Monster Rancher (anime)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Monster Rancher
モンスターファーム
(Monster Farm)
Genre Fantasy, Adventure
TV anime
Director Hiroyuki Yano
Studio TMS
Network Flag of Japan TBS
Flag of the Philippines GMA-7
Flag of the United States BKN (syndication)
Flag of Thailand Modern Nine TV (22 July 2001 - 31 March 2002)
Flag of Italy Rai Due
Original run 17 April 1999 – 25 March 2000
Episodes 73

Monster Rancher, known as Monster Farm' (モンスターファーム?) in Japan, is an anime series based on the video game series of the same name. The series initially consisted of only 48 episodes; however, it was eventually decided to extend it for a total of 73 episodes. The series follows a young boy named Genki Sakura who gets trapped in the Monster Rancher world inside a new game disk that he receives in the mail one day. Genki eventually meets a variety of characters that join him on a quest to defeat Moo, an evil entity bent on destroying the world. The show had a more serious tone; deaths and murders were frequent (although the monsters were not really "killed", they were turned into disks covered in vines and remained in that form permanently). Minor characters were usually given a tragic backstory, and even some villains were given depth. The show still supplied a sizable amount of humor, usually in the characters' mannerisms, in order to appeal to multiple age groups. All of the Japanese music score is changed, as well as all the sound effects. Even the Japanese opening and ending theme songs are replaced with an American-made theme songs, with the opening and ending animanation changed to barrages of scenes from the American episodes and the original Japanese opening.

Contents

[edit] Monster Farm OP & ED

OP

  • 「風がそよぐ場所」小松未歩（1-28）
  • 「picnic」rumania montevideo（29-37）
  • 「Close To Your Heart」愛内里菜（38-48）

ED

  • 「flame of love」sweet velvet（1-14）
  • 「デジタルミュージックパワー」rumania montevideo（15-36）
  • 「Wonderin' Hands」4D-JAM（37-48）

　

モンスターファーム～伝説への道～

OP

  • 「NAME」宇都宮隆
  • 「FLUSH」宇都宮隆

ED

  • 「ただ過ぎ行くために」宇都宮隆
  • 「Be Truth」宇都宮隆

[edit] Characters

[edit] Main Characters

The main characters of the Monster Rancher Anime are the seven searchers, consisting of two humans and five monsters, all of which share a strong bond of friendship. During the course of the first two seasons of the show, they continuously struggle against the evil forces of Moo and his army of baddies. They searched for the Phoenix, the only creature capable of purifying the bad monsters and reviving the lost discs scattered throughout the land. While they were initially unaware of this, each of the five monsters in the group bore a piece of the Phoenix's soul. The characters reappear in season three to combat the threat of the remaining baddies, and protect the mystery disc that Moo was sealed inside of after his defeat.

[edit] Genki Sakura

Voiced by: Chisa Yokoyama (Japanese), Andrew Francis (English)

Genki Sakura is a 12-year old elementary school boy that is sort of the 'leader' of the group. He has a good heart, and he truly cares for his friends and the monsters. His goal is to turn all of the evil monsters into good monsters again. Determined, optimistic, and hopeful, Genki is a real go-getter. Genki also directly fights enemy monsters by donning his roller blades in combat. He is also surprisingly strong for a 12-year old (he has shown to be able to lift objects several times his own weight from time to time in the series), although whether this is due to his own innate strength or because he is in the game world (thereby having been subjected to some game mechanic) is not known.

[edit] Holly

Voiced by: Mariko Kouda (Japanese), Maggie Blue O'Hara (English)

A 13-15-year old girl who is on a quest to find the location of the ancient Monster called Phoenix. Holly uses a magical pendant to locate new Mystery Disks that contain monsters. Though she denies it at first, she learned that her father has become a vessel for the soul of the evil Moo. After the Phoenix and Moo destroyed each other, Holly went on a quest to find Moo's Mystery Disc to save her father from the very monster he had become.

[edit] Mocchi

Voiced by: Yuri Shiratori (Japanese), Janyse Jaud (English)

A little pink monster who is Genki's tag team partner in many battles. Mocchi came into existence when Genki went to the shrine and unlocked his video game disk which turned out to be a Mystery Disk. Although Mocchi's initial actions indicated that he was a very young child, he soon became a great fighter and a valuable asset in the search for the Phoenix. Like Genki, Mocchi is very brave and good-hearted. When in battle, Mocchi can move very fast by rolling into a ball like an armadillo and bouncing. He can also unleash very powerful attacks, like Cherry Blossom Blizzard and Mocchi Cannon. Mocchi was the Phoenix's happiness.

