super saiyans

The Super Saiyan (超サイヤ人, Sūpā Saiyajin?), was introduced as a fictional legend in the manga series Dragon Ball created by Japanese manga artist Akira Toriyama. The Super Saiyan makes its debut appearance in volume 27 of the 42 volume manga series, better known to general fans as Dragon Ball Z; named so after the anime adaptation of the manga series was split into two sub-series. The Super Saiyan also appears in a third, anime-only series called Dragon Ball GT. In the series, the Super Saiyan is a transformation that is only accessible to characters who possess heritage from the fictional race called the Saiyans. The effects of the transformation results in greatly enhanced physical abilities.
The first transformation to Super Saiyan occurs involuntarily, when a Saiyan has reached his natural limit and is overcome with intense emotion. Future transformations are achieved when the Saiyans massively increase a certain energy in their bodies called chi. As the series continued, the status of the Super Saiyan as being "legendary" is quickly departed from due to more characters developing the ability to transform.[edit] Legend
This account of the Super Saiyan legend is based on the account presented in the manga series, being that the manga account is more consistent with the rest of the Dragon Ball timeline.
The legend of the Super Saiyan is first introduced by the Saiyan prince Vegeta during a period of the series called the Freeza Saga.[1] Even though a detailed description of the legend is stated in the Freeza Saga, an indirect reference was made to it earlier in the series in the previous saga called the Saiyan Saga.[2] The legend told the story of a Saiyan with unlimited power who had existed a millenium prior. The assumption that many Saiyans had was that any Saiyan becoming a Super Saiyan was an extremely rare event, and only being a possible transformation for the stronger individuals of the race.[3] When a Saiyan achieved the state of Super Saiyan, it was said that his pure heart would be overcome by rage, resulting in this radical transformation. The Super Saiyan legend was known by many races, and was considered the strongest being in the galaxy.
Because the Super Saiyan transformation had not been demonstrated by any Saiyan in recorded history, most races that had heard the legend of the Super Saiyan dismissed it as simple mythology, even most Saiyans. This was until several Saiyans emerged that possessed physical potential that had rapidly evolved beyond their known natural limits. The galactic overlord Freeza also had dismissed it as simple legend until he witnessed a genetically weaker Saiyan defeat one of his elite warriors. As a result, Freeza realize that a Super Saiyan emerging was a possibility. Fearing the Saiyans, he destroyed the race and their planet.
However, four Saiyans escaped the destruction (three more would be added from the movies), and one of the four would ascend to the legendary form and use it to defeat Freeza. The original four Saiyans who escaped the destruction were Goku, Vegeta, Raditz and Nappa. Two of them would procreate to produce male Saiyan/Human hybrids.
It was originally stated that a Saiyan must be pure of heart to make the transformation,[4] whether it be pure good or pure evil. The legend also originally stated that only one Super Saiyan would emerge in a thousand years; this is later contradicted when another Super Saiyan appears one year later.[5] As a result, the legendary status of the Super Saiyan ceases and by then end of Dragon Ball, there are numerous other Super Saiyans. It was later discovered that any person with Saiyan heritage was biologically capable of ascending to Super Saiyan if they were powerful enough, but only under the appropriate conditions. In the main series, all the male characters with Saiyan heritage who existed after the Freeza Saga managed to achieve Super Saiyan, and some of the characters managed to achieve advanced Super Saiyan transformations.

[edit] Toriyama's Super Saiyan
Toriyama stated in an interview once that he'd intended the series to end at the Freeza arc, and have Goku die as the only Super Saiyan in the universe. Due to the overwhelming success of Dragon Ball, Toriyama continued the series; making the other characters achieve the Super Saiyan and even ascending past the Super Saiyan. A series of official Dragon Ball guides called Daizenshuu stated that anyone with less then half Saiyan heiritage was not capable of becoming a Super Saiyan because of their blood being too diluted, which explained why the quarter Saiyan female character Pan was not able to reach the Super Saiyan. However, Toriyama later admitted that he couldn't come up with a logical design for a female Super Saiyan, therefore just decided to make Pan not able to become one. In Dragon Ball GT, the Daizenshuu is contradicted when two male descendants of Goku and Vegeta are able to achieve the transformation.

[edit] Transformations
The following descriptions of the transformations are based on the displayed traits in the manga series. The order at which the listing for transformation and characters appear is the chronological order at which the levels were achieved in the primary Dragon Ball timeline.

[edit] Super Saiyan

Goku as a Super Saiyan
Super Saiyan (超サイヤ人, Sūpā Saiyajin?) first appeared in volume 27 of the 42 volume manga series, and continued to appear in all proceeding volumes. In the series, the Super Saiyan is a transformation that occurs when a character of Saiyan heritage has reached their natural physical limit and becomes emotionally distressed; in most instances, from despair or rage.[6] After the initial transformation, the state usually can be utilized at will.
Several noted physical alterations occur with the Super Saiyan. The most noticeable change is that the hair is now a golden yellow, the locks of hair now standing firmly upward. Other altered physical characteristics include the Saiyan's eye color changing to green, clothing and skin tone lightening, and with the muscle mass and features becoming more prominent. The aura of a Super Saiyan is often interpreted as blazing yellow (as portrayed in the anime adaptation), however in the colored manga chapters, the aura is portrayed as white, flame-like waves.[7]
Being that the Super Saiyan is primarily achieved by experiencing rage or despair, Super Saiyans have described themselves as having a constant feeling of "restlessness" or "aggression" while transformed.[8] These feelings are later suppressed as the Saiyan becomes more adept at using the transformation. The first character to appear as a Super Saiyan in the series was Goku after becoming overwhelmed with rage when he witnessed Freeza murder his best friend Kuririn. The Super Saiyan transformation is reverted when the Saiyan's chi becomes too depleted to maintain the transformation, or their chi disperses from either conscious control or force. In the Daizenshuu, it is stated that Goku's first Super Saiyan transformation increased his chi level fiftyfold, however, it is unclear wheather or not the multiplier remains fiftyfold as the series continues.
Confirmed Users:
Goku[9]
Vegeta[10]
Gohan/Future Gohan (Alternate time line)[11]
Broly[12]
Goten[13]
Trunks[14]
Gotenks [15]
Gogeta[16]
Vegetto[17]
Future Trunks
Goku Jr.[18]
Vegeta Jr.[19]

[edit] Super Saiyan 2nd Grade

Vegeta as a Super Saiyan 2nd Grade
Super Saiyan 2nd Grade (超サイヤ人第2段階, Sūpā Saiyajin Daini Dankai), first appeared in volume 32 of the 42 volume manga series and appears in the immediate proceeding volumes. It does not become a frequently used Super Saiyan form as the series continues. As stronger villains were introduced in the series, the Super Saiyans realized that even with the power of the Super Saiyan transformation, they weren't strong enough to defeat the opponents. As a result of these new villains, some of the Super Saiyans vigorously searched for a way to ascend past the standard Super Saiyan form. As a result of their training, the Saiyans discovered an advanced form of Super Saiyan that enabled them access to greater power. The Super Saiyan 2nd Grade occurs when a skilled Super Saiyan increases their chi to a point that advances their abilities beyond the regular Super Saiyan limitations.
This advanced state appears as a Super Saiyan, but with longer, finer hair that is forced further upward. The Saiyan's muscle mass is also significantly increased from the regular Super Saiyan form (however not enough to decrease their speed like the Super Saiyan 3rd Grade), as well as the features becoming more prominent. The ascension from Super Saiyan to this form results in the aura changing from gentle waves to a blazing torrent. The aggression is increased even higher than the original Super Saiyan from. Because this is simply a modified form of the Super Saiyan, it is not considered a truly ascended form.
Confirmed Users:
Vegeta[20]
Future Trunks[21]
Goku[22]

