Note
In Japanese, 'Diebuster' (ダイバスター) mainly refers to the super-sized weapon that appear in the story, and when referring to the name of the work, 'Aim for the Top 2!' (トップをねらえ2!) in most cases; note this for tag searches on pixiv.
For that reason, this article has a link in the Japanese article that redirects to 'Aim for the Top 2!' . Please note.
Overview
Diebuster, or "Aim for the Top 2!: DIEBUSTER", is an original video animation series released in 2004. Total of six volumes.
Directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, animation produced by GAINAX.
It is a work commemorating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of Gainax and is a sequel to the OVA GunBuster, one of Gainax's early masterpieces, which was released in 1988.
Hideaki Anno, who directed the previous work, participates as supervisor. The other production staff differs widely from that of GunBuster due to the replacement of core Gainax members over the years and the participation of Hajime Ueda.
If anything, the staff of this work includes more people from the generation that saw "GunBuster" and aspired to a career in animation creation.
Synopsis
A long time has passed since the last "GunBuster", in the far, far future. Humanity is still fighting against beings called 'Space Monsters', and the main players in this battle are the 'Buster Machines' and the 'Topless', boys and girls who operate them and have their own special abilities.
This is the story of the protagonist Nono (ノノ), who admires the legendary 'Nonoriri' and wishes to become a space pilot, and the girl Lal'C (ラルク), one of the 'Topless', who drives the Buster Machine and protects the solar system from the space monsters.
Characters
Nono (ノノ) (Voiced by: Yurika Fukui)
Protagonist. Although she looks exactly like a human being, she is actually an android composed of nanomachines, and her true identity is Buster Machine No. 7. She grew up in Valles Marineris on Mars, as she calls herself. She has no memory of her previous life and calls herself 'Nono' because of her admiration for someone called 'Nonoriri'. Nono admires her and goes to the town to become a space pilot. She adores Lal'C, calling her 'Onee-sama' (elder sister).
Lal'C Mellk Mal (ラルク・メルク・マール) (Voiced by: Maaya Sakamoto)
She is the 'strongest Topless' belonging to the satellite base Mega Nebula above Mars, and was born on Earth. She is the current pilot of the Dix-neuf and has the highest shoot-down score.
She is called 'Princess' by Tycho and Nicola, and her face is widely known and she has many fans because of her scores. She is skilled in the technology of transmitting quantised matter, which she usually uses to summon Dix-neuf, and can also transmit other objects to attack enemies.
She speaks in a somewhat blunt manner and does not appear to have many friends, but she has a kind heart and will help others in times of need.
Tycho Science (チコ・サイエンス) (Voiced by: Miyuki Sawashiro)
Despite her young age, she is the second most shot down and is considered to be the next generation's ace. She sees LaL'C as her rival, and her supreme goal is to win by a score. Personality-wise, she is still a child and selfish, but she is surprisingly observant. She is the only one of the Topless who is close to Cassio, even though she makes him cry.
She lost the boy whom she loved when she was little to illness, and blames herself for not being able to do anything at the time, as well as having doubts about her Topless abilities. However, she overcomes these doubts after a battle and becomes a icebreaker for the Toplesses.
Nicola Vacheron (ニコラス・バセロン) (Voiced by: Mitsuo Iwata)
Nicolas Vacheron, known as "Nicola".
Along with the twins, he is the leader of the Topless. At first glance he appears aloof, but inwardly he is extremely afraid of 'going up' (nearing the end of puberty), when he loses his Topless abilities as he grows up, and he does his utmost to use other people in battle to avoid expending his abilities.
Takashiro Casio (カシオ・タカシロウ) (Voiced by: Takumi Yamazaki)
Ex-topress and former pilot of the Dix-neuf. Now he directs operations, takes care of the Topless and looks after them. Although he only has the title of 'coach', the toplesses take him very lightly. He was an excellent topless, which is hard to imagine from his current appearance, but he was so afraid of 'going up' that he applied for a false 'retiring' himself while he still had the ability and quit topless after only two and a half years.
The name is derived from the brand name of a clock manufacturer, " Casio", a Japanese manufacturer, as there is "no time" for Topless.
Serpentine Sisters (サーペンタイン姉妹)
They are twin sisters, the elder sister Piaget and the younger sister Lecoultre. They are the leaders of the entire Topless and are highly respected. They are a 'two for one' entity, and together they are able to demonstrate their topless abilities. They preside over a 'secret circle' that straddles military and political figures, and are engaged in dubious activities.
Related Illustrations
Related Tags
GunBuster Aim for the Top!: Next Generation
Buster Machine Topless (Diebuster) Nonoriri