  • Note - The method Genki unlocks Mocchi is identical to how you can gain him in Monster Rancher 2, i.e. using your game disc instead of a random disc.

[edit] Suezo

Voiced by: Wataru Takagi (Japanese), Scott McNeil (English)

A simple monster with only a mouth, a huge singular eye, and an upright tail. He is Holly's loyal monster retainer. Suezo serves as comic relief in many instances and he can be a little obnoxious and loud-mouthed. He has amazing Telescopic vision and can teleport himself and other objects from one location to another in mere seconds, though it took a bit of practice to perfect this. Thus, eventually a very useful asset to the team. Suezo was the Phoenix's pride.

[edit] Golem

Voiced by: Naoya Uchida (Japanese), Richard Newman (English)

A large and powerful humanoid monster made of rocks. He moves slowly, but his punches and other attacks are destructive. Golem is a kind-hearted monster who loves nature. However, when in battle he will fight furiously with powerful techniques. He can break apart to perform his Tornado attack, launching bits and pieces of himself in a whirlwind formation. Because he cannot swim, he is also afraid of water. Despite being the single most powerful member of the group, he is passive and would only resort to violence when the group is desperate or if Holly would be hurt. Golem was the Phoenix's kindness.

[edit] Tiger

Voiced by: Kazuki Yao (Japanese), Brian Drummond (English)

(Rygar in Japanese) A blue, wolf-like monster with horns on his head. He is a feared thief and bandit known as "Tiger of the Wind". He was the leader of a pack of rogue mixed-breed Tigers that were isolated from all humans. Eventually, he met up with Genki. At first, he looked down upon Genki's optimistic and caring nature. Tiger had a rough past that changed him forever, giving him a jaded and cold view of life. However, after listening to Genki, he has learned to care more for others. A clan of Dinos commanded by Moo killed off Tiger's pack, so he joined up with Genki's team in hopes of finding and defeating Moo. Tiger is extremely fast and powerful in battle. He uses an array of swift attacks, as well as firing electricity from his horns and using ice-based attacks. Tiger once had a younger brother named Gray Wolf. They lived together as orphaned pups. Eventually, they built a pack of mixed-breed Tigers. When Tiger first met Moo, the giant monster killed every last member of Tiger's pack, and kidnapped Gray Wolf, leaving Tiger to die. Tiger would later find out the cold, harsh truth of what happened to his brother. Tiger was the Phoenix's anger.

[edit] Hare

Voiced by: Nozomu Sasaki (Japanese), Samuel Vincent (English)

(Ham in Japanese) A charismatic humanoid rabbit with large fists, Hare acts as the strategist of the group, and can be very cunning and devious when the situation demands it. When first introduced into the series, he was portrayed as a sneaky con-artist. Using the guise of wanting to help the searchers, Hare tried to steal the gang's valuables. Tiger did not initially trust him, but after Tiger forgave him, he joined the team. Although he was initially in it for the possible rewards, Hare eventually formed strong bonds of friendship with the others, and admitted his past faults. While he and Tiger still argued frequently, they too developed a sense of friendship.

While friendly towards others, Hare tends to be selfish and often gloats about his skills, but often prefers to flee from battle with more powerful opponents. His fighting style revolves around boxing, flying kicks and flatulence (removed from the U.S. version). He is also known to use dirty tricks to get his opponent to drop their guard, which was prominently featured during his first battle with Tiger. Due to his past schemes, Hare is often reminded of his shifty past by his teammates (particularly Tiger). Due to his cunning nature, Hare eventually became the team planner and often devised battle strategies, rescue operations and even methods of retreat when necessary. Hare was the Phoenix's cockiness.

[edit] Secondary Characters

There are many other characters who appear over the course of the story, and are prominently featured in multiple episodes of the series. While they do not appear in every episode, they provide help to the searchers many times throughout their journey.

[edit] Pixie

Voiced by: Kotono Mitsuishi (Japanese), Janyse Jaud (English)

Formerly one of Moo's Big Bad Four, Pixie left Moo after Genki opened her eyes to the truth of Moo's evil. Although her exact age is not known, Pixie appears to be in her early twenties. Pixie is based on the pure-bred pixies depicted on the Monster Rancher video game. Her overall appearance is that of a slim young woman with red hair and a pair of leathery wings. Two silver horns jut from her head and she has a whip-like tail that ends in a small spike. Her usual garb is a reddish-pink bikini-like outfit. Pixie’s disposition ranges from quiet and shrewd to level-headed and mature.

