Series synopsis
Gunbuster, also known as トップをねらえ！ is a Japanese animation sci-fi & fantasy action & adventure war & politics television series that premiered on AT-X on October 7, 1988. It ended on August 25, 2006. It stars Noriko Hidaka, Rei Sakuma, Maria Kawamura and Norio Wakamoto.
In the near future, humanity has taken its first steps towards journeying into the far reaches of the galaxy. Upon doing so they discover a huge race of insectoid aliens known as "Space Monsters." These aliens seem dedicated to the eradication of mankind as they near closer and closer to discovering Earth. In response, humanity develops giant fighting robots piloted by hand-picked youth from around the world. Shortly after the discovery of the aliens, Noriko Takaya, the daughter of a famous dece ...
Premise
In the near future, humanity has taken its first steps towards journeying into the far reaches of the galaxy. Upon doing so they discover a huge race of insectoid aliens known as "Space Monsters." These aliens seem dedicated to the eradication of mankind as they near closer and closer to discovering Earth. In response, humanity develops giant fighting robots piloted by hand-picked youth from around the world. Shortly after the discovery of the aliens, Noriko Takaya, the daughter of a famous deceased space captain, enters a training school despite her questionable talents as a pilot. There, she meets her polar opposite, the beautiful and talented Kazumi Amano, and is unexpectedly made to work together with her as they attempt to overcome the trauma of war as well as their own emotions.
Premise: Aim for the Top!
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Noriko Hidaka as Noriko Takaya (voice)
- Rei Sakuma as Kazumi Amano (voice)
- Maria Kawamura as Jung Freud (voice)
- Norio Wakamoto as Kouichirou Oota (voice)
- Tamio Ohki as Captain Tatsumi Tashiro (voice)
- Kazuki Yao as Smith Toren (voice)
- Maaya Sakamoto as Lal'C Melk Mark (voice)
- Mitsuo Iwata as Nicholsa Vacheron (voice)
Supporting cast
- Miyuki Sawashiro as Tycho Science (voice)
- Yukari Fukui as Nono (voice)
- Hiroki Touchi as Nigo (voice)
- Kiyoshi Kawakubo as Admiral Dhorasoo (voice)
- Sanae Kobayashi as Piaget Serpentine (voice)
- Takumi Yamazaki as Casio Takashiro (voice)
- Yuki Matsuoka as LeCoultre Serpentine (voice)
Episodes
This series spans 3 seasons with 26 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 14 | October 7, 1988 | June 22, 2012 |
| Season 1 | 6 | October 7, 1988 | July 7, 1989 |
| Season 2 | 6 | October 3, 2004 | August 25, 2006 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Science Lesson 1 - Ether Space | October 7, 1988 |
| 2 | Science Lesson 2 - Starbows and the Rip Van Winkle Effect | October 7, 1988 |
| 3 | Science Lesson 3 - Faster Than Light Travel | January 1, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Shock! Big-Sister and I are Going to be Pilots Together?! Noriko Takaya has spent barely had a month at a training school for giant robots. The school announces they are going to select two candidates to go to the Exelion spaceship for the real missions to fight against an invading mech army. One of the choices is obviously the beautiful and leading senior Kazumi Amano, but somehow Noriko is selected for the second spot! The other girls get jealous that Noriko got the spot, suspecting it's because she was the daughter of the Admiral in a previous mission. School rival Reiko Kashihara feels that's totally wrong, and challenges Noriko to a duel. |
October 7, 1988 |
| 2 |
Daring! The Girl Genius Challenger!! Noriko and Kazumi arrive at the space fleet led by the space battleship Exelion. The girls get introduced to a hot shot female fighter named Jung Freud. During one of their mech training sessions, Jung spars with Kazumi, and end up in a part of the station where they discover one of the mechs of their enemy. Later on, Noriko and Kazumi are sent to partake in a special mission to investigate an object traveling at near light speed. With the laws of quantum physics and time dilation, the mission that would normally take just a few minutes will span several months. But they discover the object is the Lexion, the ship that Noriko's dad used to command. |
October 7, 1988 |
| 3 |
First Love☆First Sortie The Exelion prepares to jump through hyperspace. All the girls and guys are confined to their quarters during the mission, but Noriko loses a dare game, and has to wander off in the dark. She is surprised when a person shows up, but it turns out to be a charming guy named Toren Smith, who befriends Noriko. They get into some minor trouble for being out, and as punishment, they have to polish the lenses for the laser cannon array. But then the Exelion gets a surprise fly-by by the enemy. The fleet goes after them for a large battle at Leaf 64. Toren offers to be Noriko's partner for the next battle, since she has fallen out of favor from Kazumi. But trouble arises as they get overwhelmed by the sweeping enemy. |
January 1, 1989 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Please Let Me Call You Big Sister! Nono, a young girl from the country, moves to the big city in order to achieve her dream: becoming a space pilot! |
October 3, 2004 |
| 2 |
I Don't Want to be Your Big Sister! Mars' Space Force isn't happy about space monsters showing up on their doorstep, and they blame the Fraternity. |
February 24, 2005 |
| 3 |
I Hate the Topless! Tycho wrecks her Buster Machine, ruining her chance to reach top. Not to worry--there's another Buster Machine in the works. |
June 24, 2005 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | AT-X |
|---|---|
| First aired | October 7, 1988 |
| Last aired | August 25, 2006 |
| Runtime | 28 minutes |
| Status | ended |