Crush Gear Turbo

Crush Gear, known in Japan as Gekitou! Crush Gear Turbo (激闘!クラッシュギアTURBO), is a Japanese anime television series produced by Sunrise. It aired from October 2001 to January 2003, with 68 episodes. The series is about people throwing mechanical vehicles called "Gears" into a large ring to fight and "crush" one another. The story centers on Kouya Marino, a young boy who loves Crush Gear and dreams of becoming the world champion.

A standalone sequel, titled Crush Gear Nitro, aired from February 2003 to January 2004.

Plot
Crush Gear is a fictional sport of battling machines that can be customized for maximum impact. Opponents meet at games where they Gear Fight, and the winner is determined when a fighter's Gear is able to push its opponent off the battlefield.

''Gekitou! Crush Gear Turbo'' tells the story of Kouya Marino, an eleven-year-old boy who is a member of the Tobita Club, a Japanese Crush Gear team led by his late older brother, Yuhya Marino—the Asian Cup champion who was qualified for the World Cup finals—, who died in a tragic accident four years ago. Kouya's skills are nowhere near his brother's, and is nearly disqualified when he arrived late at the clubhouse for an elimination match. Yuhya's former teammate, Takeshi Manganji quits the team and forms a club of his own, forcing the rest of the members to join his new group, the Manganji Club. As the Tobita Club is facing the threat of extinction, Kouya refuses to give up and comes to inherit a Crush Gear from his late brother, the Garuda Eagle. Kouya must find a way to reinstate the Tobita Club back to its former glory. With the help of his new teammates, he eventually develops his techniques in Gear Fighting and comes to feel that Crush Gear is an important friend, leading him to victory. By recognizing the same feelings in his opponent, he becomes friends even with his rival.

Main characters

 * Kouya Marino (真理野 コウヤ)
 * The main protagonist of the series and the captain of the Tobita Club, Kouya is a young Gear Fighter who aims to be the number one in the Crush Gear world.
 * Naotake Furusato, producer of Crush Gear Turbo, said that the creators "lost a lot of sleep over" trying to name the main character. Furusato credits director Shūji Iuchi with the final naming. The creators decided to use "Kouya" as the name "had a ring to it like brothers would have and that made it kind of realistic" and that the name literally means "wilderness" and "sounded right for a main character". Furusato added that the name "Kouya" made him want to see the character "grow up big and strong".
 * Naotake Furusato, producer of Crush Gear Turbo, said that the creators "lost a lot of sleep over" trying to name the main character. Furusato credits director Shūji Iuchi with the final naming. The creators decided to use "Kouya" as the name "had a ring to it like brothers would have and that made it kind of realistic" and that the name literally means "wilderness" and "sounded right for a main character". Furusato added that the name "Kouya" made him want to see the character "grow up big and strong".


 * Jirou Oriza (織座 ジロウ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Tobita Club, Jirou is a former baseball pitcher who likes to eat red-bean buns. He is Kouya's closest teammate and friend. Jirou has a crush on the team's deputy owner, Lilika.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Tobita Club, Jirou is a former baseball pitcher who likes to eat red-bean buns. He is Kouya's closest teammate and friend. Jirou has a crush on the team's deputy owner, Lilika.


 * Kyousuke Jin (迅 キョウスケ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Tobita Club, Kyousuke is known as a genius Gear Master, a mechanic with superior skills in tuning, maintaining and customizing Crush Gears. He was Kuroudo's former teammate in Team Griffon.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Tobita Club, Kyousuke is known as a genius Gear Master, a mechanic with superior skills in tuning, maintaining and customizing Crush Gears. He was Kuroudo's former teammate in Team Griffon.


 * Kuroudo Marume (丸目 クロウド)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Tobita Club, Kuroudo is a kendo swordsman with an excellent sense of hearing. He was Kyousuke's former teammate in Team Griffon.
 * Furusato said that Kuroudo's name originates from a samurai in the Edo period.
 * Furusato said that Kuroudo's name originates from a samurai in the Edo period.


