Cross Fight B-Daman

Cross Fight B-Daman (2011-2012) (Television Series)
Original Score:2/4
Series: **** (4/5)
Quality: ***1/2 (2.5/5)

"Dear reader, if you are watching the series, watch yourself so that you do not fall for any of the consumerism that is subtly incorporated in the series."

It's been quite a while since I have finished the series of Cross Fight B-Daman, and I myself must admit that I thoroughly enjoyed the B-Daman battles that were in many of the series's episodes. In fact, that really was the main thing of what the series is about, isn't it? Absolutely and obviously. Because the title kind of gives away what the series is about, isn't it? Yep, it's about B-Daman which is also a franchise of products in the anime industry. I'll begin with a few words from myself; Geez, I wished I hadn't spend all of that money on all of those toys that I really am not playing with so often. Toys, well I have already collected many (Officially Licensed) versions of the B-Daman series, but now I hardly play around with them anymore. But I still keep them well in my cupboard. In fact, that's the last time I'll ever buy another B-Daman product! It's consuming my space and money that I am using to buy something else: Media. Valuable footage that has a potential to change human beings for the better. That what I do, collect great films and promoting them for the better good. But, man. When I bought B-Daman, I wasn't that interested in media that much yet. Now, I have already spent so much on all that B-Daman. I've stopped, but that's just about it. No more for the time being.
The series is about Kakeru and his B-Daman partner Dracyan. Who are a few of the chosen to compete in the secret tournament of Crossfire, which was an urban legend in the city where Kakeru Lives. There, he begins to build both his B-Daman Skills and strengthen his bond of friendship with Dracyan. Who can talk and has their own feelings as well. We audiences are then transported to another world where B-Daman is like a power and toy at the same time in the world where it exists. They can fire these so called: B-Dama, official marbles for them, long distances and even use special powers. So now you know, the presence of the aspect of magic and power. Nice! And sometimes can be fun to watch. These B-Damans, they are, as I call them, Marble blasting figures. They are divided into different parts, and each of them has their own name and their own power and personalities. Fun to watch they are, but the episodes are basically episodes of B-Daman Battles all the way. And the length of those battles usually stretches as long as one or two episodes. Anyway, that's all you need to know about the episodes of the series.

The show has some moral messages within, such as friendship, loyalty, cooperation and power. However, they are expressed with the fun of B-Daman. When there are positive messages being expressed within the series or movie, that is one of the highest merits of media. But consumerism? That's not really a good thing. Even so, the series is quite empty of any explicit adult content, (Sigh, here we go again, mentioning the thing that I REALLY hate.) Ecchi and Fan Service, violence, strong language or any of that stuff that anime fans might expect. O.K., so this show is still something for children to enjoy, but be careful because they might ask for the B-Daman toys afterwards. If planning to buy any, be sure to control the amount. In my case I have already stopped my urge of buying anything else related to B-Daman because it is quite expensive. Enough is enough.

Then can we call the series an advert to the toys? Probably. However, I still think that it still holds some quality to young children. They will enjoy watching the B-Daman Battles on screen with the flashy special effects, good animation and some positive role models in the show as well. Starting here, I'll talk about the characters. The characters are quite well characterized, with many of them appearing in the series many episodes with their respective roles and personalities. Well, Japanese anime, they have great stories and great storytelling as well. The series will entertain kids and still hold some quality to kids and teens. Providing them some enjoyment that they will remember as well. Just don't get me started about the consumerism within.


