B't X

B't X

Cover of B't X volume 1 as published by Tokyopop
ビート・エックス
(Bīto Ekkusu)
Genre Mecha
Manga
Written by Masami Kurumada
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
English publisher
Demographic Shōnen
Magazine Shōnen Ace
Original run October 1994January 2000
Volumes 16
Light novel
Written by Sukehiro Tomita
Illustrated by Masami Kurumada
Published by Kadokawa Shoten
Imprint Newtype Novels
Original run 20 July 1996 (1996-07-20)28 February 1997 (1997-02-28)
Volumes 2
Anime television series
Directed by Mamoru Hamatsu
Written by Yoshiyuki Suga
Sukehiro Tomita
Music by Akira Senju
Studio TMS Entertainment
Licensed by
Network TBS
English network
Original run 6 April 1996 21 September 1996
Episodes 25
Anime television series
B't X Neo
Directed by Mamoru Hamatsu
Written by Yoshiyuki Suga
Sukehiro Tomita
Music by Fumitaka Anzai
Studio TMS Entertainment
Network TBS
Original run 21 August 1997 20 November 1997
Episodes 14

B't X (Japanese: ビート・エックス Hepburn: Bīto Ekkusu), pronounced "beat X" and stylized as B'T X, is a science fiction mecha manga series, written and illustrated by Masami Kurumada. It was serialized in Shōnen Ace from 1994 to 2000, with the 63 individual chapters published into 16 tankōbon volumes by Kadokawa Shoten. An anime adaptation containing 25 episodes was aired in Japan between April and September 1996, this series adapts the first six tankōbon volumes of the manga. A second season containing 14 episodes and called B't X Neo (ビート・エックス・ネオ Bīto Ekkusu Neo) was aired between August and November 1997, this season adapts some chapters of the manga but has a derivative storyline and an alternate ending.

The manga was released in North America by Tokyopop. When B't X was released in America by Tokyopop, all of the sound effects in the manga were printed in Japanese, just as in the original version and in most other Tokyopop Manga, with the addition of English captions. In May 2012, Kurumada wrote in his blog that they are recording a new theme song for B't X but for what purpose is currently to be revealed.

The anime adaptation was released in North America by Illumitoon Entertainment and published on DVD via Westlake Entertainment. Two dual-audio DVDs got released by them, covering the first eight episodes, before being cancelled. The first 14 episodes, the only ones to be dubbed, were available on-demand via the Anime Network.

Plot

Teppei "Tepp" Takamiya is the caretaker of a farm located in Kamui Island, north of Japan. His older brother, Kotarō Takamiya, leaves to study robotics in Germany and becomes one of the most brilliant scientists in the world.

Five years later, the two brothers reunite at a robotics convention in Mechatopia, China, where Kotarō is to announce his latest breakthrough in artificial intelligence. The convention goes awry when Kotarō is captured by the malevolent Machine Empire and taken to "The Area", a mecha base hidden within the sandstorms of the Gobi Desert.

By the means of a mysterious weapon called the Messiah Fist, a cybernetic gauntlet with various technological powers and options, Teppei manages to pursue the kidnappers by grappling onto their "transport", a giant insectoid mecha that is later revealed to be one of the Machine Empire's prized AI machines (known as a B't). Upon reaching the Area, Teppei is attacked by Metalface, one of the Empire's soldiers. Unable to win, Teppei is thrown, bleeding, in the Empire's junkyard. His blood reaches the trashed body of X, who was once considered one of the strongest B't of the Empire, and the disgruntled B't awakens. Faced with unanswered questions and imminent destruction, X reluctantly saves Teppei, and the pair flee the Area with soldiers of the Empire in hot pursuit.

Meanwhile, inside the Area, Kotarō discovers that he has been summoned by another of the Empire's soldiers, Major Aramis, to find a way to stop the ultimate B't - a creation known as Raffaello (ラファエロ) that has begun a terrifying and uncontrollable evolution.

As the series unfolds, the headstrong X and equally brash Teppei develop a brotherly bond, squabbling as much as they look after each other. They slowly uncover the Machine Empire's diabolical plan as they travel through strange lands and battle other B'ts loyal to the Empire, all the while trying to save Kotarō and to resolve the mysteries of their intertwined past.

