Gunbuster

This article is about the anime. For the game, seeGun Buster (arcade game).For the novel writer, seeGun Buster.

Gunbuster
OfficialBlu-raycover fromDiscotek Mediafeaturing Kazumi (left), Noriko (middle), and Jung (right).
トップをねらえ! (Toppu o Nerae!)
Genre	Mecha
Created by	Toshio Okada
Original video animation
Directed by	Hideaki Anno
Produced by	Hiroaki Inoue Minoru Takanashi Shirō Sasaki
Written by	Hideaki Anno Toshio Okada Hiroyuki Yamaga
Music by	Kohei Tanaka
Studio	Gainax
Licensed by	EU:Kiseki Films(former) Beez Entertainment(former) Anime Limited(current) NA:U.S. Renditions(former) Manga Entertainment(former) Bandai Visual USA(former) Discotek Media(current)
Released	7 October 1988–7 July 1989
Runtime	25–29 minutes
Episodes	6
Anime film
Gunbuster vs. Diebuster
Directed by	Hideaki Anno Kazuya Tsurumaki
Written by	Toshio Okada Yōji Enokido
Music by	Kohei Tanaka
Studio	Gainax
Licensed by	EU:Beez Entertainment(former) NA:Bandai Visual USA(former) Sentai Filmworks(current)
Released	1 October 2006
Runtime	195 minutes
Manga
Written by	Kabocha
Published by	Kadokawa Shoten
Magazine	Young Ace
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	December 4, 2010–June 4, 2013
Volumes	5
Sequel
DieBuster

Gunbuster,known in Japan asTop o Nerae!(トップをねらえ!,Toppu o Nerae!,Aim for the Top!),is a JapaneseOVAanimeseries produced byBandai Visual,Victor,andGainaxand released from 1988 to 1989. It was the directorial debut ofHideaki Anno,best known as the creator and director ofNeon Genesis Evangelion.The title is a combination of the titles of classictennismanga and animeAim for the Ace!and hit action drama filmTop Gun,whose plot inspiredGunbuster's.To celebrate Gainax's 20th anniversary in 2004, a sequel toGunbuster,Diebuster(orGunbuster 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.

Plot

In 2015, a space expedition fleet led by Admiral Yuzo Takaya is destroyed by space monsters(Vũ trụ quái thú,Uchū Kaijū).Six years later, Takaya's daughter Noriko enlists in the Space Academy inOkinawa.She is suddenly selected with senior student Kazumi Amano to represent Japan in an upcoming space expedition. When it is known across the academy 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 "hard work and guts"(Nỗ lực と căn tính,Doryoku to konjō),she strives to become the best Machine Weapon pilot and take control of the experimental giant robot Gunbuster to help Earth win the war against the space monsters.

Characters

Main characters from the series's opening. From left to right: Jung Freud, Koichiro "Coach" Ohta, Kazumi Amano, Noriko Takaya, Kimiko Higuchi and Captain Tatsumi Tashiro.

Noriko Takaya(タカヤ・ノリコ,Takaya Noriko)

Voiced by:Noriko Hidaka(Japanese); Kiane Chula King (English)

Originally fromOsaka,Noriko enlists in the space academy inOkinawato follow the footsteps of her father Yuzo. Because Yuzo was the captain of theLuxionfleet that was attacked by the space monsters in 2015, Noriko has been nicknamed the "Daughter of Defeat"(Toàn diệt nương,Zenmetsu Musume)by other students at the space academy 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 artistShinji Higuchi.

Kazumi Amano(アマノ・カズミ,Amano Kazumi)

Voiced by:Rei Sakuma(Japanese); Melissa Sternenberg (English)

Nicknamed the "Big Sister"(お tỷ dạng,Onēsama)by her peers, Kazumi is the top Machine Weapon pilot of the Okinawa Girls' Academy. 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 GAINAXCEOToshio Okadaat the time.

Koichiro "Coach" Ohta(オオタ・コウイチロウ / quá điền hạo một lang (コーチ),Ōta Kōichirō (Kōchi))

Voiced by:Norio Wakamoto(Japanese); Bradley Gareth (English)

The Machine Weapon coach of the Okinawa Girls' Academy and head of the Gunbuster development program. Ohta was a survivor of the space monsters' attack on theLuxionfleet in 2015, having lost sight on his right eye and sustaining injuries on his right leg that require him to use a cane. He is always seen wearingaviator sunglassesto 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 Nao Minda(Miên điền thẳng,Minda Nao),whose real name is Kōichirō Ōta. The cane Ohta uses is an homage toDan Moroboshi,based on his appearance in the 1974 TV seriesUltraman Leo.