Afterwards, we are introduced to the legendary stuff in the series, quite tempting if you ask me. Well, ask me once again. Go on, I'm sure that you'll find something useful in the answer. O.K., here's my point about legendary stuff. From my experience, I was (Not anymore now) very tempted to search for the legendary B-Damans that were in the series, they are not cheap, if I might add. I saw a few of that "rare" stuff available in the random selection boxes, the parts that I wanted were very difficult to find as well. See? Like Pokemon, we are very tempted to find the "rare" or "legendary" stuff that are in there respective cartoons, I don't think that is really a good thing. But the good thing is, I didn't really buy any of those random selection boxes, and therefore I have escaped the magic cage trap of consumerism once more. I particularly mention here in this review to you, dear reader, that we must control our wants and urge wisely. For if we are not careful, we'll end up buying a lot of useless stuff that we hardly use. What's all of that legendary stuff? Just in the virtual world, if I might add. Then there's pirated stuff in the art world as well, which I evade buying. Because they are cheap knockoffs of the real stuff, and they are already considered violation copyrights, I tried to avoid buying any of those things during my searches for B-Daman, but now I just don't want to buy anything about B-Daman anymore. Dear reader, if you are watching the series, watch yourself so that you do not fall for any of the consumerism that is subtly incorporated in the series. Anyway, just enjoy the show if it is streaming on your television channel.

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This is an anime I remember watching some years ago on TV.However,I didn't see the last few episodes,and the dub sucked,so I decided to watch it raw.
Overall,I like this anime even now.The only thing I didn't like was the toys.

Story (7/10)
I found the story to be original enough.Although this was a children's anime,it wasn't repetitive or 5-year old shit.Basically,the story is about Cross Fight,which are some secret B-Daman matches,and that only kids who have some kind of special B-Daman will be called in.B-Daman are some kind of toys that shoot marbles or whatever.

Art (7/10)
The art wasn't anything special,but it's what got me into this series.What was really good about the art is that it didn't use any crappy CGI effects.

Sound (7/10)
I didn't like the opening much,but the voice acting was fairly good.

Characters (8/10)
This was my favorite aspect of this anime.The characters had some stereotypes,but they were interesting and kept the story going.Subaru was my favorite character and I still love him (as a character,of course).

Enjoyment (9/10)
I enjoyed watching this show,nothing more to say about it.

Overall (7/10)
Now,there are two reasons I gave this show a 7.
- It was an interesting concept and it could have done better
- It should have been more than just a way to say "Buy our toys"
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Who this show's for :
-People who don't cringe at kids anime
-Kids

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B-Daman Crossfire is the sequel to the original show, Battle B-Daman, and while I did enjoy crossfire more than the original B-Daman it still has some (new and old) problems.

Story 5/10

The story isn't anything new; the MC Ricky battles some other character while getting progressively stronger with it all leading up to the big tournament.

I mentioned in my review of Battle B-Daman that the biggest problem I have with the show is that B-Daman just seems like a boring game where kids just shoot marbles at each other with very little strategy involved. Unfortunately, B-Daman has only gotten more boring since the original show as now there are no more Direct Hit Battles!

Seriously, what is more exciting: two guys trying to shoot each other or two guys shooting targets? I can only assume the writers didn't include DH Battles in Crossfire because they didn't want kids hurting each other in real life by shooting marbles at each other. However, DH Battles were the most exciting feature of the original show and without them now every battle is nothing more than watching kids shoot marbles at blocks or pins!

Art 6/10

The art is definitely what has improved the most since the original show. I like how now when characters battle each other now these monsters called B-Animals appear. It definitely makes the battles cooler.

Also, I just love Ruri's design; those bunny ears she wears whenever she referees a battle are so adorable.

Characters 6/10

I like Ricky's positive and determined attitude and I also like the friendship he develops with his B-Daman Dracyan, because B-Daman can talk now.

Naoua is a good villain; I like how cunning and deceitful he is and how he has this pathological desire to control everyone.

Although, Natsumi wasn't in every episode, I though she was still a funny comic relief given how over excited she can get about things.

Overall 5/10

While I think Crossfire improved B-Daman with the inclusion of B-Animals and the fact B-Daman can talk now, I still feel like is was a real detriment to the show eliminating Direct Hit Battles. I'd recommend Medabots or Bakugan over this.

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