Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve

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Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve
Titles
Kanji	ナゾナゾ博士と12人の刺客
Rōmaji	Nazonazo Hakase to Majosutikku Tōerubu
Translation	Professor Riddles and the 12 Assassins
VIZ Title	Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve
Information
Season	1
Episode #	49
Arc	Encounter Arc
Chapter(s)	95, 96
Releases
Japan	March 21, 2004
English	March 11, 2006
EPISODE GUIDE
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Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve is the forty ninth episode of the Zatch Bell!/Konjiki no Gash Bell!! anime.

Synopsis

Zatch and Kiyo think of ways to get stronger until they are interrupted by Kido and his book keeper Dr. Riddles, who challenges Kiyo and Zatch to a battle. He reveals that The Majestic Twelve will be the one to fight him. Dr. Riddles then asks Kiyo to solve a riddle. After he answers correctly, Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve leave. Dr. Riddles returns later and challenges Kiyo to a Mamodo battle. He reveals that if Kiyo defeats him, he will reveal the secret of the book. Kiyo and Zatch are at the disadvantage against Dr. Riddles. Dr. Riddles gives Kiyo a hint about the books and Kiyo realizes the truth about the books; the spells in the books are actually manifestations of the Mamodo's power. Kiyo tells Zatch to believe in the power that is inside him. At that moment, the book glows and Kiyo uses the sixth spell, "Rauzaruku."

Full Summary

During the night when Kiyo Takamine returns to his room after a phone call with his father, he sees that the stone tablet in his possession is suddenly gone and his window left wide open. The next day, he gets in a scuffle with Ponygon under the assumption that he had stolen it, but Zatch Bell, acting as their mediator, eventually convinces Kiyo that Ponygon was innocent. At the same time at their local park, Dr. Riddles performs a few magic tricks for a small group of children, and they find themselves in awe when Kido, who bears resemblance to a doll, shows that he is able to speak. Naomi, who had been skeptical, tries to point out that this was simply ventriloquism. Dr. Riddles humors this assumption and involves her in one more of his magic tricks. He and Kido then speak at the same time as they wish everyone farewell, thus disproving her claim.

At home, while Kiyo tends to his bite wounds from Ponygon, Zatch suddenly asks him about what he can do to become stronger, as he still thinks a lot about his recent battle against Barry. Kiyo shares with Zatch that he thinks about the same question as well and feels there is a lot he can do to help them win more battles, but adds that it is just as important that Zatch’s own power becomes stronger. He elaborates on this by suggesting that unlocking the secrets of the spell book will help them in their efforts, and concludes that he feels as though he will reach a breakthrough in his understanding of it in due time. As they talk, their doorbell rings, but before they can answer it, they see that Kido has already let himself into their room through the window. He politely greets them and introduces himself before telling them that he and Dr. Riddles will be expecting them outside.

Outside, Zatch and Kiyo meet Dr. Riddles and see that he carries a spell book just like them. Dr. Riddles formally introduces himself and claims that he knows all about them already. Just as Kiyo braces himself for a battle, he finds out from Dr. Riddles that he will be facing off against his other comrades that he brought with him—a mysterious American group with supernatural powers, the Majestic 12. After introducing each and every one of them, Dr. Riddles presents Kiyo with a question, asking him who out of them all does not seem to fit in with the rest of them. Kiyo answers this by pointing out Big Boing, who does not seem to have powers like the rest of the group. Kiyo’s answer is revealed to be correct and they all celebrate this. Dr. Riddles then promptly admits defeat, and both he and the rest of the Majestic 12 promptly leave. This strange turn of events leaves Kiyo and Zatch confused for the rest of the day as they wonder if they will all return again.

