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Tiger & Bunny: The Rising (2014) movie poster

Plot Summary

Tiger & Bunny: The Rising (2014) Plot Summary Explained

Release, runtime and language
2014 · 108 min · Japanese
Directed by
Yoshitomo Yonetani

In Stern Bild, heroes Wild Tiger and Barnaby Brooks Jr. encounter difficulties as Kotetsu is dismissed from the team and Barnaby is unexpectedly partnered with Golden Ryan. Unusual events begin to occur, leading them to discover a dangerous scheme involving other powerful heroes. While Barnaby and Golden Ryan must learn to work together to confront the escalating threat, Kotetsu struggles to find a new role and purpose outside of the heroic team.

On this page (3)
  1. 1 What happens: full plot
  2. 2 Movie threads
  3. 3 Every angle

Full plot summary · contains spoilers

What Happens in Tiger & Bunny: The Rising: Full Plot Summary

The whole story of Tiger & Bunny: The Rising (2014) explained, from the opening scene to the final frame: every key event, every twist and what it all adds up to. Read it as a quick recap before the sequel, to check a scene you missed, or to finally understand what really happened.

Taking place following the epilogue of episode 25, the people (aware of Tiger's identity as Kotetsu) of Stern Bild prepare to celebrate Justice Day, where a goddess brought justice to the people centuries earlier after bringing calamity to force the corrupt people to repent. Meanwhile, Apollon Media is bought by its new owner Mark Schneider, and to make some needed changes, he learns the hero division (specifically the Second League) is losing profits. As the Second League heroes poorly chase a purse snatcher, Barnaby arrives and swiftly ends the chase after Tigers crashes into a warehouse. While the main heroes stop a bank robbery, and Rock Bison is seen struggling to make it during the season (i.e. copying Sky High's signature pose, or Origami's photo-bomb style), Barnaby wants to go back to the First League so his abilities would be put to better use. Afterwards, Tiger & Bunny are called in by Schneider to be promoted back to the First League right away. At the promotion ceremony Barnaby is spotlighted, and when everyone else expects Kotetsu to appear, Schneider reveals he hired another hero, Golden Ryan, to replace him as he views Wild Tiger as past his prime. Kotetsu doesn't fight this decision as he doesn't want to hold Barnaby back from returning to the First League. On their first mission together, Ryan & Barnaby successfully keep a toppling tower from falling, but Ryan's use of his gravity powers kept the other heroes from helping at all.

The next day, Schneider has his secretary Virgil inform the Second Leaguers that the Board of Directors have cancelled their airtime segment. When the main heroes take a day off and reflect, Kaede calls Karina (Blue Rose) for a favor to help cheer up Kotetsu. The morning after, another strange occurrence happens on a bridge with witness statements pointing to the Legend of the Goddess. Upon hearing the howling sound from before, the heroes split into three groups and encounter three NEXTs: Richard Max, a hypersonic howler-boxer; Kasha Graham, a belly-dancer illusionist; and Priest Johnny Wong, an elderly man who puts people into nightmare comas. Fire Emblem encounters the elderly man, and is sent into a coma and forced to relive when he struggled to come to terms with his sexuality and gender identity during his childhood. The dream causes his powers to let loose uncontrolled forcing Blue Rose to stay by and keep the fire from spreading. As Ryan is from overseas and unfamiliar with the Legend of the Goddess, he is told the legend ends with the city being plunged into a cavernous abyss (which Barnaby thinks Ryan's powers may cause) and that very day is tomorrow. Kotetsu later visits Fire Emblem, where he is lectured by Blue Rose about Barnaby still following his ideals as he is using his increased pay to give local orphans a fun time at the festival.

It's the day of the festival and Kotetsu's family comes to visit as Kaede got tickets from Blue Rose as the favor she asked. By the time of the evening parade, Kaede convinces Kotetsu to continue being a hero as it is what he wants and it makes him happy. During the parade the three NEXTs from earlier cause an implosion under the street where the parade is being held- thus causing the final act of the Goddess- and Ryan asking if Barnaby suspected him. Kotetsu goes back to the hospital with piles of fire extinguishers to allow Blue Rose to give backup to the other heroes. The three NEXTs face off against the same heroes from earlier: Blue Rose & Dragon Kid v Wong, Sky High & Rock Bison & Origami Cyclone v Max, and Ryan & Barnaby v Kasha. As the heroes battle, Schneider is abducted by a monster robot and Agnes takes this chance to reinstate Wild Tiger to rescue him. Tiger uses his grapnel line to latch onto the machine taking Schneider, and is dragged across the city.

