titles. Manga Written by Horumarin, the Medabots manga series was originally serialized in the Kodansha's children's magazine Comic BomBom from 1997 to 2003. Six series were published. The first series Medarot was published between 1997 and 1999 and compiled in three tankōbon volumes. The second series entitled Medarot 2 was published between 1999 and 2000 and compiled in 4 volumes. This series was licensed for an English language release in North America by Viz Media under the title Medabots. the third series Medarot 3 was released between 2000 and 2001 and compiled in two volumes. The fourth series Medarot 4 was published in 2001 and compiled in two volumes. The fifth series Medarot 5 was published between 2001 and 2002 and compiled in two volumes. The sixth series Medarot G was released in 2003 and compiled in two volumes. Anime The Medabots anime series was adapted from Medarot 2, with its robotic combat elements inspired by Plawres Sanshiro. Produced by NAS and TV Tokyo and animated by Bee Train, the fifty-two episode series originally aired on TV Tokyo from July 2, 1999 until June 30, 2000. A thirty-nine episode sequel to the anime series that was animated by Production I.G, Medarot Damashii (Unofficially known in English as Medabots Spirits) aired from July 7, 2000 to March 30, 2001. The Japanese version has received a VHS and DVD release of the first series, while the second series has only received a VHS release. On January 29, 2010, a Region 2 boxset release known as Medabot DVD BOX 1 was released containing the first thirty episodes, with a second boxset on February 19 finishing with the last twenty-two episodes. Two boxsets for Damashii were released on December 30, 2010. This was the Production I.G series' very first DVD release. Both series were licensed and localized into English by Canadian entertainment company Nelvana; the first series was divided into two American seasons. The first U.S. season originally aired on the Fox Broadcasting Company's Fox Kids block from September 1, 2001 to April 27, 2002. Medabots was Fox Kids highest-rated new series at the time. As a result of the sale of Fox Family Worldwide (the joint venture with Saban Entertainment that previously operated the Fox Kids program block) to The Walt Disney Company, Medabots would begin airing on ABC Family on March 4, 2002. The second U.S. season first aired on ABC Family