Customer Reviews

Gunbuster 1 [VHS]

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What is Gunbuster, anyway? It has elements of a Gundam parody, a high-school comedy, and of high space opera. One thing's for sure: It's entertaining as hell. Noriko's journey from crybaby to alien butt-kicker is thoroughly enjoyable, even if the entire focus of the series seems to shift in the last three episodes. She's one of the coolest anime characters ever. There's a lot of science and drama, as in Evangelion (itself awesome), but in Gunbuster you know that everything will work out in the end because Noriko will never be defeated! It's a highly positive and inspirational series. It can be confusing (mostly because GAINAX thought they'd have to end it early), but it's really more of a spectacle. And the Gunbuster itself is the baddest robot east, south, north and west of the Pecos. If Gunbuster confuses you, it's probably because of the super-fan oriented nature of the series - you have to really be into anime and its history (Watch for Smith Toren...). But at least there's Jung-Freud and her friendly fan service to save the day. If you're a longtime anime fan and have never seen Gunbuster, check out the original classic from the year 2015! Go, Noriko, go! TOP O NERAE!!

The other review is wrong. This is Gunbuster, aka: Top o Narae(Aim for the Top!). Now, once I'm past that, this is an excellent series. This is almost as good as Evangelion, and is their other big twist on the mecha genre. Being made before Hideaki Anno's(the director of Evangelion's) disillusionment with fandom, this one celebrates fans and all the cliches that make us love anime so much, while at the same time poking a bit of fun at all of it. In addition, Studio Gainax shows off everything that it does better than anyone else:being self-referential(as fans), innovative mecha design, comic relief, battle scenes that just shout, "Cool!"(Buster BEEEAM!), bits of "arty-ness" to add to the drama, and the occasional awe-inspiring visual that makes the watcher think "Wow. Why can't ALL animation be this gorgeous?"

These first 2 episodes are the most light-hearted of the 6, and they're great. Some of it's predictable, but that's the point(and I guarantee you that the later episodes get more innovative, serious, and powerful). The highlight of the episodes? The "science lessons" in full super-deformed mode after each episode. They're hilarious!

Overall, Gunbuster is a truly great mix of the high drama and low comedy that drew so many of us to anime in the first place, with enough twists to keep it fresh and highly interesting. In short, it's FUN!

I initially rented this OVA series because it was directed by Hideaki Anno of "Evangelion" and "Nadia" fame. And believe me, even though "Gunbuster" was early in Anno's career, his work shines through! While not as mind-blowing as "Eva", 1989's "Gunbuster" was still more than a typical giant robot anime.

The first episode was cute, and a nice setup for things to come, but nothing all that fantastic on its own. We meet the main characters and a few supporting ones who will prove important later on. The heroine, Nariko, is not at all unlike "Eva"'s Shinji. For that matter, her mentor Amano bears some small similarity to Misato. The setting is part girl's high school and part mecha training facility. The funniest thing about this episode is the sight of all those giant robots doing pushups, jumping rope, and jogging (this is how the girls develop their piloting skills).

Episode two takes Noriko and Amano into space to join the war against the aliens. There they meet Russian pilot Jung-Freud and her mecha the Soviet (painted a lot like the Rocket Red character from the Justice League). Jung-Freud is the original Asuka, sporting red hair, an ego, and a competetive spirit. This episode also introduces the director's fascination with the "science" aspect of science fiction. There are some interesting and original concepts that have to do with space, warp drives, and even time travel (sorta).

All in all, the first volume of "Gunbuster" is enjoyable and prompts enough interest to see what happens next. And having seen them all, I'll tell you right now it's worth it.

This is such an unlikely addition to my collection. I'm a fan of Japanese Animation, but I put this whole film in a list of my favorite movies all time. This was such an enjoyable ride, watching this young girl grow up and take responsibility for herself, and in the process, saving the world! This has to be the best Japanese Animated movie I've ever seen, and it's a shame that things like Sailor Moon get so popular and fantastic movies like this are barely watched. Pokemon is not a show of what the Japanese can do with animation. Give Gunbuster a chance...

