Line #57 Anime/DancougarNova


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dancounova_9705.jpg]]
2	[[caption-width-right:350:Anime/{{Gravion}}. Only without the maids.]]
3
4	->"''Super Divine Beast Combination!''"
5
6	''Dancouga Nova'' is a SuperRobot TwelveEpisodeAnime that started airing on February 15, 2007. Creator/MasamiObari designed and directed the series. This is the [[InNameOnly supposed sequel]] to ''Super Beast Machine God Anime/{{Dancougar}}'', though it is more a SpiritualSuccessor to ''Anime/{{Gravion}}''.
7
8	The story takes place in 2107, when wars spring up all over the world and Japan has been devastated by a massive earthquake. Where ever the fighting turns to favor one of the sides, a mysterious force appears to even the odds, but never finishes off the side that once was winning. It leaves once the balance of power is restored. This is ''Dancouga Nova''.
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11	!!Tropes associated with this series include:
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13	* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: The series released in 2007 and the story takes 100 years in the future of 2107.
14	* AcePilot: Aoi skills as a Formula 01 ace translated very well into her piloting skills as Dancouga Nova's main pilot.
15	* ActionGirl:
16	** Kurara is an ace police officer and is an expert marksmanship, with ImprobableAimingSkills
17	** Aoi is an ace at driving know for pulling dangerous stunts with easy, is very athletic and knows how to handle guns.
18	* TheAlliance: The International Alliance is this combined with TheOmniscientCouncilOfVagueness. They're the sponsors behind the Dancouga Nova project led by Fog Sweeper, and are composed of military personnel from all around the world, with the object to use Dancouga Nova to stop any battle from escalating to a world war.
19	* AmbiguouslyEvil: Head of the Dancougar team, Commander Tanaka acts friendly enough most of the time, but has a few moments where he gets ScaryShinyGlasses and it looks like he knows more than he lets on, having a few [[VaguenessIsComing vaguely sinister conversations with his employer]], Fog Sweeper. It later turns out to have been a RedHerring.
20	* AutomatedAutomobiles: Most vehicles in the world are now automated, which in turn made Formula 1 races into a much more popular sport, as well as driving being something of a rare skill.
21	* BadassBack: There is a RunningGag with Kurara destroying enemies behind her mech, then saying "Don't stand behind me" or some variant. Aoi [[PhraseCatcher eventually gets on the act as well]].
22	* BadassBiker: Aoi is famous for being a Formula 1 racer, she mainly rides bikes in the series.
23	* BadAssBookworm: Johnny enjoys reading, and most of the episodes has him sharing a bit of trivia on the current situation because he just happened to read about it. He's also pilots of the deadliest weapons in the world.
24	* BadassDriver: Aoi is an undefeated Formula 1 racing champion, known for her dangerous and risky stunts.
25	* BerserkButton: Riruri is usually very calm and serene, but becomes pissed when people mispronounce her name.
26	* BigBad: [[spoiler:Moon Will, an alien AI that wants to purge humanity since he believes HumansAreBastards.]]
27	* BigFancyHouse: Aoi's house is very big and luxurious, with her room having MoodLighting and a large window MonumentalView. She even has a big garage for her CoolCar.
28	* BigGood: Fog Sweeper and Earth's Will, despite both being {{Manipulative Bastard}}s, are trying to stop Moon's Will from destroying earth.
29	* CallingYourAttacks: Some of the {{Finishing Move}}s actually require Aoi to scream them out loud, which she finds somewhat embarrassing at times.
30	* TheCameo: By Klein Sandman of ''Anime/{{Gravion}}'s'' fame. The President was also there with him. Beside Sandman.
31	* CatapultNightmare: Aoi is shown having one of these in episode 2, having had a nightmare about her first battle in episode 1.
32	* CatchPhrase: Sakuya borrows Shinobu's CatchPhrase "Yatte yaru ze!"
33	* CelebrityMasquerade:
34	** Aoi is rather famous as both a Formula 01 racer and as a successful model, while secretly being the pilot of the world's most infamous HumongousMecha. The stress of trying to fit all three in her life become so much she eventually quits being a Formula 1 racer.
35	** The SixthRanger turns out to be the [[spoiler: famous IdolSinger Ada, who took up anonymous HumongousMecha piloting in her spare time]].
36	* ChildSoldiers: Aoi meets a couple during a battlefield, which greatly distresses her as she knows Dancouga is not there to assist them, just to even the odds of the battle.
