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Cannon Busters
Cannon Busters
Cannon Busters
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Cannon Busters
Cover of Cannon Busters #0 (2004). Illustration by Rey.
Publication information
PublisherDevil's Due
UDON
FormatOngoing series
Genre
Publication dateMarch 2005
No. of issues3
Creative team
Written byJ. Torres
LeSean Thomas
ArtistCorey Lewis (issue #0)
PencillerLeSean Thomas
ColoristJames Lewis

Cannon Busters is an American fantasy comic book series by LeSean Thomas, launched in March 2005. A Japanese adult animated original net animation (ONA) series by Satelight and Yumeta Company was released on Netflix on August 15, 2019.

Publication history

[edit]

The first issue of the series was due to be published by Com.x in 2003,[1] but moved to Devil's Due in 2004[2] and was published in 2005. It was well received by critics and fans, but due to a very busy schedule, Thomas had decided to reprint and continue the series as an original graphic novel. The graphic novel was due to come out in 2009 and it was speculated that it would have featured a number of guest artists.[3] However, the graphic novel has long since been put on hold, presumably cancelled in favor of reviving the project as an animated production. In 2023 on the Netflix website, it is officially confirmed that animator and screenwriter LeSean Thomas returns to the world of his acclaimed original comic.[4]

Characters

[edit]

Focuses on those featured in the anime, which was not intended to be an exact adaptation. As the anime changed some of the characters' names, they will be listed before the original (in the comics).

Main characters

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  • Philly the Kid (フィリー・ザ・キッド, Firī za Kiddo)
    Voiced by: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka (Japanese); Kenny Blank (English)
    An outlaw and the youngest wanted criminal in the western regions of Gearbolt, Philly in the anime is easily annoyed by his situation, but eventually likes the presence of S.A.M and Casey. He accompanies Samberry on her journey. Philly is also an immortal being, with all of his fatal injuries adding a number.
  • S.A.M (サム, Samu)/Samberry
    Voiced by: Hinaki Yano (Japanese); Kamali Minter (English)
    A young robot girl who is separated from her owner, Prince Toji. S.A.M. has an optimistic, yet naive outlook and enjoys befriending people. If one of her friends were to be in danger, she transforms into a Cannon Buster.
  • Prince Kelby (ケルビー, Kerubī)/Prince Toji
    Voiced by: Junji Majima (Japanese); Zeno Robinson (English)
    The young prince of Botica. Cautious, he was separated from his close friend, S.A.M. when his kingdom was under attack. He had to travel with Odin to Gara's Keep, much to his concern.
  • Locke (ロック, Rokku)/Lock
    Voiced by: Nobuyuki Hiyama (Japanese); Billy Bob Thompson (English)
    A very dark, mysterious man who is in search of the Last Heart which will unlock the secret of Gearbolt, and the power of Mora. After Botica was under attack, he took over the kingdom and killed King Bulgher.
  • 9ine (ナイン, Nain)
    Voiced by: Yōsuke Akimoto (Japanese); Greg Chun (English)
    An alcoholic rōnin who assists Samberry on her journey to find Prince Toji. He is the most level-headed of the group, but would laze around. In the anime, he was believed to be someone after Philly, but later became allies with him, S.A.M. and Casey for some time.
  • Casey Turnbuckle (ケイシー・ターンバックル, Keishī Tānbakkuru)
    Voiced by: Shiori Izawa (Japanese); Stephanie Sheh (English)
    An abandoned assistant and junk mechanic, with an admiration for flying. Casey is optimistic and passionate, that she enjoys looking into whatever mechanism she can find.
  • Odin (オーディン, Ōdin)
    Voiced by: Takaya Kuroda (Japanese); Darien Sills-Evans (English)
    A Botican soldier. He leads Kelby and the robot soldiers through their journey to Gara's Keep. The kingdom's situation has led him to feeling solemn, looking out for Botica's young prince.

