Brave series overview Brave series

1 brave series overview

1.1 show summaries , context

1.1.1 post-brave series events , influence


1.2 additional brave works

1.2.1 brave saga , brave saga 2
1.2.2 new century brave wars (shinseiki yūsha taisen)

brave series overview

there total of 8 original entries in brave series: 1 new series released every year, 1990 1997, each episode count exceeding 40 in length. each series set in separate, unrelated timelines each other. no further series appear planned development in near future.

they following, sorted year of first airing:

1999 s betterman spin-off of gaogaigar 26 episodes
2000 s king of braves gaogaigar final (ova series) had 8 episodes
2005 s king of braves gaogaigar final grand glorious gathering had 12 episodes

to date, gaogaigar television series , betterman have been licensed distribution in united states. none of remaining series have been licensed distribution outside of asia.

show summaries , context

the first television series come combined takara/sunrise brave concept brave exkaiser, fundamental premise , concept similar of original transformers series: intergalactic policeman chases after space pirates called geisters descend on earth steal of treasures, having no idea of treasures mankind. when arrives on earth, exkaiser , space police force possess variety of vehicles in spirit form, converting them transform humanoid robots. relationship between exkaiser , son of family car had taken possession of served establish human-robot friendship not seen in quite same way transformers had ever portrayed it, , lead establishing recurring theme many believe established initial appeal brave series in japan. exkaiser far more popular anticipated, , in ways kindled new desire production of super robot-style mecha among japanese audience.

the next show in series—the brave fighter of sun fighbird—used similar concept, focusing more on self-parodying humor having robot leader take possession of humanoid-simulating android instead (which interfaces fire jet form robot fighbird). forces him coexist humanity on terms, causing great deal of trouble. concept of space police force otherwise remains intact (though not connected earlier series), key difference being mecha fighbird , 1 of combiner teams use developed human scientist, nephew accompanies space police in battles.

the brave fighter of legend da-garn marked first serious thematic turning point in brave series. in previous 2 shows, boy supporting character, not allowed place himself in danger; da-garn instead centered around older youth, seiji takasugi: latch-key kid whom robots receive orders—forcing boy command them in field. robot-possessing spirits no longer aliens, forces created planet earth protect invaders—notably invading aliens antagonists of piece.

the villains, although nominally part of 1 faction, @ odds each other , have separate armies , modus operandi, including 1 becomes turncoat; theme developed in later brave series. da-garn noteworthy being brave series tell single running story episodes, rather focusing on done in 1 episodic adventures, until gaogaigar produced. unsurprisingly, these 2 series shared single writer. likewise, da garn foreshadows more violent themes crop later brave series , gaogaigar itself, featuring tomino-style ending many main characters die.

the brave express might gaine takes these newly crafted themes logical conclusion. here robots no longer spirits, have personalities granted advanced artificial intelligence. these robots designed , built ground late father of main character: billionaire crime-fighting teenager , railroad magnate senpuuji maito. acts bruce wayne character of sorts, taking command of brave express robots in field , fighting crime himself on front lines. antagonists separated multiple criminal factions, @ odds each other, extending basic villain structure used in da garn. japanese fans consider might gaine best of brave series, , cited 1 best expresses idea of brave formula .

the main exception in series controversial ending, interpreted critics signs of relations souring between sunrise , takara. in ending of might gaine, characters find out merely fictional characters conflicts artificially generated evil otherdimensional mastermind can sell toys , merchandise. maito reacts speech japanese critics interpreted defense of da garn s character-driven storytelling style, takara believed have disliked. after making speech, maito destroys enemy, thereby asserting own reality true character , not merchandising tool. analysis of series considers many plot elements throughout series sunrise striking @ takara forcing them create shows less plot in order cram in more toy designs , action sequences. instance, many robots in might gaine appear no explanation, or arbitrarily transform alternate modes make no particular sense.

