GR FAQ
Version 2.0 Written January 2, 1998
Written by Tara O' Shea (Lady Joanna Constantine) and Jessica Krucek (Allronix)

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I think I remember this show...
WHERE CAN I GET TAPES?!
How many episodes are there?
GR Action figure info!
who owns GR now? How do I contact the studio to tell them I want them back?
Who would you cast in a live-action version?


Q: I think I remember this show...It looked kinda like a Western, and had these three or four guys...

1) They had this ship that changed into a cowboy. It was definitely Japanese.
The series you're thinking of is Star Musketeers Bismark. After some typical American butchering and a mediocre dub job, it was known as Sabre Rider and the Star Sheriffs.

2) There was this Native American guy who said something like "Strength of the Bear..."

Wrong again. What you're thinking of BraveStarr, a cartoon made by Filmtation (the same company who made He-Man).

3) There was this psychic chick, a dude with a cyber arm, a guy who broke into computers, and this kickass Clint Eastwood type who morphed into stuff.

Bingo. Right series.

1986-1987 was an interesting year in animation, as these three Space Westerns aired at the same time. Given 11-12 years, things would get a bit mixed up.


Q: OK. So, now I know the series you're talking about. Weren't the Galaxy Rangers Japanese, too?

A: The series was created, written, voiced, storyboarded, and produced in America. The animation was done by Tokyo Movie Shinsa. However, it is listed in the Anime Web Guide, and usually (if the store even HAS tapes) shelved in the anime section of the video store. This makes it one of the only American-made cartoon series to be given the honor of being called "anime."

Q: I miss seeing these guys. Is it on tape? I want copies!

A: Ask HEARST ENTERTAINMENT! They recently aquired the distribution rights to the series, and all they need is convincing that their purchace was a wise one. Details and addresses HERE.
In the meantime, there are professional video tapes, but they're out of print and EXTREMELY RARE. I one time had to drive 60 miles to Seattle to Scarecrow Video just to FIND a place that had them to rent. It couldn't hurt to scour the discount bins, and ask around, though.
On the other hand, there are a few fans of the series with the full set on VHS. I'm one of them, but being a broke (and employed) college student, it takes me a while to sit down and copy my stash. An average time for me to complete a copy job is 3 months or so.
There is also talk on the Rangers list of someone getting a recordable DVD set and making DVD master copies of the series. Megaman has entire episodes digitized and ready for download at his site.

Q: Is it airing anywhere?

A: Hmmm...up until recently, it was airing in Germany (complete with a German dub). Unfortunately, I don't think it's airing anywhere right now.
Still, it has aired all over the world, if the Ranger list is any indication. At last count, we had members from almost twenty countries.
There is a campaign to get Cartoon Network to air it. Go over to Cybertoon's headquarters, and sign the petition. Plus, HIT UP HEARST!

Q: How many episodes/seasons were there?

A: One season of 65 episodes, a typical package for a syndicated animated series of the day.

Q: Were there action figures? Toys?

A: Well, GR was one of the only animated daily series that WASN'T designed as a 30-minute toy ad. There were some spin-off merchandice made after the series was up and running. The Roy Rogers fast food chain did have GR kids' meals (complete with somewhat inaccurate dossiers for the Rangers). Also, members of the list reported seeing a dartboard, 2 Golden Books, and a lunchpail.

But THAT was just in the States. As evidenced by the international membership of the GR list, it had a GREAT time overseas. It caught on so well in France that action figures were made! Kat Anderson has pictures...

Q: Who were the characters again?

A: Go to my character guide.

Q: Is there an official fan club?
A: Not that I know of. There IS the GR e-mailing list, and the (proposed) fanzine BETA Testing, but those are by and for fans.

Q: What is this "list" you keep talking about?
A: OK. The GR mailing list was created in 1993 by the lovely Lady Joanna (Tara O'Shea). Subscription info is on the main page. The list has been described as a "dedicated bunch of fanatics... relentlessly good natured, too." It's the backbone of this tiny (but growing) fandom. Here's were fans ask more detailed questions, post fanfic, swap jokes, trade tapes, etc. Sign on and post! We're crazy, but we don't bite.
We also have the a chat room established on GammaNet (currently). Its primary purpose was to act as a "writers' forum," but it's often used as a cyberspace hangout for the list members. Kat Anderson's page lists the rules and regs for the room.


Q: Is there an episode guide? A cast list?
A: Several. Try Tara's page or Dreistone's page. Sasha Twen's working on one, and I am, too. Kat Anderson's page has production credits AND an episode guide!.
Q: Is there any fanfic?
A: Yes, but not much yet. There was NO fanfic or anything until Lady Joanna created the list and wrote her two fanfics, "Endgame" and "Gooseman's Revenge." Things didn't really pick up in the fanfic department until the advent of the chat room in 1996, and the arrival of some of the more insane members of the crew (The Evil Writing Guild) in the same year. Currently, there are about 25 fanfics in varying stages of completion. See the Fanfic addition to the FAQ for more details.

Q: How can I get in contact with the Writers/Producers/Studio?
A: Well, you can contact Hearst, as they hold the rights to the series. Details are accessable from the main page. One of the show's writers is also known to lurk on the list.

Q: Is the soundtrack available on CD or tape? Hell, I'll take 8-track if they have it!
A: Don't we wish! The closest we have is that Kat's using her recordable CD drive to record the theme songs, and what she can piece together with a minimum of dialogue interruptions. Christian Gotroff has the three theme songs in MIDI format available on his site, as well, MIDI's were done by another German member, Stefan Hauslicht.
Phil Gladston and John van Torigan composed the music for the series.

Q: What are the voice talent doing now?

A: Well, Laura Dean (Niko), Corrine Orr (Queen of the Crowns), and Henry Mandell (Waldo) were working for Robert Mandell recently. They were the voices of Tarmara, Lady Kale, and Archimedes ("Archie") the owl, respectively, on Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders. Believe it or not, Orr is also the voice of the Snuggle Fabic Bear (what a career change for the ultimate Evil Queen!). Laura Dean made an appearance on Friends, and does a lot of toy ad voice-overs.
Doug Pries (Goose) has been heard in a few dozen commercials (including the Vlassic Pickle Stork), and as the announcer on the USA network (the guy who tells you that Highlander's coming up next).
Jerry Orbach (Zachary) has been all over the map, voicing Lumiere the Candlestick in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, playing a burnt-out doctor in Universal Soldier, and currently playing Lt. Brascoe in NBC's Law and Order series.
Hubert Kelly (Doc), Maia Danzigner (Maya, Daisy O'Mega), Ray Owens (MaCross), et al...hey, if you know what they're up to, drop me a line.

Q: Just out of curiosity, who would you cast in a live-action version of GR?

A: I'm working on a page for this. The SCARY part for anyone who mixes their GR with Blake's 7. Someone asked Jacquline Pierce (the lady who played Servalan) about playing the Queen of the Crowns. she said she's "talk to her agent." ;->