Rant of Valakut: Animated Shows #In5Cards Ben Iverach-Brereton December 21, 2020 Rants of Valakut #In5Cards is an annual tradition for the Rants of Valakut. They are short word puzzles that use Magic cards to describe something from pop culture. Each year has a different theme: Christmas Sci-Fi Movies Superhero Movies These puzzles are pretty straightforward: you’ll be presented with the names of five Magic cards. (Don’t worry if you don’t know what the cards do; we only care about their names.) From these cards, see if you can guess what’s being described based on the category. This year we’re heading to the small screen with animated TV shows. These could include classic 60s TV shows, Saturday morning cartoons from the 80s and 90s, various anime series, and newer steaming service exclusives. You won’t run into any feature length films this year, though some of the shows have movies based on them or are spinoffs themselves. For example: Erratic Mutation Evolutionary Escalation Oppression Banishment Decree Sentinel Dispatch Year1992 – 1997 Hint“Scott!” “Jean!” AnswerX-Men: The Animated Series Did you get the correct answer? Feel free to skip ahead if you’re comfortable with the format and just want to get to the rest of the puzzles. If you’re still having trouble, this breakdown of the example may help: The Sample Puzzle In Detail: Why Use Those Cards? “Erratic Mutation” is a loose fit for the X-Men animated series, since there aren’t really any instances of a mutant’s powers going haywire. That said, we’re somewhat limited by the number of Magic cards that refer to a “Mutant” or “Mutation.” Given how important the idea of mutants are to the X-Men series, it’s better to include a card that doesn’t quite fit, so long as it includes the word we need. Hopefully the reader latches onto the word “Mutation” more than the word “Erratic.” Even then, “Erratic Mutation” is still a better fit than something like “Goblin Mutant.” “Evolutionary Escalation” is meant to evoke the idea of mutants as the “next step in human evolution,” a common tagline for the franchise. It also introduces the idea of conflict or competition as a result of this evolution. “Oppression” may remind the reader of the social allegories littered throughout the X-Men series. It should bring to mind several iconic scenes from the series that see non-mutants rioting and trying to take away mutant rights. “Banishment Decree” doesn’t necessarily have a direct parallel to any event in the series, but it hints at the likes of the Mutant Registration Act, and similar tactics used by anti-mutant factions to control or contain mutants. “Sentinel Dispatch” is, of course, a direct reference to the giant metal Sentinels in the series. They are one of the most iconic threats in the series, and are a major feature in the pilot episode, “Night of the Sentinels.” If the reader is familiar with X-Men: The Animated Series, they should know the name “Sentinel” and be able to link it back to the concepts of mutants and social injustice. It should hopefully be a simple matter from there to think of the correct answer. Some Final Notes #In5Cards puzzles don’t always focus on specific characters or plot points, and this year is no exception. Because this year’s theme has a lot of episodic shows, you can expect more broad-strokes descriptions than point-by-point plot summaries. If you’re stuck, try to think back to classic theme songs and opening title sequences for guidance. Also, don’t feel bad if you can’t get all of the answers; some of these cartoons are pretty obscure. I’ve provided some tools to help you out, though: each puzzle has years the series first aired available, as well as a hint. The years don’t take into account additional seasons added after a