Editing Zatch Bell! (section)

== Premise ==
Mamodo{{efn|{{Nihongo||魔物|Mamono|{{lit.}} "demon"}}; this is expressed as both singular and plural. The English adaptations pluralize the name "Mamodo" as "Mamodos".}} are a species of mystical creatures with supernatural powers inhabiting the fantastical Mamodo world{{efn|{{Nihongo|Demon World|魔界|Makai|lit. "Demon Realm"}}}} that exists in a [[Parallel universes in fiction|parallel domain]] and is ruled by a king. Every 1,000 years, one hundred young Mamodo are selected to [[Rotation government|succeed the monarchy]] by engaging in an [[Single-elimination tournament|elimination tournament]] in which the winner would be eligible for the throne.{{gnr|ch|8}} These tournaments are held on Earth; the manga series chronicles the interim during the early 2000s.{{efn-ua|A concert ticket that Kiyo holds in the anime is dated 2003.{{Ref|Episode|ep. 14}}}} Although the competition is free-for-all, the Mamodo may collaborate with other combatants.{{gnr|ch|68}} As the Mamodo descend to Earth, they are each given a [[Grimoire|spellbook]]{{efn|{{Nihongo|Spellbook|魔本|Mahon|lit. "magic book"}}}} that has sealed away their powers and requires a human companion to [[Incantation|read the words aloud]] in order to cast them in the form of spells.{{efn|{{Nihongo||術|Jutsu}} translates to "art", "technique", or "skill". Synonymous with {{Nihongo|Incantation|呪文|Jumon|"Spell"}}.}} To participate in the action, the Mamodo does not simply choose a human to help cast their spells.{{gnr|ch|93, 94}} Rather, they must first search for the matching human who can read from the book,{{gnr|ch|7}} whereupon he or she is that Mamodo's bookowner and partner.{{Ref|Episode|ep. 95}}<ref name="spellbook">{{cite web|last=Beckford|first=Brandon|url=https://www.cbr.com/anime-arsenal-zatch-bells-mamodo-spell-books-explained/|title=Anime Arsenal: Zatch Bell's Mamodo Spell Books, Explained|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=June 28, 2020|access-date=June 6, 2024}}</ref>{{efn-ua|This is one of three scenarios described in the franchise. The second is the Mamodo world in which the Mamodo are free to cast spells as they desire. The anime introduces a third scenario called the {{Nihongo|"In-Between-World"|異世界|Yisekai|{{lit.}} "[[Isekai|different world]]"}}, where spells can be cast independently but only in the presence of a spell book.{{Ref|Episodes|eps. 96–98}}}}

The Mamodo tournament involves eliminating opponents by burning their spellbook. This is achieved by striking the book with a spell or subjecting it to open flame, as when Kanchomé torches several spellbooks with a matchstick.{{gnr|ch|115}} Once the spellbook ignites, it cannot be extinguished,{{gnr|ch|51}} and when it has fully incinerated, the Mamodo that possessed it loses all claim to the position as king and immediately returns to the Mamodo world.<ref name="spellbook" /> The sole Mamodo to survive without their book destroyed becomes the new Mamodo king,{{gnr|ch|8}} and all collateral damages are remedied.{{gnr|ch|322}}