Pixie is one of the most physically powerful characters featured on the Monster Rancher series. In addition to seemingly superhuman strength and speed, Pixie can fly and generate massive energy surges and fire walls. Pixie came to play a semi-regular role on Monster Rancher, and helped Genki and his friends time and again until she was mortally injured by Moo. By the sacrifice of her follower, Big Blue, Pixie was healed and reborn as Granity. After this transformation, Pixie took on an almost angelic appearance. Her wings became feathery and her hair turned green, and her reddish-pink clothes were replaced with stone battle armor.

She would later resurface to deal with the threat of the remaining baddies, but was possessed by one of Durahan's minions and forced against her will to attack Genki's group. Although she proved more than a match for all seven of them, Genki's encouragement and Big Blue's presence within her body allowed her to overcome the mind control.

[edit] Big Blue

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Ward Perry (English)

An ice-carved giant whose is made of un-meltable ice rock. He functions as Pixie's bodyguard and travelling companion. Although seemingly as cold as he appeared, he was truly loyal to Pixie and fought by her side no matter what she believed in. After Pixie's fatal injuries during her battle with Moo in his newly perfected body, Big Blue loved his master so much that he sacrificed his own existence to save Pixie by fusing his being into her, turning her into Granity. Except for his coloring and Baddies' Crest, he is identical in appearance to Golem.

[edit] Gray Wolf

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Scott McNeil (English)

He was Tiger's younger brother who was made into a member of Moo's Big Bad Four. Although he was once like his brother, Gray Wolf was captured during a battle and the darkness of his heart was exploited by Moo, turning him into a Baddie. As a member of the Big Bad Four, Grey Wolf led a pack of mixed-breed Tigers and commanded armies of Baddies which patrolled the surrounding areas. After many of his minions were defeated by his brother and the others, Gray Wolf fought his brother and was defeated when Tiger sent his horn through his baddie crest.

[edit] Alan

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Matt Smith (English)

Allan was a young human boy with a Worm as his monster partner. He wanted to join Moo, but after three female Weeds known as Seed Sisters double-crossed him and killed his Worm, he decided that he would fight against Moo. Although he used to be a cruel master to his monster, he changed after watching the Seed Sisters kill his Worm. In return for helping them get rid of the Seed Sisters, Genki and the searchers handed Allan a young Worm that they had unlocked from a Mystery Disk. Allan was later seen aboard Captain Horn's pirate ship, helping him defeat Moo's baddies. Allan made one last appearance in "Allan's Advice" where he, young Worm and Allan's resurrected Worm gathering mystery disks to unlock and find good homes for.

[edit] Monol

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), David Kaye (English)

A monolith monster who knows the history of Moo and everything else.

[edit] Vulcan

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Doc Harris (English)

Leader of the Pirate Dragons. They helped Genki and Co. rescue Holly from Moo's castle. They later helped the searchers and Pixie fight Moo in order to prevent him from going near the area where the Phoenix' body lies.

[edit] Captain Horn

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Paul Dobson (English)

Captain Horn was a pirate who traveled around the world with his crew of Rocky Suezos, hunting for treasure. When he is first introduced into the series, the gang meets him at a port town where they are attacked by Moo's henchmen. In need of transportation across the sea, Genki's group asks him if they can ride aboard his ship. While he seems initially reluctant, Captain Horn proposes that he ferry the gang to the next island after being kissed by Holly. His crew ferries the searchers across the sea with Golem holding the mainmast of the ship, but the group is ambushed by an army of Zillas. While they are able to defeat the water-based monsters, their master, a giant Zilla named Guji, makes an appearance and almost sinks the ship. After a struggle, the crew sends Guji into a whirlpool and reaches land again.

Horn appears later on in the series fighting alongside Alan against some of Moo's baddies.

[edit] Minor Characters

Characters who only appear once or twice throughout the entire series, save for cameo appearances.