[edit] Super Saiyan 3rd Grade

Trunks as a Super Saiyan 3rd Grade
Super Saiyan 3rd Grade (超サイヤ人第3段階, Sūpā Saiyajin Daisan Dankai) first appears in volume 33 of the 42 volume manga series, and does not appear in any proceeding volumes. In the series, The Super Saiyan 3rd grade was discovered as an advanced form of the Super Saiyan 2nd Grade, that further increased both the abilities and the flaws of the Super Saiyan form. Officially named in the manga by Trunks as "The Super Super Saiyan",[23] the more common name "Ultra Super Saiyan" is unofficial term that was coined by English speaking fans of the series.
This transformation is very similar to the Super Saiyan 2nd Grade form, as it is also not a truly ascended form of Super Saiyan. In order to achieve this Super Saiyan form, the user increases their chi to full capacity, which results in this flawed transformation. This transformation is considered insufficient for battle, as the muscle mass itself has increased to a point that actually drastically inhibits the Saiyan's speed.[24] In addition, the user's chi depletes more quickly because of the amount of chi that this form requires. The flaws of the form were further exposed by both Goku's ascension to, and the villian Cell's mimicry of the Super Saiyan 3rd Grade.[25]
This form appears as a Super Saiyan 2nd Grade with increased muscle mass, as well as the locks of hair becoming more firmly upright than the two previous forms of Super Saiyan. The aura that surrounds the user blazes wildly, even more so from the Super Saiyan 2nd Grade.
Confirmed Users:
Future Trunks[26]
Goku[27]

[edit] Full Power Super Saiyan

Goku and Gohan as Full Power Super Saiyans
Full Power Super Saiyan (超サイヤ人, Furu Powā Sūpā Saiyajin?) is not actually an advanced form of Super Saiyan, but rather a state of peace and physical perfection while at Super Saiyan. The state first appears in volume 33 when the character Son Goku had witnessed and experienced the substantial flaws of the advanced Super Saiyan grades. Son Goku concluded that complete mastery of the original Super Saiyan form was the best way to advance his abilities, and ultimately achieve greater power. As a result, he focused on training his body to suppress the negative effects of the Super Saiyan form, such as chi consumption and the emotional alterations; which he did instead of focusing on advancing his abilities forcibly like Vegeta and Trunks strived to do. By mastering the transformation, the Super Saiyan is able to retain transformation almost subconsciously from having minimal chi loss. By having less chi to contribute to maintaining the transformation itself, the maximum amount of chi can then be focused into the attacks. This complete mastery of the original Super Saiyan form results in a form known as the Full Power Super Saiyan.
The intention of this form is energy conservation rather than energy amount, so it is achieved through improving the general skill rather than increasing the chi capacity. This results in a Saiyan who is able to fight longer and more efficiently than with Super Saiyan 2nd Grade or 3rd Grade, and can even stay in this state for days without stopping as long they don't do anything too exhausting. This form is not confirmed to have any physical alterations from the original Super Saiyan form. Several alterations in the hair and aura are often noted by fans, however, these alterations can be debated as Toriyama had altered his art style as the series continued.
Goku and Gohan are the only confirmed individuals to have achieved this state of Super Saiyan. It is suggested that most Super Saiyans achieved this state by the Buu arc.
Confirmed users:
Goku[28]
Gohan[29]

[edit] Super Saiyan 2

Gohan as a Super Saiyan 2
The Super Saiyan 2 (超サイヤ人, Sūpā Saiyajin 2?) first appeared in volume 32, when it was achieved by Son Gohan when his dormant power was awakened against Cell. Earlier in the series, Goku trained Gohan to become a Super Saiyan, knowing that as a Super Saiyan, the dormant power that Gohan harbored was the only chance that Earth had against Cell. Upon the awakening of his dormant power through his fierce rage, Gohan further transformed from his regular Super Saiyan form, to achieve a true ascended form called Super Saiyan 2. It is uncertain how this transformation is achieved, even though it is suggested that it was initially intended as a new Super Saiyan form of Gohan's. As the series continued, Goku and Vegeta later achieved this transformation through training, suggesting that any Super Saiyan was able to achieve it if they were skilled enough to ascend.[30]This form possesses the same basic characteristic of the regular Super Saiyan, with golden yellow hair, and green eyes. Only slight differences are noted from the regular Super Saiyan form, such as a slight growth in muscle mass. Other physical changes include longer, finer, more upright-standing hair. The behavioral effects are the same as an un-mastered Super Saiyan and every physical color change remains the same as in Super Saiyan. The Saiyan's abilities increase substantially from their regular Super Saiyan form, resulting in a wider aura that blazes violently rather than being flame-like. The aura is also now accompanied by blueish-white bolts of electricity.
Gohan's behavior while transformed to Super Saiyan 2 is noticed to be quite different than Goku and Vegeta's behaviors in the same form. After first transforming during the battle against Cell, Gohan's demeanor drastically changed from gentle to sadistic and merciless. An example of this sadism is Gohan's desire to make Cell suffer for his crimes against humanity.[31] This behavior contrasted his regular Super Saiyan state where he actually refused to harm Cell at all.[32] This sadistic nature was never present in Goku or Vegeta when they used it, but their aggression was heightened considerably.
Confirmed Users:
Son Gohan[33]
Goku[34]
Vegeta[35]

[edit] Super Saiyan 3

Goku as a Super Saiyan 3
The Super Saiyan 3 (超サイヤ人3, Sūpā Saiyajin 3?) first appeared in volume 40 of the manga when it was revealed by Son Goku as part of a demonstration of all the known Super Saiyan transformations. The Super Saiyan 3 in the series further ascends the power of the Super Saiyan; however, due to the considerable amount of chi required, the form is only sustainable for a short amount of time.
Son Goku revealed that he had first achieved the form while existing in the Other World. Goku's ability to maintain the form in the afterlife was unlimited, due to him not possessing the limitations of his living body. Upon returning to the living world, Goku's chi supply was severely reduced, so he could not maintain this form for extended periods of time. The fused half-Saiyan named Gotenks achieves the transformation after witnessing Goku's ascension into the third transformation. Goku notes later that even though Gotenks was a child, he was much more adept at maintaining the transformation than he was. In the sequel series Dragon Ball GT, Goku also uses the transformation after he had been transformed into a child, but his under-developed body lacked the necessary physique to sustain the form. As a result, his transformation could not be maintained efficiently and he was forced to revert to his regular form after only a few moments of transformation.
During transformation to Super Saiyan 3, the Saiyan's hair grows to the waist. In addition to the Saiyan's hair growth, the eyebrows disappear as the brow ridge becomes more prominent. It is often a misconception that the eyes come to possess pupils. However, this only occurs with Goku's eyes in the anime. Like the Super Saiyan 2 form, the Super Saiyan 3 aura releases blueish-white electrical bolts. Despite the substantial flaws of the Super Saiyan 3, it noticeably increases the physical abilities from Super Saiyan 2.
Confirmed Users:
Goku[36]
Gotenks[37]

[edit] Anime-only Super Saiyan variants

[edit] False Super Saiyan

Goku as a False Super Saiyan
During the development of the Super Saiyan concept, Dragon Ball's animation company (Toei) produced a movie depicting Goku's first Super Saiyan transformation. However, the form was later called Giji Supa Saiya-jin, or False Super Saiyan, which depicted Goku with his regular black hair, iris lacking eyes and the yellow aura of the anime Super Saiyan which colors the body gold. In order to separate Toei's anime Super Saiyan from Toriyama's in the manga, the differences were noted in volume 7 of the Daizenshuu. The Giji Super Saiyan form was used by Goku again later during a filler saga episode in the anime. No other character has been confirmed to have utilzed this form of Super Saiyan, although Vegeta has exhibited similar characteristics in the Saiyan Saga (Episode 23: Goku vs Vegeta - A Saiyan Duel). In this case, one may say that Vegeta is the first person to come closest to the transformation of Super Saiyan, even before Goku. Another Dragon ball Z character that had similar characteristics was Gohan. He experienced a similar form when Goku was being punished by his brother Raditz.

[edit] Legendary Super Saiyan

Broli's Legendary Super Saiyan form
For the eighth Dragon Ball Z movie, Toei created a Super Saiyan whose abilities exceeded all other Super Saiyans in the series; an attempt to create an idea that there was a single legendary Super Saiyan. The character they created was named Broly, whose final Super Saiyan form is called Legendary Super Saiyan. This form is often misinterpreted as the Super Saiyan 3rd Grade, but does not have the same physical flaws of massive chi consumption and speed loss as the 3rd Grade does. This form has many advantages, as it requires no chi consumption, gives the user phenomenal strength and speed, and constantly raises the user's power as long as they remain as a Legendary Super Saiyan.

