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Dinozaurs facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Not to be confused with Dinosaur.
DinoZone / DinoZaurs
Dinozaur.png
Logo for the English version
Quick facts for kids
ダイノゾーン / ダイノゾーズ
(Dainozōn / Dainozōzu)
Genre Mecha, Action
Original video animation
Dinozone
Directed by Tetsuro Amino
Produced by Eiji Shiori
Written by Tetsuro Amino
Music by Shiro Hamaguchi
Studio Sunrise
Released November 27, 1998 – January 2000
Episodes 5
Anime television series
DinoZaurs: The Series
Directed by Kiyoshi Fukumoto
Produced by Eiji Dojita, Kikiyo Nozaki
Written by Yasuko Kobayashi
Music by Shiro Hamaguchi, Akifumi Tada, Ron Kenan, Shuki Levy, Kusa March
Studio Sunrise
OLM Digital
Saban Entertainment
Licensed by
Network Fuji TV (Limited Broadcast)
English network
Original run July 28, 2000 – November 30, 2000
Episodes 26

DinoZone (also known as DinoZaurs) is a cool Japanese toyline from 1998 by Bandai. It's all about robot dinosaurs! Along with the toys, there were two animated shows made by Sunrise. One was a short 5-episode 3D computer-animated series (called an OVA) that came out between 1998 and 2000. The other was a longer 26-episode TV show called DinoZaurs: The Series, which aired on Fox Kids in the US from July to November 2000.

How DinoZaurs Were Made

DinoZone was created by the toy company Bandai and the animation studio Sunrise. The toys were clear, dinosaur-like robots that could change into a "Progress Mode" robot form. A special feature of the toys was their clear plastic and metal parts, making them look like reconstructed dinosaur fossils. Each toy also came with its own weapon.

The first 5-episode show was released with the toys. Later, in 2000, Bandai teamed up with Saban Entertainment to bring the series to America. They changed the name to Dinozaurs. Sunrise then made a new animated TV series to promote the toys, adding new characters that weren't in the original toyline.

What Is the Story About?

The story of DinoZaurs begins 65 million years ago. Evil aliens called the Dragozaurs came to Earth to steal its life force. To protect itself, Earth turned some prehistoric animals, including dinosaurs, into powerful heroes called the Dino Knights.

Now, in the present day, the Dragozaurs are back to finish what they started. The Dino Knights wake up from their long sleep to stop them and save our planet!

Meet the Characters

There are many exciting characters in DinoZaurs, split into heroes and villains.

Dino Knights: Earth's Protectors

When the Dragozaurs first attacked Earth, the planet transformed special prehistoric animals into the Dino Knights. They usually look like fossils, but they become metallic warriors when they come to life. To power up, they use "Dino Power, Energize!" with their Dino Daggers. Their fossil forms rest in a special place called the Dinotarium.

  • Dino Tyranno Voiced by: Toshiyuki Morikawa (Japanese); Kim Strauss (English)
    He is the brave leader of the Dino Knights. He fights with the Silver Sword. He has a big rivalry with Gigano Dragon. When he gets a power boost, he becomes an Ultimate Dino Knight with the Mega Blade Broad Sword. His dinosaur form is a Tyrannosaurus.
  • Dino Brachio Voiced by: Tesshō Genda (Japanese); Tom Wyner (English)
    The second-in-command, Dino Brachio is the biggest, oldest, and wisest of the Dino Knights. He prefers peaceful solutions. He uses the Axe of Valor. His dinosaur form is a Brachiosaurus.
  • Dino Tricera Voiced by: Shō Hayami (Japanese); Joey Camen (English)
    He wields the Tricera Spears of Jade. He can also become an Ultimate Dino Knight with the Triple-Threat Halberd. He loves fighting the Dragozaurs. His dinosaur form is a Triceratops.
  • Dino Stego Voiced by: Hōchū Ōtsuka (Japanese); Peter Lurie (English)
    The "tough guy" of the group, Dino Stego loves to fight. His special move is the Stego Skeletal Revolution, where his chest spins to dizzy enemies. His dinosaur form is a Stegosaurus.
  • Dino Sabre Voiced by: Kenji Nojima (Japanese); Doug Erholtz (English)
    One of the youngest Dino Knights, he enjoys battling the Dragozaurs. He uses the Saber Wailing Whip. His prehistoric mammal form is a Smilodon.
  • Dino Ptera Voiced by: Hideo Ishikawa (Japanese); Lenore Zann (most episodes), Philece Sampler (in "For the Earth") (English)
    One of the few female Dino Knights, she's great at aerial battles and often fights Drago Wing. She attacks with the Ptera Bristle Boomerang. Her pterosaur form is a Pteranodon.
  • Dino Mammoth Voiced by: Hiroomi Sugino (Japanese); Beau Billingslea (English)
    A smart and capable Dino Knight. He wields the Mammoth Tusks of Vigor. His prehistoric mammal form is a Mammoth.