 * Kaoru Hanano (華野 カオル)
 * Kouya's childhood friend and the young manager of the Tobita Club team, Kaoru often provides informations about various Gear Fighters to her teammates.
 * Kouya's childhood friend and the young manager of the Tobita Club team, Kaoru often provides informations about various Gear Fighters to her teammates.


 * Takeshi Manganji (万願寺 タケシ)
 * The leader of the Manganji Club and Kouya's rival, Manganji is a powerful Gear Fighter who comes from a wealthy family that runs their own business company.
 * Furusato described the name "Manganji" as having "an image of wealth" – He added that "Japanese people are suckers for names that end in "ji"! (laughs)"
 * Furusato described the name "Manganji" as having "an image of wealth" – He added that "Japanese people are suckers for names that end in "ji"! (laughs)"


 * Lilika Tobita (飛田 リリカ)
 * A key member of the Tobita Club serving as the team's deputy owner, Lilika is managing the group alongside Kaoru and watching over the members.
 * A key member of the Tobita Club serving as the team's deputy owner, Lilika is managing the group alongside Kaoru and watching over the members.

Recurring characters

 * Yuhya Marino (真理野 ユウヤ)
 * A genius Gear Fighter and Kouya's deceased older brother, Yuhya was the late former captain of the Tobita Club and the former champion of the Asia Cup tournament. Four years prior to the start of the series, he was killed in an unfortunate accident just before the final match of the World Cup tournament. Yuhya often appears in flashbacks.
 * Furusato said that Yuhya's name was decided on early in the production.
 * Furusato said that Yuhya's name was decided on early in the production.


 * Marimo Marino (真理野 マリモ)
 * Kouya and Yuhya's mother, who owns a café called La Mére du Marino.
 * Kouya and Yuhya's mother, who owns a café called La Mére du Marino.


 * Tateo Marino (真理野 タテオ)
 * Kouya and Yuhya's father and Marimo's husband.
 * Kouya and Yuhya's father and Marimo's husband.


 * Gou Manganji (万願寺豪)
 * Manganji's father, who is the president of the Manganji Group corporation.
 * Manganji's father, who is the president of the Manganji Group corporation.


 * Shinnosuke Gomano (胡麻野シンノスケ)
 * Manganji's loyal sidekick and a member of the Manganji Club.
 * Manganji's loyal sidekick and a member of the Manganji Club.


 * Daikichi Momita (揉田ダイキチ)
 * Manganji's loyal sidekick and a member of the Manganji Club.
 * Manganji's loyal sidekick and a member of the Manganji Club.


 * Nobiru Koike (小池ノビル)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Central Club, a team consisting of Gear Fighters from central Japan.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Central Club, a team consisting of Gear Fighters from central Japan.


 * Chota Aida (相田チョータ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Central Club team.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Central Club team.


 * Futoshi Harano (原野フトシ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Central Club team.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Central Club team.


 * Fuuko Nagidori (凪鳥フウコ)
 * Shingo's younger sister and Kouya's classmate.
 * Shingo's younger sister and Kouya's classmate.


 * Shingo Nagidori (凪鳥シンゴ)
 * A Gear Fighter and former member of the Tobita Club during Yuhya's generation.
 * A Gear Fighter and former member of the Tobita Club during Yuhya's generation.


 * Burning Octopus (バーニングオクトパス)
 * A team of mischievous Gear Fighters from the Kansai region, consisting of quadruplet brothers Tarou Takoyama (多古山太郎), Jirou Takoyama (多古山次郎), Saburou Takoyama (多古山三郎), and Shirou Takoyama (多古山四郎).
 * A team of mischievous Gear Fighters from the Kansai region, consisting of quadruplet brothers Tarou Takoyama (多古山太郎), Jirou Takoyama (多古山次郎), Saburou Takoyama (多古山三郎), and Shirou Takoyama (多古山四郎).


 * Eddie Kobayashi (エディ小林)
 * A snooker player and underground Gear Fighter who is a member of the Mighty Gears, a team by the Manganji Club consisting of Gear Fighters exceling in their own field in sports. Eddie is Kuroudo's rival.
 * A snooker player and underground Gear Fighter who is a member of the Mighty Gears, a team by the Manganji Club consisting of Gear Fighters exceling in their own field in sports. Eddie is Kuroudo's rival.


