Flint the Time Detective facts for kids

Flint the Time Detective
Show logo featuring the main characters of the anime.
Quick facts for kids 時空探偵ゲンシクン (Jikū Tantei Genshi-kun)
Anime television series
Directed by	Hiroshi Fukutomi
Written by	Fumihiko Shimo Hideki Sonoda Junko Okazaki Ritsuko Hayasaka
Music by	Tadashi Namba Toshio Masuda
Studio	Group TAC
Licensed by	NA Saban Entertainment (Expired) The Walt Disney Company
Network	TV Tokyo
English network	SG Kids Central UK BBC2 US Fox Kids, Fox Family
Original run	1 October 1998 – 24 June 1999
Episodes	39
Manga
Jikū Tantei Genshi-kun
Written by	Hideki Sonoda Akira Yamauchi
Published by	Kodansha
Demographic	Children, Shōnen
Magazine	Comic Bom Bom
Original run	1999 – 2000
Volumes	1

Flint the Time Detective is an exciting Japanese animated TV show. In Japan, it's known as Jikū Tantei Genshi-kun (時空探偵ゲンシクン, Space-Time Detective Genshi-kun). Hiroshi Fukutomi directed the series.

The show is based on a manga (Japanese comic book) created by Hideki Sonoda and Akira Yamauchi. It was first published by Bros. Comics. Another manga was also made to help promote the anime. The TV show aired in Japan from 1998 to 1999 and had 39 episodes.

In the United States, Flint the Time Detective was shown on Fox Kids from March to November 2000. Later, reruns were seen on Fox Family. The series also aired in the Philippines and was dubbed into Filipino language.

Sanrio, the company famous for Hello Kitty, owns the rights to Flint the Time Detective in Japan.

What is Flint the Time Detective About?

The story follows the adventures of Flint Hammerhead. He is a boy from the prehistoric era. Flint was brought back to life from a fossil and became a Time Detective. However, he isn't always the best detective!

Most of the clever thinking is done by Flint's friends, Sarah and Tony Goodman. They are twins from the 25th century who join him on his journeys. Flint is strong in battles. He uses his father, Rocky Hammerhead, as a special stone axe. Rocky was also fossilized but came back as a talking rock with a face. He helps Flint as a weapon and gives advice during fights.

Flint's job is to travel back in time. He needs to find special creatures called Time Shifters. These cute creatures are scattered across history. Flint must convince them to join him to protect the timeline.

He often fights against Petra Fina and her helpers, Dino and Mite. They work for the evil Dark Lord. The Dark Lord wants to use the Time Shifters' powers. He plans to take over the Land of Time, which is where these creatures live.

Time Shifters are usually small and cute. But they can "shape-shift" into stronger forms for a short time. They have two main forms:

• Con form: This is an evil form. It's caused by the Dark Lord's magic, like the Petra Stamp.
• Master form: This is a good form. Flint and his team help the Time Shifters transform into this powerful version.

Meet the Characters

Our Heroes

• Flint Hammerhead (voiced by Yukiji in Japanese, R. Martin Klein in English): The main character. Flint is a strong caveboy. He was fossilized by Petra Fina. Dr. Bernard Goodman's technology brought him back to life. He then became a Time Police member. He gets weak when he's hungry.
• Sarah Goodman (voiced by Nana Mizuki in Japanese, Tifanie Christun in English): A smart girl from the 25th century. She is Dr. Goodman's niece and Tony's twin sister. Sarah helps Flint on his missions.
• Tony Goodman (voiced by Chiaki Morita in Japanese, Brian Donovan in English): Sarah's twin brother from the 25th century. He also helps Flint on his adventures.
• Dr. Bernard Goodman (voiced by Masamichi Satō in Japanese, Richard Cansino in English): Sarah and Tony's uncle. He is a scientist who brought Flint and Getalong back to life. He sends Time Shifters to help Flint.
• Rocky Hammerhead (voiced by Fumihiko Tachiki in Japanese, Bob Papenbrook in English): Flint's caveman father. He was fossilized with Flint. Dr. Goodman turned him into a high-tech stone axe for Flint. Rocky can fossilize or de-fossilize things. He also gives Flint advice.
• Pterry (voiced by Chinami Nishimura in Japanese, Greg Berg in English): A small robot Pteranodon. Pterry goes with Flint on missions. Pterry has a "Memory Beam Erase Mode" that makes people forget meeting Flint and his friends. In the Japanese version, Pterry is female.
• Jillian Gray (voiced by Mami Nakajima in Japanese, Mari Devon in English): The chief of the Time Police. She sends Flint on his missions. Dr. Bernard Goodman has a crush on her.
• Merlock Holmes (voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi in Japanese, Dave Mallow in English): A Time Police member who is part vampire. He has a crush on Sarah. He has super strength and can put people in a trance. He can also transform into a "Bat-Kyoichiro" form.
• Old Timer (voiced by Katsumi Suzuki in Japanese, Kim Strauss in English): A wise man who manages the Land of Time. He watches Flint's adventures while riding a floating pig.

