Bridge Bunnies: Difference between revisions

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[[File:~~m_bridge_b_4707~~.jpg|link=Super Dimension Fortress Macross|frame|~~<small>~~The Bridge Bunnies in their natural habitat.~~</small>~~ ]]

[[File:m bridge b 4707.jpg|link=Super Dimension Fortress Macross|frame|The Bridge Bunnies in their natural habitat.]]

{{quote|''"Is this a ship of the [[Norse Mythology|Valkyries]]?"''|'''Q''', ''[[Star Trek: Voyager|Star Trek Voyager]]''}}

Someone other than [[The Captain]] needs to actually ''run'' the [[Cool Starship]], which is where the [[Bridge Bunnies]] come in. They're a pair (or trio) of young, attractive twentysomething women (see [[Office Lady]]) who practically live on [[The Bridge]], and deal with [[Communications Officer|opening hailing frequencies]], giving orders to the pilots of the [[Humongous Mecha]] squadrons, reporting that the [[Readings Are Off the Scale]], activating the [[Applied Phlebotinum]], [[Galaxy Quest|repeating whatever the computer is saying]], warning of [[Negative Space Wedgie~~|Negative Space Wedgies~~]], and the like. A staple of Japanese [[Anime]] shows that feature large capital ships.

Someone other than [[The Captain]] needs to actually ''run'' the [[Cool Starship]], which is where the '''Bridge Bunnies''' come in. They're a pair (or trio) of young, attractive twentysomething women (see [[Office Lady]]) who practically live on [[The Bridge]], and deal with [[Communications Officer|opening hailing frequencies]], giving orders to the pilots of the [[Humongous Mecha]] squadrons, reporting that the [[Readings Are Off the Scale]], activating the [[Applied Phlebotinum]], [[Galaxy Quest|repeating whatever the computer is saying]], warning of [[Negative Space Wedgie]]s, and the like. A staple of Japanese [[Anime]] shows that feature large capital ships.

Off duty, they're frequently romantically [[Pair the Spares|paired with minor characters]], or can be the [[Girl of the Week]]. They're invariably female, although a token male junior bridge officer may be sufficiently intimidated by them to serve as [[Plucky Comic Relief|Comic Relief]]. Token males in this position will also likely be [[Ho Yay|swinging their bat the other way]], unless someone else on the crew fills that role.

Less common in Western shows these days, where bridge personnel are more likely to be competent professional officers of ''both'' sexes. Women on the bridge aren't necessarily [[Bridge Bunnies]] ''per se'', nor are junior officers doing menial jobs... but [[Fundamentally Female Cast|a bridge]] ''[[Fundamentally Female Cast|full]]'' [[Fundamentally Female Cast|of young, pretty female junior officers, and on which all of the senior officers with real authority are male]], is a textbook example of the trope (compare [[Office Lady]]).

Less common in Western shows these days, where bridge personnel are more likely to be competent professional officers of ''both'' sexes. Women on the bridge aren't necessarily '''Bridge Bunnies''' ''per se'', nor are junior officers doing menial jobs... but [[Fundamentally Female Cast|a bridge]] ''[[Fundamentally Female Cast|full]]'' [[Fundamentally Female Cast|of young, pretty female junior officers, and on which all of the senior officers with real authority are male]], is a textbook example of the trope (compare [[Office Lady]]).

A specialized version of [[Mission Control]], with all the twists therein possibly applicable. They occasionally serve as [[Those Two Guys|Those Two Girls]], [[Greek Chorus|commenting on the action]] and what's going to happen next.

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** The American-created sequel film to ''[[Robotech]]'', ''The Sentinels'', genderflips this trope by having the Commanding officer of the SDF-3, Admiral Lisa Hayes-Hunter, select a trio of handsome ''men'' to fill the same roles on her bridge.

* ''[[Martian Successor Nadesico]]'''s bridge crew were competent ship-runners supporting their [[Genius Ditz]] commander. Ruri and Megumi, particularly, had several focus episodes.

