Element Hunters (エレメントハンター, Eremento Hantā; Korean: 엘리먼트 헌터; RR: Elimeonteu Heonteo) is a 2009 Japanese-South Korean anime science-fiction adventure television series. It aims to generate more awareness in chemistry and other sciences. The series is set in the year 2029. A manga series began at the same time, and has continued even after the anime ended in 2010, and the manga still continues until August 2010. Bandai Namco has released a Nintendo DS game for Element Hunters, it was released on October 22, 2009, in Japan and on December 18, 2009, in South Korea. The game was developed by the now defunct Climax Entertainment. The franchise is closing on officials websites in this time.
Contents
Synopsis
In 2029, chemical elements such as oxygen, carbon, gold, molybdenum, and cobalt were continually disappearing from Earth. These disappearing elements ultimately disrupted the environment and led to the destruction of various homes, cities, and even entire countries. Researchers discovered that the vanishing elements drained into a planet called Nega Earth, located in another dimension. In 2089, Element dematerialization was occurring rapidly; thus, to save Earth, three special pre-teens picked by the space colony government formed the Element Hunters. Their job was to transport themselves to Nega-Earth to battle monsters called QEXes and retrieve lost elements. However, out of their own concerns, Ren, Chiara, and Homi, three average middle school students from Earth, banded together to also become Element Hunters. With the help of Professor Aimee Carr and Juno, they are able to help save their own planet.
Characters
Earth Team
Ren Karas (レン・カラス, Ren Karasu; Korean: 렌 카라스; RR: Len Kalaseu)
Voiced by: Yūtarō Honjō (Japan)
Voiced by: Misuk Jeong (Korea)
Birth date: October 9th
Age: 12
An energetic middle-schooler who always looks for exciting adventures. He lacks the patience for learning and prefers to meet challenges head on; however, once he became an Element Hunter, Ren took the time to study chemistry in order to better eliminate QEXes. Ren tends to act before thinking a lot; however, his ingenuity has helped his team win various battles. His parents own a restaurant, and his grandfather had close ties to Professor Aimee Carr. Even though he was elected vice-chairman to help Chiara, he tends to argue with her a lot.
Chiara Ferina (キアラ・フィリーナ, Kiara Firīna; Korean: 키아라 피리나; RR: Kiala Pilina)
Voiced by: Atsuko Enomoto (Japan)
Voiced by: Jiyeon Seo (Korea)
Birth date: April 8th
Age: 12
A serious, intelligent, young girl who is best friends with Ren and Homi. Her motto is, "I am the judge and the jury". She transferred to the same town Ren lived in three years prior to the storyline, and because of her dedication, hard work, and independence, she plowed her way up to class chairman. Chiara and Ren both met Homi while helping each other saving Sena, a stray dog, during an episode of element dematerialization. She lives with her father, who is rather laid-back, and usually fulfills household duties. Even though her parents do not live together (but are not divorced), her mother still visits both Chiara and her father and keep in touch. Chiara considers herself the leader of the Earth Team, frequently putting her at odds with Ren. She eventually shows feelings for Rodney.
Homi Nandie (ホミ・ナンディ, Homi Nandi; Korean: 호미 난디; RR: Homi Nandi)
Colony Team
The team made up of children who have the ability to go to "Nega Earth". They are taken from Earth early in their lives and trained in the Space Colony to become Element Hunters.
Ally Connolly (アリー・コナリー, Arī Konarī; Korean: 아리 코넬리; RR: Ali Konelli)
Voiced by: Sanae Kobayashi (Japan)
Voiced by: Seon Lee (Korea)
The former leader of the Colony team. She is from Egypt. Ally sent the Earth Team Booster Wear after acknowledging them as rivals in order to help them defeat more QEXes. During her time as captain of Element Hunters at the colony, she started questioning element dematerialization and the motives of the government. Soon afterwards, a terrible accident happened on Nega Earth that led everyone to believe she was dead. However, she actually survived and left the Element Hunters team in order to join Professor Aimee Carr on Earth. Chiara bought her clothes as a welcoming present shortly after Ally arrived on Earth. She is terrible at cooking and has made Ren faint from eating her food. Ally considers Juno to be her best friend.
