Zatch Bell! is a Japanese anime series based on the manga series, Konjiki no Gash!!, written and illustrated by Makoto Raiku. The manga was adapted into a 150 episode anime TV series titled Konjiki no Gash Bell!! by Toei Animation. The series follows Kiyo Takamine and his Mamodo partner Zatch Bell as they try to win the tournament of Mamodo battles in order to make Zatch the king of the Mamodo world. The anime was directed by Tetsuji Nakamura. Konjiki no Gash Bell!! premiered on Fuji TV on April 6, 2003 and ran until March 23, 2006.