Shadow Raiders [War Planets] Review / Retrospective | Bull Session

"I'm just a miner..."
- Gravehart, 1998
This time on the Mainframe Retrospective, its time for War Planets... er... Shadow Raiders... umm... What's it called?
Complete Mainframe Retrospective: • Alphanumeric! | ReBoot...
Shadow Raiders Review Retrospective Thoughts and Analysis by Bull Session
Bull Session on Twitter: / _bullsession
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Shadow Raiders, September 16, 1998
Starring Paul Dobson as Graveheart, Mark Oliver as King Cryos, Enuka Okuma as Jade, Donna Yamamoto as Tekla, Matt Hill as Prince Pyrus, Scott McNeil as Pelvus and Blokk, Jim Byrnes as Grand Vizier, Garry Chalk as Emperor Femur, Tasha Simms as Lamprey, Blu Mankuma as Lord Mantle, Tegan Moss as Lady Zera, Janyse Jaud as Jewelia, Ellen Kennedy as Zuma, John Payne as Sternum
Based on The "War Planets" toys by Trendmasters
Executive Producers Christopher Brough, Ian Pearson
Produced by Mainframe Entertainment, Alliance Atlantis, YTV
Related works include: Beast Wars Beasties, ReBoot, ReBoot The Guardian Code, Beast Machines
A Bull Session Production.
bull ses·sion
bo͝ol ˈseSHən/
noun
an informal, typically impromptu discussion, especially among a small group.
The contents of this video are used under Fair Use.

[@BullSession]

Did you love Shadow Raiders? What are some of your other favourites?

[@KyleRuggles]

Heck yeah!!! Jewelia was hot! Sternum... oh man... Wish kids these days had shows like this today. It had such high production value and excellent writing. To think Mainframe was the first company to ever produce a cgi tv show. Met my first g/f in a Reboot channel on irc in the late 90's! Man! I miss those days!!! and saturday morning cartoon shows! Jeez!

[@KnightRaymund]

Yeah it was a great show

[@pious83]

Adored Shadow Raiders.However, I didn't see the ending as a Cliffhanger. Much like Mighty Max, to me it was saying *It never ends.* My other favourite CG show would have to be Roughnecks. The only worthwhile Starship Troopers story.

[@josephroszell]

I can't remember what channel it was on or for sure what it was called but does anyone remember a sci fi puppet show that was done really well with cool robots and effects I think it was called "space brats" it had a battle star galactica but they are kids kinda thing. I remember one episode where there was an alien race that accepted everything that came their way so when the main characters said "run away someone is coming to kill you all!" The race just accepted the attack they didn't wanna fight run or even negotiate but by the end of the episode the alien race was so frustrated from accepting everything that they rejected the medals they were given because now they vowed to reject everything instead of accepting everything

[@KyleRuggles]

Omg Roughnecks!!!! I miss the days when they actually put effort into making quality cgi shows, the invested in the stories, the writing, the music... so much great production value. But now? meh... For a time when we have 4k tv's... the cg these days took a step back I think.. I'd give anything to see all Mainframe shows brought back in HD, even though it's impossible now :( Damn!!! I miss those days!!! Max Steel, Captain Scarlet, even.. Heavy Gear lol.

[@Rising_Light]

Not only was this an incredibly written show, but I can not stress how amazing this looked when I was 11/12 years old. It was otherworldly. The animation to a child's eyes was nothing short of mesmerizing for its time. Sure there were the Mainframe shows before, but this is where they hit their stride visually.

[@IceSpoon]

This was nowhere near Toy Story, but we didn't need it to be. It was also much better than Beast Wars, and almost as good as Reboot. In 2023 the sound design might appear a bit cheap, but back then it was amazing. Honestly, the only drawback this show had was it was tied in (...and cursed) to a toyline.

[@nikolayrayanov2895]

@@IceSpoonI always found this better than Reboot.

[@GuardianKyle]

Sadly I never saw this as a child like Reboot or Beast Wars...I was just a Miner.

[@civilwarfare101]

I watched Beast Machines more than Beast Wars growing up.

[@Dektoonics_inc.]

civilwarfare101 i watched beast wars on Netflix in 2012 i think while i was in 3rd grade

[@civilwarfare101]

@@Dektoonics_inc. That is quite interesting.

[@DONUTBUZZCUT]

@@Dektoonics_inc. Ha! I watched beast wars on Tv when I was in 3rd grade in 1999!

[@zlee001]

Minor

[@thebrandonrobert5693]

Gravehart: "What do you mean my son can't get into the club?" Employee: *"He's a minor."*

[@trailersic]

a thief you mean

[@WindiChilliwack]

@@trailersic No, a miner.

[@bravo2278]

Reboot, Beast Wars and Shadow Raiders where the best "kids" shows because they where more maturely written. Now a days shows are just goofy for the sake of being goofy and have no real over arcing story or interesting characters. Even When they try to bring back older shows like Reboot, Thunder Cats, Teen Titans, ect the studios dumb down their product in an effort to appeal to everyone (which is impossible). When you try to please everyone you wind up pleasing no one. I find myself watching older shows from the 80s, 90s and early 2000s because shows back then took more chances and weren't afraid to wright a story centered around concepts like revenge, redemption, love and loss.

[@Ghost-Mom]

Steven Universe I'd say is a good example of a modern kids show that appeals to adults with mature writing, and themes.

