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Brave Bang Bravern!

Brave Bang Bravern!
Key visual
勇気爆発バーンブレイバーン
(Yūki Bakuhatsu Bān Bureibān)
GenreMecha[1]
Science fiction
Comedy
Military science fiction
Created byCygames
Anime television series
Directed byMasami Ōbari
Written byKeigo Koyanagi
Music byTakashi Watanabe
StudioCygamesPictures
Licensed byCrunchyroll
Original networkJNN (TBS)
English network
Original run January 11, 2024 March 28, 2024
Episodes12

Brave Bang Bravern! (勇気爆発バーンブレイバーン, Yūki Bakuhatsu Bān Bureibān), also known as Bang Brave Bang Bravern, is an original Japanese mecha anime television series produced by Cygames,[2] animated by CygamesPictures, and directed by Masami Ōbari, with series composition by Keigo Koyanagi, mechanical designs by MORUGA and Mizuki Sakura, and character designs by Kouichi Motomura based on Kamokamen's original designs.[3][4][5]

It aired from January to March 2024 on TBS and its affiliates.[6][7]

Story

Lewis Smith and Isami Ao meet each other in Oahu, Hawaii, during joint American-Japanese military exercises under AD-RIMPAC when a mysterious enemy invades the island.[8] When all hope seems lost, a mysterious talking robot named Bravern appears and asks Isami to pilot him into battle, revealing that the invaders are "Deathdrives", super robots who rely on the power of humans to pilot them.

After the first Deathdrive, Superbia, is destroyed, he ejects a young woman named Lulu, who Lewis cares for until she recovers. Upon awakening, she begins to develop both physically and mentally, learning to speak, eat, and walk.

Characters

The cast of Bang Brave Bang Bravern

Main characters

Isami Ao (イサミ・アオ)
Voiced by: Ryōta Suzuki[6]
A soldier in the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces. He is the only one who can pilot Bravern, as he only allows him to pilot him.
Lewis Smith (ルイス・スミス, Ruisu Sumisu)
Voiced by: Yōhei Azakami[6]
A soldier in the US Marine Corps, who befriends Isami after Bravern arrives. He later dies during the battle against Vanitas, Pessimism, and Knuth, but is reborn as Bravern after his ghost merges with his Titanostrider and Knuth, with Knuth's power sending him back in time to the beginning of the Deathdrive invasion. He is resurrected following the final battle against Verum Vita.
Bravern (ブレイバーン, Bureibān)
Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura[9]
A talking super robot who arrives to defend Earth from the Deathdrives. He seems to know Isami and will only let him pilot him. It is later revealed that he is Lewis, who was reborn after his ghost merged with his Titanostrider and Knuth, with Knuth's power sending him back in time to the beginning of the Deathdrive invasion.
Lulu (ルル, Ruru)
Voiced by: Saya Aizawa[6]
A mysterious young woman who Lewis finds on the shore of Oahu and is Superbia's pilot.

Allied Task Force

Hibiki Rio (ヒビキ・リオウ, Hibiki Riō)
Voiced by: Yume Miyamoto[6]
Miyu Katō (ミユ・カトウ)
Voiced by: Ai Kakuma[6]
Honoka Suzunagi (ホノカ・スズナギ)
Voiced by: Kaori Maeda[6]
Karen Aldrin (カレン・オルドレン, Karen Orudoren)
Voiced by: Yukiyo Fujii[6]
Nina Kowalski (ニーナ・コワルスキー, Nīna Kowarusukī)
Voiced by: Nanako Mori[6]
Hal King (ハル・キング, Haru Kingu)
Voiced by: Kenta Miyake[6]
Thomas J. Prahmman (トーマス・J・プラムマン, Tōmasu J Puramuman)
Voiced by: Tomoyuki Shimura[6]
Isao Kawada (イサオ・カワダ)
Voiced by: Hiroshi Shirokuma[10]
Akira Mishima (アキラ・ミシマ, Akira Mishima)
Voiced by: Shiori Izawa[11]
Shelley Rolen (シェリー・ローレン, Sherī Rōren)
Voiced by: Saki Yoshida[11]
Richard Haze (リチャード・ヘイズ, Richādo Heizu)
Voiced by: Kazuhiro Nakaya
Kazuki Tōdō (カズキ・トウドウ)
Voiced by: Taichi Takeda
Joshua (ジョシュア, Joshua)
Voiced by: Yuna Kamakura