Jung Freud(ユング・フロイト,Yungu Furoito)

Voiced by:Maria Kawamura(Japanese); Alexandra Yastishock (English)

A Machine Weapon pilot based on theSoviet Union's moon base, Jung Freud develops a fierce rivalry with Kazumi over their piloting skills. Her name is derived fromSwisspsychiatristCarl JungandAustrianneurologistSigmund Freud.

Captain Tatsumi Tashiro(タシロ・タツミ,Tashiro Tatsumi)

Voiced by:Tamio Ōki(Japanese); Bill Jenkins (English)

Captain of the space naval shipExelion(ヱクセリヲン,Ekuserion).After the decommissionedExelionis detonated to destroy a massive space monster fleet outside the Solar System, Tashiro becomes admiral of the new flagshipEltreum(ヱルトリウム,Erutoriumu).He was named after Atsumi Tashiro(Điền đại đôn tị,Tashiro Atsumi),president of animation studioGroup TAC.

Deputy Chief(Phó trường,Fukuchō)

Voiced by:Tomomichi Nishimura

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

Smith Toren(スミス・トーレン,Sumisu Tōren)

Voiced by:Kazuki Yao(Japanese);Jason Liebrecht(English)

An American Machine Weapon pilot, Smith meets Noriko after they are dared by their respective dormitories to wander around theExelionduring 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 translatorToren Smith,who lived with Gainax staff during his stay in Japan.

Kimiko Higuchi(ヒグチ・キミコ,Higuchi Kimiko)

Voiced by:Yuriko Fuchizaki(ep. 1);Masako Katsuki(eps. 5–6) (Japanese);Lisa Ortiz(English)

Noriko's best friend at the academy. By the time Noriko returns to Earth in 2032, Kimiko becomes married and has a daughter. Kimiko was named after the wife of Gainax animatorTakami Akai.

Takami Akai(アカイ・タカミ,Akai Takami)

Voiced by: Yuriko Fuchizaki (Japanese);Cristina Vee(English)

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

Reiko Kashiwara(カシハラ・レイコ,Kashihara Reiko)

Voiced by: Masako Katsuki (Japanese); Krystal LaPorte (English)

Kazumi's classmate and the second best Machine Weapon pilot in the Okinawa Girls' Academy. Kashiwara is 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 "Inazuma Kick"(イナズマキック,Inazuma Kikku,lit. "Lightning Kick" ).By 2032, Kashiwara becomes the school's coach and eventually the principal by 2048.

Yuzo Takaya(タカヤ・ユウゾウ,Takaya Yūzō)

Voiced by:Masashi Hirose(OVA);Katsunosuke Hori(movie) (Japanese);Brett Weaver(English)

Noriko's father and Admiral of the shipLuxion(るくしおん,Rukushion).He was killed when the space monsters attacked his fleet at thePerseus Armin 2015.

Releases

Japan

Gunbusterwas originally released in Japan byBandai Visualover three volumes onVHSandLaserDisc,with two episodes per volume. It was then re-released on an LDbox setin 1995, featuring two new Science Lesson episodes. The series was released onRegion 2DVDin 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 6. In addition, a supplemental DVD titledGunbuster Perfect Guidewas 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 ofGunbusterwas released in Japan, featuring a5.1soundtrack, 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 adouble featurewith a condensed version ofDiebusterasGunbuster & Diebuster: The Gattai Movie!!(トップをねらえ!&トップをねらえ2! Hợp thể kịch trường bản!!,Toppu wo Nerae! & Toppu wo Nerae 2! Gattai Gekijōban!!).

Bandai Visual released aBlu-rayset of the OVA series with extras.It was released in Japan on 24 February 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, never before seen video footage and a 100-page booklet.

North America

Gunbusterwas first released with English subtitles inNorth Americastarting on 1 February 1990 on VHS byU.S. Renditionsas their first release.It was later re-released verbatim in 1996 byManga Entertainmentafter U.S. Renditions ceased operations.

On 24 November 2006, Bandai Visual USA released a limited, region-free reprint of the 2004 Region 2 remastered DVD set exclusively atKinokuniya Bookstores.The set lacked any translation and was an exact 1:1 copy of the R2. It was marketed to die-hard fans of the series and was meant to cease distribution upon the R1 release.