[@grau1032]

Yep that’s why most kids watch stuff like Naruto and DBZ instead

[@KairuHakubi]

And what's sad is companies today must recognize this in SOME fashion, because they refuse to make anything new, just rehashes of stuff from that period that still has lasting popularity.. but they somehow, against all reason, don't understand what made those things popular. They are not willing to take the same steps on the same road, yet they want to get to the same destination. it's madness. They're just putting on the same boots, and sitting around wondering why they aren't there yet.

[@burnedsmackdown4209]

They were kids shows that didn't treat their audiences as kids and didn't talk down to them and weren't afraid to take risks

[@mart8675309]

The young prince of the fire nation seeks to find what it means to be a good leader guided by his wise older advisor who has some of the best lines in the show. Sounds... familiar.

[@BullSession]

I never watched Avatar, but even I know about Zuko.

[@MechaEmperor7000]

Another thing I wanted to note was the character of Graveheart. I think he was also a great role model in general for children. Unlike other heroes of the time (or even now) he wasn't a bumbling idiot, but also wasn't the perfect hero. This was made even more prominent if you put him next to his counterpart in Reboot; Bob. Graveheart was a man of morals and duty, but he isn't respected by everyone. In fact he was hated by his own people due to supposedly turning "traitor". This is a man who risked and lost everything for the betterment of everyone, and he asked for nothing in return. And even though he seems like the paragon, we learn that this man wasn't infallible either. Quite the opposite in one flashback. He also didn't have any prestigious lineage; he was the son of a miner, implied to be the lowest class on Planet Rock, who can speak on the same level as kings and queens. But entire planets would follow him into the breach solely because they respected him, and that's because despite all of the racial prejudice, he loved and cared for any living thing in the cluster. His most defining moment was probably that one head node during the first episode; it showed that despite being essentially a nobody, people will respect him over the chain of command (and we learn exactly why moments later). He is perhaps the ideal leader, and someone we all wish to aspire to.

[@serenemountain6769]

The Hero had humble beginings and a good heart , he was depicted as a Just Person ho always consider everyone higher then himself. and for that he was rewarded! if our world was filled of people with those characteristics the world would be a better place! if only the series had been made because of the series and not the toy's...

[@aaroncullen1803]

I think its also notable his similarities to the Scottish hero William Wallace. Particularly given the obvious connection with Graveheart and the film by Mel Gibson "Braveheart". The blue face remarkably similar to Woad markings on Scottish warriors and the humble origins with the goal of uniting planets (or in history the clans to overthrow English rule of his country).

[@MechaEmperor7000]

@@aaroncullen1803 If I remember Graveheart was indeed a reference to the Braveheart version of William Wallace. However the real William Wallace was quite a different man than either the Gibson version or Graveheart (which History Buffs covers...quite extensively. And that's all I'll say on the matter). But I think this helped Graveheart as he basically distilled all of the good parts of a folk hero without being really dated, which made him far more relatable and timeless.

[@burnedsmackdown4209]

He certainly was a underrated protagonist

[@IceSpoon]

The whole main cast was great for a kids' show. Heck, even Pixar could steal some of those archetypes: - Prince Pryus and Princess Cera started as these spoiled "I will argue with you because I'm better than you >:C" kids, but they learned some hardcore lessons thorough the show an became competent leaders. Heck, Pryus lost everything EXCEPT for the people he was supposed to rule. Can you be a king without a kingdom? Without a throne? Without a home? Yes. Because you have your people backing you up. - I don't know old Femur is supposed to be, but dude's also a spoiled teen. However, as the show progresses and (specially with Pryus) he learns the value of loyalty, he becomes a more mature character. One of my favourite moments of the show is when Planet Jungle offers him the last plant of the whole planet, and Femur goes from the comic relief character to the "I'm gonna protect this plant with my life if necessary"-type of guy. - Even Blokk starts like this one-dimensional villain, but (in his "I'm a kids' show villain" persona) ends up respecting Graveheart as an adversary and as a pivotal point interrupting his plans. As you say, one thing is to be respected by your allies and peers. But when even your enemy acknowledges you as formidable (or the thorn in your side, your pick), that's huge.

[@andych8425]

"i can see why it got cancelled" GET HIM !!!!!

[@MrNintoku]

Fucking Oath!

[@vamperic]

*sets up guillotine*

[@XwingRed4]

*Pitchforks Raised

[@seecarr11]

*sets up shop* buy pitchfork today and get two torches!

[@ShumaiAxeman]

Is it weird that I heard this simultaneously as a shout and as that one guy from gravity falls? Lol

[@marieclinton4117]

I know this is old but I watch every single episode when this was running. I’m 56 now. Ahem. I LOVED THIS CARTOON. It was unique.

[@MMDelta9]

I think what I appreciated most about Shadows Raiders was the music. It had really excellent music composition and general sound design.

[@KyleRuggles]

Omg yes!!!! The death of planet fire, the rebellion on the Prison planet.. FOR JEWELIA!!!! oh... I wanna go back! lol *cries*

[@jmr2408]

Abso-FRAKKIN-lutely!

[@rueceless7580]

Shadow Raiders definitely has the best music of the classic Mainframe shows. That's saying something too as they all have excellent scores.

[@NcrXnbi]

Very time I see a shadow raiders picture I imminently remember the music.

[@tenshimoon]

AGREED, the music was even haunting at times.

[@ironwarmonger]

From what I have read season three was going to deal with the origins of the Beast Planet, which personally I would have loved to have seen. And I suspect it, and the rest of the planets in the series were left over war machines of one or more forgotten races.

[@ToonamiT0M]

I remember watching Shadow Raiders and even still have my action figures from the series. We were spoiled with all the amazing kids shows we got in the 90s.