Supporting characters

[edit]
  • Hilda (ヒルダ, Hiruda)
    Voiced by: Junko Minagawa (Japanese); Angelique Perrin (English)
    She suddenly encountered Kelby and Odin, seen as an attacker. She was spared and allied with the two of them afterwards, joining them on their way out of Botica.
  • Dex (デックス, Dekkusu)
    Voiced by: Mabuki Ando (Japanese); Mela Lee (English)
    A member of the Fraternity, she lacks arms and uses floating prosthetics. Dex is sly and sinister. She involves herself in hand-to-hand combat, with her prosthetic hands being able to have claws.
  • Bridge (ブリッジ, Burriji)
    Voiced by: Ayaka Shimizu (Japanese); Marin Miller (English)
    A robot in the Fraternity. She usually has a cold expression and would involve herself in hand-to-hand combat. She also pilots their airship.
  • Manic (マニック, Manikku)
    Voiced by: Yuko Īda (Japanese); Kausar Mohammed (English)
    A robot in the Fraternity. Her quirky look contrasts with her condescending energy. She had to fight against 9ine, until he found out she had beer on hand.
  • Coin (コイン, Koin)
    Voiced by: Shima Asakawa (Japanese); Angelique Perrin (English)
    The ninja of the Fraternity. She is able to make clones of herself, but Odin was able to find her weak spot and punched the emblem on her headwear. She is the only member who does not speak.
  • King Bulgher (バルガー王, Barugā-ō)
    Voiced by: Katsuhisa Hōki (Japanese); John Eric Bentley (English)
    The king of Botica. When Kelby wanted to see the city view, Bulgher worried about his son's whereabouts. He was then approached and held captive by Locke, when his kingdom was under attack.
  • 12Welve (トゥエルブ, Tuerubu)
    Voiced by: Rina Kitagawa (Japanese); Sumalee Montano (English)
    A member of the Red Ronin, and a former comrade of 9ine's. It is inferred the two shared feelings towards each other, but their honor and duty keep them going as rōnin.
  • Unit6273 (ユニット６２７３, Yunitto 6273)/Victoria
    Voiced by: Ikumi Hayama (Japanese); Marin Miller (English)
    The assistant droid of 12welve, she quickly becomes friends with and dubbed "Victoria" by Casey in episode 21. She mainly accompanied 12welve, but stayed out of a fight between her and 9ine.
  • Lady Day (レディー・デイ, Redī Dei)
    Voiced by: Misa Watanabe (Japanese); Debra Wilson (English)
    A very mysterious woman who sits in the shadows, she sent various bounty hunters to target Philly the Kid according to his past life experiences. She only appeared in episode 7.
  • Jojo (ジョジョ)
    Voiced by: Tomo Muranaka (Japanese); Melissa Hutchison (English)
    A child who was said to be left alone by his parents, he seemed innocuous unless he was called "short". However, when Casey helped Philly escape afterwards, he reveals his true colors.

Issues

[edit]
  • Cannon Busters #0 (2004, Udon Comics/Devil's Due)
  • Cannon Busters #1 (2005, Udon Comics/Devil's Due)
  • Cannon Busters #2 (2005, Udon Comics/Devil's Due)

Animation

[edit]
Cannon Busters
GenreAction,[5] Fantasy
Original net animation
Directed byLeSean Thomas (chief)
Takahiro Natori
Produced byFumio Kaneko
Written byMatt Wayne
Music byBradley Dennistron
Kevin Begg
StudioSatelight
Yumeta Company
Licensed byNetflix
(streaming)
Crunchyroll, LLC.
(home video)
ReleasedAugust 15, 2019
Runtime24 minutes
Episodes12

In 2014, LeSean Thomas started a crowdfunding drive through Kickstarter for an animated adaptation of Cannon Busters.[6] Helping with the project are Tim Yoon who worked as a producer for shows and films such as The Legend of Korra and Batman: Under the Red Hood, while comic book artist Joe Madureira who assisted with character designs.

A pilot episode was released to backers on July 8, 2016, which would've become the first episode. It featured scratch tracks and an earlier design for S.A.M., where she had straight hair (in a darker shade of yellow) tied into long pigtails. While the pilot was never posted online, snippets of it (along with an earlier version of the theme song) were featured on its first trailer. The last Kickstarter update was posted on June 7, 2018. As of January 1, 2021, the Kickstarter has not been updated and most rewards remain unfulfilled. Requests for a response have not been answered by any of the parties involved.

