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Noriko Takaya

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Noriko Takaya
Gunbuster character
Noriko Takaya
Noriko Takaya as she appears in episode 1
First appearanceGunbuster episode 1: "Whoa! Big Sis and I Are Going to Be Pilots Together?!" (1988)
Created byGainax
Designed byHaruhiko Mikimoto[1]: 94 [2]: 32 
Voiced byJapanese
Noriko Hidaka
English
Kiane Chula King[3]
In-universe information
Full nameNoriko Takaya
SpeciesHuman
GenderFemale
NicknameDaughter of Defeat (全滅娘, Zenmetsu Musume)[4]
Age15[a]
16[b]
26[c]
42[d]
12,285[e]
Eye colorBrown
Hair colorBrown

Noriko Takaya (Japanese: タカヤ・ノリコ, Hepburn: Takaya Noriko) is a fictional character from the Gunbuster franchise, created by Gainax. She is the franchise's most complex character and protagonist.

Conception

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In 1987, after Gainax finished working on Royal Space Force: The Wings of Honnêamise, it spent more money than it made, as Royal Space Force was the most expensive anime film at its release, costing ¥800,000,000 to make.[5] Bandai was Gainax's closest partner at the time. To recuperate losses from Royal Space Force, Gainax would work on later projects, such as Appleseed, the mechanical design for Mobile Suit Gundam: Char's Counterattack, and Gunbuster. When Gainax began working on Gunbuster in 1987, its staff wanted to challenge the norm that mecha pilots were male. Some staff members, such as director Hideaki Anno and Yoshiyuki Sadamoto, previously worked on Super Dimension Fortress Macross. A character designer for Macross, Haruhiko Mikimoto, would work with Gainax's staff to design the characters for Gunbuster. Gainax staff also took ideas from two influences on Gunbuster, Aim for the Ace! and Top Gun. In Aim for the Ace!, Hiromi Oka, the protagonist, looks up to Reika Ryuzaki, a master of tennis and the president of the student club.[6] In Top Gun, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, the protagonist, was born to a naval aviator who died in combat, so he signed up to become a naval aviator.[7] Gainax staff alluded to both of these works.[8]

Noriko's name comes from an animator named Noriko Takaya [ja],[1]: 73  who was the wife of Shinji Higuchi, one of Gainax's founders. As Shinji Higuchi worked at Gainax, his wife worked at Studio Ghibli.[9] Some of Gainax's staff, such as Hideaki Anno, previously worked on Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,[10] as did the animator Noriko Takaya.[11]

Noriko Takaya is voiced by Noriko Hidaka in the original Japanese version, the film Gunbuster vs. Diebuster, and video games.[12] Kiane Chula King voiced her in the English dub.[13]

Appearances

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Gunbuster

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Noriko is the protagonist of this series and the daughter of space pilot and captain of the Luxion Yuzo Takaya. In 2015, Yuzo Takaya died in space.[14] Noriko would later join the Okinawa Girls' Academy to become a mecha pilot. In the beginning of the anime, she is a close friend of Kimiko Higuchi. She starts training to be a mecha pilot by jumping rope. Shortly after she finishes jumping rope, Kazumi Amano appears, and Noriko becomes enamored with her. Kazumi gives Noriko a yellow headband. Then, Coach Koichiro Ohta tells the students piloting mecha to start their training. Noriko tries to pilot her mecha, bearing the name RX-7 Nausicaä, but does so in a clumsy manner. Later, an announcement that Kazumi and Noriko are selected to go into space appears on a noticeboard. Because of the announcement, Reiko Kashihara and her allies start to bully Noriko by vandalizing the notice, vandalizing her RX-7 mecha unit, and placing a tack on her mecha seat. Noriko cries and approaches Ohta. Ohta tells her to train more, and she does. One night, Reiko and Noriko have a mecha duel. Initially, the students thought Reiko would win, but Noriko performs an Inazuma Kick (イナズマキック, Inazuma Kikku, lit. "Lightning Kick") on Reiko's mecha. Reiko acknowledges her defeat. Ohta, Kazumi, and Noriko later board a jet to go into space.[4]