[@KyleRuggles]

We WERE spoiled! After Reboot: My Two Bobs.. it all went downhill :( Damn yanks bought the company and... bah.. :( so sad.

[@BullSession]

Fast Forward to 2018 and we've got ReBoot The Guardian Code....

[@KyleRuggles]

*sigh* Yeah... Still waiting for "The Hunt", but that'll never happen. Just like the new Star Trek... they're all just.. trying to make a profit off of a great legacy/title.

[@ToonamiT0M]

@@KyleRuggles The kicker is that they can make a profit off bringing back these old shows, but that would take creativity and care. Qualities these people lack or refuse to use.

[@KyleRuggles]

You got no argument from me!

[@kamilstudios]

One of my most favourite TV shows when I was a kid. I recorded it on VHS tapes back then so I can watch it again and again. Every time I heard the theme song, it brings all the nostalgia back. Good times!

[@Jackofhearts17]

I don't believe i would have had the fond memories and a such a high opinion of the show if the producers had dumb down the premise of the show to the level they assume there demographic was. I was 8 when it aired and the seriousness and inflections were not as lost as one would believe. Of course, i enjoyed the comic relief of Femur but i loved the characters and what they were. We shouldn't always assume children will not understand certain subject just because they are kids. It was a great series. Thank you for reviewing it and justifying my nostalgia and love for this series.

[@KairuHakubi]

In an ideal world, a mature show like this would inspire the toy company to make their product more interesting. Honestly, war planets? that's so dumb. Kids I knew back then wanted toys they could act out specific character-centric stories with, not just mindless, repetitive action scenes with meaningless engines of destruction and faceless little unarticulated figurines. This is why the most long-lasting toy-centric franchises worked WITH the creators, not simply giving them creative freedom but also using their ideas in the product itself. that's what turned GI Joe from 'barbies for boys' to 'an army of superheroes with the world's least strict military uniform code'

[@IceSpoon]

@@KairuHakubi Bandai has done some incredible gunpla toys. I'd pay serious cash for a model of the Ice and Bone starships, for instance

[@IceSpoon]

I was 9 when this show premiered in latinamerica. It aired alongside Pokémon and DBZ. And among the kame-hame-has and the thunderbolts (which also had some serious moments, Butterfree anyone?), my 9-years-old brain understood the impact of losing your world, Vizir acknowledging Pryus' friendships and apologising to them, and the near-Shakespeare final scream of defiance towards the beast.

[@duende29]

Our brains are such a weird thing. 20 minutes ago I didn't even remember I had seen this show. Then at the 8 minute mark I saw Vizier for a second and got hit with the feels. What?!

[@BullSession]

It's really funny how that happens sometimes, yea

[@UNGGodYT]

i have a worst one, i forgot a character name (before internet) and when the episode he appeared aired again , i remembered his name literally 3 second before he announces himself , so much anger !!!

[@theicyphoenix_7745]

i only remembered the beast planet itself,all i remembered from the show was the planet eating superweapon and dark atmosphere,for a moment because this was 3d and not 2d like most old stuff,for a brief moment i even thought that perhaps i dreamed it all,its not that after searching i didn't get right answer,its just graphics look much worse than i remember,its funny how children's brain can react,and I'm not even comparing it to original,I'm comparing my memory to upscaled 1080p version that guy did with an ai. and to make it even more unlikely for me to see this,my first language is serbian not english,and only a small handful of people in serbia could have seen it due to the fact on what channel it aired when it was dubbed to serbian,it was a regional tv only available in about 5 different town areas,so out of millions of people its probably in the hundreds for those that actually did see it,i guess i can count myself lucky.

[@IceSpoon]

He spat at you with his last breath as well, uh?

[@joshguilds6284]

I for one found this show because of this channel and ended up fully enjoying it. I was kind of amazed at how much Mainframe entertainment had shaped my childhood nostalgia and just how underrated this brilliant company was. Now I'm just wishing that they had a better chance to shine and dreaming about how different modern cartoons might be if they had.

[@BullSession]

Nice! I'm glad you liked it. I was kind of shocked tbh how little information there is out there on this series... I was only even able to find one other review for it besides mine :/

[@IceSpoon]

@@BullSession Even the subreddit for this series is dead. However, at the beginning of 2023, the Templin Institute (a YT channel who specialises in sci-fi characters and plots) released two videos about the series, both of them have over 10K views. Who knows. I'm just a miner, but I'm allowed to dream.

[@KyleRuggles]

Loooooove! I grew up on ALL of the mainframe shows in Canada. Reboot, Beast Machines, Shadow Raiders, even Weird-Ohs and Heavy Gear! I miss the good ol days of CGI. There's also Starship Troopers and Max Steel on the Foundation imaging side. So much has changed.. The new Reboot SUCKS! as you know. Really really appreciate these videos, a real blast from the past. Thanks for putting in all the effort.

[@ToonamiT0M]

I completely forgot about Weird Ohs! Wow! But don't forget about Action Man, too.

[@KyleRuggles]

OMG! yes! Action Man too!!! it just kinda.. hurts to go back and see all the great shows that existed back then compared to today. Remember Captain Scarlet!? Bwaaaaaaah!

[@BullSession]

You're very welcome, thanks for watching! Weird-Oh's seems like an interesting one. I've never watched it, but I've come across it while researching these other videos. Perhaps a mini-review at some point down the line!

