Monster Rancher (TV series)
From Wikipedia the free encyclopedia
| Monster Rancher | |
 North American DVD cover of the first season | |
| モンスターファーム (Monsutā Fāmu) | |
|---|---|
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Hiroyuki Yano |
| Written by | Shōji Yonemura |
| Music by |
|
| Studio | TMS Entertainment |
| Licensed by |
|
| Original network | TBS |
| English network | |
| Original run | April 17, 1999[5] – September 30, 2000[6] |
| Episodes | 73 |
Monster Rancher, known in Japan as Monster Farm (モンスターファーム, Monsutā Fāmu), is a Japanese anime television series based on Tecmo's Monster Rancher video game franchise.[7] It originally aired on TBS in Japan for two seasons from April 1999 to September 2000. In North America, the series was first licensed by BKN, Inc. and broadcast with an English dub on the Bohbot Kids Network, the Sci-Fi Channel, the Fox Family Channel,[4] and Fox Kids in the United States and YTV in Canada. It was later licensed by Discotek Media in 2013.
Story[edit]
The story follows a boy named Genki Sakura, who is a key player of the Monster Rancher video games. After winning a tournament hosted by the game's creators, Genki wins a special CD that he can use to unlock a special monster in his game at home. However, upon using this disk in his game console, he finds himself transported to a world of monsters that, much like Genki's game, are given life by scanning special stone disks within temples. There, he meets a girl named Holly and her monster friend Suezo, who are seeking a stone disk containing a legendary Phoenix that will save the land from the tyranny of an evil ruler named Moo. Upon attempting to use the disk Genki had won to try and release the monster, they bring forth a different monster, which Genki names Mocchi. Wanting to free the land from Moo's rule, Genki, Holly, Mocchi, and Suezo set off to find the Phoenix, using Holly's Magic Stone to guide them in the direction of the Phoenix. The Magic Stone leads them to Golem, Tiger, and Hare, each of which have their motivations to join the group on their journey to find the Phoenix.
It is revealed that Moo is actually Holly's missing father, who merged with an evil spirit after being banished from his village. Determined to separate Moo's evil spirit from Holly's father, the group continues their search for the Phoenix, defeating Moo's strongest minions, the Big Bad Four- Pixie, Gali, Grey Wolf, and Naga. In their travels, the gang befriends and aids many monsters as they continue searching, unlocking as many Mystery Disks as possible in the hopes of finding the Phoenix. One of these unlocked monsters, Monol, tells the group of a previous war between Moo and the Phoenix (as part of a larger war between humans and monsters, who exploited monsters as workers and companions in a futuristic society) that destroyed much of the world and weakened the two entities into their dormant states, separating their body and souls.
In the end of the first season, Moo's body is found and merges with Holly's father. Shortly after, the Phoenix's body is found, and it is revealed that the five monsters – Mocchi, Suezo, Golem, Tiger, and Hare – are pieces of the Phoenix's soul. Understanding what must be done, they say goodbye to Genki and merge with the Phoenix's body, and begin to fight Moo. As the two beings fight, Moo realizes that good and evil are inherently inseparable, and that the two are doomed to repeat a perpetually repeating fight as representatives of the two forces. The two monsters seemingly die, and Genki is knocked back into the real world in the resulting explosion, comforted by visions of his friends as he goes home.
The second season consists of Genki returning to the Monster World to revive and reunite his friends, who were turned into disks and separated after the fight with Moo. The gang must compete in a series of tournaments against General Durahan's army in their pursuit to find Holly's father. The third season ends with Genki and the others battling the soul of Moo that has possessed Durahan; during the credits of the final episode it is revealed in the Japanese version that both Genki and Mocchi are able to travel between both the Monster Rancher world and Earth.
Episodes[edit]
| Season | Title | Episodes | Originally aired | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First aired | Last aired | Network | ||||
| 1 | The Secret of the Stone Disk | 48 | April 17, 1999 | March 25, 2000 | TBS | |
| 2 | The Legendary Path | 25 | April 1, 2000 | September 30, 2000 | ||
Season 1: The Secret of the Stone Disk[edit]
| No. overall | No. in season | Ocean's dub title/Translated title Original Japanese title | Original air date | English air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "In the Beginning" / "The Beginning is Now!" Transliteration: "Hajimari wa ima!" (Japanese: はじまりは今!) | April 17, 1999 | August 30, 1999 | |
| Genki is a young boy with an ordinary, dull life. That is, until he gets a new game in the mail. He soon gets pulled in and must now fend for himself within the game. He soon comes across two friends, Suezo and Holly. But, will they be able to stop the terrible monster, Moo? | |||||
