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Spellbooks

Three spellbooks (Brago's, Zatch's, and Reycom's, in order from left to right)

A spellbook (魔本 mahon, lit. "magic book") is a vital item used in the Battle to Determine King of the Mamodo World. All mamodos participating in the battle in the Human World hold one in which only certain chosen human partners can read.

Design[]

A mamodo's spellbook has a box at the top of the cover which has various symbols of straight and slanted lines with tiny lines underneath, while in the center of the box is a sun-like symbol with a spiral in the middle. In the middle of the book on the front and back cover is the symbol of Mamodo World: Five circles with lines interconnecting them. The spine of the book has a large black dash at the top, while underneath is a box with dots at the top and bottom and a star in the center. The spellbooks come in varying colors, each one differing for each mamodo; in the second movie, Dr. M2 theorized that the colors may have some connection to each mamodo's powers, though, this theory is false as there have been cases where mamodos with the same type of power had different spellbook colors such as Zatch having a red spellbook while Zeno had a silver spellbook while they are both capable of using Lightning Magic.

Spellbook Text

The text inside a spellbook.

The pages of the spellbook are filled, from top to bottom, in a text unreadable to humans and, because of its ancient origin, to the mamodo who wields it as well as others. Only when a portion of text becomes the same color as the spellbook itself does it become readable, but only to the human who owns the book. However, this is questionable when Zofis points out a dangerous spell, "Girgadom Barsuruk," to Roberto Vile in Demolt's book, hinting that he was able to read it. On the other hand, the text may be distinguishable to mamodo once it has appeared.

Purpose[]

As stated before, the text of a spellbook contains spells that the book's corresponding mamodo wields. Sherry Belmont explains that the books are like special instruction manuals for battle in that they require the power of the human heart to read them; in other words, strong emotions such as love, determination, anger, or hatred, must be felt in order to activate the spells. This power of heart is known as "strength from within" ("heart energy" in the original), and is displayed through the book radiating with light and energy when a spell is read or while storing energy. In addition, higher amounts of strength from within are needed to cast more powerful spells; however, there is a limit to the strength from within that a person can unleash, and therefore, how many spells they can use at a time. In some cases though, the humans can produce seemingly limitless amounts of strength from within and cast spells for a greater duration of time.

In the beginning, only the first spell is readable, due to the mamodo's powers remaining dormant in the Human World; Dr. Riddles and Kiyo Takamine reveal that this is characterized by the unreadable text in the book, signifying that the words—the spells—have yet to be written. Only through the maturation of spirit or the awakening of strong, specific feelings in the mamodo can new spells be unlocked and become readable; most times, the strong feelings that the mamodo feels characterizes the new spell. It is even possible for a new spell to appear but immediately not be readable, such as in Tia's case, when she gained the Chajiru Seshirudon in addition to the Chajiru Saifodon spell following her battle with Momon, but it only became useful during the final battle in Faudo with Zeno and Dufort. It is also possible for a previously readable spell to increase in power based on how many lines of its respective page are readable, as demonstrated by Zatch's and Zeno's Zakeru.

If a spellbook comes in contact with an offensive spell from a mamodo other than the one to whom it is connected, or if it is lit up through normal means, such as with a match or being thrown into a fire, it catches fire itself. When a Spellbook catches fire, it will not stop burning as the mamodo it belongs to will begin to disappear and return to the Mamodo World. Once the book is fully burnt, the mamodo completely vanishes, losing all claim to the throne. In various situations, it is shown that it is still possible to cast spells even while the book is being burnt. However, it is also possible to accelerate the speed at which the book is burnt through striking the spellbook with another offensive spell. It is even possible to burn a book indirectly if a spell is strong enough; for example, in the first appearence of Bari, he hits another mamodo with a direct sustained attack, and that mamodo's spellbook burnt up from the owner's hands. Ultimately, the objective of the battle is for each mamodo to burn as many of the others' books as possible until only one mamodo is left standing.

In both the anime and manga, Zatch's book change color from red to gold, pulling out the book's true power. In the manga, Zatch is offered assistance from mamodo that have returned to the Mamodo World and Kiyo is able to read and use their most powerful spells through the golden book (nearly all Shin-level spells except Danny, of whom Zatch merely used his one healing spell) even without heart energy. The book returned to its normal color and power after the defeat of Clear Note. In the anime, the spellbook turned to gold in the last episode, it used as a power increase for Zatch to allow him to fight on equal terms with his brother Zeno, and remained golden during their impending fight with Sherry and Brago. Because of the powerup being reached by other means in the manga and the golden book coming later, there is a difference in the golden upgrade.