[@Googaliemoogalie]

I remember Weird-ohs! what a good show

[@Thalanox]

I remember those other two only vaguely. I had no idea what it was called, though, so I had no idea how to search them up.

[@duncanidaho4787]

I remember as a kid watching Shadow Raiders as a creed, this series influenced my whole work as a writer and comic artist.

[@Nathan-sf3ub]

I saw the thumbnail of this video, never heard of Shadow Raiders beforehand despite remembering Beast Wars and Reboot as a kid. i finished Shadow Raiders a few days ago and was dreading the idea that maybe it was canceled instead of completed. such a criminally underrated show

[@WanderingLeopard]

I heard the show did well, but the guy that owned the toys the show is based on got bored & cancelled in the middle of season 2's production.

[@WanderingLeopard]

A big shame as we missed out on what could have been a phenomenal season 3 conclusion. It was planned to have 40 episodes in total so season 3 was suppose to have an additional 14 episodes to complete the story. By 1999, it's cancellation year, it had only made 26 episodes.

[@WanderingLeopard]

The direction & dynamism of Mainframe Entertainment wasn't the same after this show, all the way up until they disbanded.

[@theantithesis1]

That Wrath of Khan quote was from Moby Dick, which it's suggested Khan had read as it was one of the books shown in the movie.

[@Enzo_Matrix92]

I remember beating the Mass Effect Trilogy for the first time and in the back of my mind I was like....A lot of these character resemble the cast from Shadow Raiders.....LOL

[@BullSession]

I've heard the comparison to Mass Effect before, but I've gotten actually around to those games (I know; I need to fix that)

[@aliastheabnormal]

Don't look at me. I can't stand Morality systems since they distract from the killing of enemies. If I wanted to play by the rules I would go outside and interact with real human beings and not deal with game breaking bugs.

[@Varsocona]

Mass Effect doesn't have many bugs (excluding Andromeda, but we don't talk about that one) and the morality system only hinders your killing if you CHOOSE to let it hinder your killing. Why do you think there is a Renegade (dark side) option? It's for more killing. Duh.

[@civilwarfare101]

When I watched the first ep I am like, this reminds me of Mass Effect. Canada seems to love Babyalon 5 apparently.

[@monkeyscientist9913]

Graveheart in 1998: "I'm just a miner!" Graveheart in 2010: "I'm mining emeralds in MineCraft!" Graveheart in 2018: "I'm mining in Skyrim... FOR THE EIGTH TIME!"

[@serenemountain6769]

you need to try red faction then ... it's just for miners ...

[@jorgecarreras4214]

Graveheart in EVE Online. "I'm just a miner. SOMEONE has to get the ore that builds all those fancy ships and their toys too!"

[@cameroncasimir7069]

*jUSt a MInEr*

[@noobdurst_is_here]

Joey what are you doing here

[@U5K0]

Like John snow saying: "I don't want it :/"

[@StoogesFan]

I first came across this show by accident while I was in high school, but after watching one episode, I was hooked. Criminally underrated show

[@thee-doggamer6268]

I love this series: truly a hidden gem of a show, and one of Mainframe Entertainment’s greatest feats! I also have the complete set of DVD’s for the show! It’s nice to have them as they give lots of hidden extras you don’t otherwise get when learning about their worldview! Everyone should give this show a try: it’s worth the watch!

[@sylentknyte]

Awesome stuff! I'm happy to see someone give Shadow Raiders the attention it deserves. It's funny because I'm from Canada, but for some reason I picked up the name War Planets. I feel the world would work well as a video game setting. In fact, it has a bit in common with the Mass Effect series. I doubt Mass Effect took influence from SR, but they surely have similar influences.

[@BullSession]

I've hear the comparison to Mass Effect before, but sadly I've never played those games (I know; I need to fix that)

[@pious83]

It is weird they never made a video game of Shadow Raiders. Then again, when you look at the Reboot game and the three Beast Wars games ... It was probably for the best.

[@BullSession]

They never made a Shadow Raiders video game, but there was one for War Planets: www.mobygames.com/game/war-planets-age-of-chaos

[@pious83]

+Bull Session Wow... Never knew that even existed. Then again when I looked into how you "bought" the game, I can see why. A simplified generic RTS? A Shadow Raiders game could have been so much more. Then again, as you said, I think Trendmasters' approach to the War Planets media outside of the show was completely misjudged. If they had aimed the toyline along the lines of the War Hammer series, for example, I think they could have found a better and more receptive audience. The show was far darker than most cartoons out there, *_for kids_*

[@brianlevine871]

I've been meaning to watch this show for quite some time, and after seeing your review of it, I definitely will. The animation holding up better than the earlier episodes/seasons "Reboot" and "Beast Wars" isn't too surprising, considering Mainframe's growing experience with the technology at the time. Also about the title situation, it could've been worse. They might've called it "Planeties."

[@BullSession]

LOL! Planeties... They're like Manatees the size of planets.

[@brianlevine871]

Not even Unicron could handle the might of a Planetie, the largest Maximal to ever grace the Beast Wars!

[@davidsatterwhite5812]

One of the best shows from the 90s . The intro was spot on and Graveheart was one those characters who like many others .Was placed in the role of leadership.

[@DrLynch2009]

No wonder the writing was that good you have some top writers from Marvel and DC comics like Marv Wolfman or the late Len Wein.

[@hihosh1]

Why does the idea for War Planets remind me of the Xindi from Star trek Enterprise? A group of planets in the same solar system that were at war with each other for a long time

[@bakuhatsubutsu]

Awesome video. This show was so important to my young life: it pretty much set my taste in art and music, gave me pride in my home city--and taught me how to be a confident woman thanks to its depictions of powerful and influential women in Jade and Tekla.