  • Henger: In a city full preserved by robotic monsters called Hengars, the serchers encountered a malfunctioning Hengar (who was found dismantled) who helps the searchers regain the Pendant Stone confiscated by the other Hengars. He is blown apart again by the city's leader Techno Dragon when he successfully retrieved the Pendant Stone. He was reassembled and tells Genki that he will stay behind and try to convince the other Hengars and Techno Dragon about the outside of the city. He returns to assist Jim in attacking baddies sent by Moo.
  • Centaur: This noble warrior has the lower half of a horse, while his upper body parts appear as a reptile-like humanoid at the same time. He and his fellow warriors Dragoon (a dragonoid centaur) and Ceilous (a wolf-like centaur) live under a code of honor, and once protected humans. When Grey Wolf defeated him in battle, Centaur and the others joined Moo and served under Grey Wolf. They eventually fought Genki, Suezo, and Hare, but the battles outcome was unclear due to the interference of the Salamanders. They fought side by side with Genki and his friends to defeat the Salamanders.
  • Color Pandoras: Catepillar-like monsters that the searchers befriend. They assist them into defeating a Stone Dragon sent by Naga. They assist Jim in his battle against some of the baddies.
  • Jim: Jim is a former sailor who the gang meets when they find a restaurant. He has an Eared Mew as a pet. He knows how to cook spaghetti (he cooked one for them) and helps the gang across the river by fighting with the Arrow Heads. He later participated in fighting against Moo where he led other monsters like Kato, Centaur and his companion, the Tainted Cat Brothers and Color Pandoras into battle.
  • Tainted Cat Brothers: Two cat monsters that are students of Kato. They were tricked by Naga into attacking the searchers. When Genki broke their claws, Kato stopped them and showed them the error of their ways. They assisted Jim into fighting baddies sent by Moo.
  • Kato: An short old cat monster that is the mentor of the Tainted Cat Brothers. During Genki's fight with the Tainted Cat Brothers, Kato showed them the error of their ways. He assists Jim into attacking baddies sent by Moo.
  • Jagd Hound: A jagged version of Tiger who watches over an abandoned baby. He was used by Lilum to attack Tiger.
  • Jill: A Yeti-like monster who takes the searchers to where the Phoenix's body lies.
  • Baku: A large monster with near-canine like features that Genki met while he and his friends were crossing the forest, which the monster was guarding. The anime has shown the monster to be extremely formidable
  • Sandra: Sandra is a taxi driver that takes the gang across the marsh. She apparently likes gum, since she is always blowing a bubble.
  • Rosetta: Rosetta is a grouchy restuarnt owner, who happens to make the world greatest pizzas. She takes up Golem as an apprentice and teaches him many skills for when he opens a restaurant himself one day.
  • Most: The past Monster Grand Prix winner for many years. Most is a giant white Moochi with incredibly speed and skill. He first meets Moochi when a group of kidnappers steal a large number of moochi-type monsters. He duels with Moochi in the finals, and although close, Most coems on top again. But understanding Moochi's team desire of the tournament belt and the mystery stone inside, gives them the stone and his personal Iron Bird to evade the baddies.
  • The Phoenix: The Legendary Phoenix was a giant fire bird created during ancient times to defeat Moo after he turned on his creators. Where Moo had the power to turn good monsters into bad ones, the Phoenix had the power to turn bad ones into good ones, as well as resurrect lost monsters back to life. During the battle, Phoenix and Moo were evenly matched in strength, resulting in the scientists pulling one last attempt to stop Moo. They created a machine that separated both Moo and Phoenix's souls from their bodies. Phoenix's soul however split into five, and became a part of five different monsters (Mocchi, Suezo, Golem, Tiger and Hare).

[edit] Villains

The main antagonists of the series consisting of Moo and his army of baddies. After Moo's defeat, the surviving baddies who had not been purified by the Phoenix were led by General Durahan in an attempt to revive Moo's power and steal it for themselves.

[edit] Moo

Voiced by: Juurouta Kosugi (Japanese), Paul Dobson (English)

(Muu in Japan) He was an extremely powerful giant dragon-like monster engineered as the ultimate weapon in the great war of ancient times. His dark powers eventually grew too powerful to be controlled, and he created legions with his ability to transform good monsters into his evil servants for the purpose of destroying the world. The surviving scientists created the one creature capable of defeating Moo, the Phoenix. They battled, but proved to be closely matched. Realizing that they had no other choice, the scientists created a machine that would put an end to the war of the monsters, but they knew that it would affect all monsters. Using the machine, Moo's spirit and the Phoenix's spirit were separated from their bodies, and all other monsters became sealed into Mystery Disks. Moo's soul became a Mystery Disk imprisoned in his castle, along with the Mystery Disks containing many of his old troops.

