Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger

Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger
The main characters from Ganbaruger.
元気爆発ガンバルガー (genki bakuhatsu ganbaruger)
Genre	Adventure, Mecha, Comedy
Anime television series
Directed by	Toshifumi Kawase
Written by	Fumihiko Shimo
Music by	Tomoki Hasegawa
Studio	Sunrise
Network	TV Tokyo
English network	PTV 4, Cartoon Network (Philippines)
Original run	April 1, 1992 – February 24, 1993
Episodes	47

Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger (元気爆発ガンバルガー Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbarugā, lit. "Energetic Explosion Ganbaruger" also known by the dub name Energy Bomb and Rocket Kidz) is a 47 episode animated shōnen mecha television series, and the second series produced for the Eldran franchise funded by Tomy and produced by Sunrise. It aired on TV Tokyo from April 1, 1992 to February 24, 1993.

Plot

It has been one year since God Raijin-Oh had defeated the Jaaku Empire's boss, Warza. And before the Saurers were formed and there were Gosaurer, Magnasaurer and Gransaurer, Kotaro's father is trying to train his son in the art of the ninja, but a bomb accidentally releases a great demon that Eldran had been keeping contained. Eldran manages to contain him, but one of his servants manages to escape as well, and now attempts to free his master. To stop him, Eldran grants the three new mechas named Go Tiger, King Elephant, and Mach Eagle to Kotaro and his two friends, as well as suits that grant each of them a special power.

Characters

Ganbare Team (ガンバーチーム Ganbaa Chiimu)

Kotaro Kirigakure (霧隠 虎太郎 Kirigakure Kotarou)

Voiced by: Ai Orikasa

Kotaro Kirigakure is the main pilot, who becomes Yellow Ganbar (イエローガンバー Ieroo Ganbaa). When wearing the Ganbare Suit, he gains super-speed. His "Ride On" vehicle is the Ganbar Bike, a tiger-motif motorcycle, and he pilots Go Tiger, as well as being the main pilot of Ganbaruger and Great Ganbaruger. Besides being a 4th grader in Aozora Elementary, he is being trained as a ninja by his father.

Yousuke Kazamatsuri (風祭 鷹介 Kazamatsuri Yousuke)

Voiced by: Omi Minami

The geek/nerd of the group is Yousuke Kazamatsuri who becomes Blue Ganbar (ブルーガンバー Buruu Ganbaa). He is the first to discover their superpowers in the Ganbare Suits, which in his case is super-senses. He flies the Ganbare Jet (which is actually a prop-driven plane) and Mach Eagle. After he protects the egg containing it, he becomes the pilot of Gekiryuger as well.

Rikiya Ryuzaki (流崎 力哉 Ryuuzaki Rikiya)

Voiced by: Bin Shimada

As Red Ganbar (レッドガンバー Reddo Ganbaa), Rikiya Ryuuzaki gains super-strength. His vehicle is the Ganbar Buggy, which looks like a red go-cart, and like the other two vehicles becomes part of the cockpit for his mech, in this case King Elephant. He is the son of the owner of the ramen restaurant. When anyone needs more help, he ends up becoming the pilot of Revolger as well.

Friends and Allies

Toubei Kirigakure (霧隠 藤兵衛 Kirigakure Toubei) (Gonzales)

Voiced by: Kenichi Ogata

Koutarou's father, Toubei is a ninja. However, early on Yaminorius turns him into a dog when he attempts to battle him, a form he stays in for most of the rest of the series, called Gonzales, or Gon for short. Under his doghouse is a secret ninja training chamber. Eventually he is returned to human form in time for the final battle.

Kasumi Kirigakure (霧隠 かすみ Kirigakure Kasumi)

Voiced by: Miki Ito

Koutarou's older sister. She has become devildom person by the influence of Yaminorius's curse.

Yayoi Kirigakure (霧隠 やよい Kirigakure Yayoi)

Voiced by: Rika Fukami

Koutarou and Kasumi's mother.She's a nursery teacher in the day nursery that has been managed at home.

Aiko Tachibana (立花 亜衣子 Tachibana Aiko)

Voiced by: Miki Ito

The teacher of the 4-1 class. She is a strict teacher but she loves students.

Chinatsu Yuuki (結城 千夏 Yuuki Chinatsu)

Voiced by: Yuri Shiratori

A photographer, she is always raving about finding the next "Great Scoop" even though she is only a 4th year elementary student like the Ganbare guys.

Yurika Komaki (小牧 百合香 Komaki Yurika)

Voiced by: Ikue Otani

Besides sharing the 4-1 class with Yousuke, she also has violin lessons with him despite Yousuke's failed attempts at violin.

