Tomica Bond Combination Earth Granner

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Anime television series

Tomica Bond Combination Earth Granner (Japanese: トミカ絆合体アースグランナー, Hepburn: Tomika Kizuna Gattai Āsu Gurannā)[1] 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.[2] 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).[3] It began airing on all TXN stations in Japan on April 5, 2020.[4]

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.

Characters[edit]

Granners[edit]

Raiga Kudou (駆動 ライガ, Kudō Raiga) / Granner R (グランナーR, Gurannā Āru)
Voiced by: Shizuka Ishigami
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, Kudō Kūga) / Granner K (グランナーK, Gurannā Kē)
Voiced by: Haruna Sakurai
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, Kumaneko Kakeru) / Granner X (グランナーX, Gurannā Ekkusu)[5]
Voiced by: Yūma Uchida[6]
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, Jō Pakēro) / Granner J (グランナーJ, Gurannā Jē)
Voiced by: Shun Horie
A cowboy from America. He is the chosen pilot for Gao Granner Buffalo and its partner.
Go Mach (マッハゴウ, Mahha Gou) / Granner G (グランナーG, Gurannā Jī)
Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama
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[edit]

Gao Granner Leo (ガオグランナーレオ, Gao Gurannā Reo)
Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama
Raiga’s Gao Granner and partner, whose motif is a Lion. Proclaimed to be the King of the Beasts (百獣の王, Hyakujū no Ō), 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, Gao Gurannā Chīta) using a Kizuna Gattai to form the Earth Granner Leo Cheetah (アースグランナー レオチータ, Āsu Gurannā Reo Chīta), who is armed with the Accel Sword (アクセルソード, Akuseru Sōdo), which changes into the Accel Gun (アクセルガン, Akuseru Gan).
When Granner R initiates a Type Change with the Turbo Fire Tomica (ターボファイヤートミカ, Tābo Faiyā Tomika), 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, Āsu Gurannā Reo Chīta Tābo Faiyā), 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, Toruku Rokku Tomika), 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, Āsu Gurannā Reo Chīta Toruku Rokku), which bestows earth abilities.
When Granner R initiates a Type Change with the GT-R Tomica (GT-Rトミカ, Jī Tī Āru Tomika), Leo Cheetah becomes Earth Granner Leo Cheetah GT-R (アースグランナー レオチータ GT-R, Āsu Gurannā Reo Chīta Jī Tī Āru), which grants an increase in power.
Gao Granner Eagle (ガオグランナーイーグル, Gao Gurannā īguru)
Voiced by: Satoshi Hino
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, Sora no Kōtei).
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, Āsu Gurannā Īguru Chīta) 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, Gao Gurannā Shāku) to form the Earth Granner Eagle Shark (アースグランナー イーグルシャーク, Āsu Gurannā Īguru Shāku), who is armed with the Jet Arrow (ジェットアロー, Jetto Arō) which changes into the Jet Spear (ジェットスピア, Jetto Supia).
When Granner K initiates a Type Change with the Aero Tornado Tomica (エアロトルネードトミカ, Earo Torunēdo Tomika), 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, Āsu Gurannā Īguru Chīta Earo Torunēdo) 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, Āsu Gurannā Īguru Shāku Earo Torunēdo), 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, Sukuryū Uēbu Tomika), 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, Āsu Gurannā Īguru Shāku Sukuryū Uēbu), which bestows water abilities.
When Granner K initiates a Type Change with the Supra Tomica (スープラトミカ, Sūpura Tomika), 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, Āsu Gurannā Īguru Shāku Sūpura), which grants an increase in power.
Gao Granner Saber (ガオグランナーサーベル, Gao Gurannā Sāberu)
Voiced by: Akihiro Tajima
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, Gao Gurannā Burakku Pansā) and Gao Granner Crow (ガオグランナークロウ, Gao Gurannā Kurō) to form the Earth Granner Saber Panther (アースグランナー サーベルパンサー, Āsu Gurannā Sāberu Pansā), who is armed with the Saber Fangs (サーベルファング, Sāberu Fangu) and Gao Granner Crow’s weapon forms: the Cross Scissor (クロスシザー, Kurosu Shizā) which changes into the Cross Boomerang (クロスブーメラン, Kurosu Būmeran).
When Granner X initiates a Type Change with the Drift Thunder Tomica (ドリフトサンダートミカ, Dorifuto Sandā Tomika), 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, Āsu Gurannā Sāberu Pansā Dorifuto Sandā), 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, Gurippu Burizādo Tomika), 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, Āsu Gurannā Sāberu Pansā Gurippu Burizādo), which bestows ice abilities.
When Granner X initiates a Type Change with the NSX Tomica (NSXトミカ, Enu Esu Ekkusu Tomika), 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, Āsu Gurannā Sāberu Pansā Enu Esu Ekkusu), which bestows an increase in power.
Gao Granner Buffalo (ガオグランナーバッファロー, Gao Gurannā Buffarō)
Voiced by: Hiromichi Tezuka
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, Gao Gurannā Arigētā) 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, Āsu Gurannā Baffa Gētā), who is armed with the Horn Shield (ホーンシールド, Hōn Shīrudo), which doubles as the Horn Bazooka (ホーンバズーカ, Hōn Bazūka), and the Pile Ax (パイルアックス, Pairu Akkusu), which can combine with the Horn Bazooka drills to form the Pile Hammer (パイルハンマー, Pairu Hanmā).
Gao Granner Tyranno (ガオグランナーティラノ, Gao Gurannā Tirano)
Voiced by: Shintarou Oohata
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, Gao Gurannā Torikeratopusu) 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, Āsu Gurannā Tirano Topusu), who is armed with the Mach Knuckle (マッハナックル, Mahha Nakkuru) Triceratops head, and the Mach Tail (マッハテール, Mahha Tēru), which can convert into the Mach Calibur (マッハカリバー, Mahha Karibā) 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, Gao Gurannā Reddo Putera & Gao Gurannā Burū Putera)
Voiced by: Ryota Asari (Red Ptera); Voiced by: Rikuya Yasuda (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, Āsu Gurannā Tirano Topusu Furu Kasutamu), which bestows Tyranno Tops the ability of flight and arms him with the Mach Boosters (マッハブースター, Mahha Būsutā), the dual Mach Sabers (マッハセイバー, Mahha Seibā), the Mach Rifles (マッハライフル, Mahha Raifuru) and the Mach Launchers (マッハランチャー, Mahha Ranchā).
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, Āsu Gurannā Reo Chīta Reddo Kasutamu), 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, Āsu Gurannā Īguru Shāku Burū Kasutamu), which bestows Eagle Shark the ability of flight and arms him with the Mach Rifles and the Mach Launchers.