brave police j-decker returns lighter tone, focusing more on might gaine s concept of robot human-built ai construct. grade schooler yuuta tomonaga stumbles upon deckerd, humanoid robot under construction japanese police, built fight advanced forms of crime. yuuta s constant contact deckerd gives robot heart, or personality; when yuuta recruited boss of brave police result, true human/robot partnership occurs. has been claimed 1 of major da garn villains, redlone, makes appearance in j-decker; not true. because of redlone s immense popularity (compared other da garn villains), became traditional have first villain of given brave series resemble him (there similar character in might gaine). character appears in j-decker not named redlone, nor supposed redlone. confuse 2 characters , claim da garn , j-decker connected somehow, untrue.

the brave of gold goldran intended throwback light-hearted, whimsical tone pervaded original 3 brave titles, had become subdued under direction of creative team oversaw might gaine , j-decker. goldran follows adventures of 3 young boys tasked finding alien robot fighters, or braves, sleeping in form of crystals. major antagonist flamboyant , thoroughly incompetent walter, , villains follow him humorous. entire show extremely focused on comedy , silliness exclusion of in way of storytelling, although series develop running plotlines towards end. in terms of television ratings, goldran peak of brave series popularity.

of brave series, brave command dagwon divergent themes established throughout other shows. reputedly, result of sunrise seeing enormous success of samurai troopers series , wanting duplicate basic formula, 5 pretty , thinly written young men having episodic adventures, across other main franchises. if origin true, both new mobile report gundam wing , dagwon direct results of it, , intended appeal both traditional male audiences , crossover audience of female viewers drawn in attractive male protagonists.

the premise involves 5 teenage boys recruited alien policeman prevent destruction of earth inmates let loose intergalactic prison. using transformation items, these teenagers can transform dagwon, team of sentai-like action heroes can combine vehicles attain humanoid robot form, similar headmaster juniors , godmasters ( powermasters in other countries) in transformers: super-god masterforce. though card robots helping shadow rei presumed have sort of basic ai, no human-robot relationship seems exist in show @ all. instead, plays idea of boys becoming robots through sort of mystic fusion, theme later explored in incredibly similar sunrise series dagwon s creative team, called chouja reideen. although nominally re-imagining of sunrise , tohokushinsha s brave raideen, developed staff later members of sunrise, chouja reideen resembles dagwon far more original brave reideen.

the king of braves gaogaigar final television series produced, , has become arguably popular of them all. created sunrise s internal studio 7 under guidance of yoshitomo yonetani, show combines previous elements of brave series ambitious throwback super robot mentality of 1970s, presenting sharp contrast , commentary harder-edged, more complex anime television series emerging in wake of evangelion. focusing on concepts of courage , bravery in light-hearted setting, show obtain large fanbase after airing in japan, , go on spawn multiple non-animated projects , ova sequel, king of braves gaogaigar final.

after end of gaogaigar, new major project called king of braves gaogaigar project z announced, have linked show closely studio 7 series, betterman. of other studio 7 anime , gaogaigar sequels, seems designed appeal older audience traditional brave demographic. however, project z has been cancelled, leaving gaogaigar last installment of brave series. gaogaigar suffered poor television ratings in contrast enormous dvd sales, supports idea children tuned out of gaogaigar while older fans grew interested in show s unusually complex, epic cosmology.

initially show titled saint of braves baan gaan show follow gaogaigar fledgling ratings , toy sales prompted sunrise produce show big name talent , superior budget reignite interest in franchise. baan gaan saw life in 2 forms, used in brave saga video game concept future show entitled gear fighter dendoh. before gaogaigar ended, show, photogrizer (フォトグライザー), planned continue franchise shelved. titled brave of light photogrizer, show involve designs based on, @ time, new technology of digital cameras , then-modern cell phones.

post-brave series events , influence

thanks unusual popularity baan gaan achieved yūsha through brave saga games, slated creative team (including character designer hirokazu hisayuki , probable director mitsuo fukuda) allowed make independent super robot series sunrise few years later, called gear fighter dendoh. plot , concept similarities between dendoh , baan gaan extremely numerous, including mechanics how machines combine animal-robot helpers, emphasis on running conflict between 2 particular super robots, dual-protagonist structure, , idea of child pilots fighting support of group of older pilots , technicians (vars in baan gaan, , gear in dendoh). while dendoh modest commercial success, show received warmly critics, , team has since gone on become responsible profitable series such my-hime , gundam seed.

following dendoh, sunrise took final stab @ resurrecting brave style of television series having dendoh staffers return work on machine robo rescue, based on modern-day reworking of bandai , plex s own machine robo toy line. rescue combined of basic storytelling tropes of original six, kid-friendly brave series vast toy line , sunrise attempt @ blending 2d animation (the characters) 3d animation (the robots). while toys popular , anime did older audiences, 3d animation criticized, , overall effort failed recapture original popularity of brave series. sunrise not attempt 2d/3d series until 2006, well-received series zegapain.

takara briefly returned brave series overall premise—that of producing interstitial properties themes similar of transformers—with release of dennou boukenki webdiver , daigunder. both properties yielded anime television series , toy lines , featured transforming robots either own minds or ability meld heroic children. however, both webdiver , daigunder seem have faded obscurity.

there no plans continue brave series, nor produce children s anime series in vein—although studio 7 has been allowed continue gaogaigar projects older fans. 15th anniversary occurred in 2005, dvd box set re-releases of each show , re-releases of many of takara s original brave toys.

additional brave works

there have been yūsha series exclusive takara s brave video games. are:

brave saga , brave saga 2

the saint of braves baan gaan (勇者聖戦バーンガーン, yūsha seisen bān gān) (title has been translated fans brave crusade baan gaan). transliterated burn garn. worth noting sunrise s official yūsha web site considers baan gaan ninth brave series, though not produced. main robot game brave saga, released on playstation. sunrise produced animated transformation , merging sequences go game , animated intro. game introduces baan gaan , partner mach sperion

brave saga 2, released playstation, can considered final re-tale of yūsha series features virtually yuusha characters, mecha , human alike, previous generation. although parallel universes used explain why series such brave express might gaine can involved in plot, story assumed @ least of series, noticeably gaogaigar , baan gaan, happen @ around same time , in same world. generally, gaogaigar storyline consider side-story while baan gaan served main event, other yūsha participate in either of story. also, general time line given of work, such stating entire events within brave fighter of legend da-garn inspired creation of grand police department in brave police j-decker, while events in brave fighter of sun fighbird part of reason why brave command dagwon formed. similar super robot wars series of games, there non-yūsha series being involved in plot, , should noted consider real robot, among them armored trooper votoms animated sunrise toys , merchandise being provided takara. game introduces yūsha mechas; saber varion , victorion. questionably canon brave saga new astaria game featuring eldran robots made game boy device.

as consideration of toy-safety measures, sharp edges , parts avoided in animated yūsha series prevent redesigning parts. baan gaan not made animation, mechanical design different other leading yūsha robots - many sharp edges can seen in baan gaan, mach sperion, , great baan gaan. combination process of aforementioned yūsha robots proceed features of every previous yūsha series combinations.

new century brave wars (shinseiki yūsha taisen)

brave wars first , brave series game produced playstation 2. quantum leap layzelber (ryoushi choyaku layzelber, title can interpreted quantum leap rayzelver , quantum leap rayserver. worth noting layzelber not counted among brave series sunrise).

the first entry in eldran series, zettai muteki raijin-oh added game. because of many similarities between yūsha series , eldran series featured transforming , combining robots , both series animated sunrise. key difference eldran toys produced tomy. tomy , takara later merged formed takara tomy, both series fall under same corporate ownership allowing raijin-oh part of game, along might gaine, j-decker, dagwon, gaogaigar , non-canon layzelber. other yūsha robots , other eldran robots not featured in game.