| 2 | 2 | "I'm Mocchi!" Transliteration: "Boku Mocchi" (Japanese: ぼくモッチー!) | April 24, 1999 | August 30, 1999 | |
| Genki, Mocchi, Holly, and Suezo continue on their trek. Genki is concerned, however, that Mocchi is becoming a softy, so he decides to leave him with an elderly couple they meet outside of a town. Genki wants Mocchi to stay with them, but Mocchi refuses and shows his friendship toward Genki by helping him defeat the Black Dinos. | |||||
| 3 | 3 | "Guardian of the Disks" / "The Monster's Forest" Transliteration: "Kaibutsu no mori" (Japanese: 怪物の森) | May 1, 1999 | September 1, 1999 | |
| Genki and friends come across an "enigma", a Golem that does not like to fight. They invite him to join their quest, but when Moo's troops threaten the Golem's “Garden of Lost Disks”, they discover a terrible secret about him! | |||||
| 4 | 4 | "Eternal Worm" Transliteration: "Eien no Wamu" (Japanese: 永遠のワーム) | May 8, 1999 | September 6, 1999 | |
| Genki and his friends encounter Allan, a young boy who is strict and cruel to his pet Worm. When he tries to ally with agents of Moo, however, he learns that loyalty is something that is given and not taken. | |||||
| 5 | 5 | "Tiger of the Wind" / "Rygar of the Wind" Transliteration: "Kaze no Raiga" (Japanese: 疾風のライガー) | May 15, 1999 | September 8, 1999 | |
| Genki and his friends come across a group of bandits in the desert, led by Tiger of the Wind. He steals the Magic Stone, but the Baddies turn all of his friends into lost disks and injure him. When Genki and his friends save him, he helps them defeat Captain Dino and then joins them. | |||||
| 6 | 6 | "Hare's Trick" / "I am Ham" Transliteration: "Wagahai wa Hamu dearu" (Japanese: 我が輩はハムである) | May 22, 1999 | September 14, 1999 | |
| Genki and his friends reach a town with a giant coliseum! Tiger battles Hare, who cheats his way to a victory. Genki and the others soon forgive him and Hare offers to buy them dinner and a place to stay the night. In the morning, Hare runs off and leaves them the bill, but Tiger catches up and makes him pay. Hare apologizes, and joins the group. | |||||
| 7 | 7 | "The Courageous Seven" / "Courage of the Seven" Transliteration: "Shichinen no yuki" (Japanese: 七人の勇気) | May 29, 1999 | September 22, 1999 | |
| Genki and his friends come across a beautiful valley with a small village at the foot of a dam. When Moo's troops damage the dam, Genki and the monsters must work together to save the town from utter disaster! | |||||
| 8 | 8 | "After the Rain" Transliteration: "Ameagari no sora ni" (Japanese: 雨上がりの空に) | June 5, 1999 | September 23, 1999 | |
| Holly's past is finally revealed! She shares her story with the gang on a miserable, rainy day. She tells of how she came to be on the quest for the Phoenix with Genki and the others. | |||||
| 9 | 9 | "The Iron Bird" / "Fly, Iron Bird!" Transliteration: "Tobe! Aian baado" (Japanese: 飛べ！アイアンバード) | June 12, 1999 | September 29, 1999 | |
| Genki and the others come across an "Iron Bird", a massive flying machine. Its owner used it to escape from the land on the other side of an impassable canyon. But, the fugitive is running from the forces of Moo, and, in order to save himself, he may have to betray his new friends. | |||||
| 10 | 10 | "The Ruins' Secret" / "Icy Pixie" Transliteration: "Koori no pikushii" (Japanese: 氷のピクシー) | June 19, 1999 | September 30, 1999 | |
| Genki and friends arrive in Heaven Canyon via the iron bird. In the canyon are humans mining “mystery disks” under the oppression of Moo. Are Genki and his friends strong enough to defeat them and free the imprisoned humans? | |||||
| 11 | 11 | "Pixie's Defeat" / "Decisive Battle! Monster Battle" Transliteration: "Kessen! Monsutaa batoru" (Japanese: 決戦！モンスターバトル) | June 26, 1999 | October 6, 1999 | |
| Genki and Mocchi manage to climb out of the canyon, and Genki leaves Mocchi (who is caught by a Clay) to free his friends and all of the slaves. The meet Pixie for a showdown, but the ruins collapse while they're fighting, and Big Blue digs them out. Pixie realizes that she is doing what she despises the most by imprisoning the humans, so she decides be join the Searchers' cause. | |||||
| 12 | 12 | "Monol's Story" / "Thus Spake Monolith" Transliteration: "Mono risu kaku katari ki" (Japanese: モノリスかく語りき) | July 3, 1999 | October 12, 1999 | |
| In search of a mysterious disk, Monol tells of a great story from the past. | |||||
| 13 | 13 | "Moo Revealed" / "Moo Descends!" Transliteration: "Mū Koorin!" (Japanese: ムー降臨！) | July 10, 1999 | October 18, 1999 | |
| Genki and friends meet paths with the infamous Moo. Will they be strong enough to defeat him? | |||||
| 14 | 14 | "Holly's Rescue" / "Evil Soul" Transliteration: "Jaaku na tamashii" (Japanese: 邪悪な魂) | July 17, 1999 | November 1, 1999 | |
| The Searchers, aided by the Pirate Dragons, infiltrate Moo's castle. Moo tells of how he left the village and was infused with Holly's father. He also gives Holly his dagger, which was Holly's father's, to prove it. Then Genki and his friends save her, with the help of Pixie. | |||||