In the Mamodo World outside of the battle to determine King of the Mamodo World, spellbooks aren't required for mamodos to cast spells and they are able to cast spells on their own in their own world, as shown in a flashback of episode 15 of the anime when Zatch attempted to cast Zakeru in the Mamodo World as well as in the introduction of Konjiki no Gash!! Gaiden: Friend. Based off evidence we’ve seen in both manga and anime. These appear to be the rules for a Mamodo spellbook:

  1. Only humans can read from the books and cast spells.
  2. Once a human finds and chants the first spell, that human becomes that Mamodos partner, and only the human who reads the spell can read from the rest of the book.
  3. Only the human partner can read the book and it will be completely unreadable to any other human, even if it is another owner.
  4. The Mamodo cannot change human partners.
  5. Their humans, or book owners cannot read or cast the spells of other Mamodo, even if they know the spell( for example, when Hosakawa picked up Zatch’s book. He couldn’t read Zaker, but memorized it from Kiyo. When he chanted the spell nothing happened).
  6. If the human partner dies but the book remains intact, the book will guide the Mamodo to a new human partner.
  7. The human must be touching the book in order for it to cast spells (even if the book is closed).
  8. If the book is opened while a spell is cast, it can be dispelled by closing the book. (As seen with Kido. When Zatch threw Raja Zerusen back at him. Dr Riddles closed the book and the spell vanished).
  9. On a page where a spell is written, if the other letters are fully colored to the books color and glow while the spell is cast, that spell will become stronger. (For example. On the page where Zaker is written. Only the first 3 lines are red. When Kiyo was brought back to life in Faudo, all of the lines where Zaker is written became red, and it was strong enough to take on Zeno and Rodeux).
  10. If the Mamodo the book belongs to awakens its potential a new spell will be written.
  11. The back of all the spellbooks will have messages from the Mamodo world, mostly to reveal the remaining numbers.
  12. In a rare case, if a spellbook turns gold, that Mamodo can use other spells from other Mamodo (Zatch being the only instance).
  13. If a spellbook catches fire, until it fully burns spells can still be cast. This can be regular fire, as demonstrated by Kanchome, or simply being hit by a spell (even a spell that creates ice). A spell can even be cast to defeat another Mamodo, or to repair the Mamodo (though the spellbook cannot be repaired).
  14. A Mamodo will remain in the human world until its book is destroyed (as seen with the ancient Mamodo, their books were never destroyed and only when they were did they return).
  15. If the book catches fire, the Mamodo will slowly disappear until it returns to the Mamodo World.
  16. If the book catches fire, the flames cannot be extinguished even if they come into contact with water.
  17. Certain spells written in the book can only be cast under certain conditions (shields can only be cast when a Mamodo is being attacked, strongest spells can only be cast when the battle is intense, etc).
  18. A spell can not be cast unless the human is feeling strong emotions.
  19. The winner of the battle’s book will grant one wish to the books owner.
  20. If a Mamodo has a strong bond with its partner, the book can reveal happy memories (As seen with Wonrei before his book was fully burnt).
  21. In one rare instance, a spellbook can be sentient and communicate, by revealing letters written as speech (As seen in Zatch Café with Dauwan Bell).
  22. If a Mamodo and its book was never destroyed and sealed as the result of a sealing spell (such as Goren of the Stone’s Dioga Gorgogeo), and said Mamodo and book remain in the human world for a long period of time (to a point where the human partner passes away), if the Mamodo and book are unsealed, a descendant of that Mamodo’s human partner will be able to read from the book (as seen with the ancient Mamodo after Zofis freed them).
  23. A Mamodo can die, instead of having its book destroyed. Destroying the book only sends the Mamodo back, while dead Mamodo stay dead. This was seen in the manga, in the case of Umagon, where his book needed to be burned to keep him from exhausting himself to death. It was also seen in the anime when Zofis killed a Mamodo that had its book burning.
  24. Neither the Mamodo nor the human partner can destroy the book itself.
  25. It seems that a Mamodo cannot kill its own human partner.
  26. When a spell is properly cast (Chanting the right words, feeling emotions, meeting conditions). The human who casts it, will have an echo effect in their voice once they say the name of the spell. For example: when Kiyo faced Hosakawa and Reycom (bank robbers in the manga) he read Zaker but didn’t meet the emotional requirement, thus his voice didn’t echo. Only when he did it echoed, and cast the spell. Same with Hosakawa, when he first read Gikor he didn’t say it loud with emotion. Only when he did his voice echoed, and the book glowed and cast the spell.
  27. a spell book can sense strong human emotion and glow, even if the human isn’t touching the book. This was seen with Lori and Apollo. When they felt anger Kolulu and Rops’s books glowed from their bags.
  28. a spell will only be available when the letters on the page it’s written on match the color of the book. (For example, even though Kiyo learned how to read Mamodo text. And could read the rest of Zatch’s book. He could only cast a spell that matched the books color. Also even if a spell is colored, it can still be unreadable, as was the case with Tia and Megumi).
  29. as seen in the Maestro filler arc. If a Mamodo is in the in between world and posses a spellbook. That Mamodo can cast their spells without a human partner (even if they already have one, as seen with Brago).
  30. as seen in Zatch Bell 2, a Mamodo spell can be stolen and contained in a glass bottle. If any Mamodo, or human posses said bottle and chants the spell. That spell can be cast without the mamodo it belongs too. Spells can even be enhanced through human world magic techniques.
  31. As seen in Zatch Bell 2. If a page from a Mamodo spell book, is placed in an object resembling a book (or possibly another book). That object will transform into the spellbook the mamodo belongs to. (Kiyo took the page from Zatch’s book Zellie gave him, placed it in a stone book and it transformed into Zatch’s red book, as well as pages from the new book and transformed other stone books into spellbooks and went to their respectable owners) spell books can also reappear without being transformed from an object, as seen with Kanchome, as his spell book simply appears before Folgore.
  32. As seen in Zatch Bell 2. A Mamodo’s spell book can be restored in the Mamodo world. And all Mamodo spell book’s created, are kept in a library in case of an emergency. As described by Gil who claimed to have burned the Mamodo spell books kept in the library. However Kiyo discovered a secret tomb created from the Mamodo world, from past battles. Which contained stone spell books, which could become spell books, if a page from another spell book touched it.
  33. a spell can be cast even if the Mamodo and it’s human partner aren’t directly next to each other. This was shown when Wonrei fought Poosophagus, and Li-En cast the spells behind a steel door. Same with Grisor, as Dr Hakase cast Figar from a different location. And as seen with Riou, as his partner was hiding inside his chest.
  34. as seen in Zatch Bell 2 a spell book can transport Mamodo and their human partners back and forth from the human and Mamodo world. But only when a battle to determine the king is not happening. This was shown when Megumi grabbed Tia’s restored book and was transported to where she was in the Mamodo world. Zatch and Kiyo followed.
  35. A spell book can be burned if a Mamodo takes a lot of damage from a spell. As seen when Bari burned Donpocco’s book with Gigano Zonis, his book and partner were in a different location. Also when Brago used Baber Gravidon on the ancient Mamodo, their books were with their partners were in a different location, and burned when they were hit with the spell.
  36. A Mamodo must hear the spell being chanted in order to cast its spells. As seen with Grisor, when Dr Hakase cast Figar. He spoke it into Grisor’s communicator.