Centuries later, Holly's father was banished from his village and went in search of the Phoenix without the aid of the Magic Stone. He eventually found Moo's castle, where he unintentionally unlocked Moo's soul. The malevolent spirit entered his body and thus Moo was reborn. He reassembled his army with his Big Bad Four enforcing his injustice and terrorizing the world while in search of the location of his old body. After kidnapping Holly, he told her that he was her father. Although she did not want to believe it at first, he showed her the dagger that her father once had. Moo then used the Magic Stone to point out the location of his ancient body. Thanks to a little interference from Holly's companions and Pixie, the stone was taken from him and given back to Holly and they fled to escape his clutches. Moo flew to the North in his Castle and ordered his minions to begin an excavation so that he could find his ancient body. He found it, but failed to merge with it. The discovery of the machine that had been used to defeat him allowed his servants to use it and allow him to fuse with his body. With his body back, Moo immediately flew to meet Genki and his friends and destroy them. Despite the fact that Pixie helped them, Moo was still victorious. When they seemed defeated, the sun rose over the horizon causing him pain. He fled in confusion and sought to solve whatever problem had occurred.

After obtaining the Magic Stone from the treacherous General Durahan who taken it from Holly, Moo perfected his body. He went to finish what he had failed to do earlier, but made the mistake of absorbing too much hatred (which normally makes him stronger) which consumed his mind in the darkness of his own heart. The process drove him insane. After the Phoenix arose, the enraged Moo and the Phoenix destroyed each other. Though his body was destroyed, Moo's soul was sealed inside a mytery disc with Holly's father. Muu is a play on the Japanese word mu meaning "void" or "nothing".

[edit] Gali

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Scott McNeil (English)

Formerly one of Moo's Big Bad Four, this suave and cultured creature is invisible save for the golden mask and cape that he wears. Gali enjoys mocking his opponents and toying with lesser rivals, but if pressed, he can unleash fearsome attacks that batter and drain even the most formidable enemies. His calm and arrogant nature hides a wrathful temper; if angered or insulted, Gali attacks without mercy.

After receiving order to destroy Genki's group, Gali initially dispatches his soldiers to accomplish the task, but the searcher eventually reach his castle. During his encounter with Genki and the searchers, Gali tricked them into entering his castle, and trapped them in a sand pit. He rendered them useless by draining their energy, but Mocchi was shielded from this attack and was able to escape the darkened area beneath the sand pit and battle with Gali. Near the end of the fight, the others overcame the effects of his attack and rejoined the battle. Genki struck Gali and damaged his mask, causing him to go into a rage and in his wrath. He released a giant hurricane in an attempt to destroy them, but was killed by Mocchi's newly learned Mocchi Cannon attack.

Gali later resurfaced as a purified monster and entered the Monster Grand Prix along with Sandy, the gold-colored Monel from his old castle. The pair are eventually confronted by Poison who offers them a place among the remaining baddies, but he decides to give her his answer after his match against the searchers in the Monster Grand Prix. Gali and Sandy battle against Mocchi and Naga during the tournament, but are ultimately defeated. Inspired by Naga's change of heart, Gali betrays Poison and sets off to train for the next tournament.

[edit] Naga

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Scott McNeil (English)

Formerly one of Moo's Big Bad Four, a humanoid serpent with a stinger on his tail. He lives for battles, and his cruel fighting style horrifies other monsters. Naga was probably the most sinister of the Big Bad Four, and personally appeared in Holly's Village during the attack years ago. He would later battle with Genki's group, but was defeated, and chose to take his own life by falling off his tower into the canyon below. Naga was resurrected later as a purified monster, and became influenced by Genki's team and their good deeds to become a protector. Although the group welcomed him, Suezo still displayed distrust. It wasn't until the Grand Prix fight, that Suezo's encouragement gave Naga the strength to defeat Gali and win the fight for Genki. Impressed by Naga's change, Gali agreed to train and become stronger too.

[edit] General Durahan

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Lee Tockar (English)

A living suit of armor that serves Moo. His body houses the soul of a proud, ancient knight. After the defeat of Naga, General Durahan was summoned by Moo to defeat Genki and Holly's group of rebels and stop their search for the Phoenix. Durahan's base of operations was a giant Iron Bird, equipped with powerful weapons and his craft also holds a collection of Moo's most powerful warriors. After Durahan's meeting with Master Moo, he created a plan to defeat his weakened master and taken over as ruler of the baddies, but first agreed to take out the Moo's enemies. Opening the capsules holding the warriors, he dispatched his powerful warriors and one by one they were defeated.

