Tomica Bond Combination Earth Granner

Tomica Kizuna Mode Combine Earth Granner (トミカ絆合体アースグランナー) is a Japanese anime television series produced and animated by OLM, Inc., based on the long running Tomica series of die-cast metal cars created by Takara Tomy and released for the franchise's 50th anniversary. It is directed by Shinji Ushiro (Yo-kai Watch) and written by Yuka Yamada (Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, Asteroid in Love) with character designs done by Yuko Inoue (Inazuma Eleven). It began airing on all TXN stations in Japan on April 5, 2020.

Plot
Raiga and Kuuga Kudou are twin brothers who like animals and sometimes help their mother in the zoo where she works. However one day, an alien gang known as Dark Spinner appeared on Earth, aiming to obtain the Earth Energy from the Earth's rotation and started to wreak havoc on the planet by summoning huge monsters known as Spingers. In the midst of chaos and the attack on their town, Raiga and Kuga heard voices calling to them, leading them to encounter the defense group Earth Granner. Raiga and Kuuga both became pilots of special machines called Gao Granners, and assume a secret identity. These machines can combine with sub-machines in order to become powerful super robots, as humanity's trump card to protect the planet from the threat of Dark Spinner.

Granners

 * Raiga Kudou (駆動 ライガ) / Granner R (グランナーR)
 * Twin brother of Kuuga. A 12-year-old who is chosen by Gao Granner Leo to be its partner.
 * Twin brother of Kuuga. A 12-year-old who is chosen by Gao Granner Leo to be its partner.


 * Kuuga Kudou (駆動 クウガ) / Granner K (グランナーK)
 * Twin brother of Raiga. A 12-year-old who is chosen by Gao Granner Eagle to be its partner.
 * Twin brother of Raiga. A 12-year-old who is chosen by Gao Granner Eagle to be its partner.


 * Kakeru Kumaneko (熊猫 カケル) / Granner X (グランナーX)
 * A mysterious boy who is one of first Granner Candidates before Raiga and Kuuga. He disappeared a year before the events of the series, later appearing in the series being tricked into attacking the current Earth Granners by the Dark Spinner until he rejoined Earth Granner. He is also the chosen pilot for Gao Granner Saber and its partner.
 * A mysterious boy who is one of first Granner Candidates before Raiga and Kuuga. He disappeared a year before the events of the series, later appearing in the series being tricked into attacking the current Earth Granners by the Dark Spinner until he rejoined Earth Granner. He is also the chosen pilot for Gao Granner Saber and its partner.


 * Joe Pachero (ジョー・パケーロ) / Granner J (グランナーJ)
 * A cowboy from America. He is the chosen pilot for Gao Granner Buffalo and its partner.
 * A cowboy from America. He is the chosen pilot for Gao Granner Buffalo and its partner.


 * Go Mach (マッハゴウ) / Granner G (グランナーG)
 * A famous racer who was once a candidate driver of Gao Granner Leo. He is able to become a Granner by forging a bond with Gao Granner Tyranno, becoming its chosen pilot and partner.
 * A famous racer who was once a candidate driver of Gao Granner Leo. He is able to become a Granner by forging a bond with Gao Granner Tyranno, becoming its chosen pilot and partner.

Gao Granners

 * Gao Granner Leo (ガオグランナーレオ)
 * Raiga's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Lion. Proclaimed to be the King of the Beasts (百獣の王), and has a lively personality. However, he doesn't like water.
 * Raiga's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Lion. Proclaimed to be the King of the Beasts (百獣の王), and has a lively personality. However, he doesn't like water.


 * He is able to combine with his partner, Gao Granner Cheetah (ガオグランナーチータ) using a Kizuna Gattai to form the Earth Granner Leo Cheetah (アースグランナー レオチータ), who is armed with the Accel Sword (アクセルソード), which changes into the Accel Gun (アクセルガン).
 * When Granner R initiates a Type Change with the Turbo Fire Tomica (ターボファイヤートミカ), Leo Cheetah becomes Earth Granner Leo Cheetah Turbo Fire (アースグランナー レオチータ ターボファイヤー), which bestows fire abilities.
 * When Granner R initiates a Type Change with the Torque Rock Tomica (トルクロックトミカ), Leo Cheetah becomes Earth Granner Leo Cheetah Torque Rock (アースグランナー レオチータ トルクロック), which bestows earth abilities.
 * When Granner R initiates a Type Change with the GT-R Tomica (GT-Rトミカ), Leo Cheetah becomes Earth Granner Leo Cheetah GT-R (アースグランナー レオチータ GT-R), which grants an increase in power.


 * Gao Granner Eagle (ガオグランナーイーグル)
 * Kuuga's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is an Eagle. Both calm and intelligent but sometimes forgets when he's driven to desperation and indignation. Proclaims to be the Emperor of the Sky (空の皇帝).
 * Kuuga's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is an Eagle. Both calm and intelligent but sometimes forgets when he's driven to desperation and indignation. Proclaims to be the Emperor of the Sky (空の皇帝).