* All series of the Mazinger trilogy (''[[Mazinger Z]]'', ''[[Great Mazinger]]'' and ''[[UFO Robo Grendizer]]'') featured [[Bridge Bunnies]]. They used to be a male trio, though, and [[Man in White|wore white uniforms]]. They performed the ordinary functions of [[Mission Control]], collecting and interpreting data and reading it to [[The Professor]] or the pilots of the [[Humongous Mecha]], as well as sending them orders or receiving their messages. The trio of [[UFO Robo Grendizer]] [[Bridge Bunnies]] were called Hayashi, Yamada and Aoi.

* All series of the Mazinger trilogy (''[[Mazinger Z]]'', ''[[Great Mazinger]]'' and ''[[UFO Robo Grendizer]]'') featured Bridge Bunnies. They used to be a male trio, though, and [[Man in White|wore white uniforms]]. They performed the ordinary functions of [[Mission Control]], collecting and interpreting data and reading it to [[The Professor]] or the pilots of the [[Humongous Mecha]], as well as sending them orders or receiving their messages. The trio of [[UFO Robo Grendizer]] Bridge Bunnies were called Hayashi, Yamada and Aoi.

* On ''[[Simoun]]'', the ''Arcus Prima'' had them, but the ''Messis'' didn't. Of course, given the ''Simoun'' universe, it's possible that some or all of the [[Bridge Bunnies]] could have been young men who hadn't lost their female secondary sex characteristics yet.

* On ''[[Simoun]]'', the ''Arcus Prima'' had them, but the ''Messis'' didn't. Of course, given the ''Simoun'' universe, it's possible that some or all of the Bridge Bunnies could have been young men who hadn't lost their female secondary sex characteristics yet.

* ''[[Gundam Seed Destiny]]'': the lone female bridge bunny (Miriallia Haw aka Milly who was also one in the previous series) plays a relatively large role in the story. In the original ''[[Gundam Seed]]'', after going from [[Rich Bitch]] to [[Fallen Princess]], Fllay Alster becomes a bridge bunny under Natarle Badgiruel's orders in the ''Dominion''. The Archangel, meanwhile has the female (acting) captain Murrue, Milly herself, and a group of male bridge bunnies leaded (sorta) by Sai Argyle. {{spoiler|All of the Dominion bunnies, along with Natarle and including Fllay, get killed in the final battle when Le-Creuset blows up their escape pod for the kicks. The Archangel ones survive.}}

* ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam]]'' had Sayla Mass, Frau Bow, and Mirai Yashima (who actually was the pilot of the ship, making her [[The Lancer]] to [[The Captain]] Bright Noa). Sayla eventually gets promoted from Bridge Bunny to fighter pilot. Subverted in ''[[Zeta Gundam]]'', where the bridge bunnies that helped Captain [[Gentle Giant|Henken Beckner]] and later Captain Bright are ''male''.

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* Belvedere Coco, Celtic Midori, and Amarone Slantheav from ''[[Vandread]]''. Subverted to a certain extent, because the only male on the bridge is the ship's navigator. In a further subversion, most of the female bridge crew are wearing relatively conservative outfits (one is pregnant, one dresses in a full-body bear outfit, and the captain is an old woman), whilst the ''guy'' is obliged to be naked in quite a number of scenes. Finally, {{spoiler|the most scantily-clad woman on the bridge is later revealed to be a man in drag.}}

* ''[[Xenosaga]]''"

** Mary and Shelley are the [[Bridge Bunnies]] of the Durandal.

** Mary and Shelley are the Bridge Bunnies of the Durandal.

** The half dozen or so 100-Series Realians that were engineered to look exactly like Jr's (the captain) first romantic interest. Physically they are 12-year-old girls. The girls had added combat value against Gnosis, due to their ability to activate the Hilbert Effect.

* ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]'' has both female (Christina and Feldt) and male (Lasse and Lichtendal) [[Bridge Bunnies]], but the girls, along with [[Bunny Ears Lawyer]] captain Sumeragi, get much, '''much''' more attention. Presumably, this is because they, like <s>most</s> all but [[White-Haired Pretty Girl|two]] [[Genki Girl|women]] in the series, have...er...rather prominent bosoms.

