Line #277 Anime/StarDriver


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/star_driver.jpg]]
2
3	''Star Driver: Kagayaki no Takuto'' (translated as ''Radiant Takuto'' or ''Takuto of the Radiance'') is a HumongousMecha {{anime}} series created and animated by [[Creator/StudioBones BONES]] and produced by Aniplex, which ran as part of the Fall 2010 lineup and has been licensed for the USA by Bandai Entertainment. Episodes are being added to Hulu and can be found [[http://www.hulu.com/star-driver here.]] US viewers can also watch this show at [[http://www.crunchyroll.com/star-driver Crunchyroll.]]
4
5	On Southern Cross Island, Wako Agemaki and her fiance Sugata Shindo find a boy passed out on the beach. This boy is Takuto Tsunashi, a transfer student at Southern Cross High, who was so excited to begin his new life that when he missed his ferry, he swam across the sea himself.
6
7	So begins ''Star Driver'', a show about high school and the joy of youth.
8
9	Beneath the school, a sinister organization called the Glittering Crux Brigade is trying to awaken the giant robot Cybodies. To this end, they are kidnapping the four Maidens of the island to undo the four seals on Zero Time, a hidden dimension that captures active Cybodies so they can't exist in the real world. They've broken one, and Wako is next up. Takuto is too late to save her, and the Glittering Crux escapes into Zero Time... but then Takuto follows them, calling his own Cybody Tauburn and transforming into the Galactic Pretty Boy.
10
11	So begins ''Star Driver'', a show about mecha and lots and lots of {{camp}}.
12
13	''Star Driver'' is an eclectic combination of HumongousMecha, high school, {{shonen}}, and MagicalGirl tropes that brings together ''Manga/SoulEater'' director Takuya Igarashi and ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' writer Yoji Enokido for their first joint project since ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub.'' It's notable for its beautiful animation, bizarre JigsawPuzzlePlot, [[MemeticMutation FAAAABULOUSness]], eclectic cast of characters, love of GenreBusting, and numerous {{Shout Out}}s to popular anime shows.
14
15	This page has a [[Characters/StarDriver character sheet]], as well as [[Awesome/StarDriver Moment of Awesome]], [[Funny/StarDriver Funny]], [[Heartwarming/StarDriver Heartwarming]], and [[TearJerker/StarDriver Tear Jerker]] pages.
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17	A CompilationMovie, with about three minutes of new footage, called ''Star Driver: TheMovie'' was released on February 9th 2013.
18
19	----
20	!! ''Star Driver'' contains examples of:
21
22	* ABirthdayNotABreak: Episode 6 happens on Sugata's and, as it's later revealed, Takuto's birthday. It's also the series' very first WhamEpisode.
23	* AllYourColorsCombined: [[spoiler: The Glittering Crux]] attempt this in the final episode [[spoiler:against Samekh, but are driven back by the King's Pillar]].
24	* AmazingTechnicolorBattlefield: Zero Time, the place where Cybodies duke it out.
25	* AncientConspiracy: Glittering Cross' plan to break the island Maidens' seals to allow Cybodies to move outside of Zero Time.
26	%%* AnimeHair: And HOW!
27	* AntagonistTitle: 'Star Driver' is almost always used to refer to the opponent of the week; Takuto himself is usually called the 'Galactic Pretty Boy.'
28	* AntiVillain: Pretty much all of Glittering Crux are either not really all that evil or have many redeeming qualities, with the exceptions being the members of Vanishing Age... and even a couple of those are less 'clearly evil' and more 'short on obvious positive features', so in the end, only Head and Professor Silver seem truly evil.
29	* ArrangedMarriage: Between Wako and Sugata. Not that either of them seem to give much of a damn about it. [[spoiler: Ryousuke and Takuto's mother were engaged in Backstory, but it did not turn out well]]
30	* ArtShift:
31	** A bit during the battle in episode 13. The mechs look a lot more sketchy while fighting, almost like a storyboard. [[spoiler: Done again in the final episode, when Tauburn has to face all the previous mechs he fought.]]
32	** In episode 25, the art becomes black and white when Takuto [[spoiler:Falcon Punches Head for the second time, Manga/OnePiece style]].
33	* AttackDrone: After Takuto uses the [[spoiler:"It'll Be Alright" spell]] given to him by Mizuno in battle, [[spoiler:the pieces of Tauburn's skirt suddenly fly off and start shooting down the balls of energy the enemy was using against him.]]
34	* BadGuyBar: Vanishing Age holds their meetings in one.
35	* BarbieDollAnatomy:
36	** Takuto during his TransformationSequence.
37	** Maidens when Seals are broken.
38	** Sequences where someone is [[spoiler: healing their Cybody]].
39	%%* BaseballEpisode: The start of episode 10.
40	* BatmanGambit: Episode 25 reveals that [[spoiler:Head was only using Glittering Crux as a means to revive Samekh and steal its power for himself. He never told the other GC members of Samekh's true nature.]]
41	* BeachEpisode: The first half of Episode 17.
42	* BeamSpam: Used by a few Cybodies. [[spoiler: Samekh combines this with WaveMotionGun, due to its sheer size - what would be a WaveMotionGun for any other Cybody is used as part of BeamSpam for Samekh. In the final episode he brings out a real barrage of beams.]]
43	* BewareTheNiceOnes:
44	** Sugata's maids, [[ThemeNaming Tiger and Jaguar]], are well-versed in taijutsu, according to their bios and the fight in episode 6, not to mention their ''real'' jobs: [[spoiler:killing Sugata should he try to leave the island]]. Takuto himself could also count as this. Also, Sugata himself.
45	** Wako proves that even she has lines you don't cross with her in Episode 19.
46	* BigDamnHeroes: Takuto pulls this in ''episode 1''. [[spoiler:Sugata later becomes one in Episode 6. And ''Wako'' in Episode 21. Then [[ConspiracyRedemption every Glittering Crux member other than Head]] in the last episode.]]
47	* BigSisterInstinct: Marino to Mizuno. [[spoiler: Subverted as she's actually her clone and technically ''younger'' than her.]]
48	%%* BlandNameProduct: Sougen-Dazs.
49	%%* BoisterousBruiser: George.
50	* BorrowedCatchphrase:
51	** Wako steals Takuto's "Chesto!" during a beach volleyball game.
52	** ''Both'' of Takuto's main catchphrases ("When what you want to do and what you ought to do are the same, you can hear the voice of the world," and "It's a ____!") turn out to have come from his friend Natsuo.
53	%%* BoyMeetsGirl[=/=]MeetCute
54	* BreakTheCutie: Episode 15 is devoted to breaking [[spoiler:Mizuno]] in just about every way possible.
55	* BreatherEpisode: Episode 17. Going from the rather down [[spoiler:Mizuno]] arc to a BeachEpisode.
56	* ByThePowerOfGreyskull:
57	** "Apprivoise" seems to be the general phrase used to active the Cybody [[TransformationSequence transformation sequence]].