Bundeswehr

Heidemarie Barrow (ハイデマリー・バロウ, Haidemarī Barō)
Voiced by: Yū Asakawa[10]

CIA

Bob Craib (ボブ・クレイブ, Bobu Kureibu)
Voiced by: Chō[10]

Deathdrives

Superbia (スペルビア, Superubia)
Voiced by: Tomokazu Sugita[10]
Cupiridas (クピリダス, Kupiridasu)
Voiced by: Tetsu Inada[12]
Knuth (クーヌス, Kūnusu)
Voiced by: Atsuko Tanaka[13]
Vanitas (ヴァニタス, Vanitasu)
Voiced by: Hikaru Midorikawa[13]
Pessimism (ペシミズム, Peshimizumu)
Voiced by: Chafurin[13]
Segnitis (セグニティス, Segunitisu)
Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi[14]
Ira (イーラ, Īra)
Voiced by: Kenjiro Tsuda[14]
Popalchipum (ポーパルチープム, Pōparuchīpumu)
Voiced by: Fumihiko Tachiki[15]
Verum Vita (ヴェルム・ヴィータ, Vuerumu Vuīta)
Voiced by: Rie Kugimiya[15]

Media

Anime

The opening theme song is "Babān to Suizan! Bānbureibān" (ババーンと推参!バーンブレイバーン, "Ba-Bang to Suisan! Bang Bravern"), performed by Kenichi Suzumura, while the ending theme song is "Sōen no Shōzō" (双炎の肖像, "Portrait of Twin Flames"), performed by Ryōta Suzuki and Yōhei Azakami.[9]

An advance screening of the first two episodes was held at Toho Cinemas in Roppongi Hills on December 10, 2023.[16]

Crunchyroll streamed the series under the title Brave Bang Bravern!,[17] which is also available in India.[18] Aniplus Asia streamed the series in Southeast Asia.[19]