* ''[[Mobile Suit Gundam 00]]'' has both female (Christina and Feldt) and male (Lasse and Lichtendal) Bridge Bunnies, but the girls, along with [[Bunny Ears Lawyer]] captain Sumeragi, get much, '''much''' more attention. Presumably, this is because they, like <s>most</s> all but [[White-Haired Pretty Girl|two]] [[Genki Girl|women]] in the series, have...er...rather prominent bosoms.

** The survival rate is {{spoiler|equal for Bridge Bunnies of both genders: 50%. Lichty and Christina [[Together in Death|die together]] [[Tear Jerker|and very tragically]], Lasse and Feldt make it and return for Season 2, and are soon joined by another female bunny, [[Genki Girl]] Mileina Vashti, and much later by Mileina's mom [[Hot Scientist|Linda]].}}.

** {{spoiler|Marie Parfacy}}, {{spoiler|Saji Crossroad}} and Anew Returner join the crew as bridge bunnies. The first two mentioned only filled the roles temporarily, as they promoted themselves to [[Sixth Ranger~~|Sixth Rangers~~]] (complete with [[Combining Mecha~~|Combining Mechas~~]]) by joining the Meisters in action ( {{spoiler|Marie}} works with [[Battle Couple|Allelujah]], {{spoiler|Saji}} works with [[Bash Brothers|Setsuna]]). Anew became the love interest to [[Backup Twin|one of the Meisters]] {{spoiler|until it is revealed that she is a [[Manchurian Agent]] and her subsequent [[Tear Jerker|and tragic]] death.}}

** {{spoiler|Marie Parfacy}}, {{spoiler|Saji Crossroad}} and Anew Returner join the crew as bridge bunnies. The first two mentioned only filled the roles temporarily, as they promoted themselves to [[Sixth Ranger]]s (complete with [[Combining Mecha]]s) by joining the Meisters in action ( {{spoiler|Marie}} works with [[Battle Couple|Allelujah]], {{spoiler|Saji}} works with [[Bash Brothers|Setsuna]]). Anew became the love interest to [[Backup Twin|one of the Meisters]] {{spoiler|until it is revealed that she is a [[Manchurian Agent]] and her subsequent [[Tear Jerker|and tragic]] death.}}

* Almo and Coco of the ''[[Galaxy Angel (video game)|Galaxy Angel]]'' gameverse.

* Ryouko, Saki and Megumi in ''[[Dragonaut: The Resonance]]''. Besides the standard Bridge Bunny duties, they also handle the [[Post Episode Trailer]].

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** Lt. Dualla is a classic [[Bridge Bunny]] being young pretty and subordinate.

* ''[[Stargate Atlantis]]'':

** Major Kevin Marks, who always seem to be around the currently visited ship. He was present on every US-made ship so ~~far -- even~~ being in two places at once. His role is a bit hazy; due to the Daedalus-class' bridge configuration it's unknown if he's pilot, weapons officer or something else. The only time he's shown doing anything else is when he's hacking his own console to regain control of the Daedalus before it crashes. He fails. Sort of. {{spoiler|Sheppard dives in with a Traveler ship and jumps through the planet with both ships in hyperspace; Marks finishes hacking a few seconds after that.}}

** Major Kevin Marks, who always seem to be around the currently visited ship. He was present on every US-made ship so far—even being in two places at once. His role is a bit hazy; due to the Daedalus-class' bridge configuration it's unknown if he's pilot, weapons officer or something else. The only time he's shown doing anything else is when he's hacking his own console to regain control of the Daedalus before it crashes. He fails. Sort of. {{spoiler|Sheppard dives in with a Traveler ship and jumps through the planet with both ships in hyperspace; Marks finishes hacking a few seconds after that.}}

** Walter Harriman. He has one job, consisting of repeating which Chevron is encoded and lock, and damn, does he do it well. He also opens and closes the stargate's iris. Lampshaded in the seventh season episode "Heroes".

