TV-Series
Description
Gonta Ushijima, known in English-language versions as Bud Bison, is a recurring character introduced as a classmate of the protagonist. He is a large, physically imposing boy with blue spiky hair and a red nose, often wearing overalls that feature a fork and knife symbol, which reflects his notable appetite.
Initially, Ushijima presents the facade of a tough and gruff bully, frequently using intimidation tactics and threats of violence to solve problems or follow the orders of his class president, Luna Platz. He, along with Zack Temple, functions as one of Luna's loyal followers. However, this rough exterior hides a significant inner loneliness. His sense of belonging and emotional stability is heavily tied to his BrotherBand, a form of deep friendship, with Luna and Zack. The fear of being abandoned by Luna, his primary source of social structure, is a driving force behind many of his early, more vulnerable actions. Despite his simple and dim-witted nature, he possesses a strong sense of admiration for heroes and celebrities, being a known fan of the pop star Sonia Strumm.
Ushijima's central role in the story stems from his connection to the FM-ian known as Taurus, which grants him the ability to undergo an EM Wave Change and become the powerful fire entity Taurus Fire (Ox Fire in Japanese media). His first transformation is involuntary, born from manipulation. After being humiliated in a fight and facing the threat of rejection from Luna, his negative emotions attract Taurus, who convinces him to merge, creating a destructive monster that rampages by trampling everything red. After being defeated by Mega Man, he is freed and develops a deep admiration for his savior, eventually forming a BrotherBand with Geo Stelar, the human who transforms into Mega Man.
Over the course of the series, his relationship with the EM Wave Change evolves. In the second story, he accidentally transforms again while trying to impress a professional skier, leading to a series of misadventures where he loses his memory and is worshiped as a deity named Budicus in a remote village. By the third story, his connection with Taurus becomes a willing partnership. After being turned into Taurus Fire by an external force, he defeats the entity, and Taurus apologizes, choosing to become his permanent Wizard, allowing Ushijima to transform at will. He briefly joins the Satella Police as an officer to use his power for good but ultimately quits, realizing that his true purpose is to stay close to and protect Luna and Zack, as he feels he is not himself without their trio.
His key relationships are the foundation of his character. He is utterly devoted to Luna Platz, following her commands and looking to her for guidance. He shares a friendly, fellow sidekick dynamic with Zack Temple, and the three form a tight-knit group. His relationship with Geo Stelar begins with rivalry but transforms into a strong friendship built on respect and BrotherBand. In the anime adaptation, his personality is similar, showing more independence while still a follower, and his memory of events after a transformation is often erased. The manga portrays him with a strong chivalrous streak, fusing with the EM being Ox to protect a puppy and aspiring to be a hero like Mega Man.
As Taurus Fire, Ushijima possesses several notable abilities. This form grants him a suit of armor and the power to generate and control incredibly hot flames, with his fire nozzle capable of emitting temperatures over one thousand degrees Celsius. His signature attacks include Ox Tackle, where he charges with his large horns, as well as Anger Punch, Fire Breath, and Flame Tower. In this transformed state, he also gains a natural resistance to hypnosis.
Initially, Ushijima presents the facade of a tough and gruff bully, frequently using intimidation tactics and threats of violence to solve problems or follow the orders of his class president, Luna Platz. He, along with Zack Temple, functions as one of Luna's loyal followers. However, this rough exterior hides a significant inner loneliness. His sense of belonging and emotional stability is heavily tied to his BrotherBand, a form of deep friendship, with Luna and Zack. The fear of being abandoned by Luna, his primary source of social structure, is a driving force behind many of his early, more vulnerable actions. Despite his simple and dim-witted nature, he possesses a strong sense of admiration for heroes and celebrities, being a known fan of the pop star Sonia Strumm.
Ushijima's central role in the story stems from his connection to the FM-ian known as Taurus, which grants him the ability to undergo an EM Wave Change and become the powerful fire entity Taurus Fire (Ox Fire in Japanese media). His first transformation is involuntary, born from manipulation. After being humiliated in a fight and facing the threat of rejection from Luna, his negative emotions attract Taurus, who convinces him to merge, creating a destructive monster that rampages by trampling everything red. After being defeated by Mega Man, he is freed and develops a deep admiration for his savior, eventually forming a BrotherBand with Geo Stelar, the human who transforms into Mega Man.
Over the course of the series, his relationship with the EM Wave Change evolves. In the second story, he accidentally transforms again while trying to impress a professional skier, leading to a series of misadventures where he loses his memory and is worshiped as a deity named Budicus in a remote village. By the third story, his connection with Taurus becomes a willing partnership. After being turned into Taurus Fire by an external force, he defeats the entity, and Taurus apologizes, choosing to become his permanent Wizard, allowing Ushijima to transform at will. He briefly joins the Satella Police as an officer to use his power for good but ultimately quits, realizing that his true purpose is to stay close to and protect Luna and Zack, as he feels he is not himself without their trio.
His key relationships are the foundation of his character. He is utterly devoted to Luna Platz, following her commands and looking to her for guidance. He shares a friendly, fellow sidekick dynamic with Zack Temple, and the three form a tight-knit group. His relationship with Geo Stelar begins with rivalry but transforms into a strong friendship built on respect and BrotherBand. In the anime adaptation, his personality is similar, showing more independence while still a follower, and his memory of events after a transformation is often erased. The manga portrays him with a strong chivalrous streak, fusing with the EM being Ox to protect a puppy and aspiring to be a hero like Mega Man.
As Taurus Fire, Ushijima possesses several notable abilities. This form grants him a suit of armor and the power to generate and control incredibly hot flames, with his fire nozzle capable of emitting temperatures over one thousand degrees Celsius. His signature attacks include Ox Tackle, where he charges with his large horns, as well as Anger Punch, Fire Breath, and Flame Tower. In this transformed state, he also gains a natural resistance to hypnosis.