[edit] Super Saiyan 4

Goku and Vegeta, both transformed to Super Saiyan 4 in Dragon Ball GT.
The Super Saiyan 4 (超サイヤ人4, Sūpā Saiyajin 4?) transformation is a unique transformation because it is the only Super Saiyan form that was not designed by Akira Toriyama. The Super Saiyan 4 was designed by Toei artist Katsuyoshi Nakatsuru, and strictly appears in Dragon Ball Z's sequel series Dragon Ball GT. Being a form that was not designed by Toriyama, the Super Saiyan 4 has several unusual characteristics like it only being possible for pure Saiyans to achieve the transformation. Odd visual characteristics can be obseverved with disappearing articles of clothing after transformation, and the instant aging of Son Goku from child to adult when he transforms into Super Saiyan 4. When compared to the previous Super Saiyan forms, the Super Saiyan 4 also has an unusual appearance. The Super Saiyan 4 does not have yellow hair, but rather has a tail and red fur that covers most of the body. Each Saiyan who can utilize the transformation has different colored fur, hair and eyes from the other Saiyans who can achieve the form. Also the aura of the Super Saiyan 4 is slightly different from the normal Super Saiyan auras; instead of lightning, it has red shades in it.
While Toriyama did not design the Super Saiyan 4, he did draw a manga version of Son Goku at Super Saiyan 4 for the Dragon Box, a massive media boxset containing all the Dragon Ball movies and episodes ever produced by Toei[38].
Wanting to expand the Dragon Ball series, Toei created a new series called Dragon Ball GT. As new enemies emerged in the series, Son Goku searches for a way to ascend what he had originally thought was the last Super Saiyan form. As a result, he went through a process that enabled him to transform into a Super Saiyan 4. The Super Saiyan 4 form is the strongest Super Saiyan transformation achieved in the anime series, and is only accessible to pure blooded Saiyans; this was discovered when the parasitic Tuffle Baby had infected Vegeta, and Baby Vegeta could not transform to this because Baby was not a Saiyan, making Baby Vegeta's heritage impure.
Confirmed Users:
Goku[39]
Vegeta[40]
Gogeta[41]

[edit] Other media
After the success of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama created a self-parody manga entitled Neko Majin Z, which features Son Goku and Vegeta, and introduced a new Saiyan named Onio, who also has the ability to transform into a Super Saiyan. In the series, the Super Saiyan transformation was altered slightly, where the aura of the regular Super Saiyan contains bolts of electricity.
As part of his self parody, the main character Neko Majin actually has a transformation that is similar to the Super Saiyan, where he becomes "Super Neko Majin".[42]
Super Sonic from the Sonic the Hedgehog series is often viewed as a tribute to the Super Saiyans of Dragon Ball by fans. Although Yuji Naka stated that Super Sonic was originally meant to be unlocked in the scrapped version of Hidden Palace Zone in Sonic the Hedgehog 2 after collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds which are also often viewed as a tribute to the seven Dragon Balls.

[edit] Notes and references

This section may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards.Please improve this article if you can (October 2007).
^ Dragon Ball: Vol. 24 (DBZ, vol. 8)
^ Dragon Ball: Vol 17 (DBZ volume 1)
^ Dragon Ball Z: Volume 8 (Pg. 52)
^ Dragon Ball, Vol. 27 p. 90 (DBZ vol. 11)
^ Dragon Ball, volume 28 (DBZ vol. 12)
^ Dragon Ball manga,: vol 29, p 89
^ Dragon Ball manga, volume 27, page 152)
^ Dragon Ball manga, vol 29, page 92
^ Dragon Ball, manga vol. 27
^ Dragon Ball manga, vol. 29 (DBZ: vol 13)
^ Dragon Ball manga, vol. 33/ DBZ: vol 17
^ DBZ movies: #8 and #10
^ Dragon Ball manga, vol. 36 (DBZ: vol 20)
^ Dragon Ball manga, vol. 36 (DBZ: vol 20)
^ (Dragon Ball manga, vol. 39 (DBZ: vol 23)
^ DBZ movie #12
^ Dragon Ball manga, vol. 42 (DBZ: vol 26)
^ Dragon Ball GT episode 64
^ Dragon Ball GT episode 64
^ DB, manga vol 32
^ DB, manga volume 32 (DBZ vol 16)
^ DB, manga volume 33 (DBZ vol 17)
^ Dragon Ball, vol. 32 (DBZ vol 16)
^ DB, vol 33/DBZ, vol 17
^ DB, vol 33/DBZ, vol 17
^ DB, manga volume 33 (DBZ vol 17)
^ DB, manga volume 33 (DBZ vol 17)
^ DB, manga volume 33 (DBZ vol 17)
^ DB, manga volume 33 (DBZ vol 17)
^ DB, volume 34/DBZ: vol 18
^ DB vol 35/DBZ: vol 19
^ DB, vol 34/ DBZ vol 18
^ DB, manga volume 34 (DBZ vol 18)
^ DB, manga volume 37 (DBZ vol 22)
^ DB, manga volume 37 (DBZ vol 21)
^ DB, manga volume 38 (DBZ vol 22)
^ DB, manga volume 38 (DBZ vol 22)
^ Dragon Box
^ DBGT, ep 58
^ DBGT ep 61
^ DBGT, ep 61
^ Shonen Jump, Oct 2007 Issue: Page 371

This article is about the anime and manga. For the toy, see Beyblade (toy).
Beyblade (ベイブレード) is an anime and manga series about a group of kids battling with highly powerful spinning tops enchanted with sacred bit-beasts or spirits of mythical and powerful creatures. The show focuses on the battles between Beyblading teams as they compete to become the world champions. The main characters are the Bladebreakers, a team consisting of Tyson Granger, Kai Hiwatari, Ray Kon and Max Tate. During their quest to become Beyblade champions, Tyson and his friends meet many new friends, enemies and competitors whilst overcoming problems.
Beyblade began during 1999 as a manga and a series of toys in Japan. After the manga became a success, Beyblade was made into an anime, that premeried in Japan, and was later dubbed and played in several other countries. Beyblade had three seasons, a few video games and a vast line of merchandise. The show began in 2001 ended in 2004. The anime is aimed and targeted at younger elementary/primary-school aged children. It is a Kodomo Shonen anime.
The Beyblade anime is licensed by Nelvana in North America. The Beyblade manga, made by Takao Aoki, is published in English in North America by VIZ Media, some names are changed to match the English anime version. In Singapore, it is published in English by Chuang Yi.[edit] Plot

[edit] Anime

[edit] Beyblade
(Beyblade (爆転シュート　ベイブレード, Bakuten Shoot Beyblade?))
The first season's plot was linear. The Bladebreakers were mostly concerned with winning the World Beyblading Championships. Tyson enters The Japanese Regional Beyblade Qualifying Tournament in hope to be the best Beyblader in Japan. Tyson finds himself up against Ray Kon, after defeating him, Tyson runs into Kai Hiwatari, who will eventually become Tyson's greatest rival. After Tyson defeats Kai, it is revealed that Tyson, Kai, Ray and Max are to form a team called The Bladebreakers to represent Japan in the Beyblade World Championships. Tyson and his friends head off to China to match up against Ray's old team, The White Tigers. It is seen that Ray's old team holds a grudge against him for leaving them, but towards the end of the Chinese Tournament, Ray and his ex team mates make amends, and The Bladebreakers win the tournament. After this, Tyson and his friends arrive in the USA to fight The All Starz, who are coached by Max's mother. After they defeat the All Starz, the team find themselves stranded in Europe. In order to get to Russia to register for the World Championships, they must battle the Majestics who are Europe's top bladers. Once in Russia, Tyson and his friends find themselves up against The Demolition Boys, the Russian Champions, who are ruthless and obsessed with power. The Bladebreakers then discover that The Demolition Boys are merely tools for the BIOVOLT Corporation, run by Kai's grandfather, Voltaire, and Boris, a criminal mastermind. Initially, Kai was pursued by Boris to join the Demolition Boys in the ultimate quest for power, the Black Dranzer bitbeast which Kai was seeking to become the best beyblader. But later he realized his folly and joined the Bladebreakers once again. The Bladebreakers defeat the Demolition Boys in the finals, with Tyson defeating their leader, Tala, and becoming the world champion.

