Kaiketsu Zorori

Not to be confused with Kaiketsu Zorro

Kaiketsu Zorori (かいã'つゾロリ, "Incredible Zorori") is a popular Japanese/Canadian children's book series created by Yutaka Hara and published by Poplar Publishing. The original books were also made into an OVA, animated feature-length films, anime, and comic. They all have "Zorori" in the title.

Synopsis

Set in a parallel world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals (in their Earth's version of Japan), the story follows the protagonist, a fox named Zorori and his twin boar bandit apprentices Ishishi and Noshishi as they travel from place to place. The series debuted in 1987 with its first issue: >Kaiketsu Zorori no Doragon Taiji (かいã'つゾロリのドラゴンたいじ, "The Incredible Zorori, Dragon Slayer") and has published about two issues per year, totaling 50 issues as of December 2011. It was adapted into an anime series from February 1, 2004 to January 28, 2007. A Hong Kong produced English dubbed version by Red Angel Media aired on Cartoon Network Philippines on January 4, 2010. The dub featured the voices of Russell Wait as the title character, Candice Moore, Muriel Hofmann, Michael Pizzuto, and Jack Murphy.

Zorori was originally a villain for the series Hōrensō Man (ほうれã‚"そうマン, "Spinach Man") written by Shiho Mitsushima, and when Hōrensō Man ended, Shiho Mitsushima understood the need to give it an independent spin-off. What both series shared in common was that the end of Hōrensō Man no YÅ«reijō (ほうれã‚"そうマンのゆうれいじょう, "Spinach Man and the Haunted Castle") (depicts Zorori leaving on a journey to get a castle) ties in with the beginning of Kaiketsu Zorori no Doragon Taiji and Zorori's aspiration, "Zorori Castle Part 2" is established (It appears Part 1 came from the Zorori Castle in Hōrensō Man no YÅ«reijō). Another part is the reoccurring characters (Zorori Mama and Yōkai Gakkō no Sensei, and to some degree the debut of Sumire and Bokushi Robo) that were not given anything past trivial appearances. However, knowing the background story of the Hōrensō Man series is not needed to be able to enjoy the Zorori series.

Using clear patterns and lines, the characters would speak using speech bubbles more similar to comics than to picture books. The text and words would not use any difficult kanji or any furigana, instead using lower grade level words so that it can be read alone without needing any help. It also features excessive puns and it is because of this that puns saw a boom in use in elementary school students. In spite of it being called a well read elementary school "children's book", it has an array of farting, belching, and vulgar words that sometimes parents and guardians in the PTA demanded apologies for it. (Remember, this is a comedy series) Whenever Zorori is in a desperate situation and it appears he'll reach his demise, a fake notice is posted advising to skip the next page due to gruesome violence (Of course this is all a joke. The next page just has him finding a way out of his predicament).

At the time of publication, The Zorori League (ゾロリーグ, Zororiigu) and Stupid Monster (ボケーットモンスター, Bokeetto Monsutaa) (A play on Pokemon) were very popular comedies, especially among Japanese comedians for its use of Japanese jokes.

Furthermore, the Spanish word for fox is "zorro", and the author intended for Kaiketsu Zorori to resemble Zorro.

Characters

Main characters

Zorori (ゾロリ) / Voiced by: Kōichi Yamadera (Japanese), Russell Wait (speaking voice), Jack Murphy (singing voice), David Lee McKinney (movie) (English) ('93 Short Film: Akira Kamiya)

The fox protagonist of the story and a wanted criminal (after Arrested!! (つかまる!!, Tsukamaru!!). He keeps traveling with the goal of becoming the King of Pranks (悪戯の王者, Itazura no Ōja), finding a beautiful bride, and getting his own castle. He refers to himself as Ore-sama and Ore. He can build mecha out of rubbish and trash, and even amusement parks, by himself since he is a genius. A self-proclaimed Prankster Genius (悪戯の天才,, Itazura no Tensai), he is by no means a villain, as he has a tender heart and as the protagonist of a picture book, he is more of a dark hero or an anti-hero. He would do anything to achieve his goals, but from time to time he would help others, especially if he sees an opportunity to benefit from a situation himself. He normally wears a sandogasa and a striped cape reminiscent of an Edo period gambler, but at crucial moments he changes into a Zorro-esque costume with the letters ZZ on the chest. He is very dextrous and can build almost any machine to suit his needs. He is also the owner of the Bukkura Koita, a book that tells oyaji gags so bad they freeze all who hear it. His favorite food is anpan.

