Bakugan Battle Brawlers

Bakugan Battle Brawlers
Japanese DVD cover of Bakugan Battle Brawlers volume 13 featuring the main characters are Dan, Runo, Shun, Marucho, Julie, and Alice
爆丸バトルブローラーズ (Bakugan Batoru Burōrāzu)
Genre	Action adventure, Science fantasy
TV anime
Directed by	Mitsuo Hashimoto
Written by	Atsushi Maekawa
Studio	TMS Entertainment Japan Vistec
Licensed by	Nelvana
Network	TV Tokyo
English network	Teletoon Cartoon Network
Original run	April 5, 2007 – March 20, 2008
Episodes	52 (List of episodes)
TV anime
Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia
Directed by	Mitsuo Hashimoto
Written by	Atsushi Maekawa
Studio	TMS Entertainment Japan Vistec Spin Master Sega Toys
Licensed by	Nelvana
Network	TV Tokyo
English network	Teletoon Cartoon Network
Original run	April 12, 2009 – May 9, 2010
Episodes	52 (List of episodes)
TV anime
Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders
Directed by	Mitsuo Hashimoto
Written by	Atsushi Maekawa
Studio	TMS Entertainment Japan Vistec
Licensed by	Nelvana
Network	TV Tokyo
English network	Teletoon Cartoon Network
Original run	May 23, 2010 – January 29, 2011
Episodes	39 (List of episodes)
Manga
Bakugan: Tech Brawlers
Written by	Shingo Maki
Published by	Shogakukan
Demographic	Children
Magazine	CoroCoro Comic
Original run	September 2010 – ongoing
Volumes	2
TV anime
Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge
Directed by	Mitsuo Hashimoto
Studio	TMS Entertainment Japan Vistec
Licensed by	Nelvana
English network	Teletoon Cartoon Network
Original run	February 13, 2011[1] – ongoing
Episodes	46 Expected[2] (List of episodes)
Anime and Manga Portal

Bakugan Battle Brawlers (爆丸バトルブローラーズ, Bakugan Batoru Burōrāzu^?) is a Japanese action adventure^[3] anime television series produced by TMS Entertainment and Japan Vistec under the direction of Mitsuo Hashimoto. The story centers on the lives of creatures called Bakugan and the battle brawlers who possess them. Though initially a failure in Japan, the series became popular in the United States and Canada, prompting the creation/order of several follow-up seasons, (New Vestroia, and Gundalian Invaders) which aired in other countries before Japan. The fourth season, (Mechtanium Surge) is currently broadcasting in the Canadian and U.S. markets. The Bakugan franchise are co-productions from Nelvana Enterprises, Spin Master, Sega Toys and TMS Entertainment, with animation by TMS Entertainment in association with Sega Toys.

Plot

Main article: List of Bakugan Battle Brawlers characters

Season 1

The Battle Brawlers were originally separated and were only able to communicate through the internet. However, once Masquerade was becoming a major threat, they all came together to battle him and the Top Ranked Brawlers. They started searching for the Infinity Core, where they met Joe and he became a member after proving he wasn't working for Masquerade. After their battle with the Top Ranked Brawlers, Alice, Shun, and Julie decided to stay together, in case Masquerade showed up. After the final brawl with Masquerade, the Battle Brawlers split up, going back to their homes. Meanwhile, Alice disappeared because she discovered that she was Masquerade. Dan, Runo, and Marucho soon got Shun and Julie to go to Vestroia and help defeat Naga and his Doom Beings.

Season 2: New Vestroia

The Brawlers (Dan and Marucho) return to New Vestroia and discover that it has been colonized by an alien race called Vestals, who are unaware that the Bakugan are intelligent beings. Three Vestals: Mira, Ace and Baron, however, later on they encounter Shun who was an old friend so he knew the truth and form the Bakugan Brawlers Resistance. While battling against the evil Vexos, the Brawlers destroy each of the three Dimension Controllers that keep the Bakugan in their ball form, liberating New Vestroia. The Resistance part but reunite six months later when they discover that King Zenoheld of Vestal has attacked the Six Ancient Warriors in an attempt to steal the Attribute Energies. In desperation, the Ancient Warriors give the Resistance Bakugan their attribute energies to protect them from Zenoheld who has had a machine built to wipe out all Bakugan, the Bakugan Termination System, but needs the energies to power it. After losing half the energies, the Brawlers decided to attack instead, engaging a temporary alliance with Spectra Phantom, the former leader of the Vexos, along with his sidekick Gus Grav. However, the remaining energies are taken and the Brawlers rush to New Vestroia to evacuate all the Bakugan. Drago, however, refuses to give up and manages to destroy the BT System and evolves again into Dragonoid x. Things quiet down until Spectra resurfaces again to battle Dan and when he loses, he concedes that Dan is number one and joins the Brawlers, returning to his original persona, Keith Clay. Keith reveals that Zenoheld is working on a powerful weapon called the Alternative System and helps construct Battle Gear for Drago. Meanwhile, the Vexos begins crumbling from within as both Volt and Lync decide to leave, feeling that Zenoheld and his son Hydron have finally gone too far but are quickly disposed of by Prince Hydron. In the final battle, the Brawlers with Gus, who joins as their newest member, manage to destroy the Alternative and the Resistance go their separate ways.

