Aura Battler Dunbine

 is an anime television series created by Yoshiyuki Tomino and produced by Sotsu and Sunrise.
"Dunbine" is set in Byston Well, a parallel world that resembles the countryside of medieval Europe with kingdoms ruled by monarchs in castles, armies of unicorn-riding cavalry armed with swords and crossbows, and little winged creatures called Ferario, flying about offering help or hindrance depending on their mood. The main draw to the series were the insect-like "Aura Battlers", used by the population of Byston Well to fight their wars. These fighting suits are powered by a powerful energy called "aura" or "life energy." Certain people are strong enough with the aura-energy to act as power-supply to these mecha, making them Aura Warriors.
The series aired on Nagoya TV from February 5, 1983, to January 21, 1984, totaling for 49 episodes. There was a three-episode anime OVA sequel, New Story of Aura Battler Dunbine (also known as The Tale of Neo Byston Well) released in 1988.
The series was later dubbed by ADV Films and was released to DVD in North America, along with the original Japanese version in 2003. However, it quickly became out of print, and until 2018, was only available as a digital purchase from the now-defunct Daisuki site, then Sentai Filmworks licensed the series.
Plot.
The series followed Shō Zama, as he suddenly finds himself pulled to the world of Byston Well during a vehicular incident with one of his rivals. Byston Well is located in another dimension located between the sea and the land, and is populated with dragons, castles, knights, and powerful robots known as Aura Battlers. Once Shō is discovered to possess a very powerful "aura", he is drafted into the Byston Well conflict as the pilot of the lavender-colored Dunbine.
As in other Tomino creations, Dunbine's cast is populated by Nordic-looking military types in elaborate costumes on one side, a young Japanese hero caught in the middle, and freedom fighters on the other side. Beautiful female warriors abound on both sides, and the hero falls for the main female lead. There are romances that cut across battle lines, and the non-stop battles between elaborate fighting craft on land and on the air. Most of the cast pilot Aura Battlers, although there are many standard airships, smaller fighters, and large warships as well. Also, in typical Tomino style, a large number of named characters die tragically throughout the series.
Appearances in other media.
"Super Robot Wars".
The Dunbine characters, mecha, and storyline elements make appearances in quite a few games in the "Super Robot Wars" series by Banpresto; most notably the "first" series. Banpresto has gone on to make spinoff series taking place in different universes such as the "Alpha" series and "Impact". However, "Dunbine" has made few appearances in these latter titles, but has recently been making something of a comeback, first returning in "UX", followed almost immediately after by "Operation Extend" and "BX". "T" gives the most recent use of the story.
"Another Century's Episode".
The Dunbine units have also appeared in the "Another Century's Episode" series. In the first sequel, "Another Century's Episode 2", many more units from the Dunbine series are included compared to the amount in the first game, and they have a very large part in the plot. Shō and Marvel, piloting the Bilbine and Dunbine respectively, also acquire a unique team attack. In "Another Century's Episode 3", through the story plot did not involve Dunbine's. But all the player unit continues appear, and Bilbine shares a combination attack with Nanajin from "The Wings of Rean", which also having its world set up in Byston Well.
Video games.
The first three games were produced by Family Soft for the MSX. The 2000 title was released for the PlayStation by Bandai.
"New Story of Aura Battler Dunbine".
"New Story of Aura Battler Dunbine" (also known as "The Tale of Neo Byston Well"), is a three episode anime OVA released in 1988. It is a sequel to the TV Series "Dunbine" set roughly 700 years after the events of the show. It is also the second show set in the fictional medieval land of Byston Well, and is followed by "Garzey's Wing" and "The Wings of Rean".
It was directed by Toshifumi Takizawa ("Samurai 7").
Plot.
700 years have passed since the great war involving Aura Machines ended. In his attempt to conquer Byston Well, the Black Knight Rabaan kidnaps the princess of the nation Baran-Baran – a nation said to hold a legendary treasure. Rabaan also captures Shion, a young hunter.
Shion and the princess, Remul, escape from Rabaan's castle and return to their homeland. There, they find out that the Baran-Baran treasure is actually a powerful Aura Battler, "Sirbine".
Riding the Sirbine, Shion fights against Rabaan's evil forces.