On August 2, 2017, it was announced that Cannon Busters would be released on Netflix.[7] On July 6, 2018, Netflix announced a March 1, 2019 premiere date.[8] However, the series was delayed as it was not included in the Netflix slate for March 2019.[9] On May 30, 2019, British anime distributor Manga Entertainment appointed Reemsborko Ltd as the worldwide agent for Cannon Busters and that the series would be released on Netflix in late 2019.[10] The series was released on Netflix on August 15, 2019.[11] The 12-episode series was directed and written by LeSean Thomas, with Matt Wayne, Natasha Allegri, Anne Toole, Sib Ventress, Martin Pasko, and Nilah Magruder writing scripts alongside Thomas.[12]

Takahiro Natori debuted as a director with the series with LeSean Thomas himself acting as chief director; character designs were handled by Tetsuya Kumagi, and the series featured music composed by Bradley Denniston and Kevin Begg. Satelight and Yumeta Company produced and co-animated the series.

In mid-December 2020, Sony Music released the series' soundtrack.[13]

On February 16, 2021, Funimation announced they acquired the home video rights to the anime series.[14] It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on May 18, 2021.[15]

No.TitleWritten by
1"High Risk, Low Reward!"LeSean Thomas
Gynoid Sam and her robot companion Casey Turnbuckle arrive in Balloon Town, hoping to find notorious outlaw, "Philly the Kid" in hopes that he will escort them to Gara's Keep- the location of Prince Kelby. There, the robot duo come across The Black Claw bounty hunters pursuing Philly, revealed as an immortal with number tattoos for the count of his deaths. As Philly needs an escape, he accompanies the robots with his ride turning into a battle mech, The Raging Bull. But they are then pursued by Royal Hunter Droids, and a chase leads into the canyon where all droids are destroyed, but the trio are trapped in a ravine.
2"Grifters Gonna Grift"Sib Ventress
When Philly's car, "Bessie", breaks down on the road, the crew manage to drag the vehicle to an abandoned mining town where a woman, "Mama Hitch", offers to help repair the car with her family. However, Hitch's daughter Serena kills Philly and her boys stun Sam and Casey. Hitch plans to use Philly like she has the last few people who wandered into town: food & clothing. While Sam is unconscious, she dreams of the last night she saw Prince Kelby: on his birthday, the Kingdom of Botica fell to a mysterious enemy force, and she was separated from him, knowing only his destination.
3"Watch Out for the Wet Spot"Martin Pasko
Mama Hitch has Serena help her brothers as she works on Philly, who revives and kills Hitch. Serena's brother's ineptitude leads to the two bots managing to escape. When Casey fixes Bessie, she activates Raging Bull Mode to help Philly. As Sam sees Serena hold Philly at gun point, her 'Cannon Buster: Sniper' defense mode activates, killing Serena and destroying the town; Sam shows to retain no memory of her battle mode. Meanwhile, the evil magician reveals his true identity to the captured King of Botica: his forgotten first born son. Learning that Sam is seeking Kelby, the evil magician sends his personal assassin after them. Elsewhere, Captain Odin escorts Prince Kelby through the icy mountains to Valdor on route to Gara's Keep.
4"9INE"Ernie Altbacker
As Philly and the gang stop in Happy Lucky Market Town to buy some supplies, Philly sneaks off to a bar where he hears rumors of a famous unstoppable samurai named 9ine; one of the few survivors of a Samurai group. Even though Philly only sees a very drunk man with a sword, he is cut down in under a second, prompting him to get revenge. After 9ine and Philly's group come under fire at once by bounty hunters, they claim the wreckage for parts and 9ine joins them on their journey out of want of free beer. Arriving in Valdor, the city shows signs of withstanding a siege, and despite Kelby's want for rest, Captain Odin forbids him from nearing the city and teaches him how to survive. Elsewhere, The Black Claw are offered to work with Red Horizon, the dark magician's assassins.
5"21 the Hard Way"Natasha Allegri
Distracted by berating 9ine, Philly has Bessie break down in a forest and then storms off in anger after everyone eats all his food. After Philly gets lost and trapped in a man-eating plant, 9ine follows Sam and Casey to a nearby town to enjoy the nightlife, giving all the free drinks at a game cantina to 9ine. Their fun ends as 12Welve, one of 9ine's former fellow Rōnin, challenges him. Gaining the upper hand, 9ine defeats her, but chooses to let her leave as he still loves her and has changed his character. 12Welve remembers his ruthless past, and seeing 9ine's change, chooses to end her pursuit vowing to meet again. The trio free Philly from the plant, and 9ine takes his leave to settle his original matter; Sam apologizes for eating his food and offers a salad she made.
6"Unfettered"Anne Toole
Philly heads to Madura City, hoping to sell off Sam and Casey to settle a debt he has with a local gangster. However, the town seems completely abandoned. As Philly encounters a supernatural threat, he recalls the reason he gained his immortality in the first place.
7"Lady & The Kid"Bryan E. Hill
Kelby and Odin eke out a slight victory and capture an enemy soldier, though they lose their remaining Botica robot soldiers in the battle. Meanwhile, Philly regales Sam and Casey with a story of how he fought off several bounty hunters sent by Lady Day. In the present, Lady Day sends a droid to find a bounty hunter named Jojo to hunt down Philly.
8"Turnbuckle Ex-Machina"Anne Toole
Philly tries to teach Sam some lessons about acting more friendly and human-like as the crew stops in Zenith, a largely poor town that serves as a de facto dump for the rich, high-tech island floating above them. As Philly tries to get some supplies, Sam wanders off with a strange man, and Casey meets a robot of similar make to himself with a nihilistic outlook on life.
9"Lullaby of the Stars"Natasha Allegri
Sib Ventress
While running from a giant crab, the gang falls down into a seemingly bottomless pit, landing on near-invisible threads. In the pit, they encounter strange beings who see them as saviors, but they demand to be addressed in song.
10"Squeaking Springs Afternoon"Len Uhley
When Bessie breaks down just outside of the town of Squeaking Springs, the gang leave the car in a shop with a pleasant mechanic. While Casey stays behind to fix the car, Sam wanders off around the town, and Philly finds himself arrested for murder while the bounty hunter Jojo tries to kill him.
11"Innocence Lost Pt.1"Nilah Magruder
Kelby's group finally reaches Gara's Keep, but the fortress seems too quiet. Odin decides to scout ahead, and stumbles into an ambush. Meanwhile, Philly's group enters the Keep from the opposite side, hoping to find Kelby themselves.
12"Innocence Lost Pt.2"Matt Wayne
The Fraternity has succeeded in capturing Kelby and has taken him aboard their airship. As Odin and 9ine fight against their respective attackers, Philly hitches a ride on the airship as it takes off, hoping to finish off Kelby himself. Meanwhile, Sam's Cannon Buster programming begins to take over as Casey, riding inside Bessie, tries to calm her down and save their friends at the same time.

