Ryusei no Rockman

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Ryūsei no Rockman
流星のロックマン (Ryūsei no Rokkuman)
Genre	Shōnen
TV anime
Directed by	Various
Studio	XEBEC
Network	TV Tokyo
Original run	7 October 2006 – present
No. of episodes	26 (current)
Manga: Ryūsei no Rockman
Authored by	Itagaki Masaya
Publisher	Shogakukan
Serialized in	CoroCoro Comic
Original run	September 2006 – present
No. of volumes	1 (current)

Ryūsei no Rockman (流星のロックマン, Ryūsei no Rokkuman^?, lit. "Shooting Star Rockman") is an anime and manga series based on the video game of the same name (NA version: Mega Man Star Force). The anime first premiered in Japan on October 7, 2006, two months before the game's Japanese release. The manga was serialized in CoroCoro Comic in September 2006.

Ryūsei no Rockman follows the adventures of Subaru Hoshikawa and his FM partner War-Rock, a duo capable of merging together through "Radio Wave Conversion" to combat the invading FM Planet's forces.

[edit] History

Airing October 7, 2006 on TV Tokyo, the Ryūsei no Rockman anime fills the timeslot previously held by Rockman EXE Beast+. Each of its episodes are approximately ten minutes in length, and the program also shares the thirty-minute segment Oha Coliseum with the Saru Getchu anime series.

VIZ Media has announced that they have acquired the rights for an English anime release, which is tentatively titled MegaMan Star Force.^[1] However, until such time as it makes its North American debut, the names of characters mentioned below are thus the original names as they appear in Japan, though English names (if applicable) are also included in the cast for sake of completion.

The Ryūsei no Rockman manga began running in CoroCoro Comic September 2006, and the first volume was released March 28, 2007.^[2] Contrary to popular belief, Ryo Takamisaki (author of the Rockman EXE manga) did not produce this manga, but instead, it was picked up by Masaya Itagaki. The manga is a more comical and exaggerated work, similar to the Rockman Zero manga. There are presently no plans for an English adaptation.

[edit] Production

Ryūsei no Rockman's Radio Wave Conversion sequences take after the Cross Fusion sequences of its predecessor. Depicted here is Subaru at the beginning of his transformation.

Ryūsei no Rockman's animation is overseen by XEBEC, with musical arrangements by Naoki Maeda.^[3] Character designs (which have in some cases deviated from Capcom's original concepts) are handled by Shingo Adachi, who is also one of three of the series' art directors, the other two directors being Masayuki Nomoto and Akira Takahashi.^[3] The three directors work independently of each other on any given episode. Shogakukan manages computer-generated imagery.^[3]

The title sequence of the anime features the song "Heart Wave," sung by Misato Fukuen as Misora, and several characters appearing in the opening are colored incorrectly. The introduction is usually followed by a brief summary of the basic premises of Ryūsei no Rockman.

A background identical to that used for Cross Fusion sequences is employed in the anime's Radio Wave Conversion scenes. Easter eggs referencing other series within the Mega Man/Rockman franchise are also inserted into the program on occasion. Examples include a broadcast of a girl wearing Roll Caskett's clothes from Mega Man Legends, as well as a boy in Ikuta's class wearing Lan Hikari's clothes from Mega Man Battle Network sans headband.^[4][5]

[edit] Plot

The year is 220X. Technology has advanced rapidly since the age of the internet, leading to the creation of new and more efficient modes of transportation, as well as the construction of futuristic cities, all linked together by three satellites orbiting the Earth—Pegasus, Leo, and Dragon. The satellites accomplish this by maintaining a network of radio waves around the planet's atmosphere, thereby powering the invisible Radio Wave World. The human population carries portable devices called Transers to interface with the Radio Wave World and other electronic devices. Problems caused by criminals and Radio Wave Viruses manipulating the Radio Wave World are commonly dealt with by the Satella Police. Enzan Ijuin's IPC corporation has survived the two-hundred year time span and released various household appliances to the public, including a space-age food dispenser capable of preparing meals out of data.^[6]

A proud warrior of the FM Planet, War-Rock, betrays his kind and escapes to Earth where he makes contact with Subaru Hoshikawa. Like his fellow FM extraterrestrials, War-Rock is capable of initiating a process known as "Radio Wave Conversion," which transforms ordinary humans of the same frequency as themselves into "radio wave humans," allowing them to freely operate in the Radio Wave World. The time that one remains in this state is limited by an FM's energy level.

