| Episode 1 - Unbelievable! Amano And I Are Pilots!? |
Noriko’s father was a space pilot who dies while protecting the earth from alien attack. Unfazed by this incident, Noriko continues to pursue her goal of becoming a pilot herself. At school, Noriko’s hero is the amazingly talented Amano. When the other girls pick on Noriko, Amano sticks up for her. The trademark headband Noriko wears was actually a gift from Amano. Although many girls train to become pilots, only two can be accepted. When the results are posted Amano is the obvious first choice. However many students are surprised and even angry that Noriko is the second choice. The coach defends his decision in a conversation with Amano stating while she has a great deal to learn, Noriko may be able to pilot Gunbuster. With little confidence even Noriko questions the coach’s decision. He responds by telling her to train harde4r and more seriously, which she then does. While the other students admire her renewed determination, Kashiwara still looks down on Noriko and challenges her to a fight. When Noriko shows up, she is immediately attacked and beat down. Annoyed at the monitor, Noriko shuts it off and commences her attack. Finally, Noriko is able to finish Kashiwara off with a n advanced and difficult move known as the thunder kick. Proving she is worthy, Noriko heads into space training with confidence.
| Episode 2 - The Challenge Of The Fearless Girl Genius! |
When arriving at the space station, Noriko and amino meet a Russian girl named Jung Freud and an instant rivalry is created. Training begins and Noriko’s first exercise is to fly around the moon with her partner Amano. As they begin this exercise, Jung Freud challenges both to a duel. Amano accepts and the battle takes the group into an abandoned ship where they find the remains of a giant alien. As Noriko begins to think of her father, the group is found out by officers. Instead of receiving a severe punishment for disobeying orders, Noriko and Amano are put on probation. Later, Jung Freud joins the girls for a relaxing bath and they all become good friends. Meanwhile, the ships crew notice an unidentified object traveling at light speed near by. Noriko, Amano, and the coach suit up to check it out. Upon closer inspection, the object turns out to be Noriko’s father’s ship. Because it is traveling light speed only minutes have passed since the ship went missing . Noriko panics and enters the ship to check it out. However, Noriko cannot find a trace of anyone and coach finds her just in time to save her from being abandoned. The group returns to base but Noriko is too emotionally hurt to celebrate.
| Episode 3 - Episode 3 - First Love, First Sortie
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During warp everyone on ship is confined to quarters. Not content with telling ghost stories, the other girls dare Noriko to tie her headband off somewhere deep into the ship. While venturing out, Noriko meets a guy named Smith who faces the same dare. After tying off both his and her headbands, the two are caught and punished by Noriko’s coach. The punishment allows Smith and Noriko to become friends. Later when Amano refuses to be partnered up with Noriko to fight aliens, she and Smith become partners. The two venture out into space and Smith quickly claims the offensive leaving Noriko to cover him. After some nerve racking attacks Noriko is left alive, Smith however has died. Feeling helpless and sad Noriko swears to train harder and become a better pilot.
| Episode 4 - Episode 4 - Launch! The Uncompleted Final Weapon |
The possibility of the extinction of the human race is greater than ever as the aliens prepare a massive attack. In the meantime, Noriko increases her training with coach. Jung becomes jealous of the attention Noriko is getting and challenges her to a fight. Still hurting from Smith’s death, Noriko breaks down before she can leave the ship. After being in space for a long time, everyone looks forward to returning to earth for a brief break. However, as everyone prepares for the journey the aliens suddenly attack! Still hurting, Noriko is left behind as everyone else engages in battle. Thinking of Smith, Noriko swears she will not cry anymore and takes Gunbuster into the battle! Using various laser beams, the huge mech makes quick work of the aliens and quickly focuses on the approaching mother ship. When the mother ship is too quick to catch, Noriko allows it to impale Gunbuster. Attached to the ship itself, Noriko destroys it with an electric shock. Everyone is saved and pleased that they may now return to earth.
| Episode 5 - Episode 5 - Please! Save Some Time For Love |
Noriko returns to a changed earth as 4 months in space equals 10 earth years. She is surprised to see her friend Kimiko an adult with a child. Afraid of the approaching alien attack, Kimiko hopes Noriko could get her daughter a spot on an evacuation ship. Noriko tries but cannot and the memory of her friends fuels her desire to save earth. While a new fleet of aliens approach for attack, officials still look for an appropriate plan of action. Coach devises a plan in which an old ship’s warp drive would be exploded, creating a black hole that destroys the aliens. With approval, Noriko and Amano are sent back into space to escort the ship with Gunbuster. The two leave, but are saddened because they know coach only has a few months left to live. After entering space, Amano has an emotional breakdown over never telling coach she loves him. Yet, Noriko helps her return to fighting form just in time for the alien attack. After destroying hundreds of aliens, the ship reaches the center of the alien fleet. Noriko and Amano escape the enormous black hole that engulfs the alien army. The two are happy to see coach is still alive when they return to earth. Amano finally confesses her love and Noriko leaves the two alone in the hospital.
| Episode 6 - At The End Of The Endless Stream |
| Fifteen years have passed, but alien attack still threatens earth. However, man has made an enormous bomb that could eliminate the aliens is it were to explode in the center of their galaxy. Now a coach herself, Amano leaves her students to help with the final attack. When she arrives in space Amano finds Noriko practically the same age as she left her. A surprise attack occurs as the aliens try to destroy the bomb before it can reach their galaxy. All units are forced into a long battle. By the end it seems that the bomb is still okay, but when the time comes, the detonation sequence does not begin. Noriko proposes that Gunbuster’s generator could be used to begin the explosion. The officials agree that that could work and order Noriko to do it. Amano goes with Noriko, hoping to help her escape the explosion once again. The downside to this plan is that even if Noriko and Amano survive they will be in space for at least 100 earth years and everyone they know will be dead. However, the two eagerly accept this fate as the future of all mankind rests in their hands. The two ignite the bomb and the alien race is successfully destroyed! 12,000 years later Noriko and Amano return to earth and are greeted by everyone when the earth lights up in “Welcome Home.” |
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