After hearing that Moo needed the Magic Stone from Holly to perfect his body, Durahan released the Gangsters from their capsules and sent them to claim the stone, but they were robot-like and were deactivated after Lilim took the Magic Stone from Holly. Durahan returned to Moo, but instead of giving him the stone, he attacked his master and was badly injured in the process. He fled in his Iron Bird when Lilim turned on him and helped Moo. Suezo teleported the others aboard the craft. They defeated Durahan, but Moo's baddies took the stone from him, and Suezo was forced to teleport himself and his friends to safety before the Iron Bird crashed.

Although Durahan was on board the Iron Bird when it crashed, his head managed to survive the impact. Kept alive by cybernetic equipment, the evil general would resurface years later as the leader of the remaining baddies. With Mum Mew, Gobi, and Poison at his command, Durahan planned to resurrect Moo and absorb him into his own body. Using the remains of his collection of warriors, Durahan and his minions challenged Genki's group. His plans eventually succeed, resulting in the creation of a Ruby Knight monster. When Genki's group destroyed Moo's soul, he was restored, fully-bodied as a good monster.

[edit] Lilim

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Janyse Jaud (English)

Lilim is a combination of a Pixie and Joker and was probably one of the most cunning and devious of the baddies. Although she resembles Pixie, she proved to be much more treacherous than her counterpart. After Durahan's brief meeting with Master Moo, she suggested that he defeat their weakened master and rule over the baddies. Durahan agreed, but he first set out to destroy Genki and his companions. When Durahan's collection of warriors began to shrink due to their destruction, Lilim stepped in and decided it was best if she enacted her own devious plan rather than rely on his warriors. Lilim kidnapped a human baby and forced its caretaker Jagged Hound, to attack the searchers. Although it appeared to work, Lilim was outsmarted when Tiger and Jagged Hound tricked her and took the baby to safety. Lilim fled in anger, but would later aid Durahan in claiming the Magic Stone for him. After learning how strong the stone could make Moo, she turned on him and helped Moo get back the stone. During this attempt, she and Durahan crashed in his destroyed Iron Bird.

[edit] Mum Mew

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Pauline Newstone (English)

A hybrid of Pixie and Mew, Mum Mew works under General Durahan as a sub-leader of the baddie remnants. Vain, Mum Mew spends most of her time primping herself in front of a mirror, believing herself to be more beautiful than she is. Possessing a fierce temper, she will attack anyone who calls her old. Although she has numerous bad traits, she is not as evil as the baddie leaders during Moo's reign. Commonly accompanied by Gobi.

[edit] Gobi

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Paul Dobson (English)

A Golem/Henger hybrid, Gobi is the accomplice of Mum Mew. He usually acts as the muscle of the pair, and is not very intelligent. This characteristic is present to such a degree, that so much that any attempt at deep thinking results in him experiencing violent headaches.

[edit] Poison

Voiced by: Unknown (Japanese), Janyse Jaud (English)

A Pixie type, Poison essentially fills the same position Lilim did during Moo's reign, though more loyal to the General than Lilim was. She has a rivalry of sorts with Mum Mew, pointing out the Mew/Pixie's lack of feminine traits in comparison to her own.

[edit] Other Baddies

Minor villains in the Monster Rancher Anime, these characters often served as soldiers and henchmen for the leaders of the baddies.

