THE ADVENTURES OF THE GALAXY RANGERS came out in syndication in 1986. And I never saw it until 2011. I can’t believe I missed this gem of entertainment! This show had it all! Cowboys and Aliens! Spaceships! Strange Planets! 80s rock ballads (no, seriously, it had 80s rock ballads!)
The show was produced by Koch Entertainment, but the animation was done by TMS (Tokyo Movie Shinsha) Entertainment, the same animation studio responsible for the movie AKIRA. It starred such voices as Jerry Orbach (LAW & ORDER, DISNEY’S BEAUTY & THE BEAST), Earl Hammond (THUNDERCATS, SILVERHAWKS), and Corrine Orr (SPEED RACER, ULTRAMAN). It ran for 65 episodes and it’s mix of computer animation and cartoon animation was revolutionary for it’s time.
The 65 episodes were originally not played in order. In fact, it wasn’t until the release of the DVD sets that they finally presented the cartoons in chronological order. Also, the series was quite a struggle at times, because there were three animation groups out of TMS Entertainment that presented three different quality levels of animation. At times, the animation would look fantastic, and other episodes the animation was a little sloppy. The other interesting fact about the series is that the animation was done first, and then the voices were recorded, where most other audio for cartoons are recorded first and then the animation is created to synch up with the voices.
Wanna watch the episodes for free? Go to Hulu or click here. Or, buy the series on DVD from Amazon here
Here’s one of their music videos featuring the song that they used for their opening, entitled “No Guts, No Glory”:
Thanks to kochvision for the intro and MightyHedgehog for the music video.
Very nicely done man! A compact, one-stop shop for all of our Galaxy Rangers needs! I’ve never seen this show but now, because of your post I’m gonna have to check it out…as if I didn’t have enough cartoon related nonsense taking up my time! Anyway great post Mr World…or can I call you Saturday?
@ClaymationWerewolf – Dr. Saturday will do just fine.
For some reason, I never dug the sci-fi/western fusion of this or Bravestarr or Silverhawks. Yet I love Firefly. Go figure. Love the opening animation, though.
@Doug Have you watched them post Firefly? Still do nothing for you?
Yeah, kind of like how Wild Wild West (shudder) kept me from watching Sherlock Holmes for over a year. Glad I got past that.
@mwentworth Wild Wild West the movie right?
I’m not a big fan of westerns, but I gave this a shot anyway. It became one of the more enjoyable animated series I’ve watched.
@Doug – I used to watch Silverhawks as a kid, and I had the chance to watch it as an adult. It left little to be desired. And, Bravestarr, while I love the concept and the fact that it’s a Filmation cartoon, I find it hard to watch.
@mwentworth – Yeah, the WWW movie did suck. And I still haven’t watched Sherlock Holmes…it better be more enjoyable.
@Retroist – Yup, the movie. I actually have never seen the TV show, but assume it is a different colored type of horse.
@ Saturday – I found Sherlock Holmes shockingly good. And I am a fan of traditional SH books and radio shows, not that there is much common ground.
@mwentorth A very different animal indeed and worthy of your viewing.
I envy you, Saturday World! Getting to see this series for the first time…it really was a show ahead of it’s time. Thanks so very much for the heads up on it being on Hulu, now I know what I can watch all night on these double shifts. :)
I’ve said this before…I really enjoyed the Wild Wild West movie, but it’s certainly a flawed film. I agree with the Retroist, the TV series is very much worthy of your viewing time. Just try to keep up with the count of special guest stars as well. :)
@VicSage – If it wasn’t for all of the positive reviews from fans of the show I found on Amazon, I would have passed over on this show. I’m glad I didn’t. This show really was ahead of it’s time, and is still enjoyable, even after 25 years.