# Zatch Bell! (2003)

> A listless young man reluctantly takes in a small demon who is fighting to become ruler of the demon world.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/tv/33010

## Facts

- Seasons: 1
- Episodes: 150
- Episode runtime: 25 min
- Status: Ended
- Genres: animation, comedy, fantasy
- Created by: Makoto Raiku
- Network: Fuji TV
- Cast: Takahiro Sakurai, Ikue Otani, Satomi Korogi, Rie Kugimiya, Ai Maeda, Masami Kikuchi, Hiroki Takahashi, Fumiko Orikasa
- TMDB rating: 7.2/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455295/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: brisk
- Intensity: mild
- Complexity: accessible
- Violence: mild
- Tone: cheerful, whimsical, lighthearted, energetic, sincere

## What critics say

Audiences rate Zatch Bell! positively for its lighthearted battle tournament and affectionate partner dynamic between Kiyomaro and Zatch.

## Synopsis

Zatch Bell! (2003-2006) is a Japanese animated shounen fantasy comedy series created by Makoto Raiku and broadcast on Fuji TV, produced by Toei Animation. Its premise is simple and sweetly absurd: Takamine Kiyomaro, a depressed, don't-care-about-the-world young man, is suddenly handed a small demon named Zatch Bell to look after. Zatch is embroiled in an intense contest to decide who will rule the demon world, and that tournament gives the series its engine. Each episode mixes domestic friction between the lonely Kiyomaro and his boisterous charge with magical duels against rival demons and their human partners, so the stakes escalate as the lineup of opponents grows. The single 150-episode season is a continuing story where the tournament keeps moving forward, while the day-to-day bond between human and demon supplies warmth and humor. The tone is cheerful, energetic and uplifting, with bright slapstick comedy and earnest friendship at its center. Viewers who enjoy Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon and Dragon Ball Z will recognize the same blend of tournament battles and kid-friendly fantasy, a family-friendly anime that is easy to watch together.

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