6.7/1031 votes#1 - Can't Buy a Thrill
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/8/1998
In the 2030's, an earthquake destroyed most of Tokyo. The Genom corporation decided to speed up rebuilding by using boomers, smart robots that come in all shapes and sizes. But even though the public never hears about it, boomers have a tendency to go rogue, causing great damage in the process. Linna Yamazaki has ostensibly come to Tokyo to start a new job, but her true motivation is to get in contact with the Knight Sabers, a vigilante group committed to destroying rogue boomers. Linna believes she has what it takes to become a Knight Saber herself, but will the existing members of the group feel the same way?
Director: Akihiko Nishiyama
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
7.1/1025 votes#2 - Fragile
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/15/1998
The mysterious rock singer and Knight Saber Priss leads Linna to the Knight Saber's headquarters, where Linna must prove she is up to becoming one of them by taking part in a simulation of a rogue boomer attack. Can Linna prove that she has what it takes?
Director: Takehiro Nakayama
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
7.0/1022 votes#3 - Keep Me Hanging On
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/22/1998
Whilst Nigel begins work on a hardsuit for the Knight Sabers' newest member, Linna wrestles with her doubts as she tries to decide whether joining the team is what she really wants.
Director: Kenichi Yatagai
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.7/1021 votes#4 - Machine Head
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/29/1998
When Priss is trapped in a cafe with a rogue boomer that is too much for the AD Police to handle, it falls to Linna and Nene to tackle the monster. But with both Linna and her hardsuit untested in battle, can the Knight Sabers hope to emerge victorious in this engagement?
Director: N/A
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.8/1019 votes#5 - Rough and Ready
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/5/1998
When a rogue boomer takes over a factory and starts absorbing all the machinery there, the Knight Sabers must spring into action despite the overwhelming AD Police presence. What the team doesn't realise is that the entire situation has been manufactured by Genom, who are looking to capture the Knight Sabers. Will Linna, Priss and Nene fall into Genom's trap?
Director: Kenichi Yatagai
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.9/1017 votes#6 - Get it On
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/12/1998
Stuck in the factory, Linna, Priss and Nene are low on power and out of options, leaving it up to Sylia to don her hardsuit and save them from the ADP. Meanwhile, a surprise reunion is in the works when Sylia's younger brother Macky comes to live with her.
Director: Hayato Date
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
7.4/1017 votes#7 - Look at Yourself
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/19/1998
When a remote controlled boomer working on n undersea project suddenly takes off and starts heading for Tokyo, AD Police officers Leon and Daley decide to investigate just who or what could be motivating it. Meanwhile, Sylia begins conducting her own investigation, but will she be able to do anything about the boomer when the hardsuits are still undergoing repairs?
Director: Munari Zoudoro
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
7.1/1017 votes#8 - Fireball
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/26/1998
Ever wanted to get to know Priss better? Her friends and acquaintances certainly do, but with Priss' tendency to say more when she's singing than at any other time, it isn't easy to get close to her. But as we follow a day in the life of Priss Asagiri (rogue boomer and all), it's time to be reminded of that important lesson- actions speak louder than words...
Director: Yuuji Yanase
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
7.0/1017 votes#9 - My Nation Underground
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 12/3/1998
When reports come in of boomers disappearing around the 28th Ward, Sylia begins an investigation, sure that there must be something strange going on. But she is not the only one who is interested in the disappearances- Genom Executive Officer Brian Mason is also looking into the case. Can the Knight Sabers solve the mystery first?
Director: Ittoku Tanahashi
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
7.0/1017 votes#10 - Woke Up With a Monster
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/10/1998
A boomer-eating monster is stalking underground Tokyo- but the AD Police have been told not to go after it. Determined to do their job, Leon and Daley decide to track the beast down anyway. Meanwhile the Knight Sabers are also on the trail of the creature, and Nene for one can't afford to mess up this battle, or she will be out of the Knight Sabers- for good.
Director: Shigenori Awai
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
6.8/1016 votes#11 - Sheer Heart Attack
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/17/1998
Linna's job begins to dominate her life, with all the overtime she does starting to cut into her efficiency has a Knight Saber. Filled with doubts as to whether the Knight Sabers and Tokyo really need her, Linna decides to return home, maybe for good.
Director: Kaoru Suzuki
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.8/1015 votes#12 - Made in Japan
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/24/1998
With Nene stuck at work and Linna out of town, Priss is left to deal with a rogue boomer on her own- not easy when you're running low on power. Meanwhile, Linna realises she must decide what is most important to her before she can make a decision about which path her future shouls take.
Director: Masakazu Oyamada
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.4/1015 votes#13 - Atom Heart Mother
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 12/31/1998
Something dangerous is lurking in Sylia's father's old lab, and Sylia becomes to determined to locate the lab (buried underground since the earthquake) and destroy it. Meanwhile, Nene uncovers some dark secrets when she begins investigating some inconsistencies in Sylia and Macky's past.
Director: Satoshi Saga
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
6.5/1015 votes#14 - Shock Treatment
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1/7/1999
Angered by Sylia's refusal to explain the dark secrets of her past, Nene refuses to take part in the Knight Saber's next mission, leaving Priss and Linna to search for Dr Stingray's Wiz Lab alone. But once they find it, will Sylia have time to destroy whatever horror lies within before Mason tracks her down and takes it for himself?
