Kaiketsu Zorro

I grew up on this anime, i finished it at least 4 times but i could still rewatch it at any time.

Since the main idea of the series is the fight for justice, it is perfect for small children because it teaches them to stand up against injustice. It also has a little romance-sideline so girls also can enjoy the story.

But i wouldn't only recommend it for children. It's enjoyable for adults too, because of its historical reference and credible storylines.

The episodes are mainly detached from eachother except for ep. 51 and ep. 52. The last two episodes are the dramatic peak of the ... whole series. (In my opinion these two episodes are the bests, they're almost like an ending of a movie.)

((The best dubs: japanese and german))

The last time I saw this anime, I was barely 6 years old and I was spending the holidays in the village of my grandparents in Extremadura they were throwing it for channel 2 Andalusia a secondary channel of south channel. Seeing him again has taken me to that happy childhood when after seeing the chapter of the day I played with my friends in the false door to the Fox. Seeing him with my friend has made me relive those wonderful days, although I still do not understand why in all the versions we have seen the Zorro is Latin-looking with his brown hair ... and here is blond, but well still childhood is childhood and that is not changed. My favorite characters undoubtedly El Zorro and Lolita, the most hated ones are undoubtedly Ramón and Gabriel seem to me very despicable more than any other villain, but above all the worst is Gabriel, it is believed that it can have any woman at any price even going through kidnapping and blackmail, on top it calls itself a gentleman that is not gentlemen. Bernardo, in this version I think it’s a beauty, in addition to the fact that unlike in other versions it is not deaf and dumb, which is something new, it’s strange how the original character was created, But he’s charming, especially when he helps Zorro and here he has a pretty young girlfriend, he’s the one who reminded me of me when I was a little girl playing with my friends, I also disguised myself as the hero of the town. In addition, the Spanish dubbing is very well chosen too, in addition to the characters are both loved the good and hated the bad as it should be. It also transmits that message of justice and values that the Fox always transmits, in addition to showing a great message of family and friendship.
Decidedly, this is what they should put on TV along with other anime and drawings from our past instead of putting shows like SpongeBob or Dora the Explorer, which in my opinion created it so that the following generations did not think at all. The best series and anime or even movies are like this anime that show a great elaborate story that makes people feel and think, but above all that makes adults and children enjoy it. Children because it is a good entertainment and adults because it brings them back to that childhood that most of us left behind until we are ourselves parents. Because if I also think that if there is a good relationship between parents and children, they should share this type of series, because the stronger the bond with the family the better the children will feel and not all of us get that relationship with our parents and attending the manga events I could see how this type of bond is possible and the envy that gives me that my parents did not take me or they would share that taste with me at all. Thank you so much for reading this is my opinion!

Henshin sequence... Shot on a blond guy's face with blue eyes. Black jacket on, pimp boots next. A lightning streak tears off the sky to illuminate the unknown face... It sports a stern, unswerving determination. He is not here to joke around... Belts, gloves, masks and hat follows in a thunderbolts galore. Flipping his cape, swinging his foil, He's here!
Who? A cosplaying Shirota Yuu?? No, the cunning fox of Spanish California, the one and only Zorro!!

Does this outstanding way in announces a great adaptation? I want to answer yes and no. Let's elaborate more on exposition, beforehand. Some inexact points, you can notice in this ... very webpage, need to be corrected. Kaiketsu Zorro is mainly a co-production between three countries: Toho Animation (Japan) / Mondo TV (Italy) / Royal Pictures Company (Switzerland). It's from a time when animation still was held in way good esteem outside of Japan's bounds. Nowadays, Mondo TV produces nothing and Royal Pictures Company limited went bankrupt in 2008 after 23 years of existence. While it benefited of international recognition, coming with substantial budget, this show isn't exactly of the calibre of a World Masterpiece Theater production. I'll explain you why with the following points...


..| Story |.. 4/10

The most critically flawed aspect. It's due to the lack of cohesion in direction. Indeed, storyline tend to loaf with filler episodes of relatively uninteresting workmanship (the ones where sergeant Gonzales/Garcia fall in love, this cheesetacular one where Zorro fences a shark...) to pick up suddenly the pace, as in the last arc where conclusion is rushed through regardless of its potential. It's like Toho or some other unindentified third party took over, upon realizing imminence of deadline, aware that this production is in need to show teeth to end at least half decently. Secondary intrigues often are disposed of, regardless of continuity. Thus, you can see Bernardo tie new friendships which aren't taken into account for the remainder of series.

Format is at fault: independent episodes often gun down a franchise, if there's not a strong director to back them all under one flag. It's difficult to tell who was at the commands. Sometimes, it seems like the Japanese had a blast, making one tribute to Kaiju-eiga (if Toho isn't behind it, I don't know who is!!)... While in other instances, quite conventional angles transects these wild fits of fantasy as in an attempt to stick back with Johnston McCulley's spirit. In conclusion, due to how anime was produced, it's perpetually seated between two chairs. Does it want to be comedic with Boke/Tsukkomi routine? Does it want to be badass looking? Does it want to be oneiric? Plotline definitely lacks a common thread, so it falls short as one influence short circuits another.