See also

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Cannon Busters

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Cannon Busters is an adult animated original net animation (ONA) series created by American animator , based on his eponymous fantasy series launched in 2005. The 12-episode , produced by Japanese studios and , premiered globally on on August 15, 2019, blending action, , and fantasy elements in a post-apocalyptic world called Gearbolt. The series follows S.A.M., a high-end royal-class friendship droid voiced by Hinaki Yano in Japanese and Kamali Minter in English, who embarks on a perilous quest to reunite with her best friend, Toland, the young heir to a kingdom under siege by demonic forces. Accompanying her are Casey Turnbuckle, a quirky discarded maintenance robot (voiced by Shiori Izawa in Japanese and Stephanie Sheh in English), and Philly the Kid, an immortal renegade gunslinger (voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka in Japanese and Kenn Michael in English) who travels in a transforming pink . LeSean Thomas served as chief director and writer, with Takahiro Natori as series director, emphasizing themes of , redemption, and diverse representation through its multicultural cast of characters, including prominent protagonists inspired by Thomas's experiences in the animation industry. Produced over several years following a successful 2014 campaign for a pilot episode, Cannon Busters represents a cross-cultural collaboration between Western storytelling and Japanese production techniques, featuring dynamic designs, explosive action sequences, and a soundtrack composed by Bradley Denniston. The original comic, published by Devil's Due and co-written with J. Torres, introduced the core characters and world-building elements that were expanded in the anime adaptation. Upon release, the series received for its quality and bold visuals but mixed reviews for its pacing and tonal shifts, earning a 6.6/10 rating on from 1,504 users as of 2025 and a "Fresh" 100% critic score on based on 8 reviews. As of 2025, no second season has been announced.

