Medarot (anime)

Medarot (メダロット Medarotto), known as Medabots in the West, is the first anime in the Medarot franchise, animated by Bee Train Production and originally aired on TV Tokyo in July 2, 1999.

The anime is an adaptation of Medarot 2 (Although the first episodes aired before the game in the exact same month), more specifically the Kabuto version, and served primarily as advertising for the new game. Naturally, like all game adaptations of the time, it adapts the story only superficially rather than faithfully, with drastic changes to the plot.

Medarot anime was originally licensed and localized into English by Nelvana and were broadcast on YTV in Canada and Fox Kids and ABC Family in the United States in 2001. It served as a gateway to the franchise for Western audiences, although the anime was sold as a standalone product rather than an advertisement for the games, with other products like action figures and videogames being later sold with the marketing of being derived from the anime rather than the opposite, some of these products like Medarot G (Medabots AX) and Medarot 2 Core (Medabots for GBA) had changes with this intention.

The anime had a sequel called Medarot Damashii.

English dub

T he series and its sequel were licensed by Canadian animation distributor Nelvana, which aired them as a three-season (26x26x39) series between 2001 and 2004, first airing on Fox Kids for its first season before moving to ABC Family for its second and Jetix for the third. Voiceovers were recorded in Toronto. Most western dubs of the series beside the Italian one are based off this version.

As was typical for foreign adaptations of Japanese kids anime, the series was heavily localized in the name of meeting U.S broadcasting requirements and appealing to its target audience. A non-exhaustive list of changes include:

• The dub has a new, shorter opening sequence mixing footage from the Japanese opening and various episodes. A truncated version of it is used as the opening theme for the overseas releases of Medarot 2 Core, Medabots AX and Medarot Brave.
• The episode order was heavily shuffled around with only the first five and the last 13 matching the Japanese episode listing. This causes a number of continuity issues.
• The entire soundtrack was replaced by new compositions.
• Various characters are renamed to simpler or western names.
• Scenes that were originally silent either have music playing or characters speaking from off-screen, often both.
• When a new Medabot is introduced, a "Medabots Stat Screen" insert appears which show's the Medabots name, owner, and special attack.
• Scenes involving physical violence performed against human character are often edited out.
• Every episodes have small cuts and transition changes to account for different episode length

Differences with the games

• As an adaptation of the Kabuto version, all the features of the Kuwagata version had to be implemented in the anime in a storyline that often doesn't exist in the games.
  • Since Metabee is Ikki Tenryou's main Medarot, Rokusho was introduced as a solo Medarot that once belonged to Dr. Hushi.
  • Since Smilodonad is Kouji Karakuchi's main Medarot, Warbonnet was introduced as Victor's main Medarot.

• Although the anime places Arika and Karin as two possible romantic interests for Ikki, the plot ultimately opts for Arika's path over Karin's. While in the game you have the freedom to choose Karin instead.

• The whole plot about Karin being a legendary Medarotter doesn't exist in the game as gameplay-wise Saintnurse is completely unable to win a battle alone due to her lack of offensive skill.

• Despite her role in Medarot 2, Kirara is completely absent in the anime.

• Although the anime makes some allusions to the events of Medarot 1 similar to the game, the presence of adult Tawarama in the anime doesn't happen in the game. Also, Joe Suihan knowing Hikaru in the past is a bit incorrect, since who Hikaru faces in Medarot 1 was Jaw Suihan, Joe's father.

• The anime states that Medaforce is an ability exclusive to rare medals and that clone medals are incapable of such feat (Although this is later contradicted with Smilodonad being capable of using Medaforce). In the games, any medal is capable of making Medaforce.
  • Also, in the games a Medarot is capable of using up to three different medaforces, while in the anime the Medarots apparently only had one.

• As obvious as it is that Hikaru and Phantom Retort are the same person, the anime ends with this plot point open and even showing the two in different locations to increase doubt. In the games, Phantom Retort is revealed to be Hikaru in the story's climax.

• Hikaru/Phantom Retort is shown with an Arcbeetle. This is impossible in the games as Arcbeetle would only be introduced in Medarot R and 3. In Medarot 2 Hikaru always uses the same starter Medarot as Ikki, Metabee or Rokusho.

• While in the game God Emperor is recognized as the final boss, the anime opted for Primity Baby instead. Probably because Primity Baby is indeed an extra (and harder) battle after God Emperor in the games.
  • Also Primity Baby's gigantic size and Metabee's gigantic body never happened in the games.

See also

• TV Tokyo page (Archived)

• Official Medabots Website (Archived)

• Nelvana page (Archived)

• IMDb page

• ADV Films page (Archived)