B'T X

 Going back to revisit this classic 90s series which I watched as a kid since as my preparation part for Degenerator Industry 1/12 Action figure for Teppei and X. Just like many other kids back in this era, I was exposed to this BTX series which did give me quite an impression and even at some point I had a copy of Takara Tomy Seiryu Ron & Raido. In this article I will cover the anime version which spanned over 39 Episodes and split into B'T X and B'T X Neo. I will cover manga in another future post as it deserve its own considering the anime did diverge from the original source material due to the circumstances at the time.

 B'T X is a shonen series which featured Warriors riding Mechanical Beasts called B'T as the main element on the series. B'T X story revolves around the Boy main protagonist who set forth on a Hero's journey to rescue his brother against evil machine empire accompanied by a legendary B'T named X whom he met through a fateful encounter. Just like Saint Seiya, B'T X is a Kurumada Masami's work through and through so you will expect the Main protagonist got a whole wallop of beatings but somehow will come out as the winner in the end.

 As an anime, B'T X animation quality is surprisingly a top notch for an anime made in mid 90's. I suppose the Anime was greenlit in consideration for overseas creation thus it is slightly cut above its peers at the time. Certainly something that can easily captivate kids audience at the time just like me. Teppei is also quite a well made Shonen protagonist of its era whose greatest strength is his purity of heart that even moves his enemies heart and even win him allies that are stronger than him. But personally I am always a big fan of the Seiryu guy and still waiting for Degenerator Industry make something for him.

However B'T X anime does not really had the luxury to live up to its full potential. Because the anime had to be concluded 3 years earlier than the Original manga run which finished at 2000 with B'T X Neo. But unlike the first Full Metal Alchemist anime, B'T X did capture the spirit of Kurumada Masami quite well which allows it to end properly even if with slight cliffhanger. Should B'T X series allowed to be animated by the time the original manga ended, We probably could have a 50 episodes series out of B'T X.

Overall B'T X is a really good 90s Shonen series but nothing more than that. My only main gripe with B'T X anime is probably its overuse of overdramatic moments which makes it less meaningful but I suppose Kurumada sensei's style of storytelling does not allow much liberty at this aspect. The first 25 Episodes also didn't give too much screentime for the 4 Generals but Neo kinda remedy this issue somewhat. Given Japanese anime industry abysmal condition, I really doubt we could get an anime remake that lives up to and even surpass the original source material. But I still hope that B'T X could get a good reboot in the future even if it takes 10 years.