Zatch Bell!

Takamine Kiyomaro, a depressed don't-care-about-the-world guy, was suddenly given a little demon named Zatch Bell to take care of. Little does he know that Zatch is embroiled in an intense fight to see who is the ruler of the demon world.

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.

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

• Yu-Gi-Oh!shared shounen tournament structure and demon battle format for young audiences
• Pokémonshared kid-friendly supernatural battle comedy with an odd-couple partnership
• Dragon Ball Zshared shounen power-battle tournament pacing and sense of escalating rivals

Created by

Makoto Raiku

Release Date

2003-04-06

Episode runtime

25 min

Rating

7.2 / 10 (273)

What is Zatch Bell! about?

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

What is Zatch Bell! like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Zatch Bell! as brisk, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Zatch Bell! violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Zatch Bell! as mild.

What did critics think of Zatch Bell!?

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

Which shows are like Zatch Bell!?

Shows with a similar feel include Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokémon, and Dragon Ball Z.

How long is Zatch Bell!?

Zatch Bell!: 1 season, 150 episodes.

Is Zatch Bell! still running?

No, Zatch Bell! has ended.

Where can I watch Zatch Bell!?

In United States, Zatch Bell! streams on Hoopla.