I love the plot on Gunbuster, but my favorite thing about it is the musicand the way it was composed. I love Japan and its' culture and anime in Japan is excellent. You'll never get bored with Gunbuster, it's just one of those anime that you can enjoy time and time again

I initially rented this OVA series because it was directed by Hideaki Anno of "Evangelion" and "Nadia" fame. And believe me, even though "Gunbuster" was early in Anno's career, his work shines through! While not as mind-blowing as "Eva", 1989's "Gunbuster" was still more than a typical giant robot anime.

The first episode was cute, and a nice setup for things to come, but nothing all that fantastic on its own. We meet the main characters and a few supporting ones who will prove important later on. The heroine, Nariko, is not at all unlike "Eva"'s Shinji. For that matter, her mentor Amano bears some small similarity to Misato. The setting is part girl's high school and part mecha training facility. The funniest thing about this episode is the sight of all those giant robots doing pushups, jumping rope, and jogging (this is how the girls develop their piloting skills).

Episode two takes Noriko and Amano into space to join the war against the aliens. There they meet Russian pilot Jung-Freud and her mecha the Soviet (painted a lot like the Rocket Red character from the Justice League). Jung-Freud is the original Asuka, sporting red hair, an ego, and a competetive spirit. This episode also introduces the director's fascination with the "science" aspect of science fiction. There are some interesting and original concepts that have to do with space, warp drives, and even time travel (sorta).

All in all, the first volume of "Gunbuster" is enjoyable and prompts enough interest to see what happens next. And having seen them all, I'll tell you right now it's worth it.

This is Gunbuster, aka: Top o Narae(Aim for the Top!). Now, once I'm past that, this is an excellent series. This is almost as good as Evangelion, and is their other big twist on the mecha genre. Being made before Hideaki Anno's(the director of Evangelion's) disillusionment with fandom, this one celebrates fans and all the cliches that make us love anime so much, while at the same time poking a bit of fun at all of it. In addition, Studio Gainax shows off everything that it does better than anyone else:being self-referential(as fans), innovative mecha design, comic relief, battle scenes that just shout, "Cool!"(Buster BEEEAM!), bits of "arty-ness" to add to the drama, and the occasional awe-inspiring visual that makes the watcher think "Wow. Why can't ALL animation be this gorgeous?"

These first 2 episodes are the most light-hearted of the 6, and they're great. Some of it's predictable, but that's the point(and I guarantee you that the later episodes get more innovative, serious, and powerful). The highlight of the episodes? The "science lessons" in full super-deformed mode after each episode. They're hilarious!

Overall, Gunbuster is a truly great mix of the high drama and low comedy that drew so many of us to anime in the first place, with enough twists to keep it fresh and highly interesting. In short, it's FUN!

I've heard alot about this series, and finally seeing it on VHS is very rewarding after all this time.

Noriko Takaya is a young woman training to become a part of the "Top Squadren", a group of the best RX-7 pilots to fight a war against an enemy she knows little about. Meeting the hard training Kazumi Amano, russion RX-7 pilot Jung Freud, and with help from her coach and trainer Kouichiro "Coach" Ohta, Noriko must conquer her fears about her past. Will her father's death cause her to become depressed, or will she fight on?

The first volume of Gunbuster starts off a bit slow, but does well to develop the characters we do meet. With what we see of this universe so far, it's a very interesting OVA. For an older anime, this still stands out a great deal with great animation quality and music. The voice acting for the japanese voices are very good, and while the subtitles are older and not quite as accurate as subtitles are today, it's nothing to complain about. There is also a bit of fanservice in this OVA, but it's not a big complaint either, as it's not the focus of the show.

Another interesting part of this anime, is how Einstein's theory of space and time are put into play here. I won't spoil it, all I will say is watch the anime and find out for yourself how important a role this science theory will play.

Gunbuster volume 1 is off to a great start, and we can only wait and see what'll happen in the next 4 episodes.

The animation isnt all the great, the battles are rare and not so thrilling as say a newer anime, but it's strangley enough totally enjoyable. The voice acting is top notch, the characters are beautifully devoloped, and the plot is perfect. Im just luckey I got a chance to see such a random anime. It really is only appreicated after seeing all three. They are just truly great movies. Give them a chance.

Animation surprisingly excelent animation, for a title of its age, Also with a solid plot, definatly a must see for any serious fan. (WhiteBread)