Katsura Takeda (武田 桂 Takeda Katsura)

Voiced by: Rika Fukami

The daughter of General Takeda of the Defense Force. In Nekketsu Saikyo Gosaurer, she appears in a cameo with her father in the Takeda residence.

Genzo Araki (荒木源蔵 Araki Genzou)

Voiced by: Kenichi Ogata

Father of Junkato

General Takeda (武田長官 Takeda-Choukan)

Voiced by: Tomomichi Nishimura

The general of the Defence Force. It seems as if the reason he does not show up as much in Matchless Raijin-Oh is because he was busy over in Aozora Town with his daughter and Makaijuu (Hellbeast) attacks. He later returns one last time in Nekketsu Saikyo Gosaurer.

The Daimakai (The Demon World)

Yaminorius the third (ヤミノリウスⅢ世 Yaminoriusu Sansei) (Kyouji Yamino)

Voiced by: Kazuyuki Sogabe

A sorcerer and servant of Gokurark. When he fails his first escape attempt, he slips Yaminorius out to work on freeing him. Yaminorius swears fidelity to the devildom, and has greatest magic power. His human form is journalist's Kyouji Yamino mainly. After his master's defeat, the surviving portion of Gokuark embeds itself in him, granting him more power and a slightly altered form. From this point on, until the other two demons free Gokuark from his body and restore Gokuark's power, he is able to convert pre-existing objects directly into Makaijuu. He succeeds in the revival of The Three Great Demons; in addition, he finally rebels and helps the Ganbar Team. He leaves somewhere after they defeated Three Kings. He returned as human Kyouji Yamino to Aiko in Ending.

The Three Great Demons

Gokuark (ゴクアーク Gokuaaku)

Voiced by: Masaharu Sato

The first of the three demons, originally sealed in the shrine at Koutarou's home. The leader of the three. After his initial defeat by the Ganbare Team, he hides himself within Yaminorius, until his revived brothers pull him free once more.

Seiyark (サイアーク Saiaaku)

Voiced by: Ken Yamaguchi

The second of the three demons. He had been sealed by the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, until Yamino Ryuuse broke the master seal in Japan and freed him and Retsuark. Has control of Lightning.

Retsuark (レツアーク Retsuaaku)

Voiced by: Bin Shimada

The last of the three demons. He had been sealed near the Great Pyramids of Giza until freed by the breaking of the combined seal in Japan. Has the power of demon summoning.

Mechanics

Go Tiger (ゴウタイガー Gou Taigaa)

• Specs
  • Animal Mode
    • Length: 20.8 meters
    • Weight: 18.2 tons
    • Top Speed: 1,180 kilometers per hour
    • Power Output: 78,000 metric horsepower (57,000 kW)
  • Fighter Mode
    • Height: 16.0 meters
    • Weight: 18.2 tons
    • Top Speed: 560 kilometers per hour
    • Power Output: 78,000 metric horsepower (57,000 kW)

The robot piloted by Yellow Ganbare, Kotaro. It typically launches from either underneath a park, or from a warehouse in a mall. In addition to its claws in beast mode, it has a pair of back cannons(Go Cannon), and fire breath that it only seems to use when executing the team attack Ganbare Ninpo with Mach Eagle and King Elephant. In robot mode, it wields the Go Saber. It forms the lower torso and upper legs of Ganbaruger.

King Elephant (キングエレファン Kingu Erefan)

• Specs
  • Animal Mode
    • Length: 17.8 meters
    • Weight: 27.9 tons
    • Top Speed: 380 kilometers per hour
    • Power Output: 98,000 metric horsepower (72,000 kW)
  • Fighter Mode
    • Height: 15.6 meters
    • Weight: 35.5 tons
    • Top Speed: 470 kilometers per hour
    • Power Output: 98,000 metric horsepower (72,000 kW)

This is Rikiya/Red Ganbare's vehicle. Its main launch points are under an apartment building and under a highway overpass. It has the King Missile in its trunk in beast mode, besides crushing things with its feet, and using its tusks. In robot mode it uses the King Tomahawk. It forms the legs from the knees down of Ganbaruger.