The Villains

• Dark Lord (voiced by Toshiyuki Morikawa in Japanese, Tom Wyner in English): Petra Fina's boss and a main villain. He lives in the Land of Dread. He wears a mask that gives him power. He scattered the Time Shifters across time. His true form is revealed when his mask is knocked off.
• Petra Fina (voiced by Yumi Touma in Japanese, Barbara Goodson and Laura Summer in English): A main villain. She is wanted by the Time Police for messing with time. She used to be a nice girl but ran away from home. She works for the Dark Lord. When not on missions, she pretends to be Ms. Iknow, a strict teacher.
• Dino (voiced by Yuji Ueda in Japanese, Lex Lang in English): An experimental eel turned humanoid by Petra Fina. He is one of her helpers. He pretends to be Mr. Dino, a teacher.
• Mite (voiced by Chafurin in Japanese, David Lodge in English): An experimental frog turned humanoid by Petra Fina. He is another one of her helpers. He pretends to be Principal Mite.

The Great Four

The Great Four are the Dark Lord's own Time Shifters. They were created from flowers. They can also transform into powerful forms.

• Super Ninja (voiced by Wataru Takagi in Japanese, Tom Fahn in English): An Oriental warrior who fights with a staff. He is patterned after the Nio.
• Uglinator (voiced by Takuma Suzuki in Japanese, Joe Ochman in English): A skull-like imp. He can head-butt Time Shifters to make Petra Fina control them. He can also possess people.
• Nascal (voiced by Sachiko Sugawara in Japanese, Joe Ochman in English): A bird-like creature that can teleport. In the English version, Nascal is male.
• Ominito (voiced by Mitsuo Iwata in Japanese, Michael Sorich in English): A mushroom-type creature. He uses video game-like attacks.

Time Shifters

Time Shifters (時空モンスター, Jikū Monsutā, Space-Time Monster) are special creatures. They helped the Old Timer manage the Land of Time. But the Dark Lord scattered most of them across time and space. Each Time Shifter has unique powers. They can transform into "Con forms" (bad transformations) or "Master forms" (super transformations).