B't

A B't (pronounced "beat" in the Japanese version and "bit" in the English dub.) is the ultimate form of artificial intelligence mechanoid (they are NOT "robotics" since in the Machine Empire, "robot" are considered obsolete terminology that has been replaced by much more modernized terms such as "mecha" and of course the terms "B't" itself) designed for fighting - the B stands for Brain, Blood, Bravery and Battler. They have different forms and powers, usually based on mythological creatures. The B't's source of power is a device called BreakHeart, which is fueled by human blood. Once the BreakHeart is inserted into the B't's body, it creates a link between the blood donor and the B't. A B't is also outfitted with The Guard System, which protects its donor from various dangers and environment changes, such as volcanic heat, the crushing pressures beneath the ocean, or even the depths of space. However, the donor must be in physical contact with his or her B't for the system to work for them. Teppei is able to manifest a suit of protective armor called Battle Gear, through use of the Messiah Fist. This has the additional benefit of activating the usually dormant wings on X's sides, enabling him to reach even greater degrees of speed and mobility.

Characters

Main Characters
Name B't and B't species Description Voice Actor (Japanese)
Teppei "Tepp" Takamiya (高宮鉄兵 Takamiya Teppei) X (エックス Ekkusu) (kirin) Main character Nobuyuki Hiyama
Kotaro Takamiya (高宮鋼太郎 Takamiya Kōtarō) n/a Scientist. Older brother of Teppei Nozomu Sasaki
Karen (華蓮) Shadow X (シャドーエックス Shadō Ekkusu) (twin to X, female kirin) Spirit Knight of the West. Trained and taught Teppei any knowledge regarding combat skills, and technologies Megumi Ogata
Fou Lafine (鳳ラフィーネ Fou Rafīne) Je T'aime (ジュテーム Jutēmu) (phoenix/suzaku) Spirit Knight of the South. An ordained priest whose base of operations is a small church near the Machine Empire's capital. Kazuya Ichijou
Ron (ロン) (from Chinese 龍 Lóng "dragon") Raidou (雷童, Thunder Child) (Chinese dragon/seiryuu) Spirit Knight of the East. Childhood friend of Aramis Keiji Fujiwara
Hokuto (北斗) Max (マックス Makkusu) (turtle/genbu) Spirit Knight of the North. Known as "Master Doc" for his principle of repairing any injured human or mecha he comes across Osamu Sakuda
Metalface (メタルフェイス Metarufeisu) Madonna (マドンナ) (triceratops) A lieutenant to the Machine Empire and an almost persistent annoyance in Teppei's way. Old friend of Karen. Kenyû Horiuchi
Secondary Characters
Captain Hook (キャプテン・フック Kyaputen Fukku) Groupie (グルピー Gurupī) (worm) First point soldier that Teppei encounters
Camilla (カミーラ Kamīra) Mirage (ミラージュ Mirāju) (butterfly) Second point soldier, grows medicinal flowers for Nasha Kappei Yamaguchi
Kaos (カオス Kaosu, Chaos) Lamu (ラムウ Ramuu) (Japanese rhinoceros beetle) Third point soldier, an old veteran and was once one of the four Spirit Knights. Osamu Kobayashi
Death (死神 Shinigami), Aleph (アレフ Arefu) name unknown (bat) Fourth point soldier, perceived as a Shinigami (Death God)
Vem (ベム Bemu) Cancer (キャンス Kyansu) (crab) Fifth point soldier, was easily crushed Hideyuki Umezu
Rai Falcon (ファルコン Farukon) (falcon) Member of the Dark Knights Sho Hayami
Leon Falcon (falcon) Member of the Dark Knights
Miru Falcon (falcon) Leader of the Dark Knights Takehito Koyasu
Balzac (バルザック Baruzakku) Savannah (サバンナ Sabanna) (myrmekoleon/mermecolion, a mythical depiction of the antlion) Sixth point soldier
Lycaon Troops (リュカオン部隊 Ryukaon Butai) Lycaon class B'ts (winged panthers) Generic army troops of the Machine Empire
Imperial Spies Spy class B'ts (black crows) Imperial spies and executes traitors
Juggler (ジャグラー Jagurā) Vanilla Fudge (バニラファッジ Banira Fadji) (harpy) Took over the role of Commander Aramis when it was clear that she was a traitor to the Machine Empire Issei Futamata
Myslim (ミスリム Misurimu) Lalaynya (ラレーニャ Rarēnya) (hydra) Capable of regenerating lost limbs, member of the 7 Evil Knights Jūrōta Kosugi
Meimu (冥夢 Meimu) Halloween (ハロウィン Harowin) (baku) Uses nightmare manipulation as a weapon, secretly Hokuto's elder brother Subaru. Also a member of the 7 Evil Knights Shinichiro Miki
Quattro (クアトロ Kuatoro) Loreso (ロレッソ Roresso) (griffin) An old friend and Acquaintance of Fou, who he blames for the death of his sister Lily. Also a member of the 7 Evil Knights Toshihiko Seki
Salome (サロメ Sarome) Halcyon (ハルシオン Harushion) (unicorn) She uses music as hypnotic, and is one of the machine empire because she lost faith in humanity. Also a member of 7 Evil Knights
Sapphire (サファイヤ Safaiya) Eroica (エロイカ Eroika) (basilisk) He adores gems and uses Eroica's abilities to turn people into crystals. a member of the 7 Evil Knights
Dr. Poe (ドクトル・ポー Dokutoru Pō) Cadenza (カデンツァ Kadentsa) (chimera) He was Hokuto's rival in the academy, and is one of the 7 Evil Knights
Gai () Shendu (神鷲 Shendyu) (from Chinese Shénjiù "divine eagle") (garuda) The philosopher of the Empire, and a member of the 7 Evil Knights
Aramis (アラミス Aramisu) Rosemary (ローズマリー Rōzumarī) (wasp) Commander of the Area. Disguised herself as a man and was later revealed that she was the legendary warrior who never lost a battle before the time of the Four Knights, the Rose Knight Atsuko Yuya
Nasha (ナーシャ Nāsha) Theta (シータ Shīta) (dog) Representative of the Emperor. Misha's younger sister Kyôko Hikami
Misha (ミーシャ Mīsha) Zeta (ゼータ Zēta) (dog) Representative of the Emperor, appears to be the second in command Ai Orikasa
Marcello (マルチェロ Maruchero) n/a Underhell warden, he wields an electric whip Naoki Tatsuta
Amigo (アミーゴ Amīgo) n/a Marcello's massive assistant, he assists Kotaro in his escape Shinpachi Tsuji
Raphael (ラファエロ Rafaero, Raffaello) n/a Ultimate B't, created to grow by absorbing other life forms
Lisa Marie (リサ・マリア・シュタイン Risa Maria Shutain, Lisa Maria Stein) n/a A fellow scientist prisoner that helped Kotaro Takamiya solve the formula on how to defeat Raphael Yumi Touma
Karin (華梨) A Lycaon class B't A Warrant Officer of the Machine Empire, and very close to Fou. She is later revealed to be Karen's sister, who lost her memory when attacked by Raphael Chisa Yokoyama

