TV-Series
Description
Gonta Ushijima, known as Bud Bison in English-language media, is a recurring character initially introduced alongside Luna Platz and Zack Temple as part of a trio. He presents a gruff, bullying exterior, attempting intimidation tactics like pressuring Geo Stelar to return to school, yet underneath lies significant loneliness eased by his BrotherBand with Luna and Zack. Despite physical strength, he often displays dim-witted tendencies and heavily relies on Luna for guidance. He harbors admiration for pop star Sonia Strumm.
His EM Wave involvement begins when the FM-ian Taurus manipulates his anger and frustration after Geo accidentally punches him, causing humiliation and depression. Taurus convinces him to undergo an EM Wave Change, transforming him into the destructive Taurus Fire. In this state, he mindlessly tramples anything red until Mega Man defeats him, freeing him from Taurus's influence in his first involuntary transformation.
He later becomes entangled in conflicts as a bystander, affected by Cygnus Wing's Swan Dance, becoming an EM Wave human experiment, and getting captured by Jammers. During a school play re-enacting the Taurus Fire incident, he portrays "CowMan" and develops admiration for Mega Man after being saved, leading him to request a BrotherBand with Geo.
During events of the second game, while trying to impress professional skier Amy Gelande, he accidentally transforms into Taurus Fire without Taurus's direct involvement. He, Zack, and Sonia are subsequently sent through a Mu-generated black hole by Rogue. Landing in Whazzap Village, he suffers amnesia from a head injury and is renamed "Budicus" by the local Shaman, who exploits his amnesiac state to present him as a tourist-attracting deity. Rescued by Mega Man, he regains his memories only to be kidnapped again by the Shaman empowered by Terra Condor. The villagers later erect a statue commemorating his "Budicus" persona.
By the third game, he gains conscious control over his EM Wave Changes after Taurus becomes his permanent Wizard following a noise card incident at WGB Studios, allowing him to transform into Taurus Fire at will. He demonstrates knowledge of the "Boxers Off" technique. He initially joins the Satella Police as an officer but resigns to prioritize protecting Luna and Zack. His Taurus Fire form unleashes fiery attacks like Ox Tackle, Anger Punch, Fire Breath, Flame Tower, and Berserk Punch, possesses inherent resistance to hypnosis during Wave Changes, and features prominent horns for charging, a fire nozzle emitting flames over 1000 degrees Celsius, and armored plating.
In the anime, his characterization includes more independence while still following Luna, and a greater propensity for violence. After Taurus forces an EM Wave Change, he retains no memory as Taurus Fire. He, Zack, and Luna later witness Geo's transformation into Mega Man and Omega-Xis' existence, though Luna initially refuses to accept this.
The manga portrays him with a strong desire to emulate Rockman as a hero, demonstrating chivalry like rescuing Subaru from a river and protecting a puppy from attacking children. Confronted by the attackers' older brother, he reluctantly fuses with the EM being Ox, becoming Ox Fire. Blinded by power, he nearly causes fatal harm before Rockman intervenes, reminding him of his heroic ideals; this emotional confrontation causes him to cry, leading Ox to concede to Rockman. He later fuses with Ox again to assist Rockman and former adversaries against the FM King.
His name carries thematic significance: "Ushijima" incorporates "ushi" (牛), meaning "cattle", aligning with the Taurus/Ox motif, while "Gonta" implies "rejoice" and "big" or "plump." The English name "Bud" suggests "buddy" or "friend," and "Bison" references bovine animals, maintaining the Taurus symbolism.
His EM Wave involvement begins when the FM-ian Taurus manipulates his anger and frustration after Geo accidentally punches him, causing humiliation and depression. Taurus convinces him to undergo an EM Wave Change, transforming him into the destructive Taurus Fire. In this state, he mindlessly tramples anything red until Mega Man defeats him, freeing him from Taurus's influence in his first involuntary transformation.
He later becomes entangled in conflicts as a bystander, affected by Cygnus Wing's Swan Dance, becoming an EM Wave human experiment, and getting captured by Jammers. During a school play re-enacting the Taurus Fire incident, he portrays "CowMan" and develops admiration for Mega Man after being saved, leading him to request a BrotherBand with Geo.
During events of the second game, while trying to impress professional skier Amy Gelande, he accidentally transforms into Taurus Fire without Taurus's direct involvement. He, Zack, and Sonia are subsequently sent through a Mu-generated black hole by Rogue. Landing in Whazzap Village, he suffers amnesia from a head injury and is renamed "Budicus" by the local Shaman, who exploits his amnesiac state to present him as a tourist-attracting deity. Rescued by Mega Man, he regains his memories only to be kidnapped again by the Shaman empowered by Terra Condor. The villagers later erect a statue commemorating his "Budicus" persona.
By the third game, he gains conscious control over his EM Wave Changes after Taurus becomes his permanent Wizard following a noise card incident at WGB Studios, allowing him to transform into Taurus Fire at will. He demonstrates knowledge of the "Boxers Off" technique. He initially joins the Satella Police as an officer but resigns to prioritize protecting Luna and Zack. His Taurus Fire form unleashes fiery attacks like Ox Tackle, Anger Punch, Fire Breath, Flame Tower, and Berserk Punch, possesses inherent resistance to hypnosis during Wave Changes, and features prominent horns for charging, a fire nozzle emitting flames over 1000 degrees Celsius, and armored plating.
In the anime, his characterization includes more independence while still following Luna, and a greater propensity for violence. After Taurus forces an EM Wave Change, he retains no memory as Taurus Fire. He, Zack, and Luna later witness Geo's transformation into Mega Man and Omega-Xis' existence, though Luna initially refuses to accept this.
The manga portrays him with a strong desire to emulate Rockman as a hero, demonstrating chivalry like rescuing Subaru from a river and protecting a puppy from attacking children. Confronted by the attackers' older brother, he reluctantly fuses with the EM being Ox, becoming Ox Fire. Blinded by power, he nearly causes fatal harm before Rockman intervenes, reminding him of his heroic ideals; this emotional confrontation causes him to cry, leading Ox to concede to Rockman. He later fuses with Ox again to assist Rockman and former adversaries against the FM King.
His name carries thematic significance: "Ushijima" incorporates "ushi" (牛), meaning "cattle", aligning with the Taurus/Ox motif, while "Gonta" implies "rejoice" and "big" or "plump." The English name "Bud" suggests "buddy" or "friend," and "Bison" references bovine animals, maintaining the Taurus symbolism.