Zorori's Apprentices

• Ishishi (イシシ) / Voiced by: Rikako Aikawa (Japanese), Candice Moore, Scott Evans (movie) (English) (Stand In: Masako Nozawa, February~April 2006; '93 Short Film Kenichi Ogata)

The older of the boar twins. Along with his younger brother Noshishi, he follows Zorori around on his journey. He is distinguishable from his brother by his slightly larger right nostril and deeper voice. His favorite food is melonpan.

• Noshishi (ノシシ) / Voiced by: Motoko Kumai (Japanese), Muriel Hofmann, Michael Pizzuto (movie) (English) (Stand In: Sanae Kobayashi, January 2007; '93 Short Film: Shigeru Chiba)

The younger of the boar twins, he follows Zorori and Ishishi around on the journey. He is distinguishable from his brother by his slightly larger left nostril, the mole on his right cheek, and a higher voice. His favorite food is onigiri.

Ishishi and Noshishi do share some common traits, they both refer to themselves in the first person as Ora (おら) and end a lot of their sentences with ~da (～だ), and they both have problems farting at will. Also, they both respect Zorori and refer to him as Zorori-sensei (ゾロリ先ç"Ÿ) or just Sensei, the latter more often than the former.

Incidentally, their names are rearrangements of "Inoshishi" (イノシシ), the Japanese word for boar.

Zorori's Family

• Zorori Mama (ゾロリママ) / Voiced by: Sakiko Tamagawa

Real Name: Zororeene (ゾロリーヌ, Zororīnu), she is the ghost of Zorori’s mother. Her cause of death is unknown, but she is almost always seen watching her son from above.

Nelly (ネリー, Nerī) is a wizard that finds Zorori and gives her confidence to train harder to be a wizard. She is a 2nd year student at the magic school. Resulting when she reads a book she calls for help of Zorori and he help her with that. She is the Milly's younger sister.

Milly (ミリー, Mirī)is Nelly's older sister. She has a crush on Roger.

Roger (ロジャー, Rojā)Is a character that in some ways resembles Zorori but never understands Milly feelings until she slaps him then they got together .

Najō (ナジョー)

Puppe (プッペ) / Voiced by: Miyako Itō

A ghost guide in finding the 'Minus Eel'. He can escape from his body and move around as a spirit. He is somethimes of great help to Zorori.

Zorond Ron

A legendary treasure hunter who seems like Zorori's brother in the movie.

Secondary Characters

Demon School Teacher (妖怪学校の先ç"Ÿ, Yōkai Gakkō no Sensei) / Voiced by: Junpei Takiguchi (Japanese), Jack Murphy, Scott Evans (movie) (English)

Yōkai-sensei for short. He teaches different monsters and demons how to scare people.

Monsters

• Dracula (ドラキュラ, Dorakyura) / Voiced by: Keiji Fujiwara (Japanese), Jack Murphy (English)

• Werewolf (オオカミç"·, Ookamiotoko) / Voiced by: Koichi Sakaguchi (Japanese), Jack Murphy, Michael Pizzuto (movie) (English)

• Giant Monster (大入é", OonyÅ«dō)

• Gorgon (ゴーゴン, Gōgon) / Voiced by: Kujira (Japanese), Muriel Hofmann, Candice Moore (movie) (English)

• Azukitogi (小豆とぎ, Azuki bean washer)

• Akaname (あかなめ, Filth licker)

• Yuki-onna (雪女, Snow woman)

Arthur (アーサー, Āsā) / Voiced by: Sōichirō Hoshi (Japanese), Muriel Hofmann (English)

The brave, noble, and honest black panther. He is often the target of Zorori's schemes and suffers much physical abuse.

