Tiger & Bunny is a Japanese science fiction and superhero anime television series produced by Sunrise.
It was directed by Keiichi Satou, the man behind several works including Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, Ninja Resurrection and Saint Seiya to name a few.
Tiger & Bunny made its debut on April 2011 on the BS11, MBS and Tokyo MX television networks.
It wasn’t till later that it was licensed by Siren Visual and Viz Media for a North American release. Tiger & Bunny ended on September 2011 of the same year with 25 gritty action-packed episodes.
PLOT:
The story takes place in NC 1978 in a fictional and re-imagined version of New York City called Sternbild City.
45 years ago, super powered individuals later known as “NEXT” (short for Noted Entities with eXtraordinary Talents) started appearing and use their superpowers to help and protect the people as superheroes.
These so-called superheroes now work for a sponsor company who wear uniforms with logos embedded onto them to promote these real-life companies as they carry on with their superhero duties.
All their heroic activities are broadcasted on a popular television show called the “Hero TV” where they accumulate points for each heroic feat accomplished like taking down criminals or saving civilians.
Every year, each hero is ranked and the superhero with the highest hero points gets to claim the title as the esteemed “King of Heroes”.
The story focuses on a veteran hero Kotetsu Kaburagi, also known for his superhero name as the “Wild Tiger” who until now prefers to work alone.
Kotetsu is assigned to help Barnaby Brooks Jr., an aspiring hero who turns out to have a different perspective on being a superhero.
Barnaby and Kotetsu are having trouble working together as they have conflicting opinions on how a superhero is supposed to act.
To make matters worse, the appearance of the homicidal NEXT vigilante calling himself as the “Lunatic”, stirs up the public and makes them question the very meaning of what is it to be a hero.
CHARACTERS:
Kotetsu Kaburagi is a veteran superhero who happens to be past his prime. He goes by the superhero name as the “Wild Tiger”. Due to his total disregard for private property when fighting against criminals has earned him the nickname as the “Crusher for Justice”. He started off as the least popular superhero of Sternbild City due to the fact that he seems to care more about helping people rather than earn ratings, points or fame, a trait that others don’t seem to approve of. His NEXT superpower is the “Hundred Power” where it increases his physical capabilities such as strength, speed and even jumping abilitie, by a hundredfold for five minutes at a time. His signature attack is called the “Wild Roar” which pushes back an opponent with a burst of energy.
Barnaby Brooks Jr. is a super rookie in the superhero industry which later earned the nickname as the “Bunny” because of his super long jumps and high-powered kicks. He is partnered with Kotetsu and possesses the same power as him, he does though rely more on strategy than brute force, a complete opposite of Kotetsu the “Tiger”. He oftentimes seems to be logical and he won’t rush off into a fight without a battle plan. He used to act only for the fame and points. Aside from the Hundred Powers he has, the same power as Kotetsu, Barnaby also demonstrates keen observation skills. Barnaby’s attacking forte is kicking, whereas Kotetsu prefers punching. With his powers activated, he is able to kick through walls or even slice a giant block of ice.
UPDATE:
Tiger & Bunny had a successful premiere wherein critics called it “a great and clever superhero premise with some twists”.
It has definitely received a wide variety of positive reviews most of which accounts for their excellent hero designs and superb CGI animations.
Sakakibara Mizuki together with Kadokawa Shoten, published the manga adaptation of Tiger & Bunny. The manga began serialization since October 2011 which still continues as of today.
“Tiger and Bunny: The Beginning” is an anime film which made its way to the big screens last September 2012.
Another anime film was also in the works entitled “Tiger & Bunny: Rising” which made its big debut last February 2014 also published by Sunrise Studios.
Several games have also been released by D3 Publisher for the PS Portable (PSP).