Rodney Ford (ロドニー・フォード, Rodonī Fōdo; Korean: 로드니 포드; RR: Rodeuni Podeu)
Voiced by: Nozomu Sasaki (Japan)
Voiced by: Seokjeong Yang (Korea)
A serious, handsome, and frequently elitist member of the colony team. He comes from a rich political family, though he is not proud of his connections. Though his father pressures him to leave Element Hunters, Rodney chooses not to and tries to achieve his goals in life without the help of his father. He is upset that Hannah was appointed as their leader after Ally left and tends not trust her. Rodney has strong feelings for Chiara and deeply cares for her. He often opposes Chiara embarking on any type of dangerous activity for fear of her getting hurt.
Tom Benson (トム・ベンソン, Tomu Benson; Korean: 톰 벤슨; RR: Tom Benseun)
Others
Dan Karas (ダン・カラス, Dan Karasu; Korean: 댄 카라스; RR: Daen Karaseu)
Voiced by: Rikiya Koyama (Japan)
Ren's father and the owner of the family-run restaurant, Dan Dan. After a head on encounter with elemental deterioration, he falls down a hole and breaks both his legs.
Ann Karas (アン・カラス, An Karasu; Korean: 앤 카라스; RR: Aen Karaseu)
Voiced by: Akiko Hiramatsu (Japan)
Ren's mother. She believes that Ren and Chiara have a mutual attraction towards each other, though they strongly deny it. Ren's biggest fear is his own mother.
Roberto Ferina (ロベルト・フィリーナ, Roberuto Firīna; Korean: 로베르토 피리나; RR: Robereuto Pirina)
Voiced by: Hiroaki Hirata (Japan)
Chiara's dad. He is a carefree man, capable of laughing after losing his job. He shows strong moral courage and is never ashamed of whatever he loves to do. He is frequently seen watching TV episodes of "Element Five" --a TV show in which his wife plays the leading role. He gives advice to Chiara about love; he told her that though he argues with his wife, they still care for each other. His advice helped Chiara accept Rodney's confession.
Naomi Ferina (奈緒美・フィリーナ, Naomi Firīna; Korean: 나오미 피리나; RR: Naomi Pirina)
Chiara's mother. She takes the lead role in a TV show called "Element Five", a Super Sentai series. She cares deeply for Chiara and looks kindly upon her husband. Despite being separated, they still love each other. Later, she and Hannah star in a new movie together.
Director Kawashima (川島 長官, Kawashima Chōkan)
Staff
Original Story by Kazunori Ito
Directed by Yoshiaki Okumura, Hong Hun-pyo
Writer: Naruhisa Arakawa
Character Design by Daigo Okumura
SF setting by Ryuichi Kaneko
Music by Toshihiko Sahashi
Science supervisor: Masato Murakami
Element Design by Apuo Reino
Art Direction by Bong Ha Gwon (credited as Bong Ha-gwon), Nobuto Sakamoto
Cinematography by Na Se Yun (credited as Na Se-yeon)
Editing by Takeshi Seyama
Sound Direction by Toru Nakano
Music Produced by Keiichi Nozaki
Animation Producer: Shin Ju-hee
Producers: Yasuo Kageyama, Kim Sun-tae
Executive Producer: Akemi Sugayama
Spanish Distributor: Arait Multimedia S.A.
Animation by NHK Enterprises (credited as NHK Enterprise), Heewon Entertainment
©2009 Elementhunters Production Committee
Music
Opening Theme: "First Pain" by Chiaki Ishikawa (Korean Version sung by Seondeok Choi)
Ending Theme: "H-He-Li-Be ~The magical spell~"" by Kakkii and Ash Potato (Korean Version sung by Mijin Kim, Namkyu Won, Taewook Lee and Kyoungwon Ju)