Publication History

Comic Book Series

Cannon Busters is an American comic book series created by LeSean Thomas, blending sci-fi western fantasy elements with robots, outlaws, and Afrocentric character designs in the fantastical world of Gearbolt. The series launched in March 2005 through Devil's Due Publishing in association with UDON Entertainment. It began with a promotional preview issue #0 in 2004, co-written by Thomas and J. Torres with artwork by Corey Lewis. The main series debuted with issue #1 in March 2005, also co-written by Thomas and Torres, featuring Thomas's artwork and introducing the core narrative of a royal-class friendship droid's perilous journey across Gearbolt. Issue #2 followed later in 2005, but the series concluded after issue #2. A collection compiling the issues was planned for release in but never published. The comics had limited distribution, primarily available through specialty shops and conventions. This unfinished project later served as the foundation for the adaptation, reviving the concept through and international production.

Anime Adaptation Development

The development of the Cannon Busters adaptation originated from creator LeSean Thomas's 2005 comic series, which spanned three issues and laid the foundation for the project's expansive fantasy world. In November 2014, Thomas launched a campaign to fund an 8-10 minute animated pilot episode, setting a goal of $120,000; the effort succeeded, raising $156,535 from 2,429 backers, enabling initial production work. Scriptwriting for the pilot commenced in early 2015, with Thomas collaborating on the narrative alongside writer Eric Calderon, finalizing the script by April of that year. Production began at Japanese studio in April 2015, incorporating international talent for character designs and mechanical elements. The pilot episode was completed and released exclusively to Kickstarter backers on July 8, 2016, showcasing early animation sequences that highlighted the story's blend of action, humor, and world-building. On August 2, 2017, Netflix announced its acquisition of the project, greenlighting it as an original net animation (ONA) series with a 12-episode order, marking a significant expansion from the comic's limited run. This deal positioned Cannon Busters among 's initial slate of original productions, emphasizing Thomas's vision for deeper lore and character arcs. The July 2019 further confirmed production details, including the series premiere date of August 15, 2019, and the directing team of chief director and director Takahiro Natori. Production for the full series ramped up in 2018, involving Japanese studios and for , building on the pilot's foundation to develop a complete season that incorporated Thomas's broader world-building ambitions beyond the comic's three issues. This phase focused on scripting the 12 episodes with contributions from writers like and Anne Toole, ensuring a cohesive narrative arc while adapting and extending the original material.

Plot Overview

Comic Narrative

The Cannon Busters comic series is set on the planet Gearbolt, a post-apocalyptic blending remnants of extinct magic, advanced , and lawless western-style outlaws roaming vast deserts. The unfolds in the progressive Kingdom of Botica during the anniversary celebration of a unifying among Gearbolt's five kingdoms, which is abruptly shattered by an assault from the mysterious sorcerer LOCK and his mechanical minions seeking a powerful device for ultimate domination. At the center of the story is Philly the Kid, an immortal and evading capture across the barren landscapes, where he encounters robotic entities amid escalating royal intrigue. These encounters reveal hints of a broader conspiracy tied to the besieged Kingdom of Botica, as royal assistant droid Sam, separated from Prince Toji during the attack, navigates dangers in Gearbolt's unforgiving terrain while searching for a way back to her charge. The series employs a short, episodic structure across its three issues (#0–2), prioritizing high-octane action sequences and dynamic visuals over extensive world-building or lore, with adventures emphasizing bounty hunts, robotic skirmishes, and fleeting alliances in Gearbolt's unforgiving terrain. The comic ran for three issues and was left open-ended, with a planned third issue unreleased.