Season 3: Gundalian Invaders

After defeating Zenoheld, the Brawlers return to Earth and with the help of newcomer Ren, they set up Bakugan Interspace. However, Ren is not all that he seems to be and reveals that he is an alien in need of help, saying that his planet Gundalia, is under attack by Neathia. Shun is not convinced and discovers, that Ren is lying once Princess Fabia showed and proved Ren's story wrong. The Brawlers agree to help Fabia and head to Neathia to help fight off the Gundalians. Meanwhile, Ren begins showing signs of distrust for Barodius (Gundalia's Tyrannical Emperor) and eventually defects to rejoin the Brawlers. Unfortunately, Jake is captured by Kazarina (Gundalia's leading Bakugan biologist) and brainwashed, so the Brawlers head to Gundalia to rescue him along with Ren's imprisoned team mates(who were imprisoned for faliure), joined by Nurzak (a former advisor to Barodious, who turned against him when he saw he would lead Gundalia to ruin) and Mason Brown(a team mate who had escaped imprisonment, who have also sided with Neathia. Once they do, the Twelve Orders mount a final attack on Neathia. The Brawlers rush back in time to defend the planet while Dan and Barodius engage in their final battle. Ren and Mason's team mates Jesse Glenn, Lena Isis and Zenet Surrow are freed from their brainwashed state after Kazarina's demise. Linehalt uses his Forbidden Powers to restore the war torn Neathia, while Barodius and Dharak are destroyed by an overload of power from the Sacred Orb (which they tried to take anyway, despite Dan and Drago defeating them), which grants Drago new powers and evolves him into Titanium Dragonoid and granting him the status of ruler over all Bakugan.

Season 4: Mechtanium Surge

The Brawlers' reign as number one in Bakugan Interspace is killed by two new powerful teams: Team Anubias and Team Sellon. To make matters worse, Dan and Drago continuously suffer from visions sent to them by Mag Mel and Razenoid. These cause them to lose fans rapidly when Drago loses control in battle several times, threatening the lives of all the children in Interspace. Shun and Marucho find themselves unable to help as Dan is keeping everything to himself. When Dan loses control once again and nearly kills Anubias in battle, all of Dan's fans abandon him and he leaves for New Vestroia to train. Shun, meanwhile, takes the reins of leader of the Battle Brawlers and charges himself with the task of returning the Brawlers to their former glory. He becomes more and more uncaring and brushes off all opinions but his own while Marucho tries to help him be a better leader. Paige and Rafe show up to learn from them, but find them in disarray. Meanwhile, Dan and Drago fix their problem and prepare to come back. Eventually, Dan controls Drago's powers as Marucho and Shun reunite and join up with Paige and Rafe. When the Chaos Bakugan start destroying Interspace, Spectra appears out of nowhere to help the Brawlers out and destroys many of the Chaos Bakugan. Afterwards, Dan returns, but is out of sync and accidentally defeats his fellow brawlers with Zenthon. He tells them later about Mag Mel (Spectra left beforehand, disappointed in Dan having changed). Shun walks out and dismisses Taylean's words. Dan later has a vision (which is true) about Gundalia being attacked by Mag Mel (who is now free). Dan arrives and tells them about Gundalia, which Paige confirms unexpectedly. The Brawlers dismiss Dan and don't let him go, but Dan says somewhat angrily that he's not asking; he's telling them that he is an original brawler and isn't gonna be cut from this fight. They let him come along and save Ren's home world.

