Line #34 Anime/BraveSeries


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/braveseries03.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Tales of courage, friendship and vacuum metallized plastic.]]
3	The ''Brave Series'' (or ''Yuusha Series'') is an {{anime}} and toy SuperRobot ThematicSeries created by animation studio Creator/{{Sunrise}} and toy company Takara (now [=TakaraTomy=]).
4
5	In TheNineties, Takara brought an end to animated "''[[Franchise/TransformersGeneration1 Generation 1]]''" ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' material in Japan, following a chilly reception to 1989's ''Anime/TransformersVictory'' and an overall worldwide decline in popularity resulting in a franchise hiatus lasting until 1996's ''WesternAnimation/BeastWars''[[note]]In terms of television, that is; both the ''Transformers'' toyline as well as the [[ComicBook/TheTransformersMarvel comics by Marvel]] retained popularity with Western consumers way into the 90s[[/note]], which also led to the cancellation of the OVA series ''Manga/TransformersZone''. Sensing that the coming Japanese kids of the decade wanted something different and wanting to remain relevant in the market, Takara struck a cooperative deal with Sunrise (which had just recently become one of the most famous studios in Japan due to the explosive success of the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' series) to develop a new television franchise and set of toy lines, one that would also be separate from the (then fraught and difficult) relationship Takara had developed with their American ''Transformers'' partner Creator/{{Hasbro}}. This would all lead to the development of the ''Brave Series''.
6
7	!!!The ''Brave Series'' includes:
8	[[index]]
9	[[AC:Main Series]]
10	* ''Anime/BraveExkaiser'' (1990)
11	* ''Anime/TheBraveFighterOfSunFighbird'' (1991)
12	* ''Anime/TheBraveFighterOfLegendDaGarn'' (1992)
13	* ''Anime/TheBraveExpressMightGaine'' (1993)
14	* ''Anime/BravePoliceJDecker'' (1994)
15	* ''Anime/TheBraveOfGoldGoldran'' (1995)
16	* ''Anime/BraveCommandDagwon'' (1996)
17	* ''[[Anime/GaoGaiGar The King of Braves [=GaoGaiGar=]]]'' (1997-1998)
18	** ''[[Anime/GaoGaiGarFINAL The King of Braves [=GaoGaiGar=]: FINAL]]'' (2000)--[[OriginalVideoAnimation OVA]] sequel
19	** ''[[Literature/KingOfKingsGaogaigarVSBetterman The King of Kings: GaoGaiGar Vs. Betterman]]'' (2016-2021)--WebSerialNovel sequel
20	[[AC:Other Works]]
21	* ''Manga/BraveUniverseSworgrader''
22	** ''VideoGame/BraveSaga''
23	[[/index]]
24
25	A ninth series, ''The Saint of Braves Baan Gaan'', was planned but never produced. The material meant to be used in this canceled series was later recycled into the plots for the ''Brave Saga'' VideoGame and concepts from it later appeared in the unrelated SuperRobot anime ''Anime/GEARFighterDendoh'' (along with a few concepts from a planned ''[=GaoGaiGar=]'' sequel). There's also another video game, ''New Century Brave Wars'' (Which includes Might Gaine, J-Decker, Dagwon and Gaogaigar, as well as ''Anime/ZettaiMutekiRaijinOh''), which has its own OriginalGeneration mech, ''Quantum Leap Rayserver''.
26
27	With the overall global success of ''[=GaoGaiGar=]'', Creator/{{Sunrise}} launched its continuation project starting with a premium disc bundled in ''The King of Braves [=GaoGaiGar=]: FINAL--GRAND GLORIOUS GATHERING'' DVD Box Set titled ''The King of Braves [=GaoGaiGar=]: FINAL--Project Z'', along with the novelization of ''The King of Braves [=GaoGaiGar=]: FINAL'', releasing further details and it’s story connections with ''Anime/{{Betterman}}''. In year 2016, Creator/{{Sunrise}} fulfilled their goal of merging the two series together with a WebSerialNovel version of the project, ''Literature/KingOfKingsGaogaigarVSBetterman''.
28
29	To the surprise of many, for ''[=GaoGaiGar=]'s'' 25th anniversary, a new ''Brave Series'' was announced in the form of a manga; ''Brave Universe Sworgrader'', which will be a full-on crossover with all previous 7 installments together in a single universe.