War-Rock holds a certain "key" to accessing Andromeda, though what "Andromeda" is exactly remains to be seen. As such, many FMs pursue him with the intent of retrieving the key in their goal to destroy the Earth.

[edit] Cast

From left to right: Luna, Subaru, Gonta, and Kizamaro

Misora Hibiki

Tsukasa Futaba

Subaru Hoshikawa (星河スバル, Hoshikawa Subaru^?) and Warlock (ウオーロック, Wōrokku^?, War-Rock in Japanese language version)

Subaru Hoshikawa is the human protagonist of the series, a fifth grade student who makes contact with the runaway FM warrior, Warlock. He mourns the disappearance of his father. After fusing with Warlock, he is referred to by the name Mega Man (ロックマン, Rokkuman^?, Rockman in Japanese language version). His role is played by Fuyuka Oura, while the role of his FM is played by Kentaro Ito.

Daigo Hoshikawa (星河大吾, Hoshikawa Daigo^?)

Daigo Hoshikawa is Subaru's father, a respected researcher who mysteriously disappeared while trying to make contact with extraterrestrial beings through the use of radio wave technology. His role is played by Takeharu Onishi.

Akane Hoshikawa (星河あかね, Hoshikawa Akane^?)

Akane Hoshikawa is Subaru's caring and worrisome mother. Her role is played by Akiko Kimura.

Luna Shirogane (白金ルナ, Shirogane Runa^?) and Ophiuchus (オヒュカス, Ohyukasu^?)

Luna Shirogane is the fifth-grade class president of Kodama Elementary. She is infatuated with Mega Man, but is unaware of his secret identity. She is targeted by Ophiuchus (an FM with particularly high tactical strength) during one of Misora's concerts, who takes advantage of Luna's desire to see her hero and her jealousy over Harp Note. After fusing with Ophiuchus, she is referred to by the name Ophiuchus Queen (オヒュカス・クイーン, Ohyukasu Kuīn^?). Her role is played by Kana Ueda, while the role of her FM is played by Kaoru Morota.

Gonta Ushijima (牛島ゴン太, Ushijima Gonta^?) and Taurus (オックス, Okkusu^?, Ox in Japanese language version)

Gonta Ushijima is one of Subaru's classmates, a gruff bully. He grows unhappy over Luna spending so much time with Subaru upon his return to school, and is targeted by Taurus (an FM who is #1 in terms of power amongst his kind) when the FM is thrown into a hallway by Warlock during one of their battles. After fusing with Taurus, he is referred to by the name Taurus Fire (オックス・ファイア, Okkusu Faia^?, Ox Fire in Japanese language version). His role is played by Shintaro Ohata, while the role of his FM is played by Nobuyuki Hiyama.

Kizamaro Saishouin (最小院キザマロ, Saishōin Kizamaro^?)

Kizamaro Saishouin is one of Subaru's classmates, a nerdy and somewhat condescending student. His role is played by Yuko Gibu.

Mamoru Amachi (天地守, Amachi Mamoru^?)

Mamoru Amachi is a friend of Subaru's father who works at the Amaken Laboratory. His role is played by Hiroshi Tsuchida.

Police Inspector Heiji Goyoda (五陽田ヘイジ, Goyoda Heiji^?)

Heiji Goyoda is chief member of the Satella Police. His character is based on Zenigata Heiji, and also bares resemblance to Koichi Zenigata of Lupin III. His surname translates as "there's trouble all around". His role is played by Tomoyuki Shimura.

Shinsuke Utagai (宇田海深佑, Utagai Shinsuke^?) and Cygnus (キグナス, Kigunasu^?)