Earth Granner[edit]

Bariki Kudou (駆動 バリキ, Kudō Bariki)
Voiced by: Shouto Kashii
Father of the twins. An engineer in Earth Granner and the developer of the Gao Granners.
Ikuzou Kumaneko (熊猫 イクゾウ, Kumaneko Ikuzou)
Voiced by: Takahiro Sumi
The Commander of the organization Earth Granner and both Kakeru and Rin’s father.
Rin Kumaneko (熊猫 リン, Kumaneko Rin)
Voiced by: Emiri Suyama
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, Jairon)
Voiced by: Aya Endo
An AI robot developed by Bariki.
Shigeru Kokudou (国道シゲル, Kokudō Shigeru)
Voiced by: Hiromichi Tezuka
A researcher of Earth Granner, who is an expert on the super-ancient civilization.
Autobahn (アウトバーン, Autobaān)
Voiced by: Hana Sato
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.[7]

Jono Zoo Staff[edit]

Steve (スティーブ, Stīfu)
Voiced by: Jun Fukuyama
Head zookeeper of the zoo.
Madoka Kudou (駆動 マドカ, Kudō Madoka)
Voiced by: Aya Endo
Mother of the twins who works as a vet in the zoo.

Dark Spinner[edit]

Brake (ブレーキ, Burēki)
Voiced by: Takayuki Nakatsukasa
Leader of Dark Spinner and Chamber’s father.
Chamber (チャンバー, Chanbā)
Voiced by: Yūki Wakai
Brake’s daughter and second in command in the Dark Spinner.
Clutch (クラッチ, Kuratchi)
Voiced by: Masaki Nakanishi
A member of the Dark Spinner, a very slender male who follows Chamber’s orders.
Oiler (オイラー, Oirā)
Voiced by: Seiyu Fujiwara
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, Pafupafu)
Voiced by: Tomohiro Yamaguchi
Oiler’s AI assistant, who handles gathering data regarding dark energy.

Production[edit]

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 .[1][8] 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[edit]

The series began airing in Japan in all TXN affiliated stations in Japan on April 5, 2020.[9] 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, Sekai ga Kimi o Hitsuyō to Suru Toki ga Kitanda, “The Time Has Come for the World to Need You”) by Masayoshi Ōishi[10][11][12] while the ending theme is titled “Bokura ga Hero” (僕らがヒーロー, Bokura ga hīrō, “We Are Heroes”) by Da Vinci Poriot. 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.[13]

Video Games[edit]

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, Omocha ga Ataru! Roboka Batoru, “Get the Toy! RoboCar Battle”) alongside Shinkansen Henkei Robo Shinkalion and the Transformers franchises.

Merchandise[edit]

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

References[edit]

External links[edit]