Princess Elzie (エルゼ姫, Eruze-hime) / Voiced by: Fumiko Orikasa (Japanese), Candice Moore (English)

A cat princess that Zorori had kidnapped in order to save her, marry her, and get her castle. She was rescued by Arthur and then married him.

The Wizard (é­"法使い, Mahōtsukai)

• Kōmorigasa (コーモリガサ, Umbrella Bat)

A bat (kōmori (コーモリ)) the wizard combined with an umbrella (kōmorigasa (ã"うもり傘)).

• Kabankaba (カバンカバ, Bag Hippo)

A hippo (kaba (カバ)) the wizard combined with a bag (kaban (鞄)). In the 1993 movie, the hippo was male, but female in the anime series.

• Risurippa (リスリッãƒ', Squirrel Slipper)

A squirrel (risu (リス)) the wizard combined with a slipper (surippa (スリッãƒ')).

• Nezumimizu (ネズミミズ, Mouse Earthworm)

A mouse (nezumi (é¼ )) the wizard combined with an earthworm (mimizu (蚯èš")).

• Pantsunda (ãƒ'ンツンダ, Underwear Panda)

A panda (ãƒ'ンダ) the wizard combined with underwear (pantsu (ãƒ'ンツ)).

Paru (ãƒ'ル) / Voiced by: Kōhei Kiyasu ('93 short film: Keiko Han)

The son of a pirate captain. When he was first introduced he was a lion cub, but for the rest of the series he is a teenager. He has his own toy car store.

Ship Captain (船長, Senchō)

Paru's father.

Tiger (タイガー, Taigā) / Voiced by: Fumihiko Tachiki ('93 short film: Kōsei Tomita)

Paru's former first mate. He committed mutiny and became the pirate captain. His left hand is mechanical.

• Pirate Henchmen

The Ship Captain's henchmen, but after the captain is killed off, they become Tiger's henchmen.

Duke Bururu (ブルル公爵, Bururu-kōshaku) / Voiced by: Daisuke Gōri

A bulldog who is also a candy mogul. He always holds contests with fabulous prizes to increase candy sales. He also finds loopholes to prevent Zorori from getting his prize.

Koburu (コブル) / Voiced by: Yū Mizushima

Duke Bururu's assistant. He often rubs his hands together and says "yes, yes" (はいはい, haihai).

Shirodaruman (シロダルマン)

Dinosaur Mama (恐竜のママ, Kyōrū no Mama)

Dinosaur Kid (恐竜のぼうや, Kyōrū no Bōya)

Mojara (モジャラ)

Monster (怪獣, Kaijū)

Alien Princess (宇宙人のお姫様, Uchūjin no Ohime-sama)

• Alien Monsters

Suzuki Santa and Yamada Santa

The two Santas in "The Terrifying Presents"

Santa Police (サンタポリス, Santa Porisu)

Chipoli (チポリ)

Topol (トポル, Toporu)

Chief Gomez (ゴメス署長, Gomesu Shochō)

Tail (テイル, Teiru) / Voiced by: Saki Aibu (Japanese), Andrea Kwan (English)

Madi (マディ) / Voiced by: Masami Kikuchi (Japanese), Scott Evans (English)

Yutaka Hara (原ゆたか, Hara Yutaka)

The creator of Kaiketsu Zorori, Yutaka Hara appears in every episode, often in the background.

Anime Only Characters

Tanuki Mother (母さã‚"ダヌキ, Kaasan Tanuki)

Professor Gaon (ガオン博士, Gaon-hakase) / Voiced by: Masashi Ebara

A lone traveling wolf scientist in search of things he wants to build. He is intelligent, strong and resourceful. He and Zorori are equally matched and are friendly rivals. He has his own Bukkura Koita he made himself, but it is no match for Zorori's original.