37	* CombiningMecha: The titular Dancougar Nova is a combination of four machines. The Nova Eagle [[note]]Its design and data is based on the Eagle Fighter[[/note]] piloted by Aoi forms the head. The Nova Rhino [[note]]Its design and data is based on the Land Liger[[/note]] piloted by Sakuya forms the left foot. The Nova Liger [[note]]Its design and data is based on the Eagle Land Cougar[[/note]] piloted by Kurara forms the right foot. The Nova Elephant [[note]]Its design and data is based on the Big Moth[[/note]] piloted by Johnny forms the body. [[spoiler: Its MAXGOD version uses five machines with Ada's R-Daigun combining with the rest.]]
38	* CoolShip: [[spoiler:F.S.' Dragon's Hive which can fire a beam of energy from its head.]]
39	* CoolSword: Dancougar Nova has the D-Blade, a giant longsword that can cut mechs in half.
40	* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Sakuya acts like a goofy and dumb homeless guy most of the time, but there are several moments he's show to be much smarter than he looks, such as when he hacks into the Dragon's Hive computer to find out more about their recruitment.
41	* CurbStompBattle: Dancougar Nova was infamous for dealing out these, but things start to change once the team meets [[TheRival R-Daigun]].
42	* CurtainsMatchTheWindow: Aoi has red eyes to match her red hair.
43	* DesignerBabies: It is quite heavily implied that Aoi was born this way, which is a source of Angst for her as it makes her feel unwanted.
44	* {{Determinator}}:
45	** Runs in all four of Dancouga Nova's pilots.
46	** Isabelle is driven to uncover the truth behind Dancouga Nova, even after receiving repeated warnings to stop her investigation, and having her life put at risk several times.
47	* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: [[spoiler:Original Dancougar and Moon Will]]. Bonus points in that [[spoiler:Aoi actually punches the latter]].
48	* DoesNotLikeMen: The Dragon's Hive assistant Riruri doesn't interact much with Johnny or Sakuya at first due to being nervous around men.
49	* {{Eagleland}}: The TheNeidermeyer captain of Episode 4 is a nearly rabid, transparently American commander who declares that [[MightMakesRight because his nation is strong, it gets to decide what justice is]].
50	* EverybodyLives: Though [[spoiler:Aoi had a very close brush with death Well mostly everybody. We never do find out what happened to Fog Sweeper and Earth Will and we did get a brief shot of Dragon's Hive getting shot down.]]
51	* {{Expy}} : Sammy, imagine [[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsCompact2 Excellen Browning]] as a mechanic and the result isn't far from her.
52	* FastballSpecial: [[spoiler:How everyone manages to transfer Aoi's Nova Eagle to Moon Will by F.S. firing the WaveMotionGun at Dancouga MAXGOD which the rest of the cast divides the machine to give Aoi the boost to get to Moon Will.]]
53	* FieryRedhead: While Aoi is ''usually'' rather cool, when she becomes pissed off she's by far the most HotBlooded character in the show.
54	* ForeverWar: IntrepidReporter Isabelle theorizes Dancouga Nova actions in always assisting the losing side is to create stalemates that perpetuate war and conflict, with no clear winner. She turns out to be right, as the International Alliance uses Dancouga Nova to stop any battles from escalating to a full world war, and see the state of perpetuating the skirmishes as NecessarilyEvil.
55	* ForGreatJustice: Kurara had a rough childhood growing up in crime heavy area, and her desire for justice is what drove her to become a cop.
56	* FourTemperamentEnsemble: The pilots: model & racer Aoi, young cop Kurara, BadAssBookworm salaryman Johnny, and HotBlooded homeless bum Sakuya.
57	* GoodCostumeSwitch: [[spoiler:Ada]] goes from being pale and sickly looking with dark lipstick to a regular complexion when she turns good. Her helmet also goes from being a Scary Shiny Visor to showing her eyes, and she goes from being monotone and robotic to her usual personality. Oddly its never explained why she suddenly looked like that as a villain as she looked normal in her civilian persona.
58	* GotVolunteered: The Dragon's Hive is very forceful and intrusive in their recruitment methods. The basically kidnap the four main characters via {{Teleportation}} and send them into their first mission before they even agreed to become pilots.
59	* HeadTurningBeauty: Aoi is extremely attractive and this is noticed by many InUniverse, especially her racing crew. She even works as model as a side gig.