  • Jells: The Jells were possibly some of the most common troops in Moo's army of baddies. Although they were not the strongest troops that Moo's army had to offer, that does not mean that they weren't dangerous. The Jells appear in a humanoid shape composed of a blue jell material (which is often comically mistaken for a water puddle), have a shapeless blob in place of legs, and have a large red ball in their chest (visible through their torsos). Their powers mostly lie in their ability to transform into other forms, particularly types of weaponry. They are most noted for taking the form of a cannon and blasting their opponent using the red ball in their chests as a projectile weapon (this is rather ironic as the red ball appears to be their weak point).
  • Black Dinos: Although they appear to be smaller versions of carnivorous dinosaurs, the Black Dinos are reasonably intelligent and do not hesitate to use violence. They are simple monsters who use physical attack methods such as biting to defeat their opponents. Although they have the ability to speak quite well, they are used as beasts of burden by their fellow baddies while serving Moo.
  • Weeds: The Weeds are a group of purplish plant-like monsters who appear to serve as Moo's attendants and messengers. While they usually shuffle along on their lower tendrils, they use their longer, upper tendrils to catch the wind and float or fly through the air. They also possess the ability to shoot seeds from their blossoms.
  • Evil Hares: Although they appeared as darker colored versions of Hare, these baddies did not possess the skill, trickery, and special attacks of the Hare who traveled as one of the courageous searchers. The Evil Hares relied mostly on punching and kicking attacks. Although incompetent, they often served as Moo's foot soldiers and were easily dispatched or driven off by skilled fighters.
  • Unsabas: These one-eyed pests are yellow plant-like monsters who resemble the Weeds. They served as guards and ground soldiers and are not the smartest monsters in Moo's army.
  • Clays: These creatures have a strong resemblance to the Jells and share many qualities with their counterparts. They too can transform into a variety of weapons, and serve as Moo's ground troops. In contrast to the blue coloring of the Gells, the Clays are colored very dark and have a red mark on their torsos.
  • Zillas: The Zillas are a group of powerful underwater baddies who attack relentlessly at sea and do not usually retreat. While their bodies resemble that of small whales, their arms allow them to grasp weapons while their legs allow them to stand upright like humans. The Zillas who patrol the ocean are under the command of their master, Guji.
  • Guji: This large and powerful Zilla is the leader of the Zillas, and Captain Horn's arch enemy. Although large, Guji can swim extremely fast in the water and could easily sink a ship. When Guji was ordered by Gali to defeat the searchers who were onboard Captain Horn's pirate ship, he sent his Zillas to defeat them. When they failed, Guji himself attacked the ship, and although he was much more powerful than his minions, he was defeated and cast into a whirlpool while the others escaped.
  • Joker: He is probably one of the trickier baddies and uses the power of illusion and the scythe he carries to defeat his opponents. The tricky Joker was sent by Gali to deal with the searchers. When they journeyed through an underground cavern, Joker trapped them in illusions of their own fears, and attempted to kill them while they were defenseless. He was defeated by Hare who had split from the group and returned to rescue his friends.
  • Scaled Jells: The Scaled Jells are a group of green colored Jells who are covered in green scales. Although they bear a close resemblance to their counterparts, they are more powerful and appear to have stronger abilities. They have the ability to combine their bodies together to create large and powerful weaponry, and they can even stretch their bodies out like sheets in order to float from high places.
  • Dokus: This balls of sludge are a tricky bunch who specialize in surrounding their opponents and attacking with a variety of punches. Although not the strongest baddies, they can still do their job.
  • Black Worms: Even more poisonous than regular worms, these baddies are a force to be reckoned with. They roll through the surrounding terrain at a fast pace, and stop to deliver attacks to the enemy by shooting their poisonous stingers like darts. Holly became a victim of their poison in an effort to protect Tiger from the stingers.
  • Salamanders: Reptile-like monsters who chased the searchers to the ruins where Centaur lives. There leader was the one responsible for injuring Tiger. They were fended off by him. They returned to capture the searchers during the tournament and were thwarted.
  • Undine: Undine is a seemingly harmless mermaid-like monster. Serving under Grey Wolf, she lived in a serene lake and was ordered by him to destroy the searchers. After befriending Golem, she tricked his friends and fought them using her power to manipulate the water. Although she proved treacherous, Golem protected her as he had promised. When he attempted to rescue her from the fire that surrounded the area, she simply told him that she didn't deserve his friendship and chose to remain behind and die. She is later seen to be resurrected at the end of the series.
  • Jaggernauts: Beetle-like monsters sent to attack the searchers. They were all destroyed by the giant robot Melcarba.
  • Stone Dragon: This large and powerful behemoth is a stone version of the Pirate Dragons. A Stone Dragon is one of the stronger monsters who serve Naga. He terrorized other monsters and attacked Genki and the searchers until one Colored Pandora sent him flying into a pit of quicksand, sending him to his doom. Another Stone Dragon fought Eddie and other people in their Iron Birds.
  • Arrowheads: Crustacean-like monsters that attacked the searchers and Jim as they cross the Yellow River.
  • Bajarl: Bajarl was a powerful genie-like monster who lived in a jar, and would use his powers to shrink his opponents and trap them in his jar. He once laid waste to an entire town. When he attacked the searchers and placed them in his jar, Holly and Mocchi escaped and fled to the ruins of the destroyed town. After Bajarl found them, Mocchi held him off while Tiger used his blizzard attack to freeze Bajarl's jar. After they escaped, the searchers defeated Bajarl.
  • Endbringer: The robot-like Endbringer was one of General Durahan's most powerful warriors and was the first to be summoned to destroy the searchers. After using his hologram projecting ability to deliver Durahan's message, Endbringer relentlessly attacked the rebels but using their teamwork, they destroyed him. A strange tiny orb flew from his lost Mystery Disk and reached Durahan. After watching the recording, Durahan knew that he was facing a reasonably powerful band of rebels.
  • Chariot: This Centaur looking monster was clothed in armor and fought Genki and the searchers under General Durahan's orders. While he and his army proved relentless, Chariot's lightning attacks failed to destroy him and was defeated due to the interference of a friendly pet monster name Baku, who Genki reminded of his owner.
  • Metal Jell: A servant of Durahan. He is a gray version of a Jell. He was sent alongside some Knight Mocchis to attack Genki and the searchers.
  • Knight Mocchis: Armored versions of Mocchi who accompanied Metal Jel in attacking the searchers.
  • Astros: Giant robot monsters used for space work. They were turned evil by Moo as an offer to get revenge on the Vangeans who tortured them and were unleashed by Durahan to attack the searchers.
  • Renocraft: A giant bug-like robot that can move through sand. While Genki and Mocchi were in a fight with each other, Renocraft was unleashed by Durahan and attacked the searchers. Genki saved Mocchi as Tiger, Golem, Suezo, and Hare combined their attacks to defeat Renocraft.
  • Gangsters: Robots that are loyal to Captain Weed. They were unleashed by Durahan to obtain the Pendant Stone from Holly. They were deactivated when Lilum killed Captain Weed.