Mayor Porks (ポークス市長, Pōkusu Shichō)

Manga

The first Zorori book was released in November 1987 and has seen two releases per year ever since. The first 39 volumes have been used as source material for the anime, while volumes 40 and beyond are book only, due to being printed after the anime's cancellation.

Anime

Series 1

The first series, titled Kaiketsu Zorori, is primarily based on the children books by Yutaka Hara.

Series 2 Season 1

The second series, titled Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori (まじめにふまじめ かいã'つゾロリ), differs from the first series in a few ways. It adopts fewer of Hara's books and instead focuses on a season long story arc, something the first series did not have. Season 1 focuses on the wizard Nelly and the mysterious Najō as Zorori, Ishishi, and Noshishi help them restore the magic forest in a magical country.

Series 2 Season 2

Season 2 focuses on Puppe's search for the Minus Eel. It does not adapt any of Yutaka Hara's books.

Movies

Kaiketsu Zorori has had two theatrical movie releases, one in 1993 simply titled "Kaiketsu Zorori", and another in 2006 titled "The Great Mysterious Treasure Plan." Both of these movies were shown alongside another movie. In 2012 there will be a new movie called Kaiketsu Zorori Da-Da-Da-Daibouken it will be out in winter 2012.

1993 version

This movie adapts books 3 and 4. It was shown alongside Soreike! Anpanman: Nosshi the Dinosaur's Big Adventure (それいã'!アンãƒ'ンマン 恐竜ノッシーの大å†'険, Soreike Anpanman Kyouryuu Nosshii no Daibouken)

Quest for the Mysterious Treasure

This movie adapts books 38 and 39. It was shown alongside Keroro Gunsō the Super Movie on March 1, 2006. Zorori, Ishishi, and Noshishi help out Tail find a treasure her father Gale died trying to figure out. Along the way, they are helped out by Youkai-sensei and several monsters, but Tiger and his crew stand in their way.

G-G-G-Great Adventure

Based on books 47 and 48. Zorori, Ishishi, and Noshishi, while out searching for treasure, come upon a town with a widespread illness. In order to make the secret medicine for it, they must set out on an adventure. This will be the first full-length Zorori movie.

Theme Songs

Kaiketsu Zorori

Opening Theme

• Hassuru (ハッスル, Hustle) by Kōichi Yamadera

Ending Themes

• Sora wa Ao (空はé',, The Sky is Blue) by Satō-san and Suzuki-kun (Little by little) (ep. 1~13)
• Owari no Uta (おわりのうた,, Ending Song) by Yukie 6 & Nobita Robert (ep. 14~31)
• Akaneiro (あかねいろ,, Crimson) by Satō-san and Suzuki-kun (Little by little) (ep. 32~46)
• Gayōshi (ç"»ç"¨ç´™,, Drawing Paper) by Sayuri Anzu (ep. 47~52)

Majime ni Fumajime Kaiketsu Zorori

Opening Themes

• A Ja Paa (あじゃぱー) by Kōichi Yamadera, Rikako Aikawa, and Motoko Kumai (ep. 1~50)
• Zekkōchō! (ゼッコーチョー!, In perfect form!) by Kōichi Yamadera (ep. 51~97)

Ending Themes

• Mama no Komoriuta (ママの子守å"„, Mama’s Lullaby) by Sakiko Tamagawa (ep. 1~27)
• Atcha Kotcha GO! (あっちゃã"っちゃゴー!, Atcha Kotcha Gō!) by Junko Iwao (ep. 28~50)
• Ishi Noshi Kazoe Uta desu ka!! (イシノシかぞえうたでスカ!!, Ishishi & Noshishi's counting song!!) by Rikako Aikawa and Motoko Kumai (ep. 51~74)
• Buwāt to ikō ze (ブワーッといã"うぜ) by Kōichi Yamadera (ep. 75~97)

International Broadcast

References

External links

• Manga official site (Japanese)
• Anime official Site (Japanese)
• Kaiketsu Zorori (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia