Zatch Bell!

Zatch Bell!, Known in Japan as Konjiki no Gash Bell!!, is a Japanese anime series based on the manga series Konjiki no Gash, written and illustrated by Makoto Raiku. The series follows Kiyo Takamine and his Mamodo partner Zatch Bell as they try to win the tournament of Mamodo battles in order to make Zatch the king of the Mamodo world. The 150 episode anime was produced by Toei Animation and directed by Tetsuji Nakamura. Konjiki no Gash Bell!! premiered on Fuji TV on April 6, 2003 and ran until March 23, 2006.

Viz Media obtained the foreign television, home video, and merchandising rights to the Zatch Bell! anime series from Toei Studio and subsequently contracted Studiopolis to create the English language adaptation. The English adaptation of Zatch Bell! premiered on Cartoon Network's Toonami block on March 5, 2005 and ran until January 20, 2007, with only 77 of the 150 episodes aired.

Plot
Every 1,000 years one hundred Mamodo are sent to Earth to battle to be the king of the Mamodo world. Each Mamodo needs a human partner in order to use his or her spell book, a book that seals the powers of the Mamodo. When read aloud, the spells are cast by the Mamodo producing many effects. If the spell book is burned, the Mamodo is forced to return to the Mamodo world, and they lose all claim to the position of the Mamodo king. While the spells in each book typically are different for each Mamodo, there are Mamodo that share spells, like Zatch Bell and his evil twin brother, Zeno Bell. The human and their Mamodo gain these spells through experience and hard work. The last Mamodo standing without their book burnt is the new Mamodo king.

The story follows Kiyo Takamine, a 14-year old boy in junior high school. His father, Seitaro Takamine, discovers an unconscious child named Zatch Bell while in a forest in England, and sends Zatch to live with Kiyo. Unlike the other Mamodo, Zatch lost his memory of the Mamodo world. Kiyo learns about the spell book when he reads a spell causing Zatch to fire lightning from his mouth (the spell is mentioned in the first episode). As Kiyo and Zatch begin to encounter different Mamodos and learn more about the Mamodo battles, they discover that there are those who do not wish to fight and there are those who fight for the wrong reasons. After meeting a Mamodo named Kolulu and seeing how this kind Mamodo was forced to fight due to the power of her spells, Zatch decides to become a kind king in order to stop the battle from ever happening again. As the story progresses, Zatch and Kiyo meet other Mamodos that share similar views to them and become allies.

Protagonists
Kiyo Takamine — Kiyo Takamine is a genius 14-year-old junior high school student with an IQ of over 180. His intelligence makes him a target for teasing and harassment causing him to develop an introverted and apathetic demeanor to the point where he skips school on a regular basis. However, his entire lifestyle changes when Zatch Bell arrives in his life. Due to Zatch's influence, Kiyo becomes more outgoing and eventually becomes popular in his class. Kiyo has a bad temper and is easily irritated, often venting his frustrations on Zatch or his ditzy classmate Suzy Mizuno.

Zatch Bell — Zatch is an overly cheerful boy who possesses a strong sense of justice, but is clueless about most of the world around him and often gets in trouble when not being supervised by someone. Kiyo makes Zatch a toy named Volcun 300 which he refers to as a friend. Zatch's favorite food is Yellowtail, which he prefers to eat whole. When Zatch arrived to the Human world, he lived in a forest until the day Zeno attacked him and removed his memory of the Mamodo world. Kiyo's father finds him and sends him to Kiyo. During the progress of the series, it is revealed Zatch is empowered with the power of Bao, a powerful dragon created by Zatch's father during the last Mamodo battle. Due to the danger of Bao and Zatch's father's declining health, he transferred Bao into Zatch in order to prevent it from escaping and wreaking havoc in the Mamodo world.

Megumi Oumi & Tia — Megumi and her Mamodo partner Tia are friends and allies of Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell. Both Megumi and Tia have expressed romantic interest in Kiyo and Zatch, respectively. Megumi is a famous Japanese teen idol and pop singer who spends most of her time working. Tia is a young girl who believed no one could be trusted in the Mamodo tournament after being attacked by a friend of hers from the Mamodo World. When Kiyo and Zatch save Megumi and Tia from an attack by the same Mamodo, Tia begins to trust others again and allies with Kiyo and Zatch in order to make sure the Mamodo World would be ruled by a kind king. Tia's spells consist mostly of defensive and regenerative spells which are used to support and heal their allies. She had a crush on Zatch for much of the series, despite her hobby of abusing him physically.