Then they face Mag Mel and discover Interspace being destroyed and go back to Earth to save it but they are trapped and must figure a way to save the gate and key and the battlers and interspace. Just then, Anubias and Sellon reveals themselves as artificial life forms created by Mag Mel to assure his resurrection and succeeded in taking Dan's Key. In a new battle, Dan find out that Mag Mel is actually Barodius, who survived his last encounter on Neathia after being transported to the dark reversed dimension crated by Code Eve.^[4] He later plans to destroy the planet Earth, Gundalia, Neathia, Vestal and New Vestroia by sending every civilizations to the dark reversed dimension. Before "disappearing", he says that his final demise will cause another disaster to befall on Dan and Drago.

A few months later, Bakugan Land is shown to have a peaceful start as humans have now communed with the Bakugan from New Vestroia. Not all is well when 4 Mechtogan who have broken free from their bakugan start terrorizing the place. Not only that, but some new enemy called Wiseman has apperared with ancient Bakugan called the Nonets.

Media

Anime

Season 1

Main article: List of Bakugan Battle Brawlers episodes

The first episode of the anime television series (produced by TMS Entertainment and Japan Vistec under the direction of Mitsuo Hashimoto), made its debut in Japan on TV Tokyo on April 5, 2007 and was rebroadcast six days later on BS Japan. Nelvana Limited produced the English language version and premiered the series on the Canadian network Teletoon on July 2007 and then on Cartoon Network on February 24, 2008.

New Vestroia

Main article: List of Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia episodes

In March 2009, TMS and Nelvana Entertainment companies announced that a follow-up series, Bakugan Battle Brawlers: New Vestroia (爆丸バトルブローラ: ーズ ニューヴェストロイア, Bakugan Batoru Burōrāzu: Nyū Vesutoroia^?) , consisting of 26 episodes was in production.^[5] The series began airing on April 12, 2009 on the Canadian network Teletoon and then on Cartoon Network on May 9, 2009. Due to the ratings in Canada, Teletoon asked that New Vestroia be extended leading to an additional 26 episode order.

The Cartoon Network website aired an special called Maxus Unleashed, and marks a synopsis about the first 26 episodes.

The New Vestroia series in Japan, aired on the TV Tokyo Network on March 2, 2010, at 7:00PM. The opening song, titled "Cho! Saikyo! Warriors" is once again done by Psychic Lover, while the first ending, "Bang! Bang! Bakugan!", is done by Yoshifumi Ushima and the second ending "Communication Breakdown" by Crush Tears.

Gundalian Invaders

Main article: List of Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders episodes

Publicly announced through Bakugan.com, the official My.Bakugan.com community, and other media, Spin Master announced a third series, titled Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders (爆丸バトルブローラーズ: ガンダリアンインベーダーズ, Bakugan Batoru Burōrāzu: Gandarian Inbēdāzu^?). It premiered in Canada on May 23, 2010, and aired in the United States on May 29, 2010. The Japanese version premiered on April 3, 2011. The new series ties into the online game Bakugan Dimensions through the use of special heat-reveal DNA codes on the new series of Gundalian Invaders Bakugan.^[6][7]

The first opening song "Ready Go!" is done by Sissy, while the second opening, "Mega・Meta", is done by Yu Kobayashi, who is Dan's voice actor. The first ending song, "Love the Music", is done by LISP, while the second, "Tan-Kyu-Shin", is done by KREVA.

Mechtanium Surge

Main article: List of Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge episodes

In September 2010, Nelvana Entertainment announced a fourth season to the Bakugan series titled Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge, which launched on February 13, 2011 in Canada and in United States on March 5, 2011.With now 46 episodes.^[8][1]

Manga - BakuTech! Bakugan

In September 2010, Japanese children's anthology magazine CoroCoro Comic began serializing a Bakugan manga by Shingo Maki entitled, BakuTech! Bakugan (爆ＴＥＣＨ！　爆丸, Bakuteku! Bakugan^?). The series stars a new cast of characters not related to the anime series. The series had its own CoroCoro Special Edition published on January 15, 2011.^[9] As of Augest 2011, three volumes have been collected.^[10]

Film

In December 2008, Universal Pictures and Stuber Productions signed a deal with Spin Master for a film based on the Bakugan Battle Brawlers game and anime franchise.^[11] By December 2010, an announcement on Universal's Twitter account confirmed that Harald Zwart (The Karate Kid) will be directing the film.^[12]

