Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger (Anime)

Remembering how awesome my Childhood was.

Dear Entertainment Diary,

Yesterday, I became very sad and emotional when I saw a copy of the song Aitakute by Kiyome Kobayashi, the theme song of one of my favorite and legitimately the best animes of all time, one of the reasons why my childhood was so awesome, Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger or simply, Eto Rangers. 

I was so thrilled yesterday that I sang it for not less than ten times. I remember how I used to sing that song during my childhood days, back to the time when I still memorized the lyrics. It's simply one of the best theme songs from animes in the history of my ear drums and I wish I can find the tape where my aunt recorded my voice singing that song. Damn, where to find it?

Anyways, after singing that song yesterday for so many times, I decided to re-watch the episodes of Eto Rangers and while I was watching it, I just wanted to cry my tears out. I remember how I used to watch it with my brother, how I used to re-enact each episodes with my toys, how I used to sing the theme song every time the credits rolled, and how I used to go home after playing outside just so I can watch it every night on ABC 5. Now, it's TV 5. It was originally aired April 7, 1995 - January 26 1996 but I think it aired here in the Philippines on 1998.

Summary (from wiki):

The Eto Rangers ride in Space-Time Transmitting Machine Kirinda to repair the Novel Worlds of Mugen. The Eto Rangers are anthropomorphic animals, each representing one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals (and The Twelve Branches in Buddhism). In Japan they are known as the Eto animals. The Novel Worlds are stories created by the human imagination, such as old folk tales as well as newer books. These living worlds play out repeatedly, and are necessary for the good of humanity. Princess Aura rules Mugen, which is an island continent hanging over an ocean from the skybound Novel Pole. The Great God Goal gives her power, but she may never leave the small palace island area. Their nemesis is the forgotten Spirit of Cats, Nyanma(real name, Chocolat), who was excluded from the choice of 12 protectors by being disqualified from the race (in actual legend there are many versions of this story). She seeks her revenge by distorting Novel Worlds with Jarei Monsters. 

When a Jarei Monster goes to a Novel World they alter the story, turning it into a different version, sometimes a parody of itself. Bakumaru, the Spirit of Mice, must use the Genmakyou mirror to reveal ("Jarei Shouran!") the evil spirit once enough clues lead to its identity. Often the Eto Rangers must play out some of the story to find out who or what it is, sometimes even taking on the role of one of the characters in the tale. After defeating the creature, Kirinda is called when Bakumaru holds up his hand with one of Aura's 12 gems on it and calls out "Daikourin Kirinda!" Kirinda descends from a dimensional slit and purifies the evil spirit with a beam weapon, calling out "Jouka!" (Purification). 

Most of the episodes involve up to 5 Eto Rangers, chosen by the computer's roulette member selection, going into Novel Worlds to repair them, but there is another story going on as well. The Jarei Monsters are commanded by Jarei O Nyanma, the Queen of Evil-Spirited Monsters, sitting in her throne in the giant shell fortress in the seafloor ravine. Throughout the series she is watching the progress of the Eto Rangers that foil her plans. She has a grudge toward Aura for a perceived slight years ago. She sends out 4 cat warriors created from herself as well. It is not until later in the series that the overall story, and the past, begins to be revealed in more detail.

So as I said, I watched the first few episodes yesterday and I stopped at episode 4 because the one uploaded on youtube is very LQ and the sound is kinda groggy and irritating.

This is an anime with themes of adventure/comedy/drama/scifi and others; all of those in one anime. Now tell me, how awesome was that? The plot and the story are also good too especially the things about fairy tales being altered by demons. Another great thing I like about this anime is how they used the 12 animals of zodiac as the main characters. Using fairy tales is a good idea to capture the children's eyes and even the young's at heart. I watched this anime when I was still 7 or 8 and now, I'm currently 20 and still enjoy this stuff. I'm an anime lover and this anime is very dear for me. Very close to my heart for it is the very few animes that I enjoyed when I was still young. The others are Sailormoon, Akazukin Chaha, Flint, and many more.

This anime isn't all about adventure. It's about love, friendship, and helping each other as well. The theme songs are also good especially the ending theme Aitakute which is a big help in reminding me about this anime.

I hope I can find a good quality copy of this anime. Last year, I actually downloaded the whole anime series but it's in Japanese audio and doesn't have english subs so for me, it's useless. Well, it's much better if TV 5 would re-air it. I would definitely enjoy watching it!

The 12 Eto Rangers:

Japanese Name/Tagalog Name - Kind of Animal

• Bakumaru/Powell - Rat
• Hols/Bukuh - Ox
• Gao/Delacao - Tiger
• Cream/Kelly - Rabbit
• Drago/Paccalachi - Dragon
• Nyorori/Wannie-Wannie - Snake
• Pakaracchi/Yaboo - Horse
• Souffle/Cesley - Sheep
• Monk/Mencue - Monkey
• Tart/Chickee - Chicken
• Pochiro/Yalung - Dog
• Urii/Vivi - Boar

Other Characters:

• Princess Aura
• Kirinda
• Nyanma/Mostar
• Chocolat

  

Posted in: 1995,1996,1998,anime,asian,Cartoon,Japanese,tv show