BakuTech! is a spin-off series of the original featuring its own separate continuity with unique characters, scenarios, and species. BakuTech! Bakugan started off as a manga series that was eventually adapted into an anime in 2012. Each episode is approximately 6 minutes long. It would receive a sequel series known as BakuTech! Bakugan Gachi, which effectively functions as a season 2. Due to there not being a significant difference between the BakuTech toys featured, they will be combined together for documentation purposes.
In the realm of toys and collectibles, the BakuTech line was sold in Japan and licensed by Sega Toys. Many Bakugan in this series are just repackaged B2, New Vestroia, and Baku-Sky Raider Bakugan. That being said, the majority are unique species and molds, though they all lack a "monster form" as standard Bakugan do. The BakuTech line is also known for its peculiar names. Due to its sole focus on the Japanese market, each name includes a kanji that explains some characteristic of the species, and its full name is indicative of how to read it. Many names appear to be puns, onomatopoeias, or derived from other languages. For example, you will see names such as Gran Panzer and Let's Gao.
Tech Bakugan appear to be made of higher quality material, and often feature a mix of plastics and metal. Most Tech Bakugan feature the Convert System, where individual plastic and/or metal pieces may be removed and swapped around. Earlier releases even contained various stickers to pair with them, but it was eventually phased out. Certain molds received a "Kai" release, where the original mold was changed and improved slightly in order to be more competitive.
Certain molds had their size increased to 36mm. The majority of them are instead part of the Bind System, which is a similar concept to Mechtanium Surge's Bakumutants. Each Bind System mold has two equal portions which can be divided and swapped around (and thankfully, the Bind System is the overall more stable product).
Finally, we have the Bakugan Armors. The Armors featured a system of interchangeable arm and feet parts- not too dissimilar to the Convert System. Bakugan Armors released a series of 6 molds (and a 7th via the special edition of Ikki Tosen) that released in 2014, before future waves were promptly cancelled- thus the end of Generation 1.
Note: The following table does not account for minor paint or hole variations, unless it is an oddity or a very notable difference. The table does not account for varying G-Powers, as it would be near impossible to track this information down.
Treatment: A variation from the normal 6 attributed releases. They include translucent plastic, unique color combinations, among other gimmicks.
Bakugan releases differ by regions of the world. Below are the identified major regions, though specific countries would obtain specific releases on occasion. The identified regions are as follows:
- Japan (Sega Toys releases)
- South Korea (Sonokong B1s, otherwise part of Asia Region)
- Anglo-America (Canada has slightly different releases)
- Western Europe/Latin America (Nations south of the USA received European waves)
- Eastern Europe/Middle East (Primarily Russia and Post-Soviet nations)
- Asia + Australia (Appears to have received a mix of everything else. Documentation is poor)
Note:
Rarity scores are based on how easy the Bakugan is to find for a primarily American buyer, however Sega Toys and Takara Tomy releases have scores based on their own region. This means that if you live outside of the designated region, increase the rarity score by one or two points.
For example, Hydranoid is 6/10 (Moderate) in the US, and did not release in Japan. If you live in Japan, it is likely 8/10 rarity instead.
If a European Bakugan is considered Common (say 3/10), then to an American, consider it Moderate (say 5/10).
This is is because you would have to go out of your way to find sellers or utilize websites or middlemen, and are also likely to have to pay an increased cost in order to obtain it along with international shipping. This effectively raises your barrier to entry, even if the toy in a vacuum is not difficult to find.
- 1/10 - 2/10 (Very Common): Easy to find and relatively cheap, you will likely find a minimum of 10 results upon searching for one online
- 3/10 - 4/10 (Common): Relatively easy to obtain, slightly less numerous and more expensive. Will find a few results in a search
- 5/10 - 6/10 (Moderate): Potentially annoying/expensive to track down, but realistic enough to obtain without too much issue
- 7/10 - 8/10 (Semi-Rare or Rare): One will pop up every few weeks or months. You may have some competition in trying to obtain this
- 9/10 or 10/10 (Very Rare): Realistically, you will not obtain this Bakugan. Get a custom paint job or a recast. Good luck otherwise
- One-Offs: An anomaly that probably shouldn't exist, but has been documented for the sake of completion