Bub, known as Bubblun (バブルン Baburun?) in Japan, is the protagonist of the Bubble Bobble series. He is a green Bubble Dragon, and the twin brother of Bob. Bub made his debut in the first Bubble Bobble game, and has appeared in nearly every game in the series since. His human form is named Bubby.
Biography
Appearance
Bub is a small green Bubble Dragon with yellow spines. He has reddish-pink arms and legs, as well as a white stomach area. Like most Bubble Dragons, Bub has a single visible tooth centered on the upper part of his mouth.
Personality
Bub is generally portrayed as being rowdy and cheerful, always looking for adventure. Bub has a strong sense of justice, and is always willing to help people in need. He shares a close relationship with his brother, Bob, and the two have gone on many adventures together.
Abilities
Bub's trademark ability involves producing and firing bubbles from his mouth. If the bubbles make contact with an opponent, they get trapped inside, allowing Bub to pop the bubble with his spines in order to defeat them. Along with utilizing the bubbles to attack foes, Bub is also able to jump on them in order to reach new heights.
In several games in the Bubble Bobble series which feature playable characters with different stats, namely Bubble Memories and Bubble Bobble Revolution, Bub is usually the most rounded character, bearing average jump height, speed, bubble fire rate, and range.
In addition to his normal bubbles, several games have allowed Bub to charge up his bubbles, the effect of which varies from game to game. The first game to feature this ability was Bubble Bobble Part 2, in the form of the Super Bubble (スーパーバブル Sūpā Baburu?) technique, which allows Bub to fire multiple bubbles at once. Additionally, if the player continues to hold down the button and continues to charge, Bub will inflate like a balloon, allowing him to slowly float upwards, allowing him to access previously unreachable areas. The Super Bubble returns in Bubble Bobble Junior along with the floating ability, however, Bub encases himself in a bubble instead, similar to the stage transitions in the original Bubble Bobble.
A similar mechanic is implemented in Bubble Symphony, with each of the four playable characters having a different formation of bubbles that they can fire. Bub is able to shoot three bubbles straight forward, trapping any enemies directly in front of him. Unlike Bubble Bobble Part 2, the ability to float is not present in the game.
Bub retains the ability to charge his bubbles in Bubble Memories, albeit with a new twist. By charging up his bubbles, Bub can unleash a Giant Bubble (巨大バブル Kyodai Baburu?) which can trap multiple enemies at once. This ability returns in Bubble Bobble Revolution in the form of the Charge Bubble (チャージバブル Chāji Baburu?), which in addition to trapping multiple enemies, can bounce off of walls. After bouncing off of a wall, if the Charge Bubble collides with Bub, he will enter it and perform the Rolling Bubble (ローリングバブル Rōringu Baburu?) technique, which allows him to charge into enemies and defeat them.
In Bubble Bobble Double Shot, Bub gains the ability to blow Lightning Bubbles after obtaining a Crystal Ball.
History
Bubble Bobble
Bub first appears in Bubble Bobble as the default player character. Bub, along with his brother, Bob, were turned into Bubble Dragons by Grumple Grommit after attempting to rescue their girlfriends, Betty and Patty, who were kidnapped after wandering into the Magical Forest. The duo sets out to travel through the 100 levels of the Cave of Monsters and defeat the girls' captor.
Upon reaching the bottom of the cave and defeating Grumple Grommit, Bub and Bob manage to rescue their girlfriends, as well as their parents, who were under the control of an unknown figure who had been giving orders to Grumple Grommit.
Bubble Bobble Part 2
After his adventures in human form during both Rainbow Islands and Parasol Stars, Bub returns to his Bubble Dragon form in Bubble Bobble Part 2 to rescue his friend Judy, who has been kidnapped by the Skull Brothers. Bub and Bob set out to defeat the evildoers and rescue Judy, traveling to their lair and defeating the various monsters that await them along the way. After defeating the Skull Brothers, a Fairy returns Bub to his human form, and he and Judy reconcile.
In the original Japanese story (which was also used on the back of the game's box in North America), the characters in Bubble Bobble Part 2 are actually named Cubby (カビー Kabī?) and Rubby (ルビー Rubī?), and are the descendants of Bub and Bob. This is ignored in the North American manual, and most supplementary material for the game presents the two as simply being the same Bub and Bob as the original Bubble Bobble. Judy was also Cubby's girlfriend in the original story, but she is mentioned to just be a friend of the duo in the American version.
Bubble Bobble Junior
After being away from his village in order to train, Bub returns one day to find his home in crisis. The inhabitants of the village have been abducted by the newly revived demon king, Great Skell, who has unleashed his army of monsters upon the land. Upon seeing this, Bub sets out to rescue the villagers and defeat the demon king.