show was cancelled, just its original run on television. Also, if it’s listed as “2020” the series is complete, while if it’s listed as “present” the show is still airing new episodes as of December 2020. Finally, I made a complete list of the shows that appear in this year’s #In5Cards. Please refer to it if you need to narrow things down: List of Animated Shows The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends Adventure Time Aladdin Animaniacs Archer Avatar: The Last Airbender Beast Wars: Transformers Ben 10 Bob’s Burgers Captain Star Cowboy Beebop Dexter’s Laboratory Dragonball Z The Fairly OddParents Fairy Tail Fate/Stay Night The Flintstones Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma Futurama G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero Gargoyles Inspector Gadget InuYasha The Jetsons King of the Hill The Lion King’s Timon & Pumbaa Mummies Alive! My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Neon Genesis Evangelion PAW Patrol Pinky and the Brain Pokémon Popeye the Sailor Puella Magi Madoka Magica The Racoons Ranma 1/2 The Real Ghostbusters Reboot Rick And Morty The Rising of the Shield Hero The Road Runner Show Rocket Robin Hood Sailor Moon Samurai Jack Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! Sharky & George She-Ra and the Princesses of Power The Simpsons Speed Racer SpongeBob SquarePants Steven Universe Storm Hawks Sword Art Online TaleSpin Taz-Mania Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann The Transformers Violet Evergarden X-Men: The Animated Series The Yogi Bear Show Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters With all that out of the way, it’s time to get the puzzles underway. Good luck! Animated Shows #In5Cards 1. Cogwork Spy Grafted Wargear Always Watching Mission Briefing Detonate Year1983 – 1986 Hint“Always on Duty!” AnswerInspector Gadget 2. Rivals’ Duel Hand to Hand Devastating Summons False Defeat Summoning Trap Year2000 – 2004 Hint“Believe in the heart of the cards!” AnswerYu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters 3. Elemental Uprising Hero of the Winds Tidal Control Earthcraft Quest for Pure Flame Year2005 – 2008 Hint“Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony…” AnswerAvatar: The Last Airbender 4. Incorrigible Youths Haunting Apparition Trail of Mystery Entangling Trap Expose Evil Year1969 – 1970 Hint“Jinkies!” AnswerScooby-Doo, Where Are You! 5. Erratic Portal Elsewhere Flask Quasiduplicate Evil Twin Planar Chaos Year2013 – present HintThe worst grandfather in every universe. AnswerRick and Morty 6. Relentless Rats Blast of Genius Hint of Insanity Conqueror’s Pledge World Queller Year1995 – 1998 Hint“Narf!” AnswerPinky and the Brain 7. Worldsoul Colossus Angelic Edict Impact Resonance Cryptic Command Dark Prophecy Year1995 – 1996 HintNERV AnswerNeon Genesis Evangelion 8. Well of Discovery Renegade Demon Word of Binding Coveted Jewel Divine Arrow Year2000 – 2004 Hint“SIT, BOY!” AnswerInuYasha 9. Sewers of Estark Mutagenic Growth Shell Shield Shuriken Foot Soldiers Year1987 – 1996 HintPizza AnswerTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 10. Those Who Serve Rivalry Fresh Meat Fruit of the First Tree Savor the Moment Year2015 – 2020 HintWho knew culinary school could be so intense? AnswerFood Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma 11. Alpine Grizzly Fortifying Provisions Wild Hunger Morsel Theft Cunning Evasion Year1961 – 1962 HintGrand Theft: Picnic Basket AnswerThe Yogi Bear Show 12. Adventurers’ Guildhouse Keeper of Keys Zodiac Ox Hidden Dragonslayer Consuming Bonfire Year2009 – 2019 Hint“I’m all fired up!” AnswerFairy Tail 13. Skyline Despot Robber of the Rich Outlaws’ Merriment Flying Men Flame Jet Year1966 – 1969 HintThe Sheriff of