Lewis Smith, a US Marine with dreams of piloting giant robots (Titanostriders) instead of serving in the regular forces, finds his calling during a joint US-Japan military exercise. There, he meets Isami Ao, his future comrade-in-arms from Japan's Ground Self-Defense Force. Suddenly, their peaceful exercise is interrupted by a mysterious enemy wielding superior Super Robots called Deathdrives. These Deathdrives require human pilots, unlike the typical Titanostriders used for routine tasks. Just when all seems lost, a savior emerges - Bravern, a mysterious super robot that appears to be on their side!
This new show is generating incredible buzz by keeping its true nature a secret until the big reveal. Here's the backstory: The Brave series was a hugely popular Japanese anime franchise back in the day, created by Sunrise. It emerged from a failed attempt to market the Transformers (think Michael Bay movies) in Japan.
Instead, toy company Takara (now Takara Tomy) and Sunrise teamed up to launch a new franchise built around giant robots with heart, the brave pilots who control them, and themes of courage and teamwork. Each Brave series is a standalone story with its own unique themes and ideas. Notably, the Brave series helped inspire future mecha giants like Gundam, with Sunrise continuing to produce iconic anime since the 1980s.
While known for directing some mecha anime, Oobari's true fame lies in his character and mecha designs. He started young, working on shows like Dorvack and Star Musketeer Bismarck. But his big break came at 19, designing mechs for Dancougar.
His distinctive style dominated the mecha scene throughout the 80s and beyond, with his work appearing in Brave series like Fighbird and J-Decker. He even created and directed the mecha anime Gravion in 2002. So, for mecha fans familiar with the Oobari name, his directing comes as no surprise (or maybe it does?)
The hype for Brave Bang Bravern! Keeps building! This mecha anime from Cygames (creators of Granblue Fantasy and Princess Connect! Re:Dive) features the talents of Masami Oobari and a connection to the classic Brave series.
A cryptic teaser hinted at something new, but the main PV threw everyone off the scent, making it seem like a realistic mecha show. Surprise! Episode 1 revealed Brave Bang Bravern!'s true form: a classic, over-the-top Super Robot anime directed by the legendary Oobari himself. Cygames, known for their unconventional projects, certainly knows how to keep fans guessing!
The opening is a glorious throwback to classic mecha anime, complete with a bombastic theme song sung by the giant robot itself (voiced by the legendary Kenichi Suzumura)! The sound effects and animation perfectly capture the old-school mecha vibe.
The ending theme takes a surprising turn, featuring a close and emotional song between two male characters.
Who would have expected a fantastic classic-style mecha anime in 2024? This show offers a unique blend of mecha action and a surprisingly heartwarming story, making it a must-watch for anyone who missed out on classic mecha experiences.
For a truly mind-blowing experience, dive headfirst into Brave Bang Bravern! (also known as Yuuki Bakuhatsu Bang Bravern). The less you know, the better! This anime is a hilarious and fast-paced twist on the mecha genre, like an abridged series but full-length. Trust me, it's an unforgettable ride!
