B-Daman

B-Daman (ビーダマン, Bīdaman) is a marble shooting toy franchise produced in Japan by Takara. It was originally based on the Bomberman series, but later expanded into other franchises and its own original designs.^[1]

The toy's design is a humanoid figure, with a round cavity in its abdomen that houses a specially made marble (though other marbles of the same size may be used). The marble is launched by pressing a spring-loaded trigger on the back of the figure. Different attachments and accessories can be used to change various traits of the B-Daman, such as its accuracy, power, balance, control, and firing rate. They are customizable, and each have their own special gimmick.

In the Japanese language Battle B-Daman toys, the marbles are referred to as "B-Dama". In all cases they are simply called "marbles" (Japanese: ビー玉; bīdama, hence the name "B-Daman") in Japan. In the English language B-Daman toylines and media, the marbles were originally called 'B-DaBalls", but was later changed to "B-DaMarbles".^{[citation needed]}

In 2020, a spiritual successor to the B-Daman brand was launched with Cap Revolution Bottleman. This series shares the majority of its themes and design language with B-Daman, but uses plastic screw caps instead of marbles.^[2] Some of the toys included in the series are directly based on B-Daman figures and characters, with appropriately updated names.

Timeline

• In 2004, Hasbro collaborated with Takara and Fox Entertainment Group to bring the franchise to the US.^[3]
• In 2005, Hasbro licensed the "Battle B-Daman" configuration of the toy.
• In 2005, Takara licensed the show to Fox Entertainment Group.^{[citation needed]}

Game rules

As the toys are marble launchers at their core, various structured games may be played with them. Hasbro's Battle B-Daman Tournament Sets include rules for the following ten games:^[4][5]

• Direct Hit Battle (DHB): Shoot at each other's B-Daman until the opponent's B-Daman's switch is hit. In the "Zero" system, this causes a cap to block the barrel and prevent any more marbles from being fired (originally a specially made game piece would pop out). A Direct Hit Battle accessory is required.
• B-Daman Blast: Flip 4 target gates with 6 marbles.
• Hard Target: Shooting a battle pins hidden behind target barricades.
• B-Daman Invasion: Shoot at the battle puck in the arena until it reaches opponent's baseline. This is known as "Battle Hockey" in Japan.
• B-Daman Assault: Flip your opponent's gates in 30 seconds.
• Shoot the Gap: Shoot between standing target pins while avoiding hitting them.
• DHB Havoc: Similar to DHB, but the opposing B-Daman is behind target barricades placed in the battlefield.
• Battle Hammer: Try to shoot the puck as far as you can using 5 shots.
• B-DaChallenge: Each player sets up a shot and tries to complete it. If they are successful, their opponent must replicate it. The player that fails to replicate the opponent's shot is the loser.
• Ultimate Strike: A classic bowling-esque game of shooting down as many target pins as possible in one shot.

Toy series

Many iterations of the toy designs have been released over the years.

• Bomberman B-Daman (1993): modeled after Bomberman.^[6]
• Bakugaiden (1995): Assembled from western-style, armor-themed parts, which was the basis for the later Battle B-Daman.
• Bakugaiden II (1996): Was sold with Super Bomberman 4.
• Bakugaiden III (1997): B-Daman can be turned into vehicles.
• Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden IV (1998): Unlike previous series, it is only sold unassembled, with interchangeable parts. Starting from the premier of the TV series, kits are no longer numbered.
• Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden V (1999)
• Battle B-Daman (2003):^[7] This series features the Zero System, which allows for interchangeable parts and customization.
• Crash B-Daman (2005): This series uses a pistol type grip and trigger, making it look vaguely like a pistol laid on its side. It is also compatible with some Battle B-Daman parts. Crash only produced 40 models before being canceled.
• Cross Fight B-Daman (2010)^[8]
• B-Daman Crossfire (2011), released by Hasbro in 2013.^[9]
• B-Daman Fireblast, known as Cross Fight B-Daman eS in Japan (2012)

Adaptations

Manga

• Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden (1997–1999)
• Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden V (1998)
• Super B-Daman (1995–2001)
• B-Legend! Battle B-Daman (2002–2005)
• Crash B-Daman (2006–2007)
• B-Daman Crossfire (2011–2012)
• B-Daman Fireblast (2012–2013)

TV series

• Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden (1998–1999)
• Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden V (1999–2000)
• Super B-Daman (1999)
• Battle B-Daman (2004)
• Battle B-Daman: Fire Spirits! (2005)
• Crash B-Daman (2006)
• B-Daman Crossfire (2011–2012)
• B-Daman Fireblast (2012–2013)

Video games

• Bomberman B-Daman (Super Famicom, Japan Only)
• Super B-Daman (Game Boy, Super Famicom, Japan Only)
• Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden (Game Boy Color, Japan Only)
• B-Densetsu Battle B-Daman (Game Boy Advance)
• B-Densetsu Battle B-Daman 2 (Game Boy Advance, being released in the US as B-Daman: Fire Spirits)
• Super B-Daman: Battle Phoenix 64 (Nintendo 64, Japan Only)

Card

• Bomberman B-Daman Bakugaiden card game
• B-Battle B-Daman card game b-daman scan thit wo the card

See also

• List of toys