Spells given off by the Mamodo produce a variety of effects. These range from direct attacks to defenses, but other spells trigger a Mamodo's special ability that can temporarily enhance their finesse; as with Zatch's ''Rauzaruk'';{{gnr|ch|96}}{{efn|{{Nihongo||ラウザルク|Rauzaruku}} in the Japanese release.}} or impair enemies; such as the paralyzing efficacy of Purio's ''Poreido'';{{gnr|ch|68}}{{efn|{{Nihongo||ポレイド|Poreido}}.}} among other effects. Spells in each book are typically different for each Mamodo, but there are others that produce identical spells—an example of this is Zatch and his brother Zeno Bell for their lightning-based powers. The human and their Mamodo usually start out with one spell, but may during the tournament unlock more spells as the emotional and relational bond between each other flourishes.{{gnr|ch|19}} The spellbook responds to the reader's Heart Power,{{efn|{{Nihongo||心の力|Kokoro no Chikara}}.}} a form of stamina attained from such bond. Because sending out a spell expends Heart Power, it must thus be replenished for spells to work properly.{{gnr|ch|17, 107}}<ref name="spellbook" /> Additionally, a spell may be generated with greater fervor, the magnitude of which is governed by Heart Energy.{{efn|{{Nihongo||心のエネルギー|Kokoro no Enerugī}}, or "strength from within" in the anime's English dub.}} A demonstration of this is when Zatch's strongest attack, ''Bao Zakeruga'',{{efn|{{Nihongo||バオウ・ザケルガ|Baō Zakeruga|}}; ''Bao Zakerga'' in the English release.}} dwarfs Faudo.{{gnr|ch|275}}

=== Synopsis ===
==== Manga ====
{{See also|List of Zatch Bell! characters{{!}}List of ''Zatch Bell!'' characters}}
The Mamodo of focus is [[Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell|Zatch Bell]], who was discovered unconscious at a forest in England by Professor [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Seitaro Takamine|Seitaro Takamine]]. Seitaro sends Zatch over to his son [[Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell|Kiyo Takamine]], an intelligent 14-year-old living with [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Hana Takamine|his mother]] in the fictional city of Mochinoki, Japan,{{gnr|ch|2}} in hopes of uncovering Zatch's past that he has no memory of.{{gnr|ch|1}} Kiyo becomes Zatch's preordained partner for the tournament. Over time, Zatch and Kiyo come across other Mamodo, especially [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Brago|Brago]] and his partner Sherry Belmont, who explain the ongoing Mamodo tournament.{{gnr|ch|8}} Zatch and Kiyo also discover that some Mamodo do not wish to fight or do so for the wrong reasons; namely [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Kolulu|Kolulu]], who was forced to fight due to the nature of her spells.{{gnr|ch|17}} Seeing this, Zatch pledges to become a "kind king" and stop the battle from ever happening again.{{gnr|ch|18}} Zatch and Kiyo also find friendlier Mamodo and build up alliances with them and their human partners. Chief among them are [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Kanchomé|Kanchomé]] with Italian movie star Parco Folgore,{{gnr|ch|27}} [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Tia|Tia]] with pop idol Megumi Oumi,{{gnr|ch|38}} [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Ponygon|Ponygon]] with German engineer Kafk Sunbeam (although the two do not find each other until later in the series),{{gnr|ch|122}} and [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Wonrei|Wonrei]] with teen Hongkonger girl {{nowrap|Li-en}}.{{gnr|ch|71}}

Throughout the course of the tournament, Zatch, Kiyo, and their allies band together to combat several potent Mamodo with hostile intent. The first major adversary they face is [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Zofis|Zofis]], who commands a cadre of reanimated Mamodo that were sealed in [[Stele|stone tablets]] during the previous tournament one thousand years ago. Zofis has also bent the will of his own partner, Sherry's childhood friend [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Koko|Koko]], into committing heinous acts such as burning down her own village.{{gnr|ch|55}} Another enemy to emerge is [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Rioh|Rioh]], who wields a Mamodo warfare [[Kaiju|titan]] named [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Faudo|Faudo]]{{gnr|ch|189}} that imperils the globe.{{gnr|ch|209}} Kiyo is nearly killed in a harrowing mission to thwart Rioh and avert Faudo.{{gnr|ch|215}} However, Rioh is then overpowered by [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Zeno Bell|Zeno Bell]], Zatch's twin brother.{{gnr|ch|259}} Zeno is deeply envious of his sibling for procuring the sacred power of [[Kiyo Takamine and Zatch Bell#Skills|Bao]] from their father [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Dauwan Bell|King Dauwan Bell]],{{gnr|ch|272}} and had removed Zatch's memories out of spite,{{gnr|ch|48}} but he soon comes around and apologizes upon seeing the error of his own ways.{{gnr|ch|275}} The last and perhaps most powerful Mamodo encountered is [[List of Zatch Bell! characters#Clear Note|Clear Note]], who intends to commit [[omnicide]] against the Mamodo race.{{gnr|ch|289}}<ref name="Thompson">{{Cite web|last=Thompson|first=Jason|date=August 14, 2014|title=House of 1000 Manga - Zatch Bell|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2014-08-14/zatch-bell/.77624|access-date=October 4, 2022|website=[[Anime News Network]]|language=|archive-date=October 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004103549/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2014-08-14/zatch-bell/.77624|url-status=live}}</ref> Zatch and Kiyo call upon the spells of all the Mamodo they previously met to quash Clear Note and return him to the Mamodo world.{{gnr|ch|319}}