Episodes

No.Title [20][a]Directed by [20]Written by [20]Storyboarded by [20]Original air date [22]
1"Wait's Over, Isami!"
Transliteration: "Mata Seta na, Isami!" (Japanese: 待たせたな、イサミ!)
Katsuya ShigeharaKeigo KoyanagiMasami Ōbari & Katsuya ShigeharaJanuary 11, 2024 (2024-01-11)
During a joint American-Japanese military exercise, Isami Ao meets Lewis Smith. Suddenly, alien robots attack Earth; during the battle, a giant talking robot appears from the sky and asks Isami to pilot him. With Isami as his pilot, the robot, calling himself "Bravern", fights off the invaders.
2"Isami! You'll Be Here Soon, Won't You, Isami!?"
Transliteration: "isamīーーītu! Sorosoro Dayo na, Isamīーーītu!!" (Japanese: イサミィーーッ!そろそろだよな、イサミィーーッ!!)
Takehiro MiuraKeigo KoyanagiTakehiro Miura & Katsuya ShigeharaJanuary 18, 2024 (2024-01-18)
Bravern tells the joint military leaders about the threat of the "Deathdrives". While Isami is being interrogated and tortured, another giant robot, Superbia, attacks. Lewis offers to pilot Bravern in Isami's stead, but Bravern insists that only Isami can pilot him. Although Isami and Bravern defeat Superbia, Isami is reduced to curling up into a fetal position in Bravern's cockpit.
3"Lulu... That's Her Name"
Transliteration: "Ruru…… Sore ga, Kanojo no Namaeda" (Japanese: ルル……それが、彼女の名前だ)
Taro Shimoigusa, Hidetoshi WatanabeKeigo KoyanagiMasami Ōbari, Yoshinari SaitoJanuary 25, 2024 (2024-01-25)
Lewis finds a young woman on the beach where Bravern fought Superbia. An aquatic Deathdrive attacks the naval fleet from underwater. Bravern and Isami defeat it, but then find Lewis and the woman, who calls herself "Lulu".
4"Isami, It Seems You Still Have Much to Learn About People"
Transliteration: "Isami, Kimi wa Mada, Hito Toiu Mono o Wakatteinai Yōda" (Japanese: イサミ、キミはまだ、人というものを分かっていないようだ)
Yoshinari SaitoKeigo KoyanagiYoshinari SaitoFebruary 1, 2024 (2024-02-01)
Isami gets a new pilot suit while Lewis tries to help Lulu adjust to life at the base. Tokyo is destroyed by a Deathdrive.
5"That's One Thing That's Beyond My Powers"
Transliteration: "Sore wa Kitto, Watashi ni wa Dekinai Kotodarō" (Japanese: それはきっと、私には出来ないことだろう)
Takashi Narukawa & Kenta HayashiKeigo KoyanagiTakashi Narukawa & Takehiro MiuraFebruary 8, 2024 (2024-02-08)
The military forces head to Japan as Bravern encourages Lewis to help Isami cope. Isami and Lewis face off in a boxing match.
6"Everything Will Be Okay. For I... I Am Bravern!"
Transliteration: "Zettai ni Daijōbuda. Nazenara…… Watashi ga Bureibān Dakarada!" (Japanese: 絶対に大丈夫だ。なぜなら……私がブレイバーンだからだ!)
Takashi Narukawa & Kenta HayashiKeigo KoyanagiTakashi Narukawa & Takehiro MiuraFebruary 15, 2024 (2024-02-15)
The military arrives in Japan in search of survivors, planning to initiate a bombing run if none are found. At first, they find only Deathdrives, but at the last moment they make contact with surviving soldiers. When they are unable to call off the bombing run in time, Bravern takes control of the missiles and guides them to only hit the Deathdrives. Superbia returns and demands that they return Lulu to him.
7"Well, Isami? What Would You Do in a Situation Like This?"
Transliteration: "Dōsuru Isami! Konna Toki, Isami Nara Dōsuru nda!" (Japanese: どうするイサミ!こんな時、イサミならどうするんだ!)
Yorihiro TanimotoKeigo KoyanagiToshihiko MasudaFebruary 22, 2024 (2024-02-22)
Another Deathdrive, Cupiridas, arrives near an alien tower. Bravern and Isami go to face him, leaving the others to deal with Superbia. The tower keeps replicating Cupiridas every time Bravern and Isami defeat him, so they destroy the tower to defeat him. Superbia is shocked to find that Lulu is now sentient and talking. They find another Lulu, dead, inside Cupiridas' capsule. Superbia reveals that the Lulus are organic batteries the Deathdrives use to empower themselves. Lewis tries to pilot Superbia himself, but it does not work. Lewis is given a new Titanostrider that Lulu can co-pilot with him.
8"Until We Meet Again, Smith"
Transliteration: "Mata Aō, Sumisu" (Japanese: また会おう、スミス)
Katsuya ShigeharaKeigo KoyanagiMasami Ōbari & Katsuya ShigeharaFebruary 29, 2024 (2024-02-29)
Lewis forms his new unit, the Brave Knights. When three new Deathdrives, Vanitas, Pessimism, and Knuth, attack, Bravern and Isami fight Vanitas and Pessimism while the Brave Knights face Knuth. During the battle, Lewis sacrifices himself to destroy Knuth.
9"Isami! We Must Save the World Together!"
Transliteration: "Isamī! Oretachi de, Sekai o Sukū nda!!" (Japanese: イサミィ!俺たちで、世界を救うんだ!!)
Yoshinari SaitoYūsuke KambayashiMasami Ōbari & Yoshinari SaitoMarch 7, 2024 (2024-03-07)
As the team mourns Lewis's death, Bravern and Isami continue their battle against Vanitas and Pessimism. Lewis and Knuth meet as ghosts. Refusing to accept his fate, Lewis's ghost merges with his Titanostrider and Knuth. Knuth's power sends him back in time to the beginning of the Deathdrive invasion, where he is reborn as Bravern. In the present, Bravern fuses with a new armor suit, becoming Burn Bravern. With new power, Burn Bravern and Isami destroy Vanitas and Pessimism, with Isami finding new resolve to fight on in Lewis's honor.
10"In Japan, They Call This OMIAI"
Transliteration: "Nippon de wa Sore o OMIAI Toiu" (Japanese: 日本ではそれをOMIAIという)
Hidetoshi WatanabeKeigo KoyanagiKatsuya ShigeharaMarch 14, 2024 (2024-03-14)
11"Commence Operation Bonfire!"
Transliteration: "Operēshon・Bōnfaia, Kaishida!" (Japanese: オペレーション・ボーンファイア、開始だ!)
Kana SakashitaMasaki KuribayashiTetsuya AkutsuMarch 21, 2024 (2024-03-21)
12"Beyond Brave Bang!"
Transliteration: "Yūki Bakuhatsu no, Sonosakihe!!" (Japanese: 勇気爆発の、その先へ!!)
Masami Ōbari, Katsuya Shigehara & Takehiro MiuraKeigo KoyanagiMasami Ōbari, Katsuya Shigehara, Toshihiko Masuda & Takehiro MiuraMarch 28, 2024 (2024-03-28)

