Visionaries: Knights of the Magical Light (1987)

Visionaries: KotML (1987)

Dirs. Various | 13 episodes, approx 22 mins each

Like many 80s cartoons that were aimed at children the primary goal of Visionaries was to generate interest in a commercial toy line - in this instance the maker of the shelf plastic was toy giant Hasbro.

It wasn't a successful venture for the company. The cartoon lasted just one season (13 episodes) and the figures ceased production after just twelve months, while an equally short-lived bimonthly tie-in comic book published by Star Comics folded after just six issues. The only reason I know of its existence is because I had a couple of the figures as a kid and I bought the comic (when I could find it in stores).

The central gimmick of the toys was a holographic sticker positioned on each character's chest that looked half-cool and half-stupid; at least, it did to me back in the day. But I'm writing now about the cartoon, not the toys, so I'll not dwell on that.

We're told that events occur in a "distant galaxy" on a planet named Prysmos. It's a futuristic, high-tech civilisation that's enjoyed 7000 years of privilege. As such, it comes as a hell of a shock to everyone when a powerful celestial event causes all electricity on the planet to deplete. With electric-powered machinery rendered obsolete, society is pushed into a new dark era.

But not all is lost. In the new world, magic has an elevated place, which brings me to Merklynn, a wizard who gifts special powers to a group of people that he deems capable. Of what, exactly, is a little vague. But he's an ambiguous character and, it must be said, often a bit of a dick.

- Crazy beard : Wizard -

Wikipedia mentions that he was named after a Hasbro sculptor, but he's also clearly modelled on Merlin from the Arthurian myth, a sorcerer who also had a hand in assembling a team of knights for the betterment of the world - or not, depending on which version(s) of the myth you're familiar with. (By the way, I'm not suggesting that the aforementioned Hasbro sculptor was also a bit of dick - that's just poor paragraphing, on my part. Apologies for any confusion there.)

On first impressions, it's a chaotic telling. A narration in the opening episode drops a ton of backstory for the world — enough to fill an entire episode itself, if it was properly paced — but gives very little information on the folks that populate it, even the 'Visionaries' themselves.

What defines them the most, besides their identifiable colour schemes, is the power they're given, which, thanks to Merklynn's 'insightful' observations, is explained in a lengthy scene that also doubles as a proper introduction for the main players. The totemic powers each one receives are reflective of their individual skills or traits; e.g., a bear for strength; a cheetah for speed, etc. Each power can be called upon briefly in time of need to aid the individual (or group) in combat.

- No beard : Hero -

There's a number of power staffs, too, but I'm not going to go into detail about those. They provide an additional power and are similarly handicapped in that they work only briefly.

To keep things balanced, with regards storytelling and toy production, not to keep Merklynn happy, there's seven characters on each side of the good and evil divide, further identifiable by the colour of their activated power: blue for the protagonists, and green for the antagonists. Weirdly, their affiliation can also be discerned by their facial hair, or lack of - besides the two ladies, of course. Only bad guys have beards, it seems. How times have changed.

Don't worry if you're not able to recall the names of the fourteen warriors. It's really not that important. I chose to remember the faction leaders, though, both of whom have monikers that help cement their persona. On the side of good, the Spectral Knights, there's Leoric, whose name seems to be a portmanteau of Leo (the lion is his totem symbol) and the word 'heroic'. His opposite is Darkstorm, leader of the Darkling Lords, with a name that really doesn't need any explanation. His parents must've had great hopes for the child to give it a name like that.

- Well groomed beard : Villain -

It might seem like I'm giving away a lot of important plot details, but all of that is essential back-story that's garnered from episode one! I won't detail the remaining twelve episodes, except to say that Eps 01-03 are one long story, and when not fighting each other the teams go on fetch-quests for Merklynn, who keeps them in his debt by ensuring that their powers and staffs need replenished before they can be used again, at his sufferance. It also means the teams can't simply gang up and overpower him. Clever dick. Did I mention he has the longest beard?

Fourteen characters is a lot for a writer to juggle, so not everyone gets equal time in the spotlight, but what lets the series down most is the lack of any standout moments. It's well-animated, beautifully coloured, everything looks great as it plays out, the mild chivalric language is fun, and the voice work is good, but none of it is particularly memorable. It's reminiscent of the G.I. Joe cartoon, which is a licence that Hasbro also owned, but it lacks the Joe spark.

Still, it's only 13 episodes, and it had a proper ending. Just remember, lots of cool people wear beards in real life. They aren't just for crazy wizards and villainous pricks.

One final thought: why is the diamond on the DVD box art the wrong shape? o_0

- A font that an 80s Thrash Metal band would be proud to own -