In the early evening, Kido, Dr. Riddles, and the rest of the Majestic 12 head to the airport to enjoy a meal together before it is time for the Majestic 12 to depart on their flight back to America. While at the airport, Kido asks Dr. Riddles about Zatch Bell and learns a little bit about him and his spell powers. Kido then wonders about his own strength in comparison to Zatch, and Dr. Riddles suggests that they are one of the more powerful teams, given how he supposedly knows everything about the spell book and the Demon World. The next day, the pair arrive at Kiyo’s house again, but this time wish to truly challenge him and Zatch to a battle. While they boast about their strength, Dr. Riddles mentions to Kiyo his extensive knowledge about demons and the spell books, and even offers to tell him everything he knows if he manages to defeat him. Their battle soon takes place outside, and Kiyo and Zatch see for themselves how their current strength holds up against them. Their battle starts off with Zatch’s Zaker clashing with, then being overpowered by, Kido’s Zegar. While Zatch recovers from the attack, Kiyo begins to wonder if Dr. Riddles’ claims were true, as he can clearly see that Kido’s spell book continues to glow brightly. Dr. Riddles follows up their attacks by casting Zerusen, which targets Zatch and Kiyo. They attempt to defend themselves using Rashield, but it fails to hold up against Kido’s spell. Trying a new strategy, Kiyo has Zatch aim his next Zaker toward the ground around Dr. Riddles and Kido to distract them while they try to close in for a direct attack. Their plan soon fails, however, when Zatch grabs Kido to attack him directly with another Zaker, only for Kido to avoid it by using Zeburuk, splitting his body in half. Dr. Riddles then knocks Kiyo’s book out of his hands, and Zatch is pinned to the ground by Kido.

Dr. Riddles then begins quizzing Kiyo with a series of questions in order to help him figure out the secrets of the spell book. While the first question is nonsense, the second question involves asking Kiyo what the spell book is. Kiyo answers this correctly, stating that it is something that converts human will into energy for demons to use spells. He then demonstrates this by casting Zakeruga, which once again clashes with Kido’s Zegaruga. While this is happening, Dr. Riddles presents Kiyo with his third question, asking him where these spell powers are born from. Kiyo answers incorrectly, saying it comes from the book, and he and Zatch are consequently overpowered again by Kido’s spell as Kido attacks them using Amuzegar. Kiyo finally realizes that the reason new spells have yet to appear is because the spells themselves have yet to be written, and not because he is unable to read them. The book itself does not create the spells; rather, spells appear when a demon’s hidden powers awaken within them. Just as Kiyo begins to understand this, he is forced to run and carry Zatch to escape from Kido’s incoming Zerusen attack. As he carries Zatch, he tells him that in order for them to become stronger, Zatch needs to believe in himself, as there is great power deep inside him that has yet to be realized.

When Zatch finally understands that the power he desires to protect Kiyo rests within him, a strong light suddenly emits from their spell book, and within it, a new spell appears. Kido and Dr. Riddles witness this and admire Zatch and Kiyo’s sudden growth. Kiyo then casts Zatch’s sixth spell, Rauzaruk, which causes Zatch’s entire body to glow with a bright light. Kiyo then sees that unlike Zatch’s previous spells, Zatch remains fully conscious while the spell is active. The episode ends as Kiyo is left to wonder what this new spell is and how it will help them win this battle.

New content shown

Characters

• The Majestic Twelve

Spells

• Zegar
• Zerusen
• Zeburuk
• Am Zegar
• Rauzaruku

Gallery

Rauzaruk

Manga & Anime Differences

• All appearances Ponygon has in this episode is entirely filler and he has no involvement during these events in the manga.
• In the manga, after visiting the park, Dr. Riddles and Kido head to a nearby restaurant where they would eat and talk about Zatch and Kiyo. In the anime, they meet with Zatch and Kiyo instead. They would have their meal and talk about them at the airport along with the rest of the Majestic 12 later in the evening.
• In the anime, while in Kiyo's room, Zatch sits on the windowsill while Kiyomaro sits on his bed. In the manga, both of them are sitting across from each other on the floor.
• In the manga, when Dr. Riddles and Kido show up again at Kiyo's house the next day, they're seen already inside of his home when they speak with him. In the anime, they were originally seen outside but let themselves in after Dr. Riddles caused the door lock to explode.
• During their battle, in the anime, Dr. Riddles knocks away Kiyo's spell book when he and Zatch fail to unleash a direct Zakeru attack onto Kido. In the manga, he throws Zatch back towards Kiyo instead.

Localization Differences

• Details such as blood from injuries are cleaned up from characters in the VIZ localization but other things such as scratches and clothing tears are usually left alone. All blood seen on Bari during a flashback and on Kiyo would be cleaned up in the VIZ localization.
• Scenes that originally focused on Big Boing were either removed entirely or replaced by scenes focusing on Kiyo instead.

Trivia

• N/A

Episode Guide