BattleTech: The Animated Series facts for kids
Quick facts for kids BattleTech |
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Title card to the series.
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| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 13, plus one special |
| Production | |
| Running time | 23 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Saban Entertainment Worldwide Sports and Entertainment |
| Distributor | Saban International |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fox |
| Original release | September 10 – December 10, 1994 |
BattleTech is an exciting animated TV show that came out in 1994. It's based on the popular BattleTech fictional universe, which is full of giant robots called BattleMechs! The show was made by Saban Entertainment and ran for 13 episodes, plus a special. It tells the story of Adam Steiner, a brave military officer in the far future. He fights to free his home planet from a powerful group of invaders.
This series was special because it mixed different animation styles. It used computer animation for the big action-packed battle scenes. For most other scenes, it used traditional animation.
Contents
The Story of BattleTech
The story of BattleTech takes place in the year 3050. This is a time when the "Inner Sphere," a huge area of space with many human-settled planets, faces a new threat. A strong group called the Clans suddenly invades. One of the planets they attack is Somerset, a small world in the Federated Commonwealth.
Far away, on the planet Tharkad, Major Adam Steiner learns about the attack on his home planet, Somerset. He also finds out that his brother, Andrew, is missing there. Adam is a teacher at a military school called the Nagelring Military Academy. He uses his connections to get permission to put together a team. Their mission is to learn about the Clans and, if they can, free Somerset.
Adam's team gets an old JumpShip called the Katana. This ship was recently taken from the Draconis Combine because it was used for smuggling. The first few episodes show Adam gathering his team. They have to learn to work together, especially the Draconis JumpShip crew and the Federated Commonwealth soldiers. They also gather important information about the Clans and their advanced technology.
After some successful missions, Steiner's team gets BattleMechs that have been improved with stolen Clan technology. They start attacking the Clans. Their biggest mission is a special duel called a "Trial of Possession" for the planet Somerset. Adam Steiner wins this duel. However, the Clan commander follows the rules exactly. He gives Steiner the planet but keeps all the people of Somerset as prisoners. The series ends with Adam Steiner promising to rescue his people.
Meet the Characters
The show features many interesting characters, both heroes and villains.
The 1st Somerset Strikers
These are the heroes who fight to free Somerset.
- Adam Steiner – He's the main hero and a skilled pilot. Adam teaches at a military academy and is from Somerset. He believes in using different fighting styles and training in many areas. He's great at planning battles and piloting BattleMechs. He can also fly aerospace fighters. After the show, Adam becomes a very important general. He pilots powerful 'Mechs like the Axman and Awesome.
- Rachel Specter – She is Adam's second-in-command and a close friend. Rachel is an expert in electronics and communication. She helps coordinate the team's actions during battles.
- Katiara Kylie – Katiara is also from Somerset. She didn't do well in Adam's training at first, but she still managed to join the team. She's not great with BattleMechs, but she's an amazing aerospace fighter pilot. She pilots a Banshee aerospace fighter and special BattleArmor.
- Ciro Ramirez – Ciro comes from a famous family of MechWarriors. He's a skilled pilot but very stuck in his ways. Early in the series, Clan forces capture Ciro. He eventually starts to like their way of life and joins Clan Jade Falcon. He then fights against his old teammates. Ciro pilots Wolfhound and Timber Wolf 'Mechs.
- Zachary Miles "Hawk" Hawkins – Hawk is an experienced MechWarrior who works with intelligence. He captured the Draconis Combine JumpShip. He then finds himself working under Adam's command. At first, he doesn't trust the Combine crew or Adam. But he eventually learns to respect Adam's skills and leadership. Hawk pilots a Mauler 'Mech.
- Valten Ryder – Val is a bit of a troublemaker MechWarrior. The Strikers hire him on a planet called Dustball. He worked for a local crime boss to get his father's Centurion BattleMech back. Val often looks out for himself, but he is surprisingly loyal to his friends. He pilots Centurion and Bushwacker 'Mechs.
- Franklin Sakamoto – Franklin used to be a smuggler. He learns to trust Adam and becomes a very valuable member of the Strikers. He even saves a prince from being attacked! Franklin is the first Inner Sphere BattleArmor trooper to destroy a Clan BattleMech. He later finds out he is the secret son of Theodore Kurita, the ruler of the Combine. He gets caught up in a plot against his will but returns to the Strikers. After his time with the Strikers, he is recognized by his father and joins an elite unit. Franklin pilots Sloth BattleArmor and Awesome and Hatamoto-Chi 'Mechs. He has also flown the Banshee Aerospace fighter.
The Clan Jade Falcon Warriors
These are some of the main enemies from the Clans.
- Nicolai Malthus – He is a Star Colonel and leader of an elite unit called the Falcon's Claws. He is very tough in battle and often acts arrogant. He becomes obsessed with defeating Adam Steiner. Malthus pilots a Summoner Omnimech.
- Kristen Redmond – She is also a Star Colonel and Malthus's main rival. She commands the Black Vision cluster. Kristen pilots a Mad Dog Prime Omnimech.
- Pytor – Pytor is a Star Commander. At 37, he is considered old by many younger Clan warriors. Because of this, he often gets less important jobs. He pilots a Hunchback IIC battlemech.
- Vandervahn Chistu – He is a Galaxy Commander and Nicolai Malthus's boss. He is one of the few people who can control Malthus. He gets more and more annoyed with Malthus's reckless actions.
- Natalya – She is a Star Commander in the Falcons Claws. Natalya is an Elemental, which means she is a genetically-engineered infantry soldier. She is very loyal to Nicolai Malthus. She pilots an Elemental battle armor suit.
Episode Guide
Here are the episodes of the BattleTech TV series:
- The Gathering Storm (September 10, 1994)
- Well Bargained and Done
- Warriors of Light and Steel
- Retribution
- Trade Secrets
- No Guts, No Galaxy (note: This episode uses clips from previous episodes)
- Protect and Survive
- In the Belly of the Beast
- Bound by Honor
- Road to Camelot
- Enemy of My Enemy
- Shadow Heir
- Homecoming
- Trial of Possession
Intro
Every episode starts with Adam Steiner's voice explaining the situation:
"This is the Inner Sphere - thousands of planets colonized by humankind. It used to be united, but for the last three hundred years, it has been consumed by savage wars. Until a new enemy appeared - mysterious invaders known as "The Clans". Powerful and ruthless, they struck like lightning, attacking every sector at once! But they made one big mistake - they attacked my home planet! Now, in the spirit of the Star League, ancient enemies have reunited! And we're gonna take back our galaxy!"
Learn More About BattleTech
In 1995, a company called FASA published a book called 1st Somerset Strikers. This book was a sourcebook that went along with the animated series. A sourcebook gives extra information and details about a fictional world. This book helped viewers understand more about the BattleTech universe. It also gave stats and ideas for playing the BattleTech wargaming products, like BattleTech and MechWarrior. The book also summarized all 13 episodes and tried to explain how the TV show fit with the main BattleTech story, called the canon.
