Buddy Complex

Story:
Buddy Complex is a new mecha anime from Sunrise that does not push any boundaries, unlike Valvrave. However, the execution is very well done and keeps me entertained every week. The battles display differing tactics after failed attempts rather than having the same few machines doing the same few moves against each other, which happens in quite a few of Sunrise's previous mecha series. It is a delight to see how our main characters get out of the various difficult situations they are forced into.

Art/Sound:
Coming from Sunrise, it is not much of a surprise that the art and sound are well done. The background music ... during the battles and while they are on standby fit in very well, and the OP and ED are catchy. The battles scenes are amazing and do not have a noticeable amount of re-used scenes. It is a joy to watch for the art and sound alone.

Characters:
All of the characters seem ordinary. However, they are easily likable and feel human enough not to feel two-dimensional. Also, when they get emotional, there are clear reasons behind them (i.e. their emotional spurts do not seem to be pulled out of nowhere). There are also no noticeable plot holes that I have noticed while casually watching the show.

Enjoyment:
This is where the series shines for me. The anime does not become too ridiculous or too boring, and nothing about it bugs me.

Overall, this anime does not try to be anything out of the ordinary, but its excellent execution and animation keeps me coming back for more every week.

"Connect with Dio"
"Acception"

You would think that this is just some other Gundam rip-off, but no. It's a new kind of mecha where they bring in time travel and buddy thing as how the title is.

Story: 9/10
Its simple, the guy in the past go to future then become some cool character then the story slowly unfold how it ended up in 1st episode. War between two nations/country... robot mecha fight around, yea. I like mecha.

Art: 8/10
The character are normal, but the art of Luxon and Bradyon is nice, and when both of them in coupling mode is so damn cool, like how the wings glow ... and all the cg effects stuff. But the 2 mecha still look like some No-grade Gundam. If Buddy Complex have more budget, the mecha will definitely look nicer with a bit of more detail.

Sound: 9/10
I like both the opening and ending, not bad except the ending give me the feel of watching gundam seed ending. Nevertheless, everything sounds right in this anime.

Character: 10/10
I gonna admit, I like Hina a lot in this anime, just because of her long black hair and purple eyes and definitely how pretty she is. HINA HINA HINA!!!! And seeing how Aoba and Dio slowly become good buddy is really fun, like how they always quarrel with each other but still care about one another. Other character in the anime are also well developed.

Enjoyment: 10/10
All the coupling scene is damn nice! Like how fast Luxon and Bradyon move after they coupled. The fight scene and laser everywhere!!!! I also enjoy how Aoba always talking about Hina as though Hina is his only one. But it's really enjoyable to see fast action mecha fight that is not one sided, even when it is, it will and must be overwhelming!

Overall: 9/10
SEASON 2!!!!!! So yea, they execute the ending for season 1 nicely, I thought it would be some Mahou Sensou's ending. The anime is enjoyable and no need to think so much when watching, because everything will be known episode after episode. And it's very straightforward anime.

So if you are interested in Mecha genre anime, it's not a bad idea to catch this one because you won't have much disappointment in it. Not the best mecha but one of the few good one! :)

I found myself to like this show very much, surprisingly. You may think this is some weird, nerdy mecha anime with painstakingly slow plot progress your too lazy to watch, but Sunrise Studios has done it again. I really liked the funny interactions with each character in each episode, along with the love triangles and the "world war" vibes. The main character, Watase Aoba may look like those generic male characters and kinda is, but there is depth in many of the characters.

I can't also wait for the second season, cause this time they'll be romance, trust me, you won't regret watching this anime. ... The only mecha show I ever watched is Code-geass, and this show is just a mix of shonen and shoujo.

This is my first Review of an anime since signing up with this site. I have used it for a long time, but never actually used it to keep track of what I had watched until recently.

Buddy Complex turned out to be a fantastically enjoyable experience for me. It actually surprised me at how much i ended up enjoying it.

Story - 8
I found the story to be rather interesting. Sure, the premise has been done before, but buddy Complex handled it well. I never felt like i was being forced to accept the storytellers point of view at any time. It was written in ... a way that let me accept things right along with the protagonist. This is something that I feel is important when trying to tell a story, that I should never have to just accept that this or that happened for no obvious reason. There is no real complications to the story, so if you are looking for something to engage your mind, this won't be doing that. But it will entertain you like a good story should It lets you sit back and enjoy it without having to try an wrack your brain trying to figure out what is going on.