Shinsuke Utagai is a paranoid worker at Amaken Laboratory whose research was stolen in the past, resulting in his distrustful attitude towards others. He is targeted by Cygnus following a successful test of his latest invention (the "Flying Jacket"). After fusing with Cygnus, he is referred to by the name Cygnus Wing (キグナス・ウィング, Kigunasu Wingu^?). His role is played by Norihisa Mori, while the role of his FM is played by Nobutoshi Canna.

Misora Hibiki (響ミソラ, Hibiki Misora^?) and Harp (ハープ, Hāpu^?)

Misora Hibiki is a popular rock star who goes missing during a scheduled concert. She hopes to write her own song instead of merely performing those that she is given. After fusing with Harp, she is referred to by the name Harp Note (ハープ・ノート, Hāpu Nōto^?). Her role is played by Misato Fukuen, while the role of her FM is played by Kyoko Hikami.

Michinori Ikuta (育田道徳, Ikuta Michinori^?) and Libra (リブラ, Ribura^?)

Michinori Ikuta is a science teacher who lectures at Kodama Laboratory. He is targeted by Libra (an FM who often weighs decisions in an "A or B" scenario before taking action) after the FM flees a battle with Mega Man. After fusing with Libra, he is referred to by the name Libra Balance (リブラ・バランス, Ribura Baransu^?). His role is played by Kenji Hamada, while the role of his FM is played by Hiroshi Shirokuma.

Tsukasa Futaba (双葉ツカサ, Futaba Tsukasa^?) and Gemini (ジェミニ, Jemini^?)

Tsukasa Futaba is a student who attends Subaru's school and a willing participant in the FM Planet's plans. He was rescued by Gemini after being run over by a truck and left to die in the ensuing blaze. Unlike Subaru, Tsukasa has mastered Radio Wave Conversion. After fusing with Gemini, he is referred to by the name Gemini Spark (ジェミニ・スパーク, Jemini Supāku^?). His role is played by Yuki Kaida, while the role of his FM is played by Atsushi Kisaichi.

Chiyokichi Hazami (狭見千代吉, Hazami Chiyokichi^?) and Cancer (キャンサー, Kyansā^?)

Chiyokichi Hazami is a fan of Misora's. He is targeted by Cancer after failing to get into one of her concerts without a ticket. After fusing with Cancer, he is referred to by the name Cancer Bubble (キャンサー・バブル, Kyansā Baburu^?). His role is played by Wasabi Mizuta, while the role of his FM is played by Daiki Nakamura.

Jūrō Ogami (尾上十郎, Ogami Jūrō^?) and Wolf (ウルフ, Urufu^?)

Jūrō Ogami is a gardener who works for the family of a young woman named Kimeka. He was targeted by Wolf (a particularly ferocious FM) off-screen, and automatically undergoes Radio Wave Conversion (though its effects can be suppressed) when he sees anything in the shape of a full moon. After fusing with Wolf, he is referred to by the name Wolf Forest (ウルフ・フォレスト, Urufu Foresto^?). His role is played by Tetsu Inada, while the role of his FM is played by Tokuyoshi Kawashima.

Jean Couronne Velmond Georgione XIV (ジャン・クローヌ・ヴェルモンド・ジョルジョワーヌ14世, Jan Kurōnu Berumondo Jorujowānu Jūyon-sei^?) and Crown (クラウン, Kuraun^?)

Duke Couronne is the ghost of a deceased sea-traveler, believed to guard a sunken treasure within an abandoned amusement park. He is targeted by Crown (an FM who enjoys threatening the weak) off-screen, who gains an immortal vessel in Couronne. After fusing with Crown, he is referred to by the name Crown Thunder (クラウン・サンダー, Kuraun Sandā^?). The role of Crown Thunder is played by Nobuaki Fukuda.

[edit] Episode list

[edit] References

[edit] External links

This article contains Japanese text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks, boxes, or other symbols instead of kanji or kana.

• Shogakukan's Ryūsei no Rockman anime page (Japanese)
• TV Tokyo's Ryūsei no Rockman anime page (Japanese)
• XEBEC's Ryūsei no Rockman anime page (Japanese)