58	** There's also Takuto's trademark version. [[spoiler:Which is later stolen by Madoka and Kou when they make their respective debuts as Phase Three Star Drivers.]]
59	-->'''Takuto''': Apprivoise! Dazzling the stage! Galactic Pretty Boy Tauburn!
60	* CallingYourAttacks: Takuto calls nearly all of his finishers.
61	* {{Camp}}: By the bucketload. For an obvious example, see Takuto's line under ByThePowerOfGreySkull, above.
62	* CastOfSnowflakes: Every character is distinguishable from another, even without the wacky hairstyles.
63	* CatchPhrase: "It's a _____!" is basically one for Takuto, usually "pinch" being the chosen word. He also has "Chesto!" when he launches a powerful attack, as well as "Flair!" and "Tau radiance fills the Galaxy!", when he does a FinishingMove.
64	* CaughtInTheRain: Takuto and Wako had this happen to them in Episode 4.
65	* CaughtWithYourPantsDown: Takuto caught Keito playing idol in a karaoke bar, right after [[HypocriticalHumor the latter commenting that Wako's dream of being a singer is childish.]] [[spoiler: Then, with Keito again, literally with her "robe" down, when she was found out by Sugata that she has been feeding him libido every evening.]]
66	* CharacterDevelopment: Particularly noticeable with [[spoiler:Mrs. Watanabe]] by episode 12, to the point that one of her personal 'staff' deigns the comment, "She's having more fun these days, isn't she?" And although a few of the cast's development (including her own) begins early on, it progresses at a much quicker pace for the rest of the Glittering Crux (and even the main trio) from this episode on.
67	%%* ChekhovsGag: {{Fanservice}} can be a double-edged sword, as proven in Episode 5.%%
68	* ChekhovsGun:
69	** Takuto bringing out Sugata's knife in episode 19 as Sugata's birthday present to Wako began as a symbolic gift representing Sugata's care for Wako, but Wako puts it to use later in the episode.
70	** Kanako's CoolShip. Good for evacuations.
71	* ChekhovsGunman:
72	** Mizuno is first seen riding a bus with the North Maiden, Wako, and the class president. We don't find out her name or importance until later. Canny viewers [[spoiler:realized that these were all four Maidens]].
73	** Shingo is introduced right after the end of the Mizuno arc, but we don't even get to know his name until many episodes later, which is when it also turns out that [[spoiler:he carries a mark Head needs for his ultimate plan to succeed]].
74	* CharacterFilibuster: A ShowWithinTheShow example. Sarina's character in the play by Midnight Flight breaks into a speech about how great power can be used/misused. Considering that Sarina pens the play, it can also be taken as AuthorFilibuster.
75	* TheChosenOne: Played with. The members of Glittering Crux consider themselves "the chosen of humanity," but there's a definite hierarchy and Star Drivers with true emblems consider themselves the ''real'' chosen, with Samekh's Driver named "King" over them by default. However, of all Cybodies Tauburn is the only one specifically designed for use by humans, making Takuto (as the bearer of the Tau emblem) the ultimate Chosen One of the series.
76	* ClarkKenting: The real identities of Glittering Crux members appear to fall under this.
77	* ChromaticArrangement: The main trio correspond to the primary colors.
78	* ColourCodedTimestop: Grayscale. A side effect of Star Drivers entering Zero Time. Also acts as a form of SpiderSense.
79	* CombatPragmatist: Takuto, actually. Normally it doesn't come up since he has everybody overmatched, but in the cases where he doesn't, he's quick to take advantage of his opponent letting their guard down.
80	* CombatStilettos: The Tauburn. Yes, Takuto pirouettes in a giant robot with high heels. Several other Cybodies have high heels as well, but none are as prominent.
81	* ConfusionFu: This is pretty much the reason for Takuto's spotless winning streak: he makes a point of never showing a skill or ability unless it's absolutely necessary in surviving the fight so that the Glittering Crux have no idea what their opponent is capable of (and thus have no way to counter it) even a dozen battles into the series.
82	%%* ConspiracyRedemption
83	* CoolBike: How about a bike-shaped ''HumongousMecha''?
84	* CPRCleanPrettyReliable: Wako to Takuto, of all things. Though the main problems of the trope are averted; Wako performs CPR correctly and the scene fades out before the usual "magical revival" occurs.
85	* CrackInTheSky: Every single entrance of the Galactic Pretty Boy involves smashing through the starry sky of a PocketDimension like it was made of glass.
86	* CrypticBackgroundReference: The series has a good deal of mysteries that are never explained:
87	** The ruins hidden on the island and what sort of civilization might've inhabited them are never really expounded upon, though it's heavily implied to be from aliens, with Kanako refering to them as "the Ancient Galactic Civilization's legacy" in Episode 12.
88	** The drama club's play (and by extension its sequel, the North Maiden's Sam the Squid-Piercer story) seems to parallel whatever conflict occurred between Samekh and Ayingott that resulted in Ayingott being crushed in Samekh's hand, but this is never told to the audience with full disclosure either. Why Ayingott has much more sentience than the other Cybodies and why it's "evil" are never even hinted at, with the only clue being that Ayingott's parallel in the play is the witch (played by Tiger) who gets killed Columner (played by Sugata), even having a scream of "Ayiiiin!"
89	** Whatever the Entropeople are and why [[spoiler:Vice President speaks telepathically with Sarina in a boyish voice]] are never fully explained or delved into.
90	* CustomUniformOfSexy: Most of the important characters/cybody pilots among the Glittering Crux Brigade get a custom uniform. The number of them that ''aren't'' {{Stripperiffic}} can be counted on one hand.
91	* DanceBattler: Takuto in the Tauburn.
92	* DeadpanSnarker: Benio has her moments, especially when watching show-off fights in Zero Time. And Sugata, who nonchalantly invokes topics like SacredFirstKiss or what Takuto might do when meeting with a mysterious girl.
93	* DeathGlare: Courtesy of ''Wako'' in episode 19. [[spoiler:If the glare wasn't scary enough, the knife probably was.]]
94	* DeconstructorFleet: The show is shaping up to be this for anime as a whole.
95	* DisappearedDad / MissingMom: The number of characters that have been mentioned or shown to have parents can be counted on one hand.
96	* DistractedByTheSexy: Okamoto learned that there's a time and place for looking at hot guys the hard way.
97	* DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything:
98	** Boy, there sure are a lot of guys queuing up to break Wako's 'seal', aren't there?
99	** The maidens having to be nude to be the power source of the [[Literature/AsuraCryin mech]].
100	** The end of episode 8, [[spoiler: what with all that prolonged, synchronized panting from Takuto and Sugata...]]
101	** Then there's Head in episode 16, where he talks about people with weak marks "wither" in sight of his "sword"... A more disturbing instance would be [[spoiler: Mizuno's panicking when Head was about to break the West seal]]
102	* DontTryThisAtHome:
103	** "Please do not attempt [riding on top of a bus] if you are not a Southern Cross Isle resident".
104	** Episode 18 gives us "Don't play with fireworks like these people.", "Please do not imitate people using First Phase", and, courtesy of [[GagSub a popular fansub]], [[BreadEggsMilkSquick "Please do not imitate rapists."]]