Mach Eagle (マッハイーグル Mahha Iiguru)

• Specs
  • Animal Mode
    • Length: 21.5 meters
    • Weight: 16.8 tons
    • Ground Movement Speed: 120 kilometers per hour
    • Top Flying Speed: Mach 9.4
    • Power Output: 58,000 metric horsepower (43,000 kW)
  • Fighter Mode
    • Height: 16.5 meters
    • Weight: 16.8 tons
    • Top Speed: 620 kilometers per hour
    • Power Output: 58,000 metric horsepower (43,000 kW)

The third of the original Ganbare Team robots, controlled by Yuusuke aka Blue Ganbare. It can launch from either an intersection, or from under a toll road, just past the toll booths. In beast mode it has vulcans on the wings, and can twirl to create a tornado (Mach Cyclone), which is one of the parts of the Ganbare Ninpo team attack. In robot mode it fires the Mach Arrow. It forms the arms, wings and chest of Ganbaruger.

Ganbaruger (ガンバルガー Ganbarugaa)

• Specs
  • Height: 28.4 meters
  • Weight: 65.7 tons
  • Ground Movement Speed: 1,880 kilometers per hour
  • Top Flying Speed: Mach 12.5
  • Power Output: 380,000 metric horsepower (280,000 kW)

When Koutarou activates the sequence for "Miracle Gattai" the three above robots combine into Ganbaruger. Its attacks are:

• Ganba Fire
  A stream of fire from the tiger head on the chest
• Ganba Flare
  It is the same as above, but a single ball of fire
• Ganba Missile
  It fires a missile form the trunk on the shield
• Ganba Slugger
  It throws an energy boomerang created from the mohawk on the head
• Ganba Flasher
  Two balls of light come flying from its sides(from the shoulders perhaps) and disintegrate the part of the Makaijuu they hit(arms both times it was used)
• Ganba Sword
  It summons the Ganbare Sword
• Ganba Final Attack
  The finisher. Energy bands launch from the tusks of the shield, holding the enemy in place while the Ganba sword is drawn out of the ground, after which it ignites. Ganbaruger then jets forward and cuts the Makaijuu into quarters, and after it explodes, extinguishes the sword with the shield's tusks.

Revolger (リボルガー Riborugaa)

• Specs
  • Animal Mode
    • Length: 29.9 meters
    • Weight: 56.4 tons
    • Ground Movement Speed: 2,480 kilometers per hour
    • Top Flying Speed: Mach 10.2
    • Power Output: 320,000 metric horsepower (240,000 kW)
  • Fighter Mode
    • Height: 25.6 meters
    • Weight: 47.8 tons
    • Top Speed: 1,540 kilometers per hour
    • Power Output: 320,000 metric horsepower (240,000 kW)

The first of the two reinforcements. Its transforming command is "Miracle Henkei", as opposed to the "Miracle Change" of the previous robots(although later on they do use Miracle Change for it a few times). Its pilot is Red Ganbare, and the cockpit is close to what Rikiya is used to in King Elephant. It launches from underneath a railroad crossing. In beast mode it can use its claws and teeth to attack, as well as fire shots form the tail, and in robot mode it has:

• Head Bomber
  It fires shots from the "revolver" in the head
• Shot Blaster
  It fires blasts from its rifle

RevolBuster (リボルバスター Riborubasutaa)

The gun mode. When the command "Miracle Bussou"is given, it transforms into a huge double-barrel gun. This mode is called the RevolBuster, and used for the finisher RevolBuster Last Fire.

Gekiryuger (ゲキリュウガー Gekiryuugaa)

• Specs
  • Animal Mode
    • Length: 24.8 meters
    • Weight: 94.9 tons
    • Ground Movement Speed: 240 kilometers per hour
    • Top Flying Speed: Mach 15.4
    • Power Output: 430,000 metric horsepower (320,000 kW)
  • Fighter Mode
    • Height: 27.8 meters
    • Weight: 60.8 tons
    • Ground Movement Speed: 1,940 kilometers per hour
    • Top Flying Speed: Mach 15.4
    • Power Output: 430,000 metric horsepower (320,000 kW)

Gekiryuger is the last of the reinforcements, granted to Yuusuke. Besides its natural weapons it can fire shots from the tailguns(Back Shot) and duplicate the tornado that Mach Eagle creates(Gekiryu Hurricane). After it transforms with Miracle Henkei(and also Change later):

• Dragon Shot
  It summons and fires shots form its handheld rifle
• Gekiryu Cannon
  The first part of the major attack(and sometimes finisher). It summons two over-the-shoulder cannons and starts charging an energy blast between them.
• Dragon Thunder Crash
  The second part of the major attack. It launches the generated plasma ball at the enemy with a blast from the dragon head on the chest.
• There is also a nameless energy boomerang launched from the head crest.
• It can also join hands with Revolger and Ganbaruger for a team attack and part-time finisher called Ultra Ganbare Ninpo. They become a wheel of flame and roll through the enemy.