[edit] V-Force
(Beyblade V-Force (爆転シュートベイブレード2002, Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002?))
The second season finds Tyson and his friends separated. Ray has returned to his home village in China, Max has returned to America to help his mother research Beyblading, and Kai has been sent to an all boys boarding school. The teams are reunited however when a mysterious Beyblading group named The Saint Shields arrive and defeat everyone of them except Kai. The Bladebreakers come together to defeat this new foe who they learn wants to capture their four sacred bitbeasts and seal them away. After this, The Bladebreakers learn of a new criminal organization and a Beyblade team named Team Psykick who are also out to capture their bitbeasts by the villainous Gideon & Doctor B and use them for evil. Tyson and his friends are successful, but only by chance and Tyson is put into hospital for a short time. During the new Beyblade World Championships, Tyson must overcome his friend Zeo Zagart who needs to take Tyson, Kai, Ray and Max's bitbeast to make him human (it is revealed he is a robot).

[edit] G-Revolution
(Beyblade G-Revolution (爆転シュート ベイブレード Gレボリューション, Bakuten Shoot Beyblade G-Revolution?))
It begins with Tyson teaching children at his Beyblading Summer School, when a new blader named Daichi Sumeragi appears and demands to fight Tyson. Tyson accepts and discovers that Daichi's bitbeast is similar to his own, as are his attacks. When the World Championships are announced, Max and Ray tell Tyson that they will not be blading as Bladebreakers and leave the team. Ray returns to China to enter with The White Tigers as Max returns to America to join The All Starz. Tyson believes he, Daichi and Kai will form a new team, but is shocked when he discovers Kai has also left to rejoin The Demolition Boys who have now renamed their team, The Blitzkrieg Boys. Tyson feels betrayed but forms a tag team with Daichi and name themselves the BBA Revolution. During the World Championships, Tyson must face his old team mates and several new teams including F Dynasty and Barthez Battalion. After the championships, Tyson is shocked to find that the BBA (Beyblade Battle Association) has been brought down only to be replaced by a new professional Beyblade League known as BEGA (Beyblade Entertainment Global Association). Tyson joins up with Ray, Max and Daichi in order to bring down this new league when they realize that Boris has returned and is now using BEGA as another attempt at world domination. Tyson is shocked when Kai joins up with The BEGA League, but relieved when he later returns to help Tyson fight the BEGA League. In the finale, Tyson defeats the ultimate Beyblade Warrior, Brooklyn (BEGA). After the official fight, Tyson and Brooklyn have a beybattle for pure fun. Mr. Dickenson and Tyson's grandfather begin to rebuild the BBA soon after, and the adventures of the Bladebreakers come to a close as Tyson and Kai have a friendly battle with their friends and teammates at their side.

[edit] Differences Between Anime and Manga versions
The Beyblade manga by Takao Aoki differs from the anime in many aspects. Characters such as Kai and Tala have differing backgrounds. Kai's in particular being fleshed out more, giving a deeper understanding of his upbringing and motives.
The characters behave very differently in the manga than the anime series. Kai Hiwatari is a lot more selfish, mean, and cold. Tala Valkov is shown as being less loyal to Boris during his BIOVOLT days, and will do anything to win. Ray Kon is a lot more mysterious. Hilary Tachibana wasn't shown in the manga at all.
Several characters who were shown in the manga books weren't featured in the anime for unknown reasons, as were some characters weren't shown in the manga but appeared in the anime.
The Beyblade manga continued for 14 volumes, and was translated and sold in many countries. The books also have epilogues from Aoki Takao (the creator of Beyblade), which involved Tyson and the gang teaching their children how to beybattle.
Additionally, the manga focuses on Daichi's story, detailing his life before he joins with the Bladebreakers. In the course of his quest to become the best beyblader in Japan he meets many friends and competitors, who do not appear in the anime at all, such as Hikaru Tomonji and Kennosuke Shishi.

[edit] Epilogues
At the end of the manga series, which was the effective end of the Beyblade media franchise, there was a short chapter that revealed the fate of the Bladebreakers many years later:
Daichi: Becomes the Beyblade Tournament referee in D.J. Jazzman's place.
Kai: Becomes the President of Hiwatari Enterprises (with his grandfather in jail and father leaving the family business) and is married and has a son named Gou. Kai still retains his passion for beyblading, even putting his work on hold to battle Tyson yet again.
Kenny: Becomes a scientist at the BBA and subordinate of Max, and leads the development of new beyblades.
Max: Becomes director of the BBA in his mother's place.
Ray: Becomes the head beyblade trainer for his village, and has married Mariah and has a daughter with her named Rin (Ling), who he teaches to continue beyblading.
Tyson: Becomes a ninja trainer and gets married and has a son named Makoto, who he teaches to continue beyblading.

[edit] Media

[edit] Original Soundtracks
in the English language there are 2 different soundtracks, one of them which was made in Canada called "Let it Rip!" and the other soundtrack was made in the UK and was called "Beyblade Let it Rip!"
In Japan there are 2 Original Soundtracks for the first season Beyblade OST 1 Beyblade OST 2" The second season has no original soundtracks. The Beyblade Movie: Takao VS Daichi, has an Original Soundtrack. The last Beyblade series G Revolution has an Original Soundtrack also.

[edit] Movie
Beyblade: The Movie - Fierce Battle (爆転シュートベイブレード THE MOVIE 激闘!!タカオVS大地 - Bakuten Shoot Beyblade The Movie: Gekitou!! Takao vs Daichi) Chronologically, BeyBlade The Movie: Fierce Battle is set between second and third seasons, even though Daichi appears in the movie. A new Beyblade team named Shadow Bladers (consisting of new beybladers Steven, Ashley, Daniel, and Henry) was introduced.
After Tyson won Japanese BBA tournament, Daichi challenges him inside the stadium. Meanwhile, Professor Tengai discovers an ancient warning of the dark spirits inside a cave on the island. When Daichi's Beyblade starts glowing during the beybattle, the dark bit beast from the Demon Rock Island starts possessing Tengai's students. The Shadow Bladers seek Daichi's bit beast, Strata Dragoon, in order to release the bit beasts from the ruins. After the Shadow Bladers captured Daichi and Strata Dragoon, the dark bit beasts possess Daichi and are intent to reunite with the 4 sacred beasts, Dragoon, Dranzer, Driger, and Draciel.
The original movie storyline was also featured in volume 14 of the Beyblade manga books, but ended on a cliff hanger due to being released on DVD. Characters in the original timeline also include China, Ping Pong, and Sarenia

[edit] VHS/DVD Releases
The popularity of Beyblade in Japan was popular enough to have VHS and DVD releases of the show. In Japan all of the episodes have been released on VHS and DVD. The Beyblade 2001 DVDs first 2 volumes had 3 episodes a piece and were sold new at 4,200 yen per DVD. The rest of season 1 that had 5 episodes were sold new at 5,500 yen. The Japanese Beyblade DVDs first season titles were Called SHOOT (plus the volume number). The Beyblade 2002 DVDs were released in 2 separate titles. Blader Project (Vol 1~9) and BB Victory (Vol 1~8). G Revolution the volumes were called by the series name G Revolution and the volume number. There are 17 DVD volumes in G Revolution.
When Beyblade got dubbed by Nelvana, the USA DVDs all of the first season were only released in Nelvana TV dub edited. The second season V-Force DVDs have only got released in Australia in a box set of 12 episodes for now at least. When Beyblade G Revolution was the next season that Nelvana dubbed, Funimation released them on DVD. Volumes 1-4 were edited-only English dub, but then due to fan outcry, Volume five onwards contains the original Japanese episodes as well as the dubbed version. Volume 5 and 6 were released but no new releases have been confirmed.

