Gundam Build Fighters

Gundam Build Fighters (ガンダムビルドファイターズ Gandamu Birudo Faitāzu) is a 2013 Japanese science fiction anime television series based on Sunrise's long-running Gundam franchise. The series is directed by Kenji Nagasaki of No. 6 and written by Yousuke Kuroda of Mobile Suit Gundam 00. Character designs were done by both Kenichi Ohnuki and Suzuhito Yasuda. The series was first unveiled under the name "1/144 Gundam Mobile" project by Sunrise, before its official announcement. It is the first Gundam series to be broadcast on TV Tokyo, following the end of the franchise's decade-long run on MBS and TBS. In contrast to other Gundam series, Gundam Build Fighters focuses on the Gundam model (Gunpla) aspect of the franchise.

 

The series was officially unveiled by Bandai on July 2, 2013, during the series's live press conference as part of Gundam's 35th Anniversary in 2014. It premiered on TXN stations in Japan on October 7, 2013. Three Light novel adaptations were also announced by Sunrise which will run on Hobby Japan, Dengeki Hobby Magazine, and Gundam Ace magazines.

Gunpla Battle

The central theme of this series is the Gunpla Battle (ガンプラバトル Ganpura Batoru), a virtual game that involves the use of Gunpla. Each Gunpla Fighter has a GP Base (GPベース Jī Pī Bēsu), a device that stores their Gunpla information. Once the GP Bases are set, the Battle System (バトルシステム Batoru Shisutemu) disperses "Plavsky particles" (プラフスキー粒子 Purafusukī Ryūshi) (a portmanteau of "plastic" and "Minovsky particle"), which react only to the plastic material of Gunpla and animate them into the game. The Battle System creates a holographic landscape that simulates a battlefield from different Gundam universes, and the battle begins once the Gunpla Fighters set their Gunpla to be scanned by the Plavsky particles. A Gunpla's combat statistics are determined by its build quality; modifications such as adding scratch-built parts and paint weathering will increase its stats. Battle effects such as explosions and beam attacks are faithfully simulated in the Battle System. Consequently, damage sustained during battle is reflected directly on the Gunpla itself, requiring Gunpla Fighters to have spare parts ready for necessary repairs. Scale also plays a major factor in a Gunpla Battle; just like in the real world, a 1/48 scale Mega Size Model Gunpla will dwarf a 1/144 scale opponent in the battlefield. 

The Gunpla Battle World Championships tournament begins with eight battles, including a four-person knockout battle, a three-on-three team battle, and the closing one-on-one battle. Five of the battles are revealed only on their scheduled dates. Each contestant receives four points for every battle won. The 16 Gunpla Fighters with the most points will advance to the final tournament for a chance to become the World Champion.

It is later on revealed that Plavsky particles are processed from Arista (アリスタ Arisuta), a crystal originating from Reiji's home country of Arian (アリアン Arian).

Characters

Sei Iori (イオリ・セイ Iori Sei)

Voiced by: Mikako Komatsu

Main Gunpla: GAT-X105B/FP Build Strike Gundam Full Package; RX-178B Build Gundam Mk-II; GAT-X105B/ST Star Build Strike Gundam

Other Gunpla: XXXG-01W Wing Gundam

Sei Iori is a 13-year-old boy whose family runs Iori Hobby Shop (イオリ模型 Iori Mokei) in the fictional Tokyo district of Keyakigaoka (けやきが丘). As his father Takeshi was first runner-up at the 2nd Gunpla Battle World Championships, Sei is very talented at building Gunpla kits, but his piloting skills are very weak. Because of this, he has Reiji pilot his Gunpla while he provides navigational and tactical data during battle. The teamwork between Sei and Reiji gives them a competitive edge that earns them the Japan 3rd Block Championship and a step closer to the 7th Gunpla Battle World Championships.

Aria von Reiji Asuna (アリーア・フォン・レイジ・アスナ Aria Fon Reiji Asuna)

Voiced by: Sachi Kokuryu

Main Gunpla: GAT-X105B/FP Build Strike Gundam Full Package; RX-178B Build Gundam Mk-II; GAT-X105B/ST Star Build Strike Gundam

Other Gunpla: RB-79 Ball; LM312V04 Victory Gundam; GPB-X80 Beginning Gundam

Reiji (レイジ Reiji) is a mysterious red-haired boy who befriends Sei at a park. He gives Sei an Arista, telling him he will be at his side whenever he wishes. During a Gunpla Battle between Sei and Susumu Sazaki, Reiji suddenly appears and commandeers Sei's Gunpla, giving him a surprise victory. Reiji also shows adaptability with any Gunpla, as he can defeat veteran Gunpla Fighters with just an RB-79 Ball. Despite his natural piloting abilities, Reiji has no concept of everyday life such as school or commerce. Reiji is a very outgoing person who loves to eat. He reveals himself to Sei as a prince from a country called Arian on a distant planet; one day, he stumbled upon a treasure that enables him to travel to Earth and back. Despite earning the trust of Sei and Rinko, Reiji has difficulty convincing them of Arian's existence.