N.O.T.T. AnswerRocket Robin Hood 14. Beneath the Sands Drill Bit Scrapyard Recombiner Nature’s Spiral Pierce the Sky Year2007 Hint“Believe in the me that believes in you!” AnswerTengen Toppa Gurren Lagann 15. Ancient Stone Idol Guardians’ Pledge Dark Betrayal Smash to Smithereens Rise Again Year1994 – 1997 Hint“Now here in Manhattan, the spell is broken, and we live again!” AnswerGargoyles 16. Daring Buccaneer Greenseeker Swallow Whole Muscle Burst Sudden Strength Year1933 – 1957 HintSpinach AnswerPopeye the Sailor 17. Timely Hordemate Sword of the Chosen Warrior’s Honor Shifting Loyalties Royal Trooper Year2018 – 2020 Hint“For the honour of Greyskull!” AnswerShe-Ra and the Princesses of Power 18. Into the Story Vicious Rumors Pariah’s Shield Bold Defense Bloodsoaked Champion Year2019 – present HintNaofumi, Raphtalia, Filo and Melty AnswerThe Rising of the Shield Hero 19. Starlight Invoker Decree of Justice Divine Transformation Skyline Scout Celestial Crusader Year1992 – 1997 HintMoon Prism Power! AnswerSailor Moon 20. Sunscorched Desert Daring Thief Treasure Trove Flying Carpet Djinn of the Lamp Year1994 – 1995 HintWelcome to Agrabah AnswerAladdin 21. Rock Jockey Quarry Hauler Declaration in Stone Commune with Dinosaurs Where Ancients Tread Year1960 – 1966 HintYabba-dabba-do! AnswerThe Flintstones 22. Trapped in the Tower Resolute Blademaster Twinblade Slasher Leveler Commence the Endgame Year2012 HintLink start! AnswerSword Art Online 23. Arid Mesa Easy Prey Trapmaker’s Snare Miscalculation Self-Inflicted Wound Year1966 – 1972 HintACME AnswerThe Road Runner Show 24. Wild Beastmaster Capture Sphere Catalog Creature Bond Pursue Glory Year1997 – present Hint“Gotta catch ’em all.” AnswerPokémon 25. Bellowing Elk Chatter of the Squirrel Aerial Maneuver Spy Network Thwart the Enemy Year1959 – 1964 HintBoris and Natasha AnswerThe Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends 26. Bounty Hunter Grapple with the Past Eye for an Eye Vicious Betrayal Quietus Spike Year1998 – 1999 Hint“You’re gonna carry that weight.” AnswerCowboy Beebop 27. Gearshift Ace Fleetwheel Cruiser Start Your Engines Tree Monkey Unlikely Aid Year1967 – 1968 HintThe Mach 5 AnswerSpeed Racer 28. Grave-Shell Scarab Resurrection Wall of Forgotten Pharaohs Honor Guard Abandoned Sarcophagus Year1997 Hint“Ra, Ra, Ra, Ra” AnswerMummies Alive! 29. Troublesome Spirit Sound the Call Geistcatcher’s Rig Seize the Soul Trap Essence Year1986 – 1991 HintSlimer AnswerThe Real Ghostbusters 30. Crosstown Courier Frozen Solid Cast Through Time Ill-Tempered Cyclops Junk Golem Year1999 – 2003 Hint“Bite my shiny, metal ass.” AnswerFuturama 31. Stroke of Genius Private Research Madcap Experiment Trespasser il-Vec Hindering Touch Year1996 – 1998 Hint“Now look what you did, Dee Dee! You clumsy fool!” AnswerDexter’s Laboratory 32. Seafloor Debris Sigiled Starfish Squirrel Nest Wishcoin Crab Walking Sponge Year1999 – present Hint“Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?” AnswerSpongeBob SquarePants 33. Karplusan Forest Animal Sanctuary Woodland Patrol Orcish Lumberjack Polluted Delta Year1985 – 1992 HintThe Evergreen Forest vs. Cyril Sneer AnswerThe Racoons 34. Thunder of Hooves Trusted Pegasus Loyal Unicorn Diamond Mare Cooperation Year2010 – 2019 HintThere’s something for everypony! AnswerMy Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 35. Cursed Ronin Magus of the Future Time Walk Crux of Fate Apocalypse Demon Year2001 – 2004 HintTrapped in the future, with only a katana. AnswerSamurai Jack 36. Sol Grail Dutiful Servants Civic Saber Notorious Assassin Unchained Berserker Year2006 HintThis could also apply to Zero or Grand Order. AnswerFate/Stay Night 37. Food Chain Kitchen Finks Those Who Serve Burnt Offering Patient Rebuilding Year2011 – present Hint“Grand Re-Re-Re-Opening” AnswerBob’s Burgers 38. Sphere of the Suns Coveted Prize Setessan Training Inner-Flame Igniter Soulblast Year1989 – 1996 HintIt’s over 9000!!! AnswerDragonball Z 39. Veteran Explorer Dwell on the Past Merchant Ship New Horizons Curio Vendor Year1997 – 1998 HintThe Starship Boiling Hell AnswerCaptain Star 40. Vodalian Merchant Bloodfire Expert Fuel for the Cause Marsh Gas Spare Supplies Year1997 – 2009 HintPropane, and propane accessories. AnswerKing of the Hill 41. Future Sight Cloudpost Assembly-Worker Mechanized Production Amass the Components Year1962 – 1963 HintSpacely Sprockets AnswerThe Jetsons 42. Multiform Wonder Enchanted Carriage Metallic Mimic Deception Repel Intruders Year1984 – 1987 Hint“More than Meets the Eye” AnswerThe Transformers 43. Tenth District Guard Proteus Machine Quickchange Artifact Mutation Neoform Year2005 – 2008 HintHe wears the Omnitrix is on his wrist. AnswerBen 10 44. Guardians of Meletis Overeager Apprentice Hall of Gemstone Crystalline Resonance Fusion Elemental Year2013 – 2019 HintThe Crystal Gems AnswerSteven Universe 45. Military Intelligence Elite Vanguard Nav Squad Commandos Armament Corps Cobra Trap Year1983 – 1986 Hint“Knowing is half the battle.” AnswerG.I. Joe: A Real American Hero 46. Mercenary Informer Spy Network Counterintelligence Reckless Reveler Sterling Grove Year2009 – present HintInternational Secret Intelligence Service AnswerArcher 47. Giant Shark Seafloor Stalker Syndicate Enforcer Ongoing Investigation Uncovered Clues Year1990 – 1992 HintThe crime busters of the sea! AnswerSharky & George 48. Spiteful Bully Advice from the Fae Make a Wish Spell Contortion Rite of Undoing Year2001 – 2017 HintCosmo and Wanda grant wishes. AnswerThe Fairly OddParents 49. Whirling Dervish Ferocity of the Wilds Gang of Devils Devouring Hellion Spin into Myth Year1991 – 1994 HintA Looney Tunes SPIN-off. AnswerTaz-Mania 50. Intrepid Hero Watchdog Beloved Princess Icefall Regent Vindictive Lich Year2010 – 2018 HintThe Land of Ooo. AnswerAdventure Time 51. Benevolent Offering Boon of the Wish-Giver Witch Hunter Seeds of Strength Tainted Pact Year2011 HintBeing a Magical Girl takes its toll. AnswerPuella Magi Madoka Magica 52. Balduvian Bears Jungleborn Pioneer Aerial Caravan Stalking Tiger Hinterland Harbor Year1990 – 1991 HintBaloo AnswerTaleSpin 53. Sea of Clouds Skyknight Vanguard Aerial Formation Lost Legacy Makeshift Battalion Year2007 – 2009 Hint“Atmos. World of a thousand mountaintop kingdoms….” AnswerStorm Hawks 54. Silverback Ape Woodlurker Mimic Deceiver of Form Shape Anew Steelform Sliver Year1996 – 1999 HintOptimus Primal AnswerBeast Wars: Transformers 55. Giant Warthog Karoo Meerkat Jungle Hollow Ajani’s Mantra Careless Celebrant Year1995 – 1999 Hint“It means ‘no worries’…” AnswerThe Lion King’s Timon & Pumbaa 56. Student of Warfare Debilitating Injury Mandate of Peace Heartwarming Redemption Write into Being Year2018 HintAuto Memory Doll AnswerViolet Evergarden 57. Urza’s Power Plant Indentured Oaf Spiteful Prankster Spectator Seating Shrine of Piercing Vision Year1989 – present HintD’oh! AnswerThe Simpsons 58. Warriors’ Lesson Drowned Secrets Exotic Curse Cold-Water Snapper Kenrith’s Transformation Year1989 – 1992 HintHe’s the pig-tailed girl. AnswerRanma 1/2 59. Empowered Autogenerator City in a Bottle Storage Matrix Viral Drake Vizier of Many Faces Year1994 – 2001 HintHexadecimal AnswerReBoot 60. Guard Dogs Pyre Hound Snow Hound Courage in Crisis Dramatic Rescue Year2013 – 2020 HintMarshall, Chase, Rocky, Skye…. AnswerPAW Patrol 61. Chaos Imps Captured by the Consulate Reliquary Tower Escape Routes Mischief and Mayhem Year1993 – 1998 HintThey’re zany to the max! 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