 * He is able to combine with Gao Granner Cheetah to form the Earth Granner Eagle Cheetah (アースグランナー イーグルチータ) who is armed with the Accel Gun. He is also able to combine with his true partner, Gao Granner Shark (ガオグランナーシャーク) to form the Earth Granner Eagle Shark (アースグランナー イーグルシャーク), who is armed with the Jet Arrow (ジェットアロー) which changes into the Jet Spear (ジェットスピア).
 * When Granner K initiates a Type Change with the Aero Tornado Tomica (エアロトルネードトミカ), both Eagle Cheetah and Eagle Shark becomes Earth Granner Eagle Cheetah Aero Tornado (アースグランナー イーグルチータ エアロトルネー) and Earth Granner Eagle Shark Aero Tornado (アースグランナー イーグルシャーク エアロトルネー), which bestows wind abilities.
 * When Granner K initiates a Type Change with the Screw Wave Tomica (スクリューウェーブトミカ), Eagle Shark becomes Earth Granner Eagle Shark Screw Wave (アースグランナー レオチータ トルクロック スクリューウェーブ), which bestows water abilities.
 * When Granner K initiates a Type Change with the Supra Tomica (スープラトミカ), Eagle Shark becomes Earth Granner Eagle Shark Supra (アースグランナー イーグルシャーク スープラ), which grants an increase in power.


 * Gao Granner Saber (ガオグランナーサーベル)
 * Kakeru's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Saber-toothed tiger. He is one of the prototype Gao Granners constructed several years ago until his disappearance alongside his pilot.
 * Kakeru's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Saber-toothed tiger. He is one of the prototype Gao Granners constructed several years ago until his disappearance alongside his pilot.


 * He is able to combine with his partners, Gao Granner Black Panther (ガオグランナー ブラックパンサー) and Gao Granner Crow (ガオグランナークロウ) to form the Earth Granner Saber Panther (アースグランナー サーベルパンサー), who is armed with the Saber Fangs (サーベルファング) and Gao Granner Crow's weapon forms: the Cross Scissor (クロスシザー) which changes into the Cross Boomerang (クロスブーメラン).
 * When Granner X initiates a Type Change with the Drift Thunder Tomica (ドリフトサンダートミカ), Saber Panther becomes Earth Granner Saber Panther Drift Thunder (アースグランナー サーベルパンサー ドリフトサンダー), which bestows lightning abilities.
 * When Granner X initiates a Type Change with the Grip Blizzard Tomica (グリップブリザードトミカ), Saber Panther becomes Earth Granner Saber Panther Grip Blizzard (アースグランナー サーベルパンサー グリップブリザード), which bestows ice abilities.
 * When Granner X initiates a Type Change with the NSX Tomica (NSXトミカ), Saber Panther becomes Earth Granner Saber Panther NSX (アースグランナー サーベルパンサー NSX), which bestows an increase in power.


 * Gao Granner Buffalo (ガオグランナーバッファロー)
 * Joe's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Buffalo. He is energetic, friendly and loves to show-off, but is severely loyal to Joe.
 * Joe's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Buffalo. He is energetic, friendly and loves to show-off, but is severely loyal to Joe.


 * He is able to combine with Gao Granner Alligator (ガオグランナーアリゲーター) using a Kizuna Gattai to form the Earth Granner Buffa Gator (アースグランナー バッファゲーター), who is armed with the Horn Shield (ホーンシールド), which doubles as the Horn Bazooka (ホーンバズーカ), and the Pile Ax (パイルアックス), which can combine with the Horn Bazooka drills to form the Pile Hammer (パイルハンマー).


 * Gao Granner Tyranno (ガオグランナーティラノ)
 * Granner G's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Tyrannosaurus rex. Due to being a dinosaur, his intelligence was limited and couldn't speak until he forged a bond with Go Mach, which allowed him to become a Granner.
 * Granner G's Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Tyrannosaurus rex. Due to being a dinosaur, his intelligence was limited and couldn't speak until he forged a bond with Go Mach, which allowed him to become a Granner.


 * He is able to combine with Gao Granner Triceratops (ガオグランナートリケラトプス) using a Kizuna Gattai to form the Earth Granner Tyranno Tops (アースグランナー ティラノトプス), who is armed with the Mach Knuckle (マッハナックル) Triceratops head, and the Mach Tail (マッハテール), which can convert into the Mach Calibur (マッハカリバー) longsword.