Games

Strategic game

Bakugan

Manufacturer(s)	Sega Toys, spin master
Illustrator(s)	various artists
Publisher(s)	Sega Toys and Spin Master
Years active	2006 to present
Players	2–4
Age range	5 years and up
Setup time	5–10 minutes
Playing time	30–60 minutes
Random chance	8%
Skill(s) required	Strategy, Arithmetic, Aim,
Website	www.bakugan.com

A strategic game called Bakugan was developed by Sega Toys and Spin Master and released in conjunction with the anime series, albeit beginning a year before the anime even started (2006). The game uses spherical, spring-loaded miniature figures, representing the Bakugan, which pop open when rolled onto special metal Gate cards. The objective of the game is to capture three Gate cards. You can change the rules of battle with ability cards.^[13] Battle is engaged when opposing Bakugan magnetically pop open on the same Gate card. Each Bakugan has an attack strength called "G-Power", which can be modified by the Gate card landed on, Ability cards from players' hands,special optional pieces called Traps and some Bakugan carry Battle Gear and bakunano. To win a Gate card, you need to use the gate card's G-power boost added to the G-Power score of your Bakugan. The Bakugan with the highest combined G-Power wins the battle and captures the Gate. Some bakugan are called mechtogan. These are bakugan action figures, they do not fold up to a ball instead you slap the card onto its back to show its secret functions and g-power. Your bakugan's g-power combine to make the total g-power, e.g.: bakugan g power; 600g, mechtogan g-power: 150g = 750g so you will have 750g power

The game can also be played with up to four people. The rules remain the same as a regular game. Bakugan may also be played in Big game style where players use six Gate Cards, six Ability Cards and six Bakugan, instead of three of each as in a normal game. Instead of capturing three Gate Cards, a player must capture six to win the game.

The game has spawned numerous accessories, such as carry clips to store three Bakugan marbles at a time, launchers to fire the marbles at the game arena, soft plastic and hard plastic play area mats and special gauntlets (based on the ones used in the second season).

Attributes

There are a total of 6 attributes: Pyrus (fire) , Aquos (water) and Haos (light) make the power triangle. Opposite them, the trio of Darkus (darkness) , Ventus (wind) and Subterra (rock) make the triangle of power. battle gear and bakunano : gold, silver,copper

Power Sources

There is the Perfect Core, Silent Core, Code Eve, and others. They are power sources. They contain enough life in them to bring life to anything in the Bakugan world. They contain light and darkness to keep the world balanced.

Special Treatment

Special Treatment Bakugan exist, such as Clear, Dual Attribute, Pearl, Translucent, and White. In the game, most Special Treatment Bakugan have multiple attributes or can take on the attribute of an opposing Bakugan under certain circumstances. Note that special effects are NOT attributes except for Clear and White.

Reception

Bakugan marbles have been one of the top rated toys for children, winning plenty of awards and selling thousands of marbles a year. The original series 1 and 2 (B1 Bakugan) were smaller, and all Bakugan after series 3 called Bakupearl (B2 Bakugan) are larger and the current size. Fans have also been upset, as the main heroes and villains Bakugan from the last 26 episodes in New Vestoria were not released outside the Japanese Bakugan market.

According to IGN, it was one of the leading kids games for the Nintendo DS in 2009.^[14] The Toy Industry Association gave Bakugan Battle Brawlers the 2009 Property of the Year award, recognizing the property that has had the greatest success spreading its brand throughout the industry that year.^[15]

Product promotions

Toys and electronics

In February 2009, Digital Blue announced a new line of Bakugan branded electronics for the 20-55 (as confirmed in an interview of popular toys marketed at kids) age group. Products include branded digital cameras, alarm clocks and other electronics. The line is expected in retail in Spring 2009.^[16]

Video games

Main article: List of Bakugan Battle Brawlers video games

On April 6, 2010, Spin Master announced on Bakugan.com that they were working on the online game 'Bakugan Dimensions' which would be released online for all Operating Systems that supported Adobe Flash. It was released for open Beta on June 2, 2010 but the beta was shut down on June 30, 2011 for unknown reasons.

Food product promotions

• In 2009, Frito-Lay introduced a set of 26 Bakugan tazos in packages of Cheetos in India. The promotion, which ran from June 10 to August 10, 2009, included a contest in which consumers could win other Bakugan prizes.^[17]
• In 2010, Frito-Lay promoted a set of 120 tazos in packages of Cheetos Sorpresa (English: Surprise) in Latin America featuring Bakugan Battle Brawlers. There were four different package designs. The collection consists of 120 numbered tazos with slots in the edges that double as building blocks called "armatazos".
• In October 2010, Colombina S.A., based in Zarzal Colombia, marketed Bakugan Battle Brawlers "Nuciarmables" (square tazos with slotted sides that could be used to construct cubes and other shapes) in packages of Nucita chocolate cream snacks marketed throughout Latin America. There are 48 different (not numbered) tazos in the collection which feature both the Bakugan and Cartoon Network logos.
• In November 2010, Bakugan Chocolate Surprise Eggs were released in Canada by Zaini.

See also

• Zoobles - A Spin Master, and SEGA Toys girls-oriented toyline launched in 2010 with a similar transforming ball idea.

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge - on". Teletoon.com. http://teletoon.com/teletoon3/teletoon.php?language=En&func=php. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 
2. ^ "Shows - Bakugan: Mechtanium Surge". Nelvana.com. http://www.nelvana.com/show/details/63. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 
3. ^ "Nelvana Spins New Toy Deal". AWN Headline News. January 22, 2007. http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=cat&category1=Licensing&newsitem_no=18917. Retrieved June 11, 2009. 
4. ^ http://www.nelvana.com/shows/shows_template.asp?sid=229
5. ^ "Production is slated to begin for the 2nd series of the worldwide smash hit animated series "BAKUGAN"" (PDF). TMS Entertainment. 2008-12-16. http://www.tms-e.com/english/pdf/tms_news_081216.pdf. Retrieved 2009-03-25. 
6. ^ http://www.toonzone.net/forums/showthread.ph p?p=3595758
7. ^ "Bakugan: Gundalian Invaders". Teletoon.com. http://teletoon.com/teletoon3/teletoon.php?language=En&func=php. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 
8. ^ "Nelvana's Mipcom Slate Features New CGI Franklin, Live Action and More" (Press release). Nelvana Entertainment. September 27, 2010. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2010-09-27/nelvana-mipcom-slate-features-new-cgi-franklin-live-action-and-more. Retrieved October 5, 2010. 
9. ^ "爆丸　爆ＴＥＣＨの書". Shogakukan. http://www.shogakukan.co.jp/magazines/detail/_sbook_0380802111. Retrieved June 10, 2011. 
10. ^ "爆ＴＥＣＨ！　爆丸　１". Shogakukan. http://www.shogakukan.co.jp/comics/detail/_isbn_9784091411952. Retrieved June 10, 2011. 
11. ^ "Universal Signs Deal for Proposed Bakugan Film". Anime News Network. December 16, 2008. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-16/universal-signs-deal-for-proposed-bakugan-film. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
12. ^ "Universal's Bakugan Adds 2010 Karate Kid Helmer Zwart [sic]". Anime News Network. December 20, 2010. http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-12-20/2010-karate-kid-helmer-zwart-added-to-universal-bakugan. Retrieved June 18, 2011. 
13. ^ Silver, Alexandra (February 27, 2008). "Bakugan Battle Brawlers - 2008 American International Toy Fair". Time (Time Inc.). http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/article/0,28804,1715219_1715217_1715552,00.html. Retrieved 2008-11-17. 
14. ^ "Activision's Bakugan Battle Brawlers One of the Leading Kids Games for 2009 Holiday - Nintendo DS News at IGN". Ds.ign.com. http://ds.ign.com/articles/105/1054985p1.html. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 
15. ^ "TIA TOTY Awards". Toy Industry Association, Inc.. 2009-03-28. http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=TOTY_Awards. Retrieved 2009-03-28. 
16. ^ "Digital Blue to Create Bakugan Branded Electronics". KidsTechReview.com (KidsTechReview.com). 2009-02-13. http://www.kidstechreview.com/2009/02/digital-blue-to-create-bakugan-branded-electronics. Retrieved 2009-02-13. 
17. ^ ":: Cheetos ::". Cheetos.in. http://www.cheetos.in/index-bakugan.aspx. Retrieved 2011-11-10. 

External links

• Official Website
• Nelvana
• Cartoon Network
• Teletoon:
  • Season 1
  • Season 2: New Vestroia
  • Season 3: Gundalian Invaders
  • Saeson 4: Mechtanium Surge
• Bakugan Battle Brawlers at TMS Entertainment
• TV Tokyo (Japanese):
  • Season 1
  • Season 2: New Vestroia
  • Season 3: Gundalian Invaders
• Bakugan Battle Brawlers (anime) at Anime News Network's Encyclopedia