Tatsuya Yuuki (ユウキ・タツヤ Yūki Tatsuya)

Voiced by: Takuya Satō

Gunpla: MS-06R-AB Zaku Amazing; PPMS-18E Kämpfer Amazing; PPGN-001 Gundam Amazing Exia PPGN-001/DM Gundam Exia Dark Matter

Tatsuya Yuuki is the president of the student council and captain of the model-building club. Having won the Japan 3rd Block Championship in the previous year, he is the school's top Gunpla Fighter and Sei and Reiji's rival. His piloting skills earned him the nickname "Crimson Comet" (紅の彗星 Kurenai no suisei). In the middle of the current Gunpla Battle Japan 3rd Block Qualifying Tournament, Tatsuya is forced to bow out of competition and take an indefinite leave from school due to a personal emergency, which centers around his involvement with Plavsky Particle System Engineering (PPSE). However, he once again faces Sei and Reiji in an unsanctioned Gunpla Battle that ends with both Gunpla destroyed. Following this battle, Tatsuya resurfaces at the 7th Gunpla Battle World Championships as the PPSE Works Fighter Meijin Kawaguchi the 3rd (三代目メイジン・カワグチ Sandaime Meijin Kawaguchi), wearing sunglasses as a nod to Quattro Bajeena of Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. As the current Meijin, Tatsuya vows to bring back the fun and enjoyment of Gunpla building, which was disregarded by his predecessor's philosophy of absolute victory.

Aila Jyrkiainen (アイラ・ユルキアイネン Aira Yurukiainen)

Voiced by: Saori Hayami

Main Gunpla: NMX-004 Qubeley Papillon; AC-01 Miss Sazabi

Other Gunpla: AMX-004G (AMX-017) Qubeley Mass Production Type; RGM-89 Jegan; SDV-04 Command Gundam

Aila Jyrkiainen is a Gunpla Fighter from Finland who was originally from the Flana Institute. Once a homeless orphan, she was recruited by Nine Barthes of the Flana Institute due to her ability to accurately predict the outcome of a Gunpla Battle by observing the movement of the Plavsky particles. Several years after her training, Aila joins "Team Nemesis" (チーム「ネメシス」 Chīmu Nemeshisu), a Gunpla Battle team that is bent on conquering the 7th Gunpla Battle World Championships. Aila becomes the reigning Finnish Gunpla Battle champion after defeating Carlos Kaiser in mere seconds. At the start of the championship tournament, she begins a rivalry with Reiji after they fight over the last meat bun at the nearby mall. Like Reiji, she has a hearty appetite. Despite slowly becoming friends with Reiji, she does not reveal her identity to him or Sei due to the special Embody suit she wears during Gunpla Battle. Due to her developing relationship with Reiji, Aila begins to doubt her abilities as a Gunpla Fighter, which forces Barthes to override her Embody suit, causing her to go berserk during her battle with Fellini. Their relationship is strained when Reiji discovers her identity under the helmet. Before the semifinal battle between the Star Build Strike Gundam and Qubeley Papillon, China gives Aila a pendant with Sei's Arista as a good luck charm. In the heat of the battle, the Aristas worn by Reiji and Aila combined with the Plavsky particles trigger a telepathic communication between them, with Reiji convincing Aila to remove her helmet and be herself. Eventually, despite rejecting the Embody system and using her own abilities, Aila loses to Reiji, but finally discovers the fun in the sport. Upon her release from Team Nemesis, she is offered a place to stay by Rinko, based on a deal given to her by Reiji.

Ral-san (ラルさん Raru-san)

Voiced by: Masashi Hirose

Gunpla: MS-07B Gouf

Ral-san is a regular customer and local resident patterned after Ramba Ral of the original Mobile Suit Gundam series. He has a deep knowledge of Gunpla Battle and an affection for Rinko. During his spare time, Ral-san mentors Sei, Reiji, and China, and hangs out with veteran Gunpla Fighters at a bar. He appears to be very well known and respected amongst even the best of the Gunpla Building and Battling communities, though the reason as to how he gained this recognition has yet to be fully explained. The only ones in-universe who do not appear to know his background are the main cast, though they still view him as a very close friend.

