Monster Rancher Episode 14: Holly's Rescue

This episode continues right where the last one left off, with Genki and his friends setting off to rescue Holly--backed by Falcon and his army of dragons.

Monster Rancher Episode 13: Moo Revealed

Last time on Monster Rancher, Moo was made aware of Holly and the Magic Stone, and set out in search of them! In this episode, we see Moo in action for the first time--and we learn something very, very, very important that will color the rest of the series (and previous episodes too.) It's THAT big.

Just like in episode 2, Genki and Mocchi jump up over the title card. "Hey, come on! Let's go and find a Mystery Disk, 'kay?" "Mocchi!" Golem pops up too with a "Yeah!"

Monster Rancher Episode 12: Monol's Story

Are you guys ready to see an episode of Monster Rancher that probably would've traumatized me if I'd seen it as a kid? This one is super important, not only for what it reveals and sets up, but also showing that this series isn't afraid to get heavy. Really heavy.

Monster Rancher Episode 11: Pixie's Defeat

Last time on Monster Rancher, the Searchers were all enslaved, and Pixie nearly killed Genki and Mocchi! Let's see how Genki and the others recover from certain defeat!

Monster Rancher Episode 10: The Ruin's Secret

On this episode of Monster Rancher, the Searchers meet their most powerful enemy yet--a member of Moo's Big Bad Four. Battles will ensue!

Monster Rancher Episode 9: The Iron Bird

In this episode the Searchers head into dangerous territory, and we learn a bit more about the Monster Rancher world, its inhabitants, and what awaits the Searchers next!

Monster Rancher Episode 8: After the Rain

This episode's a heavy one. Tears, nightmare fuel, and even some foreshadowing.

It begins with a nightmare.

Monster Rancher Episode 7: The Courageous Seven

This episode's name is a shout out to the Magnificent Seven Samurai, and has a similar theme. With our cast of heroes assembled... it's time to meet our villains.

Monster Rancher Episode 6: Hare's Trick

This episode is very interesting for a lot of reasons. It has the anime's most famous deleted scene, it's the closest the series would get to being like the games until Season 3, and it's the one episode I saw in full as a kid. (When I saw the show years later, it was the same episode.)

And we meet another important character, too!

Monster Rancher Episode 5: Tiger of the Wind

This episode's another big one. Major character, major plot points, tearjerkers galore, and backstory! Let's get to it!

Monster Rancher Episode 4: Eternal Worm

This episode is the reason I started this blog. It's an encapsulation of what makes the Monster Rancher anime so special, at least to me. There are better episodes than this one, but this is the earliest sign of how good the show can be at its best. Eternal Worm was the first episode to emotionally resonate with me, which is part of why I hold it in such high regard.

Monster Rancher Episode 3: Guardian of the Disks

This episode starts off low-key, but it introduces a very important character and a very important plot point. It begins with Holly using the Magic Stone over the title card.

Monster Rancher Episode 2: I'm Mocchi!

The episode starts off happy, with Genki and Mocchi jumping into the sky and the episode's title card. "O-kay!" "Mocchi!"

Monster Rancher Episode 1: In The Beginning

Time to start our adventure into the world of Monster Rancher! Battles will be fought, tears will be shed, and awesomeness will ensue. (2014 UPDATE: I now have official releases of Season 1 and 2, so not only can this blog continue, I have replaced every image with its proper coloring so you can see how beautiful this show is. :) )

The episode starts off with the title card, "In the Beginning", displayed over a shot of the sun as seen through a glass window, then a lingering pan over a city, presumably Tokyo. After a few seconds, it cuts to the inside of a stadium and cheering crowd, and stage lights snap on.