Great Ganbaruger (グレートガンバルガー Gureeto Ganbarugaa)

• Specs
  • Height: 43.8 meters
  • Weight: 168.5 tons
  • Ground Movement Speed: 3,800 kilometers per hour
  • Top Flying Speed: Mach 32
  • Power Output: 1,600,000 metric horsepower (1,200,000 kW)

The final form. The main torso is Ganbaruger, though Revolger adds onto it, and forms the head, and lower arms at least. Gekiryuger becomes the legs, and wings. Its attacks are:

• Ganba Breast Flash
  It fires an energy blast shaped like the symbol on its chest from its chest at the enemy.
• Final Ganba Sword
  It summons the sword from a pillar of light between earth and sky. Note: It seems as if it can barely handle the weight of the sword!
• Great Final Attack
  The finishing move, firing an electric blast form the sword to immobilize the enemy, then jet forward and slash it in half.
• It can also swap the hand for a cannon and fire in a nameless attack.

List of episodes

Original Airdate	Episode number	Title
04/01/1992	1	Robots Pending! (ロボットみ〜っけ!)
04/08/1992	2	Great Discovery of Superpowers! (超能力を大はっけん!)
04/15/1992	3	Our secret will be discovered! (秘密がばれちゃう〜!)
04/22/1992	4	Duel! Violin battle (決闘!バイオリン合戦)
04/29/1992	5	The cake ran away!? (ケーキが逃げた!?)
05/06/1992	6	Flying teacher home-visit (とんでとんで家庭訪問)
05/13/1992	7	The town becomes a sandbox! (町が砂場に大変身!)
05/20/1992	8	Crisis! Ganbaruger (ピンチ！ガンバルガー)
05/27/1992	9	Superpowered miracle baseball (超能力でミラクル野球)
06/03/1992	10	Squid and octopus brothers' visit! (イカタコ兄弟参上!)
06/10/1992	11	(鷹介はビリビリ人間！！)
06/17/1992	12	Aosora town is starting to walk around (青空町が歩き出す！？)
06/24/1992	13	The password is ribbit (合言葉はケ～ロケロ)
07/01/1992	14	Hell-whale flies through the air (魔界クジラが空を飛ぶ)
07/08/1992	15	Come Forth! Revolger (出てこい！リボルガー)
07/15/1992	16	Rikia vs Ganbaruger (力哉対ガンバルガー)
07/22/1992	17	(恐怖！魔界の落とし穴)
07/29/1992	18	A dare to hell (ドッキリ魔界肝だめし)
08/05/1992	19	Run! Ramen reversal (走れ！逆転ラーメン)
08/12/1992	20	That banana's great battle
08/19/1992	21	Gokuark's revival!
08/26/1992	22	Birth! Gekiryuger
09/02/1992	23	Close call great combination
09/09/1992	24	Clash! Manga panic
09/16/1992	25	Surprise! Invisible Man
09/23/1992	26	Hellbeast is a cook!
09/30/1992	27	Appear! Shinobi Ganbare
10/07/1992	28	Troubled miracle athletic meet
10/14/1992	29	Magnetic-attractking!
10/21/1992	30	Universe-sized great struggle!
10/28/1992	31	Time slip: Aosora Town
11/04/1992	32	Airy balloon bus
11/11/1992	33	Kasumi vs Ganbaruger
11/18/1992	34	Hell is mystified!? School play
11/25/1992	35	Persevere! Catering alone
12/02/1992	36	Many Koutarous!?
12/09/1992	37	Dead heat with a foot-warmer
12/16/1992	38	Justice's Yamino Ryuuse!?
12/23/1992	39	Santa is the town's great robber!
01/06/1993	40	The hero hates rice cakes!?
01/13/1993	41	The beloved person is the sorcerer
01/20/1993	42	Surprise tough enemy! Great magic
01/27/1993	43	Perfect date strategy
02/03/1993	44	Daimakai's great secret!
02/10/1993	45	Three great devils, reborn!
02/17/1993	46	We are a life-force explosion!
02/24/1993	47	Final last great decisive battle!

Translation

This series was dubbed into English and was part of Cartoon Network's lineup in the Philippines. The only commercially available release of this English dub is a licensed set of four VCD boxsets which include the original Japanese track as well.

Game Appearances

Ganbaruger appeared in the Super Robot Wars video game series by Bandai Namco and Banpresto, starting with Super Robot Wars NEO for the Wii, along with the other 3 Eldran robots.

References

• http://www.starfox.net/hangar/eldoran/GBRobo.html

External links

• Genki Bakuhatsu Ganbaruger (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Information page on www.Sunrise-Inc.co.jp