Colors[]

Note: The colors in this list will vary depending on the quality of your monitor. The monitor used to create list has full resolution with full 1080p HD LED screen. This means the colors are as accurate as they can be.

Color Color Name Mamodo(s) HEX# or CSS
Red Zatch Bell Red
Magenta Kikuropu #FF00FF
Pink Kolulu Pink
Red Violet Zofis - Doomu #C71585
Purple Danny Purple
Plum Zami #843179
Lavender Jedun #B57EDC
East Side Fein - Wonrei - Paramakion #B296CF
Deep Purple Babiru #6A039E
Iris Dekofis #5A4FCF
Ultramarine Karura #120A8F
Dark Blue Bari Darkblue
International Klein Blue Ninin #0326A7
Blue Reycom Blue
Azure Rops - Victoream #007FFF
United Nations Blue Furigaro #4B92DB
Dark Blue Gray Dalmos #5C7277
Blue Gray Alm #9CADBA
Light Blue Hyde Lightblue
Light Turquoise Purio #7AF0E4
Turquoise Robnos #40E0D0
Teal Elzador - Fausuto #008080
Green Yopopo - Minorusam - Sugino Green
Dark Green Baltro Darkgreen
Japenese Laurel Gelios #158002
Apple Byonko - Buton #4A8E34
De York Ferius
Olive Dogmos
Olive-Yellow Giriko
Yellow Kanchomé
Gorse Badios
Yumen Gein
Tan Rouge Vipe - Baraho
Light Brown Gofure - Ibaris - Meumutsume - Kamakku
Verdigris Jobin
Hemlock Mukaron
Brown Pokkerio - Zoboron
Jambalaya Ganz - Noumen
Ochre Eshros - Payom
Orange Penny - Ashron
Vermilion Tia - Momon
Peach Torowa
Salmon Ponygon - Bago
Natural Red 9 Denshin
Blood Bay Zurai
Maroon Tsuvai
Carmine Urmuray
Black Brago
Charade Gyaron
Dark Gray Maruss - Gorm - Mirako - Hougan
Gray Kido
Silver Zeno Bell
Light Gray Erujo - Bamu
Clear Clear Note

See also[]

  • Golden Spellbook, a special type of spellbook transformed from any other colored spellbook through determination that either grant the user all of the spells of their supporters (in the manga) or increase the mamodo's strength, speed, and spell power (in the anime).
  • White Spellbook, a special type of spellbook owned by the Black Knight and used by Wiseman that has the power to suppress, absorb, and steal any active spells in the area. Any spellbooks that have all of their unlocked spells stolen/absorbed turns white and becomes unusable.
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