Parco Folgore & Kanchome — Parco and his Mamodo Partner Kanchome are friends and allies of Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell. Folgore is a superstar and film hero from Milan, Italy, known for his two hit songs Chichi o Moge! (lit. Grope the Breasts!) and Muteki Folgore! (lit. Invincible Folgore!). Chichi wo Moge! was changed to Hey Hey Let's Dance all Day by Viz Media and Muteki Folgore to Iron Man Folgore. Although appearing perverted, cowardly, and weak, Folgore is a person with high morale standards and is more insightful than he seems. In the past, Folgore was a short tempered and vicious man who was feared in town due to his ruthless nature. His parents threatened him with a shotgun to leave home out of fear. Folgore later changed his personality after watching a hippopotamus and oxpecker living in mutalism and developed his comedic personality.

Kanchome's appearance is that of a young boy wearing a blanket sleeper, with large eyes and a duck bill. His personality tends toward childish and abrasive, often crying and whining like an infant. He greatly admires Folgore, believing him to be invincible. Kanchome's spells involve transformation and illusions. He later gains the ability to create clones with inhuman strength and a spell that can trap his opponents in an illusionary world giving him full control over their senses.

Kafk Sunbeam & Ponygon — Kafk, an engineer from Germany working on projects in Japan, was introduced much further in the series and was revealed to be the partner of the small horse Mamodo Ponygon. Ponygon looks like a small horse but has the personality of a dog, and can only communicate by bleating like a sheep. Because of this, Ponygon is unable to communicate his real name, Schneider, and is given the name Ponygon by Kiyo Takamine. In the Mamodo world, Ponygon hated other Mamodos after watching his father work as a riding animal and isolated himself from others. Zatch Bell eventually befriended Ponygon after they saved Ponygon's father from a poisonous snake bite. Ponygon's spells give him armor, increasing his speed and power with each spell. Eventually Ponygon gains the ability to manipulate fire and the ability to fly.

Sherry Belmont & Brago — Sherry comes from an abusive background in a wealthy French family, raised by a mother who only cared about the family name. Sherry attempted to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge, but was saved and befriended by a poor girl named Koko, her first and best friend. During the events of the Mamodo battle, Koko became brainwashed by her Mamodo partner Zofis and destroyed the town. Sherry then meets her Mamodo, Brago and teams up with him in order to save Koko. Brago has a rough, antisocial attitude but is kind underneath. Upon saving Koko, Brago threatens Zofis into erasing Koko's memories of the time she spent with Zofis in an act of mercy. Gratified, Sherry promises Brago she will make him the Mamodo King. Brago's spells are based on the manipulation of gravity, giving him the ability to increase gravity in a certain area or fire a gravitational well from his hand. Sherry assists in battle with her flail.

Suzy Mizuno — Suzy is a close friend and schoolmate of Kiyo. She has a crush on him, and is jealous of other girls that Kiyo spends time around. She is a self-proclaimed klutz and often gets sidetracked from the original task at hand. Suzy freely admits that she has trouble with various academic subjects, particularly mathematics. Her favorite hobby is to draw faces on fruits and other round objects to express her feelings.

Antagonists
Koko & Zofis — Koko is Sherry Belmont's first and best friend who saved Sherry's life when she attempted suicide. Koko lives a life of poverty, and was accepted to a university through a full scholarship. Shortly thereafter Koko meets her Mamodo partner Zofis who brainwashes her into doing his bidding. Zofis then starts to build his army of Mamodos by freeing the Mamodos from a thousand years ago from stone and brainwashes the descendants of the Mamodos partner. As Kiyo, Zatch, and other mamodo invade Zofis' hideout, he is confronted by Sherry and Brago and is eventually defeated. Threatened by Brago, Zofis undoes his control on Koko and erases her memories of the Mamodo battles. Zofis's spells are based on combustion.

Faudo — Faudo makes his first appearance as a tower the size of Mt. Fuji by the coast of New Zealand. Inside the structure is a giant Mamodo who can only be freed when a large amount of power breaks its seal. It was sent to Earth by the tribe of the Mamodo Riou, and does not follow the rules of the Mamodo Battle, allowing it to use spells without the need of a book nor partner. Faudo can only be controlled by a special jewel which Riou has possession of.

Banikis Gigo & Riou — Riou takes the form of a lion-like centaur with an mouth-like opening between the human and horse body parts where his partner Banikis Gigo resides. Riou holds the jewel that can control Faudo. To get the required power to release Faudo, Riou placed a curse on Li-en, Ellie, Nicole, and Alishie, which saps their strength until either Faudo is released or they die. Riou's powers are based on beasts spells, similar to the final spells of many Mamodo that are in the forms of animals.

Dufort & Zeno Bell — Dufort was a child who was sold by his mother to scientists who wanted to study his ability dubbed as Answer Talker. After finishing their experiment, they left Dufort to die but was saved by his Mamodo partner Zeno Bell. Because of the scientists treatment, Dufort gains an apathetic personality and harbors a deep hatred against humanity. He journeys with Zeno to see things that interest him. Zeno is Zatch Bell's older twin brother. Zeno was envious that Zatch was bestowed with the power of Bao and lived away from the castle while he was forced to endure torturous training set up by his father, the Mamodo King. When seeing Zatch's name on the participating Mamodo Battle list, Zeno aims to make Zatch suffer the same way he had. When confronting Zatch inside Faudo, Zeno accidentally reads Zatch's memories of the Mamodo World, which he had stolen prior, and discovers Zatch had also led a life of suffering. After Zatch defeats Zeno, Zeno apologizes to Zatch and gives Zatch the missing piece of Bao. Dufort, after realizing life has meaning, helps Zatch and his friends prepare for the battle against Clear Note. Zeno's spells are based on lightning which is fired from his hands.

Vino & Clear Note — Vino is a young infant brainwashed by his Mamodo Clear Note. Due to his young age, Vino has an unlimited supply of Heart Energy needed to fuel spells. Clear Note's appearance is that of a young thin man and who aims to become the Mamodo King in order to destroy all Mamodos. He claims he is the end of evolution for Mamodos and has been commanded by nature to wipe out the Mamodo race. Clear Note's spells consist of complete annihilation with his final spell transforming him into a giant monster. After being defeated by Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell, Clear Note's personality was erased and he was reborn as a Mamodo named White.

Other Notable Characters
Lori & Kolulu — Lori, is a teenage girl who is constantly home alone due to both of her parents working. She comes upon her Mamodo Kolulu on the streets and takes her in as a little sister. When Lori reads a spell from Kolulu's book, Kolulu loses her timid and kind personality and gains a merciless and bloodthirsty one; Her body then grows and she gains metallic claws. When a transformed Kolulu engages Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell in battle, Kolulu accidentally injures Lori and uses her willpower to revert to normal. She explains that personality was instilled in her since she refused to join the Mamodo Battles. She asks Zatch to burn her book and become the King of the Mamodo World and prevent what happened to her from happening ever again, instilling in him the idea to become a "kind king", a goal he has for the rest of the series. Though Kolulu's alternate form's spells revolved around her claws, her true spells are revealed to be based on protection.

Apollo & Rops — Apollo is the heir to a successful American business company, and is traveling the world before being instated as the head of the company. He meets his Mamodo Rops on the way and they begin traveling together and defeating Mamodos when challenged. When traveling to Japan, the pair battle and befriend Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell before leaving. After the pair's defeat, Apollo returns home to run the company and uses its resources to assist Kiyo and his friends whenever possible. Rops' spells were based on the manipulation of ropes and chains.

Li-en & Wonrei — Li-en is a young Chinese girl who was introduced after having been restricted from dating by her crime boss father Li-Akron. She fell in love with her Mamodo Wonrei, and after Li-Akron discovered their relationship, he captured Wonrei and sent Li-en to Japan, where she runs into Kiyo and Zatch and asks for their help in rescuing Wonrei. After doing so, Li-Akron allows Li-en and Wonrei's relationship to continue after witnessing his feelings. Wonrei's spells are based on martial arts combined with the ability of summoning ethereal forms of a white tiger.

Lupa & Purio — Lupa is a woman with a large afro and a hideous face. She treats her Mamodo Purio, as her son, who died from a heart defect. Purio is an arrogant, bratty Mamodo in princely clothes who likes to use his regal appearance to show a strong front, despite being extremely weak. Because Purio is weak, Lupa and Purio often ally themselves with the enemy, assuming they will be protected from harm. This strategy works to their favor for the majority of the series, being the only member of the Faudo Cult to make it to the Final Ten. Purio later befriends Kanchomé. Purio's spells involve spitting substances such as acid or glue out of his mouth.

Gustav & Vincent Bari — Gustav is a Russian man who is the partner of the Mamodo Vincent Bari. Bari looks like a ruthless and cold jester who is always scowling. He defeats many Mamodos in the search of a meaning for battle. When combating Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell, Zatch's goal of being a kind King prompts Bari to aim to be a powerful king. Bari, initially confused on how to achieve this goal, defeats a Mamodo which puts him on the brink of death and leaves him with many permanent scars. When complimented by that Mamodo, Bari understands what it means to be a strong king. Bari's spells involve forming vortexes on his hands and using them as drills or firing them at enemies.

Dr. Riddles & Kido — Dr. Riddles is an ex-surgeon who quit his career and isolated himself from the world after he failed to save his grandson during an operation. While in his house full of books, the Mamodo Kido asks Riddles if he would help him become the Mamodo King. Riddles, reminded of his grandson, decides to help Kido and leaves his isolation. During the course of the Mamodo Battle, Dr. Riddles's high intelligence allowed him to unravel the mystery of the Mamodo Books, information he shared with others whom he deemed good. He informed Kiyo Takamine and his friends about the threat the Mamodo, Zofis, posed and organized a group of Mamodos to help them defeat him. Kido is a childish boy resembling a ventriloquist dummy wearing a graduation cap who is very gullible, believing any lie told by Riddles, who tells him he was kidding, eliciting shocked reactions from Kido. Kido's spells involve changing his body into weapons and his strongest spells allow him to create a giant mechanical goddess.

Uri & Penny — Uri is the partner of the Mamodo Penny. Uri is a poor man who cooperated with Penny in order to steal food for his family. At the end of the series, Uri has a stable job as a chef. Penny resembles a young girl who has an obsessive love with Zatch Bell, who is fearful of her. When she discovers that Zatch does not remember her after losing his memory, she decides to defeat him and send him back to the Mamodo World and joins up with Zofis. Zofis gives her a number of brainwashed Mamodos to do her bidding. As the series progresses, Penny realizes the suffering Zofis causes and sacrifices her book in order to help Zatch defeat Zofis' minions. Penny's spells involve the manipulation of water.

Alvin & Byonko — Alvin is an old man who wants to live his life in peace but became involved with the Mamodo battles when he meets his Mamodo Byonko. Byonko's appearance is that of a frog with a four-leaf clover on his head, that became three when Alvin plucked a petal off. Byonko joins up with Zofis believing he could make friends with him and the ancient Mamodos. Alvin, knowing Zofis' real evil intentions, hides his dentures making it impossible to cast spells. As the series progresses, Byonko realizes that Zofis is evil and decides to help Kiyo Takamine and friends defeat Zofis' minions; prompting Alvin to use his dentures and unleash their surprisingly powerful spells.

Albert & Laila — Albert is a bored university student who was kidnapped and brainwashed by Zofis to be the partner for the thousand year Mamodo Laila. Laila, knowing Zofis' intentions, planned to defy him from the start. When she meets Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell, she helps them escape from Zofis' minions. However, Zofis finds out and tells her that if the Moon Stone used to free them from stone is destroyed, they will revert to stone tablets. With Kiyo's persuasion, Laila realizes that Zofis is bluffing and helps him destroy the Moon Stone. With the stone gone, Albert is released from the mind control and works together with Laila to defeat Zofis' minions. Laila's spells are themed around crescent moons.

Jido & Ted — Jido is a middle aged man who travels around the world with his Mamodo Ted in search of Ted's friend Cherish. Ted's appearance is of a young boy with a long pompadour hairstyle. When passing by Zatch Bell's hometown, Zatch offers Ted lodging at Kiyo's home where both pairs become friends. During the battle against Faudo, Jido and Ted infiltrate Faudo where he is forced to fight against Cherish, who is being controlled by Zeno Bell. Ted's spells are physical upgrades, and can only be cast in a particular order.

Ellie & Arth — Ellie is a young girl who was confined to a hospital bed waiting for death from her terminal illness. She then meets her Mamodo Arth who tells her she must continue to live, prompting the creation of her tomboyish personality. Arth is a wise Mamodo who wishes to become the Mamodo King to change the laws of the Mamodo World for the greater good. Ellie and Arth were the first ones who were aware of the existence of Faudo and attempted to stop its resurrection. However, the mamodo Riou placed a curse on Ellie forcing Arth to assist in breaking the seal to Faudo. After breaking the seal, Ellie and Arth ally themselves with Kiyo Takamine to send Faudo back to the Mamodo World. After the victory over Faudo, Ellie returns to the hospital where a cure has been found for her illness. Arth's spells were based on sword techniques.

Berun & Keith — Berun is a man who wears a red ball on his nose. He met his Mamodo Keith in a potato tempura restaurant. Keith claims to be Bari's rival, though Bari does not acknowledge this. Keith joined up with Riou in order to usurp him of Faudo's power. Keith constantly smokes cigars and often makes his entrances singing a gibberish version of Ode to Joy. Keith carries a walking stick that doubles as a baton, which he tends to wave about randomly while he sings. His spells are based on lasers.

Aleshie & Riya — Aleshie is a teenager from an African village who was forced to join the resurrection of Faudo by Riou. He, along with his Mamodo partner Riya were escorted by Riou to Faudo where they remained until running into Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell and decided it was the right time to betray Riou. After the resurrection of Faudo, Aleshie joins Kiyo's group to return Faudo back to the Mamodo world. Riya's spells cause him to transform his body parts to use for battle.

Sauza & Karudio — Sauza is a young child and partner to the Mamodo Karudio. He has a brash personality and hates working with others, after having been ambushed by Mamodos who have formed an alliance. He is able to understand Karudio, who, like Ponygon, is unable to speak words. The pair eventually partnered up with Ellie and Arth in order to prevent Faudo's resurrection. Karudio has an obvious dislike for Ponygon. His spells allow him to gain armor and manipulate ice, akin to Ponygon's fire.

Nicole & Cherish — Nicole is a young woman who works as a game warden. She disguised herself as a male in her travels with her Mamodo Cherish for safety purposes. Cherish was the caregiver of a group of orphan Mamodos in the Mamodo World. During the Mamodo battles, Nicole is put under Riou's curse and forced to help resurrect Faudo. After gaining control of the massive mamodo, Zeno Bell places an electrical torture device on Cherish and forces her to do his bidding. Cherish is eventually forced to battle her longtime friend, Ted. Cherish, freed from Zeno's control, assists Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell in defeating Zeno. Her abilities are based on crystals.

Elle Chivas & Momon — Elle Chivas is a nun who journeys with her perverted Mamodo Momon in order to stop the Mamodo battle. Elle has a hard time controlling Momon, who often steals women's undergarments. She eventually allies with Kiyo Takamine and his friends, and begins a relationship with Kafk Sunbeam and is seen living with him in Africa at the end of the series. Momon's appearance is a young boy with a monkey-like face and pink rabbit ears. His ears allow him to sense Mamodo energy and allows him to detect Mamodos and their spells. Momon is a coward and avoids battle at all costs. Whenever he lies, his face droops down onto the floor. Kiyo is able to force him to reveal Faudo's location, and he is forced by Elle to accompany the group to stop the mamodo's resurrection. During their confrontation with Zeno Bell, Momon, inspired by Kiyo's sacrifices inside Faudo, is able to sum up enough courage to help stall Zeno until Kiyo's arrival. Although his spells didn't have any particular theme, none of them could be used to hurt people, something that made the non-violent Elle proud of him.

Lean Vise & Ashuron — Lean Vise is largely silent, and little is known about him, though he is known for his very distinctive hairdo. His Mamodo partner, Ashuron is a giant dragon with red scales, able to change his body into a human form. Ashuron aims to become the Mamodo King to bring an end to discrimination in the Mamodo World. Vise and Ashuron were combating Clear Note since the beginning of the Mamodo Battles. They later ally and inform Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell about Clear's existence and work together to defeat him. Ashuron's spells allow him to unleash massive blasts of fire and change parts of his body to attack. Ashuron's Dragon Scales allow him to take many attacks while receiving little damage.

Naomi — Naomi is Zatch Bell's bully at the playground who aims to make Zatch suffer as much as possible. Her appearance is that of a young girl with pig tails and oversized teeth which are always clenched, a trait her parents also share. In a mini-comic in the manga's last volume, it is revealed that she loves Zatch, who does not share the same feelings.

Episodes
The 150 episodes of the series were directed by Tetsuji Nakamura and Yukio Kaizawa and produced by Toei Animation. The episodes were aired on Fuji Television between April 6, 2003 and March 26, 2006. Viz Media obtained the foreign television, home video, and merchandising rights to Zatch Bell! anime from Toei Studio in August of 2005. Subsequently, Viz Media contracted Studiopolis to create the English dub of the anime.

The English adaptation of Zatch Bell! aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami block from March 5, 2005 to January 20, 2007 with a total of 77 episodes aired. Canada's YTV began airing Zatch Bell! on September 9, 2005 and aired for the final time on December 6, 2008, with episode 104.

Thirteen DVD compilations of the English adaption were released by Viz Media between November 8, 2005 and December 4, 2007. On December 3, 2013, New Video released a DVD box set, "Zatch Bell!: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2", that includes the first 100 episodes of the English dub.