Monster Rancher (TV series)
| 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 |
| Produced by |
|
| Written by | Shōji Yonemura |
| Music by |
|
| Studio | TMS Entertainment[a] |
| Licensed by |
|
| Original network | JNN (CBC, 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 CBC 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 | April 17, 1999 | August 30, 1999 |
| 2 | 2 | "I'm Mocchi!" Transliteration: "Boku Mocchi" (Japanese: ぼくモッチー!) | April 24, 1999 | August 30, 1999 |
| 3 | 3 | "Guardian of the Disks" / "The Monster's Forest" Transliteration: "Kaibutsu no mori" (Japanese: | May 1, 1999 | September 1, 1999 |
| 4 | 4 | "Eternal Worm" Transliteration: "Eien no Wamu" (Japanese: | May 8, 1999 | September 6, 1999 |
| 5 | 5 | "Tiger of the Wind" / "Rygar of the Wind" Transliteration: "Kaze no Raiga" (Japanese: | May 15, 1999 | September 8, 1999 |
| 6 | 6 | "Hare's Trick" / "I am Ham" Transliteration: "Wagahai wa Hamu dearu" (Japanese: | May 22, 1999 | September 14, 1999 |
| 7 | 7 | "The Courageous Seven" / "Courage of the Seven" Transliteration: "Shichinen no yuki" (Japanese: | May 29, 1999 | September 22, 1999 |
| 8 | 8 | "After the Rain" Transliteration: "Ameagari no sora ni" (Japanese: | June 5, 1999 | September 23, 1999 |
| 9 | 9 | "The Iron Bird" / "Fly, Iron Bird!" Transliteration: "Tobe! Aian baado" (Japanese: | June 12, 1999 | September 29, 1999 |
| 10 | 10 | "The Ruins' Secret" / "Icy Pixie" Transliteration: "Koori no pikushii" (Japanese: | June 19, 1999 | September 30, 1999 |
| 11 | 11 | "Pixie's Defeat" / "Decisive Battle! Monster Battle" Transliteration: "Kessen! Monsutaa batoru" (Japanese: | June 26, 1999 | October 6, 1999 |
| 12 | 12 | "Monol's Story" / "Thus Spake Monolith" Transliteration: "Mono risu kaku katari ki" (Japanese: モノリスかく | July 3, 1999 | October 12, 1999 |
| 13 | 13 | "Moo Revealed" / "Moo Descends!" Transliteration: "Mū Koorin!" (Japanese: ムー | July 10, 1999 | October 18, 1999 |
| 14 | 14 | "Holly's Rescue" / "Evil Soul" Transliteration: "Jaaku na tamashii" (Japanese: | July 17, 1999 | November 1, 1999 |
| 15 | 15 | "A New Departure" Transliteration: "Arata naru tabidachi" (Japanese: | July 24, 1999 | November 3, 1999 |
| 16 | 16 | "Great Battle at Sea" Transliteration: "Umi no dai kessen" (Japanese: | July 31, 1999 | November 10, 1999 |
| 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 |
| 18 | 18 | "Our Friend Henger Forever" / "Henger, forever" Transliteration: "Hengaa yo, eien ni" (Japanese: ヘンガーよ、 | August 14, 1999 | November 17, 1999 |
| 19 | 19 | "Suezo's Secret Weapon" / "Appeared!? Suezo's New Deathblow Technique" Transliteration: "Deru ka!? Suezoo no shin hissatsu waza" (Japanese: | August 21, 1999 | November 18, 1999 |
| 20 | 20 | "My Name is Pixie" Transliteration: "Waga na wa Pikushii" (Japanese: | August 28, 1999 | November 22, 1999 |
| 21 | 21 | "The Mocchi Cannon" / "Exploding Mocchi Cannon" Transliteration: "Bakuretsu!? Mocchi hoo!" (Japanese: | September 4, 1999 | November 23, 1999 |
| 22 | 22 | "Run, Tiger, Run!" / "Run, Rygar!" Transliteration: "Hashire Raigaa!" (Japanese: | September 18, 1999 | November 24, 1999 |
| 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 |
| 24 | 24 | "Undine's Lake" Transliteration: "Undiine no Mizuumi" (Japanese: ウンディーネの | October 2, 1999 | November 30, 1999 |
| 25 | 25 | "Warriors of the Ruins" / "Warriors of the Castle Ruins" Transliteration: "Haikyo no senshi tachi" (Japanese: | October 9, 1999 | December 1, 1999 |
| 26 | 26 | "Melcarba" / "Berserk Warrior Merkava" Transliteration: "Boosoo senshi merukaaba" (Japanese: | October 16, 1999 | December 2, 1999 |
| 27 | 27 | "Tiger's Battle With Destiny" / "Rygar! Fated Confrontation" Transliteration: "Raigaa! Shukumei no taiketsu" (Japanese: ライガー！ | October 23, 1999 | January 30, 2001 |
| 28 | 28 | "Color Pandora, Guardian of the Forest" / "Trickster of the Forest, Colopendra" Transliteration: "Mori no shikake ya Koro Pendora" (Japanese: | October 30, 1999 | September 17, 2000 |
| 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 |
| 30 | 30 | "Baby Bossy" / "Baby Boss Is A Live Wire" Transliteration: "Akachan Bosu wa Genki sha" (Japanese: | November 13, 1999 | September 24, 2000 |
| 31 | 31 | "Amusement Park Ruins" / "Amusement Park of the Castle Ruins" Transliteration: "Senjoo no yūen chi" (Japanese: | November 20, 1999 | October 1, 2000 |
| 32 | 32 | "Holly's Million Gold Smile" / "Holly's Treasured Item" Transliteration: "Hori? No hoomotsu" (Japanese: ホリィの | November 27, 1999 | October 1, 2000 |
| 33 | 33 | "Battle in the Meadow" / "Duel at Susuki Field" Transliteration: "Susuki? Hara no Kettoo" (Japanese: すすきヶ | December 4, 1999 | October 8, 2000 |
| 34 | 34 | "The Town That Disappeared" / "Vanishing Into The Wasteland" Transliteration: "Arano ni kie ta machi" (Japanese: | December 11, 1999 | October 8, 2000 |
| 35 | 35 | "Battle With the Big Bad Four" / "Final Decisive Battle With The Four Heavenly Kings!" Transliteration: "Shitennoo saigo no kessen!" (Japanese: | December 18, 1999 | October 15, 2000 |
| 36 | 36 | "Eve's Night" Transliteration: "Ibu no yoru" (Japanese: イブの | December 25, 1999 | October 15, 2000 |
| 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 |
| 38 | 38 | "Evil General Durahan's Challenge" / "Demon General Dullahan's Challenge" Transliteration: "Ma shoogun Derahan no choosen" (Japanese: | January 15, 2000 | October 22, 2000 |
| 39 | 39 | "Goodbye, Baku" Transliteration: "Sayonara Bakū" (Japanese: さよならバクー) | January 22, 2000 | October 29, 2000 |
| 40 | 40 | "The Secret of Holly's Magic Stone" / "The Secret of Gaia" Transliteration: "Gaia no himitsu" (Japanese: ガイアの | January 29, 2000 | October 29, 2000 |
| 41 | 41 | "Tiger Meets His Match" / "Rygar's Final Day" Transliteration: "Raigaa saigo no hi" (Japanese: ライガー | February 5, 2000 | November 5, 2000 |
| 42 | 42 | "The Warriors From Outer Space" / "The Warriors Who Came from Space" Transliteration: "Uchū kara ki ta senshi tachi" (Japanese: | February 12, 2000 | November 5, 2000 |
| 43 | 43 | "The Sand Assassin, Renocraft" / "The Sand Assassin, Renocraft" Transliteration: "Suna no shikaku Remakurasuto" (Japanese: | February 19, 2000 | November 12, 2000 |
| 44 | 44 | "Magic Stone Mayhem" / "Fierce Fighting! Gaia Struggle" Transliteration: "Gekitoo! Gaia soodatsu sen" (Japanese: | February 26, 2000 | November 12, 2000 |
| 45 | 45 | "The End of Durahan" / "Dullahan Dies at Daybreak" Transliteration: "Derahan akatsuki ni shisu" (Japanese: デュラハン | March 4, 2000 | November 19, 2000 |
| 46 | 46 | "Jill's Icy Secret" / "Fighting, Hatred, and..." Transliteration: "Tatakai to nikushimi to" (Japanese: | March 11, 2000 | November 26, 2000 |
| 47 | 47 | "Tears" Transliteration: "Namida" (Japanese: | March 18, 2000 | February 13, 2001 |
| 48 | 48 | "Blue Skies" Transliteration: "Aozora" (Japanese: | March 25, 2000 | February 16, 2001 |
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: | April 1, 2000 | September 13, 2001 |
| 50 | 2 | "In Quest of the Legend Cup" / "Aim! Legend Cup" Transliteration: "Mezase! Rejendo hai" (Japanese: | April 15, 2000 | September 14, 2001 |
| 51 | 3 | "Battle for the Rookie Cup" / "Fierce Fighting! Rookie Cup" Transliteration: "Gekitoo!! Rūkii hai" (Japanese: | April 22, 2000 | September 15, 2001 |
| 52 | 4 | "Saved by a Hare" / "Muha and Ham Visit!" Transliteration: "Muhat to Hamu sanjoo!" (Japanese: ムハッとハム | April 29, 2000 | September 16, 2001 |
| 53 | 5 | "The Powerful Wondar Brothers" / "Powerful Enemy Karakorum Brothers Exist!?" Transliteration: "Kyooteki karakorumu kyoodai gen ru!?" (Japanese: | May 6, 2000 | September 17, 2001 |
| 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 | May 13, 2000 | September 18, 2001 |
| 55 | 7 | "Disappearing Hare Line" / "The Bell that tolls for Someone" Transliteration: "Dare ga tame ni kane wa naru" (Japanese: | May 20, 2000 | September 19, 2001 |
| 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: | May 27, 2000 | September 20, 2001 |
| 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 |
| 58 | 10 | "All's Fare in Love and Taxis" / "Run! To the Distant Shore" Transliteration: "Hashire! Haruka naru taigan e" (Japanese: | June 10, 2000 | September 22, 2001 |
| 59 | 11 | "Allan's Advice" / "Reunion with Allan" Transliteration: "Saikai no Aran" (Japanese: | June 17, 2000 | September 23, 2001 |
| 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 | June 24, 2000 | September 24, 2001 |
| 61 | 13 | "Pink Jam to the Rescue" / "Defeated Pink Jam!" Transliteration: "Makeru na Pinku Jamu!" (Japanese: | July 1, 2000 | September 25, 2001 |
| 62 | 14 | "Ghost Encounters of the Pirate Kind" / "Retrieve the Pirate Ship!" Transliteration: " | July 8, 2000 | September 26, 2001 |
| 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 | July 15, 2000 | September 27, 2001 |
| 64 | 16 | "Legend of the Great White Most" / "The Great White Legend" Transliteration: "Idai naru shiro no densetsu" (Japanese: | July 22, 2000 | September 28, 2001 |
| 65 | 17 | "Shogun the Mighty" / "The Strongest Warrior, Shogun" Transliteration: "Saikyoo no senshi Shoogun" (Japanese: | July 29, 2000 | September 29, 2001 |
| 66 | 18 | "Brothers, in the Greatest Four" / "Greatest 4: Brothers" Transliteration: "Gurei tesuto 4 kyoodai" (Japanese: グレイテスト４ | August 5, 2000 | September 30, 2001 |
| 67 | 19 | "Golem's Cook-Off" / "Aim for First-Class Chef!" Transliteration: "Mezase ichiryū shefu!" (Japanese: | August 12, 2000 | October 1, 2001 |
| 68 | 20 | "Battling Granity" / "The Fight Against Venus" Transliteration: "Biinasu to no tatakai" (Japanese: ビーナスとの | August 19, 2000 | October 2, 2001 |
| 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 | August 26, 2000 | October 3, 2001 |
| 70 | 22 | "Legend Cup: Mocchi vs. Poritoka" Transliteration: "Rejendo hai Mocchii VS Poritoka" (Japanese: レジェンド | September 2, 2000 | October 4, 2001 |
| 71 | 23 | "Legend Cup: Mocchi vs. Most" Transliteration: "Rejendo hai Mocchii VS Mosuto" (Japanese: レジェンド | September 16, 2000 | October 5, 2001 |
| 72 | 24 | "Reunion" Transliteration: "Saikai" (Japanese: | September 23, 2000 | October 6, 2001 |
| 73 | 25 | "The Final Battle" Transliteration: "Saigo no tatakai" (Japanese: | September 30, 2000 | October 7, 2001 |
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 (
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]
Notes
[edit]- ^ Credited as TMS-Kyokuichi on season 1
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
