Shinzo

Summary

Shinzo, known as Mushrambo (マシュランボー, Mashuranbō) in Japan, is an anime television series produced by TV Asahi, Toei Advertising, and Toei Animation. It was directed by Tetsuo Imazawa, with Mayori Sekijima handling series scripts, Sachiko Kamimura designing the characters and Katsumi Horii composing the music. In the series, genetically-altered creatures known as Enterrans take over Earth and rename it in their own image called Enterra. Now three Enterrans have to protect the last human in order to find the hidden sanctuary called Shinzo and restore the human race.[2] The anime focuses primarily on the adventures they undergo while working to accomplish this task, though battle action becomes the main focus in the middle of the series. Due in part to the popularity of Hunter × Hunter in some areas in the competing timeslot, the series struggled with an average viewership of 3.5%, and was cancelled. In the United States, the anime was licensed and dubbed by Saban Entertainment & Buena Vista Television.[3]

Shinzo
Japanese cover of the Shinzo DVD featuring the main characters.
マシュランボー
(Mushurambo)
GenreAction[1]
Created byIzumi Todo
Anime television series
Directed byTetsuo Imazawa
Produced byTarō Iwamoto (TV Asahi)
Kōichi Yada (Toei Advertising)
Kōzō Morishita (Toei Animation)
Written byMayori Sekijima
Music byKatsumi Horii
StudioToei Animation
Licensed by
Original networkTV Asahi
English network
Original run February 5, 2000 September 23, 2000
Episodes32 (List of episodes)
Manga
Written byYoshihiro Iwamoto
Published byKodansha
ImprintBomBom Comics
MagazineComic BomBom
DemographicShōnen
Original runFebruary 2000September 2000
Volumes2
Original video animation
Directed byTetsuo Imazawa
Produced byKōzō Morishita
Written byMayori Sekijima
StudioToei Animation
ReleasedSeptember 21, 2008
Episodes2

Plot edit

In the distant past, the Guardian of the Milky Way galaxy named Lanancuras began to harbor a desire for more power. Because of his connection to the galaxy, he was able to absorb parts of planets and add them to his strength. As a result, he began invading the worlds he was assigned to protect. In the wake of his destruction, a following of creatures from across the galaxy pledged allegiance to Lanancuras and became known as the Kadrians. Taking notice of his ever-growing power and followers, the other Celestial Guardians confronted him; however, he had become too powerful, and they were defeated. Unable to subdue Lanancuras, the Celestial Guardians each gave up a part of their power and combined it into a single new Guardian, Mushra. In a final desperate attempt, they used Mushra's core by transforming it into a powerful card with which to seal Lanancuras in a prison. The prison was created from the remains of planets that had suffered under Lanancuras' tyranny. Because planets are themselves large beings, their combined strength (along with the power of the card) was able to restrain him. Thus Lanancuras was successfully sealed in a large meteorite.

The meteorite was sent off into the galaxy to be sealed forever. Meanwhile, the way Lanancuras had increased his strength had consequences on the planets of the Milky Way On Earth, around the 22nd century, it was in the shape of a virus that merged with human DNA and destroyed the humans that way. In order to eliminate the virus, scientists worked on combining human DNA with the DNA of animals and other creatures immune to the effects. They succeeded and created a sentient race known as Enterrans (a race of engineered Earthlings) which are based on humans, insects, reptiles, birds, sea creatures, wild beasts, and phantom beasts. Eventually, a cure was found and the human race survived.

However, due to Lanancuras' influence, the Enterrans fought their human creators as well as the robots that worked with the humans, driving the human race to a near extinction state. Luckily, a scientist named Dr. Daigo Tatsuro placed his 4-year-old daughter Yakumo in a sleep chamber in hopes that she would save the human race and find the human sanctuary Shinzo and bring peace back to Earth which was then renamed to Enterra. When the meteor that Lanancuras was imprisoned in struck Earth during the earlier parts of the Human-Enterran War, its fragment had struck an infant Yakumo giving her abilities that she would later discover.

