Majin Bone is a digital card game about armored warriors by Bandai. A manga series is serialized in the magazine Saikyo Jump by Shueisha and an anime television series by Toei Animation debuted on April 1, 2014 on TV Tokyo.
The anime focuses on Shōgo Ryūjin, a young man who gets caught up in the fighting over Dragon Bone, a guardian entity of the earth that bonds with him. He soon finds that there are others like him, who can fuse with the Bones to fight the invading monsters. However, Shōgo is different: It is his Bone in particular that the enemy is after, so he's recruited by their group in order to fight.
Majin Bone provides examples of:
- Aliens Speaking English: Subverted. It only sounds like they're speaking Japanese because we're seeing things the way the Bone Fighters do, and they likely share some sort of connection that allows them to understand each other. Later on, Shōgo has to translate for a non-Fighter.
- Chase Scene: Half of episode twelve is Shōgo running from Liebert who keeps going after him no matter what tries to stop her.
- Cloudcuckoolander: Shōgo's friend Saho is obsessed with aliens and believes that they are the ones behind the strange occurrences lately. And they are!
- Color-Coded Elements: Each Bone has different element associations:
- Air is colored light blue.
- Earth is colored brown.
- Plant magic is colored green.
- Water is colored blue.
- Fire is colored red.
- Electricity is colored yellow.
- Cosmic Keystone: Each planet's "Guardian" Bone. If it is ever removed, that planet is instantly destroyed as seen in episode 25.
- Cruel and Unusual Death: Dark Horse is slowly crushed by the Revelation Cocoon being compressed by the Primordial Majin, his screams make the scene even worse.
- Evolving Credits: The opening adds Leo to the Bone Fighter line-up in episode 6.
- Extremity Extremist: Gilbert is a Boxer and Dark Horse the leader of the Quirky Miniboss Squad, uses his feet exclusively.
- God Is Evil: The Neposians claim that the creator of everything in this universe is the Primordial Majin, and the reason they're trying to destroy earth is because that's what it has asked of them.
- Go-Karting with Bowser: In Episode 24, Saho (unknowingly) has a picnic with Gustos and Morse (Dark Bear and Dark Grizzly). Also in the same episode, Shōgo has a karate match with Liebert. Of course, the latter is treated more seriously than the former, as Gustos and Morse are more or less Punch-Clock Villains and easily the most Affably Evil of the Nepos to boot.
- Hidden Depths: The Nepos are initially introduced as evil invaders who seem to want to destroy Earth For the Evulz. However, over time, its revealed that there is much more to them than that, as well as how some of them reveal certain characteristics that either make them more sympatethic, if not flat out Noble Demon. Example: Klude is initially shown to be a cold and distant individual, but he's later to shown to be a Reasonable Authority Figure to his subordinates, as well as a Noble Demon who while knowing that Earth will be destroyed if they succeed, wants to at least give the Earthlings a quick and painless death, and takes no pleasure in what he is doing.
- The Load: Surprisingly a good thing. Frequently when any of the True Companions gets a power upgrade, the others start to feel useless, and then strive to catch up, often gaining the same upgrade in the next 1 or 2 episodes.
- Limited Wardrobe: Most of the characters only have three unique outfits aside from their armors, and that's including swimsuits worn for the Beach Episode. Shōgo is the only one who has more, because of his Karate and school uniforms.
- Masquerade: The public is kept unaware of the existence of aliens and how they want to destroy Earth.
- Massive Numbered Siblings: Tyrone has 15 younger siblings: 7 little brothers and 8 little sisters.
- Missing Mom: Shōgo's mom passed away when he was very young, as had Leibert's. It later turns out Shōgo's mom is alive, but currently on the International Space Station.
- Multi National Team: The protagonist team are from different places around the world.
- Shōgo from Japan, Asia.
- Antonio from Brazil, South America.
- Tyrone from Kenya, Africa.
- Luke from Australia.
- Gilbert from The United States of America.
- Noble Demon: The Nepos that have been assaulting Earth up till episode 25. While they do intend to capture Dragon Bone at the cost of destroying Earth (as Earth cannot exist without Dragon Bone) in the process, the actual destruction itself is said to be a quick and painless process for the planet and its people. Unfortunately, not all of the Nepos are this, and one of them intends to take over the invasion...and he ENJOYS killing innocents as a hobby
- 7th Episode Twist: It seems that the resident alien theorist Saho was right; Extraterrestrials are the antagonist Bone Fighters.
- She Is Not My Girlfriend: Shōgo denies to Antonio and Tyrone that Saho is his girlfriend. Antonio and Tyrone don't buy it.
- Sugar-and-Ice Personality: Luke. He may appear like a cold individual, and can be blunt at times, but he's easily one of the nicest and most understanding characters. He also feels a great obligation to look out for his teammates' well being to the point he was more than willing to go berserk (an act that can cause serious damage to the Bone Fighter who does it) in order to stop being (in his opinion) The Load to Shōgo
- Title Drop: Episode 37 where Dr Leonard talks about the Rare Metal Bones which he nicknames Majin Bone, cue the logo appearing.
- Trademark Favorite Food: Luke loves sweet things, especially Parfaits, and Gilbert seems to enjoy chocolate.
- Transformation Sequence: The Bone Fighters transform using their cards. They armor up first with their arms, then lower half of their body and finally their torso and head.