[edit] Video games
There have been several video games based on the show, spanning the Game Boy Advance and the PlayStation. However, as is the case with many video games based on licensed properties these games have been critically panned.
Beyblade V Force Adventure (Gameboy Advance)
Beyblade (Game Boy Color, Japan Only)
Beyblade (PlayStation)
Beyblade 2 (PlayStation, Japan Only)
BeyBlade: Super Tournament Battle (GameCube)
Beyblade: GRevolution (Game Boy Advance),
Beyblade Ultimate Blader Jam (Game Boy Advance)
Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002: Takao Version (Game Boy Advance, Japan Only)
Bakuten Shoot Beyblade 2002: Daichi Version (Game Boy Advance, Japan Only)
Beyblade V-Force 2 In 1 TV Game (Plug-and-Play)

[edit] Broadcasting Blocking Issues
Brazil: Jetix (and some time ago, Globo(TV Xuxa's block), but not any more.)
Denmark: Cartoon Network (Toonami block)
India: Cartoon Network (Toonami block)(not broadcasted any more)
Ireland: RTÉ Two (The Den block)
Nepal:Ntv {not broadcasted any more}
Poland: Jetix (and some time ago, Polsat, but not any more.)
Portugal: TVI and Canal Panda
United Kingdom: Toonami, Five, S4C (In wales/Welsh language only on Planed Plant), Cartoon Network (2002 - 2004)
United States: ABC Family (JETIX block) and Toon Disney
Germany: [[RTL 2], [Jetix]] (nowadays not broadcasted)
Austria: ATV
Czech Republic: TV NOVA (nowadays not broadcasted)
Italy: Italia 1
Latin America: Jetix (before it was Fox Kids).
Costa Rica: Repretel canal 4, only G-Revolution
Canada: YTV (not broadcasted any more)

[edit] Changes in the English version
Beyblade was significantly changed to make it more palatable for a western audience. The most notable of the changes include:
The phrase "Go Shoot" was replaced with "Let it Rip", possibly to avoid references to gun violence, but the official reasoning is unknown.
New intro/opening sequences.
Several characters' names were changed, many characters having their Japanese names changed to English alternatives. The original ones can be found on the list of Beyblade characters.
Instrumental soundtracks were changed to punk and metal style music, with lyrics. There wasn't any original Japanese soundtrack remaining.
Sound effects are changed to familiar American sound effects. There weren't any original Japanese sound effects remaining.
Logos originally displayed in Japanese were redesigned in English.
In V-Force dubbing, the name of Ray's new beyblade Driger-V was mistakenly(?) called "Driger 5". However, the "V" actually stands for "Vulcan". But seeing as "V" is the Roman numeral for "5", it's easy to guess how this mix-up occurred.
AJ Topper and Brad Best were added to make comments about the tournaments. They did not exist in the original instead, Blader DJ filled this role.
In G-Revolution Season, the original Japanese dub Tyson's brother Hiro punches Tyson in episode 8. While in the English dub, it just shows Tyson on the ground with Hiro's fist held towards his face.
Kenny's bitbeast, Dizzara (aka "Dizzi"), was added for comic relief during the first two seasons. It was said in the dub version that she accidentally entered his laptop causing her to speak. Dizzi did not appear in the third season.
Before every official fight, a small scene talking about the bladers and the stadium appears. First, it shows the stadium, in different angles, with its name. Then it shows an image of the blader, his/her attack, defense and endurance points, name and special attack. An image and name of the bit beast also appears.
Elements of the dialogue were also changed.
Every episode and season had its title changed from its Japanese counterpart, except for the third season's title (G-Revolution).
In the conclusion of G-Revolution, Beyblade's last season, the original version contained some images showing all the characters that ever made an important appearance, like those in V-Force and those who didn't return in G-Revolution. For some reason, Nelvana censored the images, although they were nothing but images showing all the characters. A similar thing was done for the conclusion of Cardcaptors
Many team names were changed in the English dub. (e.g. Team BBA was changed to Bladebreakers). The only two teams to not have their names changed were the BBA Revolution and BEGA (also known as Justice 5), both of which come from the third season Beyblade G-Revolution
Originally the Beyblade name and the bit-beast name was different; for example, instead of Dragoon for both the blade and the bit-beast, it was Dragoon for the blade and Seiryuu for the bit-beast.
The characters were younger in the original with Tyson starting the series at 10 instead of twelve, with the rest of the team aged accordingly.
Fan reaction to these changes were mixed. Hardcore fans disliked the dubbed version of Beyblade and used the original Japanese versions as references instead. It should be noted that in the pilot, Tyson says winder, the original name of the tool, rather than ripcord. It should also be noted that in V-Force, whenever a bit-beasts' data was shown, it's original name is shown (e.g. Seiryu rather than Dragoon).

[edit] Nelvana Insert songs
First season:
Let's Beyblade (opening theme) - Lukas Rossi
Never gonna take me down - Anthony Vanderburgh
Let's go Beybladers - Krystal Band
Heavyweight Generation Beyblades
All Across the Nation - The Black Europeans
Switchblade - Lenz
Swing Low
Second season:
Underdog - Mudd
Always be in the game - Jason Dean Bennison
Third season:
Rise Above the Storm
I'm Not Going Down
Hang On

fantastic four

The Fantastic Four (also known as Fantastic 4) is a fictional superhero team appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. The group debuted in The Fantastic Four #1 (Nov. 1961), which helped to usher in a new naturalism in the medium. They were the first superhero team created by writer/editor Stan Lee and artist/co-plotter Jack Kirby.
There are four core individuals traditionally associated with the Fantastic Four, who gained superpowers after exposure to cosmic rays during a scientific mission to outer space. Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards) is a scientific genius and the leader of the group who can stretch his body into incredible lengths and shapes. The Invisible Woman (Susan "Sue" Storm) is Reed's wife; she can render herself invisible and project powerful force fields. The Human Torch (Johnny Storm) is Sue's younger brother, who can generate flames, surround himself with them and fly. The final member is the monster-like Thing (Ben Grimm), their grumpy but benevolent friend, who possesses superhuman strength and endurance. Since the original four's 1961 introduction, the Fantastic Four have been portrayed as a somewhat dysfunctional yet loving family. Breaking convention with other comic-book archetypes of the time, they would squabble and hold grudges both deep and petty, and eschew anonymity or secret identities in favor of celebrity status.
The Fantastic Four have been adapted into other media, including four animated television series, an aborted 1990s low-budget film, the major motion picture Fantastic Four (2005), and its sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007

Origins

Apocryphal legend has it that in 1961, longtime magazine and comic book publisher Martin Goodman was playing golf with either Jack Liebowitz or Irwin Donenfeld of rival company DC Comics, then known as National Periodical Publications, and that the top executive bragged about DC's success with the new superhero team the Justice League of America.[1] While film producer and comics historian Michael Uslan has debunked the particulars of that story,[2] Goodman, a publishing trend-follower aware of the JLA's strong sales, directed his comics editor, Stan Lee, to create a comic-book series about a team of superheroes. According to Lee in 1974:
“
Martin mentioned that he had noticed one of the titles published by National Comics seemed to be selling better than most. It was a book called The [sic] Justice League of America and it was composed of a team of superheroes. ... ' If the Justice League is selling ', spoke he, ' why don't we put out a comic book that features a team of superheroes?'[3]
”
Lee, who had served as editor-in-chief and art director of Marvel Comics and its predecessor companies, Timely Comics and Atlas Comics for two decades, found that the medium was becoming rather restrictive. Determined "to carve a real career for myself in the nowhere world of comic books,[4] Lee concluded that:
“
For just this once, I would do the type of story I myself would enjoy reading.... And the characters would be the kind of characters I could personally relate to: they'd be flesh and blood, they'd have their faults and foibles, they'd be fallible and feisty, and — most important of all — inside their colorful, costumed booties they'd still have feet of clay.[5]
”
Lee said he created a synopsis for the first Fantastic Four story that he gave to penciller Jack Kirby, who then drew the entire story. Kirby turned in his penciled art pages to Lee, who added dialogue and captions. This approach to creating comics, which became known as the "Marvel Method", worked so well for Lee and Kirby that they utilized it from then on; the Marvel Method became standard for the company within a year.[6]Early years
The release of The Fantastic Four #1 (November 1961) was an unexpected success. The title began to receive fan mail, and Lee started printing the letters in a letter column with issue three. Also with the third issue, Lee created the slogan "The Greatest Comics Magazine in the World!!" (soon changed to "The World's Greatest Comic Magazine", which was a fixture on the issue covers into the 1990s.[7]

