TV-Series
Description
Aibou is a small white mouse companion to the protagonist Bashin. He wears a distinctive red stone around his neck, later revealed to be a pyroxene. Bashin received him as a pet shortly after his father's departure, naming him "Aibou" (meaning "partner") after the term his father used for him. Before Bashin's awakening as a chosen card battler, Aibou displayed unusual traits, residing in an open miniature house within Bashin's room.
Aibou persistently tries to accompany Bashin everywhere. An early incident saw him nearly struck by Juli "J" Sawaragi's limousine, leading Bashin to intervene and sparking Bashin's first Battle Spirits duel with J. Later, returning home, Aibou spoke to comfort Bashin, revealing his communication ability granted by the pyroxene after Bashin became a chosen card battler. His personality blends seriousness with genuine concern for Bashin's well-being. He often nags Bashin about neglecting schoolwork or Battle Spirits strategy, such as suggesting incorporating additional colors into Bashin's exclusively red deck. This advice caused a significant argument, leading Aibou to run away temporarily.
During his absence, Aibou met other card battler pets and compared their owner relationships. Deciding to return, he discovered Bashin missing. Recalling a sighting of a Nazo Otona (Mysterious Adult), Aibou searched Toaru Mountain and reunited with Bashin. Misunderstandings led Bashin to believe Aibou intended to travel to Brazil to become a mushroom chef (referencing Aibou's known love of mushrooms), with stops including Argentina to see the "mushroom of dreams," and a 100-year absence. They reconciled with Bashin agreeing to consider deck diversification and Aibou apologizing for causing worry.
When J joined the antagonistic Thousand Spirits Group, his cat Okyou followed. To facilitate J's return, Aibou and the other pets infiltrated the Isekai World Dome to reason with Okyou. After Okyou refused to betray J, Aibou challenged her using a red deck borrowed from Papa Navi. Despite lacking skill, Aibou won through luck. Guards and Number Nine interrupted, but Okyou created a distraction, allowing Aibou and the pets to escape while she remained.
During the final King Uchuuchouten Cup tournament, Team Shomen Toppa battled while Aibou and the pets accessed the control room to thwart Number Nine's plans, aided by J and Hayami (Bashin's mother). In the culminating duel between Bashin and King Uchuuchouten (revealed as Bashin's father, Touha), a six-life system represented the pyroxene stones of the chosen card battlers. Destroying a stone meant destroying the spirit within the linked pet. Bashin preserved Aibou's life throughout the match, but it was ultimately destroyed afterward, reverting Aibou to a normal, non-speaking mouse.
In the epilogue, Touha gave Bashin a new stone before departing again, restoring Aibou's ability to speak. Aibou affirmed they would remain partners forever. Beyond the original series, Aibou appears in official card game media. He is featured on the "Top Buddy, Aibou" Contract Spirit card, characterized by the "Breakthrough Awaken" effect and affiliation with the Scarlet Flame family. This card was part of the 15th-anniversary "Battle Spirits Dream Deck -Blazing Parallel World-" release in 2023. A 15th-anniversary short anime also depicted light emanating from Aibou's pyroxene stone as Bashin contemplated his tournament deck, intersecting with characters from *Saikyo Ginga Ultimate Zero*.
Aibou persistently tries to accompany Bashin everywhere. An early incident saw him nearly struck by Juli "J" Sawaragi's limousine, leading Bashin to intervene and sparking Bashin's first Battle Spirits duel with J. Later, returning home, Aibou spoke to comfort Bashin, revealing his communication ability granted by the pyroxene after Bashin became a chosen card battler. His personality blends seriousness with genuine concern for Bashin's well-being. He often nags Bashin about neglecting schoolwork or Battle Spirits strategy, such as suggesting incorporating additional colors into Bashin's exclusively red deck. This advice caused a significant argument, leading Aibou to run away temporarily.
During his absence, Aibou met other card battler pets and compared their owner relationships. Deciding to return, he discovered Bashin missing. Recalling a sighting of a Nazo Otona (Mysterious Adult), Aibou searched Toaru Mountain and reunited with Bashin. Misunderstandings led Bashin to believe Aibou intended to travel to Brazil to become a mushroom chef (referencing Aibou's known love of mushrooms), with stops including Argentina to see the "mushroom of dreams," and a 100-year absence. They reconciled with Bashin agreeing to consider deck diversification and Aibou apologizing for causing worry.
When J joined the antagonistic Thousand Spirits Group, his cat Okyou followed. To facilitate J's return, Aibou and the other pets infiltrated the Isekai World Dome to reason with Okyou. After Okyou refused to betray J, Aibou challenged her using a red deck borrowed from Papa Navi. Despite lacking skill, Aibou won through luck. Guards and Number Nine interrupted, but Okyou created a distraction, allowing Aibou and the pets to escape while she remained.
During the final King Uchuuchouten Cup tournament, Team Shomen Toppa battled while Aibou and the pets accessed the control room to thwart Number Nine's plans, aided by J and Hayami (Bashin's mother). In the culminating duel between Bashin and King Uchuuchouten (revealed as Bashin's father, Touha), a six-life system represented the pyroxene stones of the chosen card battlers. Destroying a stone meant destroying the spirit within the linked pet. Bashin preserved Aibou's life throughout the match, but it was ultimately destroyed afterward, reverting Aibou to a normal, non-speaking mouse.
In the epilogue, Touha gave Bashin a new stone before departing again, restoring Aibou's ability to speak. Aibou affirmed they would remain partners forever. Beyond the original series, Aibou appears in official card game media. He is featured on the "Top Buddy, Aibou" Contract Spirit card, characterized by the "Breakthrough Awaken" effect and affiliation with the Scarlet Flame family. This card was part of the 15th-anniversary "Battle Spirits Dream Deck -Blazing Parallel World-" release in 2023. A 15th-anniversary short anime also depicted light emanating from Aibou's pyroxene stone as Bashin contemplated his tournament deck, intersecting with characters from *Saikyo Ginga Ultimate Zero*.