Art - 10
I really enjoyed the ship and mecha designs, and the characters were all done very well. Smooth animation, up to today's standards. Effects and action scenes were all done very well, and if you see a re-used scene then you would have had to be looking for it specifically. I didn't notice one while watching. Not much more to say here, top notch art for this one.

Sound - 9
OT and ET were good, the battle scenes music was great and fit very well. Sounds fit, characters voices were all done very well, there was depth to battle sounds that needed it, and I enjoyed the music. Not too varied, i will admit, but they used what they had well.

Character - 9
Not sure if people would disagree with me or not, but I really enjoyed the characters in Buddy Complex. They all felt so real. Relationships within the anime between characters felt like they were moving forward at a true pace, not forced or fake. Characters reactions happened realistically and you could understand each persons decisions when they got mad, or depressed. The main two characters Aoba and Dio really stood out for me. Aoba was not too over the top, considering his situation, and his personality was not unfirm. He made his decisions based on who he was, and what he knew. He was a strong, caring person who was stuck in an abnormal situation. His and Dio's relationship really mattered as things moved forward, and each step that it took the viewer could understand exactly how and why it did so.

Perhaps no groundbreaking character personalities here, but you could tell the writers cared about why things happened in the anime, and not just what needed to happen.

Enjoyment - 10
So much enjoyment for me in this. I really wasn't expecting to enjoy it this much when i started it. But each episode i watched i just liked it more and more. The fight scenes, the characters the story, it all wrapped up an engaging little package that made me feel happy to have opened it.

At first glance the Buddy Complex looks generic... but perhaps it's one of the reasons which makes it more enjoyable...

From studio SUNRISE... that makes Gundam series... from time to time do an original mecha series like this...

Buddy Complex plot and story is basically the basic fundamentals of mecha series... spaceships, mechas, war etc... However the story gets interesting when they include the "time travel" twist... ok I'll stop with that... Like any other SUNRISE original mech series... Buddy Complex also borrows a lot of idea from Gundam franchise which is not bad if it's done correctly... it works fine on this one...

The ... main story revolves on Aoba the aka mysterious pilot... it's about his journey upon a familiar yet different world his living... plus the two key characters for him are Dio and Hina... both have roles to play on how his journey ends...

If I were to say that it's an all star seiyuu too even the supporting cast... the three main characters notable voices are: Kirito (SAO), Raku (Nisekoi) & Yukino (Oregairu)... as for the supporting cast notable characters: Charlotte (I.S.), Yoko (Gurren Lagann), Gintoki (Gintama), Misaka (Toaru Majutsu), Madoka (Mahou Shoujo Madoka) etc... ooopsss Master Asia's seiyuu is also included...

Overall I can't say anything bad on this series... because to be honest it's a really fun and enjoyable series to me... just give it a try...

I almost forgot to mention that there are 2 OVA's which are episode 14 & 15... it's a good closure to the story...

I have seen many anime and most of the top ones. So what do I think about this anime compared to the likes of Steins gate and Code Geass? Well this anime is shit. There is absolutely nothing new here and everything is rather mediocre.... BUT I found a great deal of enjoyment watching it. Dio was ok and the main guy, whose name slips my memory, was rather enjoyable to watch as he has a strong personality and doesn't have an affinity for finding himself in awkward boob grabbing situations where he blushes and gets all embarrassed. The main reason to watch this anime ... is Yumihara. One of my favorite Character designs and good voice acting. Really this anime hit all my weak points, and while it fails to break ground on anything it succeeds in entertaining and there is definatly merit in that. If your looking for a good Mecha/Romance anime give this one a try, you might be pleasantly surprised

This anime comes off a little generic. That being sad it also brings in some new creative ideas that I have yet to see before in a mecha series. I like the anime mostly because of the characters. Where the story lacks the characters pick up pieces. The main character is a different kind of protagonist, hes not your typical I must defeat the enemy to avenge his family type of mecha protagonist. Which is a major plus because that is over played in this genre.
The biggest negative is the story, I can't really tell if its going anywhere or if it is if ... it will be good or not. But this does not take away from the overall enjoyment I'm having while watching this.
If you want some mecha but nothing thats going to have you in tears then this is the anime for you.