• Getalong (voiced by Mayuko Omimura in Japanese, Mona Marshall in English): A penguin and egg-shaped Time Shifter. She has a "love beam" that makes people get along. She was found in the Stone Age. Getalong is the only Shifter who stays with Flint at the end of the series.
• Jitterbug (voiced by Philece Sampler in English): A Dogū-type Time Shifter who makes people dance. Found in 2nd century AD Japan.
• Eldora (voiced by Melodee Spevack in English): A winged snake-type Time Shifter. She can turn anything into gold. Found in 16th century Latin America.
• Talen (voiced by Laura Summer in English): A shy, fox-like Time Shifter. She can enter any storybook. Found in Edo-era Japan with Murasaki Shikibu.
• Mosbee (voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi in Japanese, Brianne Siddall in English): An elephant head-type Time Shifter. He can freeze anything. Mosbee is Dipper's brother. Found in 1812 Russia.
• Coconaut (voiced by Dave Mallow in English): A Time Shifter who senses weather patterns. He can only say if something is right or wrong. Found by Christopher Columbus in 1492 AD.
• Bubblegum (voiced by Doug Erholtz in English): A Time Shifter that shoots bubbles. Found in Edo-era Japan with Oda Nobunaga.
• Lynx (voiced by Michael Sorich in English): A Sphinx-type Time Shifter who is good at riddles. Found in Ancient Egypt.
• Artie (voiced by Melodee Spevack in English): A bird-like Time Shifter. He can bring drawings to life. Found by a young Auguste Rodin.
• Batterball (voiced by Derek Stephen Prince in English): A baseball-themed Time Shifter. He can turn anything into a baseball. Found by Babe Ruth in 1906.
• Bindi (voiced by Rika Wakusawa in Japanese, Melissa Fahn in English): An Ammonite-like Time Shifter. She can give or take life force. She becomes Merlock's partner. Found in Transylvania by Vlad the Impaler.
• Elfin (voiced by Kim Strauss in English): A Santa Claus-themed Time Shifter. He can turn anything into a toy. Found in 1651 in Paris, France.
• Cardian (voiced by Bob Papenbrook, Richard Cansino, Greg Berg, Mona Marshall in English): A group of playing card-themed Time Shifters. They can merge into one powerful form. Found in 2000 during Dr. Goodman's teenage years.
• Plumella (voiced by Tifanie Christun in English): A squirrel-like Time Shifter. She can trap anyone in their self-portraits. Found in the time of Leonardo da Vinci.
• Wing (voiced by Anna Garduno in English): A propeller monoplane/bird-like Time Shifter. He can put wings on anyone. Found with the young Wright brothers.
• Moah: A Moai-type Time Shifter. He is the biggest of the Shifters. He can shoot magma and cause volcanic eruptions. Found on Easter Island.
• Elekin (voiced by Derek Stephen Prince in English): An Elekiter-type Time Shifter with power over electricity. Found in Edo-era Japan with Hiraga Gennai.
• Muscles: A Time Shifter who looks like a dumbbell. He can make anyone strong by touching them. Found in Ancient Greece.
• Unita (voiced by Joshua Seth in English): A telepathic Time Shifter who looks like a winged unicorn. He is the Old Timer's helper. Found in the Grand Canyon.
• Raldo (voiced by Asami Nakajima in Japanese, Richard Cansino in English): A turtle-like Time Shifter. He can trap anyone in his shell. Found in Petra Fina's childhood.
• Leafy (voiced by Tom Fahn in English): A Time Shifter with power over plants. Found in the time of young King Arthur.
• Monk (voiced by Brian Donovan in English): A Time Shifter who collects weapons and is an expert samurai. He helped Saito Musashibo Benkei.
• Nightcap: A tapir-type Time Shifter that helps people sleep. Found by Hans Christian Andersen.
• Musey (voiced by Wendee Lee in English): A Time Shifter resembling an eighth note. He recognizes beautiful music and can use it to affect emotions. Found with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and a young Ludwig van Beethoven.
• Change (voiced by Steve Blum in English): A Time Shifter that looks like a walking purse. He can hypnotize people with wealth and make money. Found in Edo-era Japan.
• Bugsy: A caterpillar-type Time Shifter. He can turn anyone into an insect by looking through his magnifying glass. Found in the period of a young Jean Henri Fabre.
• Dipper (voiced by Wendee Lee in English): An elephant-type Time Shifter and Mosbee's brother. He can locate water. Found by Marco Polo.
• Knuckle (voiced by Kirk Thornton in English): A Chinese dragon-like Time Shifter. He is an expert in martial arts. Found in Hong Kong in 1972.
• Doron (voiced by Brianne Siddall in English): A pumpkin-headed ghost-like Time Shifter. He can scare people. Found in the time of Thomas Edison.
• Shadow: A fox-like Time Shifter. He can make shadow clones of anyone. Found by a cowardly Miyamoto Musashi.
• Orbit (voiced by Wendee Lee in English): A star-type Time Shifter with the power of encouragement. She is the only missing Time Shifter not found in a specific time period.
• Wolfen: A wolf-type Time Shifter. He can walk on air and likes Getalong. He only appears in the Bom Bom comics promo manga.
• Haniwani: A crocodile-like Time Shifter. He can eat anything. He was the very first Time Shifter in the original Bros. Comics.
• Hanasaka: A Time Shifter with the appearance of a dead tree stump. His powers are similar to Leafy's.
• Gagaga: A Time Shifter that looks like a giant stone imp.

