For the most part, I felt that the Burst animes have just meandered in being meh-okay. The show's writing overall feels a little bit too basic for my tastes. It could either be because Burst is meant to be targeted to younger audiences compared to even the precious gen, or I've just started outgrowing things a bit more as I grow older.
Burst kept things grounded and less in the "over the top" direction... until the God series onwards, then it started including really weird and
possibly supernatural element to the series. Red Eye's dark aura, dark resonance, gold/dark turbo, flare. A lot of it isn't explained, or explained well, unless it relies on the blader spirit carp that MFB gets routinely made fun of for. I feel it's unnecessary to add these to what's meant to be down to earth, yet it also feels like it doesn't go all the way. Again, it kinda just meanders. I know, there's gotta be some flashy colours and effects to keep it interesting, but some type of explanation for some, instead of just accepting it happens would be nice. Otherwise, the plots tend to be too basic for my taste, with the exception of maaaaybe God and Chouzetsu. Please don't tell me that "it's a toyetic anime, who cares", as you just completely acknowledge it as a full on commercial at that point, and not a show.
The biggest problem I have with are the characters overall.
First of, there's too many superfluous characters who do absolutely nothing at all, but be cheerleaders. If you thought Hilary was bad... she still is... but some of these characters do just as little as she does. Ranjiro's club members, the Asahi brother's friends, Honey Guten, Ichika etc.
Most of the bladers with official beys that do show up only ever show up for their own season. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I hate that feeling of disconnect between seasons. Besides God showing cameos of the first season cast, the other seasons almost never acknowledge the existence of the supporting cast from the previous. For example, where is Joshua? Ruwei? Ghasem? Dr Evel? Kyle? Joe? Blind? Where are they? Not even a brief cameo? No mention of some of them? See, the old gen and MFB would return the supporting cast in some way, even just as cameos or minor speaking role, it at least felt they still existed, and didn't just get Thanos snapped after each season finales. I'm not expecting them all to be there, but we need more than just the big super duper focused ones to return. Even still, no Phi, no Gwynn, no Arthur.
As for the main casts... even they can get forgotten after their debut series. Amane at least got a small cameo in Sparking, but where's Fubuki and Souh? Kensuke? Cuza? Hell, where's Delta now? I know he's in the manga, but he's not in the anime? Sparking isn't done so I'll grant that at least. What would help is if the Burst anime didn't just keep making "main character of the week" for each season, can we stick to one for at least two seasons? It doesn't help that the characterization starts lacking for later ones. While Aiga did get very good character growth that felt natural, Drum barely develops, if at all, and Hyuga is the most cookie cutter main character ever. Hikaru was okay, but because Sparking has to focus on two brothers and taking so much time, it's not good enough in my opinion. The two don't have much together besides the typical brother squabble for who battles first. Their season already needs to deal with a reduced duration too, by the way.
On a positive note though, the animation looks good, very crisp and colourful. Yes I know it's the anime is obviously newer than the others, but even just art style wise, Burst's art style is definitely my favourite of any Beyblade seasons. While the beys moved a bit weirdly in Season 1, it got way better from God onwards.
It's overall an okay ride, and has fun moments. However I feel that the writing is very lacking, even for a kids show, and the character department needs serious work.
NOTE: This is ONLY for the anime, not the manga.
My Cho-Z Reaper Deathscyther .12.Cr concept render, click below to see!
No I don't plan on doing more yet.
I should probably go back to making fan custom Zero G beyblade concepts again