Gunbuster Wikia Wiki
Don't have an account?
Register
Gunbuster Wikia Wiki
Advertisement
Register
Gunbuster Wikia Wiki
Gunbuster Wiki
121
pages
in: Mecha, Buster Machines

Gunbuster (Mecha)

Sign in to edit
Gunbuster Front

Super Lightspeed Universal Transformation Combining Machine Weapon Gunbuster (超光速万能大型変形合体マシン兵器 ガンバスター; Chō Kōsoku Banno Ōgata Henkei Gattai Machine Heiki Ganbasutā) is an extremely powerful mecha which is formed by combining Buster Machine 1 and Buster Machine 2, which are piloted by Noriko Takaya and Kazumi Amano, respectively. It appears that Noriko is in control of Gunbuster's movements while Kazumi controls some other more technical aspect of its operation. Because it's made up of two combined machines, it has two Degeneracy Generators instead of one. The purpose of Gunbuster was first to fight off Space Monsters and later to protect the Exelion, then later in the war, Buster Machine 3 during its transit to the center of the galaxy.

Appearance[]

The fully composed Gunbuster stands at 240 meters tall, taking a mecha-humanoid appearance. Gunbuster's torso and head transforms from Buster Machine 1, containing large, hulking shoulders lined with thrusters for heightened agility and movement. Large cylindrical arms fall from Gunbuster's shoulders. Buster Colliders are encased within both of the arms. Gunbuster's head takes the form similar to that of a samurai's Kabuto helm, adorned with a golden, gleaming crest representing the logo of the Imperial Space Force. Within the head lies Gunbuster's "Eye", a purple sphere with a single, powerful photon lens in the middle, which can emit a Buster Beam when activated. Gunbuster's lower body transforms from Buster Machine 2. From the hips descend large, cylindrical bipedal legs similar to that of Gunbuster's arms. Gunbuster's feet contain caterpillar treads tipped with serrated spikes. The legs can preform the Super Lighting Kick when activated. The whole of Gunbuster's body is colored dark gray with yellow-orange trim.

History[]

Gunbuster was developed by the Imperial Space Force under the supervision of Koichiro Oota and was stationed aboard the Exelion during the fleet's expedition to the Leaf 64 system in 2022. Oota selected Noriko Takaya and Kazumi Amano as Gunbuster's pilots; this decision was controversial, as Noriko was a freshman with little piloting skills. During the Space Monsters' ambush on the Exelion fleet in the Milky Way, Noriko commandeered the incomplete Gunbuster. At the time of the incident, Gunbuster's Degeneracy Generator had not yet been completed; thus, Noriko had to operate it on 10 minutes of reserve power. Noriko saved the Top Squadron by destroying hundreds of Space Monster infantry units with a Buster Beam before engaging the flagship. As the flagship was moving too fast, Noriko engaged the Inertial Canceler to successfully stop the enemy ship. Despite being impaled through the chest, Gunbuster destroyed the flagship with the Buster Collider, forcing the rest of the Space Monster army to retreat back to its home system.

Upon the Exelion's return to Earth in 2032, Gunbuster was repaired and upgraded. Aside from the installation of two Degeneracy Generators, Gunbuster was fitted with new weaponry such as the Homing Laser, Buster Missiles, and the Buster Shield. In addition, Gunbuster's combination feature was perfected, enabling it to separate into Buster Machine 1 (piloted by Noriko) and Buster Machine 2 (piloted by Kazumi, who served as Gunbuster's navigator). When a massive Space Monster fleet buildup was detected outside the Solar System, both Buster Machines were sent on a mission to escort the decommissioned Exelion to the center of the enemy fleet's gathering. Gunbuster protected the Exelion from thousands of enemy ships until it reached the target area, where its Degeneracy Generator was detonated, creating a black hole that consumed the entire Space Monster fleet. Consequently, the detonation damaged Earth and parts of the Solar System.

After Gunbuster returned to Earth in 2033, Kazumi retired and married Oota, and she was replaced by Jung Freud as Buster Machine 2's pilot. Gunbuster was reassigned to the Eltreum and was part of Project Carneades: the fleet's expedition to the Sagittarius A* star system to completely eradicate the Space Monsters with Buster Machine 3. After delivering Buster Machine 3 to the Eltreum fleet, Kazumi was given back control of Buster Machine 2 from Jung, who switched to piloting her custom Sizzler Black. Gunbuster assisted in defending Buster Machine 3 from numerous waves of Space Monster fleets for 22 minutes. When Buster Machine 3 failed to detonate due to losing 2% of its power output from the attacks, Gunbuster flew down to the core to use its main Degenerative Generator to jumpstart the detonation sequence. While the surviving Eltreum fleet warped back to Earh, Gunbuster raced away from the resulting detonation that wiped out the Space Monsters' home system. The time dilation during the escape resulted in Gunbuster's damaged upper torso returning to Earth on July 7, 14,292.

Weapons and Abilities[]

Aim_for_the_Top!_Gunbuster_-_Super_Inazuma_Kick!!

Aim for the Top! Gunbuster - Super Inazuma Kick!!

Noriko and Kazumi announcing the Super Lightning Kick.

Gunbuster has a plethora of attacks and moves, all of which Noriko loudly announces, as is proper 80's mecha anime etiquette.

