Monster Rancher

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FOX (ended 2001)

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Monster Rancher

Show Summary

A kid named Genki loves playing video games. But, one day he gets sucked into his favorite video game. There, he meets a girl named Holly and befriends strange creatures- Mocchi, Suezo, Tiger, Golem and Hare. Together they set out on a journey to find the "Phoenix" and stop the infamous, evil Moo's diabolical plan. Seasons 1 and 2 aired both in Japan and in the United States on FOX. Monster Rancher has a 3rd season that aired in Japan, but, it did NOT air in the U.S. Characters Genki: An 11 year-old corageous, athletic, but not too bright kid that was sucked into his video game. Holly: A girl that lost her father at a young age. Holly was born and raised in Monster World, and likes things to be peaceful so she wants to find the Phoenix to return the peace. Suezo: Holly's childhood companion monster. He goes with her on all her adventures to keep her safe. Golem: Once a protector of disks, Golem now travels with the group in search of the Phoenix. He might look big and mean but he really is a softy in the inside. Hare: Once a medaling trickster, now part of the MR gang. He loves to make money and annoy Tiger but he is as dedicated to his mission as everyone else. Tiger: Intent on fighting Moo beacause of an old rivalry between them and to rescue his brother. Moochi: A cute lovable pink... thing. He is the first monster than Genki unlocked and he is always there for him any for anyone for that matter, in battle and out. Theme song: Monsters Rule! I was transported to a far away land to a world were monsers rule I played the game like an ace now were in this place to save the monsters from the evil moo Monsters rule (monsters rule) Monster rancher (monster rancher) Monsters rule (monsters rule) Monster rancher (monster rancher) Monsters rule! The pendant shows the mystery disks We'll take it to the shrine We'll open up that mystery disk And release the phoenix in time Monsters rule! I was transported to a far away land to a world were monsers rule I played the game like an ace now were in this place to save the monsters from the evil moo Monsters rule (monsters rule) Monster rancher (monster rancher) Monsters rule (monsters rule) Monster rancher (monster rancher) MONSTERS RULE!

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Episode Guide

S 3 :  Ep 25
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S 3 :  Ep 24
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S 3 :  Ep 23
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S 3 :  Ep 22
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S 3 :  Ep 21
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Cast & Crew

Chisa Yokoyama

Chisa Yokoyama

Genki (Jap.)
Mariko Kouda

Mariko Kouda

Holly (Jap.)
Andrew Francis

Andrew Francis

Genki (1999-2000) (Eng.)
Doc Harris

Doc Harris

Genki (2001+) (Eng.)
Maggie Blue O'Hara

Maggie Blue O'Hara

Holly (Eng.)
Janyse Jaud

Janyse Jaud

Mocchi / Pixie (Eng.)
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Fan Reviews (21)

SUBMIT REVIEW

  • A funny Digimon clone!!

    9.5
    By StephenChase1, Feb 26, 2013
    This 90s hit changs the way you watch TV!!

  • Loved this when I was growing up :)

    10
    By lostisthebest, Mar 03, 2009
    You remember the show, where you from school each day just to catch on TV, well this was my show. After school, each day, I would run to just catch this show. I loved this show because it was the only one with an epic story line and with decent graphics for shows thay day. I loved how the monsters could talk hehe, but yea I was a kid, but now I am a teenager, and still love it! I still watch some episodes on youtube... only place where it has episodes. But yea, this show is about a kid, who plays monster rancher on his game console, one day, he gets sucked into the game ( Like we all wish to happen to us in some games ). But to continue, then he meets a girl and a Suezo, and they go on an adventure to.... I won't say anymore on the show, cos I don't really want to spoil anything :( ..



    But all you should know that this show is worth it! Worth every second that you spend watching it. It does get a little repetive but not always!!! Only rarely!! The graphics are amazing, considering it was made a long time ago, and to say, some shows made this day don't have the art work that Monster Rancher has!



    The characters are funny, all of them in there own way, that's what makes this show unique, every monster, EVERY, has everything different. This show is funny, sad and an adventure show. If you are looking for a series to start, I totally recomend this!moreless

  • Childish, yet an absolutely fun and memorable journey.

    7.5
    By ZaleIsBackAgain, Oct 07, 2008
    Genki is a kid who long desires to live in the world of monsters. He dreams of it every chance he sleeps and throws his studies and life away for those dreams, almost too literally. One day when playing the newest Monster Ranchers game, he gets sucked into the world and enters the video game! Though the world wasn't as welcoming as he originally thought. An evil entity known as Muu has control over a powerful army that is referred to as the "baddies" whom is seeking world domination. There is only one being that can equally match Muu, the ancient Phoenix. Together with Holly, Swazo, Mochi, Hare, Tiger, and Golem, this big cast of characters journey around the world defeating baddies and recruiting allies while searching for the Phoenix that has the power to defeat Muu and reverse the hearts of evil.



    Your typical action adventure where a lost artifact that has the potential to save the world, in this case the Phoenix, needs to be found. It follows the Pokemon formula where in every episode, a helpless victim needs to be saved from the baddies. While sharing the same episodic formula, Monster Rancher is a lot darker in tone. Sometimes entire villages are destroyed, people are already found deceased, and the allies they just forged bonds with pass away during battle. While it follows the monster of the week formula, the story actually progresses at a pretty good and consistent, just very slow pace. The shounen elements are still present; before reaching Muu, Genki and his group need to go through the Big Bad Four, Muu's most feared generals, and General Durham who sits atop Muu's military crop controlling an entire continent. Unlike Samurai Jack, they end up finding what they are looking.



    Episodic action adventures often promote character development and end up having great characters, but Monster Rancher does such a great job with execution that it probably has the best cast of characters in its field--a very specific field, episodic action adventure animes aimed at kids. They are terribly cliche, but they are just so lovable and are by far one of the more memorable casts. Genki is the energetic and young protagonist; Holly is the kind hearted woman; Swazo the weakest character but making up in comic relief; Hare the elusive, strategical, money hungry coward; Mochi the cute, naive, innocent little mascot; Golem the flower loving gentle giant; and Tiger, the prideful, strongest, and most independent. You could probably take one random anime and fit them exactly into place with these characters.



    It is the chemistry between the characters that make you overlook their cliches. Hare and Tiger are always bickering about minuscule issues, Swazo is always in agreement with Holly, Golem is often quiet, and Mochi always gives his naive insights. The relationship between Mochi and Genki is one of the more realistic I've seen between main character and adorable looking creature. Almost identical to Ash and Pikachu, but whereas Ash showers Pikachu in absolute love even in Pikachu's mistakes, Genki will tell Mochi what is on his mind, even in his wrong doing. They have their occasional disagreements and fights which is actually a pleasure to see in this certain relationship. Internal conflict is executed fashionably well amongst the group, makes it hard to believe this is aimed at children.



    While the cohesion between these characters are surprisingly really top notch, the power rankings are just awful. Incredibly inconsistent and just all over the place. One of the big bad four is equal to that of Tiger. Yet just about every other episode against the new baddy villain, Tiger is often easily defeated and the entire group is on the run trying to form a strategy. So wait, one of the main characters who is equal to that of one of the most feared generals, gets easily swifted against a grunt? Are these normal soldiers just as powerful as Muu's top warriors? Or are his rankings really just based on political power? The show however discredits these statements when it proclaims the Big Bad Four and General Durham are the strongest in Muu's army. So, what is the big deal?



    Even more annoying is when Genki and his gang are in a real pinch, "courage" and "will power" take material form that allows them to defeat their opponents. That is really bothering when characters, who on the brink of death, are saved almost entirely by courage and will power. It might even teach kids the wrong thing. Not to say having courage and will power is a bad thing to have, but it is just so convenient that these intangible things can save them from tight situations. So am I being told that if I were to get my ass beat down by 12 people at the same time on the brink of death, if I concentrated my power I could knock them all out? It is why stubborn kids exist, these cartoons teaches them never to give up even in small debates and situations.



    During the second half of the season season it starts getting a bit repetitive. Watching a non epic anime is nice for once, but an episodic action adventure has its limits, and 48 episodes is just a tad bit too long. Fortunately it ended at a pretty good time and concluded very strong, even if the ending was pretty cliche. The characters are both memorable and fun and depending on how hard you fell for them, you might feel a little sad the journey is coming to its end--though there is a third season. The characters are pretty cliche but their great chemistry amongst each other is a rarity to find, especially in a childrens anime. Though the atrocious power rankings are really hard to overlook. When you want to take a break from all of the epic and hardcore animes, Monster Rancher is the type of anime you want to fill in the spot, and there really isn't a lot of other better animes to pick in these types of situations.moreless

  • Perfect Animation

    10
    By ro455, Aug 26, 2008
    Monster Rancher, passa na Rede Bandeirantes ou Band, dentro do Programa Band Kids, Juntamente com A Lenda do Dragão, o desenho parece muito com Digimon, onde um menino em quanto joga um jogo, entra dentro dele e fica lá, dentro desse jogo ele conhece monstros que saem de dentro de amuletos, dentro desse jogo o seu monstro favorito é Tigre seu companheiro inseparaveu, Tigre é obrigado a matar seu irmão em uma batalha, já que seu irmão tentou te matar por ele ter cuidado de seu irmão desde cedo, seu irmão tinha se aliado a MU o mestre das trevas que agora de volta ao seu corpo, pode matar muita gente, por essa e outras razões, além dos otimos graficos o desenho e perfeito e merece nota 10.moreless

  • this show is an EXCELLENT kids show!! i remember watching it! it was soooo long ago!!

    10
    By Princess_fairy, Jun 24, 2008
    for people who never got to see this show, this show was one of the greatest shows ever!!!! youtube still has bits of it, THANK GOODNESS, but ya cant find it anywhere else. it certainly has imagination and creativity behind it, and a very clean show nonetheless, something kids need these days. the opening to this show or the theme song is very captivating, the show is very captivating and just- they were dumb to cancel it. Totally DUMB. undeniably DUMB. when i seen this again for the first time in like ever, i was estatic! its still watchable on youtube though thank goodnes for that! si you ever have free time,go down memory lane and watch it on youtube!! youll love it!moreless
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Action & Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy

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