Cerazaur Brothers

These three Dino Knights were found by Rick. They can combine to form Dino Triblades, a giant Dino Knight who uses the Triple Fossil Star Sword.

  • Dino Centro Voiced by: Kōsuke Toriumi (Japanese); Wally Wingert (English)
    A Centrosaurus who wields the Fossil Sun Sword. He forms one of Dino Triblades' arms.
  • Dino Toro Voiced by: Katsuya Shiga (Japanese); Daran Norris (English)
    A Torosaurus who wields the Fossil Moon Sword. He forms one of Dino Triblades' arms.
  • Dino Styraco Voiced by: Yasunori Matsumoto (Japanese); Richard Epcar (English)
    Centro and Toro's older brother, a Styracosaurus. He uses the Styraco Sword of Stealth and forms the head, body, and legs of Dino Triblades.

Dino Weapons

These Dino Knights can transform into powerful weapons that other Dino Knights can use.

  • Dino Arch Voiced by: Takehiro Murozono
    An Archelon who becomes the Arch Bone Shield. He later falls in love with Dino Icthyo.

Other Dino Knights

  • Dino Icthyo Voiced by: Miki Yoshino (Japanese); Wendee Lee (English)
    Also called "Theo," she is a female Dino Knight and the last one found. Her form is an Ichthyosaurus. She uses the Trident of the Tides and can fight underwater.
  • Dino Rhamph
    A legendary and powerful Dino Knight, sometimes called the Phoenix. He cannot be destroyed and protects Earth when needed. His pterosaur form is a Rhamphorhynchus.

Dragozaurs: The Alien Invaders

The Dragozaurs are an alien race who are the bad guys. They drain planets of their life force, leaving them empty and ruined.

  • Diamond Ryugu Voiced by: Ikuya Sawaki (Japanese); Catherine Battistone (English)
    The mysterious leader of the Dragozaurs. Only her eyes and voice are seen. She devours life force to become stronger. Her dinosaur form is an Ankylosaurus.
  • Gigano Dragon Voiced by: Tomomichi Nishimura (Japanese); Bob Papenbrook (English)
    Dino Tyranno's main rival. He has a blade on his left arm. His creature form is a Chinese dragon. He cares more about fighting Tyranno than Diamond Ryugu's plans.
  • Drago Wing Voiced by: Masato Hirano (Japanese); Steven Blum (English)
    The field commander who can drain life force from opponents. His animal form is a prehistoric bat. He is sneaky and often insulted by others.
  • Dark Dragon Voiced by: Daran Norris
    A powerful Dragozaur wizard and an old enemy of the Dino Knights. He can change into a European dragon with a blade on his wrist. He is very smart and uses tricks.
  • Dragozaur Army Forces Voiced by: Michael Sorich, David Lodge
    These are the regular foot soldiers, shaped like Tyrannosaurus, Triceratops, and Pteranodon. They cannot change into warrior forms.

Drago Clones

These are evil copies of the Dino Knights, created by Diamond Ryugu using a Dark Crystal.

  • Drago Tyran Voiced by: Kōji Ishii (Japanese); Dan Woren (English)
    The Dragozaur version of Dino Tyranno and leader of the Drago Clones.
  • Drago Ceratops Voiced by: David Lodge
    The Dragozaur version of Dino Tricera.
  • Drago Brachio Voiced by: Kazuhiko Nishimatsu (Japanese); Tom Wyner (English)
    The Dragozaur version of Dino Brachio.
  • Drago Stego Voiced by: Kerrigan Mahan
    The Dragozaur version of Dino Stego.
  • Drago Ptera Voiced by: Ikuya Sawaki (Japanese); Philece Sampler (English)
    The Dragozaur version of Dino Ptera.
  • Drago Sabre
    The Dragozaur version of Dino Sabre.
  • Drago Mammoth
    The Dragozaur version of Dino Mammoth.

Other Dragozaurs

  • Supersaurus skeleton
    A giant skeleton that Dark Dragon brings to life to cause trouble. It can drain the Dino Knights' life force.