As they watch from the jet, they see a Soviet mecha and work being done on the Exelion [ja]. They later meet the pilot of the Soviet mecha, whose name is Jung Freud. As Kazumi and Jung challenge each other, Noriko looks for them. Kazumi, Noriko, and Jung bathe together. After their bath, Kazumi, Noriko, and Ohta fly to the Luxion. Knowing that her father, Yuzo Takaya, was on the Luxion, Noriko goes in the Luxion and tries to look for her father, only to find out he is gone. Noriko saddens. Ohta finds her and goes back with Kazumi to the Exelion, to find that it finished. At the Exelion opening ceremony, Noriko cries and runs out of the room where the ceremony is being held.[14]

Noriko overhears Kazumi and Ohta's conversation about her, when Kazumi claimed that Noriko is a liability. Noriko goes into the Exelion's mecha storage and finds a boy named Smith Toren. Later on, they begin to love each other. Much to Noriko's dismay, Smith Toren disappeared in space.[15] The Exelion goes further in space to find space monsters (宇宙怪獣, Uchū Kaijū) and Captain Tatsumi Tashiro sends mecha out, but Noriko cries in a room as the battle goes on. Then she changes her mind to not cry and to fight with her own strength. She then pilots an unfinished Gunbuster and fights the space monsters, stopping the space monsters from further attacking the Exelion.[16]

Noriko, Kazumi, and Ohta return to Earth in 2032. Noriko and Kazumi graduate from the Okinawa Girls' Academy and pass by Kimiko, who is now an adult with a child. Later, Noriko sees Kazumi and Ohta, now married, fighting with each other. Noriko goes to a beach to sunbathe and to talk with Jung. As Noriko takes a bath, she contemplates her recent experiences with Kimiko, Kazumi, and Ohta. Noriko and Kazumi later pilot Buster Machine 1 and Buster Machine 2, respectively. They fly the Buster Machines into space with the Exelion. As they pass Jupiter2 (雷王星, Raiōsei, lit."Lightning King Planet"), they find space monsters. Because time is moving quickly for Noriko and Kazumi, Kazumi cries at the thought of losing Ohta. Noriko snaps Kazumi out of crying and backing out, and they combine their Buster Machines into Gunbuster. After working together to defeat the space monsters, they return to Earth, and Kazumi cries as she finds Ohta alive. Noriko tries not to cry, so she runs out.[17]

In 2048, Noriko, Kazumi, and Jung are on the Eltreum [ja]. They see Buster Machine 3, a black hole bomb with Jupiter condensed in it. They are sent to take care of Buster Machine 3. Buster Machine 3 sets off, Gunbuster flies out quickly, and Noriko and Kazumi find themselves in the year 14,292. They are pleased to see the "WELCOME HOMƎ!" (オカエリナサイ, Okaerinasai)[f] message on the Earth. Noriko and Kazumi leave Gunbuster to arrive on Earth.[18]

Diebuster

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In Diebuster, the protagonist, Nono, admires Noriko's legacy and wishes to be like her. The last episode of Diebuster shows Noriko and Kazumi descending to Earth from the Earth's point of view.[19]

Manga

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Bandai came out with two volumes of Comic Gunbuster in 1989[20] and 1991.[21] Both of these volumes show Noriko in various situations, such as chibi and in yonkoma.

Mangaka Kabocha [ja]'s manga adaptation of Gunbuster follows the anime, but differences include Noriko wearing a different outfit as she leaves to go in space and crying in the jet,[22]: 182-193  taking a large amount of food,[23]: 16-18  meeting Smith Toren[23]: 16-19  before the Exelion is finished,[23]: 39  bathing with a fourth bather,[23]: 96-104  and going to a swimming pool with Kazumi and Jung[24]: 79-95  instead of a beach with only Jung.

