of this anime. Kara Dennison of ''Otaku USA Magazine'' called the series "a fun mash-up of ''Aim for the Ace!'' and ''Top Gun''" and stated the ending would sadden viewers. She also said this series would inspire other mecha series such as '' GaoGaiGar'' and ''Gurren Lagann''. Joseph Luster, also of ''Otaku USA Magazine'', called ''Gunbuster'' a "total classic".

A writer for ''Anime News Network'' favored the anime's appearance and stated that frames avoided being reused. That writer also praised the detail in the animation of the mecha, the lighting, the particle effects, and the characters. Jason Huff of ''The Anime Review'' praised the animation of ''Gunbuster'', describing Haruhiko Mikimoto's designs as "fleshed out so beautifully", but he remarked that the moments of nudity, although not sexual in any context, were unnecessary. He also said that female characters have their bodies "strictly obeying the laws of physics" and that it could potentially turn some people away from a show that celebrates women. A writer for ''THEM Anime Reviews'' remarked that despite the last episode being in black and white, the animation quality increased near the end of the series.

In 1990, ''Gunbuster'' won the Seiun Award for Best Dramatic Presentation.

In other media

Gunbuster has been a regular character in the ''Super Robot Wars'' franchise since its debut in ''Super Robot Wars F Final'' in 1998.

The characters also appear in the Gainax games '' Neon Genesis Evangelion: Eva and Good Friends'' and '' Neon Genesis Evangelion: Battle Orchestra''.

Notes

References

External links

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''Ain't It Cool News'' review

"Top o Nerae"
— ''The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction''

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