While fighting Wong, Dragon Kid proclaims that Fire Emblem is the greatest person she knows and is both kind and strong. Upon hearing this via TV, Fire Emblem wakes up and rushes to aid Blue Rose & Dragon Kid, leading to a combined win. Origami retreats from fighting Max, only to return after having copied the form of a parade performer dress as a reverberator, allowing Sky High & Rock Bison to go for the knock out. Ryan tells Barnaby to head into a narrow pass where Ryan vertically extends his gravity field to neutralize Kasha as she follows. After beating Kasha, Tiger is saved by Barnaby just in time as Lunatic appears trying to end Schneider. Tiger stalls Lunatic while Ryan & Barnaby tail the machine taking Schneider to the port. After Ryan grounds the machine, it is revealed to have been Schneider's secretary Virgil this whole time. He explains his real name is Andrew Scott, and he infiltrated Schneider's company to plan revenge for him killing his father and making it look like a suicide to hide the illegal activities. The other three NEXTs sided with Andrew for revenge as well: Richard Max lost his boxing league, Kasha Graham (who used her NEXT abilities as an entertainer) lost her cabaret business and Johnny Wong (who was a Monk) lost his temple which Schneider demolished.

Andrew tries to ask Barnaby to see his side of things, but Barnaby has since moved on from wanting revenge and wants to prevent Andrew from killing Schneider to save him from himself. Andrew uses his NEXT powers to create a gigantic mecha-crab, which Barnaby holds at bay until his powers recharge and tries to reason with Andrew. Meanwhile, Tiger and Lunatic battle until they land on a blimp where Lunatic kicks Tiger off and into the fray with Barnaby. Tiger & Bunny reunite to hold off Andrew until the other heroes arrive, which gives Barnaby the time to finish recharging his powers. Tiger & Bunny, now using 100 Power, defeat Andrew in the 1 minute limit of Tiger's powers in grand spectacle. At dawn, Tiger & Bunny are celebrated for their in-sync come back and are asked if Tiger will return for good. Tiger worries his 1 minute time limit may not make him a true hero anymore, until citizens start chanting for Tiger across the news feeds that he is their hero. Agnes, now given authority on hero participation, fully reinstates Tiger and allows their partnership again, which the duo prominently display to the masses.

Following their victory, the main heroes work on the cleanup effort, Andrew and his cohorts adjust to prison rehabilitation very well, the Second League is fully reinstated, Schneider is convicted for his crimes, Kaede continues to develop her powers, and Ryan is offered a larger salary from an overseas business and leaves. In a post credits scene, Tiger asks if he can drive for once; with Barnaby snapping back "no."

Last updated: September 19, 2026 at 14:31

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Movie threads

More Movies Like Tiger & Bunny: The Rising, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Tiger & Bunny: The Rising tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Mismatched superhero partnerships like Tiger & Bunny: The Rising

Two opposites in one cape learn that their differences are exactly what saves the day. Looking for animated movies like Tiger & Bunny: The Rising? These stories follow unlikely hero duos whose clashing personalities create sparks before blooming into genuine teamwork. Expect witty banter, vibrant action, and a hopeful bond that proves opposites really do attract when the world needs saving.

  • banter
  • odd couple
  • teamwork
  • witty
  • heartfelt
  • buddy heroes
  • Tone: hopeful, witty, warm
  • Pacing: variable with banter breaks
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Two heroes with opposing methods, temperaments, or philosophies are paired together, often reluctantly. Early friction gives way to grudging respect, then a heartfelt partnership. A central crisis forces them to combine strengths, and the story resolves with both characters changed for the better, their differences reframed as complementary rather than conflicting.

Why they belong together: These films share the same energetic, character-first energy where the buddy dynamic is the engine. They balance comedic friction with sincere emotional beats, keep action stylized rather than grim, and resolve with a hopeful, triumphant tone. The humor softens high stakes without undercutting them.

Heroes finding purpose and identity like Tiger & Bunny: The Rising

When the suit stops fitting, the real journey begins for heroes questioning who they truly are. If you loved Tiger & Bunny: The Rising, explore animated movies where heroes lose their place, face corporate or institutional betrayal, and fight their way back through self-discovery. These stories mix flashy hero action with genuine emotion, found family warmth, and triumphant endings that celebrate second chances.

  • found family
  • redemption
  • identity
  • corporate corruption
  • triumphant
  • earnest
  • Tone: hopeful, triumphant, earnest
  • Pacing: variable with reflective beats
Why these movies?

The story pattern: A beloved hero is sidelined by the system they served, while a partner faces unexpected upheaval. A conspiracy within the hero institution forces both to confront what they actually stand for. Personal crises of identity, purpose, and belonging intertwine with the central plot, resolving through public validation, reconciliation with allies, and a renewed sense of belonging.

Why they belong together: These films share a hopeful tone wrapped around surprisingly heavy questions about identity, redemption, and institutional trust. They balance stylized superhero action with heartfelt character moments, keep emotional stakes medium rather than traumatic, and end on a triumphant, community-driven note. Corruption is present but overcome, not defining.

Every angle

Tiger & Bunny: The Rising (2014) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Tiger & Bunny: The Rising in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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