105	* DoubleEntendre: [[spoiler: In episode 24, before Shingo gives Head his mark, they have this little exchange:]]
106	-->[[spoiler: '''Shingo''': Tokio, are you ok? ]]
107	-->[[spoiler: '''Head''': Nevermind that, I want yours. Give it to me and I'll be ok.]]
108	-->[[spoiler: '''Shingo''': Really? Then fine. I'll give mine to you.]]
109	* DownerEnding: Not to the show itself, but [[spoiler:the fish girl's story ends with Sam killing his girlfriend in order to attain the fish planet king's ship and achieve his dream of flying out into the galaxy, and once he gets there he finds it not as amazing as he'd hoped, yet his immortal soul is still bound to the ship the same as the king's, revealed in the drama club's later play to be named Columner, was. This is all implied to be the secret backstory of Samekh, the King Cybody]].
110	* DramaticWind: This happens when Takuto confronts Sugata in Episode 8.
111	* DramaticPause: After [[spoiler:Takuto's and Sugata's fight in Zero Time]], a good half-minute is used for a scene of them just panting heavily.
112	* DudeShesLikeInAComa: Sugata ''appears'' to [[spoiler:kiss Wako in her sleep]] in Episode 20, but it's very ambiguous.
113	* EarlyBirdCameo: Madoka and Kou appeared first in episode 3 before their proper introduction in episode 17.
114	* EatingTheEyeCandy:
115	** Tiger and Jaguar take entirely to much enjoyment out of Takuto showing the DramaClub his "mark" (which, of course, is [[ShirtlessScene on his chest...]]).
116	** Okamoto ''loves'' to look at pretty boys. Probably [[DistractedByTheSexy not a good idea to send that kind of person to fight]] someone with "Pretty Boy" in their title.
117	-->"...did you seriously lose because you were watching him flex?"
118	* ElaborateUniversityHigh: Southern Cross High School.
119	* EvenEvilHasStandards: Ever her fellow members of Glittering Crux thought Kou's ridiculous entrance in episode nineteen was over the top.
120	* EveryoneCanSeeIt: The {{UST}} between Takuto and Wako. Everyone practically treats them like a couple even though Wako ''is'' [[ArrangedMarriage engaged]].
121	* EvolvingCredits: The bus in the end credits features graffiti of the Shrine Maiden who sings in that episode.
122	* EyePatchOfPower: Ryousuke has one. [[spoiler: It's from when he [[EyeScream ripped out his eye]] after he saw Sora and Head passionately kissing.]]
123	* {{Fanservice}}:
124	** InUniverse, this is literally the reason why the Drama Club practices outside: so they can be checked out by the adoring school.
125	** The special vision mode of [[spoiler:Okamoto-sensei's]] Cybody.
126	* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Sugata.]] He did have good reason though.
127	* FalseSoulmate: [[spoiler:Poor Shingo. His rather obvious feelings for Head were just used by the latter to get his hands on a very valuable Cybody.]]
128	* FashionableAsymmetry: The Glittering Cross are big, ''big'' fans.
129	* TheFightingNarcissist: Subverted with Takuto. Has all the makings of one (including an arrogant title!), but appears to be a stand-up guy.
130	* FlatWhat: What Takuto does when [[spoiler:he wins a Cybody battle because Okamoto was [[DistractedByTheSexy too busy checking him out]]]].
131	-->'''Takuto:''' ...what. Seriously, what.
132	* ForbiddenFruit:
133	** Lampshaded by Takuto in regards to the "abandoned" gold mine.
134	** Eating squid in Sakana's story.
135	* {{Foreshadowing}}: In early episodes in the classroom, whenever Sugata is mentioned, the camera shot would include or focus on Keito regardless of who was talking to whom.
136	* FreudianTrio: Takuto, Wako, and Sugata, if the ending is any indicator.
137	** Id: Takuto. Completely and entirely driven by his impulses and desires.
138	** Superego: Sugata. Calm, coolheaded, and rational.
139	** Ego: Wako. An exact balance between the two.
140	*** It's even lampshaded by Takuto and Sarina in Episode 6, though Takuto initially worries that they were never really a team of threeand instead "a couple and their third wheel."
141	* FunctionalMagic: The cybodies and associated powers are called magic during the ShowWithinAShow drama club play. Of course, that entire episode was absolutely ''dripping'' with metaphor and symbolism, so take it with a grain of salt.
142	* GangOfHats: Crux's departments, all shout outs to their counterparts in Literature/TheLittlePrince. Filament is institutionally [[HotBlooded passionate]], Science Guild is institutionally [[ForScience inquisitive]], Adult Bank is institutionally [[CrazyPrepared calculating]], Bougainvilleae is institutionally [[WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds troubled]], Vanishing Age is institutionally [[SmugSnake arrogant]], and Emperor is institutionally (to the extent that it is one) [[TheFatalist fatalistic]].
143	* GenerationXerox: The Takuto/Wako/Sugata love triangle mirrors the [[spoiler:Tokio/Sora/Ryousuke]] love triangle revealed in Episode 20.
144	%%* GenkiGirl: Mizuno.
145	* GenreBusting: It's a mecha show! No, it's a romantic slice of life comedy! Wait wait, it's a MagicalGirl series except starring a {{Bishounen}}! No, I was wrong, it's a MindScrew! Whatever it is, it's all very [[MemeticMutation FABULOUS]].
146	** DeconstructorFleet: Star Driver has taken elements of just about every genre it's drawn influence from (HumongousMecha, SliceOfLife, MagicalGirl, Romantic Comedy), taken tropes inside those genres, and put them out on full display, [[SubvertedTrope playing with them]], playing them straight, [[LampshadeHanging lampshading them]] and making them work (thus far) into something nearly predictably entertaining.
147	* GetAHoldOfYourselfMan: [[spoiler:Done by Takuto on Sugata, because Sugata was in a trance after waking from a coma.]]
148	%%* GettingCrapPastTheRadar: Please check the trope page to make sure your example fits the current definition.
149	* GiantRobotHandsSaveLives: Takuto uses Tauburn to catch a falling character in episode 7.
150	%%* GogglesDoNothing: The fluff Tauburn has.
151	* GratuitousEnglish: "It's a pinch!" and any other variations of that phrase minus the "pinch".
152	* GratuitousFrench: "Apprivoise", the activation phrase for any Cybody, is French for "tame". The Star Swords are named after gems reworked in French. "Sapphire" becomes "Saphir", "Diamond" becomes Diamant, and so on.
153	* GrayRainOfDepression: In Episode 15, after Mizuno overhears Takuto willing to duel him to get Sugata to break his engagement with Wako (as reward for a bet). Cue Mizuno riding atop the bus as per usual, but amidst heavy rain and dark clouds.
154	%%* GroundhogDayLoop: [[spoiler:How the Maidens are kept on the island. Attempting to leave triggers one, as Mizuno finds to her horror.]]
