Medarot 2 (manga)
Medarot 2 (メダロット2) is the manga adaptation written and drawn by Rin Horuma. The manga was originally serialized on Kodansha's Comic BomBom from May 1999 to June 2000, and compiled into four volumes afterwards.
In 2014, the manga received a new release alongside Medarot 3 and 4 in four volumes as "Medarot Revised Edition: Ikki's Chapters" (新装版 メダロット イッキ編), with its first two volumes covering Medarot 2.
Chapters
Medarot 02 Volume 01
| File Number | Original Title | Translated Title | Original Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | オレこそ最強!! 新メタビー!! ( Ore koso saikyō! ! Shin Metabī!! ) | I am the strongest!! New Metabee!! | May 1999 |
| During the night, two burglars are escavating rare medals in a forbidden area, but are intercepted by the Phantom Retort, who immobilizes them and steals their medals, leaving one behind by accident.
In the next morning, a 8 years-old Ikki Tenryou tries to convince his father to buy him a Medarot. The father is completely against it, showing a record from the robbery last night, making the upset Ikki leaving his house crying. While daydreaming about buying a Medarot, a group of kids approach Ikki and start to mocking him to not have one yet. To flee the mockery, Ikki enters a store and is approached by a young adult Hikaru Agata, who shows him the store's Medarot session. Ikki takes a couple of packages and notice there is no Medals available to sell, asking where he could find one, when Hikaru recalls his dog found one for him in the past. Later, Ikki takes his dog Salty to search for medals in the Park. He is able to find a Kabuto medal, but they are followed by the two burglars from the other night. Ambushing Ikki in his own house, the burglars summon their Medarots, HellPhoenix and Sabotina, and since he has no Medarot, start to attack him and his dog. Ikki leaves the house and run to the store with all his savings in order to buy the old KBT model. Back in home to save Salty, Ikki summons Metabee using the Medal he found, but the Medarot is mocked by the burglars for being too old. Angry with the comments, Metabee commands the dog to bite the burglars while deals with the duo of Medarots, defeating them and making the burglars flee. Later, Ikki's parents went back home surprised by how the house was left destroyed, but his father allow him to keep Metabee, since he was the one who put the burglars to run. . | |||
| 2 | 犯罪王!? レトルトを追え!!! (Hanzai-ō!? Retoruto o oe!!) | The Crime King!? Chase Retort !! | June 1999 |
| New incidents related to the Phantom Retort are being noticed by the authorities. Not believing that his hero is in fact a criminal, the student and reporter Arika Amazake decides to investigate the case with her Medarot, Sailor-Multi, Ikki and Metabe.
They found out that 'Phantom Retort' announced that he will stole a carrier with medals transported next Sunday 6 PM. Sailor-multi however notices that this does not follow the pattern of action from the Phantom Retort, which evidence this new Phantom may be a fraud. On Sunday, the fake Phantom shows up with two minions to steal the medals from a boat and start a Robottle with a Select Corp officer. Hidden in the boat, Ikki, Arika, Sailor-Multi and Metabee watch the battle until the moment the officer and his Drakonfly are defeated and throw in the water. Metabee and Sailor-Multi enter the fight and are able to defeat the Gaufbullet who attacked the Selected Corps, but a flying Baifish counter-attacks. After a fierce battle, he is thrown in the water and without his special legs for swim, he drowns. Without alternative, one of the minions attacks Metabee knocking him out but moments before the Fake Retort steals the medals, the real Phantom shows up and punch him. The minions flee afraid of Retort and the fake one stays to fight. An angry Metabee wakes up and shot the fake Phantom until he drowns in the water, leaving the fake mask and part of an antenna behind. The real Phantom leaves and Arika writes an article in the school newspaper cleaning Retort's name. | |||
| 3 | 根性全開!! ファーストロボトル!! (Konjō zenkai!! Fāsuto robotaru!!) | Full Spirit! The First Robattle! | July 1999 |
| Aiming to gain more experience, Ikki and Metabee start to look for Robottles but are despised by the other Medarotters because of his lack of experience. However, the Screws accept his challenge and ask for all 4 Metabee parts if they win, offering all 4 Cyandog parts if they lose. After Ikki accepts the conditions, Mr. Uruchi shows up to judge the fight.
While they fight, a mysterious figure observes the battle from his limousine. At some point, Metabee and Sailor-Multi are able to defeat Peppercat, the leader of the Medarot trio. By the rules, they win the Robottle and start to get recognized as the new champion of the school, having now many more challengers than they would expect. | |||
| 0A | 記憶―思い出の学舎― (Kioku —omoide no gakusha—) | The School of Remembrance! | March 1999 |
| *This is an extra chapter set in Hikaru's years and explains how he gets a Sekizou*
The story begins with a raven stealing Medarotchs in order to take it to his friend Sekizou, who takes the captured Medarots as his forced class. (Hikaru's) Metabee wakes up in the class, seeing Rokusho and many other Medarots. At some point, they were able to release themselves and Rokusho and Metabee find out Sekizou lived in the school when it was still active, but was left behind and starts to feel deeply alone. Touched by his story, Rokusho asks for the other Medarots to reconsider in leaving, which makes Metabee angry. They start to argue, when the bird suddenly say 'Thanks' to them, followed by Sekizou knocking them out. He then asks the raven to return the Medarotches to their owners. On the next day, Metabee wakes up in Hikaru's house, with bitter memories from the other night. The story ends with a box delivered at Hikaru's - it is Sekizou - sent by Rokusho as a "friendly gift" to Metabee. | |||
Medarot 02 Volume 02
| File Number | Original Title | Translated Title | Original Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 最強最速!! ライバル登場 ( Saikyō Saisoku! ! Raibaru Tōjō ) | The strongest and fastest!! A rival appears !! | August 1999 |
| Using his new DOG parts, Metabee defeats a Bankaran in a Robottle in the Park. Arika notices a suspicious activity in the area, with many strange men watching the fight.
Eventually, it is revealed the men are security guards from Kouji Karakuchi, who start a clash with the until-then-hidden RoboRobo Gang. However, before they have a chance to attack, their Gaufbullet is completely destroyed by a sharp and quick movement, introducing Smilodonad, Kouji's Medarot. Kouji reveals that he is in fact looking for Ikki, since he wants a Robottle with him. Sailor-Mate and Metabee joins the fight, but she is defeated with one attack from Smilodonad's Flexor Sword. Metabee tries to counter-attack but it is useless, since Smilodonad is too fast. After many strikes, Metabee hits Smilodonad's ear and makes him feels pain for the first time. Kouji, with his proud damaged, stops the fight and Mr. Referee declares a draw. | |||
| 5 | 森の守護神!? KWG ( Mori no Shugoshin!? KWG ) | KWG Forest Guardian!? | September 1999 |
| In a village close to the city, Arika's Grandma shows to her and Ikki fossilized Medals, excavated in that place years before. The old lady mentions a story about the Forest Guardian, a spirit who protects the beetles from the region. After meeting two officers from the Selected Corps in the village, Arika starts to think that this may be related to the Phantom Retort and decides to investigate.
At night, Arika, Ikki, Metabee and Sailor-Multi went to the forest and meets Rokusho, who adverts them that this is no place for kids. However, when he sees Metabee, he assumes he is speaking with his old friend, but noticing this Metabee is not the one he was expecting, they start to argue and begin a Robottle. Rokusho accuses them to steal beetles from the forest, while Ikki denies his accusations. When Rokusho notices Ikki's distinct hairstyle, he thought Ikki is a samurai (since they share the same haircut) and immediately trust in his word, leaving the battle, disappearing in the forest. Metabee praises himself as the strongest fighter, but Sailor-Multi noticed that Rokusho did not use even 1/10 of his true force. | |||
| 6 | 陰謀!? 狙われた発表会 ( Inbō! ? Nerawareta Happyōkai ) | Conspiracy!? The Targeted Presentation | October 1999 |
| The story begins with Phantom Retort meeting a mysterious figure in the rooftop of Hotel Nimusaku. They discuss about how their plan is running smoothly and how people think that this is just a case of stolen Medals.
On the next morning, Ikki and Arika meet Karin, Kouji's friend, who is searching for Eggplants. Revealing she is the niece of Dr. Medarot, Medarot's creator, she invites the kids to meet him. They arrive at the Hotel Nimusaku, where he is conceding some interviews. While the gang waits him, the RoboRobo Gang plans to rob Dr. Medarot's briefcase, imagining he holds something special on it. Later, in a conference room, Dr. Medarot would announce a new Medarot (Ambiguous, unnamed in this chapter) he developed with the team of Medarots USA. However, during the presentation, the Medarot attacks Metabee, knocking him out. It is then revealed he is in under RoboRobo Gang control, who changed his Medal and Tinpet before the presentation. The gang steals the briefcase of Dr. Aki and went to the rooftop to flee, covered by a troop of CoffinBats. Even though knocked out earlier, Metabee shows up to fight again, fully recovered by Saintnurse, Karin's Medarot. The Gang then tries to make Dr. Aki as a hostage, but they are stopped by the Phantom Retort. Metabee is able to completely remove the Ambiguous's arm, making it nonoperational. The RoboRobos fled with the Medarot and Dr. Aki's briefcase… which has nothing more than a eggplant. The chapter ends with Kouji and Karin in the beach, finding a strange Medarot in the sea.
| |||
| 7 | 決戦!混戦!!大乱戦!? 王者はダレ･.....? (Kessen! Konsen! ! Dai ransen! ? Ōja wa dare.....?) | The School of Remembrance! | November 1999 |
| The chapter begins with the RoboRobo Gang discussing to take Karin as hostage to black mail Dr. Aki in order to take the rare Medal he is collecting.
In the next day, Rokusho is lost in Kouji's mansion and is attacked by Smilodan, who is guarding the place. Meanwhile, Ikki and Metabee are chilling out in the Ninja Park, reminding their previous fights with the RoboRobo Gang. Arika and Sailor-Mate join the fun, meeting Kouji and Karin later by chance. After a bit of discussion, Ikki and Kouji decided to fight again. Rokusho, who was nearby, see Smilodan and decide to attack him as revenge by the other day, making Metabee angry and Mr. Referee desperate. During the convoluted fight, the Screws shows up to challenge Ikki, but are quickly defeated by Metabee, Rokusho and Smilodan. Because of that, Metabee is disqualified from the Robottle and to not lose, Sailor-Mate should substitute him. Arika then summon a different set of parts, converting her into Pretty Prime. Inflicting a surprise attack, she defeats then Smilodan. Using the fight as smoke screen, the RoboRobos tried to capture Karin, but their ambush fails due to Kouji's guards. | |||
Medarot 02 Volume 03
| File Number | Original Title | Translated Title | Original Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 激突!! 白熱の空中ロボトル ( Gekitotsu! Hakunetsu no kūchū Robotoru ) | Clash!! Intense Aerial Robattle | December 1999 |
| This chapter begins with Rokusho dreaming about his past. In the same day, Metabee, Ikki and his dog find a parrot named Barton in the park, who asks to talk to Dr. Aki. They then go to Medarots Corp and are received by Kirara (Hikaru's old friend), who introduces herself and takes them to Dr. Aki, who is testing the LadyJet model.
LadyJet greets the 'Great Metabee', but Dr. Aki mentions that this is not the Metarot she was thinking about. With his pride wounded, Metabee challenges the Medarot to a Robattle, taking a borrowed part from a Drakonfly. During the fight, Ikki asks Dr. Aki about the rare medals, since he noticed a paper in Kirara's folder mentioning that. Dr. Aki does not answer, which makes Ikki asks then who was the 'Great Metabee'. He explains it was a Medarot that helped the Corporation 12 years ago, promoting great advance in robotics, allowing the creation of Medarots able to change, as LadyJet or Landmotor. The fight proceeds into the sky until the moment the Medarots are ambushed by a murder of crows, knocking them out in a forest nearby. Ikki and the others move to the place in order to find them, and after Metabee and LadyJet wake up, Metabee finishes the fight with his rifle. The chapter ends with an infiltrated Sakekaasu in Medarot Corp entering a room and running in despair, since he found Dr. Aki and Phantom Retort dinning together, confirming he is the mysterious figure from the previous chapter. | |||
| 9 | 暴走!? メタビーVSロクショウ 前編 ( Bōsō! ? Metabī VS Rokushou Zenpen) | Rampage!? Metabee VS Rokusho Part 1 | January 2000 |
| Ikki and the others are invited for a party in Kouji's mansion. Meanwhile, the RoboRobo leader promotes Salami as the leader of the gang due to the incompetence of the others. He then plans to invade Kouji's celebration.
Back into the mansion, Kouji is hosting the party to amend any animosity between the guests. To make things more fun, he is hosting a game and the winner will take a surprise prize. While the others start to play, Karin, Kouji and his buttler discuss about the Medarot they found in the beach another day. He is resting in a tank and is almost operational. A few moments later, a wandering Rokusho pass through the same room and went berserk with what he see. The others, arriving moments later following the screams, could not believe that the pacifist Rokusho went in so violent rampage. Because of that, Metabee challenges Rokusho for a fight. Full of rage, Rokusho defeats Metabee cutting his arms connections and his dorso, spreading his oil all over the place. Unable to fight, Metabee falls defeated. Rokusho asks to Kouji who sold that Medarot to him, while he says he found it lost in the beach. Not believing in the boy, he is interrupted by the RoboRobo Gang, who took the Medarot, Beast Master, and brought him to the battle. | |||
| 10 | 暴走!? メタビーVSロクショウ 後編 ( Bōsō! ? Metabī VS Rokushou Kōhen ) | Rampage!? Metabee VS Rokusho Part 2 | February 2000 |
| While Beast Master observers everyone, Dr. Aki acknowledge he is the original Medarot used by the RoboRobo Gang years before. Contradicting the expectations, the Medarot actually starts to attack the villains, recognizing Kouji as his master and acting like a child. Rokusho assumes his change of behavior is because he may lost his memory while he was in the sea, but regardless, he can't be forgiven by his past sins.
However, Rokusho realizes that he and the monster shared a similar story, since he also wanted to forget traumatic events from his past (related to Dr. Setsuhara death). Karin begs for his forgiveness, and Rokusho concludes that no matter the case, he has no right to destroy the robot. While Kouji's body guards arrest the RoboRobo Gang, Dr. Aki explains that in the past the Beast Master was used by the enemy during the 10 Days of Darkness. While recalling the past, a zoombiefied Metabee stands up, but Rokusho warns the others that there is something wrong with him. Metabee body then starts to overheat and his metal parts starts to boil. The gang tries to catch Metabee but their Medarots are obliterated by a strong field emmitted by him. Dr. Aki explains that Metabee is manifesting the Medaforce, a psych power that controls any other medal nearby, letting them destroying itself. The RoboRobo Gang brings Ambiguous to the fight, while the guards summon an army of Rollstars to support the fight and Hikaru summons a Sekizou, who attacks Salami. Out of control, Metabee defeats Ambiguous and Kouji's Beast Master without effort, also burning Rokusho's arm during the fight. In order to cool him down, Hikaru asks Sekizou to hit the sprinklers, neutralizing Metabee, who shuts down. The Select Corps shows up in order to arrest the responsible of all that damage, but Kouji covers Rokuhso's actions, since he is a friend of Dr. Aki as well. The Roborobo Gang flee once more. | |||
| 0B | 開発 メダロット研究秘話 ( Kaihatsu Medarotto Kenkyū Hiwa ) | Development Medarot Research Secret Story | April 1999 |
| Another bonus chapter, this is a tale from the past, more specifically from 1976 when Dr. Aki was a 24 years old student. He and his colleague, Tetsuhito Omiya, the future director of Hikaru's school, also 24, are studying the research of Dr. Fushihara about the Hexagonal Nummulities, a type of fossil found in the Ogasawara Island that has a huge processing capacity and can be used as a 'brain' in robots. Aki has some prototypes, but some of them lack stability for walking. Omiya, on the other hand, is more concerned to project weapons for them.
While they discuss, a father and a son spy them, having plans to use the robots for their own plans. These two are Suzume and Typhoon, future members of the RoboRobo Gang. They then steal the stable robots in the middle of the night, leaving behind only the unstable #4 and #5. Aki follows the criminals to a store where they are stealing toilet paper, but because #0, the biggest one of them, was damaged, the robot started to destroy everything around. Suddenly, Omiya shows up with #4 and #5, with new stabilized members and huge weapons. After a while, they are able to finish the old robot. Year later, Rokusho asks Dr. Aki where these weapons are and Aki says that they are in Omiya's house, since they are too dangerous.
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Medarot 02 Volume 04
| File Number | Original Title | Translated Title | Original Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 追跡!! 節原博士 ( Tsuiseki! ! Fushihara Hakase ) | Pursuit!! Dr. Fushihara | March 2000 |
| The chapter begins with Dr. Hebereke recalling the events so far. It is implied that the failure attempt of the 10 Days of Darkness were not succeed because Typhoon and the other members did not follow his rules strictly. But he has a new plan ongoing with many infiltrated in the Medarot Corps.
Meanwhile, we see Ikki and Metabee meeting Rintarou and Kantaros. Hikaru and Dr. Aki are discussing about Beast Master and the Medaforce, but are interrupted by Arika, who is filming a documentary about Dr. Fushihara. Dr. Aki explains the doctor was the main responsible for the basic theory of Medarots, but at some point he left all research in robotics and AI to dedicate his life to search for a golden beetle. But he is not aware of Fushihara conclusions. Meanwhile, Ikki realizes he is the third place in the official ranking of Japanese Medarotters. Hikaru and Ikki seems very excited, by Dr. Aki found that suspicious. Because of the rank, a girl with a Kuraba challenges Ikki and Metabee for a Robottle and Metabee tries to use the Medaforce immediately. Without success, Kuraba hit him by many times, until Metabee loses his patience and shot him by accident, defeating the Medarot. Being watched by Dr. Hebereke, he orders one of his craations to start an attack nearby. The chapter then ends with a Medarot staring at him, powered by the Medaforce. | |||
| 12 | 首領登場! ヘベレケ博士のワナ ) Shuryō Tōjō! Hebereke Hakase no Wana ) | The Boss Appears! Dr. Hebereke's Trap | April 2000 |
| The unknown Medarot ( Stone Mirror, unnamed in his chapter ) waits Metabee to attack, but he does nothing. The Select Corps arrive at the local and then starts to attack the Medarot, which is useless, since the robot doesn’t fight back, only aiming to reach Metabee.
Dr. Hebereke reveals then his plan through a sound-speaker drone, saying he forged the results of the Top 3 rank to put Ikki and Metabee in high visibility. The press was also called by him in order to film Metabee's defeat over his own superior Medarot, who achieved an artificial Medaforce, making all people around the world losing the faith in Medarot - Human relationship and showing that, at the end, they must be only brainless machines to follow orders. In another place, a fight between RoboRobo Medarots and Select Corps damaged the electrical network, letting people from the entire city without energy. Meanwhile, Captain Awamori use the full power of his Attack Tyrano and Land-Bracchio to hold the unknown Medarot, who doesn't fight back, even though is now severely damaged by the attacks. The Medarot keeps walking through into Metabee direction like a zombie losing his body parts. Putting the mask off and showing their eyes, the Medarot faces Metabee face to face in agony. Decided to finish the carnage, Metabee shots her in the eye, deactivating it. Everyone praises Metabee, even though he feels guilty about that, thinking that Rokusho may find another way. They then hear a scream nearby and run to the 24 Hop Market store, finding Hikaru with a broken arm, realizing that a Belzelga with BAT parts did that. The Medarot challenges Metabee and Ikki for a battle in the Island Select, next day. At night, the Select Corps went full to Tenryo's house creating there a temporary headquarters to deal with Dr. Hebereke plans already announced. Annoyed with so many people, Ikki went outside and find the Phantom Retort and after a brief talk, he and Metabee decided to accept Belzelga's invite. | |||
| 13 | メタビーの勇気!! 決戦セレクト島 ( Metabī no Yūki!! Kessen Serekuto-tō ) | Metabee's Courage!! Decisive Battle on Select Island | May 2000 |
| Ikki and his friends, including Dr. Aki, went to the Island to fight RoboRobo Gang. In another place of the Island, the Select Corps and the press are waiting for action. The RoboRobo Gang are watching everyone and decide to ambush Ikki and the others, summoning their Medarots, starting a clash against Metabee, Smilodan, Brass (with a Valkyrie sword), Neutranurse and a reformed / improved Beast Master controlled by Kouji.
During the clash, Dr. Hebereke reveals himself in person, reinforcing his phylosohpy that Medarots should be treated as tools, not as friends, claiming superiority of his way. The results though prove he is wrong. Brass and SaintNurse mention that it is because his Medarots attack without thinking, in opposition of the other Medarots. Dr. Medarot tries to bring Dr. Hebereke to reason, remembering him about Dr. Setsuhara original research, but Hebereke seems bitter about their past together. Eventually, Belzelga asks Dr. Hebereke if he should joins the fight, but he doesn't care. A loud alarm is heard in the entire Island and the entire RoboRobo Gang retreat. Dr. Hebereke orders Belzelga to come back as well, but looking at Metabee, he refuse the orders and stays to fight. | |||
| 14 | 未来のために ロボトルファイト!! ( Mirai no Tame ni Robotoru Faito!! ) | For the Future, Robattle Fight!! | June 2000 |
| All people involved in the fight start to rise up in a lizard-shape flying disc. The battle between Belzelga and Metabee finally begins. Belzelga mentions that he is not like the other Medarots who just follow orders but has his own goal to surpass Metabee in order to become free, showing some 'human' aspect behind it, making Metabee happy about it and joining the fight fully.
Meanwhile, Dr. Hebereke and Dr. Aki discuss about the nature and secret origin of Medarots and how dangerous AI and robots they could be. Dr. Aki refuses Hebereke's hypothesis, saying that he believed Medarots and humans can be friends. Hebereke then calls him hypocryte, saying he's uncapable to tell the world the true origin of the Medarots and why they were created, because his world would be upside down. At this point, the ship is too damaged by the Select Corp attacks and Metabee and Belzelga fight. Dr. Hebereke order Belzelga to finish Metabee, calling him 'slave', but Metabee mocks him, mentioning that Belzelga has an autonomous mind. Ikki then finds Metabee and wants to take him from the now falling down ship, but he wants to keep fighting. Belzelga, using a machine-gun, shot their foot, making Metabee fall in a different level of the ship and declaring victory for himself. Metabee, Ikki and Dr. Medarot take some parachutes and are scolted by the Select Corp Medarots in security, while the ship is going down. Belzelga then approaches a devastated Dr. Hebereke saying his mission was acomplished, which makes him answer that Belzelga is now free to go. The Medarot however, decides to stay with the doctor, even though not knowing why. Dr. Hebereke feels a bittersweet feeling about Belzelga's 'human' attitude. The ship disappears in the horizon, with a last thought of Dr. Hebereke about the danger of Medarot's intelligence and the importance to keep their secret unknown from others. The series end with everyone safe in the beach. Dr. Medarot recalls Dr. Hebereke concerns about Medarots making him worried as well, but then see Ikki and Metabee holding each other hand as friends, giving hope about the future. | |||
Differences between manga and anime
Unlike the usual production workflow, the Medarot anime is not based on the manga. Instead, both serve as tie-ins to promote the game Medarot 2, released by Kodansha on July 23, 1999.
Though they follow the same basic storylines from the game, the anime and manga are completely independent, with distinct continuities. For instance, while Ikki's adventures begin in May 2022 in the manga, the anime is set 100 years later, in 2122.
Some plots presented in the anime and manga do not exist in the original game, but there are still connections between them. This is evident in the manga when the RoboRobo Gang mentions Ikki's Meda-Parts. Most of these parts come from battles not shown in the manga but match the parts Ikki wins in the anime, such as in episodes 2 (Peppercat arm, Dr. Bokchoy, and Bankaran leg), 3 (Megaphant arm), 5 (Kanehachi legs), 6 (Mistyghost head), 8 (Kuraba arm), and 12 (A-Burage arm). This panel comes from File 07, originally released in November 1999, two months after episode 12 aired in September 1999. This suggests that Horuma Rin may have provided guidelines to the anime team for developing further episodes, or he decided to incorporate these events into the manga after the episodes were released. This hypothesis is supported by the introduction of Rintarou in File 11, released in March 2000, one month after his character is introduced in the anime in episode 31, aired in February 2000.
Because the manga follows a faster pace than the anime, many shared stories are not fully explored. For instance, the story of Medarot 2 ends when Ikki and Metabee defeat Dr. Hebereke, which matches the plot and motivations of episode 39 of the anime. However, the anime continues for 13 more episodes, showing Ikki in the World Robattle Championship. It is possible that the manga avoided this plot since it had already been told in Medarot 1's final chapters, with Hikaru ascending to the tournament. That said, the anime used the first manga as inspiration for some of the battles in the championship.
The manga's fast pacing also affected character development and exposition. Many characters have only brief appearances or cameos, such as the Screws, Banchō, Rintarou, and the Chick Seller. While these characters are better developed in the anime, Sailor-Mate and Arika have more prominent roles in the manga, at least in the Robattles.
The manga reintroduces Kirara, Hikaru's best friend, as a Medarots Corp. employee. This character was replaced by Karasumi in the anime, likely to avoid unnecessary exposition of Hikaru's past. Conversely, the anime brings characters from the previous manga into the World Robattle Championship, such as Tawarama and Joe Suihan. In the anime, they are portrayed as adults, even though flashbacks show them with similar designs and Medarots as in the prequel.
In the manga, the Select Corps are largely comic relief, represented by Captain Awamori and Tokkuri. In the anime, the Corps are portrayed more seriously, and these two characters are never mentioned. Additionally, in the manga, it is known from the first chapter that Ikki's father works for the Corps, whereas this is only revealed in episode 39 of the anime.
The anime also took liberties to create exclusive characters, most notably Victor and Vermouth. These characters are never mentioned in the manga or games but serve as connections to events described in the previous manga. Victor relates to the Ten Days of Darkness covered in the final chapters of Hikaru's adventure, while Vermouth addresses the relationship between Medarots and an ancestral alien race. The Ten Days of Darkness is also portrayed differently in each medium.
Rokusho is introduced in the manga recalling his old days with Metabee, acknowledging the events of Medarot 1 (manga) and their adventures with Hikaru. The anime completely avoids this plot, giving him only the background related to Dr. Fushihara.
Hikaru is presented in both the manga and anime as the store clerk who sells the KBT model to Ikki, but the manga acknowledges his previous adventures from the beginning, such as when Mr. Uruchi shows up for Ikki's first Robattle and greets Hikaru with joy. The anime, meanwhile, avoids mentioning his past until the story reaches the World Robattle Championship arc.
Hikaru's Metabee has a different fate in both continuities. Although he's not mentioned in the Medarot 2 manga, the previous volume indicates that he was severely damaged in his fight with Beast Master but fully restored in mind and spirit afterward, finding a happy ending with Hikaru. In the anime, however, Hikaru mentions a more dramatic fate, saying he had to destroy Metabee's medal to save the world, and though he restored the medal, Metabee's heart was never the same.
Because the Select Corps are comic relief in the manga, Phantom Retort's figure is less serious. The manga has a running gag where people discover Hikaru's true identity as Phantom Retort, even though this is never officially revealed. This plot is barely touched upon in the anime until the World Robattle Championship, where people start calling him by his real name without restrictions.
Some Medarots have slightly different designs in the anime. This is especially noticeable with Peppercat, Sailor-Mate, and Saintnurse, who received more rounded and soft shapes compared to the original designs in the manga. These new designs were incorporated into some subsequent games.
Another significant change concerns the Medaforce. While the manga portrays the attack as a psychic field that brutally consumes the Medarot's body, the anime version is softer, showing the Medarot's power as a colored aura followed by an energy boost.
The manga is also more brutal in depicting Medarot damages. While the anime usually shows non-functional parts in grey, the manga depicts a variety of damages, including broken and cut parts, sometimes even showing the Medarot's oil as blood. The only exception in the anime is the final battle between Team Japan and Team Kenya, where Belzelga is completely destroyed and disassembled into pieces, and we see Smilodonad severely damaged.
Western Release
Medarot 2 was released in a few countries, following the success of the anime.
In Brazil, the manga was released under the name Medabots in 5 volumes, between May 2002 and Nov 2002, by Editora Abril.
In USA, Viz Media localized the volumes as Medabots as well, but following the original length of 4 volumes instead of 5. The releases were between Aug 2002 and Mar 2003. As was typical of Viz releases of the times, the issues were "flipped" to match western reading order.
In France, the manga was released by Pika Edition in 4 volumes between Jun 2003 and Dec 2003, following the original name Medarot 2, since the publisher already released the prequel, Medarot, before. This edition was also released in the Canadian province of Quebec.
Image gallery
Japanese Release:
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Medarot 2 #1 (1999)
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Medarot 2 #2 (1999)
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Medarot 2 #3 (1999)
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Medarot 2 #4 (1999)
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Medarot Revised Edition: Ikki's Chapters #1 (2014)
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Medarot Revised Edition: Ikki's Chapters #2 (2014)
Brazilian Edition:
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Medabots #1 (2002)
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Medabots #2 (2002)
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Medabots #3 (2002)
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Medabots #4 (2002)
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Medabots #5 (2002)
French Edition:
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Medabots #1 (2003)
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Medabots #2 (2003)
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Medabots #3 (2003)
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Medabots #4 (2003)
| Mangas View - Edit | |
|---|---|
| Manga by Rin Horuma | Medarot 1 - Medarot 2 - Medarot 3 - Medarot 4 Medarot 5 - Medarot G - Meda 2043 - Medarot DS - Medarot 8 - Medarot Tepid |
| Mangas by Kenki Fujioka | Medarotter Rintarou! - Medarotter Rintarou! Medarot R - Medarot Navi |
| Others | Medacard Fighters - Fox Kids Annual 2004 - Medarot 7 - Medarot Girl's Mission - Medarot Reloaded |