I expected Buddy Complex to be just another Mecha that I watched for shameful enjoyment. It was, but it was also a bit more.
Admittedly Buddy Complex is NOT going to change the face a Mecha, but it has some good characters and an interesting story-line. I watched through the whole series surprisingly quick.
Now for the bad things.
The ending to the anime (minus the special) is meh, and the special just MADE ME MAD! The pacing is really off at times and there are a fair number of unanswered (or poorly answered) questions.
The art style is nothing amazing and the dialog is better if you are ... the type to dissect every line (otherwise it can be a bit flat at times).
All that said, the series is definitely a fun and easy watch. The dynamic between Aoba and Dio by itself can keep you smiling.
Buddy Complex - A fun watch that won't become a favorite, but isn't a waste of your time either.

Buddy Complex is a action/mecha type of anime recently aired in January 2014. I recently watched it and I find that it's very interesting and entertaining to watch.

-What I would like to point out first is the Overall Design and the Sound of the anime:

It bugs me a lot seeing that the designing is so much similar to another mecha anime, Kakumeiki Valvrave. I understand that they have the same producer, and possibly some artists who worked on Valvrave, but it just annoys me. Otherwise, the other designs besides from the characters I find very original and it hardly bores ... me with this art style. The battle scenes are perceived very well as well as the music (OP/ED) and some background music during the anime.

-Secondly, the story:

No offence to any Buddy Complex fans here but in my opinion, the story is highly predictable. However, it didn't stop me from being extremely excited and it is very tempted to watch the next episode after finishing one. The plot did a great job creating a scifi-action anime with a romantic kind of atmostphere at some parts.

-Overall:

This anime is extremely fun to watch and it is very intriguing to find out what's going to happen next. I would recommend this anime to anyone finding an anime with great artworks.

This show made me remember why I love Mecha Anime.

This thing is a Gundam in all but name, but it has enough of its own identity. Its standout aspect is its absolutely breakneck pace. You could argue it is tropey, but this thing blasts through what usually takes 25-50 episodes. It trims enough fat to only leave the exciting moments and it only has a slow point in retrospect. You know how Gundam 0079 had an insane last handful of episodes because they compressed the last season? this show feels like 12 (14 including the 2-episode sequel, which is a must see) of that energy. ... Most of it is take it or leave it...but it is no exaggeration that the last few episodes had me hooting and hollering. and I cant remember the last time I did that.

Though it has been largely forgotten at this point, except by Banpresto, "Buddy Complex" is a fairly formulaic mecha show, yet it manages to entertain me every time. The story involves, as you guessed, a young man being thrust into war due to falling into the cockpit of a mecha, but this time through time travel shenanigans. After piloting the mech, our hero, Watase Aoba, is conscripted into the war between Zogilia and the Confederation.

Despite its brevity, one of the show's strengths is its ability to make the most of its runtime. It doesn't dwell on anything unnecessary to the story it aims to tell. ... The main character and his partner, Dio Weinberg, develop a genuine bond over the course of the series.

This storytelling style is highly effective for a short series like this, and everything comes full circle by the show's end. However, it's also one of its more unfortunate aspects because the show's short duration leaves some plot elements and characters underdeveloped.

The nice characters are, well, nice, but who are they really? We never learn this. We might catch glimpses, but ultimately, we get nothing more. Meeting other soldiers or delving into some drama beyond the time travel plot, like focusing on the commanders or soldiers of the Federation, could have helped establish deeper connections.

Nevertheless, there are other positives. The action scenes involving the mechs are stellar and never become dull, and the music is a joy to listen to. The Japanese voice acting is top-notch, and it's evident that the actors put their A-game into their characters.

It's regrettable that "Buddy Complex" won't see more than this or its two-part finale. Apparently, it was prematurely ended due to poor ratings, but I personally believe that banking on a smartphone game, where additional character backstory was also left, instead of model kits, isn't the best way to sustain a show.

In conclusion, if you're seeking a light yet enjoyable mecha show, give this one a watch. Just don't expect much beyond that. No matter how many years pass, I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for "Buddy Complex."

Nice little show, though it feels like it had enough steam to go at least for a 25 episode run, if not a full 50. I don't know why it wasn't longer... Amazingly, it does manage to wrap the story up well enough in a two-parter which is quite impressive. I wish there were more, though, and as a result there isn't as much to dig into and love as there might have been if it were longer.