In other media

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Noriko has appeared in other video games, such as video games based on Gunbuster, games in the Super Robot Wars series,[25][26] Neon Genesis Evangelion: Eva and Good Friends,[27] and Neon Genesis Evangelion: Battle Orchestra.[28]

Characterization and Themes

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As shown in Gunbuster, Noriko shows traits of rigorous training[29] and striving for excellence through "hard work and guts" (努力と根性, Doryoku to konjō)[30]. Although she begins the story as a shy and easily timid girl, by episode 4, she grows out of this mentality and becomes confident and inspiring. Cavallaro notes that Noriko working together with Kazumi and their mecha significantly impacts humanity's future.[31]: 68 

Noriko also shows behaviors of an otaku, as Gainax was founded by animators who enjoyed anime and became professionals. Gunbuster could have been the earliest anime to demonstrate otaku behavior, as Kazumi teases Noriko "about her knowledge of anime and science fiction." This anime was also one of the first anime released in the United States to keep its Japanese-language track,[32][page needed] as an English dub would not be released until 2022.[33]

Cultural impact

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Noriko's character has influenced later characters, including Shinji Ikari of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Naota Nandaba of FLCL, Simon of Gurren Lagann, and Ryuko Matoi of Kill la Kill.[34] Noriko's early portrayal in Gunbuster influenced Shinji Ikari's portrayals in Neon Genesis Evangelion, as her character arc in the first four episodes shows that her failures and losses compound when she has to deal with larger threats.[35] One difference between Noriko and Shinji is that Noriko conquers her fears and endeavors to honor her father, whereas Shinji does not. Simon, the protagonist of Gurren Lagann, shares similarities with Noriko in that they both start out as shy characters and they grow to be strong characters by the end of their respective series.[34]

Noriko has had merchandise of her released since Gunbuster was released. General Products was selling Noriko HG and Noriko EX figures as of April 1990.[2]: 32  In June 2024, Good Smile Company released a Nendoroid of her sculpted by Udono Kazuyoshi.[36]

Notes

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  1. ^ Gunbuster episodes 1 and 2
  2. ^ Gunbuster episodes 2–4
  3. ^ Gunbuster episode 5, due to time dilation
  4. ^ Beginning of Gunbuster episode 6, due to time dilation
  5. ^ End of Gunbuster episode 6, due to time dilation
  6. ^ The final katakana "イ" is reversed