..| Art |.. 8/10

Takaya Hirotoshi's chara-design is rock solid. It's impossible to confuse one protagonist with another. For instance, Commandant Ramon has that subtle, handsome and yet silently ominous expression about him. Lieutenant Gabriel really looks like a smug douchebag with his top student air, while Don Alexandro has a austere and yet venerable look. The vast array of design is one top quality this series have.

Art Direction is uneven. at times, sceneries are downright amazing!
They have that Ghibli-like touch, as for the episode 19 with that mechanically redesigning house, The south India company headquarters or the docks full of Spanish gallions. A certain contrast strikes in when action pans over the dull town. Once again, At the reins of background art, two persons... Miyamae Mitsuharu, a veteran on this position, signs hands out best part. I doubt more about Giuliana Bertozzi's talent. She's certainly decent but her touch doesn't exactly show overall.


..| Animation |.. 6/10

Whereas episode animation is fluid most of the time, quality critically slacks down at times, to the point of being shoddy. One example: the son of an assaulted landlord is chased as he's suspected in an assassination attempt. Upon escaping residence, the immediate soldier after him dashes... Like a drunkard. At one frames, he even inexplicably ends up in an axis way too outcentered of his course, on the right side. There happens to be a certain amount of continuity errors as well, when you focus attention on objects characters hold or background elements... I don't think key-animation is at fault. Only perhaps a couple of scatterbrained animators. Now, I know animation is dated, but there was noteworthy failures here and there explaining my low grade, as for the dance competition Lolita took on for her friend: staff was really off, expressing the sensuality of that performance above everything else...

Indeed, these aren't unredeemable mistakes, but it's definitely sub-par with many other TV productions.


..| Sound |.. 6/10

Fair. Music delivers overall a convincing chilvarous impression. Latino like guitars alternates with trumpets to stand for dynamic moments where Diego cease to be slacker to take on Zorro's persona. I like Zorro's theme, even if it weirdly channels City Hunter's spirit. The part coming after intro would perfectly fit with Ryo Saeba righting wrongs with magnum. The mystery theme, when Diego and Bernardo devise about situation, is one of the very best. I have also in mind the action theme, where a heartful electric guitar kicks in to insist on emergency aspect. Rest of the soundtrack is rather ambient. It lounges around mostly when nothing much happen. In a way, it makes good echo to the dull looking town, when nothing is troubled by some greedy capitalist or the army.

I watched this anime with french dubs mostly. You can only picture how cheesy they are if you live by my place. That jeweller... He has an accent from the south which makes me burst in laughter everytime I hear it. Here, he is, the bandit from Carcassonne, ready to make California bows down on its knees! It's also very difficult to keep a straight face when that lady look to defend her father, who happens to paint faux-masterpieces. Well, think about fish seller in the market of Bagnolet for her voice. It immediately defuses dramatism of situation despite soldiers brutality. I yet wonder what was with dub team's running joke around the sergeant and his comb (?). All in all, I enjoyed myself a load! Nevertheless, for a more serious approach, it's better opting for the subbed version instead.


..| Character |.. 5/10

Yes, the rate is low. On with positive aspects to finish with the less pleasant ones...

I appreciate the evil mastermind of Ramon. The ruthless commander, main antagonist of the show, pulls the strings and manage to retain composure, even in dire straits. His equivalent in benevolent form, Diego/Zorro's portrayal is well drawn, as well. It's enjoyable to see that goofball changes attitude all of a sudden to take care of problems backstage like a true selfless badass. It's only a pity Lolita's suspicion about his double identity is so underplayed. Roots of the evil is Bernardo: either you will love him or hate him... To be fair, a mute adult's pantomime is too hard to translate into animation. So, I can see how storyboard came for a perfectly "normal" child approach here. Funny character on whom young spectators would love to identify as, and whatnot. The fact he becomes little Zorro needlessly inflates importance of his character, though. Moreover, it brings into disrepute dramatic build up of episodes. It's really not easy to take it a face value when you see him barge in with his equally masked bulldog (!!). Is it a detached joke as to about why supporting cast come to be so dumb to not recognize Zorro and his team despite body of hints? This could have been a funny take on on the original spirit of the series, if Lolita and others wouldn't look so unsurprised upon learning the truth. On other note, this makes the villains pass as too incompetent to be of real menace. That's a pity.

In conclusion, Characterization is the mirror reflect of plotline. A certain cohesion lacks in their portrayal, due to anarchic direction.


..| Enjoyment |.. 7/10

This series is a bundle of enjoyment, regardless of my critical insight. In spirit, it's rather respectful to the works of Johnston McCulley if you choose to ignore the many eyebrow raising elements. It's a light-hearted title, which would certainly be of help to decompress between a violent steampunk/gun and a dark action/cyberpunk addition. Just enjoy the ride on Viento's back at heart's content, as it's the only known Zorro anime will you ever get
=)


..| Content indications / Buzzwords |..

Ketchup meter: Some characters die, but overall violence is mostly toned down.
Ecchi meter: 0
Fishing scene(s): 2 of them! Yay!


POSITIVE aspects:
+ The only Zorro adaptation
+ Badass main character who reminds Kenshin
+ Nice art direction
+ Excellent character-design

NEGATIVE aspects:
- Inconsistent plotline
- Incoherent characterization
- Uneven animation value