Zatch Bell! (2003-2006): The Shonen Classic That Deserves a Second Chance

Let’s be real—if you grew up in the 2000s, you probably remember Zatch Bell! That hyperactive golden-haired kid in the red coat, yelling “ZAKERU!” while shooting lightning from his hands? Yeah, that one. For 104 episodes (wait, actually 150 total, but who’s counting?), Toei Animation’s adaptation of Makoto Raiku’s manga had us glued to our screens, watching Kiyo Takamine—a grumpy 14-year-old genius—team up with Zatch, a “Mamodo” from another world, to win a tournament that would crown the next ruler of the Mamodo realm. But here’s the thing: even though it’s been over 15 years since it ended, Zatch Bell! still has fans begging for more. Why? Because it’s the kind of show that sticks with you—even if it never got the ending it deserved.

First off, let’s talk about what made Zatch Bell! so fun. The premise is classic shonen: 100 Mamodos come to Earth, pair up with humans, and battle using spell books until only one remains. But what set it apart was its heart. Kiyo starts as this antisocial kid who’d rather skip school than talk to people—relatable, right?—but Zatch’s endless optimism (and tendency to get into trouble) forces him to open up. Their bond is the core of the show. As one MyAnimeList user put it, “It was my favorite childhood anime, and I’m still attached to it as a shonen lover.” And let’s not forget the side characters: Kiyo’s rival Kido, the tough-but-sweet Tia, and even the villains—like the icy Zeno—who had actual depth. The battles were flashy (hello, Zakeruga!) but never forgot to focus on friendship and growth.

But here’s the catch: the anime ended on a cliffhanger. The manga wrapped up properly with the “King’s Festival” arc, but the show stopped at episode 150, right in the middle of the Faudo arc. No resolution, no final battle, nothing. Fans were left hanging—and they’re still mad about it. “The original anime stopped before the manga was finished,” one user lamented. “It’s a real shame.” Another added, “They totally should bring it back with less filler, better pacing, and a proper ending.” Filler episodes were a big issue too—let’s be honest, no one needed that many “Zatch tries to cook” side stories. But even with the fluff, the core story was strong enough to keep people watching.

So why hasn’t there been a remake? Well, it’s complicated. For one, the creator, Makoto Raiku, sued Shogakukan (the manga’s publisher) and won—rumor has it he’s blacklisted from the anime industry now. That’s a big hurdle. Plus, Zatch Bell! isn’t as mainstream as Naruto or One Piece these days. “It doesn’t get much attention which it deserves,” a fan pointed out. But here’s the silver lining: other early 2000s shonen have gotten second chances. Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood fixed the original’s anime-only ending. Hunter x Hunter (2011) rebooted the 1999 series and followed the manga. Even Shaman King got a 2021 remake! So why not Zatch Bell!?

Fans are holding out hope. “First we got Fullmetal, then HxH, now Shaman King—maybe Zatch Bell! is next?” one user wondered. Another compared it to Inuyasha, which got a sequel years later: “Inuyasha was popular, but Zatch Bell! has a dedicated fanbase too.” And let’s be real—nostalgia is a powerful thing. Gen Z might not know Zatch Bell!, but millennials who grew up with it would definitely tune in for a reboot. Imagine seeing Zatch and Kiyo’s final battle animated properly, or getting to know the Mamodo world better without all the filler. It’d be epic.

But even if a remake never happens, Zatch Bell! still has its place. It’s a reminder of simpler times—when anime was all about friendship, cool spells, and characters you wanted to root for. It’s not perfect (the pacing could be slow, the dub was hit-or-miss), but it’s genuine. As one fan said, “I wish it gets another season or a remake—I’d gladly watch it again.” And honestly? Same.

In the end, Zatch Bell! is more than just a 2000s anime—it’s a time capsule. It’s the show you’d rush home to watch after school, the one you’d quote with your friends, the one that made you believe in the power of friendship (cheesy, but true). It might not have gotten the ending it deserved, but its legacy lives on. So if you’re a fan, keep talking about it. Keep posting about it. Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll get that HxH-style reboot. Until then, we’ll always have Zatch yelling “ZAKERU!” and Kiyo rolling his eyes—proof that some partnerships are forever.

As for the 20-year-olds reading this? If you’ve never seen Zatch Bell!, give it a shot. It’s a blast from the past that still holds up. And if you have? Let’s cross our fingers for that remake. Because Zatch Bell! deserves to finish what it started.

— A fellow fan who still remembers how to spell “Zakeruga.”