First season (episodes 1–21) edit

Upon waking up 300 years later at the age of 17, Yakumo Tatsuro stumbled upon her soon to be companion Mushra while he is strung above a waterfall for impersonating a king. After Yakumo rescues Mushra, they soon run into their other companions Sago and Kutal.

Mushra, Sago and Kutal are then shown to be Hyper-Enterrans, Enterrans who can transform into stronger powered-up versions of themselves; these forms allow them to fight the various Enterrans that come after them. Throughout the first season the main characters fight a collection of Enterrans known as the Seven Enterran Generals, and various independent Enterrans where these Enterrans were either minions of the Seven Enterran Generals or bounty hunters that target Yakumo for the bounty on her head. Each of these Generals rules a region that the gang travels through, which have different types of Enterrans, such as King Daku's land having a majority insect based Enterrans. The defeated Enterrans become En-Cards, which are card-like structures that can be used to increase power in both Enterrans and several machines such as Yakumo's sentient vehicle Hakuba.

Second season (episodes 22–32) edit

When the timeline was altered due to events caused by Rusephine removing Mushrambo from the past. The Human-Enterran war never occurred with the two species eventually settling their differences and peacefully coexisting. The ultimate cause of the Enterran genocide during the war in the original timeline was revealed. The Kadrians had devised a plan to free their master: they believed that crashing the meteor into Earth would destroy the seal, thus allowing Lanancuras to escape. The Guardians eventually discovered this plan, but it was too late. With the meteorite already redirected and heading towards Earth, the Guardians held a vow that they would not directly intervene. They reasoned it was the duty of the planet and its inhabitants to defeat Lanancuras. In a stroke of luck, the Kadrians' plan was not a complete success. At impact, the seal holding Lanancuras merely ripped due to the impact; therefore, the Kadrian King was still trapped by the planetary pieces.

In the first timeline, Lanancuras used up a lot of energy to influence the Human-Enterran War when his meteor struck Earth, therefore remaining completely dormant. As this there weren't means to cause the war in the second, he was energized and about to break free from his imprisonment there.

Characters edit

Media edit

Manga edit

A two-volume manga adaptation by Yoshihiro Iwamoto was serialized from the February to September 2000 issues of Kodansha's Comic BomBom magazine. The plot is completely different from the anime version; it is more tragic, and has a happy ending where Mushra and Yakumo get married and raise a daughter. The complete DVD of the anime comes with a "Comic Book Version Mushrambo 3D Sound Special Drama" (audio drama), which includes a digest of the main story and later developments. The voice of Yakumo's father Daigo was provided by Ayumi Miyazaki, who sang the anime's theme song, and the voice of Ganchan in the later part was provided by Yoshihiro Iwamoto, who drew the manga.

Anime edit

Season 1 edit

No. Title / English Title Directed by Written by Original air date English air date
01"The Explosive Roaring Soldier's Sudden Raging Transformation" / "Awakening"
Transliteration: "Gōbaku senshi ikinari dohenshin" (Japanese: 轟爆戦士いきなり怒変身)
Tetsuo ImazawaYukito NonakaFebruary 5, 2000 (2000-02-05)July 6, 2002

In the 27th century, a human child named Yakumo awakens, with the mission to find the other humans, and bring peace between them and the mutant Enterrans ruling earth now. After Yakumo's first meeting with Mushra, Sago and Kutal will eventually join with them too.

Note: Unlike the Japanese dub, this episode of the English Dub has mixed up with the start of second episode, which it's confusing before the next episode and onward continues the story where it was previously left off.
02"Ten Billion Force! The Crazy Powerful Angry Clenched Fist!" / "Bee-Ware The Hunters"
Transliteration: "100 Oku-riki da!! Suggee zo dotekken!" (Japanese: 100億力だ!!スッゲェぞ怒鉄拳!)
Noriyo SasakiKenichi YamadaFebruary 12, 2000 (2000-02-12)July 7, 2002
Yakumo and her new friends land in a nest of Enterran bees.
03"Rage Down! The Heinous Spider Brothers, Gold and Silver" / "Web of Evil"
Transliteration: "Dotō!! Gokuaku kumo kyōdai kin to gin" (Japanese: 怒倒!!極悪クモ兄弟・金と銀)
Tetsuji NakamuraYoshimichi HosoiFebruary 19, 2000 (2000-02-19)July 13, 2002
A bunch of Enterran spiders kidnap Yakumo in believing a legend that eating a human will make the eater immortal. At the end, when Mushra slashes them after they turned into Enterran cards, Yakumo disowns him by lashing his face. Thus Yakumo is going with Sago and Kutal by leaving Mushra behind, who was devastated.
04"Mushra Riots at the Amusement Park?!" / "Day at the Park"
Transliteration: "Mashura, yūenchi de ōabare!?" (Japanese: マシュラ、遊園地で大暴れ!?)
Mitsuo HashimotoMayori SekijimaFebruary 26, 2000 (2000-02-26)July 14, 2002
Yakumo, Sago and Kutal are invited to join a festival, while Mushra still roams about. When he gets the chance to do a little revenge for being sent away, he takes it.
05"Too Strong! Dokkak, the Insect King!" / "Kiri"
Transliteration: "Tsuyo sugiru! Konchū-ō Dokkaku!!" (Japanese: 強すぎる!昆虫王ドッカク!!)
Harume KosakaKenichi KanemakiMarch 4, 2000 (2000-03-04)July 20, 2002
Mushra stumbles into a young human girl named Kiri, who is terrified of Enterrans, but promises to show Yakumo Shinzo.
06"The Final Battle! Mushra vs. the Insect King" / "Battling Daku"
Transliteration: "Saishū kessen! Mashura VS konchū-ō" (Japanese: 最終決戦!マシュラVS昆虫王)
Tetsuo ImazawaHiroyuki KawasakiMarch 11, 2000 (2000-03-11)July 21, 2002
In an attempt to save Yakumo and Kiri from Daku, Sago comes up with the plan to be captured themselves.
07"Thrust into the New World! The Mysterious Person in the Jungle" / "Into the Jungle"
Transliteration: "Shintairiku totsunyū! Janguru ni hisomu kaijin" (Japanese: 新大陸突入!ジャングルにひそむ怪人)
Noriyo SasakiKenichi KanemakiMarch 18, 2000 (2000-03-18)July 27, 2002
Kutal's niece and nephews show up and throw the gang on an unexpected adventure.
08"Mushra Clash! School Wars!" / "Reptiles"
Transliteration: "Mashura gekitō! Sukūru uōzu!!" (Japanese: マシュラ激闘!スクールウォーズ!!)
Tetsuji NakamuraKenichi KanemakiMarch 25, 2000 (2000-03-25)July 28, 2002
As Mushra battles Waru, another Enterran named Gyasa, the King of the Snake-Enterrans, appears with the intention of taking out the gang and kidnapping Yakumo.
09"Defeat! Kutal and Sago Dead!" / "Gyasa"
Transliteration: "Haiboku! Kūtaru, Sāgo shisu!" (Japanese: 敗北!クータル、サーゴ死す!)
Mitsuo HashimotoKenichi YamadaApril 1, 2000 (2000-04-01)August 4, 2002
After turning Yakumo into stone by throwing her into the water, Gyasa uses dirty tricks to take out Sago and Kutal, leaving Mushra by himself. Can he find a way to defeat Gyasa?
10"Invincible Super Warrior Mushrambo" / "Mushrambo, the Ultimate Samurai"
Transliteration: "Muteki no chō senshi Mashuranbō" (Japanese: 無敵の超戦士マシュランボー)
Tomoharu KatsumataYoshimichi HosoiApril 8, 2000 (2000-04-08)August 5, 2002
While Kutal's niece and nephews are making an attempt to rescue Yakumo and prevent her from being shattered, Mushrambo is able to defeat Gyasa in his first form, but what will happen when he transforms?
11"Threatening Power! Gyasa's Defeat!" / "Clash of the Hyper-Enterrans"
Transliteration: "Kyōi no chikara da! Gyaza funsai!" (Japanese: 脅威のチカラだ!ギャザ粉砕!)
Tetsuo ImazawaYukito NonakaApril 15, 2000 (2000-04-15)August 10, 2002
Mushrambo is overpowered by the Hyper Gyasa. Can he find a way to turn the tide of the battle around?
12"Introduction to Mushra's Mystery Lao Tzu?!" / "The Test"
Transliteration: "Mashura nazo no Rōshi ni nyūmon ka!?" (Japanese: マシュラ・謎の老子に入門か!?)
Harume KosakaMayori SekijimaApril 29, 2000 (2000-04-29)August 11, 2002
Darba, the supposed wizard of Shinzo, appears with a proposition for the team, but what are his real intentions?
13"Friend or Foe? Mushrambo, the God of Destruction" / "Ryuma, Lord of the Reptiles"
Transliteration: "Teki ka mikata ka? Hakai-shin Mashuranbō" (Japanese: 敵か味方か?破壊神マシュランボー)
Noriyo SasakiHiroyuki KawasakiMay 6, 2000 (2000-05-06)August 17, 2002
The group arrives at another forest after going through the desert, but when Grandora the 3-Headed Ice Dragon attacks the village under Ungra and Ryuma's control, it means trouble for the entire team.
14"Non-Stop Rampage! The Dark God of Destruction" / "The Dark Spirit of Destruction"
Transliteration: "Nonsutoppu bōsō! Kuroi hakai-shin" (Japanese: ノンストップ暴走!黒い破壊神)
Tetsuji NakamuraHiroyuki KawasakiMay 13, 2000 (2000-05-13)August 18, 2002
Mushrambo has been turned evil and is now Dark Mushrambo. Can anyone or anything defeat him? In the meantime, Ryuma tries to solidify his power by making Yakumo his bride.
15"Robot Kingdom of the Sky Mechano City" / "Mechano City"
Transliteration: "Tenkū no robotto ōkoku mekanoshiti" (Japanese: 天空のロボット王国メカノシティ)
Mitsuo HashimotoKenichi KanemakiMay 20, 2000 (2000-05-20)August 24, 2002
The group arrives in a city full of robots, but what will they do when the cops begin to pursue them?
16"Giant Robot Launch! The Mysterious Card Factory" / "The Giant Robot"
Transliteration: "Kyodai robo hasshin! Nazo no kādo kōjō" (Japanese: 巨大ロボ発進!謎のカード工場)
Tomoharu KatsumataKenichi YamadaMay 27, 2000 (2000-05-27)August 25, 2002
What will the robots do when they learn that Yakumo is a human? Later, Sago and Kutal eventually get killed by falling their traps and ended up turning into Enterran cards.
17"No Weaknesses?! Devil's Invention Egg Card" / "The Great War"
Transliteration: "Jakuten nashi!? Akuma no hatsumei eggu kādo" (Japanese: 弱点なし!?悪魔の発明エッグカード)
Tetsuo ImazawaKenichi KanemakiJune 3, 2000 (2000-06-03)August 31, 2002
Mushra and the robots find out about Yakumo's past and the truth about the robot king, but what happens when Mushra battles Cairis to the end in a one-on-one battle?
18"The Secrets of the Seven Commanders-In-Chief!" / "The Secrets of the Seven"
Transliteration: "7 Daishōgun no himitsu!" (Japanese: 7大将軍の秘密!)
Noriyo SasakiKenichi KanemakiJune 10, 2000 (2000-06-10)September 1, 2002
As a machine is using the egg card's power to revive Mushra, Sago, and Kutal, King Nipper sacrifices his life in an attempt to stop Caris and prevent him from killing Yakumo.
19"Defeat Lucifène, the Strongest King of Wildlife!" / "The Feathered Fiend"
Transliteration: "Taose! Saikyō no chōjū-ō Rushifēnu" (Japanese: 倒せ!最強の鳥獣王ルシフェーヌ)
Harume KosakaHiroyuki KawasakiJune 17, 2000 (2000-06-17)September 7, 2002
Mechano City has been destroyed, so Mushra and company decide to get revenge by attacking the Birdmen colonies. What they find is a new challenge, but can they be successful at overcoming it?
20"The Great Clash! Mushra vs. Mushrambo" / "The Two Mushrambos"
Transliteration: "Dai gekitotsu! Mashura VS Mashuranbō" (Japanese: 大激突!マシュラVSマシュランボー)
Tomoharu KatsumataHiroyuki KawasakiJune 24, 2000 (2000-06-24)September 8, 2002
Mushrambo must battle his evil self to prevent the young Yakumo from being killed, but can they succeed without gaining some new powers?
21"At the End of the Fight..." / "The Battle of One"
Transliteration: "Tatakai no hate ni..." (Japanese: 戦いの果てに・・・)
Mitsuo HashimotoKenichi KanemakiJuly 1, 2000 (2000-07-01)February 7, 2005
The final battle between the two Mushrambo's is at hand, but which side will prevail?

Season 2 edit

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date English air date
22"I am Mushra, the Mightiest King!" / "A New Beginning"
Transliteration: "Ore wa saikyō-ō Mashura-sama da!" (Japanese: オレは最強王・マシュラさまだ!)
Tetsuo ImazawaMayori SekijimaJuly 8, 2000 (2000-07-08)March 1, 2005
Because of the defeat and destruction of the original evil Mushrambo and the Seven Enterran Generals, the timeline is altered to where humans and Enterrans co-exist in peace. Mushra is trapped at the waterfall once again, but freed by the mysterious girl named Binka, who was using her Bazooka. Later on, when Lanancuras' servants attack them, can they survive without hyper power, or is there another way for Mushra to go hyper?
23"The Hyper Form of the Hero's Resurrection!" / "Bear Claws"
Transliteration: "Yūsha fukkatsu no haipā fōmu!" (Japanese: 勇者復活のハイパーフォーム!)
Tetsuji NakamuraKenichi YamadaJuly 15, 2000 (2000-07-15)March 2, 2005
Binka and Mushra search for Sago and Kutal so Mushrambo can be reformed, but what troubles await them in route?
24"The Messenger of Hell Named Eilis!" / "Nightmare Dream Center"
Transliteration: "Jigoku no shisha, sono na wa Airisu!!" (Japanese: 地獄の使者、その名はアイリス!!)
Noriyo SasakiHiroyuki KawasakiJuly 22, 2000 (2000-07-22)March 3, 2005
After discovering a village they had stopped at previously has been ravaged by the Kadrians, leaving Binka severely traumatized, the gang are invited to an amusement park, unaware of it being a trap by Kadrian Commander Eilis to prevent Mushrambo's return. Sure enough, Eilis decides to target Mushra to prevent Mushrambo from ever being reborn. Can the team overcome him and keep Mushra alive?
25"Awaken, Mushrambo!" / "Eilis of the Storm"
Transliteration: "Mezame yo! Mashuranbō" (Japanese: 目覚めよ!マシュランボー)
Harume KosakaKenichi KanemakiJuly 29, 2000 (2000-07-29)March 4, 2005
It's Eilis vs. Mushrambo, and Eilis tries again to take out Mushra, Sago, and Kutal, with leaving Binka alive, before they can once more fuse to become Mushrambo and prevent Lanancuras' revival, but who will be the victor?
26"A Reunion Too Late" / "Reviving Yakumo"
Transliteration: "Oso sugita saikai" (Japanese: 遅すぎた再会)
Mitsuo HashimotoKenichi YamadaAugust 12, 2000 (2000-08-12)March 5, 2005
With Eilis dead, the group gets trapped in a never ending maze, and their only hope of escape is Yakumo. Can they succeed?
27"The Last Hope" / "Lanancuras Arises"
Transliteration: "Saigo no kibō" (Japanese: 最後の希望)
Tetsuo ImazawaKenichi KanemakiAugust 19, 2000 (2000-08-19)March 7, 2005
It's Yakumo & Mushrambo vs. Lanacuras, and with Lanancuras' top agents eliminated, Yakumo rejoins the Mushrambo trio and Binka to head to Lanancuras' crash site to try and stop the Kadrian King's revival, but who has the bigger desire to win?
28"Yakumo Dies at Sunset" / "Lanancuras Unbound"
Transliteration: "Yakumo rakujitsu ni shisu" (Japanese: ヤクモ落日に死す)
Toshiaki KomuraHiroyuki KawasakiAugust 26, 2000 (2000-08-26)March 8, 2005
Lanancuras gains his full power and continues the battle against Mushrambo. Who will end up being the victor, especially when it appears that Yakumo is killed.
29"Endless Death Struggle" / "Mushrambo Meets His Match"
Transliteration: "Hateshinaki shitō" (Japanese: 果てしなき死闘)
Tetsuji NakamuraHiroyuki KawasakiSeptember 2, 2000 (2000-09-02)March 9, 2005
Mushrambo continues his battle against Lanancuras, but does he stand a chance without the help of Yakumo and Binka? Unfortunately, Lanancuras is free, and makes his move to ensure that Mushrambo won't be a threat to him, now or ever, with Yakumo having died.
30"Mushra's Mission!" / "Mushra's Mission"
Transliteration: "Mashura no shimei!" (Japanese: マシュラの使命!)
Mitsuo HashimotoHiroyuki KawasakiSeptember 9, 2000 (2000-09-09)March 10, 2005
Lanancuras's apparent death was unexpected and he appears to be headed toward being the ruler of the world. With help of the hyper forms of Sago and Kutal, Mushra eventually slays Lanancuras with the sword, but it gets broken anyway. After the Celestial Guardians lost their powers and Mushra getting killed with his Enterran card taken and destroyed by Lanancuras, Mushra refuses to give up and calls on a new power source to assist him. Will it be enough to defeat Lanancuras in the end?
31"Emotional Conflict" / "Soul Survivor"
Transliteration: "Kokoro aru tatakai" (Japanese: 心ある戦い)
Harume KosakaKenichi KanemakiSeptember 16, 2000 (2000-09-16)March 11, 2005
With all hope lost, Mushra vows to destroy Lanancuras one last time, and with the guardian powers revealed he may just succeed, while Binka, Sago and Kutal make an attempt to bring Yakumo back from Lanancuras. What will happen next?
32"Farewell, Mushrambo" / "Long Live Yakumo"
Transliteration: "Saraba Mashuranbō" (Japanese: さらばマシュランボー)
Tetsuo ImazawaMayori SekijimaSeptember 23, 2000 (2000-09-23)March 12, 2005
The battle between Mushra and Lanancuras comes to its exciting conclusion, but whose lives will it cost between them, Binka, or the other Celestial Guardians?

Background edit

The series is an adaptation of the 16th-century Chinese novel Journey to the West by Wu Cheng'en, transplanting the events to a far-future science fiction setting. Tang Sanzang becomes Yakumo, a girl tasked with reviving the human race rather than retrieving sacred scriptures. Sha Wujing becomes Sago, Zhu Bajie becomes Kutal (who transforms into a lion), and Sun Wukong becomes Mushra (retaining the character's golden headband and telescoping staff).[4]

References edit

  1. ^ "ABC Family Premieres Anime Adventure Series Beyblade And Shinzo". Animation World Network. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  2. ^ Erickson, Hal (2005). Television Cartoon Shows: An Illustrated Encyclopedia, 1949 Through 2003 (2nd ed.). McFarland & Co. p. 737. ISBN 978-1476665993.
  3. ^ "New Anime In America". Anime News Network. Retrieved 2019-09-24.
  4. ^ Toole, Michael (June 19, 2011). "Too Many Gokus!". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 12, 2015.

External links edit