Fantastic Four #48 (Sept. 1966): The Watcher warns, in part one of the landmark "Galactus Trilogy". Cover art by Kirby & Sinnott.
Issue four reintroduced Namor the Sub-Mariner, one of the Golden Age Timely characters, who was placed into battle against the new Human Torch (Lee explained, "I always loved the old characters"). Issue five introduced the team's most frequent nemesis, Doctor Doom. While the early stories were complete narratives, the frequent appearances of these antagonists in subsequent issues indicated the creation of a long narrative by Lee and Kirby that extended over months. Ultimately, according to comics historian Les Daniels, "only narratives that ran to several issues would be able to contain their increasingly complex ideas." [8] During its creators' lengthy run, the series produced many acclaimed storylines and characters that have become central to Marvel, including the The Inhumans, the Black Panther, the rival alien races of Kree and Skrull, Him (who would become Adam Warlock), the Negative Zone and unstable molecules. The story frequently cited as "the finest achievement"[citation needed] of the collaboration is the three-part "Galactus Trilogy" that began in Fantastic Four #48 (March 1966), about the arrival of Galactus, a cosmic being who wanted to devour the planet. Daniels noted, "The mystical and metaphysical elements that took over the sage were perfectly suited to the tastes of young readers in the 1960s", and Lee soon discovered that the story was a favorite on college campuses.[9]
After Kirby's departure from Marvel in 1970, Fantastic Four continued with Lee, Roy Thomas, Gerry Conway and Marv Wolfman as its consecutive regular writers, working with artists such as John Romita, Sr., John Buscema, Rich Buckler and George Pérez, with longtime inker Joe Sinnott adding some visual continuity. Jim Steranko contributed a few covers as well.

[edit] John Byrne
John Byrne joined the title with issue #209 (Aug. 1979), doing pencil breakdowns for Sinnott to finish. Byrne then wrote two tales as well (#220-221, July-Aug. 1980) before writer Doug Moench and penciller Bill Sienkiewicz took over for 10 issues. With issue #232 (July 1981), the aptly titled "Back to the Basics", Byrne began his celebrated run as writer, penciller and (initially under the pseudonym Bjorn Heyn) inker. One of his key contributions to the series was the development of Invisible Girl into Invisible Woman — a self-confident and dynamic character whose newfound control of her abilities made her the most powerful member of the team.

John Byrne gets "Back to the Basics" in #232 (July 1981), his debut as writer-artist. Cover art by Byrne and inker Terry Austin.
Byrne also staked bold directions in the characters' personal lives, having the married Sue Storm and Reed Richards suffer a miscarriage, and having the Thing's longtime girlfriend, Alicia Masters, and Johnny Storm fall in love and marry. The rift brought on by the latter would linger for several years, with the Thing quitting the Fantastic Four and the She-Hulk being recruited as his long-term replacement1990s
Byrne was followed by a quick succession of writers (Roger Stern, Tom DeFalco, Roy Thomas), with an extended run of stories by Steve Englehart, who had Reed and Sue retire to give their son a normal childhood. The returned Thing's new girlfriend, Sharon Ventura, and Johnny Storm's former lover, Crystal, joined the team for a handful of issues. Editorial disagreements led to Englehart finishing his run under the pen name "John Harkness". Writer-artist Walt Simonson took over as writer with #334 (Dec. 1989), and three issues later began pencilling and inking as well. With brief inking exceptions, and one fill-in issue, he remained in all three positions through #354 (July 1991).
After another fill-in, the regular team of writer and Marvel editor-in-chief Tom DeFalco, penciller Paul Ryan and inker Dan Bulanadi took over, with Ryan self-inking beginning with #360 (Jan. 1992). That team, with the very occasional different inker, continued through for years through #414 (July 1996). DeFalco nullified the Storm-Masters marriage by retconning that the alien Skrull Empire had kidnapped the real Masters and replaced her with a spy named Lyja. Once discovered, Lyja, who herself had fallen for Storm, helped the Fantastic Four rescue Masters. Ventura departed after being further mutated by Doctor Doom. Ryan's lengthy run is behind only those of Jack Kirby and John Byrne in number of issues drawn.
Other key developments included Franklin Richards being sent into the future and returning as a teenager, the return of Reed's time-traveling father, Nathaniel, and Reed's apparent death at the hands of a seemingly mortally wounded Doctor Doom. It would be two years before DeFalco resurrected the two characters, revealing that their "deaths" were orchestrated by the supervillain Hyperstorm.

[edit] "Heroes Reborn" and renumbered
The ongoing series was canceled with issue #416 (Aug. 1996) and relaunched with vol. 2, #1 (Nov. 1996) as part of the multi-series "Heroes Reborn" crossover story arc. The year-long volume retold the team's first adventures in a more contemporary setting in a parallel universe. Following the end of that year-long experiment, Fantastic Four was relaunched with vol. 3, #1 (Jan,. 1998). Initially by the team of writer Scott Lobdell and penciller Alan Davis, it went after three issues to writer Chris Claremont (co-writing with Lobell for #4-5) and penciller Salvador Larroca; this team enjoyed a long run through issue #32 (Aug. 2000). Carlos Pacheco then took over as penciller and co-writer, first with Rafael Marín, then with Marín and Jeph Loeb.
This series began using dual numbering, as if the original Fantastic Four series had continued unbroken, with issue #42 / #471 (June 2001). (At the time, the Marvel Comics series begun in the 1960s, such as Thor and The Amazing Spider-Man, were given such dual numbering on the front cover, with the present-day volume's numbering alongside the numbering from the original series.) The title reverted to its original numbering with issue #509 (March 2004).
Karl Kesel succeeded Loeb as co-writer with issue #51 / 480 (March 2002), and after a few issues with temporary teams, Mark Waid took over as writer with #60 / 489 (Oct. 2002), working with pencillers Mike Wieringo, Mark Buckingham, Casey Jones, and Howard Porter variously through #524 (May 2005), with a handful of issues by other teams during that time. Writer J. Michael Straczynski and penciller Mike McKone did issues #527-541 (July 2005 - Nov. 2006), with Dwayne McDuffie taking over as writer the following issue, and Paul Pelletier succeeding McKone beginning with #544 (May 2007).

[edit] Spinoffs
Ancillary titles and features spun off from the flagship series include the 1970s quarterly Giant-Size Fantastic Four and the 1990s Fantastic Four Unlimited and Fantastic Four Unplugged; Fantastic Force, an 18-issue spinoff (Nov. 1994 - April 1996) featuring an adult Franklin Richards, from a different timeline, as Psilord; and Marvel Knights 4 spinoff in April 2004. As well, there have been numerous limited series all similarly set in the main universe, designated in Marvel continuity as Earth-616.
In February 2004, Marvel launched Ultimate Fantastic Four, a version of the group in the "Ultimate Marvel" alternate universe.

[edit] The Human Torch solo
The Human Torch was given a solo strip in Strange Tales in 1962 in order to bolster sales of the title.[10] The series began in Strange Tales #101 (Oct. 1962), in 12- to 14-page stories plotted by Lee and initially scripted by his brother, Larry Lieber, and drawn by penciller Kirby and inker Dick Ayers.

Marvel Two-In-One #20 (Oct. 1976), cover art by Kirby & Frank Giacoia, with John Romita, Sr. corrections. Golden Age heroes the Whizzer, Miss America, the Patriot and the Blue Diamond look on.
Here, Johnny was seen living with his elder sister, Susan, in fictional Glenview, Long Island, New York, where he continued high school and, with youthful naiveté, attempted to maintain a "secret identity". (In Strange Tales #106 (Mar. 1963), Johnny discovered that his friends and neighbors knew of his dual identity all along, from Fantastic Four news reports, but were humoring him.) Supporting characters included Johnny's girlfriend, Doris Evans, usually in consternation as Johnny cheerfully flew off to battle bad guys. (She was seen again in a 1970s issue of Fantastic Four, having become a heavyset but cheerful wife and mother). Ayers took over the penciling after ten issues, later followed by original Golden Age Human Torch creator Carl Burgos and others. The FF made occasional cameo appearances, and the Thing became a co-star with issue #123 (Aug. 1964).
The Human Torch shared the "split book" Strange Tales with fellow feature "Doctor Strange" for the majority of its run, before finally flaming off with issue #134 (July 1965), replaced the following month by "Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.". The Silver Age stories were republished in 1974, along with some Golden Age Human Torch stories, in a short-lived ongoing Human Torch series.
A later ongoing solo series in Marvel's manga-influenced "Tsunami" line, Human Torch, ran 12 issues (June 2003 - June 2004), followed by the five-issue limited series Spider-Man/Human Torch (March-July 2005), an "untold tales" team-up arc spanning the course of their friendship.

