Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002: The nostalgic battle top is revived as an anime!

Beyblade 2002 - Bey Battle of Passion and Friendship

Overview

"Beyblade," which aired in 2002, is a TV anime series based on the original manga by Aoki Takao. A total of 51 episodes were broadcast on TV Tokyo from January 7 to December 30, 2002. This work is a passionate boys' drama depicting friendship and growth, centered around a battle sport using a rotating top called Beyblade. The series depicts the unique characters, including the main character Takao, growing up as they fight various enemies.

■ Story

Takao, who had been ecstatic about becoming the Beyblade champion, is defeated by a mysterious boy named Ozma in an exhibition match. He then receives information that Max, who also lives in America, and Rei, who has returned to China, have also been defeated by the mysterious boys. Meanwhile, the mysterious boy challenges Kai, who has quit Beybattling, but barely manages to win. According to Kyoju's analysis, it seems that they are using Beyblades that contain invisible sacred beasts. What is their purpose in using the sacred beasts that are said to be from ancient legends and are known as "lithograph sacred beasts"?!

Meanwhile, the bladers with "digital sacred beasts" led by Gideon, who challenge Takao and his friends using scientifically advanced beyblades, are interested in Takao and the other four sacred beasts in order to create a higher level sacred beast. The hand of evil is approaching! What is the relationship between the mysterious boy Ozma and the scientist team? How will the four Beybladers, Takao, Kai, Rei, and Max, grow as they face the enemies that challenge them one after another?

■Explanation

The story of "Bakuten Shoot Beyblade" centers around the passionate bey battles between a diverse cast of characters: the hot-blooded Takao, the cool-headed Kai, the calm Rei, the cheerful Max, the clever Kyoju, and the only girl in the series, Hiromi. It is a passionate sports drama about boys who develop friendship, courage, guts, wisdom, and technique in the process. The realistic Beyblade battles are expressed in 3D CG, and there is also an emphasis on the battles between the sacred beasts (spirits) that pop out of the Beyblades, making the battles as powerful as if they were living creatures!

■Cast

• Takao Kinomiya: Motoko Kumai
• Kai Hiwatari: Rei Takano
• Kim Lee: Aya Hisakawa
• Mizuhara Max: Orikasa Ai
• Kyoju: Houko Kuwashima
• Hiromi Tachibana: Shiho Kikuchi

■ Main staff

• Director and series composition: Hiroo Takeuchi
• Assistant Director: Tetsuya Kobayashi
• Animation Director: Chung Woo-young
• Art director: Masami Hagiwara, Gang-wook Lee
• Director of photography: Jang Dong-hee
• CG Director: Taiji Kawanishi
• Screenplay: Yukinori Fukushima, Koji Miura, Toshiyasu Nagata
• Animation production cooperation: Synergy Japan, Seoul Animation
• Animation producers: Hiroyuki Saito, Yinmei Li
• Producers: Choi Jong-soo (TV Tokyo), Shinichi Ikeda, Mamiko Aoki
• Produced by: TV Tokyo, Yomiuri Advertising, D-Rights

■ Main Characters

• Kinomiya Takao: The protagonist of this work. Bright and energetic wherever he is, he has a strong sense of justice but is clumsy. He is not good at studying, but he loves bey battles. He truly enjoys bey battles and values ​​the bonds between fellow beybladers. After becoming the world champion, he was popular at school and overjoyed, but with the emergence of Ozma and the Saint Seals and Team Psychic, he becomes embroiled in a battle over the sacred beasts. He uses the beyblade "Dragoon".
• Kai Hiwatari: He never makes friends and always acts alone, so no one knows what he's thinking. Having reached the pinnacle of the world, he no longer has any desire to take part in bey battles, but after being attacked by the Saint Sealers, he awakens to bey battles and begins to act alongside Takao and the others. He uses the Beyblade "Dranzer."
• Jin Li: He is from the White Tiger tribe of China. He always acts calmly and coolly. In his hometown of China, he taught children how to play Beyblade as an older brother figure for the White Tiger tribe, but when he learns of Professor Zagato's scheme to target the Four Sacred Beasts, he fights alongside Takao and the others. He uses the Beyblade "Driger".
• Mizuhara Max: Half Japanese, half Japanese, with a mother who studies Beyblade in America. His cheerful and caring personality is also evident in his Beybattles. He uses the Beyblade "Draciel."
• Kyoju: Takao's classmate. He knows more about Beyblades and computers than anyone else. He's so skilled that he can even analyze the mysterious Beyblade radar himself.
• Hiromi Tachibana: Takao and Kyoju's classmate. An honor student, she was at odds with Takao, but gradually she began to show understanding for Beyblade.

■ Main robot items

• Dragoon Victory: Takao's Beyblade
• Dragoon V2: Takao's Beyblade
• Dranzer Flame: Kai's Beyblade
• Dranzer Volcano: Kai's Beyblade
• Dranzer V2: Kai's Beyblade
• Driger Fang: Rei's beyblade
• Driger Vulcan: Rei's beyblade
• Driger V2: Beyblade used by Ray
• Draciel Metal Fortress: Max's beyblade
• Draciel Viper: Max's beyblade
• Draciel V2: Max's Beyblade