 * Taki Hiroomi (滝ヒロオミ)
 * A skateboarder and one of the Gear Fighters of the Mighty Gears team. Taki is Jirou's best friend and former baseball catcher.
 * A skateboarder and one of the Gear Fighters of the Mighty Gears team. Taki is Jirou's best friend and former baseball catcher.


 * Kishin Ōkawa (大川キシン)
 * An intelligent shogi (chess) player and one of the Gear Fighters of the Mighty Gears team. Kishin is Kyousuke's arch-nemesis.
 * An intelligent shogi (chess) player and one of the Gear Fighters of the Mighty Gears team. Kishin is Kyousuke's arch-nemesis.


 * Satoru Todoroki (轟サトル)
 * A GPX kart racer and one of the Gear Fighters of the Mighty Gears team.
 * A GPX kart racer and one of the Gear Fighters of the Mighty Gears team.


 * Ichidou Takekura (武蔵一道)
 * A kendo master from Hokkaido.
 * A kendo master from Hokkaido.


 * Mitsuki Ohmori (大森 ミツキ)
 * A Gear Fighter and the captain of Team Griffon, who is a former teammate of Kuroudo and Kyousuke.
 * A Gear Fighter and the captain of Team Griffon, who is a former teammate of Kuroudo and Kyousuke.


 * Hiroshi Washida (鷲田ヒロシ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of Team Griffon.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of Team Griffon.


 * Kazuya Shishigawa (獅子川カズヤ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of Team Griffon.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of Team Griffon.


 * Sougen Manganji (万願寺宗玄)
 * Manganji's grandfather, who is a renowned calligrapher.
 * Manganji's grandfather, who is a renowned calligrapher.


 * Kurosaki (黒崎)
 * Manganji's trusted bodyguard.
 * Manganji's trusted bodyguard.


 * Wang Hu (王虎)
 * An outgoing, cheerful Gear Fighter and member of the Si Xing Hu Tuan, a team consisting of Chinese Gear Fighters. Wang Hu is Kouya's friend and rival.
 * An outgoing, cheerful Gear Fighter and member of the Si Xing Hu Tuan, a team consisting of Chinese Gear Fighters. Wang Hu is Kouya's friend and rival.


 * Lan Fang (蘭芳)
 * A Gear Fighter and the only female member of the Si Xing Hu Tuan team, Lan Fang is Wang Hu's adoptive older sister. She is also Kyousuke's love interest.
 * A Gear Fighter and the only female member of the Si Xing Hu Tuan team, Lan Fang is Wang Hu's adoptive older sister. She is also Kyousuke's love interest.


 * Ming Wu (明呉)
 * The antagonistic coach of the Si Xing Hu Tuan team and Wang Hu's adoptive father, Ming Wu is ambitious, radical, and manipulative.
 * The antagonistic coach of the Si Xing Hu Tuan team and Wang Hu's adoptive father, Ming Wu is ambitious, radical, and manipulative.


 * Ma Liang (馬良)
 * A Gear Fighter and the captain of the Si Xing Hu Tuan team.
 * A Gear Fighter and the captain of the Si Xing Hu Tuan team.


 * Li Chun (李春)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Si Xing Hu Tuan team.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Si Xing Hu Tuan team.


 * Dan Midou (御堂 ダン)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Manganji Dreams, an elite team by the Manganji Club consisting of gifted Gear Fighters with special training from the Manganji Laboratory.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Manganji Dreams, an elite team by the Manganji Club consisting of gifted Gear Fighters with special training from the Manganji Laboratory.


 * Rai Shinomiya (篠宮 ライ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Manganji Dreams team, who is Rin's twin brother.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Manganji Dreams team, who is Rin's twin brother.


 * Rin Shinomiya (篠宮 リン)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Manganji Dreams team, who is Rai's twin sister.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Manganji Dreams team, who is Rai's twin sister.