Anime Story Arc

In the world of Gearbolt, the anime follows S.A.M., a high-end friendship droid, and Casey, a discarded repair bot, as they embark on a perilous quest to rescue Prince Kelby, the heir to the kingdom of Botica, from his kidnappers following an invasion. The story unfolds across 12 episodes in an episodic structure, blending high-octane adventures with character-driven progression toward the kingdom's restoration. The major arc centers on the duo's capture of the immortal outlaw Philly the Kid, who reluctantly serves as their guide despite his aversion to companionship; the trio travels in Bessie, a sentient robot that transforms for combat, while evading relentless bounty hunters, clashing with , and confronting the schemes of the usurper Locke, who seeks to solidify his rule over Botica. Episodes 1-3 establish this core group dynamic through initial chases and uneasy alliances in locations like Balloon Town, setting the tone for their cross-country journey. Mid-season episodes 4-8 delve into side quests, such as recruiting the enigmatic swordsman 9ine in a bustling and engaging in intense magical battles against various foes, which test the group's cohesion amid betrayals and mechanical mishaps. The narrative draws brief inspiration from the comic's portrayal of Philly the Kid as a lone, cursed gunslinger. Throughout the plot, themes of emerge as bonds are repeatedly tested by betrayals and moral dilemmas, underscored by high-stakes action sequences that fuse transformations with western-style shootouts, emphasizing resilience in a chaotic, magic-infused sci-fi landscape. The finale in episodes 9-12 builds to a climactic on Botica, where the protagonists navigate traps, ally with remnants of the royal guard, and facilitate Kelby's reunion with S.A.M. amid escalating chaos. In the resolution, the group overcomes Locke's primary forces in the kingdom assault, restoring Kelby to his rightful place, though subtle hints of persistent threats across Gearbolt suggest their adventures may continue.

Characters

Protagonists

S.A.M., short for Special Associate Model, is an elite royal friendship droid created as a companion for Prince Kelby, the heir to the kingdom of Botica. Designed with a naive and optimistic personality, she drives the emotional core of the quest by relentlessly seeking to reunite with her best friend after they are separated during an attack on the kingdom. Beneath her friendly exterior lies hidden combat modes, transforming her into a powerful Cannon Buster war golem capable of deploying plasma beams and other weaponry, powered by a combination of advanced technology and forbidden magic. Voiced by Hinaki Yano in Japanese and Kamali Minter in English, S.A.M. serves as the group's steadfast protector, often unaware of the full extent of her deadly capabilities until her friends are threatened. Casey Turnbuckle is a , outdated maintenance with exceptional gadgeteering skills, specializing in repairs and upgrades for machinery. Possessing an explosive temper that contrasts with his small size, he provides through his peppy and eager demeanor while proving indispensable for the group's survival by fixing vehicles and weapons on the fly. Voiced by in Japanese and in English, as an abandoned mechanic bot seeking personal improvement, Casey forms a close bond with S.A.M., joining her journey as a loyal ally who handles the technical challenges of their adventures across Gearbolt. Philly the Kid is an immortal gunslinger and notorious outlaw, cursed with resurrective immortality after a deal involving his soul, allowing him to regenerate from even fatal wounds. An expert marksman with a mysterious past tied to the destruction of his family by Botica's forces, he harbors a deep-seated desire for revenge while living a hedonistic life on the run from assassins and bounty hunters. Voiced by Yoshitsugu Matsuoka in Japanese and Johnny Yong Bosch in English, captured early in the anime storyline, Philly becomes a reluctant ally to S.A.M. and Casey, contributing his combat prowess and sharpshooting skills to their quest despite his foul-mouthed and self-serving personality gradually softening through their interactions. Prince Kelby is the young heir to the throne of Botica, a tech-savvy but inexperienced royal who serves as the focal point of the protagonists' rescue mission. Voiced by Junji Majima in Japanese and Zeno Robinson in English, initially naive and somewhat bratty, reflecting his sheltered upbringing in one of Gearbolt's most affluent kingdoms, Kelby undergoes significant personal growth during his captivity, learning resilience and independence away from his protective guardians. As S.A.M.'s closest friend, his abduction by forces besieging Botica propels the central narrative, highlighting themes of loyalty and maturation. Bessie is a sentient, shape-shifting modeled after a classic , functioning as the group's primary vehicle and heavily armed protector. Capable of transforming from a six-wheeled road cruiser into a massive minotaur-like mech with formidable , including cannons and capabilities, Bessie endures rough treatment from her owner Philly while loyally carrying the team through perilous terrains. Her durable yet frequently breaking-down frame adds to the adventure's challenges, emphasizing resourcefulness in the protagonists' journey.