155	%%* HamToHamCombat: Mamoru Miyano and Akira Ishida in Episode 25.
156	* HelpingWouldBeKillStealing: One of the Cybody duels is basically a boxing match. Sugata decides against buffing Tauburn with his King's Pillar because he thinks it would be in bad taste.
157	* HenshinHero: Takuto[[spoiler:, as well as Sugata and Wako at the beginning of the movie.]]
158	* HeroicSecondWind: Big time for [[spoiler: Takuto during his fight with Head in Episode 16, complete with Tauburn upgrading to Tauburn Ordinary.]]
159	* HighClassGloves: Sugata, Takuto and Wako's outfits in the movie have these.
160	* {{Homage}}:
161	** The [[Anime/GunBuster eyecatch]]. (Star Drivaaaaaaaa!)
162	** Episode 4 has one to ''[[Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub Ouran Host Club]]'' during [[spoiler: Wako's ImagineSpot of Takuto and Sugata]].
163	* HotBlooded: Takuto's so hot blooded and ready to make his mark that he ''swam across the ocean'' because he missed the last ferry and didn't want to miss opening ceremonies.
164	* HumiliatingWager: The President wants to watch Takuto sword fight, but Takuto hates fighting ([[IAmNotLeftHanded partly because it reveals his strengths]]). So she ups the ante with this:
165	-->'''President:''' If you win, I'll double your pay. If you lose, you have to [[IndirectKiss kiss me through the glass]]...[[{{Dissimile}} except without the glass]], and [[BlackComedyRape for as long as I want]].
166	* HumongousMecha
167	* HypocriticalHumor: While under the effects of her first phase, Midori goes around offering kisses through the glass. Kanako (note that such a kiss was used as an EstablishingCharacterMoment for her) considers this slutty, apparently because Midori is offering kisses as opposed to accepting propositions from boys.
168	* IAmNotLeftHanded: Used ''twice'' in episode 3. First, Takuto reveals that [[spoiler:he's actually a DualWielding swordsman.]] Then, after the battle is over, [[spoiler:it's revealed that Takashi is also "marked", meaning he can use a third phase Cybody too.]]
169	%%* ImagineSpot: Wako has a few.
170	* ImagineSpotting: Wako's {{Imagine Spot}}s can be seen by everyone else, or at least the girls.
171	* ImpossiblyGracefulGiant: Tauburn's corkscrew flips would earn him a gold medal in any Olympics.
172	* IndirectKiss: It seems to be a trend in the school to kiss random strangers through glass windows.
173	* IntimateArtistry: [[spoiler:Happened between Head and Sora in the past.]]
174	* IWillFindYou: Takuto mentions that he wants to find his father when he first shows up on the island.
175	%%* JigsawPuzzlePlot
176	* KarmaHoudini:
177	** [[spoiler: Head, aside from getting punched in the face by Takuto for a second time and having his plans destroyed. Admittedly, we don't see what happens after the credits roll, but our last image of him is being somewhat moody, with his only friend commenting on the situation in a bemused manner. Given the whole, you know, kill the world and travel through time to fulfill an insane fantasy ploy he just tried to pull, you'd think maybe there'd be some kind of rejection or punishment...]]
178	** Also [[spoiler: Professor Silver is not seen again following Episode 21, after we'd just seen exactly what twisted lengths he'd gladly go to ForScience.]]
179	* KillSat:
180	** The King's Pillar ([[spoiler: Sugata's First Phase]]) has effects similar to this. [[spoiler: However, it appears to only function on Cybodies below Third Phase.]] [[spoiler: Then, when apprivoised into Samekh, He pulls off the king of [[KillSat Kill Sats.]] ]]
181	** [[spoiler: ''Wako'' showed she has her own variation on one in Episode 21. Appropriately enough by RPG standards, Wako as a Maiden offers a debuff as opposed to damage output, neutralizing the effects of Overphase so that Takuto can destroy the enemy Cybody without killing the pilot in the process.]]
182	* LaResistance: The ''[[DramaClub school drama club]]''.
183	* LaserBlade: The Star Swords. Since they're wielded by HumongousMecha, they also count as [[{{BFS}} BFSes]]. AllThereInTheManual reveals that they were [[PowerGivesYouWings Samekh's wings]].
184	* LikesOlderWomen: Tsubasa is the only guy who isn't infatuated with Hina, but he has a crush on [[spoiler:Okamoto-sensei]].
185	* LivingWithTheVillain:
186	** With the exception of the drama club members, every fellow student that Takuto is seen talking to is a member of Glittering Cross. The dorm RA is one of the leaders, and two of the other leaders are Takuto's classmates and ''actually sit next to him in class''.
187	** [[spoiler:Another leader is the school's nurse.]]
188	* LonelyAtTheTop: Head mentions that he's sacrificed so much in order to pursue his ambition, including two relationships that resulted in his ex-girlfriends ([[spoiler:Takuto's mother]] and the North Maiden) dumping him and leaving the island forever. [[spoiler:And his entire reason for going after Samekh's TimeTravel power is so he can back what he lost.]]
189	** [[spoiler:Which [[{{Irony}} is why he lost them in the first place]]]]
190	* LoveDodecahedron: In addition to the main LoveTriangle below, there's Mizuno, Marino, a flirtatious Kanako, and an increasing UnwantedHarem for Takuto, as well as Benio, Keito, and Tiger for Sugata.
191	* LoveIsInTheAir: The result of Okamoto abusing her Cybody's power to stay young and constantly using the [[LovePotion Mandrake potion]].
192	* LoveMartyr: [[TheCasanova Head]] has left a ''lot'' of these in his wake.
193	* LovePotion: Okamoto kept stealing the Mandrake potion to live out her fantasy of being surrounded by [[{{Bishounen}} pretty boys]].
194	* LoveDodecahedron: Most girls in school want either Takuto, Sugata, or both. They both want Wako. Most of the other boys want one of those girls. See also Love Triangle below.
195	* LoveTriangle: Takuto, Wako, and Sugata... although the latter of the triangle [[IWantMyBelovedToBeHappy doesn't seem to be fighting his corner too strenuously]] On the other hand, Wako [[YaoiFangirl doesn't seem to mind]] if Takuto and Sugata end up together.
196	** [[spoiler: In episode 20, we find out that Head, then known as Tokio Tsunashi, was in a similar position to his son, with Ryousuke Katashiro being [[ArrangedMarriage Sugata]], and Sora being Wako. It... doesn't turn out well.]]
197	** According to the official pamphlet, George and Tetsuya are both in love with Benio.
198	** Wako and Keito for Sugata.
199	* LukeIAmYourFather: [[spoiler: Head is Takuto's father and is implied to know that fact. Unfortunately for him, Takuto also knows it.]]
200	* MacGuffinSuperPerson: The Shrine Maidens, though the emphasis is usually on Wako.
201	%% * MayDecemberRomance: Mr. Watanabe is 65. Mrs. Watanabe is 15.
