Mecha is one of the most well-known genres of anime, though it hasn’t been as successful recently as it once was. Thankfully, one venerable has somewhat revived the popularity of “Real Robot” mecha. Now, another classic franchise is making an unexpected comeback, and it could see a similar trend in restoring a related subgenre.
Takara and Sunrise’s Brave franchise was a major property in the 1990s, and it was made to replace one of the most iconic toy brands of all. Despite this, it’s been decidedly dormant for decades, only manifesting in video games and the occasional collectible. Now, the series is coming back via the manga medium, and it could lead to Super Robot properties as a whole getting a return to the spotlight.
Takara’s Brave Franchise Briefly Replaced Transformers
During a good part of the 1980s, the Generation 1 incarnation of Hasbro and Takara’s Transformers franchise was very popular. Of course, this didn’t remain consistent, and by the end of the decade, the robots in disguise were far from what they once were. Despite the popularity of robots and mecha in Japan, the series wouldn’t even last for too much longer there. Thus, the OVA Transformers: Zone was only one episode, with the G1 Transformers ending rather unceremoniously in Japan. There was still an appetite for these types of productions, however, which led Takara and Sunrise to create a new series in the absence of the Cybertronians.
This was the Brave franchise, which began in 1990 with the release of Brave Exkaiser. These were true Super Robot anime, continuing an evolution that the Japanese-exclusive Transformers entries had been heading on before they ended. It helped fill a certain niche within the anime industry at the time, thus proving to be very popular. It’s for this reason that the franchise would receive seven more main entries, with the last major entry being The King of Braves GaoGaiGar. Not only would this very well-received series have an eight-episode OVA that completed its story, but there would also be a non-mecha spinoff in the form of Betterman. Unfortunately, cooling toy sales saw the series eventually end, with GaoGaiGar Final releasing about a decade after Brave began. Before they came to a finish, however, these anime were vital in bringing back an overlooked yet classic genre.
Takara’s Last Brave Series Was a Response to the “Watchmen” of Mecha Anime
Easily one of the biggest ’90s anime (and anime franchises in general) was the still-popular Neon Genesis Evangelion. The series had elements of classic Super Robot anime (which featured many times fantastical concepts), but its tone and sometimes militaristic nature made many view it as more of a Real Robot anime. The latter is a category for more realistic and grounded mecha anime, with the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise being a key example. The popularity of Evangelion saw other mecha anime produced in the same serious, dark, and introspective vein. It turned the series into essentially the anime equivalent of the American superhero deconstruction comic book Watchmen. This sort of post-modern storytelling would become prevalent in anime as a whole, thus creating a new for lighter fare.
That’s exactly what the Brave anime was intended for, even before Evangelion came along and disrupted the entire mecha genre. Shows such as Exkaiser were intended for very young children, and they largely eschewed complex storylines, moral ambiguity, or deep characterizations. Some of the later shows would depart from this premise a bit, but it was certainly in full force with GaoGaiGar, which, for the longest time, was the last main entry in the franchise. GaoGairGar reveled in ridiculous concepts, epic fights, and cartoonish attacks, being the exact opposite of Evangelion and shows like it. Thus, Super Robots were suddenly a thing again, and there was more variety in the mecha genre as a whole.
It helped that the designs were unique, colorful and catered directly to things that kids would like. The Brave series has an abundance of two aesthetic/design concepts: train Transformers and robots that combine with each other. Both GaoGaiGar and the previous series, The Brave Express Might Gaine, embody these ideas, with locomotives and bullet trains uniting to form massive robotic weapons. Having these cool robots is also a big part of why Brave is still present in the world of video games. The Super Robot Wars series unites mechs from both Super Robot and Real Robot franchises, allowing all of these mechanical behemoths to battle it out in strategic combat. For the longest while, this has been the only place that Brave has continued to show up in. Thankfully, it’s finally back in printed form, and it could revive the Super Robot genre as it did in the past.
The Classic Brave Franchise Is Coming Back With a New Manga
It’s been announced that the Brave series is finally receiving a comeback in the form of a new manga series, Brave Universe Sworgrader. Set to soon begin publication, it’ll be the first truly new major entry in the series in over two decades. The design of the title mech shares many aesthetic elements with its predecessors, namely a take on what seems to be a tiger/cat motif. The parent production studio Sunrise (which has now been acquired by Bandai Namco Entertainment) is even animating a promotional video for the series, which suggests that the intent is to truly build the franchise back up.
If it takes off, there’s the potential for mecha manga and anime to be in the best place it’s been in years. Mecha as a whole has definitely seen a decline in production, but Real Robot anime has just been revitalized by way of Gundam. Not only is the new series Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury popular, but other classic continuities in the franchise are receiving additional anime and movies. Now it’s time for Super Robot mecha anime to have the same renaissance, with the path somewhat already laid by the success of the Gridman revival shows. Brave can have a similar impact, and its crossover appeal with its “predecessor” Transformers only increases this potential. Add in any potential toys and collectibles that come out of the mix, plus a much wider international fanbase, and Brave is primed to reach greater heights than ever before. If it hits or exceeds these goals, more Super Robot anime will surely be coming down the pipeline.