Much like Bubble Bobble Part 2, the main character in the original Japanese story was known as Robby (ロビー Robī?), also known by the nickname Bubblun Jr. (ばぶるんＪｒ． Baburun Junia?). Although still called Robby in the North American intro to the game, most American supplemental material disregarded this and gave the protagonist's name as "Bub".
Bubble Symphony
Bub appears once again in Bubble Symphony, joined by Bob and new playable characters Cororon and Kululun. The game begins with the four reading a book, when Hyper Drunk emerges from the book, transforming the four into Bubble Dragons and banishing them to the Storybook World. The four must find the four keys hidden throughout the Storybook World, and defeat Hyper Drunk to return home. If Bub collects three bubbles, each with the letters 'R', 'O', and 'D' on them, can transform into Bubby, attacking instead by blowing bubbles through a bubble pipe. After defeating Hyper Drunk, the four become the kings and queens of the Storybook World, and return back home.
Bubble Symphony's intro states that the four characters in the game are the children of Bub and Bob from the original Bubble Bobble, but several sources later contradict this, namely the game's promotional flyer, as well as later games featuring Cororon and Kululun that simply refer to them as Bub and Bob's girlfriends.
Bust-A-Move
Bub is the main playable character in Bust-A-Move. In this game, he must shoot bubbles out of a Bubble Launcher in order to pop the bubbles of a matching color at the top of the stage. Unlike later games in the Bust-A-Move series, Bub is the only character available to the player outside of Vs. Mode.
Bust-A-Move 2
Bub appears once again as the main character of Bust-A-Move 2. In the game's Story Mode, Bub comes across a Beluga working for Dreg, who is stealing the stars from the night sky. Bub journeys across Rainbow World in order to stop Dreg and return the stars, meeting both friends and foes along the way. After reaching Dreg's Castle and defeating Dreg, Bub returns the stars back into the sky where they belong. Bub is also the playable character in the game's Puzzle Mode, but a different character can be selected in the console version if the player inputs a code.
Bubble Memories
In Bubble Memories, Bub and Bob act as the only two playable characters once again. The two now have the ability charge up their bubbles to create a giant bubble in order to capture multiple enemies at once. In the beginning of the game, Bub and Bob set out to save the inhabitants of the Rainbow Islands, who have been transformed into Bubble Dragons by the Super Dark Great Dragon. Bub and Bob must climb the Rainbow Tower and defeat the Super Dark Great Dragon, as well as obtain the seven Magic Potions to return everyone to human form. After defeating the Dragon for the first time, he raises the Tower of Darkness out of the sea, which Bub and Bob must ascend to defeat him once and for all. After Bub and Bob square off against the Dragon's true form, they use the combined Magic Potions to change everyone back to human form.
Bust-A-Move 3
Bub returns as the main character in Bust-A-Move 3. In the game's Story Mode, he competes against other characters, each of whom has an arcade game representing them. In Bub's ending, he throws a party with the other characters after defeating Dreg, but they end up leaving his house a mess when Bub wakes up the next day. The penultimate boss of the game, Debblun, resembles an overweight verison of Bub.
Bust-A-Move 4
Bub journeys across the cosmos in Bust-A-Move 4 to recover the Rainbow Bubbles, which were stolen by Cleon, who is working for the evil Madame Luna. Bub travels to various planets, collecting the Rainbow Bubbles, eventually heading to Eclipse Star and fighting Madame Luna. After Madame Luna is defeated, it is revealed that Dreg was controlling her. Bub defeats Dreg and returns the Rainbow Bubbles to their rightful place in the cosmos.
Super Puzzle Bobble
Bub is the primary playable character in Super Puzzle Bobble. He is visited by Chack'n, who tells him that the Tree of Time is about to be eaten by monsters called Time Eaters. Bub and a partner journey with Chack'n to help defeat the Time Eaters. Bub is always one of the characters that is used, the other is selected by the player. In the end, it is revealed that Dreg is behind the Time Eater invasion. After being defeated by Bub and his friends, Dreg flies outside of the dimension, swearing vengeance upon Bub.
Classic Bubble Bobble
In Classic Bubble Bobble, Bob has fallen ill and Bub must retrieve the Moon Water to heal him. Bub must defeat Darkness Drunk's minions and retrieve the Moon Water from Darkness Drunk himself.
Bust-A-Move Millennium
Bub is the main character in Bust-A-Move Millennium. In Story Mode, he sets out to retrieve the Gold Bubble from Dreg.
Super Bust-A-Move
Bub appears in Super Bust-A-Move as a helper. He always appears alongside the player's character, helping them move the Bubble Launcher.
Super Bust-A-Move 2
Bub appears in Super-Bust-A-Move 2, acting identically to his appearance in Super Bust-A-Move.
