Gundam Build Fighters Try

I’m sure at one point in our childhood lives, we were fascinated with toys. Toys can do cool things like move around, make noises, and even do a bit of action. But what about Gundams? Piloting one would be impossible with our current technology in the modern world. However, we do have these cool little gadgets called Gunpla that resembles the big bad mecha you see in the franchise. Gundam Build Fighters Try returns for another season where Gunpla takes the skies and our characters steps into the driving seat.

As a direct sequel, you may be asking if it’s imperative to watch the first season ... known as ‘Gundam Build Fighters’. While it’s not entirely necessarily, it is very much recommended as there are cameos from important characters and interconnections to the main story. This season is directed by Shinya Watada and we have three main protagonists - Sekai Kamiki, Yuuma Kousaka, and Fumina Hoshino. They come from a school known as Seiho Academy where they form a team known as ‘Try Fighters’. The story tells of their journey revolving with Gunpla and how the sport revolutionized in their world

If you’re new to the concept of Gundam, be sure to freshen your mind a bit from the first season. Set 7 years after the events of the first season but in the same universe, the sequel doesn’t go into info dumps; although it does revisit concepts on some breather episodes. Instead, the series focuses on Try Fighters and what I call a journey for them to make a name of themselves. But for starters, they debut as underdogs. Because let’s face it, almost everyone starts off as a newbie when it comes to sports. For team Try Fighters, they experiment with Gunpla battles and what it’s like to work together as a team. This is especially true for Sekai as he had virtually no experience involving Gunpla. What’s fascinating about Sekai isn’t just his skill in the martial arts but his great enthusiasm. From his early debut, it’s easy to tell that he shows interest in Gunpla by the style he plays. His adaptation is almost surreal at times when we see how focused he is. On the other hand, we have Yuuma Kousaka who shows little interest at Gunpla. There’s actually a reason for this because of an event from his past although he later regains the confidence to fight again. His relationship with Sekai also has a rocky start as the two constantly gets into arguments. But later on, the show resolves their issues and unites them with the team. That actually brings up the final member of the team, Fumina Hoshino. As the leader, she enlists the help of Sekai and her childhood friend Yuuma to participate in Gunpla battles. For what this is worth, the show is pretty standard when it comes to its ideas. Yet with this basic setup, the show has this unanimous momentum from the beginning.

The first episode clearly illustrates the intensity of Gunpla battles. No less than a minute into the sequel, we have all out battles between Gunpla piloted by skilled players. It’s also noticeable that the show introduces variety with many type of battles throughout the season. Gundam Build Fighters Try isn’t shy to stir up unique twists throughout its story whether it’d be creative battle fields or astonishing tactics to wow the audience. The sequel isn’t a stranger to diversity either with all types of mobile suite appearing from the other Gundam series. This is what will inspire fans to stay in touch with the show especially for those who wants to see them in action again. Not to also mention, the show evolves with both new style of battle and rivals. This revolves with Team Build Try’s journey and the experience they gain by facing against powerful adversaries. The show adds texture to their growth by presenting both wins and losses. By losing, they also learn from their mistakes and it’s what makes them evolve. For what is worth, the show is like an experience for these rising stars.

With a show like this, it also depends on acceptance. If you’re looking for a series involving intergalactic wars or tragic storytelling, then you may be in the wrong place. Gundam Build Try is more of a fun show with interesting concepts involving Gunpla. It has some ambiguous way of storytelling with characters’ roles that all connects with the story. Then, there are the straightforward parts with conventional fashion involving Gunpla. I dare say that the series is also thoughtful when it comes to characters. All of them have some sort of unique personality that makes them stand out on their own. When they are put together as a team, it brings the best out of them individually and collectively. The series also adapts solid action with consistency when it comes to pacing. Every battle (regardless win, loss, or draw) has some sort of meaning that further expands the story’s purposes. If you’re a fan of Gundam and the first season, you may be more surprised by what this season can do.