60	* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler: Fog Sweeper]] and [[spoiler: Earth Will]] in Dragon's Hive in the final episode. Maybe. Unlike everyone else, these two don't show up again so it's highly suggested that they had been KilledOffForReal.
61	* HomelessHero: Sakuya is homeless and unemployed before being recruited to pilot Dancouga, and stays that way for a few episodes. Pointing out that he is, or was homeless is also something of a {{catchphrase}} for him.
62	* HomeNudist: Aoi walks around her house in the buff while talking to Riruri on the phone. When she has to share her room with Kurara in the Dragon's Hive, she's annoyed as she values her privacy.
63	* HotBlooded: Played straight with Sakuya but {{downplayed}} with Aoi, who is usually cool and collected, but becomes the most Hot Blooded member when she gets passionate.
64	* HotSpringsEpisode: Episode 3 has most of the characters bathe in the Dragon's Hive hot spring, although since it's unisex they're all wearing swimwear. Doesn't stop {{fanservice}} from happening as the [[MaleGaze camera]] lingers on Seime as she gets a SexySurfacingShot in her black bikini.
65	* HourOfPower: The Dancougar Nova is a CombiningMecha, but it can't stay on that form for too long or it may overheat, forcing the pilots to use their individual mechas and only fusing when necessary.
66	* IdiosyncraticWipes: uses sometimes an element of the incoming scene as a wipe. Notably, one of the early episodes used [[FanService Aoi's butt]].
67	* IdolSinger: Johnny has a crush on one - Ada and even gets to meet her in person. It's LoveAtFirstSight.
68	* IFightForTheStrongestSide: {{Inverted}}, The Dancouga Nova shows up in battlefields all around the world and will always target the strongest side. And if the previous losing side starts winning in the next battlefield, the Dancouga Nova ''will'' target it next.
69	* IgnoreTheFanservice: Both Sakuya and Johnny aren't interested in any of the {{fanservice}} that happens around them.
70	* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: [[spoiler:One of Moon Will's attacks has him sending out a ton of spikes at Dancouga Nova. It just barely misses the pilots.]]
71	* ImprobableAge: 15-year-olds are considered adults in the setting, due to an Earthquake ravishing Japan, the age of adulthood was lowered to 15.
72	** Kurara, Although, by the time the story takes place, she's already an young adult, she became a renowned narcotics officers at the age of ''15''.
73	** Riruri is also 15 years old, while being an important assistant and psychiatrist for a secret NGOSuperpower.
74	* IncompatibleOrientation: While drunk, Sammy plants a ForcefulKiss on Aoi, who doesn't appreciate it as she's not into girls.
75	* InNameOnly: ''Dancougar Nova'' doesn't have a whole lot in common with the original ''Anime/{{Dancougar}}'', instead resembling ''Anime/{{Gravion}}'', another Masami Obari mecha anime.
76	** The final boss is a [[spoiler: giant mech literally named "Original Dancougar"]]... Except its appearance and attacks looked absolutely nothing like [[spoiler:the Dancougar]]. [[VideoGame/SuperRobotWarsZ Super Robot Wars Z2]] handwaved it by saying that [[spoiler: it was Moon Will's own version of the Dancougar, and thus his "original" creation.]]
77	* InnocentInnuendo: [[WrenchWench Sammy]] finishes the [[RocketPunch Boost Nova Knuckle]], and invites Sakuya to test it in the simulator room. Aoi and Kurara follow them, and listen in on their conversation, which sounds ''very'' sexual. They barge in to find Sammy standing outside the simulator, and Sakuya thrilled about his new weapon.
78	* IntrepidReporter: Isabelle Cronkite is a reporter that is focused on the mystery involving The Dancouga Nova, to the point she even visits active war zones in order to investigate it.
79	* IslandBase: The Dragon's Hive base is located in a DesertedIsland in the Pacific ocean called "Ryuga Island", and its existence is a secret from the public since it was created in the huge Earthquake that occurred before the show started.
80	* LaserGuidedAmnesia: When Team D is first assembled, Riruri says their memories will need to be erased if they happen to [[RefusalOfTheCall Refuse the Call]]. Later when Isabelle manages to find the Dragon's Hive location, she is captured and has her memory erased.
81	* LegacyCharacter:
82	** The pilot's of the Dancouga are changed periodically, with The Dragon's Hive crew being in charge of the recruitment.
