), is a Japanese OVA anime series produced by Bandai Visual, Victor, and Gainax and released from 1988 to 1989.

[5] She is suddenly selected with senior student Kazumi Amano to represent Japan in an upcoming space expedition.

When it is known across the high school that she is the daughter of Yuzo, and that Coach Koichiro Ohta was one of the survivors of the 2015 space attack, Noriko is subjected to bullying and harassment.

Ohta, however, believes Noriko has the same potential as Kazumi, and through "hard work and guts" (努力と根性, Doryoku to konjō), she strives to become the best Machine Weapon pilot and take control of the experimental giant robot Gunbuster (ガンバスター, Ganbasutā) to help Earth win the war against the space monsters.

In addition, a supplemental DVD titled Gunbuster Perfect Guide was released, featuring exclusive interviews with the staff and voice cast plus a 161-page book with original artwork and production notes.

The complete edition also included a bonus disc, full of production materials, never before seen video footage and a 100-page booklet.

[13] On November 24, 2006, Bandai Visual USA released a limited, region-free reprint of the 2004 Region 2 remastered DVD set exclusively at Kinokuniya Bookstores.

[15] On February 20, 2007, Bandai Visual USA officially released the remastered Region 1 DVD box set under their Honneamise label, with the series spanning over three discs like the R2 and R0, but the set lacked the fourth disc of the previous R0, which contained the rough episode five and unmatted episode six, along with other period extras.

In an interview with Anime on DVD, Jonathan Clements stated that "the Music & Effects track has been lost, and [an English dub] would need to be reconstructed from the ground up".

～Fly High～) by Noriko Hidaka and Rei Sakuma, Kohei Tanaka's score for the series' first four episodes, and two original radio dramas.

[39] A box set titled Sound Collection of Gunbuster (トップをねらえ!響綜覧, Top wo Nerae!

The album compiles the first two soundtracks, omitting the opening and ending themes, radio dramas, and character voice clips.

[42] In 1989, Bandai published Comic Gunbuster (コミックガンバスター, Komikku Ganbasutā), an anthology manga featuring side stories of the OVA's characters.

Once again sculpted by Yamaguchi, it is capable of transforming into both Buster Machines, and has parts to replicate tearing out the power generator core.

[46] In November 2006, Bandai released a large diecast toy replica of Gunbuster under the Soul of Chogokin line.

Also included are accessories that can be used to replicate the final scene in episode 6, where Gunbuster removes its degeneracy generator core from its chest.

[48] In 2013, Bandai released a smaller, more affordable Gunbuster figure under the Super Robot Chogokin line.

In contrast to Bandai's diecast toy, this figure is made of resin plastic and priced higher.

Yellow Submarine (a division of Takara) released a poseable doll, while Kotobukiya and Kaiyodo sold non-poseable figures.

Bandai had a limited-edition Noriko & Nono figure set bundled with the North America and Japan DVD release of Gunbuster vs. Diebuster Aim for the Top!

[54] The kit was reissued in August 2020 as the "Black Hole Starship Edition" (縮退炉エディション, Shukutairo Edishon), featuring additional weapons and accessories.

), which features a redesigned waist and hip assembly and includes effect parts and a display stand to replicate Gunbuster's signature attack.

[56] In November 2021, Bandai released a Gunbuster kit from their Shokugan Modeling Project (SMP) Alternative Destiny line.

The 25-episode story featured both roaming adventure scenes where defense pilot Noriko Takaya converses with characters and collects items to develop the story, as well as action scenes that put Noriko and co-pilot Kazumi Amano into the cockpit of Gunbuster to battle in heated combat.

[60] In March 2010, Heiwa Corporation released the pachinko game CR Top wo Nerae!.

[61][62] Cybernetic Hi-School, the third installment of Gainax's eroge strip-quiz video game series for the PC-9801 and MSX, focused on characters from Gunbuster.