[edit] Changes

The Character Hare had his "Gas" attack cut out in America. "Gas" is an attack where Hare turns around and flatulates on his enemy. The flatulence stinks so bad, it stuns enemies, knocks them out, as seen in Hare's Trick and he used Gas to keep the Iron Bird afloat in the Iron Bird episode.

A couple of scenes were also lifted from the episode "My Name is Pixie". At one point during the episode, Genki rescues Pixie from quicksand. After he hauls her out, the mud on her face makes her look as if she has a beard (why that was cut out is not known). There is also a scene in that episode where Genki lifts Pixie "bride over the threshold" style in his arms and skates away with her while she kicks and yells in protest. For reasons unknown, a few frames were cut from that scene as well.

Several key episodes of Season 2 were skipped by some networks that aired Monster Rancher in the U.S. "Battle with the Big Bad Four" and "Tiger's Battle with Destiny" only aired once in the USA on Fox Kids. These episodes were probably considered too violent to be aired again as they were pivotal battles for Holly and Tiger respectively.

In the Spanish and English versions of the anime, the opening was recorded produced and vocalised by Anthony Lopez.

While not related to the English dub, there was an interesting change on the Japanese release's opening for Episode 1. Episode 1 had a different opening animation for the first opening than other episodes. The changes include:

  • A fade in shot into the title logo rather than a camera scroll through some building to the logo.
  • The first two close up shots of Mocchi and Holly spinning around are not present.
  • After the pan up the group that are sitting on a pile of misc. objects, there is a shot of Genki's face, with the wind blowing.
  • The shot of Tiger latched onto the Monster's neck and ripping part of the skin off, as well as being thrown off of him, is instead a shot of Genki jumping over some of the Dinos from episode 1.
  • The shot of Genki being chased by the Dinos and one of them falls on a rock, is instead a shot from episode 1 where Genki is roller blading on the ground towards Holly.
  • The shot of Holly, Hare, and Golem on a dragon, in which the shot pans out to Mocchi and Genki is instead a shot from episode 1, which shows the scene where Genki decides on Mocchi's name.
  • Hare has a mistake on this version. Originally, his eyes had black pupils with a white background for the rest of his eyes. (Although the scene where punching some plant monsters has his normal eyes.)
  • The dragons flying into the sunset are removed from the end shot.

There are also many other additional details added onto the animation.

[edit] Monster Rancher on DVD and VHS

ADV Films owns the rights to the first 12 episodes, which the company released on DVD. ADV also released the entire first season of Monster Rancher on VHS. The series was brought to the US and dubbed by Ocean. After Monster Rancher went off the air in the US, ADV halted its release of the series on home video and DVD. In 2005, BKN International A.G. licensed the DVD rights for 73 episodes of the Monster Rancher anime series to Digiview Productions LLC for US and Canadian mass retail market distribution. Digiview only released one DVD containing episodes 1 through 5 at select Wal-Marts and other select places that sell $1 DVDs in February of 2006. Eventually, this DVD was reissued to include up to episode 8. The digiview website currently doesn't offer the DVDs up for sale indicating that it may be cancelled.

[edit] Voice Roles

Japanese Cast

U.S. Cast

[edit] See also

[edit] References