Aura Warrior Dunbine: Reassessing the legendary robot anime

Aura Warrior Dunbine - A magnificent story where another world and reality intersect

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

Anime Original

■ Broadcast period

February 5, 1983 - January 21, 1984 Every Saturday 17:30-18:00

■Broadcasting station

Nagoya TV

■Frequencies

half an hour

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 49

■Original Story

Original work: Yoshiyuki Tomino, Hajime Yatate

■ Director

General Director: Yoshiyuki Tomino

■ Production

Nagoya TV, Sotsu Agency, Nippon Sunrise

■Works

© Sotsu, Sunrise

■ Story

Viston Well is a parallel world between the sea and the land. A young boy named Shou Zama is summoned from the surface world to this world as a "Holy Warrior." He pilots a Dunbine, an Aura Battler powered by bioenergy called "Aura Power," and fights alongside his friends against the forces of Overlord Drake Luft. The war engulfs the fates of many people in Viston Well, and even spreads to the surface world, where Shou and his friends live. Shou must overcome numerous challenges and confront his destiny as a warrior...

From "Sunrise Complete Works Collection"

■Explanation

This was a unique robot anime set in a heroic fantasy-like parallel world that was fresh in the early 1980s. It attracted attention for its Aura Battlers, created by Miyatake Kazutaka and Izubuchi Yutaka, which combine the image of knight armor and living creatures, the unique and elegant character designs by Kogawa Tomotaka, and the dramatic war history story that intertwines the love-hate conflicts between parents and children and between men and women. In addition to depicting the parallel world, the second half of the broadcast also featured real national forces and current weapons from the earthly world, incorporating the real robot anime style of the time.

From "Sunrise Complete Works Collection"

■Cast

・Shou/Shigeru Nakahara ・Marvel/Mika Doi
・Nee/Makoto Ataka ・Burn (Black Knight)/Sho Hayami ・Garalia/Miki Saijo ・Cham/Maria Kawamura ・Keen/Yumi Takada ・Rimuru/Kyoko Irokawa ・Drake/Shoji Oki ・Todd/Hidemi Osaka ・Musie/Mari Yokoo ・Shot/Masahiko Tanaka ・Narrator/Noriaki Wakamoto

■ Main staff

・Planning / Nippon Sunrise ・Original work / Tomino Yoshiyuki, Yatate Hajime ・Character design / Kogawa Tomotaka ・Mechanical design / Miyatake Kazutaka ・Art / Ikeda Shigemi ・Chief animation director / Kogawa Tomotaka ・Director of photography / Saito Akio ・Editing / Inoue Editing Office, Fuse Yumiko ・Sound recording director / Fujino Sadayoshi ・Music / Tsubono Katsuhiro ・General director / Tomino Yoshiyuki ・Producer / Moriyama Kei [the part of the old character "kei" with a water radical] (Nagoya TV), Onishi Kuniaki (Sotsu Agency), Nakagawa Hironori (Nippon Sunrise)

■Subtitle

Episode 1: The Holy WarriorsEpisode 2: Given's MansionEpisode 3: Lars Wah's EscapeEpisode 4: Rimuru's TrialsEpisode 5: Keene in DangerEpisode 6: Tragedy in the Moon ForestEpisode 7: The Night Before the WarEpisode 8: Lars Wah AgainEpisode 9: Heaven and EarthEpisode 10: Father and SonEpisode 11: The Battle of Kiron CastleEpisode 12: Pursuit in GalariaEpisode 13: Todd's RushEpisode 14 Episode 15: Elf Castle Siege, Episode 16: Over Tokyo, Episode 17: The People on the Ground, Episode 18: Galaria Flash, Episode 19: Holy Warrior Shou, Episode 20: Burn's Counterattack, Episode 21: Fugitive Rimuru, Episode 22: Warrior Rimuru Luft, Episode 23: Musi's Pursuit, Episode 24: Assault vs. Assault, Episode 25: United Front, Episode 26: E Le's Spiritual Power・Episode 27/Queen of the Red Storm・Episode 28/Golan's Departure・Episode 29/Vilbine's Appearance・Episode 30/Silky's Escape・Episode 31/Omen of the Black Knight・Episode 32/Emergence・Episode 33/Machine Deployment・Episode 34/Aura Barrier・Episode 35/Scorching Golan・Episode 36/The Enemy is Gea Garing・Episode 37/Hyper Jeril・Episode 38/Time Bomb・Episode 39/Bishot's Hostage・Episode 40/Paris Burning・Episode 41/European Front・Episode 42/Rebellion of the Earthlings・Episode 43/Hyper Show・Episode 44/Grand Attack・Episode 45/Beyond the Toad・Episode 46/Remote Control Operation・Episode 47/Drake Luft・Episode 48/Cross Fight・Episode 49/Cham Fau

■Detailed evaluation and recommendation

■ Background and production of the work

"Mobile Suit Dunbine" is a Japanese anime series that aired from 1983 to 1984, and is known as one of the masterpieces of director Yoshiyuki Tomino. Director Tomino had already made a name for himself with "Mobile Suit Gundam", but he took on a new challenge by creating this work that combines fantasy in another world with robot anime. It was produced by Nippon Sunrise, with Nagoya TV and Sotsu Agency co-producing the series.