Despite with all the fun style of the series and its highly entertaining doses, it does suffer some problems. Pacing sometimes become an issue when some episodes feeling a bit sluggish while other times may resolve issue in quick fashions. The show also has a more amateur feeling with the characters looking goofy. In essence, the show doesn’t adapt a serious or mature style like Gundam 00 or Gundam Seed. After all, the show is treated more as a sport for fans united for their passion to compete. The downside of this is that it may sway fans who are looking beyond more than that. Although the series’ story does go beyond Gunpla battles on occasions, it’s still the main focus and patience will be a key to adapt with the season’s style. Sometimes though, the series seems to try a bit too hard with itself. Comedy becomes part of this mix with cheesy lines and interactions. The show’s performance with its overall story tone also feels repetitive and can also be predictable at times. Tossing this aside, there are also moments when the show just feels too goofy for its own good when it comes to themes such as romance.

Similar to the first season, Gundam Build Fighters Try adapts the animation quality with a platform of creativity. Every single Gunpla in the show is unique whether it’s Sekai’s Build Burning Gundam, Fumina’s SD mobile suits, or even Bearguy used by Sekai’s elder sister. Speaking of which, the show also has a colorful sense with its character casts. Mirai Kamiki is designed with elegance and beauty while other characters such as Fumina has a more tomboyish outlook. Sekai may remind people of Reiji from the first season (hey even Ral mentions that he could be his second coming) with his character design. Still, the majority of the creativity comes with the Gunpla models and unique battles they participate in. It also seizes every opportunity to bring out the best of them with its intense battle scenarios. Although many of the battles are team-play, single one-on-one battles are also adapted well with full throttle action. You may sometimes have to catch a break or two after watching.

Soundtrack remains top notch if you are familiar with the first season. The OST exceeded my expectations and will leave you a strong impression if you are a fan for action. As for the main characters, each of them has a good note for their voice. Sekai is a prime example for the energy he brings into this show. Not only that but every character seems to have a life with their voice mannerisms. They also reflect the personalities in battle too when the opportunities come to give them their time to shine. Finally, OP and ED songs are decent with BACK-ON returning for the first theme. The ED songs also have a decorative sequence as a way of motivation.

Gundam Build Fighters Try is a show that I recommend to not just for those who enjoyed the first season but also if you’re interested in something different from the usual mecha wars. The series undertakes the task to adapt this unique sport with a very colorful cast of characters. Throw those in with a variety of Gunpla along the way and you’ll get entertainment. It also has a story of course with a sense of purpose and it never loses track of what it’s trying to do. And although it may lose focus on occasions with its pacing, the show ultimately connects together as a way to celebrate the Gundam franchise.

Gundam build fighters Try is the Sequel to the Gundam build fighters, it takes place 7 years after and introduces us to a whole new range of characters and Gundams which are pitted against each other in battle.
Despite being a sequel, you don't need to have seen the first season to understand what is going on. Its essentially a standalone, and as a standalone its a decent anime. It has an interesting premise, some half decent characters, and a good deal of action to entertain you. It wont be the best thing you watch, nor the worst. HOWEVER, in comparison to the original this ... is an absolute disappointment. If you're considering watching this after seeing the original, I highly recommend avoiding it.

Story: 3

The Story of GBFT revolves around 3 main characters and their journey to win the National gunpla battle tournament. Its very simplistic, without any real plot twists or depth, but that said it has some cool side story moments such as the hospital scene, but that doesn't make up for a generally lackluster plot.

Art: 5

The art in GBFT is decent, the Gundams are nicely drawn with good variety between the models. The beams and explosions look aesthetically pleasing, especially the flames of the Build Burning Gundam. There's also nice texturing on the Gundams when they take damage.
Where it loses points is in the animation. It's really not very special. Many of the fights consist of the same attack animations just be re-used. Especially for the Build Burning. It makes the fights rather lackluster to watch, seeing as how it doesnt really deviate a great deal. The only fight that was really animated well that comes to mind was the exhibition fight in the 25th episode.

Sound: 8

If there is something I love about this series as a whole its the sound. The OST for both series's. The soundtracks are all well done and can standalone as individual songs, the second opening song for Try Fighters were also very nice and is one of my Favorite anime intro's to date.
The sound effects for the fights are also nicely done, the beams sound powerful, and when the gundams break, or hit each other, it sounds like they're actually mecha's and not just plastic models.

Characters: 4

I Mentioned before that in comparison to the original that Try fighters is a disappointment, and it is mostly in the characters. In Build Fighters, Sei and Reiji felt like real people. They didn't act all pretentious, their dialogue was well scripted and sounded like real life conversation (they also didn't feel the need to scream out their attack names EVERY SINGLE TIME).
Try Fighters main characters are somewhat lackluster and one dimensional.
Not to mention pretentious. Sekai is a generic headstrong protag who rushes in without thinking, Yuuma is some 15yr old kid who is depressed cos someone beat him and his character development consists of going from not thinking he's good at Gunpla to having some confidence in himself. That's it.
Fumina starts off being cool, she's the glue of the group and the team leader. She co-ordinates the other 2 and is a strong participant in the battles. Her character changes midway through the series however, after 3rd or 4th battle, she suddenly becomes a supporting character with a crush on Sekai, and begins to take on the generic role of the girl who constantly gets jealous of the main character interacting with other females. Her strength disappears and she ceases to really co-ordinate the team, acting as a support instead.
Outside of the mains, there are some half decent side characters. Some are from the original series, a lot of the new ones conform to generic stereotypes however making them rather boring to watch. (Boxer kid was great tho)

Overall: 5

Really, this is just another generic anime about Gundams. It doesn't have any of the charm of the original series. The characters arent as likable or real, the fights are boring and repetitive. And the dialogue is so cringey at times that I pulled out my phone to distract myself from it.
Not really worth watching, the First season was far, far better.

The first season of Gundam Build Fighters was just amazing because I never expected Gundam Build Fighters too,, be good in the slightest because of growing my bitterness too,, the children anime in general.
It had a great simple story with great writing, amazing characters, wonderful art/animation and the soundtrack was just a masterpiece of art.

The first season of Gundam Build Fighters is personally one of my favourite Gundam shows period.

When I saw Gundam Build Fighters Try for the first I expected too,, be almost as great as the first season of Gundam Build Fighters.
If only that was true.
Hello everyone Shawn aka PhantomKurata and ... I will be reviewing the squeal to the sleeper hit Gundam Build Fighters Gundam Build Fighters Try. Are this show worth the watch let's find out.

Story.
The story are almost literally the same as the first season expect it feels more dumped down this time.
Why you make ask?
Well for starters the writing in this season are clearly not that good because remember the amazing humour that the first season had. Well the first season type of humour are gone and it's replace with meh humour at best too,, cringe-worthy humour at worst.
Secondly this season feels more like a battle shounen more than a hobby that people can enjoy equally because the rivals in the season behave more like a generic villains that just wants power for they own deeds.
That's alone hurts the characterisation for this cast and it's really a shame that writers went for a shounen route this time. The first season had its shounen moments but it was less notable due too,, the great character interactions and strategies that happens in the first season.
Also the battles are all predictable and boring because in S1 theyre was a lot of strategies in the fight and also the battles were almost non predictable. In Try however fights are boring, unexciting and too,, add insult too,, injury they are a bunch of Deus Ex Machina now meaning whenever team try fighters are in a hopeless situation Sekai Gunpla will magically get stronger just too,, advance the plot.
I have admit that some of the fights were hype but the hype factor was negated due to god awful plot armour and Deus Ex Machinas that the Team Try Fighters have.
Lastly the whole theme of enjoying the hobby gets thrown out of the freaking window due to a certain character who literally has no passion or interest of the hobby gunpla.
Overall the story of Build Fighters Try was terrible.
3/10

Characters.
If I have to describe the character cast in a nutshell it would be wasted potential and very poorly written.

Sekai is a terrible main lead who is basically a bootleg Reiji with hardly any reddening values whatsoever.
I will admit he was kinda tolerable in the first few episodes but as the show progressed and once we got to the tournament arc of Try. He devolves into a hot headed Gary Sue. Not gonna a lie.
One thing that I hated about Sekai is how he didn't care about the hobby of gunpla.
All he wants to do is get in the battlefield and spam he's Jigen Haoh School moved towards his opponents without giving a second thought about his teammates as well as his own gunpla.
Overall I really hate Sekai.

Next we have Fumina...
What the hell did you do to this character Sunrise?
Fumina starts off being a potential great female lead because she are a team leader and she was a strong combatant for the first couple of fights.
As the series however literally becomes a supporting character because reasons?
What really pissed me of about this Fumina are ever since she became a supporting character she started doing retarded shit like being a half ass tsundere, joins Sekai 's harem and the final nail of the coffin for Fumina are she literally got nerfed too,, death meaning she are more weak than any supporting characters in the first season. That are just sad.
In general Fumina are just perfect example of a wasted potential character.