Media

Manga

No.Japanese release dateJapanese ISBNEnglish release dateEnglish ISBN
01 March 1995 (1995-03)ISBN 40471310246 January 2004 (2004-01-06)ISBN 159182639X
02 July 1995 (1995-07)ISBN 40471310912 March 2004 (2004-03-02)ISBN 1591826403
03 November 1995 (1995-11)ISBN 40471312104 May 2004 (2004-05-04)ISBN 1591826411
04 March 1996 (1996-03)ISBN 404713131813 July 2004 (2004-07-13)ISBN 159182642X
05 June 1996 (1996-06)ISBN 404713143114 September 2004 (2004-09-14)ISBN 1591826438
06 October 1996 (1996-10)ISBN 40471316609 November 2004 (2004-11-09)ISBN 1591826446
07 April 1997 (1997-04)ISBN 404713177611 January 2005 (2005-01-11)ISBN 1595323775
08 August 1997 (1997-08)ISBN 40471319388 March 2005 (2005-03-08)ISBN 1595323783
09 November 1997 (1997-11)ISBN 40471320127 June 2005 (2005-06-07)ISBN 1595323791
10 March 1998 (1998-03)ISBN 404713211X10 January 2006 (2006-01-10)ISBN 1595323805
11 June 1998 (1998-06)ISBN 404713225X3 July 2006 (2006-07-03)ISBN 1595323813
12 October 1998 (1998-10)ISBN 40471323819 January 2007 (2007-01-09)ISBN 1595323821
13 February 1999 (1999-02)ISBN 40471326913 July 2007 (2007-07-03)ISBN 159532383X
14 June 1999 (1999-06)ISBN 40471328452 January 2008 (2008-01-02)ISBN 1595323848
15 October 1999 (1999-10)ISBN 40471330277 July 2008 (2008-07-07)ISBN 1595323856
16 February 2000 (2000-02)ISBN 404713326430 November 2010 (2010-11-30)ISBN 1595323864

The series was also republished by Home-sha, a Shueisha company, in an edition of more than 300-pages per volume.

