C O I N - O P E R A T E D.
I N T R O

Welcome to Coin-Operated, a B U S G A M E R fansite and fanlisting. CO is part of nijikon.net. Please take a look around, Comments, criticism and anything else are always welcome in the guestbook. Be warned - I've not held back on spoilers(...there's not much to spoil, though. It's not like the story makes much sense). And dont forget to join the fanlisting ^^

{{Updates}}
22nd july 2005_ Updated the list again, 22 fans now. I ought to make this site a new layout, it's looking pretty dated.


I N F O

_the Manga
Another brilliant story by that honourary 'shounen' Kazuya Minekura. The tankoubon was released in 2001, Published by Enix, (ISBN4-7575-0503-5). Whereupon it fell down the cracks left by the 'Enix walkout' and never progressed further than volume one XP. I live in hope that it'll be continued one day. Mainly because I don't have a clue what's going on ^^;;. 'Bus Gamer' by the way, is a crazy abbreviation of 'Business Gamer', which would have made more sense as a title. Oh well.

The Pilot Edition: Looks like Zero-sum got the rights to BG and it's been re-issued. They're calling it the Pilot Edition, with some new chapters that (sort of) finish the story. I think MK still intends to go back and do BG properly. :waits patiently: I havent been able to get my hands on this yet, so I cant say much more right now.

BG's seems to take place in the same slick, corporate underworld as Wild Adapter. It has the same sense of something unseen, something possibly supernatural bubbling just below the main storyline. In fact, these manga would cross over seamlessly.

_the Game
The Business Game is played among Japan's big business executives.
A company employs a team of three players who take on another company's team in a set match. The goal is for the 'home' team to protect a disk in their possession, with their company's most important secret data on it.
The matches take place at pre-decided locations.
There's even an official website for the BG! They post the league-tables there.


C H A R A

Just the three main charas, for now. Introducing...Team AAA.

_Toki Mishiba
Born: February 14th
Age: 20
Blood Type: A
Height: 168cm
Weight: 54kg

sexyI'm sure you're familiar with Kazuya Minekura's characters in her other works. Gritty, tough, believable men who also manage to convey their sensitive sides on occasion. Toki fits that description, but there's also an innocence (or vulnerability) about him.
His parents, who ran a dojo, and his (younger) twin brother, Shigi were 'disappeared' for reasons unknown. It might well be for them that he needs the BG money. He certainly thinks Shigi is still alive.
He appears unemotional, perhaps unfriendly at times. I'd say he's pretty candid he just wants to avoid interpersonal relationships. (But he's not the stereotypical silent, angsting uke!) Toki is the one who makes the point about team AAA being colleagues more than friends. I think he's just focused on what has to be done. Yet he's also a daydreamer, according to his profile.
In the team, Toki at times could be seen as the leader, but AAA keep things pretty democratic.
He's skilled in martial arts, but I suppose you would be if you're folks ran a dojo. Currently, he's attending design college. Oh, and he can sew ^^.

_Nobuto Nakajyo
Born: March 23rd
Age: 22 (even if Kazuo doesn't think he looks it)
Blood Type: B
Height: 183cm
Weight: 72kg

toughHis profile page in the tank has him down as the most 'edgy' dangerous member of team AAA. Because his allegiances are so ambivalent, his approach to the game so heartless. He was also thrown out of highschool for being a member of a violent gang. However, in the story, he comes across as quite a reliable team member. It's his job to gather the information they need for each game, to scope out the location and make the plans. He's very thorough and sensible in this respect. He seems to relate well to the other team members, even if he's not particularly effervescent. He's pretty good in a fight, too. Outwardly Nakajyo-san seems well balanced and trustworthy, but there's an air of mystery about him. And I have no clue why he needs the money. Hmm…..
He's at university, but I don't know what he's studying. Oh yeah, and his home is really dirty XP.

_Kazuo Saitoh
Born: July 18th
Age: 18 (still in highschool!)
Blood Type: O
Height: 181cm
Weight: 72kg

youngKazuo is the genki, energetic, youngest member of the team. Adopted by the Saitoh family when he was small, he is studying to take over the family electrical business one day. He's pretty good with electrical stuff.
At times, it looks like Kazuo is the main character in BG. But that's just because he's doing most of the talking, and reacts emotionally to everything. He's very open and would like Toki-san and Nakajyo-san to be, too. In the team, he's aware of his limitations and youth/naïveté and defers to the other two a lot. Still, he's a competent fighter.
He likes playing around with machines and gadgets (but not guns!). He jokes around, a lot. Typical teenage boy, really.
Though Kazuo was scared when Team AAA began to realise the real nature of the game, he soon reverted to his usual upbeat mood in the face of adversity. I'm sure he'd like out, if it wasn't for the fact he's already in it up to his neck, and like the other two, seems to need the money for something.


I M A G E S
E X T R A

_Observations
_The gun Kazuo ends up taking home is (I'm pretty certain) a Colt .45. Or possibly a Browning.
_On page 166 Kazuo's glasses are mysteriously fixed to his head without arms. :D.
_If you don't look too closely, team AAA's patron, could be mistaken for WA's Sanada-san (<3). Yakuza influence in high places?

_fanworks and DLs
_96x96px icons/avatars. Feel free to modify.


F A N S

The Bus Gamer Fanlisting (listed @ tfl.org)
I'm sure you know, but just in case - this is the listing for BG fans. Link back here (if you have a site), fill in the application form below and get your name on the list.
To join - If you have a site, please display a button (and link it back here) before you fill in the form. You do not need a site to join. Just an email would do. Save the buttons to your own server. Thanks.
If I dont add you to the Member List within two weeks please re-submit your details. Thanks. I also tidy up the list occaisionally. Dead, moved and sites not linking back here will be removed from the list.

name:
email :
url :
country :
(Alternatively: tsukumogami at nijikon.net)

Buttons
Think you could do better? Donations welcome! Text links are also OK.



L I N K S

ushi.cjb.net/: Very nice scanlations.
nii-jyeni.org/: An MK dedicated domain.
Nitro: MK's own site.

Mudpack Program: Site reviews.


Nnet