 

Episodes

#	Title	Release Date
1	"Sei and Reiji" "Sei to Reiji" (セイとレイジ)  -- MF - DF --	October 7, 2013
Sei Iori is a talented Gunpla builder, but lacks the confidence to become an effective fighter in a Gunpla Battle. One day, he meets Reiji, a mysterious red-haired boy, who displays his exceptional skills as a Gunpla Fighter by defeating Susumu Sazaki with Sei's newly constructed Build Strike Gundam.
2	"The Crimson Comet" "Kurenai no Suisei" (紅の彗星) -- MF - DF --	October 14, 2013
As Reiji copes with adjusting to Tokyo life, he picks a fight with school council member Monta Gonda. Sei and Reiji defeat Gonda in an exhibition Gunpla Battle, but are immediately bested by Tatsuya Yuuki and his Zaku Amazing.
3	"Full Package" "Furu Pakkēji" (フルパッケージ) -- MF -DF --	October 21, 2013
Sei completes an upgrade to the Build Strike Gundam while Ral-san gives Reiji an orientation on Gunpla Battle.
4	"Gunpla Idol Kirara" "Ganpura Aidoru Kirara" (ガンプラアイドル　キララ☆) -- MF - DF --	October 28, 2013
Sei falls in love with a mysterious girl who is into Gunpla, unaware of her true intentions in Gunpla Battle.
5	"The Strongest Builder" "Saikyō Birudā" (最強ビルダー) -- MF - DF --	November 4, 2013
Sei and China meet Mao Yasaka, a young Gunpla Fighter from Kansai Prefecture.
6	"A Reason to Battle" "Tatakau Wake" (戦う理由（わけ）) -- MF - DF --	November 11, 2013
When Yuuki suddenly bows out of competition and takes an indefinite leave from school, Reiji begins to doubt his purpose in Gunpla Battle.
7	"World-Level Ability" "Sekai no Jitsuryoku" (世界の実力) -- MF - DF --	November 18, 2013
As a reward for winning the Gunpla Battle Japan 3rd Block Championship, Sei and Reiji, along with China, Rinko, and Ral-san, take a vacation at a beachfront inn. But their vacation is cut short by a former Gunpla Builder who threatens the innkeeper to give him their property.
8	"Encounters of Fighters" "Ai Senshi-tachi" (逢（あい）戦士たち) -- MF - DF --	November 25, 2013
Nils Nielsen, a 13-year-old genius, joins the American Qualifying Round of the World Championship to learn more about the secrets of Plavsky particles. Meanwhile, in Finland, Team Nemesis receives a new fighter named Aila Jyrkiainen from the Flana Institute. Nils swiftly defeated Greco Logan in the American Qualifying Round of the World Championship.
9	"Wings of Imagination" "Sōzō no Tsubasa" (想像の翼) -- MF - DF --	December 2, 2013
China completes her Gunpla Beargguy III (San), and when a painting of it wins the grand prize at the local art exhibit, her rival Caroline Yajima issues her a Gunpla challenge.
10	"The World Tournament Begins" "Kaimaku! Sekai Taikai" (開幕！世界大会) -- MF - DF --	December 9, 2013
As the 7th Gunpla Battle World Championships begins in Shizuoka, the Gunpla community is in shock when news spreads of reigning champion Carlos Kaiser's defeat at the hands of Aila. Meanwhile, Sei meets the other Gunpla Fighters at the opening party while Reiji encounters Aila at the nearby mall.
11	"Battle Royal" "Rowaiyaru" (ロワイヤル) -- MF - DF --	December 16, 2013
Yuuki makes his World Championship debut as PPSE's Meijin Kawaguchi. Meanwhile, on the second day of the tournament, all of the participants must face each other in a battle royal until only one-third of the lineup remains.
12	"Discharge" "Disuchāji" (ディスチャージ) -- MF - DF --	December 23, 2013
With an unmanned Mega Size Model Zaku sent in to eliminate the Star Build Strike Gundam in the middle of the battle royal, unlikely alliances are formed while Sei and Reiji must unleash Star Build Strike Gundam's trump card to survive.
13	"Battle Weapon" "Batoru Uepon" (バトルウェポン) -- MF - DF --	January 6, 2014
For day three of the tournament, containers with random weapons are placed in the battlefield for the Gunpla Fighters to use in their battle; each contestant is assigned a container number to use. Sei and Reiji are assigned to battle Luang Dallara, who already gave them trouble at the battle royal. Worsening the situation is Reiji's wrist injury from a street fight outside the arena grounds.