Antagonists and Allies

Locke serves as the primary antagonist in Cannon Busters, a power-hungry general and illegitimate son of King Bulgher who murders his father to usurp the throne of Botica, forging a pact with the Essence of Magic to become the Mystic Emperor. He commands a vast army of soldiers and elite assassins from The Fraternity, driving the central conflict through his that destabilizes the kingdom of Gearbolt and unleashes magical and technological threats across the land. Locke's arc unfolds progressively, marked by strategic conquests and a climactic final on Botica's remnants, where his ambitions for absolute dominion are fully realized. Odin is a stoic human warrior and the greatest fighter of the kingdom of Botica, serving as the personal to Prince Kelby. Voiced by in Japanese and in English, he accompanies the prince during their escape from Locke's invasion, using his immense strength and combat skills to protect Kelby from pursuers and enforce order through tactical precision against the emperor's forces. Among the more ambiguous figures is 9ine, an enigmatic ronin swordsman and occasional ally to the protagonists, renowned as the world's greatest blade master. Voiced by in Japanese and in English, joining the central group midway through the series, 9ine contributes his unparalleled combat prowess and superhuman speed to key battles against Locke's forces, though his chronic inebriation and shifting allegiances—stemming from a wandering, self-serving code—keep his true intentions unclear. Other antagonists include key members of Locke's elite squad, The Fraternity. Dex is Locke's right-hand woman and leader of the group, using her floating prosthetic hands equipped with sharp claws as weapons in her pursuits. Manic is a chaotic inventor within The Fraternity, deploying her erratic genius to create improvised gadgets and unconventional weaponry that support the emperor's campaigns. Hilda is a skilled initially serving in Locke's forces, bound by a personal code of honor. Voiced by in Japanese and Angelique Perrin in English, she encounters and battles Kelby and before being defeated and taken prisoner, evolving into a reliable ally who offers tactical expertise and firepower to the group in high-stakes pursuits. Minor antagonists, such as rival bounty hunters and Locke's lesser mecha patrols, introduce episodic challenges that test alliances and highlight the broader tyranny, adding layers of tension without overshadowing the emperor's overarching plot.

Production Details

Creative Team and Influences

LeSean Thomas, an African-American animator, writer, and comic book artist born in 1975 and raised in the Bronx, New York, serves as the creator, writer, and chief director of Cannon Busters. His background in hip-hop culture profoundly shaped the project's dynamic pacing and stylistic flair, drawing parallels to the genre's innovative evolution in blending diverse elements. Thomas's early exposure to anime, particularly Shinichiro Watanabe's Cowboy Bebop, inspired the series' anthology-like structure and global appeal, while influences from post-apocalyptic westerns like Mad Max informed its high-stakes adventure and vehicular action motifs. Thomas's experience as supervising character designer and co-director on The Boondocks directly influenced Cannon Busters' emphasis on Black and diverse representation, placing characters of color in fantastical roles such as immortal bounty hunters and robotic protagonists without relying on stereotypes. This approach stems from his commitment to inclusive fantasy narratives, challenging the industry's typical aesthetics by fusing sensibilities—like bold, expressive designs—with Japanese techniques to highlight multicultural casts. The adaptation's creative team expanded to include Japanese talent, with Takahiro Natori as co-director, overseeing episode storyboards and contributing to the fluid action choreography across the 12-episode series. For the original , artist Corey Lewis provided illustrations for Issue #0, a 2004 preview edition co-written by and J. Torres. Production at studio was led by producer Fumio Kaneko, incorporating key visuals from various Japanese animators such as those from Art Base Bam and GAON; also supervised the English dub to maintain the project's cross-cultural voice.