■ The appeal of the story

The story of "Mobile Suit Gundam: Aura Battler Dunbine" follows the adventures of a young boy named Sho Zama, who travels between the other world, Vistone Well, and the real world. Sho is summoned to Vistone Well, where he pilots his Aura Battler, "Dunbine," to fight. The story not only depicts the battles in the other world, but also their impact on the real world, beautifully depicting the intersection of the two worlds. Sho's feelings as he wavers between the two worlds, his bonds with his friends, and his battles with opposing forces are what draw viewers in.

■Charm of the characters

The characters in this work are vividly drawn by Tomotaka Kogawa's unique designs. The protagonist, Sho Zama, is portrayed as a brave but confused and conflicted boy, and his growth is at the center of the story. In addition, Shaw's companions, Marvel, Nee, Burn (the Black Knight), and other unique characters add excitement to the story. In particular, Burn's character, despite being an enemy, is portrayed with a deep background and humanity, leaving a strong impression on the viewer.

■ The appeal of mechanical design

The mechanical design of "Aura Battler Dunbine" was created by Kazutaka Miyatake and Yutaka Izubuchi, and is characterized by a unique design that combines the image of knight armor with that of living creatures. The Aura Battler is powered by bioenergy, "aura power," which is a fresh concept and visually very appealing. In particular, Dunbine's design combines beauty and strength, and is loved by many fans.

■ The appeal of music

The music by Tsubono Katsuhiro is also an important element that enhances the appeal of this work. The grand melody of the opening theme "Dunbine Tobu" and the beautiful melody of the ending theme "Love's Beat" are deeply engraved in the hearts of viewers. In addition, the background music is also used skillfully to match the development of the story, and has the effect of stirring the emotions of the viewer.

■ Impact and evaluation at the time of broadcast

"Saint Seiya Dunbine" was a unique robot anime in the early 1980s. Its heroic fantasy setting in another world and its new attempt at intertwining it with the real world gave viewers a fresh surprise. In addition, its story, which intertwines the love-hate conflicts between parents and children and between men and women, deeply moved viewers and won many fans. When it was broadcast, it was praised as a unique work amid the popularity of realistic robot anime, and its value is still being reevaluated today.

■ Recommendation points

"Saint Seiya: Knights of Dunbine" is a successful new attempt to fuse fantasy set in another world with robot anime, and all elements, including story, characters, mechanical design, and music, are fused at a high level. In particular, the theme of the intersection of another world and the real world provokes deep emotions and thoughts in the viewer, and can be enjoyed even today. In addition, Director Yoshiyuki Tomino's unique worldview and storytelling have a charm that cannot be found in other works. Highly recommended for fans of robot anime and fantasy anime, and for those who want to enjoy a new challenge.

■ Related works and how to watch them

"Aura Warrior Dunbine" stands out for its unique worldview and storytelling, even when compared to other works by Director Yoshiyuki Tomino. In particular, by watching other works by Director Tomino, such as "Mobile Suit Gundam" and "Space Runaway Ideon," you can gain a deeper understanding of his worldview. You can also enjoy the continuation of the story in the OVA "Shin Dunbine," a sequel to "Dunbine."

As for how to watch it, DVDs and Blu-rays are available, so you can purchase them and watch them. It may also be available on streaming services, so using those is another way to watch it. In addition, related goods and figures are also sold at fan events and conventions, so if you're interested, be sure to check them out.

Conclusion

"Mobile Suit Gundam: Knights of the Galaxy" is a successful new attempt to fuse fantasy set in another world with robot anime, and all elements, including the story, characters, mechanical design, and music, are fused at a high level. The theme of the intersection of another world and the real world provokes deep emotions and thoughts in the viewer, and can be enjoyed even today. Director Yoshiyuki Tomino's unique worldview and storytelling have a charm that cannot be found in other works, and we highly recommend it to those who like robot anime and fantasy anime, and those who want to enjoy a new challenge.