Name(s): Mushrambo / Shinzo / マシュランボー
Format: TV series (32 23-minute episodes)
Studio(s): Toei Animation

Mushrambo was on TV back when I was a kid, though western localizers renamed it to Shinzo. I think that name reads a little better in English. It’s easier to say, for one, and doesn’t cause confusion with the word “mushroom.” That sounds silly, but you need to realize xenophobia and mockery of foreign art was extremely common in the early-to-mid 2000s. The name Shinzo is still a relevant name, and it’s still distinctly Japanese, which highlights it as something exciting and exotic to westerners. Regardless, this was an odd choice for a dub, as it doesn’t have a legacy in the west. I probably haven’t seen every episode, but I caught enough of it all the way up to the ending to have a generally positive opinion of it— as a child, anyway.

This is simple kids shonen full of things kids like. Characters are basic and pleasant (the main trio is hothead kid, cool guy, and fat guy.) Storyline is mostly episodic with a lot of diversions on the group’s goal of reaching Shinzo that doesn’t impact overarching plot elements. The central gimmick is that characters can absorb the powers of literal cards. This isn’t a trading card game anime by any stretch, so it was seemingly inserted for aesthetic reasons. The rising popularity of TCGs in the west may have been the reason for its localization. Because there was no other media to adapt like a physical game, it was a relatively low investment compared to other potential media empires.

For a mostly basic shonen anime, there is some decent drama and a few cool twists. The action relies heavily on characters transforming, both by using cards and by combining with other characters, so fans of Dragon Ball Z fusions should feel right at home. The titular Mushrambo is the name of one of these transformations.

My childhood nostalgia gives this series a spot in my heart, and I’m still considering returning to it as an adult to fully evaluate it. 32 episodes is quite an investment though, especially when considering all of the vintage mecha anime I’m still curious about. If and when I do revisit it, I’ll have to choose between watching the dub or the sub. Naturally, I lean towards the dub, and because it’s a children’s show there might be minimal differences between the scripts. I’ll do my research when the time comes, but if anyone has any input, feel free to share.