References

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  1. ^ a b Yamaguchi, Hiroshi (1988). トップをねらえ! FILM COMIC 1 [Gunbuster Film Comic 1] (in Japanese). Bandai (published October 30, 1988). ISBN 4-89189-362-1.
  2. ^ a b General Products Presents Complete Gunbuster. General Products (published April 10, 1990). 1990.
  3. ^ "Discotek Reveals Gunbuster English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. July 30, 2022. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Whoa! Big Sis and I Are Going to Be Pilots Together?!". Gunbuster. Episode 1. October 7, 1988.
  5. ^ Isao Taniguchi; Hajime Asō (June 2017). 図解入門業界研究最新ｱﾆﾒ業界の動向とｶﾗｸﾘがよ〜くわかる本 [Introductory Illustrated Industry Research A book that gives a good understanding of the latest trends and karakuri in the animation industry] (in Japanese) (2nd ed.). Japan: 秀和システム (Shuwa System). p. 75. ISBN 978-4-7980-5038-6.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  6. ^ 山本, 鈴美香 (1973). 『エースをねらえ!』「鬼コーチ宗方仁の巻」 [Aim for the Ace! Demon Coach Jin Munekata's Volume] (in Japanese). Shueisha (published September 20, 1973). ISBN 4-08-850128-4.
  7. ^ Top Gun (Film). May 16, 1986.
  8. ^ Stewart-Ahn, Aaron (June 19, 2019). "Neverending Evangelion". Polygon. Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  9. ^ "【ジブリの挑戦】細密画＋動き＝驚異の迫力". Yomiuri Shimbun. December 14, 2004. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  10. ^ "庵野秀明 個人履歴". 株式会社カラー (in Japanese). Archived from the original on November 24, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  11. ^ "Noriko Takaya – Animation Department, Additional Crew, Art Department". IMDb. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  12. ^ "Noriko Takaya Voices (Gunbuster)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  13. ^ Basil; OSMcast! (July 11, 2023). "OSMinterview! Kiane Chula King on 5/15/2023". OSMcast!. Archived from the original on April 23, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  14. ^ a b "Daring! The Genius Girl's Challenge!!". Gunbuster. Episode 2. October 7, 1988.
  15. ^ "First Love☆First Sortie". Gunbuster. Episode 3. December 30, 1988.
  16. ^ "Launch!! The Unfinished Ultimate Weapon!". Gunbuster. Episode 4. December 30, 1988.
  17. ^ "Please!! There's Time Enough For Love!". Gunbuster. Episode 5. July 7, 1989.
  18. ^ "At the End of Eternity...". Gunbuster. Episode 6. July 7, 1989.
  19. ^ "The Story of Your Life". Diebuster. Episode 6. August 25, 2006.
  20. ^ コミックガンバスター [Comic Gunbuster] (in Japanese). Bandai (published August 10, 1989). 1989. ISBN 4-89189-031-2.
  21. ^ コミックガンバスター VOL 2 [Comic Gunbuster Volume 2] (in Japanese). Bandai (published May 10, 1991). 1991. ISBN 4-89189-110-6.
  22. ^ Kabocha (2011). トップをねらえ! [Gunbuster 1] (in Japanese). Vol. 1. Kadokawa Shoten (published August 4, 2011). ISBN 978-4-04-715751-4.
  23. ^ a b c d Kabocha (2011). トップをねらえ! [Gunbuster 2] (in Japanese). Vol. 2. Kadokawa Shoten (published February 4, 2012). ISBN 978-4-04-120088-9.
  24. ^ Kabocha (2012). トップをねらえ! [Gunbuster 4] (in Japanese). Vol. 4. Kadokawa Shoten (published November 26, 2012). ISBN 978-4-04-120521-1.
  25. ^ "Super Robot Wars Lineup". Bandai Namco Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  26. ^ "スーパーロボット大戦Ｆ完結編 第６６話 出撃、ガンバスター – 駄人間生誕外部RX". matsutomoken.blog.fc2.com. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  27. ^ "新世紀エヴァンゲリオン エヴァと愉快な仲間たち (セガサターン) - ファミ通.com". www.famitsu.com. Archived from the original on December 10, 2024. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  28. ^ "【今週の1本】あの「エヴァ」を動かせる乱戦型アクション『バトルオーケストラ』 – 電撃オンライン". dengekionline.com. July 5, 2007. Archived from the original on November 30, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  29. ^ Waugh, J. R.; Piña, Vanessa (May 25, 2021). "45 Best Short Anime Series You Need To Check Out". ScreenRant. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  30. ^ アニメメカ解説ch【ジュニオチャンネル】 (October 27, 2023). 【努力と根性で地球を救った女の子】タカヤ・ノリコ【トップをねらえ！】 (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ Cavallaro, Dani (2009). The art of Studio Gainax: experimentation, style and innovation at the leading edge of anime. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Co. ISBN 978-0-7864-3376-6.
  32. ^ Ito, Mizuko; Okabe, Daisuke; Tsuji, Izumi (2012). Fandom unbound: otaku culture in a connected world. New Haven [etc.]: Yale University Press (published February 28, 2012). ISBN 978-0-300-15864-9.
  33. ^ Baron, Reuben (August 11, 2021). "Gunbuster Gets First English Dub, More Classic Anime Get Re-Released". CBR. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  34. ^ a b Langley, Thom. "History of GAINAX: Aim for the Top! Gunbuster". History of GAINAX. Archived from the original on December 11, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  35. ^ Lundeen, Matthew Magnus (July 21, 2022). "Gunbuster & Diebuster, The Mecha Masterworks From The Minds Behind Eva". Game Rant. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  36. ^ "Nendoroid Noriko Takaya". www.goodsmile.info. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
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