[@PlacidDirge]

Once again I am pleasantly surprised that some one remembers things like this. When I was young not too many had the toy or knew of the show, actually I found out about the show through the toys.

[@HakotenX]

Loved Shadow Raiders. Had a bunch of the toys and still do.

[@BiancaRoughFin]

Thank you so much for making this Review! I watched the series in Cartoon Network and from my group of friends, i was the only one i know of that loved the animation. I got really disappointed when they ended season 2 and started repeating the episodes just to know later that it was discontinued. Everything in this cartoon was awesome and unique, from the art style to the story and sound track, still is for me today and i keep on dreaming they continue it even if it means having to forward the character's ages by 20 years for those who watched back then kinda feel like something still went on after they boomed the Beast Planet to the other side of the galaxy. Every now and then i watch the series on KZbin and i get thrilled every single time. The episode "World within a World" which shows the discovery of the World Engine and its first activation always gets me teary.

[@pious83]

Pretty much every episode you specifically noted were all some of the strongest highlights. Fun fact: 'Timebomb' was only shown once in the UK, removed from subsequent repeats. I imagine a lot of kids were really upset. Back in the day, I did wonder how any of the other Cluster planets ever raided Planet Rock due to it's Battle Moons? I always found Jade one of the most interesting and fleshed out characters of the Alliance. I also really liked how understated Void and The Beast Planet itself were. _Less is More_ in action. It took me a while to track down (and it wasn't cheap) but I did manage to buy Shadow Raiders on DVD. One of my most prized series.

[@BullSession]

At one point in the script I was listing off pretty much every episode from season 2 in that section haha. Such a good season. my guess would be they had some way of invading Rock stealthily. And yes! Totally agree about Less is More.

[@pious83]

+Bull Session Above all else, Mainframe really knew how to up the stakes with the second series of practically all their shows.

[@mgm3649]

This show was awesome, I remember being sad as a kid that cartoon network wouldn't air more episodes (as a kid I never knew it was cancelled).

[@swordcoheir9186]

Funny I was just thinking about this show the other day having forgotten the name and everything, and low and behold this shows up in my feed. Man this takes me back.

[@Randalor]

I never saw the whole series growing up, but watched through it a few years ago. I didn't know that it was supposed to have a third season, the ending ends on a high note for the cast, while the Beast Planet has enough of a "Force of Nature" feel to it that the reveal that it was still "alive" isn't so much a sequel hook as it is just showing that, yes, it is still around, being as unstoppable as always.

[@alejandromolina7270]

I remember reading on a forum about the origin of the Beast Planet. It started out as a satellite and was sent out into space as a means of collecting data about planets, culture, environment, and the people who live on the planets. The satellite had also a function with the purpose of rebuilding itself whenever it got damaged, making it stronger than before. This satellite has been doing it's job for so long that it grew into the Beast Planet. Whether that data is going to it's creators is unknown.

[@NiggaChickenSticks]

whats the name of this fourm i want to read

[@atomicskull6405]

The show actually was called War Planets on US television, however most local stations relegated it to sunday morning before 6AM. Basically they were contractually obligated to run it and threw it into whatever "dumping ground" time slot they used for syndicated shows they didn't actually want to run but were required to.

[@dwalk9674]

I used to watch this, beastwars, reboot, and starship troopers. I never could get into beast machines. As a "miner" it was so polarizing to me. I still haven't been able to sit down and watch it to this day and have been meaning to try.

[@BullSession]

As Shia Labeouf would say: "Just do it!"

[@ZachBlackforest]

Been looking forward to this episode since you announced it. I have never heard, or by that measure seen Shadow Raiders, however your review of it has me rather curious to check it out. Many thanks Bull Season for this episode! And I do look forward to your Beast Wars season 3 review. Best Wishes, Raster1990

[@KyleRuggles]

Check it out!!! Each episode is like a mini movie in terms of production quality, writing, voice acting, audio score! omg! Plz... check it out! I feel like a kid again! ^_^

[@MechaEmperor7000]

It is very worth your time, but something not mentioned in the video is that the episodes sometimes have a very formulatic structure (early series would either involve recruiting a planet and encountering cultural differences, solving cultural differences in the new alliance, or later when they come up with a new plan to stave off the beast and fail to do so. This cycle doesn't end until it's first true (and only) arc at the end of the series, which is where it really picks up steam. However, do have a box of tissues ready. This thing will make you feel things you didn't think a 90's cartoon could make you feel (and not just in sad tears either, manly tears and tears of laughter).

[@nikolayrayanov2895]

I just watched in the past week. It's one of the best sci-fi animation TV series. I watched it as kid as well. It's still great. There is a lot of content I didn't get as a kid or I didn't get because it was lost in translation. Being able to watch it again in English added more to what I had from my memories. I wish we could learn more about the Beast planet's history.

[@vorpal997]

Glad to know it ends on a high note, even if it was cut short. I'll check it out once I'm done watching Beast Wars. Thanks for the video!

[@Thalanox]

High note with an asterisk.

[@Edramon53]

Started to say I loved this as a kid... then I noted the year it was released and realised I was 20 when I watched it on TV. Still loved it, even bought the DVDs. I never knew it was supposed to sell toys.

[@Alondro77]

This show was shockingly well-done for being a toy commercial. When the giant Beast Planet came out of the Sun and just OWNED everything... daaaaaamn. My brothers and old friends still recall that moment with awe.

