Babel II (バビル2世) is a Japanese 1971 manga series by Mitsuteru Yokoyama. It was translated into an animated format in 1973 as a television series, in 1992 as an original video animation series and in 2001 as a thirteen-episode television series. Yokoyama's sequel to the series, set in a parallel universe, is entitled His Name Is 101 (その名は101).

Plot

The series follows Koichi, a Japanese schoolboy, who learns that he is the reincarnation of the alien entity, Babel. As such, Koichi is entrusted with Babel's powers and joined by three protectors: Rodem, a shape-shifting black panther; Ropross, a pterodactyl-like flying creature; and Poseidon, a giant robot that always rises from the depth of the ocean when summoned. The boy hero commands his newfound powers and companions in order to defend the Earth.

Babel II (manga)

Characters

Three servants

Sono Na wa 101 (Manga)

Plot

There is a boy called registration number "101" (one-zero-one) in a secret laboratory which is administered by the CIA. The boy is Koichi Yamano, who was once called Babel II and saved the world. Koichi discovers that his blood has the ability to save lives, and he provides the laboratory with his blood after fighting with Yomi. However, he notices that the laboratory transfused his blood into subjects and produced supermen like him artificially. He escapes from the lab and decides to exterminate the supermen produced by his blood that are scattered all over the world. As a result, the enemy sends espers to fight him one after another. Unfortunately, the three servants of Babel II, Rodem, Ropross, and Poseidon are confined in an underground nuclear test site by the CIA, so Koichi is forced to fight alone. A sequel to this series, called Babel II: The Returner, has Babel once again fighting despite many years passing since his capture. Here, Ropross and Poseidon have received powerful upgrades and the entire USA has declared war on Babel. It is even revealed that Yomi has recovered from his battles and joins the war

Anime television (1973)

Cast

Original video animation (1992)

Helen McCarthy in 500 Essential Anime Movies stated that "this compressed version leaves some holes in the story, but the original concept is strong, and the animation is crisp". Streamline Pictures released this OVA on dubbed VHS in the 90s. Image Entertainment put this version of the anime on DVD in 2001. Discotek Media announced the acquisition of the title in 2017.

Cast

Beyond Infinity (2001)

Media Blasters released this show on DVD.

Cast

Legacy

Japanese manga artist Hirohiko Araki said that he paid homage to Babel II by letting Jotaro Kujo wear a Japanese school uniform in Part 3 (1989–1992) of the JoJo's Bizarre Adventure manga series. Video game developer Yu Suzuki of Sega says Babel II was his main inspiration in the creation of the arcade fighting game Psy-Phi. The music video for the Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson song "Scream" (1995) features clips from Babel II.