 * Gao Granner Red Ptera & Gao Granner Blue Ptera (ガオグランナーレッドプテラ & ガオグランナーブループテラ)
 * (Red Ptera); (Blue Ptera)
 * Duo Gao Granner jets, whose motif are two Pteranodons.
 * They can initiate a Custom Change combination with Earth Granner Tyranno Tops to form Earth Granner Tyranno Tops Full Custom (アースグランナー ティラノトプス フルカスタム), which bestows Tyranno Tops the ability of flight and arms him with the Mach Boosters (マッハブースター), the dual Mach Sabers (マッハセイバー), the Mach Rifles (マッハライフル) and the Mach Launchers (マッハランチャー).
 * Red Ptera can initiate a Custom Change combination with Earth Granner Leo Cheetah to form Earth Granner Leo Cheetah Red Custom (アースグランナー レオチータ レッドカスタム), which bestows Leo Cheetah the ability of flight and arms him with the Mach Sabers.
 * Blue Ptera can initiate a Custom Change combination with Earth Granner Eagle Shark to form Earth Granner Eagle Shark Blue Custom (アースグランナー イーグルシャーク ブルーカスタム), which bestows Eagle Shark the ability of flight and arms him with the Mach Rifles and the Mach Launchers.

Earth Granner

 * Bariki Kudou (駆動 バリキ)
 * Father of the twins. An engineer in Earth Granner and the developer of the Gao Granners.
 * Father of the twins. An engineer in Earth Granner and the developer of the Gao Granners.


 * Ikuzou Kumaneko (熊猫 イクゾウ)
 * The Commander of the organization Earth Granner and both Kakeru and Rin's father.
 * The Commander of the organization Earth Granner and both Kakeru and Rin's father.


 * Rin Kumaneko (熊猫 リン)
 * Younger sister of Kakeru. Head operator of Earth Granner, who is in fact a 12-year-old and one of the twins' school mates.
 * Younger sister of Kakeru. Head operator of Earth Granner, who is in fact a 12-year-old and one of the twins' school mates.


 * Gyron (ジャイロン)
 * An AI robot developed by Bariki.
 * An AI robot developed by Bariki.


 * Shigeru Kokudou (国道シゲル)
 * A researcher of Earth Granner, who is an expert on the super-ancient civilization.
 * A researcher of Earth Granner, who is an expert on the super-ancient civilization.


 * Autobahn (アウトバーン)
 * A researcher of Earth Granner and the assistant of Shigeru.
 * A researcher of Earth Granner and the assistant of Shigeru.


 * Earth Granner System Voice
 * Voiced by: Maxwell Powers
 * Voice of the system that plays when the characters transform and attack.

Jono Zoo Staff

 * Steve (スティーブ)
 * Head zookeeper of the zoo.
 * Head zookeeper of the zoo.


 * Madoka Kudou (駆動 マドカ)
 * Mother of the twins who works as a vet in the zoo.
 * Mother of the twins who works as a vet in the zoo.

Dark Spinner

 * Brake (ブレーキ)
 * Leader of Dark Spinner and Chamber's father.
 * Leader of Dark Spinner and Chamber's father.


 * Chamber (チャンバー)
 * Brake's daughter and second in command in the Dark Spinner.
 * Brake's daughter and second in command in the Dark Spinner.


 * Clutch (クラッチ)
 * A member of the Dark Spinner, a very slender male who follows Chamber's orders.
 * A member of the Dark Spinner, a very slender male who follows Chamber's orders.


 * Oiler (オイラー)
 * A member of the Dark Spinner, resembling a big fat man. He serves as the mechanic of the trio and usually shown with his AI robot Puff Puff.
 * A member of the Dark Spinner, resembling a big fat man. He serves as the mechanic of the trio and usually shown with his AI robot Puff Puff.


 * Puffpuff (パフパフ)
 * Oiler's AI assistant, who handles gathering data regarding dark energy.
 * Oiler's AI assistant, who handles gathering data regarding dark energy.

Production
Earth Granner was created for the Tomica franchise's 50th anniversary and follows a similar concept of combining mecha as that of its previous series Tomica Hyper Rescue Drive Head Kidō Kyūkyū Keisatsu . An official live stream in February 2020 outlined the basic concept of the upcoming anime as well as the toys, which were first released in April 2020.

Exhibition for the upcoming toyline and anime was meant to be held at the 2020 Anime Japan Expo on March 21, 2020, but the event was cancelled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and information was instead later revealed online.

Anime
The series began airing in Japan in all TXN affiliated stations in Japan on April 5, 2020. The opening theme song is titled "Sekai ga Kimi o Hitsuyou to Suru Toki ga Kitanda" (世界が君を必要とする時が来たんだ) by Masayoshi Ōishi  while the ending theme is titled "Bokura ga Hero" (僕らがヒーロー) by Da Vinci Poirot. The series' music is composed by Noriyuki Asakura (Major, Knights of Sidonia) Takara-Tomy Asia is currently streaming the series in Southeast Asian territories with an English Dub that premiered on November 22, 2020 in YouTube.

Video games
Characters and units from the series were featured in the arcade crossover game Omocha ga Ataru! Roboca Battle (おもちゃがあたる！ロボカバトル) alongside Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion and the Transformers franchises.

Merchandise
The official toys based on the series were released by Takara Tomy under the Tomica brand, including interactive role-play toys.