# Japanese release date Japanese ISBN
1 September 2002 4834272400
2 September 2002 4834272419
3 October 2002 4834272427
4 October 2002 4834272435
5 November 2002 4834272443
6 November 2002 4834272451
7 December 2002 483427246X
8 December 2002 4834272478

Anime

Season 1 (1996)

# Title Episode Director Screenwriter Original air date
01 "Miracle! The Revival of B't X!"
"kiseki! fukkatsu no B'T X (bīto ekkusu)" (奇蹟! 復活のB'T X(ビート・エックス)) 
Mamoru HamatsuSukehiro Tomita6 April 1996 (1996-04-06)
02 "Rebirth! The Sun Battler"
"tanjō! taiyō no senshi (batorā)" (誕生! 太陽の戦士(バトラー)) 
Hitoyuki MatsuiSukehiro Tomita13 April 1996 (1996-04-13)
03 "Confrontation! The Machine Empire"
"taiketsu! kikai kōkoku no yabō" (対決! 機械皇国の野望) 
Kiyotaka ItaniSukehiro Tomita20 April 1996 (1996-04-20)
04 "Appearance! The Legendary Spirit Knight"
"tōjō ! densetsu no shirei shō" (登場! 伝説の四霊将) 
Kiyoshi FukumotoYasushi Hirano27 April 1996 (1996-04-27)
05 "Departure! Desperate Battle Road"
"shuppatsu (tabidachi)! kesshi no kyūshutsusakusen (batoru rōdo)" (出発(たびだち)! 決死の救出作戦(バトルロード)) 
Yukio TakahashiYoshiyuki Suga4 May 1996 (1996-05-04)
06 "Fear! The Watch Man, Pirate in the Desert!"
"kyōfu! sabaku no pairētsu" (恐怖! 砂漠のパイレーツ) 
Atsushi YanoYasushi Hirano11 May 1996 (1996-05-11)
07 "Frightening! The Mystery of the Machine Emperor!"
"kyōgaku! kikai kōtei no nazo" (驚愕! 機械皇帝の謎) 
Yukio OkazakiYoshiyuki Suga18 May 1996 (1996-05-18)
08 "Magnificent! The Dazzling Solder, Camilla!"
"karei! genwaku senshi kamīra" (華麗! 幻惑戦士カミーラ) 
Kiyoshi FukumotoYoshiyuki Suga25 May 1996 (1996-05-25)
09 "Fear! Evil Flower!"
"kyōi! ebiru furawā" (驚異! エビル・フラワー) 
Yoshihiro OdaYoshiyuki Suga1 June 1996 (1996-06-01)
10 "Chase! Metal Face Counterattacks!"
"hakugeki! metarufeisu no gyakushū" (迫撃! メタルフェイスの逆襲) 
Kiyoshi FukumotoYasushi Hirano8 June 1996 (1996-06-08)
11 "Invincible! Spirit General of the East, Ron"
"muteki! higashi no reishō ron" (無敵! 東の霊将ロン) 
Kiyotaka ItaniNobuaki Kishima15 June 1996 (1996-06-15)
12 "Formidable Enemy! The Warrior, Kaos"
"kyōteki! takeshi shō kaosu" (強敵! 猛将カオス) 
Hitoyuki MatsuiYoshiyuki Suga22 June 1996 (1996-06-22)
13 "Buddy! The Bond of a Passionate Soul"
"aibō! (badei) atsuki kokoro no kizuna" (相棒!(バディ)熱き心の絆) 
Koitaro AozameYoshiyuki Suga29 June 1996 (1996-06-29)
14 "Tragic! Maria Who Lives in the Graveyard"
"higeki! hakaba no shōjo maria" (悲劇! 墓場の少女マリア) 
Yukio TakahashiRyo Katsuragi6 July 1996 (1996-07-06)
15 "Blast! Message to the Reaper"
"sakuretsu! shinigami e no ichigeki" (炸裂! 死神への一撃) 
Yoshihiro OdaRyo Katsuragi13 July 1996 (1996-07-13)
16 "Revived! The Prism of Aura"
"fukkatsu! goshiki no rinkō" (復活! 五色の燐光) 
Kiyoshi FukumotoNobuaki Kishima20 July 1996 (1996-07-20)
17 "Appear! Shadow X!"
"shutsugen ! kuroi ekkusu" (出現! 黒いエックス) 
Kiyotaka ItaniYoshiyuki Suga27 July 1996 (1996-07-27)
18 "The Dark! Fear of the Underhell"
"ankoku! andāheru no kyōfu" (暗黒!アンダーヘルの恐怖) 
Atsushi YanoNobuaki Kishima3 August 1996 (1996-08-03)
19 "Desperate! X's Death"
"kesshi! ekkusu no saigo" (決死! エックスの最後) 
Ryo YasumuraYoshiyuki Suga10 August 1996 (1996-08-10)
20 "Life! Break Heart"
"seimei! (inochi) bureiku hāto" (生命!(いのち)ブレイク・ハート) 
Yukio TakahashiNobuaki Kishima17 August 1996 (1996-08-17)
21 "Reborn! The Neo B't X"
"Shinsei! B'T ekkusu tanjō" (新生! B'Tエックス誕生) 
Kiyoshi FukumotoNobuaki Kishima24 August 1996 (1996-08-24)
22 "The Worst! The Area's Seven Evil Knights"
"saikyō! eria no shichi mashō" (最凶! エリアの七魔将) 
Kiyotaka ItaniSukehiro Tomita31 August 1996 (1996-08-31)
23 "Flash of Light! Shining Knuckle"
"senkō! shainingu nakkuru" (閃光! シャイニング・ナックル) 
Atsushi YanoNobuaki Kishima7 September 1996 (1996-09-07)
24 "Burn! A Piece of the Sun"
"enjō! taiyō no kakera" (炎上! 太陽のかけら) 
Hitoyuki MatsuiNobuaki Kishima14 September 1996 (1996-09-14)
25 "Overthrow! B'T Raphael"
"datō! B'T rafaero" (打倒! B'Tラファエロ) 
Mamoru HamatsuSukehiro Tomita21 September 1996 (1996-09-21)