30
31	2024's ''Anime/BangBraveBangBravern'' is a SpiritualSuccessor that many people mistook for a new entry in the franchise, due to the involvement of Creator/MasamiObari, along with similarities in mecha and logo designs for the project. The production crew involved mentioned in interviews/news reports that the show is its own thing.
32
33	Not to be confused with a [[Manhua/BraveSeries Manhua series of the same name]].
34	----
35
36	!!Names to know for this franchise:
37
38	* Creator/AtsukoIshida: Animation Supervisor (Animation Inspector) for 3 consecutive series of the franchise. [[note]] ''Da-Garn'', ''Might Gaine'', and ''J-Decker''.[[/note]] As well as Chief Character Designer for ''Might Gaine'', and ''J-Decker''. She would go on to be Animation Supervisor and Chief Character Designer for ''Manga/MagicKnightRayearth''.
39	* Creator/KoichiChiba: Veteran voice actor who was promoted as Voice Director for the ''Brave Series'' starting from ''Da-Garn'' all the way through ''[=GaoGaiGar=] FINAL'' [[DiedDuringProduction till his final breath]]. Known as the one who [[TheChooserOfTheOne cast]] the heroes and kid heroes--[[TheChosenOne notably]] Creator/NobuyukiHiyama.
40	** Chiba is also known to voice one-to-two [[SpearCarrier walk-ons]] in each ''Brave'' title that he directs, most notably Cain of ''[=GaoGaiGar=].''
41	* Kunio Okawara: Chief Mechanical Designer of Creator/{{Sunrise}}, who, was already the Chief Designer for the ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise, came into the department to design ''all'' of the principal robots within the ''Brave Series'' franchise. He then eventually designed nearly every single robot for ''Anime/GaoGaiGar.''
42	* Masaaki Iwane: Frequent animator for the series better known for his work at Creator/StudioCockpit on ''Anime/DragonBallZ'' and ''Anime/PokemonTheSeries''. Provided keyframe animation for every entry, often handling the flashy action scenes not handled by Obari.
43	* Creator/MasamiObari: One of the most important animators involved throughout the series. Mainly on [[TitleSequence Title Sequences]], CombiningMecha, and [[FinishingMove Finishing Moves.]]
44	* Creator/NobuyukiHiyama: The only voice actor to be cast as [[HeroProtagonist Principal Actor]] more than once throughout the franchise, [[note]]Might Senpuuji of ''Might Gaine'' and Guy Shishioh of ''[=GaoGaiGar=]''.[[/note]] earning him the reputation of TheHero; and ultimately became [[TheFace the person representing the franchise as a whole]] for the franchise's various anniversary events.
45	* Creator/RyotaroOkiayu: The only voice actor enrolled as a regular cast member with multiple roles for 3 consecutive series. [[note]]''Might Gaine'', ''J-Decker'', and ''Goldran.''[[/note]] And was selected as the promoter for The ''Brave Series’'' 30th Anniversary Super Brave Exhibition.
46	* Shinji Takamatsu: Director for 3 consecutive series of the franchise. [[note]]''Might Gaine'', ''J-Decker'', and ''Goldran.''[[/note]] Later known to be the director of, out of all works: ''Manga/{{Gintama}}'', and ''Manga/HaventYouHeardImSakamoto''.
47	* Creator/ShowHayami: The only voice actor to be cast as the [[ProtagonistTitle Principal Robot]] more than once throughout the franchise. [[note]]Exkaiser and Da-Garn.[[/note]]
48	* Tetsuya Yanagaisawa: Key animator and animation supervisor for four entries of the franchise [[note]] ''Exkaiser'', ''Fighbird'' and ''Da-Garn'' for Creator/NakamuraProductions (who also animates on every entry, per their relationship with Sunrise), and ''Dagwon'' [[/note]]. Would go on to helm his own mecha title down the line - an adaptation of ''Manga/DaimidalerTheSoundRobot'' and serve as director for the ''Orient'' anime adaptation.
49
50	----
51
52	!!Common tropes that are seen throughout the franchise are the following:
53	%% * AnimationBump: On a per-episode basis throughout the franchise.
54	%% * {{BFG}}: At least one per season normally, often as a FinishingMove.
55	%% * {{BFS}}: The standard FinishingMove weapon. Averted for [=GaoGaiGar=], who starts off just with its fists, then eventually upgrades to a hammer.
56	%% * [[BigBrotherInstinct Big Brother]] HeroProtagonist: Either stand alone, or paired with KidHero or TagalongKid.
57	%% * CallingYourAttacks: Done quite frequently, normally in as HotBlooded a way as physically possible.
58	* CaptainErsatz: Going back to their previous series, many shows tend to feature intelligent robots who could easily pay homage towards the ''Franchise/{{Transformers}}'' franchise. In fact, several villain and ally robots are ReusedCharacterDesign from Transformers.
59	* CentralTheme: [[WordOfGod Director Shinji Takamatsu]] laid out the formula to input one solid theme aside from "Bravery" for each of his works:
60	** ''Might Gaine'': "[[JusticeWillPrevail Justice]]."
61	** ''J-Decker'': "[[ThePowerOfFriendship Heart]]."
62	** ''Goldran'': "[[CallToAdventure Adventure]]."
63	* ColorMotif:
64	** All major [[TheProtagonist protagonists]] and [[KidHero kid heroes]] would wear their non-combat, normal attire primarily in the combination of '''red''' and '''yellow''' (with green being the 3rd color in-line.) However, if they are paired up or have more than one KidHero/teammate, only one person will wear the staple colors; in this case, they don't need to be the main hero to wear them.
65	** This concept has been played with amongst members of [[Anime/TheBraveExpressMightGaine The Brave Express Team]]. While Might Senpuuji managed to downplay this for himself,[[note]]He does don the color combo from time-to-time, but not prominent.[[/note]] people tend to forget his [[NonActionGuy non-action]] ''teammate'' Hamada wore the yellow/red combo in place of him via a yellow shirt with tiny red brand logo. If you pull back to see the whole picture, Might (when in his red combat vest) and Hamada (with his yellow shirt) completed the red / yellow combo as a unit together.
66	%% * CombiningMecha: A stable of the series and the majority of the mecha are this.
67	%% * CoolBoat
68	* CoolCar: Naturally given the nature of this franchise. The police car in particular is usually assigned as the principal robot, [[SuperCop because nothing can surpass the police car when it comes to proclaiming "justice and peace!"]] Also has a side-effect of [[HeroStoleMyBike leaving local policemen dumbfounded that their police car just vanished out of nowhere.]]
69	%% * CoolStarship
70	%% * CoolTrain: Best exemplified by ''Anime/TheBraveExpressMightGaine''.
71	%% * DrillTank: Can't call yourself a Brave Series without one.
72	%% * FinishingMove: Usually by {{BFS}}.
73	%% * GatlingGood: Often one of the robot's attack.
74	* HotBlooded: A regular staple of the franchise. How much Hot Blood will boil depends however on the show. '''Gao!Gai!!!GAAAAAAR!!!''' is a particularly famous example in the wider mecha genre.
75	%% * KidHero: Either paired with [[BigBrotherInstinct Big Brother Protagonist]], or stand alone.
76	%% * HumongousMecha: While the first form of some mecha are comparably small, the rest are typically pretty big.
77	%% * MerchandiseDriven: Each series has a pretty good amount of toys to buy.
78	%% * MonsterOfTheWeek: Each series typically has its own variety of these.
79	%% * {{NINJA}}: ''Ninja robots''!
80	* PantheraAwesome: Lions are a recurring motif, best visible in ''Exkaiser'' and ''[=GaoGaiGar=]''.
81	%% * PlayingWithFire
82	%% * ThePowerOfFriendship: Often an effective way of powering up mecha.
83	* RidiculouslyHumanRobot: With some exceptions, most of the mecha are very human-like in nature. Even the ones that aren't usually can transform into a more human-like form.
84	%% * StockFootage: Traditionally present, given the [[MerchandiseDriven nature of the shows]]. This gets used so often that ''[=GaoGaiGar=]'' actually ''takes advantage of it''.
85	%% * StrictlyFormula
86	* SuperRobotGenre: Every single series. ''[=GaoGaiGar=]'' comes the closest to the RealRobotGenre due to everything being designed to work in real life so the toys would be accurate, but that's where the real-robot stuff ends and the courage-powered giant robots begins.
87	%% * TagalongKid: Will ''always'' be paired with [[BigBrotherInstinct an older protagonist]].
88	%% * TankGoodness
89	%% * WaveMotionGun

Context Anime / BraveSeries