[@someguy120100]

I remember watching it the first time...the feeling of dread setting in when the Beast Planet came out. So well done.

[@brandonandcharlene9527]

I had the privlege to be at SDCC in 1998 when Mainframe had a panel. They were hyping fans up for the unseen Reboot S3 in the US as well as BW S3. They also promoted War Planets by showing the first 2 episodes. I was instantly hooked and set my VCR every Sunday morning to record S1. And was irate when S2 didn't even air in the US. I bought the DVDs when they first came out. As a lifelong Transformers fan, I have to objectively say War Planets is one of the greatest animated series ever. It reminded me of Flash Gordon in that an outsider convinced different species and cultures to overcome their differences and defeat a common enemy. I give this series my highest recommendation.

[@alexl6644]

This was the show that got me into science-fiction. From this to Halo to Warhammer 40k. The scale, the concepts, the designs, the animation; most still look remarkably good today.

[@Gofr5]

Vizier's sacrifice was the best moment in the series for me imo. So much bad assery (that even a word???) and feels at the same time. I just love it. Glad you also enjoyed the series. Definitely underrated.

[@IceSpoon]

That one for me is the second spot. For me, the crown moment is when Planet Jungle gives Femur a plant after the planet is destroyed. Seeing the comic relief of the show realising that he has AN ENTIRE PLANET's legacy on his hand was brutal for my 9 years old mind.

[@physxme]

My primary school bought dvds of this show and played it to us during lunch break. This was how I was able to see it despite the show never aired on TV in my country.

[@KHFMcAwesome]

Oh my gosh! I thought I was the only one who remembered this show! I'm glad I'm not alone! LOVED this show as a kid, along with Reboot and Beast Wars :D

[@GeorgeBPryor]

I had a bunch of War Planets toys as a kid, they were some of my favourites. I'd caught some episodes of Shadow Raiders on TV but I never got into it. It wasn't until years later when I sat down to watch it that I realised it was based on the War Planets toy line. I can see why Trend Masters didn't see an uptick in toy sales based on the show.

[@NcrXnbi]

As a kid I loved the toys and the animation was awesome when I had the chance to see it on TV.

[@gavinerickson9392]

Marketing: Transformers: Generations: Siege: War For Cybertron is coming out shortly after Transformers: Bumblebee and Cyberverse. Those are clearly the same names.

[@BullSession]

haha I think once you're as big as Transformers, you have a little bit of wiggle room for that sort of thing. The part that throws me off with War Planets/Shadow Raiders is that Shadow Raiders is never treated as a subtitle; they just call the show Shadow Raiders.

[@Busker_3000]

20 year old show..... omg.... I still remember watching this like it was just last year.

[@TevyaSmolka]

This series looks really interesting

[@KyleRuggles]

Do yourself a favor and find a copy of it and watch it. Mainframe was in it's prime back then! before the yank's bought them :(

[@TevyaSmolka]

gotcha

[@notsosmartguy6254]

Hey I know you

[@jmr2408]

You have NO idea. This was absolutely EPIC back in the day. ... Damn I feel old. =(

[@stardustcherry2158]

One of the very few shows which is worth watching. The story line is interesting and the chatacters are realistic and actually have debts. As for why they canceled the show- I think it was because they run out of ideas how to continue the story. I just hope they can at least revive it with a movie with proper ending

[@ThePSMinc]

I was devastated when the show got cancelled. Great show, great watch.

[@serenemountain6769]

same ... one of the best ever 3d sci fi series ever made ! Greedy Toy Companies!

[@schtive81]

I was 17 when this show originally aired on YTV Canada. But I never really invested much time in it back then and only ever caught a few episodes.. It seemed good, and definitely had all the tropes of a Mainframe Production. I never knew that this was based on a toy line, and thought it was an original creation. But the mismatch in branding really was this shows undoing, as it probably didn't bring in enough revenue to warrant Trendmasters enough interest to continue funding the series . I can see why Mainframe chased after much more popular toy lines like Barbie after this series.

[@Evy2526]

I think season 3 would have been phenomenal, like Reboot season 3 was. I believe Sternum was set up to be a villain, a manipulative guy who would take advantage a the alliance's weakness to gain power. Jade's betrayal would have played a bigger part as you mentioned. And remember when Graveheart had this fit of rage when his brother was killed and destroyed an approaching enemy ship? I always believed it was Pyrus's father. I don't have much evidence for that, but that would have made a fantastic story don't you think? Oh the drama... So much potential for character development.

[@BullSession]

Those are all fantastic directions the next season could have gone in. Ahh well, c'est la vie

[@Captain1nsaneo]

Well I bought the toys. I still have the beast planet sitting on my shelf. Then again I've always been a sucker for planetary Armageddons and mega constructs. The one gripe I remember from the toy line was that the Ice world mini-worlds were covered in glitter that infected my entire collection which led to their purge sans the big one.

[@NcrXnbi]

+Captain1nsaneo I can't believe I completely forgot the glitter it came on the ice planet toys, yea that was annoying. Sadly all my toys are now lost in time (My favorites where Bone planet, Moon rocks and the Ice planet). The only thing I have left is the command ship with attachable fighter of the ice planet. xD

[@DBUP-l8h]

Holy shit! I've literally been looking for this for probably a decade now. Thanks man.

[@BullSession]

No prob! (love your username btw)

[@antisocialhermitcrab]

I had never really considered seeking out Shadow Raiders before now but I think it's time to change that. Great Video!