 * Alex Borg (アレックス・ボーグ)
 * A Gear Fighter and former member of the Tobita Club during Yuhya's generation. Alex is a Gear Master who is Jirou's friend.
 * A Gear Fighter and former member of the Tobita Club during Yuhya's generation. Alex is a Gear Master who is Jirou's friend.


 * Brad Fincher (ブラッド・フィンチャー)
 * A young Hollywood movie star and the arrogant Gear Fighter of the Star Brad team.
 * A young Hollywood movie star and the arrogant Gear Fighter of the Star Brad team.


 * Gallen Connellheim (ガレン・コンネルヘイム)
 * A Gear Fighter and the captain of the Euro Griffon team, Gallen is a strict coach whose training methods pushes the team members too hard.
 * A Gear Fighter and the captain of the Euro Griffon team, Gallen is a strict coach whose training methods pushes the team members too hard.


 * Gina Firestein (ジーナ・ファイアスティン)
 * The current chairwoman of the Gear Fight Association (GFA).
 * The current chairwoman of the Gear Fight Association (GFA).


 * Carlos Ferrein / "U-YA" (カルロス・フェラン)
 * A mysterious Gear Fighter and member of Quo Vadis, a team consisting of Brazilian Gear Fighters.
 * A mysterious Gear Fighter and member of Quo Vadis, a team consisting of Brazilian Gear Fighters.


 * Takaya Tobita (飛田 タカヤ)
 * The founder and coach of Quo Vadis team and Lilika's father. He was originally the founder and former owner of the Tobita Club during Yuhya's generation.
 * The founder and coach of Quo Vadis team and Lilika's father. He was originally the founder and former owner of the Tobita Club during Yuhya's generation.


 * Shane Firestein (シェーン・ファイアスティン)
 * A 22-year-old Gear Master who befriended Kouya in San Francisco. Unbeknownst to everyone else, Shane is Gina Firestein's older brother and the legendary Gear God.
 * A 22-year-old Gear Master who befriended Kouya in San Francisco. Unbeknownst to everyone else, Shane is Gina Firestein's older brother and the legendary Gear God.


 * Crusher Kane (クラッシャー・ケイン)
 * A Gear Fighter who participated in Gear Pancratium, an illegal underground competition that focuses on the destruction of Crush Gears in battle.
 * A Gear Fighter who participated in Gear Pancratium, an illegal underground competition that focuses on the destruction of Crush Gears in battle.


 * Heinrich Gang (ハインリッヒ・ガンク)
 * A gifted Gear Fighter and former champion of the Europe Cup tournament, Heinrich was a former member of the Weiss Ritters, a team consisting of German Gear Fighters. Four years prior to the start of the series, he quit Gear Fighting after the untimely death of his rival, Yuhya Marino in the day of the World Cup finals match.
 * A gifted Gear Fighter and former champion of the Europe Cup tournament, Heinrich was a former member of the Weiss Ritters, a team consisting of German Gear Fighters. Four years prior to the start of the series, he quit Gear Fighting after the untimely death of his rival, Yuhya Marino in the day of the World Cup finals match.

Other characters

 * Ryouichi Ebata (江畑リョウイチ)
 * An arrogant member of the Manganji Club.
 * An arrogant member of the Manganji Club.


 * Q (キュー)
 * A chimpanzee at the zoo where the father of Nagidori siblings works. Q knows how to play Gear Fighting.


 * Kouji Hanano (花野コウジ)
 * Kaoru's uncle, who lives in Hokkaido.
 * Kaoru's uncle, who lives in Hokkaido.


 * God Voice (ゴッドボイス)
 * The host of the Illusion Cup tournament.
 * The host of the Illusion Cup tournament.


 * Taka Shibuya (渋谷タカ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of Club 4649 (Yoroshiku).
 * A Gear Fighter and member of Club 4649 (Yoroshiku).


 * Momo Yamanoki (山野木モモ)
 * A Gear Fighter and the captain of Pink Lips, a team consisting of all-female members.
 * A Gear Fighter and the captain of Pink Lips, a team consisting of all-female members.


 * Koume Aida (愛田コウメ)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Pink Lips team.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Pink Lips team.