* ''[[Space Mutiny]]'' had Bridge Bunnies who were downright ''Playboy Bunnies.'' They were wearing singlets and everything. (Granted, some other bridge staff wore actual uniforms, but still...)

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== Literature ==

* [[Robert A. Heinlein]]'s ''[[Starship Troopers (novel)|Starship Troopers]]'' - Most pilots are women, since they're apparently better at it than men. There is extended commentary on the effect that this has on morale.

* Starships in David Weber's ''[[Honor Harrington]]'' cycle tend to have a high number of females aboard, but the author usually avoids invoking it as this trope. One female character, however, is called out in-story on the [[Spear Counterpart|disproportionally high number of]] [[~~Bishonen|bishonens~~]] in her bridge crews.

* Starships in David Weber's ''[[Honor Harrington]]'' cycle tend to have a high number of females aboard, but the author usually avoids invoking it as this trope. One female character, however, is called out in-story on the [[Spear Counterpart|disproportionally high number of]] [[bishonen]]s in her bridge crews.

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* ''[[Super Robot Wars Original Generation]]'':

** Rio Mei Long and Eita Nadaka for the Hagane and Eun Hyojin for the Hiryu Kai. Rio becomes a pilot early on, and Eita gets a de-facto promotion to second-in-command after {{spoiler|Daitetsu's death in [[OG 2]].}} [[Demoted to Extra|Poor Eun never gets any spotlight.]]

** Bit of trivia, while most nameless human character (like [[Mook]] and [[Red Shirt]]) either have their eyes cover with a gear or shade. Nameless [[Bridge Bunnies]] are given proper portrait similar to named character. [[Updated Rerelease|Super Robot Wars Original Generations]] given proper portrait to all characters, yet the [[Bridge Bunnies]] still get special treatment for there are portraits of two different [[Bridge Bunnies]].

** Bit of trivia, while most nameless human character (like [[Mook]] and [[Red Shirt]]) either have their eyes cover with a gear or shade. Nameless Bridge Bunnies are given proper portrait similar to named character. [[Updated Rerelease|Super Robot Wars Original Generations]] given proper portrait to all characters, yet the Bridge Bunnies still get special treatment for there are portraits of two different Bridge Bunnies.

** The other Original battleship, ''W'''s ''Valstork'', has Shihomi and Akane Ardygun, and the male Horris Horaian. [[The Captain]] in this case happens to be the girls' father. {{spoiler|Shihomi later graduates to Captain after her dad gets tossed far ''far'' into the past.}}

* ''[[Star Trek Online]]'' gives your character a collection of Bridge Officers who crew the various stations on the ship. Naturally some players choose to make them [[Bridge Bunnies]]. Just like in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paLanXn6m94 this video] Of course gender equality applies so it's equally possible for a female character to have a collection of male [[Bridge Bunnies]].

* ''[[Star Trek Online]]'' gives your character a collection of Bridge Officers who crew the various stations on the ship. Naturally some players choose to make them Bridge Bunnies. Just like in [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paLanXn6m94 this video] Of course gender equality applies so it's equally possible for a female character to have a collection of male Bridge Bunnies.

* The ''[[Xenosaga|Trilogy]]'' gives us Mary and Shelly Godwin, made even better since every third phrase out of their mouth is "Little Master". Or, in Mary's case in the first game, "Little Maz-da."

* The prologue of ''[[Xenogears]]'' features a cluster of [[Bridge Bunnies]] with exotic hair colors shouting about a vaguely-defined catastrophe.

* The prologue of ''[[Xenogears]]'' features a cluster of Bridge Bunnies with exotic hair colors shouting about a vaguely-defined catastrophe.

* Orbulon in ''[[Wario Ware|WarioWare: Twisted!]]''. It plays the trope as to have ''literal'' Bridge bunnies, (Though they were space bunnies)

* ''[[Mass Effect 2]]'': Shepard's yeoman Kelly Chambers is a [[Bridge Bunny]]. She is a omnisexual [[Green Eyed Red Head]]. Kelly's secondary duty is as the crew's psychological counselor, and as she puts it, a little passion makes people open up to you.