We believe that the space monsters
most likely come from the centre of the galaxy.
Since their first contact with humanity,
they have implanted their eggs into every young star they encounter and rapidly increased their numbers.
We've come up with some behavioural principles from the tactics they've used,
which, when judged against their sphere of influence...
...gave us some insight into their ultimate goal.
It's the Earth.
Wouldn't it be our sun?
Their goal is to use stars as breeding grounds, isn't it?
To them, stars are merely parasitic hosts to their reproduction.
Their fundamental role is to eliminate mankind.
So, to them, we're like a bacteria which happens to exist within the life form known as the galaxy.
And they're the antibodies that find and eliminate mankind, the bacteria.
That's absurd!
Is it?
On a universal scale
human existence serves no useful purpose.
It's as if, to the galaxy we're simply floating within the Milky Way like cosmic waste.
Episode 4
Have you tried the Andromeda cakes yet?
Not yet.
Let's go get some.
Coming, Noriko?
I'm on garbage detail today, so...
She's so down recently.
No, no.
She's been dumped hard by her Onee-sama, but now...
Now what?
She sticks with Coach all the time.
Maybe they're dating again today.
Eh?
They're lovers? No way!
Did you really split with Noriko?
In that case, maybe I have a shot at getting a date.
With Noriko, of course.
Wha?
You're late. Where have you been?
I'm sorry.
First, let's review what we covered yesterday.
From ignition to full brake.
You have 3 minutes.
Okay!
1
2
3.
Pattern A complete.
1
2
Too slow!
In 3 minutes, the enemy could travel from Mars to the moon!
Yes!
Listen, Takaya, remember one thing.
You're the only one who can protect yourself.
But that doesn't mean you can sacrifice the lives of others.
In order to protect yourself and your fellows,
you must work that much harder!
Yes!
All right, repeat through pattern C 50 times!
Okay, Coach!
What are you doing here?
Didn't you go out with everyone for Andromeda cakes?
Er, uh I was really slow, so I got left behind...
Looks like you've been trained seriously.
How about a duel with me?
Me against you? I couldn't even call that a fight!
You're saying I'd lose?
Why would you say that?
Don't treat me like a fool!
I know Coach is giving you special training for the new weapon.
That's...
Your breakup with her was just a ruse!
A train will be arriving shortly. Please remain behind the white line.
Show me what you've learned so far.
All right.
The spray gun is loaded with mock ammunition.
It won't explode, but it'll give you an electric shock.
There will be no holding back!
Got it?
Coach Ohta had his sights set on Noriko right from the start,
not me, Noriko!
I'm a Gunbuster pilot.
No matter what Onee-sama says,
or what Jung and the others think.
I have to do this.
Yes, For Smith, too.
Smith!
Where are you?
Smith!
Noriko!
No! I can't do it!
I don't wanna go!
I don't wanna go out into space!
I don't want to...
What were you trying to do with Noriko?
Nothing much. I just wanted to duel with her in space.
I guess there was no need to bother, though.
Jealous of Noriko? You've sunken rather low.
And what about you?
Coach chose Noriko.
Not you or me.
But the next time she goes out into space, she's gonna die.
Of course, that's assuming she goes out at all.
I suppose so.
Die?
I'm next?
Smith...
So, what do you want to ask me?
How long are you going to keep putting Takaya-san through all of this?
Until it's over. All over.
Gunbuster was designed for me.
Isn't it a bit too much for her?
I've had enough of your conceit.
Gunbuster is a weapon that needs both of you.
Instead of fretting over her, hone your own skills.
You're the one who's conceited.
What makes you think you can mould people any way you want?
Let me be the tool to exact your revenge! Isn't that enough?!
Don't involve her.
Now, if you'll excuse me.
Is that all?
The next time she goes out into space, she won't come back.
If she can't save herself, how can she save others, Coach?
You can't put spilt milk back into a glass.
Amano.
Yes.
I'll tell you one thing.
When you do spill milk, just pour some more.
That's all.
The fleet will begin its final long-distance warp in 3 hours.
What we fear the most at this point in time...
is enemy pursuit of the fleet.
That would effectively lead them into our Sol System.
This must be avoided at all costs.
Hence, we'll warp to our Sol System directly from subspace
where radar doesn't work.
It's a highly unusual measure,
but it gives the enemy little opportunity to follow us.
It's been a difficult voyage but you've all done a fine job.
When we arrive, it'll be July 23rd, 2023 in our Sol System.
With any luck, we'll catch Halley's Comet just off the starboard bow.
Awesome!
Quiet!
This is our final task.
So perform it with all due vigilance.
Dismissed!
All right, we've only got a little ways to go!
I'm counting on you.
This is Starboard 8th block 5-7-22.
20 minutes, 30 seconds until warp.
All hands, report to your stations.
We're almost back to the Earth.
Smith, you are with me, right?
I should visit your home town
and go meet your mother.
And then...
20 minutes until warp.
Switching to emergency power.
What shall I eat first back on Earth?
I'd rather go shopping first!
Fashion styles must have totally changed!
Let's buy some swimsuits and go to the beach!
30 seconds until warp.
How is Gunbuster?
Well, we'll need more time to run a full diagnostic on the degeneracy generator.
Frankly speaking...