83	** Dancouga Nova himself is one to the first ''Dancouga'', Fog Sweeper intentionally copied its design InUniverse.
84	* TheLoad: Sakuya start's to feel like one, since his Nova Rhino doesn't have any weapon once he combines into Dancouga. At least until Sammy gets him a RocketPunch.
85	* AMechByAnyOtherName: The unmanned {{Mook}} most armies deploy are called Warroids while the big HumongousMecha are called Genocidrons.
86	* MotionCaptureMecha: The combined form of the Cancougar Nova can only be piloted by Aoi through a direct motion tracing system.
87	* MysteriousBacker: Fog Sweeper for the Dancouga Team, he says he's using Dancouga to preserve world peace, but his real objective is to actually build up Dancouga Nova so it can fend off Moon Will.
88	* MsFanservice:
89	** Sammy is an attractive dark-skinned blonde with giant boobs that are constantly bouncing.
90	** Aoi is really easy on the eyes, is fairly buxom and often wears outfits that show a NavelDeepNeckline or exposing midriffs. Not to mention how she, in her own words, [[SleepsInTheNude sleeps in her "original"]].
91	* NakedPeopleTrappedOutside: Isabelle manages to find Ryuga Island just as Aoi and Kurara where SkinnyDipping in the beach, prompting them to hide behind a rock as their clothes were too far away for them to run to. They decide it's best to use their {{teleportation}} device, and end up back at base [[AccidentalPervert in the same room as Johnny and Sakuya]]. Cue NakedFreakOut followed by PervertRevengeMode. But the scene wasn't ''just'' for {{fanservice}}, as Isabelle ends up finding the girl's clothes which leads her to find the Dragon's Hive.
92	* NavelDeepNeckline:
93	** Many of Aoi's outfits show this, especially in the artwork.
94	** Isabelle's dress at the party also shows off her cleavage in a deep V cut.
95	* NeuroVault: Instruction of how to pilot the Dancouga were downloaded into the four pilot's brains upon their arrival in The Dragon's Hive.
96	* NGOSuperpower: The Dragon's Hive is an absurdly powerful secret organization that funds the development of Dancougar Nova (The world's greatest weapon), has enough money to pay it's staff more than Aoi makes as both a model and a racer and has enough resources to completely recreate the pilot's rooms in their island down to the most benign detail.
97	* NonActionGuy: Johnny is deadly piloting his mech, but physically he has no fighting skills whatsoever.
98	* NoTimeToExplain: Frequently happens to the Team D, they're usually dispatched on a mission before Tanaka can fully answer all their questions.
99	* OmniscientMoralityLicense: The four pilots often feel like they are being manipulated in this way.
100	* OutOfClothesExperience: Aoi gets a couple near the end of the story while piloting Dancouga, usually with BarbieDollAnatomy.
101	* PersonalityBloodTypes: The Da team are selected based on the Japanese blood type personality theory - each team consists of an A (Aoi), a B (Kurara), an O (Johnny), and an AB (Sakuya).
102	* TheProtagonist: Aoi Hidaka is main focus of the story, with her character arc having the most spotlight and she's also the main pilot of Dancouga Nova.
103	* ReallyGetsAround: Seimi has had a lot of lovers, both men and women, but has been focused on her job ever since she was hired. When she gets stressed, Riruri's psychological analysis for her is basically YouNeedToGetLaid.
104	* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: Commander Tanaka tries to pass off as one, he acts friendly and answers team D's questions to the best of his ability, but has a few AmbiguouslyEvil moments at the start of the story.
105	* RecoilBoost: A particularly crazy example in episode 5, in which Kurara throws a Grenade on the floor and jumps into the air, with the grenades ExplosionPropulsion sending her high into the air.
106	* RecruitTeenagersWithAttitude: The members are picked to be the Dancouga Nova pilots are all fairly young adults, with their fair share of emotional issues.
107	* RescueRomance: Isabelle falls for Sakuya after he rescues her.
108	* TheRival: R-Daigun is a super-robot that rivals Dancouga Nova in power, a red Beast Machine designed by a company that rivals Fog Sweeper.
109	* RocketPunch: Sakuya has one called "Boost Nova Knuckle".
110	* {{Salaryman}}: Johnny starts of as one [[spoiler: who later quits his job]] while Sakuya used to be one, or so it seems.
111	* SheCleansUpNicely: Aoi usually wears sporty clothes around the base, so the boys forget she's a model until they see her in a fancy dress for Fog Sweeper's party.
112	* SleepsInTheNude: Aoi is shown to sleep in "her original" in episode 2 when she wakes up in a CatapultNightmare, with a ModestyBedsheet covering all important bits. Riruri calls in her VideoPhone moments later, and finds it odd Aoi disabled the video feed.
113	-->'''Aoi:''' I sleep in a way I don't like others to see. ''Especially'' men.\
114	'''Riruri:''' Like wearing Chanel No. 5 or 6?\
115	'''Aoi:''' [[GratuitousFrench Non]]. It's an original.
116	* ShoutOut:
117	** Riruri's Lulli Luli? [[CatchPhrase Baka bakka?]] Sounds like [[Anime/MartianSuccessorNadesico Ruri Hoshino]].
118	** Riruri asking if Aoi wears Chanel No. 5 after she reveals she SleepsInTheNude is one to Creator/MarilynMonroe who famously revealed she wore only Chanel No. 5 to bed on "The Radio".
119	** D for Dangerous is a notable line from ''Anime/TekkamanBlade''.
120	** Johnny at one point gets referred as [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Clark Kent]], and he says he can't fly.
121	* ShutUpHannibal:
122	** Episode 4 has Kurara rejecting the {{Eagleland}} representative's belief that MightMakesRight.
123	** Aoi won't listen to bullshit about how HumansAreBastards. [[spoiler: During the FinalBattle, the BigBad Moon Will seemingly has Aoi at his mercy, and is explaining that, having acknowledged humans as a dangerous species, he has decided to wipe them out for the good of all and for maintaining the balance of the universe. Despite having taken grievous injuries earlier in the episode, Aoi stands up again and boldly challenges the evil computer. "So what? You think we're gonna keel over and die just because you said so?". And then she literally punches out the godlike computer, killing him on the spot.
124	* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''Anime/{{Gravion}}''.
125	* StockFootage: The Dancouga Nova combination sequence happens at least OncePerEpisode.
126	** Episode 5 features a {{Flashback}} to Aoi's racing stunt in Episode 1.
127	* ShroudedInMyth: The Dancougar Nova is this InUniverse for most of the population, with no one knowing why it appears, only that it intervenes in war zones around the world in order to aid the losing side.
128	* SuperCop: Kurara. [[ImprobableAge When she was 15 years old]], she cleaned up the corrupt narcotics division of the police department single-handedly. Her ImprobableAimingSkills probably helped a lot.
129	* SwordPointing: A given, since this is a Creator/MasamiObari work, this is a frequent pose the Dancouga Nova assumes. It's even the EyeCatch for commercial breaks.
130	* TakeThat: America had invaded the Middle East using a war on terrorism as a cover and caused terrorism to spread throughout the world.
131	* TechnicalPacifist: The Dancouga Nova is known for not harming the humans inside the mechs it destroys.
132	* {{Teleportation}}: The pilots are all given a teleportation device that will take transport then to Ryuga Island.
133	* ThemeMusicPowerUp: Lampshaded. Dancouga Nova plays it's own theme song over external speakers.
134	* TrashOfTheTitans: Kurara's room is ''extremely'' messy and she's very embarrassed when the Dragon's Give replicates it, including its messiness. Aoi snarks it reminds her more of a cellar than a room.
135	* ThrillSeeker: Aoi is one, and it's the part of the reason she's a Formula 1 racer and later takes on the job of piloting the Dancouga Nova.
136	* TooHotForTV: The TV broadcast for the NakedPeopleTrappedOutside scene had both girls wearing {{Modesty Towel}}s. The DVD version had them both nude, but still employing GodivaHair or HandOrObjectUnderwear.
137	* TrueCompanions: Aoi, Sakuya, Kurara and Johnny start out as complete strangers and end up like this.
138	%%* TwelveEpisodeAnime:
139	* UndressingTheUnconscious: {{Downplayed}}, when the four main characters are abducted to the Dragon's Hive they have many of their personal items taken away, but are still dressed in the same clothes they had before they were snatched.
140	* WakeUpFighting: Kurara unconsciously reach for her gun (that was taken from her) when Aoi wakes her after they're both teleported away to the Dragon's Hive.
141	* WildCard: The Dancouga Nova is seen as this as it will attack a military force one day and assist it the next, depending on that force’s relative strength in any given battle.
142	* WrenchWench: Sammy is the buxom head mechanic of Dancouga Nova.

Context Anime / DancougarNova