[edit] The Thing solo
The "ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing", as Ben Grimm sometimes refers to himself, appeared in two team-up issues of Marvel Feature (issues 11-12, Sept. - Nov. 1973). Following their success, he was given his own regular team-up title Marvel Two-in-One, co-starring with Marvel heroes not only in the present day but occasionally in other time periods (fighting alongside the Liberty Legion in #20 and Doc Savage in #21, for example) and in alternate realities. The series ran 100 issues (Jan. 1974 - June 1983), with seven summer annuals (1976–1982), and was immediately followed by the solo title The Thing #1-36 (July 1983 - June 1986). Another ongoing solo series, also titled The Thing, ran eight issues (Jan.-Aug. 2006).
For a list including one-shots, limited series, graphic novels, and trade paperback collections, see Thing bibliography.

[edit] The team
See also: List of Fantastic Four members
The Fantastic Four is formed when during an outer space test flight in an experimental rocket ship, the four protagonists are bombarded by a storm of cosmic rays. Upon crash landing back on Earth, the four astronauts find themselves transformed with bizarre new abilities. The four then decide to use their powers for good as superheroes. In a significant departure from preceding superhero conventions, the Fantastic Four make no effort to maintain secret identities as they maintain a high public profile, enjoying celebrity status for scientific and heroic contributions to society. At the same time they are often prone to arguing and even fighting with one another. Despite their bickering, the Fantastic Four consistently prove themselves to be "a cohesive and formidable team in times of crisis."[11]
While there have been a number of lineup changes to the group, the four characters who debuted in Fantastic Four #1 remain the core and most frequent lineup.
Mister Fantastic (Reed Richards), a scientific genius, can stretch, twist and re-shape his body to inhuman proportions. Mr. Fantastic serves as the father figure of the group, and is "appropriately pragmatic, authoritative, and dull".[12] Richards blames himself for the failed space mission, particularly because of how the event transformed pilot Ben Grimm.[13]
Invisible Girl/Woman (Susan Storm), Reed Richards' girlfriend (and eventual wife) has the ability to bend and manipulate light to render herself and others invisible. She later develops the ability to generate force fields, which she uses for a variety of defensive and offensive effects
The Human Torch (Johnny Storm), Sue Storm's younger brother, possesses the ability to control fire, project burning bolts of flame from his body, and fly. The Human Torch was an update of the Golden Age character published by Marvel's predecessor Timely Comics, an android that could ignite itself. Lee said that when he conceptualized the character, "I thought it was a shame that we didn't have The Human Torch anymore, and this was a good chance to bring him back".[14] Unlike the teen sidekicks that preceded him, the Human Torch in the early stories was "a typical adolescent–brash, rebellious, and affectionately obnoxious".[15]
The Thing (Ben Grimm), Reed Richards' college roommate and best friend, has been transformed into a monstrous, craggy humanoid with orange, rock-like skin and super-strength. The Thing is often filled with anger, self-loathing and self-pity over his new existence. He serves as "an uncle figure, a longterm friend of the family with a gruff Brooklyn manner, short temper, and caustic sense of humor".[15] In the original synopsis Lee gave to Kirby, The Thing was intended as "the heavy", but over the years the character has become "the most lovable group member: honest, direct and free of pretension".[16]
The Fantastic Four has had several different headquarters, most notably the Baxter Building in New York City. The Baxter Building was replaced by Four Freedoms Plaza, built at the same location, after the Baxter Building's destruction at the hands of Kristoff Vernard, adopted son (and rumored half-brother of Mr. Fantastic) of the Fantastic Four's seminal villain Doctor Doom. Pier 4, a warehouse on the New York waterfront, served as a temporary headquarters for the group after Four Freedoms Plaza was condemned, due to the actions of another superhero team, the Thunderbolts.

[edit] Supporting characters

To meet Wikipedia's quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup because it is in a list format that may be better presented using prose.You can help by converting this section to prose, if appropriate. Editing help is available. (July 2007)

[edit] Allies and supporting characters
Agatha Harkness (governess)
Alicia Masters
Alyssa Moy
Black Panther (former FF member)
Caledonia - Alysande Stuart of Earth-9809
Daredevil
Fantastic Force
Franklin Richards (son)
H.E.R.B.I.E.
The Inhumans
Black Bolt
Crystal (former FF member)
Medusa (former FF member)
Gorgon
Karnak
Triton
Lockjaw
Kristoff Vernard - Doctor Doom's protege
Lyja the Lazerfist - Covert Skrull agent
Namor the Sub-Mariner
Nathaniel Richards

New Avengers
Doctor Strange
Echo
Iron Fist
Luke Cage (as Power Man, former FF member)
Ronin
Spider-Man (mostly Johnny Storm's ally and best friend)
Spider-Woman
Wolverine
Nova - Frankie Raye
Power Pack
Puppy
Silver Surfer
She-Hulk (former FF member)
Storm (Marvel Comics) (former FF member)
Thundra
Valeria Richards (daughter)
Willie Lumpkin the postal worker
Warlock, formerly Him
Wundarr
Wyatt Wingfoot
Uatu The Watcher

[edit] Antagonists
Annihilus
Blastaar
Diablo
Doctor Doom
Dragon Man
Ego the Living Planet
Frightful Four
Galactus
Impossible Man
Kang the Conqueror/Rama-Tut/Immortus
Klaw
Mad Thinker
Mole Man
Namor the Sub-Mariner
Psycho-Man
Puppet Master
Ronan the Accuser
Red Ghost
Silver Surfer
Salem's Seven
Skrulls
Super-Skrull
Terminus
Terrax
Thanos

[edit] The End
Main article: Fantastic Four: The End
Fantastic Four: The End is a six-issue limited series depicting a possible future in which the members of the Fantastic Four have become estranged after an epic battle with Dr. Doom, resulting in the deaths of Franklin Richards and Valeria Richards, the children of group leader Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and his wife Susan Storm (the Invisible Woman).

[edit] Exiles
At the end of Exiles #95 a Fantastic Four that consists of Susan Storm, Johnny Storm, Victor von Doom, and the Hulk is revealed. They will appear in Exiles through issue #99, as it is a 5-part story arc.

[edit] MC2
In the MC2 continuity the group has become the Fantastic Five. The team consists of the Human Torch, Ms. Fantastic (Lyja), Psi-Lord (Franklin Richards), Big Brain (a robot with the mind of Reed Richards), and the Thing when the line and their own short-lived title launched. Through later guest appearances in Spider-Girl, we have seen a team consisting of the twin offspring of the Thing (Grim and Rad), the son of Johnny and Lyja (Torus AKA Super-Storm), Kristoff von Doom, Spider-Girl and Psi-Lord taking the place of Fantastic Five briefly. Eventually Susan Storm and Reed Richards return from the Negative Zone to rejoin the team.

[edit] Ultimate Fantastic Four
Main article: Ultimate Fantastic Four
Set in the Ultimate Marvel universe, this version involves a more youthful version of the team.