Technical Aspects

The anime adaptation of Cannon Busters was produced by and , employing a hybrid animation approach that combined traditional 2D hand-drawn techniques for character movements and expressions with 3D CGI elements specifically for designs and vehicle transformations, such as the dynamic shifts of Bessie the Cadillac. This integration allowed for seamless transitions between organic, fluid 2D sequences and more rigid 3D models, enhancing the spectacle of action-oriented scenes while maintaining the comic's bold aesthetic. Each of the 12 episodes runs approximately 24 minutes, structured to balance narrative progression with high-energy action, particularly in fight sequences that utilize sakuga—highlight —to emphasize explosive effects and rapid pacing, as seen in the choreography of Gun Su's confrontations. These moments prioritize kinetic energy and visual impact, drawing on the studios' expertise in animation to create a sense of scale in battles. The sound design features an original score composed by Bradley Denniston, which captures the series' frenetic action and expansive world through a dynamic mix of instrumental tracks, supplemented by original songs that incorporate hip-hop and R&B influences for thematic depth. The English dub, directed by , utilizes a of predominantly Los Angeles-based voice actors, including as Casey and Kenn Michael as Philly the Kid, to deliver authentic performances aligned with the production's cross-cultural vision under LeSean Thomas's creative direction. Visually, the series adopts a vibrant, cel-shaded style reminiscent of blended with flair, featuring diverse character designs that incorporate exaggerated proportions—like elongated limbs and oversized features—and Afro-futuristic motifs, such as intricate hairstyles and culturally resonant attire, to evoke a post-apocalyptic sci-fi western landscape. This approach highlights the comic's static panel energy in motion, with bold color palettes and stylized shading that amplify the chaotic, adventurous tone. Production faced challenges in adapting the source comic's static, detailed panels to anime's fluid motion requirements, particularly in translating intricate character designs and action layouts without simplifying for animation efficiency. These were addressed through iterative collaboration between Thomas and Japanese designers like Suezen (Fumio Iida), who refined visuals for volume and anatomy while preserving the original's essence, culminating in a 13-minute pilot tested and premiered at Otakon in 2016 to positive audience feedback that informed the full series. Delays from Satelight's concurrent projects, such as Symphogear, further necessitated budget-conscious decisions on animation cuts and quality.

Reception and Impact

Critical Reviews

Upon its Netflix premiere on August 15, 2019, Cannon Busters garnered positive initial reception from critics, earning a 100% approval rating on based on eight reviews, though the audience score settled at 68%. The series also received a 7/10 from , which described it as an entertaining "popcorn flick" with strong conceptual world-building bolstered by vibrant visuals. User ratings were more mixed, with averaging 6.42 out of 10 from approximately 22,500 users as of November 2025 and at 6.6 out of 10 from approximately 1,500 users. Critics frequently praised the anime's stunning , energetic action, and diverse cast, including prominent leads like the immortal gunslinger Philly the Kid, voiced by Kenn Michael. CBR commended its "fun with diverse, colorful characters," emphasizing the striking character designs, eclectic backgrounds, and well-paced action sequences that kept viewers engaged. Similarly, highlighted the high "cool factor" from unique elements like the coin-slot car and flashy fight scenes, particularly those involving the drunken ronin character, while noting the smooth English dub. Common criticisms focused on pacing issues in the mid-season and underdeveloped subplots, with some reviewers noting tonal shifts from to that disrupted narrative flow. assigned a B- grade, critiquing the inconsistent world-building from its mishmash of sci-fi, fantasy, and western tropes, as well as the unresolved major plot after just 12 episodes. Decider acknowledged the action-packed enjoyment but observed that the series remained firmly within genre conventions without transcending them, leading to occasionally uneven storytelling. The original Cannon Busters comic, launched in March 2005 by and published by and Devil's Due, received sparse professional reviews and no major awards, though early coverage noted its bold visuals blending The Wizard of Oz and Mad Max influences. Post-2019 retrospectives, such as a 2021 Anime Feminist , continued to praise the series' entertainment value and representational strengths for its longevity in discussions, despite the absence of sequel announcements by 2025, which has tempered ongoing critical discourse.

Cultural Significance

Cannon Busters marked a pivotal diversity milestone in anime as the first major series helmed by a Black creator, , and featuring a predominantly Black voice cast, including actors like Kamali Minter, Kenn Michael, and , which directly confronted the genre's longstanding lack of racial and ethnic homogeneity. The franchise spurred broader conversations on Afro-futurism within , blending sci-fi, fantasy, and Western elements to center protagonists in non-stereotypical roles; a Anime Feminist analysis praised it for delivering Black-centered narratives free from trauma-driven social issues, emphasizing adventure and empowerment instead. In terms of industry legacy, Cannon Busters helped establish Netflix's model for creator-led original , influencing subsequent projects like Thomas's in and highlighting the potential for reviving independent comics through high-profile adaptations. The series fostered an engaged fan community active since 2019 on Reddit's r/CannonBusters subreddit and the dedicated Fandom wiki, where users exchange depictions—such as of Philly the Kid—and that underscore themes of resilience and cultural empowerment. As of , no new installments or media expansions have materialized for the franchise, yet it remains a reference point in diversity-focused panels at anime conventions, including discussions at .

References

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