Season 2 (1997)

# Title Original release date
01 "The Four Knights vs. The Evil Knights"
"reishō vs mashō" (霊将VS魔将) 
21 August 1997 (1997-08-21)
02 "The Land of Love and Hate"
"ai to nikushimi no chi!" (愛と憎しみの地!) 
28 August 1997 (1997-08-28)
03 "Burning Red Flame!"
"guren no honō" (紅蓮の炎) 
4 September 1997 (1997-09-04)
04 "Miracles of the Blood"
"buraddo no kiseki!" (ブラッドの奇跡!) 
11 September 1997 (1997-09-11)
05 "Fear of the Illusions"
"mugen no kyōfu!" (夢幻の恐怖!) 
18 September 1997 (1997-09-18)
06 "A Streak of Light"
"ichijō no hikari!" (一条の光!) 
25 September 1997 (1997-09-25)
07 "Mehr Licht (more light)"
"mēru rihito! (motto hikari o)" (メール リヒト!(もっと光を)) 
2 October 1997 (1997-10-02)
08 "Confessions of a Mask"
"kamen no kokuhaku!" (仮面の告白!) 
9 October 1997 (1997-10-09)
09 "Blood Bonds"
"chi no kizuna" (血の絆) 
16 October 1997 (1997-10-16)
10 "The Lair of the Beast"
"akuma no hōkō" (悪魔の咆哮) 
23 October 1997 (1997-10-23)
11 "Search for a Lost Era!"
"ushinawareta kako o motome te!" (失われた過去を求めて!) 
30 October 1997 (1997-10-30)
12 "One for All"
(ONE FOR ALL!) 
6 November 1997 (1997-11-06)
13 "Memories of the Future!"
"mirai no kioku!" (未来の記憶!) 
13 November 1997 (1997-11-13)
14 "A Piece of the Sun!"
(A PIECE OF THE SUN!) 
20 November 1997 (1997-11-20)

See also

References

    Further reading

    External links

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, January 30, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.