The popular Tomica Heroes Jobraver web anime, based on the Tomica toy car line, is making its way to Japanese television. New episodes of the series, titled Tomica Heroes Jobraver: TokusÅ Gattai Robo (Customized Combining Robots), are set to premiere in July, marking a significant expansion for the franchise. Additionally, select episodes will begin airing on TV Tokyo as part of a new childrenās variety program, Tomipla World Norinori Times!!, starting in April, coinciding with Tomicaās 55th anniversary celebration.
From Web to TV: Jobraver’s Expanded Reach
Originally launched as a web anime on Takara Tomy’s official YouTube channel in April 2022, Tomica Heroes Jobraver has garnered a dedicated following. The move to television signifies the growing popularity of the series and its appeal to a wider audience. This transition to TV broadcasts will introduce the exciting world of Jobravers to new viewers, further cementing its place in the hearts of young fans across Japan.
Celebrating 55 Years of Tomica
The anime’s television debut is part of Tomica’s larger 55th-anniversary celebration, adding another layer of excitement for fans. The Tomipla World Norinori Times!! program will serve as a key platform to showcase the Jobraver anime alongside other Tomica-related content, creating a holistic entertainment experience for children and families.
What is Tomica Heroes Jobraver?
The Tomica Heroes Jobraver series centers around the concept of “Braver” units, which are created by combining job-related robots known as “Jobroids” with “Armor Tomica” vehicles. These vehicles represent a variety of professions, including police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and even waste management.
The Core Concept: Combining Robots and Vehicles
This unique combination of robots and real-world vehicles is a key element of the series’ appeal. Each Jobroid is a specialized robot designed to perform a specific job, while the Armor Tomica vehicles are meticulously designed based on actual cars, with supervision from the car manufacturers themselves. This element brings a sense of realism and authenticity to the show.
The Storyline
The series follows the Jobravers as they protect their city from various threats. Initially, Jobroids were created to assist humans and foster coexistence. However, incidents involving Jobroids began to occur, prompting the creation of the Braver project. Jobravers are then formed by combining Jobroids with Armor Tomica vehicles, enhancing their capabilities and allowing them to tackle these incidents effectively. The Jobravers must solve the mysteries behind the rampages and safeguard the city.
Characters and Voice Cast
The anime features a cast of talented voice actors who bring the Jobravers and other characters to life. The main cast includes:
- Shotaro Uzawa as Police Braver
- YÅ«ki Shin as Fire Braver
- Shun Horie as Medi Braver
- Fumihiko Tachiki as Professor
The voice cast also includes Sanae Kobayashi voicing the Jobroids and the commanding officer. Other notable voice actors include KentarÅ Mashiro as Jobroid RAY/Police Braver ZERO, Satsumi Matsuda as Refuse Jobroid BUTCH, Toshiyuki Toyonaga as Clean Braver and Nobuaki Kanemitsu as Factory Manager.
The Toys: Bringing the Anime to Life
The Tomica Heroes Jobraver anime serves as a promotional platform for the Tomica Heroes toy line. The toys feature the same unique combination concept seen in the anime. Children can create their own Jobravers by combining Jobroids with various Armor Tomica vehicles.
Popular Jobraver Toys
Some of the popular toys include:
- Police Braver Nissan GT-R Patrol Car: Combining the Nissan GT-R Patrol Car with a police Jobroid.
- Fire Braver Morita Fire Engine Type CD-I: A fire truck transforming into a robot.
- Medi Braver Toyota Himedic: Combining a Toyota ambulance with a medical Jobroid.
- Tomica Heroes Jobraver DX Skybraver ANA Jet Plane: Featuring a collaboration with All Nippon Airways (ANA), this toy transforms into a mecha and comes with three Jobroids: Pilot Jobroid Tsubasa, CA Jobroid Sekai, and CA Jobroid Musubu.
These toys allow children to recreate their favorite scenes from the anime and invent their own stories, fostering creativity and imagination. The ability to combine different Jobroids with different vehicles adds to the play value of the toy line.
Production and Animation
The Tomica Heroes Jobraver anime is a collaborative effort involving several studios and production teams. The 3D animation is produced by Shogakukan Music & Digital Entertainment and Studio Tridea, with animation production handled by Infinity Vision. Other involved companies include Three S Studio for recording and HALF HĀ·P STUDIO for sound production. The series is streamed on YouTube.
Themes and Appeal
The Tomica Heroes Jobraver series appeals to children by featuring familiar working vehicles transforming into cool robots. The show also emphasizes the importance of teamwork, problem-solving, and community service. The characters work together to protect their city from danger, fostering a sense of responsibility and heroism.
The series’ focus on real-world vehicles also helps children learn about different types of jobs and the vehicles associated with them. This educational component enhances the show’s value and appeal for parents and educators.
The Future of Tomica Heroes Jobraver
The move to television is a significant step for the Tomica Heroes Jobraver franchise. The increased exposure and accessibility offered by television broadcasts are expected to bring in new fans and expand the reach of the series. With new episodes slated for July, fans can look forward to more exciting adventures and robot combinations from the world of Jobravers. As the Tomica brand celebrates its 55th anniversary, the Tomica Heroes Jobraver anime promises to play a significant role in the brand’s ongoing success.