Humans: The Dino Knights' Allies

  • Kaito Voiced by: Sayaka Aida (Japanese); Jason Spisak (English)
    A teenager who becomes an ally to the Dino Knights. He has one of the three Dino Daggers that restore the Dino Knights' strength.
  • Rena Voiced by: Philece Sampler
    Kaito's friend who shares his secret about the Dino Knights. She has the second Dino Dagger.
  • Rick Voiced by: Michael Lindsay
    A cowboy who protects two fossils that turn out to be two of the Cerazaur Brothers. He has the third Dino Dagger.
  • Max Voiced by: Doug Erholtz
    A bully who tries to prove that dinosaurs are real.
  • Naomi Abram Voiced by: Miyuki Matsushita (Japanese); Mona Marshall (English)
    A tour guide at the Dinotarium who often sees the Dino Knights but thinks she's dreaming.
  • Dr. Abbott Voiced by: Bob Joles
    The manager of the Dinotarium, who always tells Naomi she needs a vacation.
  • Helen Voiced by: Peggy O'Neal
    The princess of Atlantis, who helps Kaito and Rena.

Exciting Episodes

The DinoZaurs TV series has 26 episodes filled with action and adventure. Here are some of them:

  • Dino Knights Revived
    The Dragozaurs arrive on Earth, and Kaito discovers that the museum fossils are actually the Dino Knights, who awaken to fight.
  • The Dino Daggers of Friendship
    Gigano Dragon returns to challenge Dino Tyranno. Kaito and Rena find the Dino Daggers, which are vital power sources for the Dino Knights.
  • Everything's Relative
    Dino Sabre and Dino Tricera travel to Africa with Kaito and Rena to find relatives, but they encounter Dragozaurs draining water.
  • Save Dino Ptera
    Drago Wing plants a device to drain Earth's life force, and Dino Ptera is affected, forcing the Dino Knights to recharge her.
  • A New Friend
    Dino Tyranno, Kaito, and Rena go to New Mexico and find two Cerazaur Brothers, Toro and Centro, needing Rick's Dino Dagger to awaken.
  • The Master Swordsman Triblades
    Rick helps Toro and Centro find their third brother, Styraco, so the three can combine into the mighty Dino Triblades.
  • Battle of the Drago Clones
    Diamond Ryugu creates evil Drago Clones to attack the Dino Knights, who must overcome their fears to fight back.
  • Their Name is Dino Weapons
    Kaito, Rena, and others travel to a volcanic island where they discover the Dino Weapons, who are caught by a greedy man named Gomez.
  • The Legend of Dino Ramph Part 1
    Kaito dreams of Dino Ramph, a powerful creature, as Gigano Dragon attacks and Diamond Ryugu herself approaches the South Pole.
  • The Legend of Dino Ramph Part 2
    The Dino Knights try to hold off the Dragozaurs in the Antarctic as Diamond Ryugu drains Earth's life force, and the kids must awaken Dino Ramph.
  • A New Shadow
    Diamond Ryugu summons the powerful Dark Dragon to destroy the Dino Knights, setting a trap for Kaito and Rena.
  • Keep the Faith
    Dino Tyranno and Dino Tricera are hurt, and only Dino Ramph can save them. The kids search for him while other Dino Knights fight Dark Dragon.
  • Welcome Back Theo
    Kaito, Taki, and Rena are swept into an underwater city, Atlantis, where they must revive its guardian, Dino Icthyo, to stop the Drago Clones.
  • The Ninja Castle in the Sky
    The Drago Clones build a ninja castle to trap Rick and target Dino Styraco, forcing Rick to stop them.
  • Supersaurus' Great Strength
    Dark Dragon takes control of a Supersaurus skeleton that drains the Dino Knights' life force, making it hard for Tyranno to fight.
  • Gigano Strikes Back
    A dragon fossil is found, recognized as Gigano Dragon. Dark Dragon steals it to revive Gigano for a final battle with Dino Tyranno.
  • For the Earth
    Diamond Ryugu plans to drain all of Earth's life force. Kaito, Rena, and Rick must free Dino Ramph while the Dino Knights fight a final battle.

DinoZaurs on Screen

The OVA Series

The original toyline first had a five-episode OVA (Original Video Animation) series. The first four episodes came with the toys on VHS. The very last episode was a special gift for subscribers of Televi Magazine and Comic Bom Bom. It was directed and written by Tetsuro Amino.

The Anime TV Series

A longer anime TV series, called DinoZaurs: The Series, was made based on the American version of the toyline. It was produced by Sunrise, OLM Digital, and Saban Entertainment. It aired in North America on Fox Kids (US) and YTV (Canada) from July to December 2000. Kiyoshi Fukumoto directed it, and Yasuko Kobayashi wrote the story. The music was created by several composers, including Shirou Hamaguchi. In the English version, all the original music and sound effects were replaced with new ones made in America.

The rights for the English version of DinoZaurs: The Series were first held by Saban Entertainment. Now, Disney Enterprises owns them, after Disney bought Fox Family/Fox Kids Worldwide in 2001. However, there are no plans to release the English version of Dinozaurs on DVD.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: DinoZaurs para niños

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