| 15 | 15 | "A New Departure" Transliteration: "Arata naru tabidachi" (Japanese: 新たなる旅立ち) | July 24, 1999 | November 3, 1999 | |
| The Searchers arrive to the ocean, and encounter Horn, the self-proclaimed righteous pirate. They try to get him to give them a ride across the ocean, and fight Gali's Zuum troops at the same time. | |||||
| 16 | 16 | "Great Battle at Sea" Transliteration: "Umi no dai kessen" (Japanese: 海の大決戦) | July 31, 1999 | November 10, 1999 | |
| While on Horn's ship, the Searchers have to fight off the Zillas as well Gooji, the Zillas' leader. Golem must overcome his fear of water if he is to save his friends of Gooji's wrath. | |||||
| 17 | 17 | "Underground Adventure" / "Ham! Come Back" Transliteration: "Hamu! Kan bakku" (Japanese: ハム！カンバック) | August 7, 1999 | November 16, 1999 | |
| Tiger and Hare's rivalry finally comes to a head, when the gang gets lost in an underground labyrinth. Hurt by Tiger's harsh words, Hare takes off on his own. But in the end, Hare's wits may be the only thing that can save them from the mind games of a Joker. | |||||
| 18 | 18 | "Our Friend Henger Forever" / "Henger, forever" Transliteration: "Hengaa yo, eien ni" (Japanese: ヘンガーよ、永遠に) | August 14, 1999 | November 17, 1999 | |
| The Searchers discover an ancient city, perfectly preserved by Hengers. But, the robot caretakers are programmed to prevent anyone from entering it! When the Hengers take Holly's pendant, Genki and his friends must trust a malfunctioning Henger, who was banished from the city because of his free will, to find a way inside. | |||||
| 19 | 19 | "Suezo's Secret Weapon" / "Appeared!? Suezo's New Deathblow Technique" Transliteration: "Deru ka!? Suezoo no shin hissatsu waza" (Japanese: 出るか!?スエゾーの新必殺技) | August 21, 1999 | November 18, 1999 | |
| Suezo has always been happy to let others do the fighting for him. But, his friends have begun to take him for granted, and when Hare points out that he has no Special Attack, Suezo takes the criticism pretty hard. Genki begins to try and train him, but does Suezo have the courage it takes to show what he can really do? | |||||
| 20 | 20 | "My Name is Pixie" Transliteration: "Waga na wa Pikushii" (Japanese: 我が名はピクシー) | August 28, 1999 | November 22, 1999 | |
| Pixie returns, and helps Genki in a battle against a group of Scaled Jells. But she and Genki become separated from the others, and when Pixie gets injured, she finds she must rely on Genki to survive. At first, she is embarrassed and angry. But Genki's compassion begins to wear away at the barrier of hatred she has built around herself. | |||||
| 21 | 21 | "The Mocchi Cannon" / "Exploding Mocchi Cannon" Transliteration: "Bakuretsu!? Mocchi hoo!" (Japanese: 爆裂!?モッチ砲！) | September 4, 1999 | November 23, 1999 | |
| The Searchers finally confront Gali, the second of Moo's Big Four. Gali is both charming and clever, and manages to trap Genki and the others in a pit. But Mocchi escapes the trap, and the young monster must fight, alone, in order to save his friends. | |||||
| 22 | 22 | "Run, Tiger, Run!" / "Run, Rygar!" Transliteration: "Hashire Raigaa!" (Japanese: 走れライガー！) | September 18, 1999 | November 24, 1999 | |
| The Searchers are attacked by the Black Worms, who are under Gray Wolf's command. Tiger must save the group and come over the realization that he must be the one to defeat his brother. | |||||
| 23 | 23 | "Don't Give Up, Ducken!" Transliteration: "Ganbare dakkun!" (Japanese: がんばれダックン！) | September 25, 1999 | November 29, 1999 | |
| While wandering through a hude, dark forest, the Searchers are captured by a group of Mocks, led by their captain, a dark Mock named Ebony. Mocchi manages to escape, and befriends a Ducken, who had been hiding in the forest from the Mocks. Can Mocchi save Genki and the others or will his efforts get his new friend captured as well? | |||||
| 24 | 24 | "Undine's Lake" Transliteration: "Undiine no Mizuumi" (Japanese: ウンディーネの湖) | October 2, 1999 | November 30, 1999 | |
| The Searchers come across a small, quiet lake in the forest. They decide to restock their food supplies with fish. However, the lake has another inhabitant, an Undine. Golem falls in love with the beautiful water spirit, but she turns out to be a servant of Moo. Will he be able to defeat her? | |||||
| 25 | 25 | "Warriors of the Ruins" / "Warriors of the Castle Ruins" Transliteration: "Haikyo no senshi tachi" (Japanese: 廃墟の戦士たち) | October 9, 1999 | December 1, 1999 | |
| Genki and his friends come across a trio of Centaurs, proud warriors who serve Moo, but have a code of honor of their own. They challenge the Searchers to a tournament, but there is a squad of Salamanders in the area as well, and they don't want the Centaur to have the glory of Genki's capture. | |||||
| 26 | 26 | "Melcarba" / "Berserk Warrior Merkava" Transliteration: "Boosoo senshi merukaaba" (Japanese: 暴走戦士メルカーバ) | October 16, 1999 | December 2, 1999 | |
| While running from a squad of creatures called Jaggernauts, Genki and the others stumble across a factory. The Jaggernauts follow them into the factory, and they battle. However, an android, Melcarba, is still lying dormant in the factory for millions of years and kills all of the Jaggernauts. Then it turns on the Searchers, and they have to use the lightning storm to shut down the deranged cyborg. | |||||
| 27 | 27 | "Tiger's Battle With Destiny" / "Rygar! Fated Confrontation" Transliteration: "Raigaa! Shukumei no taiketsu" (Japanese: ライガー！宿命の対決) | October 23, 1999 | January 30, 2001 | |
| Gray Wolf challenges his brother, Tiger of the Wind, to a one-to-one duel to settle things. Who will be the victor? | |||||
| 28 | 28 | "Color Pandora, Guardian of the Forest" / "Trickster of the Forest, Colopendra" Transliteration: "Mori no shikake ya Koro Pendora" (Japanese: 森の仕掛け屋コロペンドラ) | October 30, 1999 | September 17, 2000 | |
| Genki and the group enter Naga's territory, which is also the Color Pandoras' forests. Naga sends Stone Dragon to destroy them. Meanwhile, the group falls into one of the Color Pandora's traps. They eventually understand each other, and work together to trap Stone Dragon. But when Stone Dragon breaks free, Color Pandora then turns him into a Lost Disk. | |||||
| 29 | 29 | "Farewell, My Friend" / "Goodbye, My Friend" Transliteration: "Gubbai! Mai furendo" (Japanese: グッバイ！マイフレンド) | November 6, 1999 | September 24, 2000 | |
| Genki and the group meet up with Jim and his Eared Mew at the Yellow River. They battle Baddies as they cross the river. Genki is angry at Jim, who thinks that he is just a kid, but sees that Genki is a strong person when he saves him. | |||||
| 30 | 30 | "Baby Bossy" / "Baby Boss Is A Live Wire" Transliteration: "Akachan Bosu wa Genki sha" (Japanese: 赤ちゃんボスは元気者) | November 13, 1999 | September 24, 2000 | |
| Genki and the gang resurrect Bossy. The Apes worship Bossy, because he finds them food and shelter. But the Rock Apes steal him for the same purposes, and Genki's gang collaborates so both tribes are equal among Bossy's rule. | |||||
| 31 | 31 | "Amusement Park Ruins" / "Amusement Park of the Castle Ruins" Transliteration: "Senjoo no yūen chi" (Japanese: 戦場の遊園地) | November 20, 1999 | October 1, 2000 | |
| Genki and the gang locate an abandoned amusement park that is the remain of an ancient civilization. They all explore, until the Kuros kidnap Mocchi. They beat the Kuros, but Pixie comes to tell them that Moo found his body. | |||||
| 32 | 32 | "Holly's Million Gold Smile" / "Holly's Treasured Item" Transliteration: "Hori? No hoomotsu" (Japanese: ホリィの宝物) | November 27, 1999 | October 1, 2000 | |
| The gang meets up with Niton, a snail-like creature who is a merchant. He sells them second-rate quality items and a fake mystery disk for Holly's dagger. Infuriated, they go to find him, but the Jells trap them on the beach and bury them. But the tide is coming in fast. Holly begs Niton to help, and he finally comes to his senses and does what is right. He digs them out and gives them a refund. | |||||
| 33 | 33 | "Battle in the Meadow" / "Duel at Susuki Field" Transliteration: "Susuki? Hara no Kettoo" (Japanese: すすきヶ原の決闘) | December 4, 1999 | October 8, 2000 | |
| Naga sends the Tainted Kat Brothers to destroy Genki and his friends. Mocchi and Genki are separated from the group, and meet with the Tainted Kat Brothers' old mentor, Kato. Kato trains Genki and Mocchi, and together the two help the Tainted Kat Brothers realize that they were wrong to turn against their mentor. | |||||
| 34 | 34 | "The Town That Disappeared" / "Vanishing Into The Wasteland" Transliteration: "Arano ni kie ta machi" (Japanese: 荒野に消えた街) | December 11, 1999 | October 8, 2000 | |
| Naga sends his most powerful warrior, Bajarl, to destroy Genki and the others. Bajarl traps them in his jar, and only Holly and Mocchi escape. Holly then stumbles onto a ghost town that was wiped out by Bajarl. Holly reads the mayor's diary, realizing that the mayor rigged a huge rock formation above the town with explosives. She blows up the rock, trapping Bajarl and saving her friends. | |||||
| 35 | 35 | "Battle With the Big Bad Four" / "Final Decisive Battle With The Four Heavenly Kings!" Transliteration: "Shitennoo saigo no kessen!" (Japanese: 四天王最後の決戦！) | December 18, 1999 | October 15, 2000 | |
| The gang infiltrates Naga's headquarters to take out the last of the Big Bad four! | |||||
| 36 | 36 | "Eve's Night" Transliteration: "Ibu no yoru" (Japanese: イブの夜) | December 25, 1999 | October 15, 2000 | |
| Moo is finally merged with his body and immediately seeks out Genki's group. They are currently traveling over a mountain, and they come across a sleepy village. The village doesn't answer when they ask to stay in, because it is "Ogre Day" in the village, when an ogre comes and steals children. A little girl, Eve, leaves her house on during the night to seek out the mystic god who will kill the ogre, but she finds Moo, and he holds her inside an energy bubble. Moo confronts the gang, and his overwhelming offense power squashes them. But, when it looks like the end, the sun arises. Moo cannot stand the light, and flees. Eve is rescued. | |||||
| 37 | 37 | "Holly's Happy Birthday" Transliteration: "Hori? No Happii Baasudee" (Japanese: ホリィのハッピーバースデー) | January 8, 2000 | October 22, 2000 | |
| Genki and the monsters celebrate Holly's birthday. | |||||
| 38 | 38 | "Evil General Durahan's Challenge" / "Demon General Dullahan's Challenge" Transliteration: "Ma shoogun Derahan no choosen" (Japanese: 魔将軍デュラハンの挑戦) | January 15, 2000 | October 22, 2000 | |
| Moo orders General Durahan to destroy Genki and his group. Durahan sends End-Bringer, who is stronger than the group. But the group's courage fuels them to destroy End-Bringer. | |||||
| 39 | 39 | "Goodbye, Baku" Transliteration: "Sayonara Bakū" (Japanese: さよならバクー) | January 22, 2000 | October 29, 2000 | |
| Durahan sends Chariot and a pack of Shell Saurians to destroy the group. The Shell Saurians are reluctant to follow the group into the forest, because a monster is rumored to live there. Chariot orders them to kill the group, regardless of some rumor. The gang finds Baku, who likes Genki. Genki resembles his owner, who was killed when Chariot destroyed Baku's village. Baku turns Chariot into a lost disk, but Baku is changed into a lost disk also. | |||||
| 40 | 40 | "The Secret of Holly's Magic Stone" / "The Secret of Gaia" Transliteration: "Gaia no himitsu" (Japanese: ガイアの秘密) | January 29, 2000 | October 29, 2000 | |
| Genki and the group come across ruins, which an archaeologist, Colt, is excavating. She tells that the ruins are the remains of the "Pendant" civilization. This civilization has the same crest as the Baddies. Anyhow, Durahan sends Metal Jell and a squadron of Knight Mocchis to destroy the group. Genki and the others trap the Baddies in a monster-making factory in the ruins. The factory experiences an electric surge, and explodes with the Baddies inside. | |||||
| 41 | 41 | "Tiger Meets His Match" / "Rygar's Final Day" Transliteration: "Raigaa saigo no hi" (Japanese: ライガー最後の日) | February 5, 2000 | November 5, 2000 | |
| The team takes a break in a meadow, and Tiger goes to look for food. While he is gone, Jagd Hound attacks. Tiger chases him, because Jagd Hound was not a Baddie. Tiger learns that Lilim kidnapped a baby Jagd Hound swore to protect, and the only way Jagd Hound would get it back was if he destroyed Genki's group. So Tiger and Jagd Hound fake Tiger's death with an Evil Hare lost disk to trick Lilim, and her plot is foiled. | |||||
| 42 | 42 | "The Warriors From Outer Space" / "The Warriors Who Came from Space" Transliteration: "Uchū kara ki ta senshi tachi" (Japanese: 宇宙から来た戦士たち) | February 12, 2000 | November 5, 2000 | |
| Durahan unleashes a squadron of Astros to destroy Genki and the team. They lose the Astros in the ruins of a spaceship, and Captain Astro finds them and tells of how the people of Vangea tortured them, and he wants revenge on all humans. He does not realize that not all humans are evil until he falls down a waterfall, and Genki tries to save him. Astro becomes a lost disk. | |||||
| 43 | 43 | "The Sand Assassin, Renocraft" / "The Sand Assassin, Renocraft" Transliteration: "Suna no shikaku Remakurasuto" (Japanese: 砂の刺客レマクラスト) | February 19, 2000 | November 12, 2000 | |
| Durahan sends Renocraft to destroy the group, but they succeed in turning him into a lost disk. | |||||
| 44 | 44 | "Magic Stone Mayhem" / "Fierce Fighting! Gaia Struggle" Transliteration: "Gekitoo! Gaia soodatsu sen" (Japanese: 激闘！ガイア争奪戦) | February 26, 2000 | November 12, 2000 | |
| Captain Weed realizes that the Magic Stone is needed to perfect Moo's body. He tells Durahan to get it. Durahan wants it for himself to overthrow Moo. Durahan sends the Gangsters, which are self-reassembling robots. Lilim gets the Magic Stone before Weed does, and goes to give it to Durahan. | |||||
| 45 | 45 | "The End of Durahan" / "Dullahan Dies at Daybreak" Transliteration: "Derahan akatsuki ni shisu" (Japanese: デュラハン暁に死す) | March 4, 2000 | November 19, 2000 | |
| When Lilim returns, she tells Durahan that she would rather give the Magic Stone to Moo. All of Durahan's forces have turned on him, and to make matters worse, Genki and his friends teleport to Durahan's warship. Lilim rigs it to explode, and she gets away with the Magic Stone. Genki and his friends confront Durahan and defeat him. Then they escape from the Iron Bird before it explodes, with Durahan on board. | |||||
| 46 | 46 | "Jill's Icy Secret" / "Fighting, Hatred, and..." Transliteration: "Tatakai to nikushimi to" (Japanese: 戦いと憎しみと) | March 11, 2000 | November 26, 2000 | |
| The group travels north, and comes across a village of Jill. Jill tells them of the legend of Cinderbird, who changed the evil Skullcapt into a regular Jill. Jill decides that Genki and his friends have true souls of goodness, and decide to show them the Phoenix, which is encased in a giant ice cube. But Moo comes, fully reenergized. Genki and the others attempt to lead Moo away from the Phoenix. | |||||
| 47 | 47 | "Tears" Transliteration: "Namida" (Japanese: 涙) | March 18, 2000 | February 13, 2001 | |
| Genki and the others attempt to lead Moo away from the Phoenix, when Pixie and an army of the Pirate Dragon army, led by Vulcan. Pixie is seriously hurt while fighting. But instead of finishing them off, Moo goes berserk. His mind is strangled by the evil fury of Moo's soul. Meanwhile, Pixie is in danger of becoming a lost disk. Big Blue decides to fuse with Pixie to save her, even though he ceases to exist. They fuse into Granity. Holly realizes that in order to summon the Phoenix's soul, they might have to fuse monsters that the Phoenix's soul was reincarnated into. | |||||
| 48 | 48 | "Blue Skies" Transliteration: "Aozora" (Japanese: 青空) | March 25, 2000 | February 16, 2001 | |
| Moo is so berserk that he has even started to destroy the Baddie armies. He then travels to Mt. Kyrus to destroy the volcano. The magma, Monol tells them, will cause a chain reaction inside the planet and cause a catastrophic earthquake that will destroy the planet. Monol also says that the Phoenix's soul was split into five subdivisions and fused with five mystery disks. He says that the monsters are Suezo, Mocchi, Tiger, Golem, and Hare. The five fuse into the Phoenix. Both the Phoenix and Moo are destroyed in the battle, and Genki is shunted back to his own time. | |||||
Season 2: The Legendary Path[edit]
| No. overall | No. in season | Ocean's dub title/Translated title Original Japanese title | Original air date | English air date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | 1 | "Return to Monster Rancher" / "The Time the Door Opens" Transliteration: "Tobira ga hiraku toki" (Japanese: 扉が開くとき) | April 1, 2000 | September 13, 2001 | |
| A year has passed since the final battle with Moo, but Genki still cannot forget his friends. Suddenly he is led by an image of Mocchi to a deserted shop with a Monster Rancher game disk. Playing the disk he sees his friends' quest to defeat Moo unfold before him and what happened in his absence. | |||||
| 50 | 2 | "In Quest of the Legend Cup" / "Aim! Legend Cup" Transliteration: "Mezase! Rejendo hai" (Japanese: 目指せ！レジェンド杯) | April 15, 2000 | September 14, 2001 | |
| Holly is determined to free her father from the disk and trap Moo inside. The three enter a city to eat and while they are there, they see Poritoka and Most in the Legend Cup competition. | |||||
| 51 | 3 | "Battle for the Rookie Cup" / "Fierce Fighting! Rookie Cup" Transliteration: "Gekitoo!! Rūkii hai" (Japanese: 激闘!!ルーキー杯) | April 22, 2000 | September 15, 2001 | |
| Genki and Mocchi take part in the first of six competition that leads to the Legend Cup. | |||||
| 52 | 4 | "Saved by a Hare" / "Muha and Ham Visit!" Transliteration: "Muhat to Hamu sanjoo!" (Japanese: ムハッとハム参上！) | April 29, 2000 | September 16, 2001 | |
| The gang runs into Hare at an orchard and finds out that he has been living with Tama who saved Hare after the battle with Moo. | |||||
| 53 | 5 | "The Powerful Wondar Brothers" / "Powerful Enemy Karakorum Brothers Exist!?" Transliteration: "Kyooteki karakorumu kyoodai gen ru!?" (Japanese: 強敵カラコルム兄弟現る!?) | May 6, 2000 | September 17, 2001 | |
| While Mocchi is searching for food, he chances upon the Wondar Brothers. | |||||
| 54 | 6 | "Tiger and the Mandy Cup Challenge" / "Mandy Commemorative Cup Stand! Rygar" Transliteration: "Mandii kinen hai date! Raigaa!" (Japanese: マンディー記念杯 立て!ライガー！) | May 13, 2000 | September 18, 2001 | |
| Tiger wants to make his debut at the Mandy Cup, but everyone is worried that he won't be able to as he has forgotten his abilities. Genki tries to teach Tiger some defensive moves but Tiger insists to continue practicing alone to recover his lost abilities. | |||||
| 55 | 7 | "Disappearing Hare Line" / "The Bell that tolls for Someone" Transliteration: "Dare ga tame ni kane wa naru" (Japanese: 誰がために鐘は鳴る) | May 20, 2000 | September 19, 2001 | |
| The gang becomes increasingly curious about Hare's baggage but Hare refuses to show them. But then when a small Spot Dino steals his baggage the gang gives chase and finds that the Spot Dino is an orphan living under the care of Fairy Hare, one of Hare's long lost friends. | |||||
| 56 | 8 | "Lost At Sea: Disappearance of the Mystery Disk" / "Disc Stone that Disappeared in the Sea" Transliteration: "Umi ni kie ta enban seki" (Japanese: 海に消えた円盤石) | May 27, 2000 | September 20, 2001 | |
| Fed up with their failures, General Durahan sends out his Jelly Gaboos to deal with the gang. The Jelly Gaboos caught up with the gang who found themselves on a deserted sea platform. | |||||
| 57 | 9 | "Furred Suezo's M-1 Grand Prix Hero" / "M-1 Grand Prix Ganba! Suezo" Transliteration: "M-1 guranpuri ganba! Suezoo" (Japanese: Ｍ-１グランプリ ガンバ！スエゾー) | June 3, 2000 | September 21, 2001 | |
| In this competition (3 rounds, 1 on 1), Mocchi must enter with two other monsters in the list that is designated by the IMA. Only Golem and Suezo qualify. While Golem is fine, Suezo is terrified. | |||||
| 58 | 10 | "All's Fare in Love and Taxis" / "Run! To the Distant Shore" Transliteration: "Hashire! Haruka naru taigan e" (Japanese: 走れ！遥かなる対岸へ) | June 10, 2000 | September 22, 2001 | |
| The gang tries to cross the marshlands but have problems with getting a cheap taxi. In the end they took Sandra's offer of 700 gold. | |||||
| 59 | 11 | "Allan's Advice" / "Reunion with Allan" Transliteration: "Saikai no Aran" (Japanese: 再会のアラン) | June 17, 2000 | September 23, 2001 | |
| In the forest, Genki is busy with creating battle plans when Wood Golem attacks. No one listens to Genki's battle plans and Genki, Mocchi and Wood Golem falls into the river. When Genki awakens he finds Allan, who goes around searching for and unlocking Disks. | |||||
| 60 | 12 | "Winner's Cup: The Fickle Finger of Fate" / "Winner's Cup: Flaming Brow Hit" Transliteration: "Winaazu hai en no deko pin" (Japanese: ウィナーズ杯 炎のでこぴん) | June 24, 2000 | September 24, 2001 | |
| In the Winner's Cup held in a town by the seaside, Mocchi's partner has to be Golem who is the only 1 in the 5 IMA designated monsters that is with the gang. It will be 2 rounds of 1 on 1 battles and a Sudden Death in the event of a tie against the defending champions. While Golem is bent on making up for his mistakes the other time, Mocchi isn't feeling well at all and faints from high fever. | |||||
| 61 | 13 | "Pink Jam to the Rescue" / "Defeated Pink Jam!" Transliteration: "Makeru na Pinku Jamu!" (Japanese: 負けるなピンクジャム！) | July 1, 2000 | September 25, 2001 | |
| Pink Jam and the Jells have changed their ways but are still failures in whatever they do. Incidentally, the gang meets up with them but they don't realize it as they concealed their baddies' crest. Just as things were going well, a fearsome trio of Tombstones attacked! Can Pink Jam do anything about it and can these ex-Baddies be trusted? | |||||
| 62 | 14 | "Ghost Encounters of the Pirate Kind" / "Retrieve the Pirate Ship!" Transliteration: "海賊船を取り返せ！" (Japanese: Kaizoku sen o torikaese!) | July 8, 2000 | September 26, 2001 | |
| The gang meets up with Horn who lost his pirate ship mysteriously one night! Also, they hear about the legend of a phantom ship in these parts of the ocean. So they decided to help find Horn's ship. Surely, they found the ship alright but it is anything but empty! | |||||
| 63 | 15 | "The World Monster Cup: Naga Returns" / "World Monster's Cup: Naga Returns" Transliteration: "Waarudo monsutaazu hai Naaga futatabi" (Japanese: ワールドモンスターズ杯 ナーガふたたび) | July 15, 2000 | September 27, 2001 | |
| When Mum Mew asks about his plans, General Durahan says that he has already found a very strong monster who can deal with the gang. As they signed up for the World Monster Cup, the gang realized that they don't have a partner for Mocchi that is in IMA's designated list so they went around only to encounter Naga of the Big Bad Four. | |||||
| 64 | 16 | "Legend of the Great White Most" / "The Great White Legend" Transliteration: "Idai naru shiro no densetsu" (Japanese: 偉大なる白の伝説) | July 22, 2000 | September 28, 2001 | |
| Mum Mew and Gobi decides to personally deal with the gang and spare the General's monster collection. The gang enters a training village and splits up to go to their respective type designated region to train. | |||||
| 65 | 17 | "Shogun the Mighty" / "The Strongest Warrior, Shogun" Transliteration: "Saikyoo no senshi Shoogun" (Japanese: 最強の戦士ショーグン) | July 29, 2000 | September 29, 2001 | |
| In General Durahan's collection, there is a fearsome warrior - Shogun who is stronger than General Durahan himself. | |||||
| 66 | 18 | "Brothers, in the Greatest Four" / "Greatest 4: Brothers" Transliteration: "Gurei tesuto 4 kyoodai" (Japanese: グレイテスト４兄弟) | August 5, 2000 | September 30, 2001 | |
| Tiger meets up with Gray Wolf but refuses to acknowledge him as his brother after realizing that they are opponent in battle. | |||||
| 67 | 19 | "Golem's Cook-Off" / "Aim for First-Class Chef!" Transliteration: "Mezase ichiryū shefu!" (Japanese: 目指せ一流シェフ) | August 12, 2000 | October 1, 2001 | |
| Golem and gang runs into an Old Lady who cooks the best Pizza. Just when she was about to defend her crown in the cooking competition, her secret sauce is stolen. | |||||
| 68 | 20 | "Battling Granity" / "The Fight Against Venus" Transliteration: "Biinasu to no tatakai" (Japanese: ビーナスとの戦い) | August 19, 2000 | October 2, 2001 | |
| The gang meets up with Granity but then she becomes controlled by a machine type Baddie which enter her head. | |||||
| 69 | 21 | "Mum Mew Risks it All" / "Mama Nyaa's Dangerous Bet" Transliteration: "Mama Nyaa no kiken na kake" (Japanese: ママニャーの危険な賭け) | August 26, 2000 | October 3, 2001 | |
| Mum Mew, Gobi and Weed tries to capture the gang by issuing wanted posters. | |||||
| 70 | 22 | "Legend Cup: Mocchi vs. Poritoka" Transliteration: "Rejendo hai Mocchii VS Poritoka" (Japanese: レジェンド杯 モッチーVSポリトカ) | September 2, 2000 | October 4, 2001 | |
| Genki and the gang made it to the International Monster Association headquarters to register for the Legend Cup. | |||||
| 71 | 23 | "Legend Cup: Mocchi vs. Most" Transliteration: "Rejendo hai Mocchii VS Mosuto" (Japanese: レジェンド杯 モッチーVSモスト) | September 16, 2000 | October 5, 2001 | |
| General Durahan orders Mum Mew and Gobi to show him the highlights of the Legend Cup thus far. Meanwhile, Most's public sparring match is held to raise funds for a gymnasium for young boys and girls as well as monsters that intend to participate in future monster battles. | |||||
| 72 | 24 | "Reunion" Transliteration: "Saikai" (Japanese: 再会) | September 23, 2000 | October 6, 2001 | |
| Despite losing to Most, Most gladly destroys the championship belt to give the Magic Stone to the gang. Armed with the Magic Stone, the gang sets off in Most's plane to find a shrine to unlock the Mystery Disk and seal Moo forever. | |||||
| 73 | 25 | "The Final Battle" Transliteration: "Saigo no tatakai" (Japanese: 最後の戦い) | September 30, 2000 | October 7, 2001 | |
| After rescuing Holly's father, the gang waits for him to awaken. Then, the Mystery Disk gets stolen by General Durahan, who becomes possessed by Moo. In the end, Durahan and his team help the gang destroy Moo forever. In the Japanese version it is revealed during the credits that both Genki and Mocchi are able to travel between both the Monster Rancher world and Earth. | |||||
Broadcast and release[edit]
In Japan, under the title Monster Farm, the series was broadcast on TBS for two seasons; the first 48-episode season, The Secret of the Stone Disk (円盤石の秘密, Enbanseki no Himitsu), aired from April 17, 1999, to March 25, 2000;[5] the second 25-episode season, The Legendary Path (伝説への道, Densetsu e no Michi), aired from April 1 to September 30, 2000.[6]
The series was brought to the United States by BKN,[2][8] with an English dub produced by Ocean Studios.[9] It was also broadcast in the United States on the Sci-Fi Channel and Fox Kids[3] and in Canada on YTV.[1] In the United Kingdom, the series aired on children's Saturday morning show Live & Kicking,[10] with episodes also airing on CBBC (on BBC Two) until April 9, 2001. Repeats of the series continued throughout the year and early February 25, 2002.[11]
ADV Films licensed the home video rights to the series and released its first twelve episodes on four DVDs.[9][12] In 2005, BKN International A.G. licensed the DVD rights for 73 episodes of Monster Rancher to Digiview Productions;[13] however, only one DVD was released.[14] In 2012, the series was available for streaming on Hulu.[15] Discotek Media licensed the series in 2013,[16] and released it on three English-dubbed DVD box sets in 2014,[17][18] and a single box set with the original Japanese audio subtitled and uncut on July 28, 2015.[19] Discotek Media later released the series on a Blu-ray Disc set on May 29, 2018.[20][21]
References[edit]
- ^ a b "YTV Programming news". Anime News Network. October 31, 2000. Archived from the original on May 16, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "BKN acquires MONSTER RANCHER". Animation World Network. July 16, 1999. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. pp. 563–564. ISBN 978-1476665993.
- ^ a b "Anime TV Changes". Anime News Network. February 27, 2000. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
- ^ a b モンスター ファーム ～円盤石の秘密～. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ a b モンスター ファーム ～伝説[レジェンド]への道～. Media Arts Database (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "In a far away land where Monsters rule...Opens a new chapter of adventure and fun..." www.tms-e.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ King, Sudan (September 5, 1999). "COVER STORY : Boys & Girls : Start Your Remotes!". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Beveridge, Chris (May 23, 2000). "Monster Rancher Vol. #1 (of 0)". AnimeOnDVD. Archived from the original on July 26, 2005. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "Live and Kicking (Sat 23rd Dec 2000, 09:00 on BBC One London)". BBC. December 23, 2000. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ "CBBC Mon 25th Feb 2002, 07:00 on BBC Two England". BBC. February 25, 2002. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- ^ Beveridge, Chris (March 30, 2001). "Monster Rancher Vol. #4 (of 0)". AnimeOnDVD. Archived from the original on February 14, 2005. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Ball, Ryan (July 21, 2005). "BKN Inks U.S. Distrib Deal". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Monster Rancher: In the Beginning (DVD). ASIN B000EGIDN6.
- ^ Bunao, Daryl (April 29, 2012). "North American Stream List: April 23–29". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ "Discotek Media Adds Monster Rancher TV Anime Series - News". Anime News Network. May 2, 2013. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (January 7, 2014). "North American Anime, Manga Releases, January 5–11". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Ressler, Karen (July 29, 2014). "North American Anime, Manga Releases, July 27-August 2". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Ressler, Karen (July 28, 2015). "North American Anime, Manga Releases, July 26-August 1". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Ressler, Karen (March 23, 2018). "Discotek Licenses Star Ocean EX, Tokyo Underground, 'Like the Clouds, Like the Wind' Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
- ^ Ressler, Karen (May 29, 2018). "North American Anime, Manga Releases, May 27-June 2". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 8, 2021.
External links[edit]
- Monster Rancher at IMDb
- Monster Rancher (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- List of episodes at tv.com
- Monster Rancher - Official Order at TheTVDB
