Medabots
A boy and his rebellious robot battle for parts and glory.
Medabots, known in Japan as Medarot, is a Japanese media franchise that began as a role-playing video game series created by Rin Horuma. The franchise is best known for its anime television adaptations, which were broadcast internationally and helped popularize the concept of collecting and battling customizable robots.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- RPG
- Developer
- Natsume Co., Ltd.
- Delta Arts
- Jupiter Corporation
- digifloyd
- Publisher
- Imagineer; Natsume Co.
- Ltd. (Some GBA/GC titles)
- Ubisoft (PAL, GBA/GC titles)
- Rocket Company (2010-16)
- Platforms
- Game Boy
- Game Boy Color
- WonderSwan
- PlayStation
- Game Boy Advance
- GameCube
- Nintendo DS
- 3DS
- iOS
- Android
- Switch
- First release version
- Medarot
- First release date
- November 28, 1997
- Latest release version
- Medarot Classics Plus
- Latest release date
- November 12, 2020
Facts from the source article.
Plot
In a future where Medabots serve humans, ten-year-old Ikki Tenryō dreams of becoming a champion in the World Robattle Tournament. Unable to afford a Medabot, he saves enough money to buy an outdated model and finds a medal in a river, dropped earlier by the Phantom Renegade during a thwarted robbery. Inserting the medal into his new Medabot, named Metabee, gives the robot a severe attitude problem, leading Ikki to believe it is defective. Later, it is revealed that Metabee possesses a rare medal. Ikki and Metabee participate in Robattles, where the loser must surrender one of their Medabot's parts. They contend with the Rubberobo Gang, led by Dr. Armond under the alias Dr. Meta-Evil, and encounter Rokusho, a Medabot originally owned by Professor Hushi. Rare medals, kept secret by the Medabot Corporation, allow a Medabot to use an attack called the Medaforce. In the anime, the Medaforce is shown as a focused beam attack that increases the power of a Medabot's special skill.
Characters
Ikki Tenryou is a cheerful but somewhat timid boy who stumbles into Medafighting after finding a medal and using it to buy a Medabot named Metabee. Metabee, a Hercules beetle model built for revolver combat, has a rare medal that unlocks the Medaforce, but he is hot-tempered and disobedient, often mocking Ikki. Still, the two grow close through their battles. Ikki’s best friend is Erika Amazake, a member of the school journalism club who owns Sailor-Multi, also called Brass, a sailor-type Medabot that focuses on shooting. Karin Junmai, a kind girl from a wealthy family and Dr. Aki’s grand-niece, becomes a romantic interest for Ikki, sparking jealousy in Erika, though the two girls remain friendly. Karin’s Medabot is Neutranurse, a nurse-type that heals. Koji Karakuchi, a rich boy and skilled fencer, competes with Ikki for Karin’s affection. His Medabot is Sumilodon, a sabretooth tiger model that uses the Shadow Sword. Both Koji and Karin were removed from the series after its original run.
Media
Most games in the series are released in two versions: Kabuto, featuring a starting Medabot based on a Japanese rhinoceros beetle, and Kuwagata, based on a stag beetle. Differences include collectible parts and minor story variations. Medarot R, Medabots Infinity, and the Parts Collection games are the only titles not released in two versions. The main series entries are numbered except Medabots DS. The manga, written by Horumarin, was serialized in Comic BomBom from 1997 to 2003 across six series. The first series, Medarot, ran from June 1997 to February 1999 in three volumes. Medarot 2, published from May 1999 to June 2000 in four volumes, was licensed in English by Viz Media as Medabots. Subsequent series Medarot 3, 4, 5, and Medarot G were each compiled in two volumes. The anime, adapted from Medarot 2, was produced by NAS and TV Tokyo, animated by Bee Train, and aired 52 episodes from July 2, 1999 to June 30, 2000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed Medabots?
Medabots was developed by Natsume Co., Ltd., Delta Arts, Jupiter Corporation and digifloyd.
What platforms is Medabots available on?
Medabots was released for Game Boy, Game Boy Color, WonderSwan, PlayStation, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Nintendo DS, 3DS, iOS, Android and others.
More in Japanese Children's Animated Science Fiction Television Series
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