The appeal and evaluation of Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG: In search of the ultimate battle experience

Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG - A new legend starting from zero

■ Public Media

TV anime series

■ Original Media

comics

■ Broadcast period

April 8, 2012 - December 23, 2012

■Broadcasting station

TV Tokyo

■Frequencies

15 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 38

■Original Story

Takafumi Adachi

■ Director

Kunihisa Sugishima

■ Production

Animation production: SynergySP
Produced by TV Tokyo, D-Rights

■Works

©Takafumi Adachi, MFBB Project, TV Tokyo

■ Story

Seven years after the battle with Nemesis, the new protagonist, Kurogane Zero, admires Ginga and aims to become the strongest blader. He is the number one blader in his hometown, never losing a single match. Zero comes to the town where Ginga and the others live to test his skills, but he struggles to get used to the Zero-G Stadium, which doesn't exist in his hometown. However, with his natural guts and natural instincts, Zero understands the strategy and wins.

As Zero battles one after another and makes fellow blader friends in Shinobu, Kaito, and Eight, and improves his bey battling skills, he receives an announcement from the WBBA about a national tournament called "Neo Battle Bladers." Zero and his friends aim to enter the tournament and win, but standing in their way are the skilled bladers of "DNA," a mysterious organization plotting to take over the Beyblade world!

Will Zero and his friends be able to stop the DNA? And who will become number one in Japan?

■Explanation

This is the fourth season of the Metal Fight Beyblade TV animation series, which is based on the Beyblade series released by Takara Tomy. It depicts the world seven years after the third season, and the main character has changed from Ginga to Zero. Hagane Ginga and the other Legend Bladers, who saved the world from the threat of Earth's destruction by Nemesis, have become true legends...

After the Nemesis Crisis, the WBBA tried to revive the Beyblade world by introducing a new system of Beys and training new bladers. The drama tells the story of the next generation who strive to be number one in the new era of the Beyblade world, which could be called the Warring States period without Ginga and the others.

*The TV broadcast is 15 minutes long, but for DVDs and overseas broadcasts, two 15-minute episodes are recorded as one episode (broadcast). There are 38 episodes in total, 19 of which are 30 minutes long.

■Cast

・Kurogin Zero/Nobuhiko Okamoto/Shinobu Karyuin/Kouki Uchiyama/Kaito Umihara/Takuma Terashima/Eight Umihara/Yuki Kodaira/Maru/Sumire Morohoshi/Tsubasa Otori/Miyu Irino/Madoka Amano/Kei Shindo/Benkei/Kenta Miyake

■ Main staff

・Director, series composition / Kunihisa Sugishima ・Series concept / Takao Murakami, Takashi Ishimoto ・Chief writer / Katsumi Hasegawa ・Screenplay / Katsumi Hasegawa, Masashi Kubota ・Art design / Ichisuke Yoshihara ・Art director / Kei Honda ・CG director / Yasutaka Tanaka ・Director of photography / Takahiro Okumura ・Editor / Keiko Onodera ・Animation producer / Shunichiro Miura ・Producers / Yoshikazu Beniya (TV Tokyo), Mamiko Aoki

■ Main Characters

Kurogane Zero: The protagonist of this work. He has a strong sense of justice and is a passionate type. However, he has a certain level of common sense necessary for social life. He admires Hagane Ginga and aims to be the number one Blader. He has a genius talent for Beys, but it's not just talent; he's also a dedicated hard worker.

・Shinobu Hiryuuin
Zero's rival and best buddy. In contrast to Zero, he is cool and intelligent. He keeps his passion to himself, but has a strong sense of justice. He is a genius when it comes to Beys. He calmly plans strategies, instantly assesses the situation, and coolly takes down his opponents.

・Umihara (Umihara) Kaito calls himself a solitary genius. He has a cool, stylish, and pretentious impression, but when he gets angry, he can also be violent. He is nicknamed "Mad Dog." Eight's older brother. He has a strong brotherly love.

・Umihara (Umihara) Eight He is a selfish, self-centered, egoistic character, but he is also playful and somehow lovable. He is a very modern kid. He hates the idea of ​​"effort". Kaito's younger brother. He loves his older brother. He believes that his brother is number one and respects him.

A mecha otaku girl who looks up to Madoka Maru as her mentor. She doesn't take part in bey battles, but is in charge of mechanics and information gathering.

・Otori Tsubasa
A continuing character from the first series. After Ryusei retired, he became the head of the WBBA.

・ Benkei
A continuing character from the first series. He is the manager of a burger shop and an instructor at Bay Park. He is like an older brother to Zero and the others, and his burger shop is a hangout spot for Zero and the others.

・Amano Madoka
A continuing character from the first series. She currently runs B-Pit and is a great older sister mechanic for the young Bladers. Madoka is actually a mechanic agent for the WBBA, and secretly checks out talented Bladers and sends information to Tsubasa to help train and support them.

■ Main robot items

・Beyblade used by Samurai Pegasis Zero

・The Beyblade used by Shinobi Salamanda Ninja

・Guardian Reviser Kite's Beyblade

・Beyblade used by Pirate Oroja Eight

■Subtitle

・Episode 1/A new era has arrived! (2012/04/08)
・Episode 2: ZEROG Battle! (2012/04/15)
・Episode 3: Intense Training in Hell (2012/04/22)
・Episode 4: Defeat the Pirate Oroja! (2012/04/29)
・Episode 5: Showdown! Revenge Match (2012/05/06)
Episode 6: Fire's Deadly Move (2012/05/13)
・Episode 7: Revizer's Challenge! (2012/05/20)
・Episode 8: The Amazing Synchro Mech! (2012/05/27)
・Episode 9: The Red Challenger (2012/06/03)
・Episode 10: The Power of Bonds (2012/06/10)
・Episode 11: The Hawk Descends (2012/06/17)
Episode 12: Explosion! Mugenhiryugeki (2012/06/24)
・Episode 13: Horror! Midsummer Beach (2012/07/01)
・Episode 14: Killer Ken Attacks! (2012/07/08)
・Episode 15: Attack! The Mysterious Blader (2012/07/15)
・Episode 16: Jet Black Dragon (2012/07/22)
・Episode 17/Gargol's Trap (2012/07/29)
・Episode 18: Clash! Zero vs. Sakyo (2012/08/05)
・Episode 19: The Strongest Defenseman (2012/08/12)
・Episode 20: The Ironclad Golem (2012/08/19)
・Episode 21: Battle of Passionate Friendship (2012/08/26)
・Episode 22: Roar! Orojariviser (2012/09/02)
・Episode 23: Break through the ironclad defense! (2012/09/09)
Episode 24: The Merciless Begilados (2012/09/16)
・Episode 25: Win! The Challenge (2012/09/23)
・Episode 26: Fierce Battle! Synchro Battle (2012/09/30)
・Episode 27: The Evil Gene (2012/10/07)
・Episode 28: Neo Battle Bladers (2012/10/14)
Episode 29: DNA Siege (2012/10/21)
・Episode 30: Decision! Top 8 (2012/10/28)
・Episode 31: Burn! Finals (2012/11/04)
・Episode 32: Hot-blooded! Zero vs. Takanosuke (2012/11/11)
・Episode 33: A Pledge with a Friend (2012/11/18)
Episode 34: Fated Rivalry (2012/11/25)
・Episode 35: Ultimate Destruction Emperor Bahamdia (2012/12/02)
・Episode 36: Entrusted Feelings (2012/12/09)
・Episode 37: Fierce! Final Match (2012/12/16)
・Episode 38: A Blow to the Heart (2012/12/23)

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Period: 1 to 38
・ZEROG Bey! Go!
・Lyrics by YU+KI
・Composition: YU+KI
・Arrangement: Tatsuya Matsunaga
・Song: YU+KI

・ED1
・Period: 1 to 38
・Look up, smile and go!
・Lyrics by YU+KI
・Composition: YU+KI
・Arrangement: Tatsuya Matsunaga
・Song: YCHRO [Karasawa Yuya & YU+KI]

Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG - A new legend starting from zero

"Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG" is the fourth season of the anime series based on Takara Tomy's popular toy "Beyblade," and was broadcast on TV Tokyo from April 8 to December 23, 2012. The series further deepened the world of Beyblade and provided viewers with a fresh experience by introducing a new protagonist and new mechanics.

Story and Characters

The story is set in a world seven years after the battle with Nemesis. The new protagonist, Kurogin Zero, is known locally as the number one blader who has never lost. He admires Hagane Ginga and comes to the town where Ginga and her friends used to be, aiming to become the strongest blader. However, he struggles at first, unable to get used to the new battlefield called Zero-G Stadium. Nevertheless, with his natural guts and natural instincts, he gradually understands the strategy and starts winning.

Zero's journey is colored by his encounters with unique Bladers such as Karyuuin Shinobu, Kaito Umihara, and Eight Umihara. Shinobu is Zero's rival, but also his most reliable partner. Kaito is a self-proclaimed solitary genius, a cool and stylish character who can also show a violent side when he loses his temper. His younger brother, Eight, is a selfish, self-centered, egocentric character, but he is also playful and somehow lovable. Through his interactions with these characters, Zero grows and improves his Beybattle skills.

In the climax of the story, Zero and his friends take part in the national tournament "Neo Battle Bladers" held by the WBBA. However, standing in their way are the highly skilled bladers of "DNA", a mysterious organization plotting to dominate the Beyblade world. Will Zero and his friends be able to stop DNA and become number one in Japan? This will be a highlight of the story.

Animation and performance

The animation for "Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG" was produced by SynergySP. It was directed by Kunihisa Sugishima, who also wrote the series. The animation effectively uses computer graphics to portray the powerful scenes of the bey battles. In particular, the battle scenes at the Zero G Stadium make full use of 3D imaging technology to maximize the visual impact.

The character and art designs are also very sophisticated, and the visual beauty adds excitement to the story. Each scene is beautifully drawn under the direction of art design by Kazusuke Yoshihara and art direction by Kei Honda. Furthermore, the skills of each staff member, including CG director Yasutaka Tanaka, cinematographer Takahiro Okumura, and editor Keiko Onodera, have all come together to raise the quality of the entire work.

Music and theme song

Music-wise, Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG is also not to be missed. The opening theme "ZEROG Bey! Go!" and the ending theme "Sukiyaki, Ue o Muite Smile, We Go!" were written and composed by YU+KI and arranged by Tatsuya Matsunaga. The opening theme in particular is a powerful melody that symbolizes Zero's passion and new challenges, inspiring the viewers. Meanwhile, the ending theme has a warm melody that evokes friendship and bonds, enhancing the moving story.

Evaluation and impact

"Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG" was highly praised as a new development in the Beyblade series. With the introduction of a new system and the introduction of new characters, it succeeded in attracting new audiences as well as existing fans. In addition, the powerful depiction of the bey battles and the characters' growth stories gave dreams and hope to many children.

Furthermore, this series had a huge impact on the sales of Beyblade toys. The new system of bays and the bays used by Zero and his friends became popular and became a huge hit among children. This further increased the brand value of Beyblade and contributed to raising awareness of the entire series.

Recommendations and how to watch

"Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG" is recommended not only for fans of the Beyblade series, but also for those who like stories about action and friendship. It is a must-see for those who want to be moved by Zero's growth and the bond between him and his friends. It is also a must-see for those who want to enjoy the powerful scenes of bey battles.

As for how to watch it, DVDs and Blu-rays are available, so you can purchase them and enjoy them. It may also be available on streaming services, so you can use those. In addition, it is also broadcast overseas, so you can watch the English version.

Conclusion

"Metal Fight Beyblade ZEROG" was loved by many viewers as a new chapter in the Beyblade series. The story of the new protagonist Zero's growth, his bonds with his friends, and the powerful Bey battles gave children dreams and hope, and further expanded the world of Beyblade. This work is highly recommended not only for Beyblade fans, but also for those who like stories depicting action and friendship. Be sure to relive Zero's adventures.