JE C.C.
Make some noise, mga Batang ‘90s! Kids of today may be having the time of their lives with their gadgets playing games and going gaga over KPOP, Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, and Ariana Grande, but back in the ‘90s, childhood was never complete without anxiously waiting for every episode of some classic anime and super sentai and tokusatsu shows.
If you’re a millennial and grew up in the ‘90s, or even ‘80’s, chances are that you have a soft spot for some old-school ABS-CBN shows.
Surely these eight nostalgic TV shows will bring you back to those happy Friday nights or Saturday morning when your only definition of school break was not being able to miss your favorite Kapamilya syndicated shows.
From the league of super-powerful teenagers in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers to element magic-wielding eighth-grade girls in Magic Knight Rayearth, here are eight of those nostalgic ABS-CBN shows that practically defined our childhood:
Bioman (1988-1989; 1993-1997).
This super-sentai series follows five young individuals in Japan, who are chosen by the giant robot Bio Robo and its assistant, Peebo, to wield the power of Bio Particles.
Their task is to defend the planet from the evil deeds of the criminal organization known as the Neo Gear Empire. Led by the cyborg scientist Doctor Mad, Neo Gear plans to rule the Earth.
ABS-CBN first aired Bioman in the late ‘80s. It aired on a Saturday afternoon time slot. IBC-13 re-aired the series from 1993-1997 on a Sunday morning time slot.
Koseidon (1991-1998).
Koseidon aired twice on ABS-CBN in the ‘90s. First in 1991, and again in 1995.
The tokutsako follows the adventures of Go, a superhero leading a time-traveling patrol to fight aliens who have messed up with Earth’s chronological timeline. Go travels to various points of history to defeat different monster villains, including alien-controlled dinosaurs.
Magic Knight Rayearth (1996-1997).
ABS-CBN aired this nostalgic anime series in 1996 on a Sunday morning slot. It was one of the Network’s top-rated anime series during that time. Magic Knight Rayearth focuses on three eighth-grade girls who were given element-level magic and the power of three Rune gods, which allow them to summon gigantic robots.
After getting transported to the magical world of Cephiro, Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, are given the power to become the Legendary Magic Knights to save the planet.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers (1995-1999).
The original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is undoubtedly the most popular show produced by the American production giant Saban. In the Philippines, its popularity was massive when it got aired by ABS-CBN in the mid-’90s.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers follow six teenagers’ lives given power by the sentient being, Zordon, to transform into the color-coded superheroes. Their task is to defend Angel Grove from the evil forces led by Rita Repulsa and the devious Lord Zedd.
Samurai X (1999-2000).
Globally known as Ruruoni Kenshin, Samurai X follows the wanderer, Himura Kenshin, who returned to the countryside after participating in the Bakumatsu War.
He decided to become the defender of the oppressed as his way to atone his sins, including the murders he committed when he was an assassin. The series was set in a Meiji era Japan.
ABS-CBN first aired the TV series via Studio 23 in 1998 before it was transferred to ABS-CBN’s weekday afternoon timeslot.
Shaider (1988-1991).
Shaider, or Space Sheriff Shaider, is the first Tagalog-dubbed tokusatsu series that aired by a Philippine TV network. ABS-CBN was the first TV station to air it from 1988 to 1991. The series follows archaeology student Dai Sawamura who was recruited and trained by the Galactic Union Police to become Earth’s third space sheriff.
His task is to protect the Earth and fight the evil forces of Fuuma, who intends to dominate the planet.
After completing its run on ABS-CBN in 1991, IBC-13 re-aired the series in 1992.
Ultraman (1990s).
Ultraman is among the most popular Tokusatsu shows aired on Philippine TV in the ‘90s.
The series is a descendant of the earlier series, Ultra Q, aired in the ‘60s in Japan. Set in a futuristic Japan, the series follows the police organization, Science Special Search Party (SSSP), as it battles sinister aliens ravaging the Earth.
The special fighting force is led by Captain Toshio Muramutsu, who transforms to Ultraman by activating a powerful artifact, called ‘Beta Capsule’.
Zenki. (late 1990s).
Zenki is arguably one of the most definitive anime series aired by ABS-CBN in the ‘90s. Many Filipinos from that generation spent their childhood mimicking the popular lines in the series.
It follows the demon god warrior, Zenki, a powerful yet rebellious demon lord who transforms to his true demon god form through the summoning skill of Chiaki Enno.
Were you able to watch these old-school ABS-CBN TV shows? Care to share your fondest memories about them? Don’t forget to make comments below:
