28 minSeason 2 • Episode 6
LatestWith the survival of humanity itself at stake, one desperate plan remains: the sacrifice of the Earth, to strike at the beast! But where is Buster Machine #7?
In the near future, humanity has taken its first steps towards journeying into the far reaches of the galaxy. Upon doing so they discover a huge race of insectoid aliens known as "Space Monsters." These aliens seem dedicated to the eradication of mankind as they near closer and closer to discovering Earth. In response, humanity develops giant fighting robots piloted by hand-picked youth from around the world. Shortly after the discovery of the aliens, Noriko Takaya, the daughter of a famous deceased space captain, enters a training school despite her questionable talents as a pilot. There, she meets her polar opposite, the beautiful and talented Kazumi Amano, and is unexpectedly made to work together with her as they attempt to overcome the trauma of war as well as their own emotions.
Direction
Anno's debut flex: black-and-white episode to save budget, accidentally iconic.
Cinematography
Aspect ratio literally expands for the finale. Cinema!
Writing
Turns ' Gainax bounce' into legitimate character psychology somehow.
Maaya Sakamoto
Lal'C Melk Mark (voice)
Mitsuo Iwata
Nicholsa Vacheron (voice)
Miyuki Sawashiro
Tycho Science (voice)
Yukari Fukui
Nono (voice)
Hiroki Touchi
Nigo (voice)
Kiyoshi Kawakubo
Admiral Dhorasoo (voice)
Sanae Kobayashi
Piaget Serpentine (voice)
Takumi Yamazaki
Casio Takashiro (voice)
Yuki Matsuoka
LeCoultre Serpentine (voice)
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The infamous 'Gainax ending' — the title card 'And the future brings...' with only static — was literally because they ran out of money. Fans sent donations to complete Diebuster.
This is where 'Anno-isms' were born: the religious symbolism, the collapsing ego, the mecha as psychological prison. Evangelion is Gunbuster with a bigger budget and worse coping mechanisms.
JP