■Subtitle

• Episode 1: A New Enemy (2002/01/07)
• Episode 2: The Mysterious Blader Hunters (2002/01/14)
• Episode 3: The invisible sacred beast (2002/01/21)
• Episode 4: The Terrifying IQ Blader (2002/01/28)
• Episode 5: Kai Returns (2002/02/04)
• Episode 6: The Menacing Magtram (2002/02/11)
• Episode 7: A Rigged Challenge (2002/02/18)
• Episode 8: BBA Team Resurrected! (2002/02/25)
• Episode 9: Jungle Battle Stadium (2002/03/04)
• Episode 10: Clash in the Dark (2002/03/11)
• Episode 11: The Great Battle on a Deserted Island (2002/03/18)
• Episode 12: Roar! Dranzer (2002/03/25)
• Episode 13: Breaking the Rules: Bey Battle (2002/04/01)
• Episode 14: The Created Sacred Beast (2002/04/08)
• Episode 15: I want to see the beast! (2002/04/15)
• Episode 16: The Tragedy of the Cyber ​​Blader (2002/04/22)
• Episode 17: Prelude to Fate (2002/04/29)
• Episode 18: Reunion with Kane (2002/05/06)
• Episode 19: Each Person's Battle (2002/05/13)
• Episode 20: Determination for Tomorrow (2002/05/20)
• Episode 21: The Battle Tower Conspiracy (2002/05/27)
• Episode 22: Draciel's Crisis (2002/06/03)
• Episode 23: The Promised Battlefield (2002/06/17)
• Episode 24: Illusion in the Fog (2002/06/24)
• Episode 25: Electric Holy Beast No. 4 (2002/07/01)
• Episode 26: Cyber ​​Terror (2002/07/08)
• Episode 27: The End of the Runaway Tower (2002/07/15)
• Episode 28: The Mysterious Stone Slab in New York (2002/07/22)
• Episode 29: Max: A Friend's Cry (2002/07/29)
• Episode 30: The Power of the Stone Tablet Resurrected (2002/08/05)
• Episode 31: The Sacred Stone Beast Attacks! (2002/08/12)
• Episode 32: The Forgotten Soul (2002/08/19)
• Episode 33: St. Shields (2002/08/26)
• Episode 34: Spider in the Shadows (2002/09/02)
• Episode 35: The Invisible Assassin (2002/09/09)
• Episode 36: Max and Mariam (2002/09/16)
• Episode 37: Battlefield Amusement Park (2002/09/23)
• Episode 38: The Fated Spark Battle (2002/09/30)
• Episode 39: Bonds and Pride (2002/10/07)
• Episode 40: Proof of Friendship (2002/10/14)
• Episode 41: Sudden Goodbye... (2002/10/21)
• Episode 42: Evil Part Hunt (2002/10/28)
• Episode 43: Kai's Revenge Battle (2002/11/04)
• Episode 44: The Eve of the Turmoil of the World War (2002/11/11)
• Episode 45: Opening! Zeo vs. Ozma (2002/11/18)
• Episode 46: The Hands of Black and White (2002/11/25)
• Episode 47: Unleashed Malice (2002/12/02)
• Episode 48: Shocking Battle Noise (2002/12/09)
• Episode 49: Takao vs. Kai: Battle of Friendship (2002/12/16)
• Episode 50: The Biggest Final in History (2002/12/23)
• Episode 51: The Fated Final Battle (2002/12/30)

■ Theme songs and music

• OP1
  • Period: 1-21
  • Song title: OFF THE CHAIN
  • Lyricist: Verbal, Giorgio
  • Composition: Verbal, Giorgio
  • Arrangement: Giorgio Cancemi
  • Sung by: TOSS & TURN
• OP2
  • Period: 22-51
  • Song Name: Jet
  • Lyricist: Hiromi Mori, Takashi Gen'ozono
  • Composer: AKIHIDE
  • Arrangement: FAIRY FORE & Masao Akashi
  • Sung by: FAIRY FORE
• ED1
  • Period: 1-21
  • Song title: URBAN LOVE
  • Lyricist: Shiori, Giorgio
  • Composer: Giorgio Cancemi
  • Arrangement: Giorgio Cancemi
  • Sung by: Shiori
• ED2
  • Period: 2-51
  • Song Name: What's the answer?
  • Lyrics: MASAYA&IGOR
  • Composer: MASAYA
  • Arrangement: MASAYA
  • Sung by: Retro G-Style

■ Evaluation and recommendation

"Beyblade" is a work that is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults. In particular, the Beyblade battle scenes are attractive for their realistic expression using 3D CG, and have the power to draw viewers in. In addition, the story of the growth and friendship of the characters, including the main character Takao, will touch the hearts of many people.

The appeal of this work is, above all, its depiction of passion and friendship. Although Takao, Kai, Rei, and Max each have different backgrounds, they deepen their bonds through bey battles. The story of their growth and friendship will move viewers and give them courage in their own lives.

Also, don't miss the strategies and techniques depicted through the sport of Beyblade. Each character's unique Beyblade and fighting style will provide viewers with new discoveries and excitement. In addition, fantasy elements such as sacred beasts and digital sacred beasts are added, giving the story depth and thrills.

In terms of music, the opening and ending songs also play an important role in livening up the atmosphere of the work. In particular, the opening songs "OFF THE CHAIN" and "Jet" are powerful songs that lift the viewers' spirits, and the ending songs "URBAN LOVE" and "What's the answer?" have beautiful melodies that bring out the emotion of the story.

"Beyblade" is a hot-blooded sports drama about friendship and growth that is loved by many people. It is a work that I would highly recommend to those who want to enjoy the powerful battle scenes of bey battles and the growth stories of the characters. It will be enjoyed by a wide range of generations, from children to adults.