You remember the sound. That sharp clack-clack-clack of plastic marbles hitting a stadium floor at Mach speed. If you grew up in the early 2010s, B-Daman Fireblast—or Cross Fight B-Daman eS if you’re a purist who imported the Japanese Takara Tomy versions—was likely the peak of your tabletop competitive career. It wasn't just about shooting marbles. It was about the "Emblem Charge."
Honestly, looking back at the franchise, Fireblast was a weird, beautiful high point before things eventually transitioned into the Bottleman era. It took the core mechanics of B-Daman Crossfire and just cranked the intensity up to eleven.
The Secret Sauce: What is the Emblem Charge System?
If you're coming from the older Battle B-Daman days, the Fireblast era might look a bit bulky. There’s a reason for that. The "Emblem Charge" gimmick was basically a built-in "overclock" for your B-Daman. By squeezing the side "emblems" on the armor, you’d tighten the hold parts inside the core.
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More tension equals more power. Simple physics, but man, it felt like you were unlocking a secret finishing move every time you lined up a shot.
Most people get this wrong: they think every Fireblast model is just a "squeezy" power type. Not true. You had specific categories that actually changed how you approached a match:
- Power Types: Like Rising Dracyan. These guys were built for raw force. The emblem charge on these was brutal on your fingers but would absolutely wreck a target block.
- Rapid-Fire Types: Think Lightning Dravise. These weren't about one big hit; they were about flooding the field. Usually, these had specialized magazines or smoother triggers to keep the "B-Dama" (the marbles) flowing.
- Control Types: Drive Garuburn is the classic example here. These focused on precision. If you were playing a "Shoot the Gap" or accuracy-based game, you didn't want the wild kickback of a power type.
Why the Anime Actually Mattered
The B-Daman Fireblast anime (the sequel to Crossfire) was basically a high-stakes sports drama where the "sport" just happened to involve sentient marble-shooting robots. We followed Kamon Dayu, a kid who—in classic anime fashion—had lost his memories of being a B-Shot.
The story was surprisingly tight. It focused on the "Grand B-Master" and the battle for Crestland. While the Western dub sometimes felt a bit "kiddy," the Japanese version had some genuine weight to it. It wasn't just a 22-minute commercial; it actually explored the bond between the B-Shot and their B-Daman.
The rivalry between Kamon and Mitsuru (who used Sロット・ドヴァイス or Slot Dravise) provided that classic shonen spark that kept kids buying the expansion parts.
Collecting Fireblast Today: The "Rare" Problem
If you’re trying to get into B-Daman Fireblast in 2026, you've probably noticed something annoying. The prices are everywhere. Since the line ended years ago, finding a New-In-Box (NIB) Rising Dracyan or a Magnum Ifrit can cost you a small fortune on eBay or Mandarake.
A lot of collectors are currently hunting for the "Ultimate" versions. For instance, the Triple Gillusion—which is a three-way fusion—is basically the Holy Grail for Fireblast enthusiasts. It’s bulky, it’s complicated to assemble, and it looks like a piece of high-end tech on a shelf.
Watch Out for the "Fragility" Issue
Here’s some real-talk from someone who’s snapped a few triggers: the Fireblast models are made of ABS plastic, but the "Emblem Charge" mechanism puts a lot of stress on the frame. If you find a used one, check the "Hold Parts" (the two claws that grip the marble). Over time, these can develop stress marks—little white lines in the plastic. If you see those, don't go full-power on the squeeze. You will break it.
Setting Up a Modern Tournament
You don't need an official Hasbro stadium to play. Actually, most pro players (yeah, there’s still a community) prefer custom-built wooden or 3D-printed tracks. If you want to get a game going with your old Fireblast stash, here’s how to do it right:
- The "Power" Test: Line up five empty soda cans. Try to knock them all down in under 10 seconds using the Emblem Charge. It’s harder than it looks because the recoil kicks your aim off.
- The "Bridge" Challenge: Use two rulers to create a narrow path. You have to shoot a marble through the path without touching the sides. This is where the Control types like Force Dragren shine.
- Direct Hit Battle (DHB): This is the classic. You and a friend shoot at each other's B-Daman. Most Fireblast models have a "trigger lock" or a hit-plate. If your opponent hits your plate, your trigger locks up. Game over.
The Actionable Pivot: What to Do Now
If you still have your old Fireblast gear in a box in the attic, do not throw it away. Even the beat-up ones have value for parts. The community is constantly looking for spare springs, emblems, and barrels to customize "Franken-B-Damans."
If you’re looking to buy:
- Check Buyee or ZenMarket: Japanese auction sites usually have better prices than US eBay.
- Look for "eS" Branding: Searching for Cross Fight B-Daman eS will often find you better quality Takara Tomy versions compared to the Hasbro "Fireblast" releases, which sometimes used slightly cheaper plastic.
- Join the Discord: There are still active B-Daman communities on Discord and Reddit where people trade parts and even host remote "postal" tournaments.
Basically, Fireblast was the last time B-Daman felt truly "mechanical" before the series shifted into the more "toy-like" designs of later years. It represents a specific era of engineering where you could actually feel the power increase in your hands. It’s tactile, it’s loud, and honestly, it’s still one of the most satisfying ways to launch a marble across a room.
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If you’re just starting your collection, aim for a Starter Set that includes a basic stadium and at least one Power-type and one Rapid-fire type. This gives you the best sense of how the different internal "cores" actually affect your gameplay. Once you’ve mastered the basic squeeze, then you can start hunting for the heavy hitters like Smash Dragold. Just watch your thumbs—those emblem charges don't mess around.