Episodes of Flint the Time Detective

The series has 39 episodes in total. Here are some of the first adventures:

English Version Changes

The English version of Flint the Time Detective was made by Saban Entertainment. It has some differences from the original Japanese show:

• All the original Japanese music and sound effects were replaced with new American ones.
• Character names and some places were changed to be more familiar to American audiences. For example, Flint says they are from the USA.
• The gender of some characters, like Pterry, was changed.
• Some parts of episodes were cut, and new scenes were added.
• There were only small changes to the artwork, like Dr. Bernard Goodman's lab.

Manga (Comic Books)

There were two different manga series for Flint the Time Detective:

Bros. Comics

This was the original manga series, released in 3 volumes. It had some early ideas and concepts that didn't make it into the anime.

Bom Bom Comics

This manga had 6 chapters and was made to promote the anime. It told a slightly different version of the story. For example, it showed how Flint first met Getalong and how Merlock became friends with Flint.

Theme Songs

Openings

• "Power Nakimochi" (The Power of Feelings)

Endings

• "Moshimo..." (If...) (Episodes 1-14)
• "Kirakira" (Glitter) (Episodes 15-26)
• "Boku no Shirushi" (My Sign) (Episodes 27-38)
• "Jikū no Kanata He" (Beyond the Time and Space) (Episode 39)

Voice Actors

Japanese Voice Cast

• Yukiji as Genshi-kun
• Nana Mizuki as Sora Yamato
• Chiaki Morita as Tokio Yamato
• Chinami Nishimura as Puu-chan
• Katsumi Suzuki as Time-G
• Kappei Yamaguchi as Kyoichiro Narugami
• Yumi Touma as T.P. Lady/Hitomi Aino
• Toshiyuki Morikawa as Masked Man/Dark Lord
• Wataru Takagi as Nioja
• Sachiko Sugawara as Nascal
• Mitsuo Iwata as Gera
• Takuma Suzuki as Desudasu

English Voice Cast

• R. Martin Klein - Flint Hammerhead
• Bob Papenbrook - Rocky Hammerhead, Blademan of The Cardians
• Greg Berg - Pterry, Arrowman of the Cardians
• Steve Blum - Change, Hans Christian Andersen (ep. 27)
• Richard Cansino - Bernard Goodman, Thud of the Cardians, Raldo
• Tifanie Christun - Sarah Goodman, Plumella
• Brian Donovan - Tony Goodman, Monk
• Mari Devon - Jillian Gray
• Doug Erholtz - Merlock Holmes, Bubblegum, Lucas (ep. 3), Auguste Rodin (ep. 9)
• Melissa Fahn - Bindi
• Tom Fahn - Leafy, Hiraga Gennai (ep. 20), Super Ninja
• Anna Garduno - Wing
• Barbara Goodson - Petra Fina Dagmar/Ms. Iknow
• Lex Lang - Dino/Mr. Dino
• David Lodge - Mite/Principal Mite
• Wendee Lee - Dipper, Orbit, Nashimi (ep. 2)
• Dave Mallow - Coconaut
• Mona Marshall - Getalong, Snapper of The Cardians
• Joe Ochman - Nascal, Uglinator
• Derek Stephen Prince - Batterball, Elekin, Young Orville Wright (ep. 17), Jean Henri Fabre (ep. 30)
• Philece Sampler - Jitterbug, Queen Himiko (ep. 2)
• Joshua Seth - Unita (Basic Form)
• Brianne Siddall - Mosbee, Doron
• Michael Sorich - Lynx, Ominito, Young Babe Ruth (ep. 11)
• Melodee Spevack - Eldora, Artie
• Kim Strauss - The Old Timer, Elfin
• Laura Summer - Talen, Young Petra Fina (ep. 24)
• Kirk Thornton - Knuckle
• Tom Wyner - Dark Lord

Additional Voices

• Michael Lindsay - Young Wilbur Right (ep. 17), Thomas Edison (ep. 34)
• Colleen O'Shaughnessey - Murasaki Shikibu (ep. 4)
• Michael Reisz - Bruce Lee (ep. 33)
• Dave Wittenberg - Young King Arthur (ep. 25), Marco Polo (ep. 31)

Crew

English Crew

• Richard Epcar - Voice Director
• Mary Elizabeth McGlynn - Voice Director
• Michael Sorich - Voice Director

• - Enoki Films USA

See also

In Spanish: Flint the Time Detective para niños