  • Buster Beam (バスタービーム)
A powerful laser beam emitted from Gunbuster's forehead.
  • Buster Collider (バスターコライダ)
An array of rods deployed from Gunbuster's forearms that pierce through a target and conduct millions of volts of electricity.
  • Double Buster Collider (ダブルバスターコライダ)
An extra set of rods deployed from Gunbuster's lower legs.
  • Homing Laser (ホーミングレーザー)
Gunbuster's hands can fire a volley of laser beams that lock on to multiple targets.
  • Buster Missile (バスターミサイル)
Missiles fired from Gunbuster's fingers.
  • Buster Shield (バスターシールド)
A giant cape deployed from Gunbuster's right shoulder armor that can deflect enemy attacks. This weapon is an homage to the Getter Wing, a cape worn by different variants of Getter-1 from the Getter Robo franchise.
  • Super Inazuma Kick (スーパー稲妻キック)
A high speed flying kick enhanced with the spiked treads under Gunbuster's foot.
  • Inertial Canceler (イナーシャルキャンセラー)
A system that renders Gunbuster as an immovable object, stopping any high-speed target in its way.
  • Buster Tomahawk/Double Buster Tomahawk* (バスタートマホーク/ダブルバスタートマホーク)
Two giant axes deployed from Gunbuster's left shoulder armor that can be combined into a double-sided polearm. This weapon is an homage to the Getter Tomahawk, the signature weapon of different variants of Getter-1 from the Getter Robo franchise.
  • Buster Home Run* (バスターホームラン)
A giant baseball bat deployed from Gunbuster's left shoulder armor. For this attack, Gunbuster forms an energy ball from its hand and tosses it before Gunbuster uses the bat to hit it towards an enemy target. When the energy ball reaches the target, it expands into a small black hole that consumes the target area.
  • Buster Rocket Anchor** (バスターロケットアンカー)
Projectile weapons mounted on Gunbuster's side skirts.
  • Buster Missile-mite** (バスターミサイルマイト)
Gatling missile turrets that can be deployed from Gunbuster's forearms.
  • Buster Cowboy*** (バスターカウボーイ)
An energy lasso that Gunbuster generates from its hand to capture an enemy unit.
  • Buster Ring*** (バスターリング)
An energy ring that Gunbuster throws to slice multiple enemy targets.
  • Buster Strike**** (バスターストライク)[1]
Gunbuster's leg guards can combine into a football-like projectile weapon.
  • Buster Spin**** (バスタースピン)
A spinning attack similar to the finishing move of Combattler V.
  • Buster Tatsumaki**** (バスター竜巻)
A wind attack similar to that of Combattler V.
  • Buster Yo-Yo**** (バスターヨーヨー)
Gunbuster's side skirts can be used as yo-yos with energy buzzsaws like those of Combattler V.

*Appears in games, only name shown in original anime.
**Appears in the short film Sizzler Project.
***Exclusive to the Studio HalfEye Perfect Change Gunbuster toy.
****Referenced in the Gunbuster Card Game by Hobby Japan.

Merchandise[]

Model Kits[]

  • Aoshima ACKS 1/1000 Gunbuster (2019)
  • Aoshima ACKS 1/1000 Gunbuster [Black Hole Starship Edition] (2020)
  • Aoshima ACKS 1/1000 Gunbuster [Super Inazuma Kick Ver.] (2023)
  • Bandai SMP Alternative Destiny Gunbuster Infinity Super Inazuma Kick Set (2022)
  • General Products 1/500 Gunbuster Resin Garage Kit
  • General Products 1/500 Gunbuster Soft Vinyl Garage Kit
  • General Products 1/1200 Gunbuster Resin Garage Kit
  • ZERO 1/1200 Gunbuster Resin Cast Garage Kit
  • Max Factory Plamax Minimum Factory MF-65 Gunbuster Super Inazuma Kick/RX-7 Inazuma Kick [Buster Machine Color Ver.] (2023)
  • Max Factory Plamax Minimum Factory MF-80 Noriko Takaya with Gunbuster [Character Color Ver.] (2023)
  • Max Factory Plamax Minimum Factory MF-81 Noriko Takaya with Gunbuster [Effect Color Ver.] (2023)

Toys[]

  • Bandai Soul of Chogokin GX-34R Gunbuster [Buster Gokin Color Ver.] (2015)
  • Kaiyodo/Xebec Victory Action Figures Gunbuster [Tokubetsu Gentei Ver.] (1997)

Trivia[]

  • Gunbuster's signature pose of standing tall with its arms folded is based on Getter-1's pose during the final battle in the Getter Robo manga. The pose has gone on to be known as the "Gainax Pose", as numerous characters from Gainax's further works have used the same pose.
  • Some of Gunbuster's weapons are inspired by those used in the Getter Robo franchise. The Buster Shield is reminiscent of Getter-1's Getter Wing while the Buster Tomahawk is similar to the Getter Tomahawks used by the various Getter Robo incarnations.
  • While the Buster Tomahawk and Buster Home Run are not used in the anime, they can be seen stored in Gunbuster's left shoulder armor for a split-second during the transformation sequence in episode 5.
  • The first Gunbuster toy to demonstrate the Buster Strike is the CCS Toys Mortal Mind Gunbuster, as its leg guards have magnets that attach to each other.

Gallery[]

Line art[]

Anime[]

Super Robot Wars[]

Toys[]

References[]

  1. ↑ Omochagura - ガンバスター幻の武器セット
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
Advertisement