You thought Fumina was missed potential Yuuma are literally a badly written character.
He's boring, pretentious, uninteresting and he’s are really a poor man’s Sei, Not too,, mention Yumma sup plot are just terrible because you won’t believe this wonderful writing The main reason why he's depressed and stop playing altogether Gunpla because somebody beat him in a Gunpla battle.
Let's say that again. The main reason why he's depressed and stopped playing Gunpla altogether because somebody beat him in a Gunpla battle.
What’s even worst about this he's stopped playing Gunpla because of humiliation not because of an illness or family issues and by the way those are perfect sup plot sets for this character but no we get a poorly written revenge story instead because we haven't got enough of those stories right.
Overall Yuuma are a terrible character.


The rest of the characters are also not that good.
In fact the side characters in TRY hurt the anime more than the story and the main characters because the side characters here are just really bad.
Don't get me started how comical the rivals here because they don't have any passion for the gunpla battle whatsoever and most of them are doing it for the money, some school pride or some business shit.
Don't get me started with the whole harem thing with Sekai with the three girls.
Also the character interactions were just bad and at times cringe-worthy.
Overall the characters in Gundam Build Fighters Try were really bad and the show biggest fault by a long shot.
2/10

Visuals
The first season of Build Fighters has great looking visuals as well as great animation that hardly has any stock footage. I cannot say the same about Build Fighters Try.
The visuals have stayed the same from season 1 however I feel the character can go a bit too off model at times not to mention some of the character reactions are just downright cringe-worthy.
As for actual animation I honestly thought the animation for Try is a massive step down as half of the fights were choppy as hell as well as having a lot of stock footage especially in the tournament arc where the stock footage became almost as bad as Seed Destiny's Stock Footage. Am not even joking when I say that.
Almost all of Sekai moves are just recycled stock footage from previous fights.
The only good thing about the visuals are the mecha designs which I found most of the them to be pretty cool looking

Overall the visuals of Try were a big step down from season 1 and it has some of the worst animation that I have experience in a Gundam show.
4/10

Sound.
The OST itself are good for what it was but compare too,, the first season its not that great and it times it can be forgettable.
I can hardly remember a single track from the ost at all and this really sad because the first season ost are one of my favourite ost in anime.
The first opening Cerulean by BACK-ON are a good song and it really fits into the show really well and it's also one best parts of Gundam Build Fighters Try. It's catchy as hell and its a good listen.
The second opening Just Fly Away by EDGE of LIFE are also a good song but compare too,, the first opening its just okay and its feels more like a ending theme in my opinion.
Even tho Gundam Build Fighters Try has 2 good openings its simply can't complete with the first season opening 2 wimp ft. Lil’Fang (from FAKY) by BACK-ON because one the song had its own charm and secondly it was catchy and lastly the song was pure hype.

The first ending theme Amazing The World by SCREEN mode are a great song and its easily the best ending theme from the Gundam Build Fighters series.
The second ending theme Mayomayo Compass wa Iranai by StylipS are a okay ending theme. Nothing more nothing less.

At this time of the Gundam Build Fighters Try has a dub and too,, be honest with you. The dub are decent nothing in more nothing less
If you had a choice of sub or dub I would say stick with the sub unless you like watching dubbed anime such as myself.
7/10

Final Thoughts.
Wasted Potential are easily the best way to describe Gundam Build Fighters Try as a whole.
It's has terrible characterisation, pretentious sub plots, weak story, very predictable fights that have contains lots of plot armour and deus ex machina, a borderline forgettable ost, stupid harem and its ultimately unsatisfying at the end.

On its own its a bad Gundam title but if you compare it to the well written first season its a train-wreck.
It takes away the fun of the first season and actually takes away a lot of the charm of the first season and it’s really a shame. If you’re planning to watch this only watch it for the mecha battles.
I honestly rather watch Seed Destiny and Gundam Wing than touch this piece of shit again because least Gundam Wing and Seed Destiny had some good things in it. Try has nothing and because of this its now my third worst Gundam show I have ever seen only losing to F91 and Gundam AGE.

Final Score 3.5/10