I hope to return to Earth safely without using it.
Well, I'll be counting on you.
Understood.
Captain, beginning secondary acceleration.
Roger that. I'll leave it in your hands.
Destination, Sol System, recognized.
All right, engage vanishing motor!
Engaging!
10 seconds until warp.
Ready for subspace entry.
Commence warp.
An enemy attack!
Attack? That's not possible!
Newtonian mechanics don't apply in subspace!
How did they find us without radar?
Open all cannon ports!
What heading?
Forget the heading! Just start firing!
This is an emergency!
We've encountered the enemy in subspace.
We're currently engaging them.
All hands, assume Level 1 Battle Stations!
Repeat!
All hands, assume Level 1 Battle Stations!
Are the other ships under attack as well?
What's the status?
Our radar doesn't show anything! Until we get out of subspace,
no way to figure out.
Heavy damage to hull plating layer #1!
Plasma cloud leak in hangar #3!
We're leaving subspace.
No! We can't warp out now!
We'll paint a giant bull's-eye on the Earth if we do!
We can't! It's too late!
How could this happen?!
Damage report of the following ships?
12% of the fleet made it out of subspace.
All of our smaller ships have been destroyed.
I see.
No, correction!
All that made it out was our ship and 12 others!
Those other ship silhouettes are all enemy vessels!
Top Squadron, emergency launch!
Equip all units with type-B armament, on the double!
All squadrons, launch immediately after finishing preparations.
Your top priority is to defend the fleet.
What are you waiting for?
There's a problem with the left gyro in Linda's machine.
I understand.
Linda, use Takaya's machine.
Yes.
Takaya, remain on standby.
Eh...
Okay.
The Top Squadron and Cosmo-Attackers have all launched.
All crewmen, perform emergency repair to areas with A-level damage.
Kikuchi-kun, what's the enemy's status?
Yes. The enemy has 22 ships.
The one we believe to be the leader is moving at approximately 10% light speed.
The rest are surrounding our fleet and moving parallel to us.
All right. Let's do it, Executive Officer.
Target the largest space monster.
Prepare for an all-out blitz!
Set all photon torpedoes.
Open the launch tubes!
Roger. Opening the launch tubes.
Measurements complete!
Error adjustment, vertical angle, 3 degrees.
All torpedoes are ready to fire!
Fire all torpedoes!
Got it!
It's still alive after direct hits from photon torpedoes?
What kind of creature is this?
Several smaller enemies are approaching our ship.
20 seconds until contact.
All cannons, open fire!
Engage them!
That makes 23!
We've got more incoming!
Oh, no!
If I went out into space...
would I really die?
Is that why Coach put me on the sidelines?
No one... No one would...
I can't blame them.
I'm always such a cry-baby.
Even if no one comes back, and I'm left all alone...
...would I still just keep crying?
And... and am I going to die like this?
Linda!
You monster!
Bow destroyed!
No response from the recharge canister room!
No good! Radar is all out.
Smith, the old me is dying with you.
As of now, I am reborn.
I won't cry any more.
I won't rely on anyone else.
I'll see this through to the end with my own strength!
Severe damage to stern!
Sub-engine #2 destroyed!
Top Squadron, 42% destroyed.
Laser cannons, 85% damaged.
Third bridge, destroyed!
Message from Heavy Cruiser Boson.
"We've lost control."
Which is their flagship?
The one above us, sir, at 35 degrees starboard.
Line of sight distance, 12,000.
Bring the engines to critical.
We'll ram into it if we have to.
Captain...
We cannot allow them to reach the Earth!
Captain!
What now?
Hatch #7 is open!
What?!
Stop, Takaya!
Gunbuster isn't ready yet!
It does have 10 minutes of power.
But it cannot stand sub-light speed combat!
If I have to, I'll just ram it!
Takaya!
Takaya, your target is their flagship.
Ignore all of the small fry!
Coach...
Yes!
Ohta-kun?!
Move out!
Launch!
What is that?
Gunbuster...
Buster beam!
Noriko?!
Noriko is in that thing?
The Cruiser Fermion has been scuttled.
So this ship and Gunbuster are all we have left.
What's Gunbuster's status?
It's in combat with their leader.
It's struggling.
I can't hit it.
It's going too fast!
I've got less than 2 minutes left.
I've got to get it!
Inertial canceller to full!
All right!
Here goes nothing!
No!
Is she suicidal?!
Don't do it!!
Papa... Smith...
Please...
Protect me!
Now I've got you!
What happened to Gunbuster?
Most likely melted and evaporated.
Radar restored.
No sign of the enemy fleet.
They're retreating away from the Sol System.
There it is! It's Gunbuster!
Noriko!
Onee-sama!
Noriko!
To Be Continued
Next Episode Preview
PROJECT PLAN Approved
The project plan was approved so quickly. We don't even have the script yet.
Episode 5 script
first draft
Rejected
It sounds unbelievable, but it's true.
Oh God, what should I do?
Next Time
Aim For The Top!
Next two episodes, only the titles are finalized, Aim For The Top!
Episode 5
Please!! Time Enough for Love!
Episode 5: Please!! Time Enough for Love!
Final Episode
At the End of Eternity...
And the Final Episode: At the End of Eternity.
Don't miss it
Inazuma Kick!