14	"Codename: C" "Kōdonēmu Shī" (暗号名（コードネーム）C) -- MF - DF --	January 13, 2014
Sei and Reiji remain undefeated by the sixth period of the tournament with two more to go, despite Reiji's wrist injury. However, another obstacle appears in front of them in the form of the Gunpla Fighter named "C".
15	"Fighter's Radiance" "Faitā no Kagayaki" (戦士（ファイター）のかがやき) -- MF - DF --	January 20, 2014
With their loss in the Gunpla race dropping them to 17th place, Sei and Reiji must leave no room for error in the eighth period of the tournament in order to make it to the finals. However, they have to go through Fellini in the process.
16	"Dad, We Meet Again?" "Saikai, Chichi yo?" (再会、父よ？) -- MF - DF --	January 27, 2014
As Rinko leaves home to join her son, Sei and Reiji's battle with Fellini ends in a draw, but they earn two points, which is enough to land them in the top 16 in the finals. Meanwhile, following a heated argument with Sei over rebuilding the Star Build Strike Gundam, Reiji goes out to buy his own Gunpla, only for him and Aila to receive a crash course in Gunpla building by a mysterious bearded man.
17	"Model of the Heart" "Kokoro no Katachi" (心の形) -- MF - DF --	February 3, 2014
On the first day of the tournament finals, Mao is scheduled to battle Sei and Reiji. But when he cannot think of a strategy to defeat the Star Build Strike Gundam, he returns to his mentor, Master Chinan, and asks him to teach him the master's ultimate technique.
18	"Bloodhounds" "Buraddo Haundo" (ブラッド・ハウンド) -- MF - DF --	February 10, 2014
After shocking the Gunpla world by defeating Luang on the first round, the Renato Brothers and their GM Sniper K9 set their sights on Meijin Kawaguchi.
19	"Astray's Blade" "Asutorei no Yaiba" (アストレイの刃) -- MF - DF --	February 17, 2014
Sei and Reiji must go through Nils in order to continue their quest for the championship. Desperate to prevent the duo from advancing, Baker offers to have PPSE sponsor Nils, but knowing very well not to trust her, he arranges for a secret meeting with Sei and Reiji to extract the secrets of Plavsky particles from them.
20	"Aila's Betrayal" "Uragiri no Aira" (裏切りのアイラ) -- MF - DF --	February 24, 2014
Fellini faces Aila in the quarterfinals, much to Sei and Reiji's shock as they finally discover her real identity. Aila is pressured to win the championship due to the arrival of the Team Nemesis Chairman, who has promised the trophy to his grandson for his birthday.
21	"Amid the Glittering Particles" "Kirameku Ryūshi no Naka de" (きらめく粒子の中で) -- MF - DF --	March 3, 2014
Following Aila's revelation as a Gunpla Fighter, an angry Reiji vows to defeat her in the tournament.
22	"Meijin vs. Meijin" "Meijin bāsasu Meijin" (名人VS名人) -- MF - DF --	March 10, 2014
Yuuki must prove himself worthy of the name "Meijin Kawaguchi the 3rd" when he battles Julian Ayers Mackenzie, a British Gunpla Fighter who was to have taken that title three years prior.
23	"Gunpla Eve" "Ganpura Ibu" (ガンプラ・イブ) -- MF - DF --	March 17, 2014
A festival is held in Shizuoka one week before the final round of the tournament, where guests can participate in Free Battle rounds against the championship's competitors. Meanwhile, Nils and Caroline follow a truck that leads them to the source of Plavsky particles.
24	"Dark Matter" "Dāku Matā" (ダークマター) -- MF - DF --	March 24, 2014
In the final round of the tournament, Meijin Kawaguchi the 3rd unveils the true form of his Gundam Amazing Exia. However, he brings fourth a disturbing aura in the arena reminiscent of his predecessor.
25	"Promise" "Yakusoku" (約束)  -- MF - DF --	March 31, 2014
Sei and Reiji's victory in the tournament causes Chairman Mashita to panic, with his Arista resonating all Plavsky particles in the arena to form a 1/144 scale replica of the Zeon space fortress A Baoa Qu over the facility. This triggers an all-out war between the Gunpla Fighters and Chairman Mashita's creation.