202	* MeaningfulName:
203	** [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion Eva]] uses Christianity, Anime/RahXephon uses Mayan...Star Driver uses Phoenician. Pretty much every Star Driver's name has a connection to the Phoenician letter their Cybody is named after. ''Tsunashi'' can be written as 十 (he wears a Tau, hence Tauburn, which means "mark"), ''Sugata'' can be written as 丰, and ''Agemaki'' can be written as 丫. Sakana-chan (Fish-girl in the translation) is so named because her mark, "Nun", means "fish." [[spoiler: Yet another clue before the reveal of Keito as the East Maiden was that ''Nichi'' is written as 日, which looks just like the Phoenician letter ''heth'' (meaning "wall" in Phoenician).]]
204	** In the play in episode 22, the main trio are playing characters named after the ''English'' translation of their letters. Takuto is ''Mark'', Sugata is ''Columner'' (Column/Pillar), and Wako is ''Kleis'' (feminine form of Klaus, which sounds like 'Claws' which are ''hook'' shaped.)
205	* {{Meido}}: Tiger and Jaguar first appear as them.
206	* MirrorCharacter:[[spoiler:Keito]] reveals to Takuto that she also felt like a she was "in the way" when she used to be childhood friends with Sugata and Wako, mirroring Takuto's uncertainties of being a "third wheel" in the same relationship.
207	* MonsterOfTheWeek: The Glittering Crux Cybodies fill the role for the series; there are some exceptions, but for the most part Takuto has one Cybody battle in Zero Time each episode. Later in the series, however, Glittering Crux develops a method of restoring destroyed Cybodies so that they can be sent back out into the field.
208	* MoodDissonance: There is a {{Leitmotif}} where the maiden of the week sings a song while the pilots [[FighterLaunchingSequence activate their mecha]], [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience each according]] [[FourTemperamentEnsemble to her]] [[TheFourGods character type]]. The first by Sakana is a haunting melody of loss and longing, while Wako's song focuses on rebirth. [[GenkiGirl Mizuno]]'s song is about blue skies and sunshine, while [[spoiler: Keito]] sings about things starting to pass on.
209	** Put another way, Sakana sings about winter, Wako sings about spring, Mizuno sings about summer and [[spoiler: Keito]] sings about autumn.
210	%%* MoodWhiplash:
211	%%** [[spoiler:The end of Episode 6.]]
212	%%** [[spoiler:Episode 24.]]
213	* MotionCaptureMecha: The Tauburn and other Third Phase Cybodies.
214	* MotorcycleOnTheCoastRoad: Done by Tetsuya in the opening and second episode, but he would get away with it often, living on an island and all.
215	* NewPowersAsThePlotDemands: Takuto is a major offender with this trope, though with him being a ShowyInvincibleHero and based on the previously unexplored level of camp in the series, it's all but expected. [[spoiler:What's not expected is ''Wako'' invoking this in Episode 19.]]
216	* NiceJobBreakingItHero: [[spoiler:In her attempts to protect Mizuno from the Crux, Marino ended up inadvertently revealing that her sister was the West Maiden to, at the very least, Head and Ivrogne.]]
217	* NinjaMaid: [[spoiler:Tiger and Jaguar was revealed to be this on episode 6.]]
218	* NobodyCanDie: The director and writer stated they weren't planning to have anyone die. By the end, not one character has died as a result of Cybody combat, nor have any characters been implied to have died during the run of the story.
219	* NoodlePeople: Not to the extent as, say Creator/{{CLAMP}}'s recent works, but the character designs are quite spindly nonetheless.
220	* NotADate: Completely averted in episode 6. Wako literally exclaims to Takuto that they're going on a date when she decides to take him to the city part of the island.
221	* NotSoOmniscientCouncilOfBickering: As befitting an organisation mostly run by libidinous teenagers and the occasional adult BunnyEarsLawyer, the Crux has ''atrocious'' management issues.
222	* OhCrap: The ending of episode 15. [[spoiler: When Keito approaches Mizuno and reveals she knows she's a Maiden.]]
223	** Episode 23. [[spoiler: Sugata joins the glittering crux]] Not good.
224	** Episode 24. The one to top them all. [[spoiler: Keito's seal is broken, and Samekh is released.]]
225	** Twice in the final episode, [[spoiler: where Sugata apprivoises, and Head does a hijack.]]
226	* OlderThanTheyLook: [[spoiler: Head does not look like he has a highschool age son.]]
227	** [[spoiler:Shingo]] too, as a consequence of his First Phase.
228	* OnceAnEpisode: One of the Maidens will sing her song, which means it's fightin' time. Everyone will enter Zero Time, where Takuto meets his opponent and will apprivoise, causing Tauburn to [[StockFootage break through the fabric of Zero Time to answer the summons; once inside Tauburn, Takuto will transform into his Galactic Pretty Boy outfit]]. After this, we're shown a HumongousMecha duel; upon Takuto's victory, the opponent's Cybody will explode at least once on the ground and then, for some reason, in the air.
229	** Subversions abound; on a few occasions there is no fight, once or twice there's a fight but no song (such as when the Maiden is occupied), and ''very'' rarely the song starts, but the fight does not. This is demonstrated best with the East Maiden, whose song only appears twice, and only one of those occasions accompanies a battle.
230	* OnionTears: Sugata. According to Wako, that is the first time he ever cries.
231	* OnTheNextEpisodeOfCatchphrase: "Your galaxy will shine!" [[spoiler: At the series end, "Your galaxy is already Shining!" also a throwback to Sakana-chan's story.]]
232	* OrdinaryHighSchoolStudent: Head sometimes poses as one despite being old enough to be [[spoiler:Takuto's father]] and somehow manages to pull it off successfully. Lampshaded in episode 24.
233	* {{Orichalcum}}: The island sits upon a huge bed of it. It's also used in the Cybodies' construction.
234	* OutOfClothesExperience: Whenever a Maiden pilots her Cybody.
235	* PaperThinDisguise: The Glittering Crux members may wear very extravagant outfits and wear very large masks, but they do absolutely ''nothing'' to change their very unique and noticeable hairstyles between their secret and normal identities besides maybe wearing a hat. Even if their masks cover half their faces and they do a decent job of changing their voices, the audience can immediately figure out who is a Glittering Crux member. Nearly the entire cast, on the other hand, are routinely shocked when a Glittering Crux member reveals their true identities.
236	** Not entirely true. Glittering Crux members approach each other out of costume on a couple occasions, but feel the need to confirm they have the right person with their organization's secret handshake the first time they do so. There's no sign the costumes fool anyone (if they've met in-costume, they can recognize each other out-of-costume and vice-versa), so much as everyone puts some effort into pretending to be {{Ordinary High School Student}}s when not fighting each other in Zero Time.
237	* ParentalAbandonment:
238	** It seems that Takuto was raised by his grandfather and he's searching for his [[DisappearedDad absent father Tokio Tsunashi]], [[spoiler: better now known as Head]]. During the events of the final episode [[spoiler: it becomes an attempt at OffingTheOffspring on Head's part, if his tone is any indication]]
239	** Mizuno and Marino were also abandoned by their father, and their mother left to search for him.[[spoiler: Well, Mizuno was abandoned. Marino just came into being because Mizuno's mother left.]]