In the aftermath, Zatch manages to pull through the tournament unscathed even though all of his allies fall and are brought back to the Mamodo world, leaving himself and Brago as the only remaining candidates on Earth. After Kiyo's graduation, the two ilk engage in a final showdown.{{gnr|ch|320}} Zatch ultimately prevails over Brago, thereby ending the tournament as the victor.{{gnr|ch|321}} As Zatch departs for the Mamodo world, Kiyo is rewarded a wish in exchange for all his painful memories of everything that had transpired and then given any fortune he desires, but he rejects the gift not wanting to forget Zatch.{{gnr|ch|322}} Three weeks after the tournament, the Mamodo send a letter to their human counterparts, with Zatch's letter stating that all is well in the Mamodo world.{{gnr|ch|323}}

==== Anime ====
The anime adaptation of ''Zatch Bell!'' is spread over three seasons, referred to as "levels", with distinct arcs. The [[Zatch Bell! (season 1)|first season]] takes place in the early stage of the Mamodo tournament and centers primarily on Zatch and Kiyo's character development. The [[Zatch Bell! season 2|second season]] follows Zatch and his allies battling Zofis and emphasizes Sherry's quest to rescue Koko from Zofis' throes. The [[Zatch Bell! season 3|third and final season]] revolves around Faudo which leads Zatch up to a climatic open conflict with Zeno. The anime observes changes from much of the manga. These include [[Filler (media)|additional subplots]] and characters not featured in the original story.{{efn-ua|They appear in a colored montage at the end of the manga series.{{gnr|vol|33}}}} Certain scenes and key events are also altered or chronologically rearranged. For instance, Zatch and Kiyo first learn about Zeno from another Mamodo they encounter{{Ref|episode|ep. 16}} rather than directly from Tia as in the manga,{{gnr|ch|39}} although she and Megumi corroborate the sighting later on.{{Ref|Episode|ep. 21}} Ponygon also appears earlier in the anime's timeline{{Ref|Episode|ep. 7}} than in the manga's.{{gnr|ch|56}} Discrepancies in the plot are more pronounced during the third season. In particular, Kiyo's death does not occur, and Zeno never repents even when he returns to the Mamodo world.{{Ref|Episode|ep. 150}} Because of the changes, some Mamodo who lose out in the manga survive up to this point. The anime skips the events involving Clear Note and leaves the demise of Zatch's main allies and any remaining Mamodo unresolved. Instead, the series closes with an epilogue showing Zatch and Brago preparing to battle each other as the last two Mamodo on Earth, with the winner not revealed.<ref name="anime incomplete">{{cite web|last=Lobato|first=Daniel|url=https://www.cbr.com/anime-cancelled-before-concluding-properly/|title=12 Anime That Were Cancelled Before Their Stories Could Conclude Properly|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=January 21, 2023|access-date=June 23, 2024}}</ref><ref name="anime incomplete 2">{{cite web|last=Davis|first=Angela|url=https://screenrant.com/anime-need-new-season-continue-their-story/|title=10 Anime that Absolutely NEED New Seasons to Continue Their Story|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date=May 26, 2024|access-date=June 29, 2024}}</ref>