On 20 February 2007, Bandai Visual USA officially released theremasteredRegion 1 DVD box set under their Honneamise label, with the series spanning over three discs like the R2 and R0. However, the set lacked the fourth disc of the previous R0, which contained the rough episode five and unmatted episode six, along with other period extras.

While it is common for anime released in North America to come with anEnglish-dubbed audio track,no English-language audio track has been released at the time. In an interview with Anime on DVD,Jonathan Clementsstated that "the Music & Effects track has been lost, and [an English dub] would need to be reconstructed from the ground up".

Gunbuster: The Moviewas released on Blu-ray in the U.S. by Honneamise.It was initially released on DVD as the box setGunbuster vs. Diebuster: Aim for the Top! The GATTAI!! Movie.Ahigh-definitionBlu-ray version was released in November 2008 byBandai Entertainment(following the liquidation of Bandai Visual USAand Bandai Entertainment's acquisition of the Honneamise label).Maiden Japanlater licensedGunbuster: The Movieon Blu-ray and DVD on 17 May 2016.It was re-released bySentai Filmworkson 13 September 2022.

Discotek MediareleasedGunbusteron Blu-ray on 30 May 2023, with a dub produced by Sound Cadence Studios, marking the first time the OVA series was dubbed in English.

United Kingdom and Europe

Gunbusterwas released in the United Kingdom byKiseki Filmson a single region-free DVD on 20 April 2001, but this release suffered from poor video quality and inconsistent subtitles. It was also criticized for lack of advertised extras and the editing of a scene with full-frontal nudity.

Gunbuster: The Moviewas released on Blu-ray byBeez Entertainmentin the UK in 2008.Anime Limitedreleased 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.

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"Whoa! Big Sis and I Are Going to Be Pilots Together?!" Transliteration: "Shokku! Watashi to Oné-sama ga Pairotto!?"(Japanese:ショック! Tư とお tỷ dạng がパイロット!?)	Hideaki Anno	Toshio Okada Hiroyuki Yamaga	7 October 1988(1988-10-07)
In 2021, freshman student Noriko Takaya is paired with star athlete Kazumi Amano to represent Japan in an upcoming space expedition. Because her father was killed during a space monster attack in 2015, as well as the fact that Coach Ohta was one of the surviving crew members during the incident, Noriko is subjected to bullying and harassment by other students. Ohta convinces Noriko that she has the same potential as Kazumi and subjects her to intense training for weeks. Furious over Ohta's decision, senior student Reiko Kashiwara challenges Noriko to a Machine Weapon duel. Despite doubting herself at first, Noriko uses her instincts to defeat Kashiwara. The next day, Noriko, Kazumi, and Ohta fly off to theSilver Starorbital base.
2	"Daring! The Genius Girl's Challenge!!" Transliteration: "Futeki! Tensai Shōjo no Chōsen!!"(Japanese:Không địch lại! Thiên tài thiếu nữ の chọn chiến!!)	Hideaki Anno	Toshio Okada Hiroyuki Yamaga	7 October 1988(1988-10-07)
Noriko, Kazumi, and Ohta arrive atSilver Star,where they meet Captain Tatsumi Tashiro and Soviet pilot Jung Freud. In the middle of a training exercise, Kazumi and Jung deviate from the course to duel with each other until the duo and Noriko stumble upon the remains of a space monster, triggering memories of Noriko's father's death. When theSilver Stardetects an unidentified object speeding near Neptune's orbit, Ohta assigns Noriko and Kazumi to investigate the object as part of their sub-lightspeed training. They make contact with the object and discover it as the spaceshipLuxion,causing Noriko to board the ship in search of her father. Ohta immediately grabs her and return to theSilver Starwith Kazumi six months later, when the space battleshipExelionis completed.
3	"First Love☆First Sortie" Transliteration: "Hajimete no Tokimeki☆Hajimete no Shutsugeki"(Japanese:Sơ めて の ときめき☆ sơ めて の ra kích)	Hideaki Anno	Hiroyuki Yamaga	30 December 1988(1988-12-30)
Aboard theExelion,Noriko meets American male pilot Smith Toren during a dare to explore the ship during warp. They initially do not like each other, but Noriko slowly develops feelings for him. When the fleet encounters a space monster army, Noriko pairs up with Smith on her first battle after Kazumi dissolves their partnership out of fear of Noriko's safety. Smith is killed, and Noriko carries the guilt of being unable to help him. She begs Ohta to train her further to prove herself to Kazumi.
4	"Launch!! The Unfinished Ultimate Weapon!" Transliteration: "Hasshin!! Mikan no Saishū Heiki!"(Japanese:Phát tiến!! Chưa xong の cuối cùng binh khí!)	Hideaki Anno	Hiroyuki Yamaga	30 December 1988(1988-12-30)
Upon discovering that Noriko has been spending her extra time training with Ohta, Jung challenges her to a duel, but before they can begin, Noriko breaks down when the sight of space reminds her of Smith's death. On their way back to Earth, theExelionfleet is suddenly attacked in the middle of warp by the space monsters, forcing the fleet to reveal the location of the Solar System upon warping out. Surrounded and outnumbered by the space monsters, Tashiro orders theExelionto perform akamikazerun on the enemy flagship, but Noriko launches in the uncompleted Gunbuster to deal with the alien threat. After saving Kazumi and Jung, Noriko single-handedly stops and destroys the flagship, prompting the space monsters to retreat back to their home world and allowing theExelionto return to Earth.
5	"Please!! There's Time Enough For Love!" Transliteration: "Onegai!! Ai ni Jikan wo!"(Japanese:お nguyện い!! Ái に thời gian を!)	Hideaki Anno	Hiroyuki Yamaga Hideaki Anno	7 July 1989(1989-07-07)
Upon their return to Earth in 2032, Noriko and Kazumi formally graduate from high school, and the Top Squadron is disbanded. When it is discovered that the space monsters are assembling a massive army outside the Solar System, Ohta sends Noriko and Kazumi to escort the decommissionedExelionto the center of the space monsters' gathering and detonate its degeneracy reactor. While on route to the target, Kazumi suddenly breaks down, as Ohta has been diagnosed with space radiation syndrome and has less than six months to live. Noriko convinces her to continue the fight, as that is what their coach wants, and they combine their ships to form Gunbuster to protect theExelionfrom oncoming attacks. Upon reaching the target, they retreat before theExelionexplodes, creating ablack holethat takes out the entire space monster army and parts of the Solar System. Gunbuster returns to Earth more than six months later, and Kazumi discovers that Ohta is still alive.
6	"At the End of Eternity..." Transliteration: "Hateshi naki, Nagare no Hate ni..."(Japanese:Quả てし vô き, lưu れ の はてに...)	Hideaki Anno	Hiroyuki Yamaga Hideaki Anno	7 July 1989(1989-07-07)
It is the year 2048. After marrying Ohta and settling with him until his death, Kazumi warps to Sagittarius A* to rendezvous with theEltreumfleet to deliver Buster Machine No. 3, which is the planetJupitercompressed into a giant bomb powerful enough to wipe out the space monsters' star system. The fleet and Gunbuster protect the bomb from massive waves of space monster fleets for 22 minutes until the attack stops. The bomb is activated, but fails to detonate, as heavy damages during the battle have reduced its energy output to 98%. Noriko and Kazumi dive into the depths of the bomb and use Gunbuster's main degeneracy reactor to trigger its detonation. TheEltreumfleet warps back to Earth, leaving Gunbuster behind as it tries to outrun the bomb's massive explosion. While a severely damaged Gunbuster escapes the black hole, it returns to the Solar System in the year 14,292. Noriko and Kazumi see that the Earth is dark, fearing that human civilization has long gone, but a massive light pattern suddenly appears on the planet saying: "WELCOME HOMƎ!"(オカエリナサイ,Okaerinasai).Noriko bids farewell to Gunbuster as she and Kazumi eject and fall back into Earth.

Music

Main article:Music of Gunbuster

The first soundtrack albumTop wo Nerae! Ongaku Daizukan(トップをねらえ! Âm lặc đại đồ giam,lit.Aim for the Top! Music Encyclopedia)was released in Japan throughVictor Entertainmenton 7 June 1989.It features the opening theme "Active Heart"(アクティブ・ハート,Akutibu Hāto)and ending theme "Try Again...!"(トライ Again・・・!,Torai Again...!)byNoriko Sakai,plus the insert song "Top wo Nerae! Fly High"(トップをねらえ! ～Fly High～)byNoriko HidakaandRei Sakuma,Kohei Tanaka's score for the series' first four episodes, and two originalradio dramas.The CD release also includes "Kimi mo Onkyō Kantoku! Top wo Nerae! Naserifu Dai Kōshin"(キミも âm hưởng giám sát! トップをねらえ! Danh セリフ đại sự tiến,lit. "You Can Also Be the Sound Director! Aim for the Top! Parade of Famous Lines" ),a collection of sound clips by the voice cast. The album was reissued on 18 December 1996.

The second soundtrack albumTop wo Nerae! Ultra Sound Collection: Tanaka Kohei no Sekai(トップをねらえ!ウルトラ・サウンド・コレクション ～ điền trung công bằng の thế giới ～,lit.Aim for the Top! Ultra Sound Collection: The World of Kohei Tanaka)was released on 21 March 1990.It features more of Tanaka's score for all six episodes, plus the image song "Tobe! Gunbuster"(Tường べ!ガンバスター,lit. "Fly! Gunbuster" )byKazuki Yao,one radio drama, and the symphonic suite "Kōkyōshi Gunbuster"(Nhạc giao hưởng “GUNBUSTER”,lit. "Symphonic Poem Gunbuster" ).Like the first soundtrack, this album was reissued on 18 December 1996.

A box set titledSound Collection of Gunbuster(トップをねらえ! Vang tổng lãm,Top wo Nerae! Kyōsōran)was released on 24 August 1994. The three-disc set compiles the first two soundtracks and adds more background music and dialogue tracks, as well as new songs andkaraoketracks.

FlyingDogreleased the soundtrackTop wo Nerae! Ongaku-shū(トップをねらえ! Âm lặc tập,lit.Aim for the Top! Music Collection)on 26 March 2013, exclusively onmusic downloadandstreaming mediaplatforms. The album compiles the first two soundtracks, omitting the opening and ending themes, radio dramas, and character voice clips.

Manga

In 1989, Bandai publishedComic Gunbuster(コミックガンバスター,Komikku Ganbasutā),an anthology manga featuring side stories of the OVA's characters. The manga ran for two volumes.

In 2010,Kadokawa Shotenpublished a new manga adaptation ofGunbuster,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 withXebec,released aPVCfigure 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 (ofRevoltechfame). 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 #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,Bandaireleased a large diecast toy replica of Gunbuster under theSoul of Chogokinline. Just like in episode 5 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 launch pad. 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 theSuper Robot Chogokinline. Despite lacking the transformation feature of theSoul of Chogokintoy, 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 "Hard Work and Guts" Armament Set(Nỗ lực と căn tính の võ trang セット,Doryoku to Konjō no Busō Setto),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 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the OVA series.

Figures of Noriko have also been manufactured as well. Yellow Submarine (a division ofTakara) 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 ofGunbuster vs. Diebuster Aim For The Top! The GATTAI!! Movie.A Nendoroid figure of Noriko by theGood Smile Companyis set for release in June 2024.

Model kits

In November 2019,Aoshima Bunka Kyozaireleased a 1/1000 scale Gunbuster model kit.The kit was reissued in August 2020 as the "Black Hole Starship Edition"(Súc lui lò エディション,Shukutairo Edishon),featuring additional weapons and accessories.In October 2023, the kit was reissued as the "Super Inazuma Kick Ver."(スーパーイナズマキックver.,Sūpā Inazuma Kikku ver.),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 "Infinite Super Inazuma Kick Set"(∞スーパーイナズマキックセット,Infinito Sūpā Inazuma Kikku Setto)was released, featuring additional weapons and accessories.

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

Video games

On 3 February 2005, Bandai releasedTop wo Nerae! Gunbusterfor thePlayStation 2console, 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 like 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.

In March 2010,Heiwa Corporationreleased thepachinkogameCR Top wo Nerae!.

Cybernetic Hi-School,the third installment of Gainax'serogestrip-quizvideo gameseries for thePC-9801andMSX,focused on characters fromGunbuster.

In other media

Gunbuster has been a regular character in theSuper Robot Warsfranchise since its debut inSuper Robot Wars F Finalin 1998.

See also

• 1980s portal

External links

• Official website
• GunbusteratIMDb
• Gunbuster(anime) atAnime News Network's encyclopedia
• GunbusteratCurlie
• Ain't It Cool Newsreview
• "Top o Nerae"—The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction