Ronin Warriors

Yoroiden Samurai Troopers (Legendary Armor Samurai Troopers) is a Japanese anime series created by Hajime Yatate. The anime was produced and animated by Sunrise, and aired across Japan on Nagoya Television from April 30, 1988 to March 4, 1989 and has a total of 39 episodes. There is also a 2-volume manga series that was published November 17th, 1988.

Ronin Warriors is an English dub of the series that was produced by Graz Entertainment and distributed by Cinar. The dub was recorded by the Ocean Group and first aired on American television during the summer of 1995 in syndication.

Ronin Warriors premiered on Toonami on September 27, 1999, ending the run of The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest, which had been on the block since its inception. After appearing in every Toonami block that existed at the time (Toonami, Midnight Run, Rising Sun) Ronin Warriors ended its run on Toonami in March of 2001.

Plot
A millennium ago, a demon named Talpa conquered The Mortal World. His reign of terror went unopposed until the appearance of a warrior mage and his loyal white tiger. This warrior defeated Talpa and saved The Mortal World from doom. But the mage knew that an evil power like Talpa's could not truly be destroyed, thus he split the remains of Talpa's evil armor into nine separate armors. Imbuing each with a special virtue, the mage gave them to nine families for safekeeping. Six hundred years later, the defeated and exiled Talpa returned and began to search for the armors. He tracked down four with their current owners, weak men with weak hearts and a lust for power that made them perfect for Talpa to manipulate. He recruited these young men into his army, transforming them into his Dark Warlords of the Netherworld. In the 20th century, Talpa gains more and more power and enters The Mortal World to conquer it once more. But all is not lost. The owners of the five remaining armors have returned with their powers and are ready to unite against Talpa and his minions. The only problem is they can't remember how to use all of their powers. Can the Ronin Warriors master their skills in time to free humanity from the evil Emperor Talpa?

Characters
Ryo Sanada — Ryo is the leader of the Ronin Warriors. His power of Wildfire is linked to his spirit of virtue. Ryo fights with a large white tiger called White Blaze. Young and impetuous, Ryo is still learning to utilize his powers. As a result of his big heart, he's often hurt by the terrible events surrounding him. Ryo also has the special ability to absorb the armors of the other Ronin Warriors and form the armor of Inferno, which was worn by the warrior Hariel. The Inferno armor is the most powerful of all armors. In the wrong hands, it could destroy the universe. When Ryo summons the armor of Inferno, White Blaze is transformed into Black Blaze and carries the Soul Swords of Fervor. These are the only weapons that can channel the power of the "Rage of Inferno," the white armor's most powerful attack. It is Ryo who gathers the warriors together and unites them with his strength.

Sage Date — Sage is a master swordsman and perhaps the noblest of the Ronin. He is a disciplined and heroic warrior, linked to the power of the Halo through the virtue of Chi, or Wisdom. Drawing on the element of life, Sage can use his powers to heal wounds and create lightning; his special attack consists of a deadly thunderbolt. Although he is a great fighter, Sage is in touch with nature and respects all life. Intense and handsome, Sage is often considered the most alluring of the Ronin Warriors. But Sage is most passionate as a fighter, his analytical mind dedicated only to his cause.

Cye Mouri — Like the surface of a tranquil ocean, Cye is the calmest of the Ronin. A quiet warrior, Cye likes to spend time near the water and loves the sea. He is trusting of his fellow Ronin and stands by them at all costs. It is no surprise that Cye's Torrent armor is linked to him through the virtue of Trust. Despite his peaceful nature, Cye wields a powerful Trident; his special attack is the Super Wave Smasher.

Kento Rei Fang — Kento is the strongest of the Ronin Warriors. He is also a bit hotheaded and tends to rush into battle. Fortunately, Kento's great strength usually keeps him out of trouble. Kento enjoys a good laugh and a hot meal to feed his tremendous appetite. Through the virtue of justice, Kento is linked to the element of Earth. He draws upon the power of the Hardrock armor to execute his special attack, the Iron Rock Crusher. His weapon is a combination of a three section staff and a naginata, known as a sanketsukon and he sometimes wields the sanketsukon like a pair of nunchakus in close combat.

Rowen Hashiba — Rowen, the smartest of the Ronin Warriors, is spiritually linked to the armor of the Strata through his Jin of Life. Rowen is easily the smartest person in his school as well, and for this gift, his fellow students sometimes despise him. Spending most of his time studying or reading, Rowen can think the team's way out of almost any situation. Rowen benefits from his strong armor, which will protect him under all circumstances, including creating energy bubbles around him for protection in space. His weapon is a collapsable bow which can be attached to the back of his armor, when not in use, along with a small metallic quiver, from which a seemingly unlimited amount of arrows can be drawn.

Anubis — Anubis is the leader of Talpa's Dark Warlords. Egomaniacal and very dangerous, he gradually comes to respect the Ronin Warriors and simultaneously begins to doubt the wisdom of Talpa's plans for humanity. The other Dark Warlords of the Netherworld, who fear Anubis' great power, do not trust him. Eventually this mutual distrust leads to a schism, and Anubis defects from the Dark Warlords. Anubis receives the power of the ancient, shedding his armor and reappearing in The Mortal World. He then wanders the globe in a quest to help the Ronin Warriors defeat Talpa, who he feels has tricked him.

Episodes
Ronin Warriors is a 39 episode Japanese anime series that aired across Japan on Nagoya Television from April 30, 1988 to March 4, 1989. The series was produced by Graz Entertainment and distributed by Cinar.

All episodes of Ronin Warriors have been released on DVD in the U.S., including a box set titled: Ronin Warriors: Complete Collection. In 2014, Discotek Media announced that they have licensed Samurai Troopers, the original japanese version of Ronin Warriors and will release the complete series on DVD in February 2015 with English subtitles. They currently can't rerelease the English dubbed version for unknown reasons.

Broadcast History

 * Japan (Nagoya TV) — April 30, 1988 - March 4, 1989
 * United States (Syndication) — 1995 - 1996
 * United States (Sci Fi Channel) — 1997 - 1999
 * United States (Cartoon Network) — September 27, 1999 - March 9, 2001

Toonami Broadcast History
Ronin Warriors aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami block from September 27, 1999 to May 5, 2000. The series then returned for a second run from November 13, 2000 to March 9, 2001. The series also aired on Toonami's Midnight Run from October 2, 1999 to March 4, 2000 and the Rising Sun from April 15, 2000 to May 13, 2000.


 * Toonami — September 27, 1999 - May 5, 2000; November 13, 2000 - March 9, 2001
 * Midnight Run — October 2, 1999 - March 4, 2000
 * Rising Sun — April 15, 2000 - May 13, 2000