Schoolboys battle each other in gyroscope tournaments to become the top Beyblader. In the series-and in real life-the gyroscopes are spun using a launching device comprising a small connector unit and a plastic "blade," which releases the spinning gyroscope onto the playing surface. The object of the game is for Beybladers to knock each other's gyroscopes, which are about an inch and a half in diameter, off a plastic playing surface. The loser of the match has to forfeit his or her gyroscope to the victor.