[edit] In other media
There have been four The Fantastic Four animated TV series and three feature films (though one of the movies went unreleased, and is only available in a widely circulated bootleg). The Fantastic Four also guest-starred in the "Secret Wars" story arc of the 1990s Spider-Man animated series as well as in the "Fantastic Fortitude" episode of the 1996 Hulk series. There was also a very short-lived radio show in 1975 that adapted early Kirby/Lee stories, and is notable for casting a pre-Saturday Night Live Bill Murray as the Human Torch. Also in the cast were Bob Maxwell as Reed Richards, Cynthia Adler as Sue Storm, Jim Pappas as Ben Grimm and Jerry Terheyden as Doctor Doom. Other Marvel characters featured in the series included Ant-Man, Prince Namor, Nick Fury and the Hulk. Stan Lee narrated the series, and the scripts were taken almost verbatim from the comic books. The team made only one other audio appearance, on the Power Records album The Amazing Spider-Man and Friends. The Way It Began featured Stan Lee himself in the role of Johnny Storm and saw Ben Grimm reliving the origin of the FF, before leaving the Baxter Building to find their original nemesis the Mole Man, and a possible cure for Alicia's blindness. The story was never followed up on any further Power Records albums. In 1979, the Thing was featured as half of the Saturday morning cartoon Fred and Barney Meet the Thing. The character of the Thing was given a radical make-over for the series. The title character for this program was Benji Grimm, a teenage boy who possessed a pair of magic rings which could transform him into the Thing. The other members of the Fantastic Four do not appear in the series, nor do the animated The Flintstones stars Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, despite the title of the program.

[edit] Animated Series
Fantastic Four (1967) - Produced by Hanna-Barbera
Fantastic Four (1978) - Produced by DePatie-Freleng (featuring a H.E.R.B.I.E. Unit in place of the Human Torch)
Fantastic Four (1994) - broadcast under the Marvel Action Hour umbrella, with introductions by Stan Lee
Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes (2006) - Cartoon Network

[edit] Video games
In 1998, a side-scrolling video game was released for the Sony PlayStation home video game system / platform, based on the Fantastic Four characters. In the game you and a friend could pick among the Fantastic Four characters (along with the She-Hulk), and battle your way through various levels until you faced Doctor Doom. The game was widely panned by critics for having weak storyline and handling of the characters' powers.
The Fantastic Four appeared in the Super NES and Sega Genesis video games based on the 1990s Spider-Man animated series and in their own multi-platform games based on the 2005 movie.
The Thing and the Human Torch appeared in the 2005 game Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects.
All of the the Fantastic Four appear as playable characters in the game Marvel: Ultimate Alliance, although they only had small and rather unimportant roles in the story.
The Human Torch has an appearance in a mini-game where you race against him in all versions of the Ultimate Spider-Man game except for Game Boy Advance.
The Fantastic Four are also featured prominently in the game based on the 2005 Fantastic 4 movie. And in another game based on the second Fantastic 4 movie (realesed in 2007). Both games were poorly rated for many reasons, such as the fact that the stories in both games did not strictly follow the plots in the films and both games had poor graphics and gameplay.

[edit] Film

Promotional poster for Fantastic Four (2005), featuring Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis, Jessica Alba, and Ioan Gruffudd.
A movie adaptation of The Fantastic Four was completed in 1994 by famed B movie director/producer Roger Corman. While this movie was never released to theaters or video, it has been made available from various bootleg video distributors. The film was made on a shoestring budget and is largely mocked by fans of the comic book foursome for what they see as poor acting and disappointing special effects (at one point, The Human Torch — played by a human actor — turns into an obvious cartoon upon "flaming-on").

The cast of the unreleased Roger Corman film The Fantastic Four (1994)
The film was made because the studio that owned the movie rights would have lost them if it did not begin production by a certain deadline (a tactic known as creating an ashcan copy). According to producer Bernd Eichinger, Avi Arad had Marvel purchase the film for a few million dollars.[17]
Another feature film adaptation of Fantastic Four was released July 8, 2005 by Fox, and directed by Tim Story. Fantastic Four opened in approximately 3,600 theaters and despite predominantly poor reviews[18] grossed US$156 million in North America and US$329 million worldwide, weighed against a production budget of $100 million[citation needed] and an undisclosed marketing budget. It stars Ioan Gruffudd as Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic, Jessica Alba as Susan Storm/Invisible Woman, Chris Evans as Johnny Storm/Human Torch, Michael Chiklis as Ben Grimm/The Thing and Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom/Dr. Doom, with Stan Lee making a cameo appearance as Willie Lumpkin, the mailman.
On October 22, 2005, Fox announced the plans for a sequel, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, to be directed by Story and written by Don Payne, with production scheduled to begin August 2006. The film was released June 15, 2007.

[edit] Parodies and allusions
The 2004 Disney/Pixar animated feature The Incredibles is about a family of superheroes whose powers include stretching, super strength, invisibility/force field, and super speed. Marvel Studios chairperson Avi Arad told Entertainment Weekly that, "In the words of Stan Lee, when someone asked him about The Incredibles, he said, 'You know, it feels like I wrote it.'"[19]

[edit] See also
Four (comics)
Maximum Fantastic Four

[edit] Footnotes
^ That DC all-star superhero team had debuted in The Brave and the Bold #28 (Feb. 1960) before going on to its own hit title (premiere cover date Nov. 1960).
^ Uslan, in a letter published in Alter Ego #43 (Dec. 2004), pp. 43-44, writes:
“
Irwin Donenfeld said he never played golf with Goodman, so the story is untrue. I heard this story more than a couple of times while sitting in the lunchroom at DC's 909 Third Avenue and 75 Rockefeller Plaza office as Sol Harrison and [production chief] Jack Adler were schmoozing with some of us ... who worked for DC during our college summers.... [T]he way I heard the story from Sol was that Goodman was playing with one of the heads of Independent News, not DC Comics (though DC owned Independent News). ... As the distributor of DC Comics, this man certainly knew all the sales figures and was in the best position to tell this tidbit to Goodman. ... Of course, Goodman would want to be playing golf with this fellow and be in his good graces. .eric.. Sol worked closely with Independent News' top management over the decades and would have gotten this story straight from the horse's mouth.
”
^ Lee, Stan, Origins of Marvel Comics (Simon and Schuster/Fireside Books, 1974), p. 16. Note: Book predates publisher's change to ampersand in corporate name.
^ Lee, Origins, p. 16:
“
[My wife] Joan was commenting about the fact that after 20 years of producing comics I was still writing television material, advertising copy and newspaper features in my spare time. She wondered why I didn't put as much effort and creativity into the comics as I seemed to be putting into my other freelance endeavors. ...[H]er little dissertation made me suddenly realize that it was time to start concentrating on what I was doing — to carve a real career for myself in the nowhere world of comic books.
”
^ Lee, Origins, p. 17
^ Daniels, Les. Marvel: Five Fabulous Decades of the World's Greatest Comics, p. 87. Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1993. ISBN 0-8109-8146-7.
^ Daniels, p. 87
^ Daniels, p. 88
^ Daniels, p. 128
^ Daniels, p. 98
^ Wright, Bradford W. Comic Book Nation: The Transformation of Youth Culture in America, p. 204-205. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins, 2001. ISBN 0-8018-7450-5
^ Wright, p. 19
^ Wright, p. 205
^ Daniels, p. 85
^ a b Wright, p. 204
^ Daniels, p. 86
^ "The Fantastic Four-Gotten", by Terrence J. Brady
^ Rotten Tomatoes: Fantastic Four
^ Entertainment Weekly July 1, 2005: "'Fantastic' Voyage?: Fantastic Four has incredible trouble—The would-be blockbuster had a tough time getting released", by Scott Brown

[edit] References
Marvel.com: Fantastic Four
Fantastic Four at the Grand Comic-Book Database
Fantastic Four at the Grand Comic-Book Database
The Unofficial Handbook of Marvel Comics Creators

[edit] External links
FFPlaza.com (fansite)
fantasticfourheadquarters.com
Cover scans of every issue of Fantastic Four comics
[hide]
v • d • eFantastic Four
Characters
Mister Fantastic · The Invisible Woman · The Human Torch · The Thing
Titles
Main continuity: Fantastic Four · Four · The ThingOther continuities: Ultimate Fantastic Four · Marvel Adventures Fantastic Four · Marvel 1602: Fantastick Four
Television:Fantastic Four (1967) · Fantastic Four (1978) · Fantastic Four (1994) · Fantastic Four (2006) · Other appearances
Movies:The Fantastic Four (1994) · Fantastic Four (2005) · Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer (2007)
Related:Locations · Video games