240	* PoorCommunicationKills: [[spoiler:Sora was in love with her fiancé Ryousuke, but Ryousuke never openly revealed that he felt the same way, leading Sora to think that her feelings were unrequited, and so she started to fall for Tokio instead. Ryousuke only reveals that he did love Sora by giving her the pocketwatch that he always kept that had her picture after it is revealed she is pregnant with Tokio's child, Takuto.]]
241	* PowerIncontinence: [[spoiler: Ryousuke's first phase allowed him to see things, regardless of whether he wants to or not. After seeing his beloved loving his friend,]] [[spoiler: he [[EyeScream scratches out his left eye]]. ]]
242	* PowerPerversionPotential:
243	** Benio's first phase can certainly be played this way - it's activated with a kiss.
244	** While not specific to any one individual, those who don't get frozen during Zero Time could certainly use that fact in this way.
245	** [[spoiler: Ginta]] uses his first phase to spy on Wako while she's purifying herself.
246	** When Kou and Madoka were possessing Takuto and Sugata's bodies, they were only a few seconds from making out with each other before Wako showed up.
247	** Kinda [[{{Deconstruction}} deconstructed]] with [[spoiler:Ryousuke, whose X-Ray vision type First Phase theoretically allows for this, but unfortunately makes him see the affair between his fiancé Sora and Head. He then [[EyeScream takes out his own eye]] in an attempt to stop it.]]
248	* {{Precursors}}: [[spoiler: Cybodies were created by the Entropeople who inhabited the Earth since at least the Age of Dinosaurs. At some point, they left Earth and the Cybodies behind]]
249	** [[spoiler: NeglectfulPrecursors: They left powerful weapons (including one that can destroy a planet) to be sealed by humans and except for Sarina refused to interfere or help ]]
250	* {{Prequel}}: In universe example. The play put on by Midnight Flight seems to be a prequel to Sakana-chan's story, detailing the King's StartOfDarkness.
251	* ProductPlacement: Marino has some ''very'' conspicuous Aqua Timez and 9nine posters in her room. (Aqua Timez and 9nine being the band responsible for the opening and ending themes respectively.) Likewise, Takuto has posters labelled "Mono-chrome" (Sakana-chan's Maiden song) and "Drive Star" in his room.
252	** In Episode 14, Mizuno's hairdresser suggests "going Gangan for love". Later, when she volunteers to participate in the DramaClub's play, Wako calls her "a Young Gangan". ''Young Gangan'' is the name of the magazine in which the Star Driver manga is serialized.
253	%%* RecapEpisode: ''The movie''.
254	* RecycledINSPACE!: ''Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena'' [[AC:with HumongousMecha]].
255	** Or Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann [[AC:with the GAR replaced by FABULOUS]].
256	* RedOniBlueOni: Takuto and Sugata together provide an archetypal example of this trope. They're even ColourCodedCharacters.
257	* ReplacementGoldfish: [[spoiler:The North Maiden could have possibly been one to Head/Tokio, given his relationship to Sora.]]
258	* RescueRomance: Between Takuto and Wako. Wako saves Takuto's life when she finds him washed ashore and performs [=CPR=] on him. Takuto returns the favor by saving Wako when she is captured by the Glittering Crux Brigade.
259	* TheReveal: Episode 17 finally confirmed what most viewers had already figured out. [[spoiler:That Keito is the east maiden.]]
260	** Episode 20 reveals that [[spoiler:yes, Head is Takuto's father.]]
261	* RidiculouslyCuteCritter: The Vice President of the drama club...who is a tiny fox. [[spoiler: Which, in episode 22, is revealed to also be an alien.]]
262	* RocketPunch[=/=]ThisIsADrill: Pile Crusher: [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann Fighting]] [[MemeticMutation the powah]] since Episode 12.
263	* RomanceEnsues: Takuto and Wako are intentionally placed in this situation in Episode 4 so [[UnluckyChildhoodFriend Tiger]] can have Sugata without any [[ArrangedMarriage obstacles]].
264	* SacredFirstKiss: Sugata points out that Wako's CPR could probably count as both her and Takuto's FirstKiss, which leads Wako to [[SpitTake nearly choke on her orange juice]].
265	* SceneryPorn: Zero Time, the dimension where Cybodies do battle.
266	** Also, the nighttime skies.
267	** The series is made by Creator/StudioBones; what else could you expect?
268	* SchoolPlay: Since the protagonists are members of the DramaClub. A kissing scene in their play is SeriousBusiness.
269	** Episode 22 is basically this trope [[spoiler: and the play reveals a lot of backstory about the Cybodies.]].
270	* SealedEvilInACan: [[spoiler:Samekh, the King Cybody]]. At the end of the series, it gets unsealed, and [[spoiler:Sugata sacrifices himself to seal it again. Subverted when Takuto realizes that eventually it could get unsealed, so he finishes unsealing it and destroys it]].
271	* SeriousBusiness: ''Blowing kisses'' in Episode 5 is given this treatment by Sarina and the girls in the Drama Club.
272	* SheIsTheKing: Type II applies for certain members of the Vanishing Age crew in terms of the title they are bestowed after the Glittering Crux manages to unlock Third Phase.
273	* ShirtlessScene: Lots of them. For instance, Takuto is shown while having a bath on-screen several times.
274	* ShoutOut:
275	** Takuto's first foe is a Crux Star Driver and boxer codenamed Film/RagingBull.
276	** In episode 3, Kanako says that her husband is "''the head of Grand Tonnerre Foundation''" which also shares the same name of the company that [[Characters/OuranHighSchoolHostClub Eclair Tonnerre]]'s family owns in ''Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub''.
277	** The "STAR DRIVAAAAAAAAAAAA" {{Eyecatch}} is likely a reference to the eyecatch from ''Anime/{{Gunbuster}}''.
278	** Wako's [[ImagineSpot fantasy]] in episode 4 is very reminiscent of ''Ouran'', with roses all around the screen and a "caption" done in the style as the ones used constantly in that series.
279	** The book Tiger referenced in episode 4 was very clearly ''Literature/{{The Story of Little Black Sambo}}''.
280	** There's a poster of the cover of the opening theme single, "Gravity 0", in Mizuno and Marino's room.
281	** [[Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena "I think playing the piano suits you more than carrying a kendo stick."]]
282	*** Also, the line about Mizuno being a weirdo outcast and a "witch."
283	*** [[spoiler: Katashiro's past shares some similarities with Mikage/Nemuro's, with Head/Tokio/Reiji playing Akio to Sora's Tokiko]].
284	*** Hell, the series' premise itself has many parallels with ''Utena'', as does the antagonist. This makes a lot of sense when you realize that Star Driver's writer, Yoji Enokido, also wrote a large portion of ''Utena''.
285	** The boxing ring that forms during Takuto and Kanako's fight looks conspicuously similar to the one from ''Anime/MobileFighterGGundam'''s second OP.