Web radio

A web radio program hosted by Ryōta Suzuki and Yōhei Azakami began streaming via Cygames Anime's YouTube channel on January 17, 2024, under the title Original TV Anime “Yūki Bakuhatsu Bān Bureibān” Web Radio (オリジナルTVアニメ「勇気爆発バーンブレイバーン」Webレイディオ).[23]

Video Games

Bravern will appear in Super Robot Wars DD.[24]

Notes

  1. ^ All English titles are taken from Crunchyroll.[21]

References

  1. ^ Luster, Joseph (August 15, 2023). "Bang Brave Bang Bravern Anime Video Shows Off Mecha Designs". Otaku USA. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  2. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 29, 2023). "Cygames Reveals Bang Brave Bang Bravern Original TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  3. ^ Dempsey, Liam (May 29, 2023). "CygamesPictures Announces Original Mecha Anime Bang Brave Bang Bravern". Crunchyroll. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  4. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (August 14, 2023). "Bang Brave Bang Bravern Original TV Anime's Video Reveals Mechanical Designer". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 14, 2023.
  5. ^ Cayanan, Joanna (August 21, 2023). "Bang Brave Bang Bravern Original TV Anime Reveals 2nd Mechanical Designer". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Mateo, Alex (October 23, 2023). "Bang Brave Bang Bravern Original TV Anime Reveals 1st Promo Video, Visual, Cast, Staff, January 2024 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  7. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 10, 2023). "Bang Brave Bang Bravern Original TV Anime Reveals January 11 Debut in New Videos". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  8. ^ 勇気爆発 バーンブレイバーン (in Japanese). Ryukyu Broadcasting Corporation. January 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (January 11, 2024). "Bang Brave Bang Bravern Original TV Anime Unveils More Cast, Theme Songs, 2nd Promo Video". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Mateo, Alex (January 18, 2024). "Brave Bang Bravern! Original TV Anime Reveals 4 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (February 15, 2024). "Brave Bang Bravern! Original TV Anime Casts Shiori Izawa, Saki Yoshida". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  12. ^ Mateo, Alex (February 8, 2024). "Brave Bang Bravern! Original TV Anime Casts Tetsu Inada". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Mateo, Alex (February 29, 2024). "Brave Bang Bravern! Original TV Anime Reveals 3 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 29, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (March 21, 2024). "Brave Bang Bravern! Original TV Anime Casts Katsuyuki Konishi, Kenjiro Tsuda". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  15. ^ a b "Brave Bang Bravern! Original TV Anime Casts Fumihiko Tachiki, Rie Kugimiya". Anime News Network. March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  16. ^ アニメ「勇気爆発バーンブレイバーン」2024年1月放送、鈴木崚汰&阿座上洋平ら出演. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. October 24, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  17. ^ Mateo, Alex (January 12, 2024). "Crunchyroll to Stream Brave Bang Bravern!, Cardfight!! Vanguard DivineZ Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  18. ^ "Crunchyroll premieres Brave Bang Bravern! anime for Indian viewers". The Times of India. January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  19. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (January 12, 2024). "Aniplus Asia Airs Simulcast of Bang Brave Bang Bravern Original TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  20. ^ a b c d "Sutōrī | Terebi Anime "Yuuki Bakuhatsu Bang Bang Bravern" Koshiki Saito" STORY | TVアニメ「勇気爆発バーンブレイバーン」公式サイト [Story | TV Anime "Bang Brave Bang Bravern" Official Site]. bangbravern.com (in Japanese). Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  21. ^ "Watch Brave Bang Bravern! - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  22. ^ "On'ea | Terebi Anime "Yuuki Bakuhatsu Bang Bang Bravern" Koshiki Saito" ON AIR | TVアニメ「勇気爆発バーンブレイバーン」公式サイト [On Air | TV Anime "Bang Brave Bang Bravern" Official Site]. bangbravern.com (in Japanese). Retrieved January 11, 2024.
  23. ^ アニメ「勇気爆発バーンブレイバーン」,第2弾PV&キービジュアルが公開に。キーキャラクターのブレイバーンを大きくフィーチャー. 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  24. ^ "スパロボコラボ決定!" (in Japanese). March 21, 2021.