Director: Hidetoshi Yoshida
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
6.9/1016 votes#15 - Minute by Minute
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/14/1999
Whilst Mason takes control of the mysterious and powerful Galatea, the true story behind Sylia and Mackey's past begins to be revealed. Can the bond between Linna, Priss, Nene and Sylia possibly endure the loss of their hardsuits and the myriad dark secrets that are about to be revealed? Or will the Knight Sabers simply fall apart?
Director: N/A
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.4/1016 votes#16 - I Surrender
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1/21/1999
Drawn to see Sylia by Galatea's powers, Linna, Priss and Nene discover the truth about the origins of the Knight Sabers and their hardsuits. Meanwhile, the AD Police face being disbanded, and Mason begins stirring up trouble as he tries to find ways to occupy Galatea.
Director: N/A
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.4/1016 votes#17 - Moving Waves
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 1/28/1999
The ADP ""Totem Pole"" HQ is swarming with rogue boomers under Galatea's control, with only Nene and three other officers left inside. Trapped behind a security and communications lockdown, Nene and the others must defend themselves and search for a way to contact their friends and allies in the outside world before it is too late.
Director: N/A
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
6.8/1016 votes#18 - We Built this City
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 2/4/1999
The ADP and the Knight Sabers have come to the rescue of Nene and the others still trapped in the ADP Totem Pole. But with the invading boomers fusing into the very structure of the building itself, it's going to take co-operation, strategy and a hell of a lot of luck to get everyone out alive…
Director: Satoshi Saga
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
6.6/1016 votes#19 - Are You Experienced?
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 2/24/1999
The streets of Tokyo become ever more deserted as people flee in the wake of the spreading rogue boomer phenomenon- but according to the national news, nothing is wrong! In the face of Genom's control of the media, Leon, Daley and Nene begin sending out their own broadcast in the hope of explaining the truth to the public and gathering together the remnants of the ADP for an all out attack on Genom's Dragon Line…
Director: Hayato Date
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.6/1016 votes#20 - One of These Nights
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 3/3/1999
Galatea steps things up a notch when she takes control of the Dragon Line and uses it to awaken a new wave of giant boomers. In order to fight back, the Knight Sabers must learn the intricacies of their new hardsuits, but can even this new technology hope to make a dent in Galatea's all-pervading army of boomers?
Director: N/A
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.6/1016 votes#21 - Close to the Edge
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 3/10/1999
As the giant boomer tries to fuse with Linna, Nene and Sylia, the Knight Sabers pin their last hope on Priss and her new Moto Slave. But even if Priss can take down this boomer, it's for certain that Galatea will continue to spread her control throughout all of Tokyo…
Director: Tooru Yoshida
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
7.5/1017 votes#22 - Physical Graffiti
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 3/17/1999
As the Knight Sabers set about escaping from the boomer invasion of the Silky Doll, they come to realise that Galatea has used the Dragon Line to absorb the whole city, creating a boomer ecosystem. Desperately needing a respite, they head to the one place that the Dragon Line doesn't reach- a park by the sea. But they aren't the only ones to take refuge there…
Director: Satoshi Nakagawa
Writer: Sadayuki Murai
6.4/1016 votes#23 - Hydra
Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 3/24/1999
From the heights of Genom Tower, Galatea has reached out through the Dragon Line and made Tokyo her own. But when Galatea goes one step further and starts absorbing Macky's mind as well, the Knight Sabers know they can wait no longer. Donning their hardsuits, Sylia, Priss, Linna and Nene must penetrate the tower itself and force a showdown with Galatea herself if they are to save the city and the people they love.
Director: N/A
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
7.1/1016 votes#24 - Light My Fire
Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 3/31/1999
Now fused with the upper levels of Genom Tower, Galatea takes off into space, heading for the giant space umbrella that will furnish her with the power to spread the rogue boomer phenomenon throughout the entire world! Now Priss, Linna and Nene must somehow find a way to get there first- because humanity's continued survival may well depend on it!
Director: Hayato Date
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
6.9/1017 votes#25 - Walking on the Moon
Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 7/26/2000
Reaching the space umbrella, the Knight sabers are horrified to discover that Galatea is already there waiting for them! The battle turns into a desperate race against time, for in fifteen minutes, the sun will hit the umbrella's solar collectors, supplying Galatea with the energy she needs to spread the rogue boomer phenomenon to the entire world! But can Linna, Priss and Nene really hope to go against an adversary so powerful that she can take control of everything around them- including their hardsuits?
Director: N/A
Writer: Chiaki J. Konaka
The Best Episodes of Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Season 1
Every episode of Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040 Season 1!
MegaTokyo 2040: Tokyo’s workforce is riddled with robots that tend to go on destructive killing sprees.
Four young women gear up in cybernetic suits to battle...
Genres:Action & AdventureAnimationSci-Fi & Fantasy
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Can't Buy a Thrill" is the best rated episode of "Bubblegum Crisis Tokyo 2040" season 1. It scored 6.7/10 based on 31 votes. Directed by Akihiko Nishiyama and written by Chiaki J. Konaka, it aired on 10/8/1998. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Fragile".