286	** Madoka and Kou. Let's see, two girls, one is blonde, the other turquoise-haired, they're a couple ... [[Franchise/SailorMoon Hmmm...]]
287	** The main branches of the Glittering Star and Takuto's Galactic Pretty Boy costume take inspiration from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's Literature/TheLittlePrince. The author's earlier novel Night Flight likely provided the source for the drama club's name.
288	*** More than that, in Episode 4 Takuto outright says ''"The essential is invisible to the eyes."''
289	** [[spoiler: Sugata's]] King's Pillar looks a lot like [[Anime/EurekaSeven the Seven Swell]], only the former is blue while the latter is the entire rainbow.
290	** [[spoiler: During Head's EvilGloating in Episode 25, he says [[Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann "The young think they can overcome anything with spirit."]] Becomes something of a BrickJoke later on when Takuto delivers a knock-out blow to him, a la Kamina[=/=]Simon.]]
291	** [[spoiler: Wako's Cybody, [[http://img860.imageshack.us/img860/7983/stardrivercuresunshine.jpg Wawna]], was based off of [[Manga/SailorMoon Sailor Moon]].]]
292	** Ayingott going to town on Tauburn have more than a passing resemblance to [[Anime/RebuildOfEvangelion Berserk Eva 01 vs Sachiel]].
293	* ShutUpHannibal: [[spoiler: Head meets Takuto and tries his manipulation on him. Takuto [[TalkToTheFist doesn't even let him finish the sentence.]] Yeouch.]]
294	* SiblingTriangle: Both Marino and Mizuno have developed feelings for Takuto. Mizuno also [[LampshadeHanging lampshades]] it at the end of Episode 10.
295	* SmellsSexy: Lampshaded by everyone in Episode 5 with Okamoto.
296	* SoftWater: Flashback to Takuto's past involves this.
297	* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Vanishing/Banishing Age. To make matters worse, the official site [[http://www.star-driver.net/character/head.html uses]] [[http://www.star-driver.net/mechanic/02.html both]].
298	** The links provided all show Vanishing. Perhaps they've finally made up their mind. Makes sense, Vanishing does fit better than Banishing.
299	*** [[spoiler:Would also make sense because it ties into Head's first phase, which makes his age vanish...]]
300	* SpitTake: Wako does this when Sugata asks Takuto if he's had his first kiss.
301	* StarcrossedLovers: Sam and the girl he loves in the North Maiden's story, [[spoiler:as the galactic ship Sam receives from the king will only work if her blood is spilled, but episode 8 reveals that Sam really loved sailing through the galaxy more and the girl was a more or less vessel in achieving his goal.]]
302	** Also, seemingly [[spoiler:Head and the North Maiden.]]
303	*** And in episode 20 it reveals that [[spoiler:Head and Sora were this as well. Takuto was the result.]]
304	* StealthInsult: Keito discreetly disparages Wako for her indecisiveness (i.e: Called Wako a whore) in Episode 24.
305	** [[spoiler: ''I'm not like you or my Aunt.'']]
306	* StockFootage: Pretty standard fare for a mecha/action show. The Glittering Star getting into the cybercasket, Tauburn's entrance into Zero Time, Takuto pulling out his Star Swords, etc.
307	* {{Stripperiffic}}: Benio's, Simone's, and Kanako's outfits bare copious amounts of skin, and Kanako herself practically looks like a dominatrix in hers. Of the female Order members, only Nichi dresses 'sensibly', and even then her shoulders are exposed, and cleavage, to boot.
308	* SuckOutThePoison: Done by [[spoiler:Keito on Takuto when a mind-controlled snake bites his leg. Oh, and she also wraps a tourniquet around his leg as if that would stop the poison from flowing any further.]]
309	* SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic: Professor Silver doesn't quite ''know'' what he's doing - the Cybodies are just that mysterious - but he does an incredible job with what he's got. Take, for example, his development of the [[spoiler:Overphase System, which he likens to a "phase 3.5"; the 3.5 is inaccurate because according to WordOfGod, the fourth phase entails nothing but the unsealing of the ultimate Cybody, King Samekh. The guy ''made up'' a further level of synchronization.]]
310	* SuperDickery: The preview for the last episode includes a voiceover from Wako saying "Takuto...it would have been better if I'd never met you." [[spoiler: In the actual episode, Wako has an internal monologue where she states she ''sometimes'' wishes that Takuto had never come to the island and they'd never met, because things would be easier and she wouldn't endure the pain that comes from loving him along with Sugata, concluding the monologue with "You don't know how much it hurts to deeply love two people at once."]]
311	* SweetheartSipping: Takuto, Wako, and Sugata do this together in episode 19.
312	* SwissArmyWeapon: Tauburn's Piles which can be combined into [[ThisIsADrill a drill to block enemy attacks]], and [[RocketPunch a Rocket Punch]], used on their own as [[AttackDrone attack drones]], or even made larger to become wings to allow Tauburn to fly.
313	* TeacherStudentRomance: Okamoto-sensei is attracted to many of the male students, and [[spoiler:Tsubasa turns out to be attracted to her]].
314	* ThemeMusicPowerUp: Actually sung in-show when a Zero Time battle begins.
315	* ThemeNaming:
316	** Everything from the costume design to the character and cyberbodies names to Benio's ability makes much more sense when you realise that they are all based on the [[http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/9620/1286209034282.jpg Phoenician Alphabet]].
317	** RockThemeNaming: [[LaserBlade Star Swords]] are typically named for types of gems or stones.
318	* ThisCannotBe: Most of Takuto's opponents have this reaction when he comes up with a new way to win in every battle. [[spoiler:Head's in episode 16]] is probably the most notable, since he is usually so [[SmugSnake smug and confident]].
319	* ThreesomeSubtext: Sugata and Wako are engaged, but he [[IJustWantMyBelovedToBeHappy just wants her to be happy]]. Takuto is clearly in love with Wako. Wako flat-out says she's in love with both of them, and for bonus points is a YaoiFangirl. Oh, and Sugata is AmbiguouslyGay. Although WordOfGod implied they hooked up after the series ended, [[TeasingCreator keep in mind who we're dealing with]].
320	* TimeTravel: [[spoiler:Samekh's true power. It allows Samekh's pilot to go back in time by draining the libido (lifeforce) of the entire planet.]]
321	* TownWithADarkSecret: Southern Cross Isle. Half the school at least seems to be in on the whole AncientConspiracy business, and they're not terribly accommodating to outsiders who butt in. Especially not one who is closer to their goal than they are.
322	* TragicKeepsake: The watch that Takuto received from his mother. [[spoiler: It reminds Ryousuke of the tragic LoveTriangle between him, Sora and Head. Takuto is blissfully unaware of that story so far.]]
323	* TransformationNameAnnouncement: "Dazzling the stage! Galactic Pretty Boy, Taubarn!"
324	* TransformationSequence: Includes a very MagicalGirl-esque one, as part of its seeming attempt to fit as many shoujo tropes as possible into a shounen series.