[@KillerKatt66]

Oh man I totally watched this show as a kid and loved it. And I had totally forgotten about it till I saw this vid in my playlist

[@BullSession]

Glad I could refresh your memory!

[@ClydeC]

The series is on youtube.. here is the link if you want to rewatch it.. m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/bYXJd2aKiquBe5o

[@samiscebba4332]

remember when Lamprey told Block to stop vibrating his face and he just did??? and it never moved again.... that blew my mind as a child. i was like...omg bad guys are people too.

[@vaudreelavallee3757]

Yes! I was watching your reviews of the original Reboot series and you mentioned Shadow Raiders so decided to check it out.

[@KajiRider1997]

I've never forgotten this show.

[@nemo0036]

I remembered watching this in the Philippines! This was a year before we left for Canada. It's a terribly underrated classic! I actually didn't mind the mature themes, and I was somewhere between 9 or 10 years old! Then again, my entire grade 3 level (i.e. hundreds of students split into 11 classes) also watched Prince of Egypt and Disney's Hunchback without batting an eye.

[@oxygenrailway]

This was a fantastic review/retrospective and remained interesting throughout. Good job!

[@BullSession]

Thank you!

[@AceCruzat]

The way I remember it, when it aired in the US when I was a kid, it wasn't War Planets: Shadow Raiders, it was just War Planets. And I think the cliffhanger cancellation was due to the fact that, again as I recall, the series ended its US run at the end of season 1, just as the Beast Planet entered The Cluster via the sun. It wasn't until years later that I found the DVDs which, from my perspective, was renamed War Planets: Shadow Raiders that I was able to watch the remainder of the series from the season 1 cliffhanger.

[@Seek1878]

I was really into this as a kid, thanks for reviewing!

[@undefinedvariable8085]

Aaaaah man, War Planets. This and Fist Full of Aliens were my jam back in the day as a kid.

[@wynonasbigbrowndragon6121]

THANK YOU!

[@BullSession]

You're welcome!

[@ClydeC]

This is my childhood, the moral lessons that the series teached me is still with me to this day for 2 decades so far.. you just got a new subscriber..

[@BullSession]

Thanks so much; glad to have you aboard!

[@ClydeC]

Cheers..

[@FishyLaptop]

Thank you for making this video! I have found memories of watching Shadow Raiders every Sunday afternoon (back in the day).

[@BullSession]

You're very welcome!

[@jorgecarreras4214]

Don't knock on Femur too much. He was a GOOD influence on Pyrus, and his homeworld, not his own life, came first. Planet Bone could have done far worse under another emperor. That's a fact.

[@SlyRoapa]

I remember seeing this as a kid, but couldn't remember what it was called. Thanks for the reminder!

[@BullSession]

haha no problem!

[@ddooodddoo]

I loved shadow raiders. Grew up watching it. Had alot of strong characters and an amazing storyline

[@sergon777]

I loved this show, I am disappointed that there'll never be anything more to this and that so few people got to enjoy this series like I did.

[@mayoral_fabrication]

i saw this when i was a kid never knew it was from the same guys as beast wars also never saw it as incomplete i allways asume it was a complete story i would really love a suplementary video of where you go in detaill in the plot mostly to heard your opinion

[@williamporter7596]

I started off watching Reboot, watched the 1st season of Beast Wars and a few of the later seasons but Shadow Raiders was hard to find in Oz. Luckily I had a friend in the US who sent VHS tapes over of the episodes. I got the first season on DVD years ago. Loved the whole show, characters, voice over actors and scripts, along with the score.

[@iamKORHAL]

Thanks for checking this one out! I watched all of the shows as a kid and teenager. I don't always remember everything but I remember loving the shows. Your videos are always a pleasure to watch 😀

[@BullSession]

Thank as always for watching :D

[@Count3d]

Great to see Shadow Raiders love! I caught the premiere of this show and was a fan for its entire brief run. I thought the ending of the episode "Worlds within Worlds" was one of the coolest dramatic moments ever.

[@athenahepler4030]

I have never told anyone this. But I used to watch the 6AM or 8AM airing every Saturday on WB44 in VA. Every week. For years. Since its premier in the U.S. MAYBE IF THEY DIDN'T AIR IT AT 6AM IT WOULD HAVE HAD A 3RD SEASON

[@puirYorick]

I should binge this series in the coming months sometime. I haven't exactly had the urge to go back to it so far but I do remember it fondly.

[@gadwaboy21]

I remember that ytv promo. Oh the nostalgia and memories

[@the13th]

Thankyou for this video Ive been trying to find the name of this show for YEARS

[@r3gret2079]

NOSTALGIA TO THE MAX!!! I remember loving this show. And when the toys came out, i was wicked quick to pick up as many as i could. My absolute favorite was the bone planet. I had gotten the bone moon "expansion" sets too, and building on to the planet with moons and tentacles and guns n stuff, all organic looking, was just such an amazing part of the experience. The beast planet was also super cool, and making it eat the other planets was an awesome feature. Omg i could talk about those toys 'till the cows come home.

[@monkeyscientist9913]

As much as I love Gary Chalk and Scott McNeil, I would've preferred if Femur and Pelvis were played by the guys who played Al and Al's Waiter on ReBoot. To me, that would be a great combo to have and I feel that it would be a great nod to ReBoot as a whole if they did that. "Al, we gotta protect the Battlemoons!" "WHAT?!"

[@BullSession]

lmfao! That would be Garry Chalk as Al's Waiter, and Michael Donovan as Al. Donovan also played Phong, Mike the TV, and Cecil on ReBoot, and was the show's voice director for most of the series, as well as for all of Shadow Raiders. I also caught him voicing a few extras throughout Shadow Raiders.

