Is Bubblegum Crisis Finished?#
If you are looking to dive into the neon-soaked streets of MegaTokyo, you might be wondering if the story of the Knight Sabers reaches a definitive end. The original Bubblegum Crisis anime ran from 1987 to 1991, providing a core narrative that is followed by a sequel, Bubblegum Crash (1991).
For those who watch only the anime, the original series and its sequel provide the primary experience. However, the universe expands significantly through various side stories and prequels. To get the absolute full picture, some viewers may want to explore the manga, such as Bubblegum Crisis: Go! Go! Sabers or the prequel AD.Police 25:00.
If you’re ready to start your journey, you can watch the anime on Prime Video and see the fight against Genom Corp for yourself.
What is Bubblegum Crisis About?#
Set in the near future, the story takes place in MegaTokyo, a city rebuilt after a devastating earthquake with the help of the multi-million dollar Genom Corp. To aid in the restoration, Genom produced “Boomers”—biomechanical creatures that eventually ran out of control.
When the official AD Police proved unable to handle the Boomer threat, a group of four resourceful girls from different walks of life banded together. Known as The Knight Sabers, they utilize superior firepower to defend the city from Genom and its berserk creations.
Who is this anime for?#
This series is a quintessential pick for fans of the cyberpunk and mecha genres. With a focus on “real robot” designs and a plot centered on corporate corruption and police action, it appeals to those who enjoy high-stakes sci-fi action. Be aware that the series also includes fan service, which is a notable part of its aesthetic appeal.
If you enjoy collecting pieces of cyberpunk history, you can buy Bubblegum Crisis merchandise to celebrate the Knight Sabers.
Recommended Watch Orders#
Because Bubblegum Crisis has a complex web of remakes, sequels, and spinoffs, the order in which you watch can change your experience. Please refer to the relationship tree provided on this page for a visual breakdown of these connections.
The Release Order#
For those who want to experience the franchise as it was originally released to the public:
- Bubblegum Crisis (1987-1991)
- Bubblegum Crash (1991)
- Scramble Wars (1992)
- Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 (1998-1999)
- A.D. Police (1999)
- Parasite Dolls (2003)
The Recommended Order (The “Best Experience” Path)#
We suggest starting with the original vision before moving into the reimagined versions:
- The Original Era: Start with Bubblegum Crisis, followed by its sequel Bubblegum Crash.
- The Remake Era: Move to Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040. Once you’ve finished the remake, follow its specific spinoff chain: A.D. Police (1999) and then Parasite Dolls.
The Completionist Order (Including Manga)#
For those who want every single piece of the puzzle, including source material and prequels, we recommend this path:
- AD.Police 25:00 (Manga)
- AD Police (Manga)
- AD Police (1990 Anime)
- Bubblegum Crisis (Original Anime)
- Bubblegum Crash (Anime)
- Bubblegum Crisis: Go! Go! Sabers (Manga)
- Scramble Wars (Anime)
- Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 (Remake Anime)
- A.D. Police (1999 Anime)
- Parasite Dolls (Anime)
If you’re following the completionist path, you can buy the manga to fill in the gaps between the animated series.
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Bubblegum Crisis • anime • 1987-02-25 to 1991-01-30
└─(remake)→ Bubblegum Crisis: Tokyo 2040 • anime • 1998-10-08 to 1999-03-31
└─(spinoff)→ A.D. Police • anime • 1999-04-08 to 1999-06-30
└─(spinoff)→ Parasite Dolls • anime • 2003-05-22 to 2003-07-24
└─(sequel)→ Bubblegum Crash • anime • 1991
└─(prequel)→ AD.Police 25:00 • manga • 1988 (serialized in <em>Comic Noisy</em>)
└─(related)→ AD Police • manga • 1989-11 to 1990-08
└─(adaptation)→ AD Police • anime • 1990-05-25 to 1990-11-22
└─(spinoff)→ Scramble Wars • anime • 1992-10-28
└─(side story)→ Bubblegum Crisis: Go! Go! Sabers • manga • 1991