It is very competent in just about everything it tries, though it does not break new ground anywhere really. If you've ever enjoyed a Sunrise mecha anime ... in the past, you'll likely enjoy this one too.

The Japanese performances are excellent as you'd expect, the music is good - especially the opening theme. The strongest element in this show for me was the character designs. There's something about them I find really appealing, something like a cross between Cross Ange and Eureka 7.

Buddy Complex is a mecha anime. It has Aobu Watase, an average 16-year-old high school pupil, go 80 years into the future and be part of a group of mecha warriors with special abilities. He meets a tsundere lad of his own age named Dio Weinberg, and he also runs into the girl who had saved him in 2014 from the attack of a mecha from future named Hina. Then, events carry on.
Now, what makes the Buddy Complex anime wonderful for me, grading it nearly 3 points above its average at MAL is the fact that I wanted to carry on watching it. Dio and ... Aobu are very interesting and loveable characters, one can understand where these two stand in terms of their backgrounds in the story. The production quality is above average and mecha battles are really, truly great. The music score is average. Yet, as I already mentioned, it made me watch it one episode after the other; and ,for the first time in my anime watching years, I started watching an anime and watched 13 episodes and then two extra storyline-concluding-episodes, in one sitting from 15:30 till 01:30. I have had never done this before; not even while watching the best mecha anime I know which is Eighty-Six. So, it was an extraordinary and very pleasurable experience for me. This anime therefore means a lot to me. As a result, from a personal standpoint, I recommend Buddy Complex wholeheartedly.

Story: 7/10
Buddy Complex is a mecha anime from Sunrise that does not push any boundaries, unlike Valvrave. At the first battle scene you will think that is this really not a strange anime?

"Connect with Dio"
"Acception"

What the heck??
However, the story development is very well done. The battles display differing tactics after failed attempts rather than having the same few machines doing the same few moves against each other, which happens in quite a few of Sunrise's previous mecha series. It is a delight to see how our main characters get out of the various difficult situations they are forced into.

Art: 8/10
Coming from Sunrise, it ... is not much of a surprise that the art and sound are well done. The character are normal, but the art of Luxon and Bradyon is nice, and when both of them in coupling mode is so damn cool, like how the wings glow and all the cg effects stuff. But the 2 mecha still look like some No-grade Gundam. If Buddy Complex have more budget, the mecha will definitely look nicer with a bit of more detail. The battles scenes are amazing and do not have a noticeable amount of re-used scenes. It is a joy to watch for the art and sound alone.

Sound: 9/10
I like both the opening and ending, except the ending somehow give me the feel of watching Gundam Seed ending(note: ending here isn't the final phase). Nevertheless, everything sounds right in this anime. The background music during the battles and while they are on standby fit in very well.

Characters: 10/10
All of the characters seem ordinary. However, they are easily likable and feel human enough not to feel two-dimensional. Also, when they get emotional, there are clear reasons behind them (i.e. their emotional spurts do not seem to be pulled out of nowhere). There are also no noticeable plot holes that I have noticed while casually watching the show. I like Hina a lot in this anime, her depicted character with her long black hair and purple eyes.

Enjoyment: 8/10
This is where the series shines for me. The anime does not become too ridiculous or too boring, and nothing about it bugs me. All the coupling scenes is good, I also enjoy how Aoba always talking about Hina as though Hina is his only one. But it's really enjoyable to see fast action mecha fight that is not one sided, even when it is, it will and must be overwhelming!

Overall: 8.4/10
Overall, this anime does not try to be anything out of the ordinary, but its excellent execution and animation bring this anime as one of the few good mecha anime.

I have to say that the series was pretty interesting. Besides the fact that it contains the usual mecha characteristics, it had a really intriguing and fairly original story line. Because Hina’s relationship with the main protagonist Aoba was kept from the viewers until the very end, it was necessary to complete the anime (including the 2 episode ONA) in order to have all the questions answered. Not only was the story line enjoyable, the action scenes were executed well. The animation was on point and fun to watch, and the character designs as well as the mech designs were well made. I enjoyed watching ... this anime, but I can’t say that it’s one of my favorites. It had elements that I liked very much, but some parts felt rushed. For example, I do wish the relationship between the main characters Aoba and Hina had been developed a little deeper. However, I do recommend watching this anime. It was enjoyable and I don’t regret watching all 13 episodes + the 2 episode ONA.