 * Crush Mary (クラッシュ・メェリー)
 * A female Crush Gear sportscaster.
 * A female Crush Gear sportscaster.


 * GFA-kun (ジーファくん)
 * The official mascot of the Gear Fight Association.
 * The official mascot of the Gear Fight Association.


 * Kim Yong-dae (金 龍大)
 * A South Korean Gear Fighter and member of Team Kim, who is Yong-sun's younger brother.
 * A South Korean Gear Fighter and member of Team Kim, who is Yong-sun's younger brother.


 * Kim Yong-sun (金 龍乗)
 * The coach of Team Kim and Yong-dae's older brother. Four years prior to the start of the series, Yong-sun was the opponent of Yuhya Marino in the finals of the Asia Cup tournament for 23 rounds.
 * The coach of Team Kim and Yong-dae's older brother. Four years prior to the start of the series, Yong-sun was the opponent of Yuhya Marino in the finals of the Asia Cup tournament for 23 rounds.


 * Tomba Giriran (トンバ・ギリラン)
 * A Singaporean Gear Fighter and member of Team Kemenangan.
 * A Singaporean Gear Fighter and member of Team Kemenangan.


 * Lennard Firestein (レナード・ファイアステイン)
 * The founder and former chairman of the Gear Fight Association (GFA), who is Shane and Gina's father.
 * The founder and former chairman of the Gear Fight Association (GFA), who is Shane and Gina's father.


 * Steve Douglas (スティーブ・ダグラス)
 * A member of the Star Brad team and Brad's friend.
 * A member of the Star Brad team and Brad's friend.


 * Crush Gordon (クラッシュ・ゴードン)
 * The host of the Crush Gear World Cup tournament.
 * The host of the Crush Gear World Cup tournament.


 * Alberto Schweiger (アルベルト・シュバイガー)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Weiss Ritters team.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Weiss Ritters team.


 * Ralf Wenders (ラルフ・ヴェンダース)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Weiss Ritters team.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Weiss Ritters team.


 * Rudolf Steiner (ルドルフ・シュタイナー)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Weiss Ritters team, who is Michael's older brother.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Weiss Ritters team, who is Michael's older brother.


 * Michael Steiner (ミハエル・シュタイナー)
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Weiss Ritters team, who is Rudolf's younger brother.
 * A Gear Fighter and member of the Weiss Ritters team, who is Rudolf's younger brother.


 * Mohamed Ramzy (モハメド・ラムジー)
 * An Egyptian Gear Fighter and member of the Heliopolis team.
 * An Egyptian Gear Fighter and member of the Heliopolis team.


 * God Mama (ゴッドママ)
 * The host of the illegal Gear Pancratium competition.
 * The host of the illegal Gear Pancratium competition.


 * Richard Firestein (リチャード・ファイアステイン)
 * An old mechanic who lives in the woods of Black Forest with a pet dog called Zeus. Richard is Shane and Gina's grandfather.
 * An old mechanic who lives in the woods of Black Forest with a pet dog called Zeus. Richard is Shane and Gina's grandfather.


 * Nina Maier (ニナ・マイヤー)
 * Heinrich's personal maid.
 * Heinrich's personal maid.

Film-only characters

 * Jake Groundstein (ジェイク・グランドシュタイン)
 * Also known as the Gear Emperor (ギア・エンペラー), Jake is Manganji's old friend who is the son of the owner of the Groundstein Group, a rival company of the Manganji Group. He is responsible for stealing and using Kaiservern, the first Crush Gear created in the world.
 * Also known as the Gear Emperor (ギア・エンペラー), Jake is Manganji's old friend who is the son of the owner of the Groundstein Group, a rival company of the Manganji Group. He is responsible for stealing and using Kaiservern, the first Crush Gear created in the world.


 * Gear God (ギアゴッド)
 * A mysterious man at the GFA headquarters who holds a golden front weapon, Goldblade.
 * A mysterious man at the GFA headquarters who holds a golden front weapon, Goldblade.

