Thursday, October 2, 2008

Zentrix

Zentrix is a - TV series directed by Tony Tong and Felix Ip under the Hong Kong based company Imagi Animation Studios. The original story was written by Tony Tang, Benny Chow, Felix Ip and Francis Kao.

Synopsis





The series is set in Zentrix City, a seemingly "perfect" city. Emperor Jarad is a respected scientist who created a super-computer called OmnicronPsy, which manages all of the city's higher and day-to-day functions, controlling a wide variety of machines and robots, allowing humankind to live a seemingly "perfect" life.

However, OmnicronPsy, using its super-intelligence, decides that it would make a better ruler than Jarad, and breaks his coding that stops him from revolting. Discovering this, Jarad and the scientist Dr. Roark plan to head back in time 7 years to stop the revolt from ever happening. To do this they plan to shut down the six Zentrium chips that power OmnicronPsy. First however, Jarad takes precautions and develops two fighting robots - Zeus and Quantum. Zeus is then chosen over Quantum as the protector of his daughter, Princess Megan, should his mission in time fail. Following this, Jarad and Roark head back in time.

Princess Megan notices the disappearance of her father, and upon entering his study, she discovers a message. Megan then tries to get the Time Machine working. At the same time, OmnicronPsy has cracked the code and sends two robot guards to kill her. The find her just as she activates the time machine and open fire - damaging the time machine and altering Megan's body to that of an eight-year old.

Awakening in a junkyard, Megan discovers her protector Zeus hidden inside a tower. Unfortunately, OmnicronPsy's forces manage to activate the time machine, and they head back in time to hunt her down, leading Megan to find the six hidden Zentrium chips. Along the way she makes new friends, including Nick, his adoptive father Dr. Coy, and Nick's foster sister Akina, as well as Zeus's 'brother' Quantum, who is trying to do the right thing in the fight against OmnicronPsy.

Characters



* - The last hope for stopping OmnicronPsy, Princess Megan goes back in time 7 years. Unfortunately, due to an accident with the Time Machine she is reverted to a 8 year old. She journeys with Zeus, Mango and Nick to locate and shut down the six Zentrium chips that power OmnicronPsy.
* - A Micro-saur, and faithful pet to Princess Megan. He was given to her as a baby when she was 7 years old. Megan is the only person capable of understanding Mango. He is bright orange, with orange eyes, green hair and two small wings on his back.
* - A robot created by Emperor Jarad and Dr. Roark to assist Megan through her adventure. Created alongside Quantum, the two are considered brothers. Hidden in the Junkyard, Megan finds him sealed inside a tower. Originally starting in a locked mode with no forms of attack, Zeus eventually enters Complete Mode. He also has a Fighter Mode and a Golden Mode.
* - A junior scientist, Nick is the adopted son of Dr Coy, making Akina his foster sister . He has a pet bird name TZ.
* - Zeus' "brother", a robot also cerated by Emperor Jarad, and Dr. Roark.
* - A super-computer created to provide human kind with a seemingly perfect lifestyle, until it rebels and attempts to take over the world. Megan and her friends are trying to shut OmnicronPsy down by finding all of the Zentrium chips that power it.

Cast




Theme songs


The theme song in Hong Kong was performed by Fiona Sit. In Japan the theme song is called ''"Change the future"'' performed by B'z.

{|class="wikitable"
! width=50% | Chinese Lyrics
! width=50% | English Lyrics
|-
|冒險始於現在 明天都可重來
我信世界會更改

就由我 集合你的愛

時空再大 能獲勝可一都可再



一息間 一種空間 決策得一個

我與過去那個我 在幻境中拔河

時空穿越了多少交錯

可 想法子扭轉結果



* 冒險始於現在 明天都可重來

我信世界會更改

用人性 與惡魔比賽

應付不來 升級腦袋



為今天的禍害 人的心都回來

天地也都感概

就由我 集合你的愛

時空再大 能獲勝都只因為愛*



這天空 這一分鐘 誰人都經過

欠缺你 這個世界 命運差之銀河

時空消逝最驚險不過

可 結伴去改寫更多



你 錯失的不可再難過

有膽識請跟著我

從歷史之手挽回我 智慧的寶座

REPEAT*
||


Adventures start now. Tomorrow will return.

I believe the world will improve.

Let me gather your love.

Even if spacetime is enormous,

victory will come one after one



One fleeting moment, one kind of space

and only one decision.

I am playing tug of war with myself in the past in illusions.

No matter how many mistakes spacetime has passed through,

We can think of solutions to reverse the result.



*Adventures start now. Tomorrow can return.

I believe the world will improve.

With , we compete with devils,

if in vain, then let's improve our brains.



For today's calamities all people's hearts return.

The sky and earth also sigh.

Let me gather your love.

Even if spacetime is enormous,

victory can be obtained because of love



Under this sky, in this minute, everyone lives.

Failing you, there would be a great difference

in the fate of the world.

Although the elapsing of spacetime is thrilling,

We can team up to change more



You should not be sad over what have been lost.

If you have gut, please follow me.

Retrieve me from the hands of history

The throne of wisdom

REPEAT*
|-


Reaction




Though boasting a great use of CGI and beautiful character designs, Zentrix disappointed many mecha fans. For one, many viewers claim that the characters are one-dimensional. Some even complained about the main character, Megan, who was always called a "great leader" but never showed true leadership skills. Another complaint is that the robots are supposedly alive, but did not demonstrate enough interaction toward the humans. In the last few episodes, it seemed that most characters just came out to help Megan and friends, without really knowing her. Fans say that they are allies of Dr. Coy, but some say it felt unrealistic to risk your life on a mission you don't know about. Despite all the criticism, there are still fans who loved the show.

Awards


* Nominated at the "Best Series for Children of the Year" in the Pulcinella Awards 2002 in Positano, Italy.
* Received the "Gold Camera" award at the 2002 35th US International Film and Video Festival in Los Angeles.

Trivia


* In , a reference to the character Zeus is shown on one of the arcade at the Turtle's lair.

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