325	** TransformationIsAFreeAction
326	* {{Troperiffic}}: Practically everything in this series has been done before. However, instead of being a ClicheStorm, this series seems to enjoy playing with and parodying various tropes found in other anime such as Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann, Anime/CodeGeass, and the writer's previous works (Anime/RevolutionaryGirlUtena, Manga/OuranHighSchoolHostClub, and Anime/{{FLCL}}). There's even a bit of ''Anime/SailorMoon'' since the same scriptwriter worked on both. It {{lampshade\|Hanging}}s these tropes (or at least makes them ''very'' obvious) rather frequently, so much so that it could develop into a blatant {{Deconstruction}}. For some bizarre reason, this all works to make the series almost scarily entertaining.
327	* TropicalIslandAdventure: This anime is set on a tropical island known as Southern Cross Island.
328	* TwoGuysAndAGirl: Played with, [[spoiler:but averted as of the end of episode 8.]]
329	** [[spoiler:Tokio's relationship with Sora and Ryousuke ends up as this... with unpleasant results.]]
330	* TheUnreveal: We never do get told Takuto's First Phase, though [[spoiler: rather large hints are thrown around in the last episode that it is somethng to do with his sight. Exactly what he can "still see" is left a mystery though.]]
331	--> '''Takuto''': [[spoiler: I can still see it!]]
332	%%* UnusualEuphemism: So, do ''you'' mind glass?
333	* UnluckyChildhoodFriend: Seemingly more than a few girls for [[spoiler:Sugata.]] His level of interest on any particular girl hasn't been delved into yet, though he is protective of anyone he cares about, seen more clearly in later episodes when it comes to [[spoiler:Wako or Takuto.]]
334	** Takuto reveals to be one after an interview states that he had a crush on Hana, but backed off since Hana had feelings for Natsuo.
335	** George and Tetsuya for Benio, who's in love with Sugata.
336	* UnwantedHarem: Takuto. While there's hints about Wako, she's not the only girl interested in him. Mizuno, Marino, Kanako, and possibly as of now Benio.
337	* VillainousRescue: [[spoiler: Believe it or not, Kou saves Wako's seal from being broken by Camel Star in Episode 20]]
338	* VoicesAreMental: Averted in episode 19.
339	* WaifFu: Kanako demonstrates that she doesn't need a giant robot to kick ass in Episode 12, when she knocks out George, head of the boxing club in ''two punches''. To hear her tell it, most folks go down in one.
340	* WaveMotionGun: The Tau Galaxy Beam.
341	* WhamEpisode: Episode 6, where things got a bit DarkerAndEdgier with [[spoiler:Sugata's apparent death.]]
342	** Episodes 14, 15, and 16 are basically a Wham ''Arc''.
343	** And the Whams just keep on coming: Episode ''17'' has [[spoiler: Head and his division Vanishing Age usurp the entire Glittering Crux and BLOW UP the cybercaskets, effectively removing all pilots without "true marks" from the battles with Takuto.]]
344	** Episode 23. [[spoiler:Sugata joins the Glittering Crux.]] [[OhCrap Holy shit.]]
345	** Episode 24: [[spoiler:Keito kisses Sugata, Keito reveals herself to Wako and Takuto, Sugata reveals himself to Wako and Takuto, Head breaks the East Maiden's seal, and King Samekh is revived.]]
346	** Episode 25. [[spoiler:Head Gundam Jacks Samekh. Sugata sacrifices himself to seal up Samekh.]]
347	* WhamLine: Also, episode 6.
348	-->'''Takuto:''' That day turned into an anniversary none of us could forget...
349	** The end of episode 7. Delivered by ''[[spoiler:[[NotQuiteDead Sugata]] to Takuto]]'':
350	--->[[spoiler:'''Sugata:''' Be careful. Do you want to die?]]
351	** Episode 15.
352	-->'''Mizuno:''' -in tears- Don't treat me like your little sister!
353	** Episode 20.
354	-->[[spoiler:'''Ryousuke:''' [''about Head''] Your heart is in Zero Time.]]
355	-->'''Head in a flashback:''' Hello, my name is [[spoiler: Tokio Tsunashi]]
356	** Episode 25 Preview.
357	-->[[spoiler:'''Wako:''' Takuto... It would have been better if I'd never met you.]]
358	--->[[spoiler: [[SuperDickery Of course, in the actual episode, she actually meant that It would've been better because she has fallen in love with him and had to endure the pain of loving two people.]]]]
359	** Actually lampshaded in Episode 25 itself, in which Head reveals his motivation, which although not entirely random, still seems quite out of nowhere at first.
360	-->'''Head''': [[spoiler:If one breaks the South Seal and brings Samekh to the fifth phase, one can control time as one wishes. And as that Star Driver, I will become a time traveller!]]
361	-->'''Takuto''': squints What...?
362	* WhenAllYouHaveIsAHammer: Tau Missile has become this ever since the third phase.
363	* WhiteAndGreyMorality: The Glittering Crux want to use the HumongousMecha LostTechnology to achieve world peace ([[UtopiaJustifiesTheMeans by force]], but the force part is only implied and never stated outright.) Many of the Crux deplore loss of civilian life and go out of their way to prepare ways to get the innocent out of the way in the event if a crisis (such as keeping a ''luxury ship large enough to carry the population of a small island'' on hand). The only reason they're at odds with the heroes at all is the "force" part. Both parties are ''fully aware'' of this and even ''act as genuine friends'' when off of the battlefield. There are a total of '''two''' named characters who are portrayed as genuinely bad and unlikeable people in the whole of the series, which stands out for its surprisingly large cast.
364	* WindowLove: It's a big trend for a boy to go outside to a different class and ask a girl to kiss against the window to show affection without being too serious. Kanako in particular loves doing this, since it gives her a way to flirt without cheating on her husband.
365	* TheWorldIsNotReady: During the finale, the leaders of the Glittering Crux wonder if the Cybodies were something humans were never meant to have, [[spoiler:but the cybody Daletos "tells" Simone that the Cybodies were something that humans were supposed to aspire for.]]
366	* WorldOfHam: Possibly one of the standouts in the history of Mecha anime.
367	** Then again it works to the Crux's advantage if it causes someone's libido levels to rise...
368	* YouHaveFailedMe: A relatively benign example. Glittering Cross members lose their Star Driver (pilot) status if they let a valuable Cybody be destroyed. It seems to be mostly a formality, with loss of bragging rights as the only evident consequence; as is eventually pointed out on-screen, the organization still relies on things like the Science Guild's technology and the Otona Bank's financial support even after the leaders of those brigades have lost their Star Driver status. Once they develop the means to restore broken Cybodies, regaining Driver status appears to be as simple as volunteering to have one's Cybody regenerated.
369	* YouNeedToGetLaid: The [[FunWithSubtitles captions]] speculate that Tetsuya's [[DoesThisRemindYouOfAnything excitement]] on the motorcycle is a sign that he's in desperate need of a good lay ('''[[color:purple:VIRGIN?]]''').
370	* YeOldeButcheredeEnglishe During episode 23 when they are in the play this is used to an extreme extent.

Context Anime / StarDriver