Bubble Bobble: Old & New
Bub appears once again in Bubble Bobble: Old & New, playing an identical role as in the original Bubble Bobble. His design in the "New" mode is significantly taller and slimmer than he is usually depicted.
Puzzle Bobble Pocket
Bub is a playable character in Puzzle Bobble Pocket. He appears alongside Bob and several enemies from Bubble Bobble.
Puzzle Bobble DS
Bub is a playable character in Puzzle Bobble DS, alongside Bob, Chack'n, and several enemies from Bubble Bobble.
Bubble Bobble Revolution
Bub and Bob are joined by newcomers Robolun and Lovelun in Bubble Bobble Revolution to defeat the monsters and rescue their friends. The four must collect the 9 Revolution Bubbles to unlock the gate to Dreg's Castle, which is where their friends are being kept. The four can charge up their bubbles and ricochet them at the wall to charge into enemies.
Bust-A-Move DS
Bub is the main character in Bust-A-Move DS. He appears alongside Bob, Develon, Dreg, and some new characters.
Bust-A-Move Deluxe
Bub returns in Bust-A-Move Deluxe. He is one of five characters returning from Puzzle Bobble Pocket.
Bubble Bobble Double Shot
Bub and Bob go to visit their cousin Bubu and their grandfather in Bubble Bobble Double Shot. While looking around in the attic, the trio find a treasure map. Setting out to find the treasure, they journey across the island Bubu lives on, traversing its many hazards and fighting enemies along the way. After defeating the Willy Whistle Mech in the toy box area, the trio come upon a treasure chest which their grandfather pops out of. He reveals that the map was fake, and that the journey was his present to them. He awards the trio the Heart of Courage and tells them to remember that courage will always be with them.
Bust-A-Move Bash!
Bub is a playable character in Bust-A-Move Bash!. He retains his taller look from Bubble Bobble: Old & New.
Space Bust-A-Move
In Space Bust-A-Move, Bub and Bob find a meteor that fell onto Rainbow World. The meteor is actually a device that shows a message from an alien named Snown. Snown has been captured by Develon, who is attempting to collect all the Cosmo Bubbles. Bub and Bob must collect Cosmo Bubbles in order to free Snown, and go to the Cosmo Castle to defeat Develon.
Bubble Bobble Plus!
In Bubble Bobble Plus!, Bub, Bob, Peb, and Pab set out to defeat the evil Dark Dragon who is using Grumple Grommit's heart to power himself. The four must destroy the capsule that holds Grumple Grommit's heart, and smash the mirror on the 80th level in order to defeat the Dark Dragon.
Bust-A-Move Plus!
Bub is the main character in Bust-A-Move Plus!.
Bust-A-Move (iOS)
Bub is the main character in Bust-A-Move for the iOS. He sets out with Chack'n to rescue Chack'n's family from the Magic Domes.
New Bust-A-Move
Bub and Bob set out to get the seven Magic Rainbow Wands in New Bust-A-Move to return themselves to human form. In the end, they use their wish to defeat Grumple Grommit, and not to turn themselves back to human. Bub wears goggles and a satchel in this game.
Bubble Bobble Double
Bub is the main character in Bubble Bobble Double. Bub and Bob have been sent to a strange dimension by a mysterious shadow that appeared over Rainbow World. In-game, Bub sits in the center of the screen, and the player must tap the area around him to trap enemies in bubbles that move closer to him.
Bust-A-Move Universe
Bub is the main character in Bust-A-Move Universe. He must rescue the Bubble Dragons who have been captured and imprisoned throughout the planets.
Bust-A-Move Islands
Bub appears once again in Bust-A-Move Islands, sharing the same role and appearance as in New Bust-A-Move.
Other appearances
Pop'n Pop
Bub is a playable character in the console version of Pop'n Pop. His helper is a Beluga, much like Bubby's. He also appears in the arcade version in Bubby's intro animation. In Pop'n Pop's story mode, Bub and Bob are playing in a park near their house, when they encounter a strange balloon. Upon going to look at it, the balloon pops and reveals a message from Princess Lena of Pop'n World, asking them for help to save the world from the Super Dark Great Dragon.
Trivia
- The Bubble Bobble games have conflicting information over whether or not Bub and Bob are actually Bubble Dragons, or humans transformed into Bubble Dragons. In the original games, Bub and Bob were portrayed as being as being humans cursed to become Bubble Dragons. However, in most of the Bust-A-Move games, they are portrayed as being only Bubble Dragons, with their human forms almost never being referenced. Some titles, such as Game Boy version of Bubble Bobble, seem to show Bub to have the ability to transform into his Bubble Dragon form at will.
- The Japanese manual for Bubble Bobble Junior mentions the "Bubble Dragon bloodline", possibly implying that the ability to change between Bubble Dragon and human forms is a hereditary trait.