[@monkeyscientist9913]

Oh, Chalk plays the waiter? Didn't know that. The ReBoot wiki didn't mention that, then again it barely gets updated and a lot of the info on it superfluous. Next time I use IMDB for voice casting list. :D

[@BullSession]

I swear, some IMDB pages are written by wizards. Like... how do you *know* that??

[@beatyouonce]

the music was great too, each planet had their own theme if i recall.

[@TheTrueFeleas]

A forgotten classic? I never forgotten it. I think I still got the toys from when I was a kid in my attic.

[@nunodias3331]

that was an awsome series, i realy dont understand why did it get canceled

[@luminaires7034]

I don't know about in the states but in ontario within canada i've never ever seen these toys back in the day which probably contributed to failure as no one even knew they existed. Pretty good show though even today imo.

[@MechaEmperor7000]

A note on Jewelia: They ended up recycling her model for Azazi in Action Man 2000 (which was also by Mainframe) and at the start her character was very much like Jewelia (to the point that sometimes I forget the two are different characters) with a little less crazy and more murder. However while Action Man started strong, it took a huge dip in story quality (to the point that by it's final season, it's opening blurp would spoil the entire episode) and Azazi's own character arc turned into a kind of Discount Catwoman and none of the subtext was left. As for the show itself, I think Shadow Raiders benefited the most out of the three Mainframe shows at the time. If I remember, it was the last one of the three to start production, so it's seasons got to take advantage of everything they were experimenting in Reboot and Beast Wars, which is why doing a 1:1 comparison results in the Shadow Raider equivalent having a higher quality. Which is all the more shame that it's the least remembered of the three. Really so, since it's been nicknamed by some of my friends (and I think TVTropes) as "Mass Effect before Mass Effect". The Beast even resembles the Reapers in theme! One thing to note is that this show also had several really strong female role models at a time where there wasn't many. Among all of them, I think only Tekla had some really negative qualities (she is naive to the extreme in the first few episodes). Jade in particular is someone I just love, as she's strong, fearless and loyal. Even her big "very bad thing" still showed that she is a woman of strength and conviction, and deserving of the reward she got in the ending. Zera is also notable in that despite being the tagalong kid, she matures naturally into a worthy successor to her father, and one of the better portrayals of progressive youths (this is most notable in the Planet Sand Episode). Finally, on the ending, I agree with you in that it didn't end as "Abruptly" as other series. Until I read about it years later, I wasn't even aware the show had been prematurely cancelled and just assumed the show wrapped up (although this was due to me seeing the final episode before I learned english, and I thought Planet Repzar was actually a badly rendered Planet Tek and it was flashing back to the beginning of the series). Apparently the third season would delve into the backstory of the Beast Planet, but I think leaving it ambiguous was much better. The Beast is an eldritch abomination, not to be understood by mortal minds, but just something to be feared and avoided. It suits it much better to simply be unknown.

[@BullSession]

I totally agree about the Beast Planet; ot's a big scary mysterious planet that eats everything. Better to leave well enough alone.

[@civilwarfare101]

I read that this show used to be on the Bionix block. I watched Bionix like a religion back then and I never knew this show played. It does seem interesting.

[@BullSession]

I remember it being on Bionix at like 1am. I think it was the last show in the block.

[@civilwarfare101]

@@BullSession It was at 1 am? That explains why I never saw it. All though I never knew there was a show after GitS SAC. I think I remember seeing on a TV guide a few times now that I think of it.

[@BullSession]

I'm not sure if it was 1am, but it was pretty late. It was after all the anime, then ReBoot and Beast Wars... Might have been like 12:30. I feel like I remember Beast Wars being on at 12.

[@civilwarfare101]

@@BullSession I remember watching Beast Machines late at night at watching the final episode. But yeah I think it might've played in the 12:00-1:00 time frame.

[@thepeanutgallery6100]

I remember having some of the toys especially the purple and black planet spaceship thing. I never knew about the show.

[@licittofficial]

I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS SHOW FOR OVER 10 YEARS!!! I COULDN'T REMEMBER THE NAME!! THANK YOU SO MUCH

[@BullSession]

You're very welcome!

[@NickWillSteele]

OMFG I have been trying to remember the name of this show for ages - holy christ the nostalgia. Can't believe it is that old.

[@brandonvortex995]

boy i remember this!, for some odd reason why back the day in my country in malaysia it was dub over malaysian dub instead of english version yet somehow they keep beast wars in english instead

[@BullSession]

huh, that's interesting. I wonder why...

[@LaptopRetrospective]

Excellent review. I'm in the same camp as you that didn't watch it when it was new but I did watch ReBoot and Beast Wars. I remember the commercials for Shadow Raiders that were advertising the show sold it as something very different than the other two and I didn't really have the interest in it like I did the other two. I remember seeing toy commercials after and thought: "Well if that is what the show is about, seems a bit simple for me." so I imagine they may have lost some viewers from the toy commercials not taking advantage of the show.

[@BullSession]

Yea, the marketing for this series really is all over the place... It's a small wonder why Trendmasters went out of business shortly after this show ended.

[@mimikyutie3936]

They should bring back shadow raiders

[@NcrXnbi]

I would kill for both a remake of Shadow Riders and also a remake of the War Planets toy line but more faithful to the show (no, I am not talking about the action figures of shadow riders).

[@tenshimoon]

I wish, it was a genuinely good show with so much potential