Production
Planning for Crush Gear Turbo began in March 2001, with intent to begin airing in October 2001. Naotake Furusato, producer of Crush Gear Turbo, received a toy car prototype that used two AA batteries and a motor. The toy car operated in circles instead of straight lines, and operators could cause them to collide with one another. Furusato used this concept to develop Crush Gear Turbo. According to Furusato the show was the first Sunrise production to "genuinely adopt the use of 3D graphics". Furusato added that the 3D rendering allowed the animators to "brilliantly express the stage presence of the Gear Fights" and incorporate effects not in real-life toy gears such as fireworks and smoke. According to Furusato 3D Production Chief Mitsuo Fukuda (福田 己津央) told Furusato that, because there are some elements that may only be expressed in 3D, the series ought to use 3D "to full effect". Furusato concluded that this caused the battle scenes to appear "a little bit unique". Furusato credited the customization and element attributes in each gear to Sunrise's "already well-established know-how". In addition the producer credited his own experience on Gear Fighter Dendoh and director Shūji Iuchi's experience on Mashin Hero Wataru in the formation of Crush Gear Turbo.

Furusato intended for the creators of the series to "encourage children to think and place on value on things like friendship and trust in others" and for the series to express deepening human relationships. He added that the series "got kind of a Heisei Era [1989-2019] "Kyojin no Hoshi" and "Ashita no Joe" feeling to it" and that the current generation of children "are fundamentally a more cheerful lot and go in for a bit of a slapstick flavor".

Anime
''Gekitou! Crush Gear Turbo'', directed by Shūji Iuchi and produced by Sunrise's internal "Studio 10" division alongside Tokyu Agency, premiered in Japan on October 7, 2001, and concluded on January 26, 2003, after 68 episodes on Nagoya TV and TV Asahi. Atsuo Tobe is the character designer for the anime series, with Shinji Aramaki, Susumu Imaishi and Mitsuru Owa as the mechanical art designers. The musical score is composed by Kenichi Sudo and Yogo Kono. The series features two pieces of theme music and one insert song, all performed by JAM Project: the opening theme is "Crush Gear Fight!!", and the ending theme is "Ai dayone!! -Gear wo Tsunagou-" (愛だよねっ!! ～ギアをつなごう～), while the insert theme is "Kaze no Eagle" (風のEAGLE) featuring Hironobu Kageyama. The Filipino dub of the series was premiered in the Philippines in April 2003, on ABS-CBN.

An English-dubbed version was aired in Australia in 2004, on Network 10 and Cartoon Network. This dub also aired in New Zealand on TV3, in the Philippines on Cartoon Network and in Singapore on Kids Central.

Film
Crush Gear Turbo the Movie: Kaiservern's Ultimate Challenge (激闘！クラッシュギアTURBO カイザバーンの挑戦) is a 20-minute short film that was released in Japan on July 20, 2002, as part of Toei Animation Summer 2002 Animation Fair. In this movie, Kouya and Manganji team up against a Gear Emperor who is controlling the world's first gear, Kaiservern. JAM Project performed two pieces of theme music: the insert song is "Get Up Crush Fighter!", and the ending theme is "Alright now! (Movie Re-mix ver.)" featuring Rika Matsumoto.

Manga
The manga adaptation is illustrated by Hisashi Matsumoto. The manga version featured original elements and unique developments, and the Gear Fighting is slightly more realistic than in the anime. It was serialized in Kodansha's magazine, Comic BomBom from October 2001 to January 2003, and released in tankōbon (book) format in four volumes from February 2002 to March 2003. The manga also included three bonus chapters.

The English-language version was licensed in Singapore by Chuang Yi.

Video games
Two video games have been produced based on the series, both published by Bandai and released only in Japan. The PlayStation version of ''Gekitou! Crush Gear Turbo'' was first released on July 25, 2002. ''Gekitou! Crush Gear Turbo: Gear Champion League'' was released for WonderSwan Color on August 10, 2002.

DVD release
In Australia, the English dub of Crush Gear Turbo was released by Magna Pacific. Volumes one and two of the series were released on July 1, 2004; volumes three and four were released on September 8, 2004;  volume five was released on October 6, 2004; volume six was released on November 10, 2004; and volume seven was released on January 19, 2005.