Episode 49

**Dr. Riddles and the Majestic Twelve** (ナゾナゾ博士と12人の刺客（マジョスティックトゥエルブ）, *Nazonazo Hakase to Majosutikku Tōerubu*) is the 49th episode of the Konjiki no Gash Bell!! Anime. This episode first aired in Japan on March 21, 2004.

## Overview

Dr. Riddles and Kid arrive in Mochinoki City and finally meet with Kiyomaro and Gash. Though Kiyomaro and Gash are initially unsure what to make of them, they see for themselves that they're not to be taken lightly during battle. Kiyomaro finds himself especially fascinated by Dr. Riddles' claim that he purportedly knows the secrets of the spell books.

## Plot

During the night when Kiyomaro returns to his room after a phone call with his father, he sees that the stone tablet in his possession suddenly gone and his window left wide open. The next day, he gets in a scuffle with Umagon under the assumption that he had stolen it but Gash, acting as their mediator, eventually convinces Kiyomaro that Umagon was innocent. At the same time at their local park, Dr. Riddles performs a few magic tricks for a small group of children and they find themselves in awe when Kid, who bears resemblance to a doll, shows he's able to speak. Naomi, who had been skeptical, tries to point out that this was simply ventriloquism. Dr. Riddles humors this assumption and involves her in one more of his magic tricks. He and Kid would then speak at the same time as they wish everyone farewell thus disproving her claim.

At home while Kiyomaro tends to his bite wounds from Umagon, Gash suddenly asks him about what he can do to become stronger as he still thinks a lot about his recent battle against Barry. Kiyomaro shares with Gash that he thinks about the same question as well and feels there is a lot he can do to help them win more battles but adds that it's just as important that Gash's own power becomes stronger. He elaborates on this by suggesting that unlocking the secrets of the spell book will help them in their efforts and concludes that he feels as though he'll reach a breakthrough in his understanding of it in due time. As they talk, their doorbell rings but before they can answer it, they see Kid had already let himself into their room through the window. He politely greets them and introduces himself before telling them that he and Dr. Riddles will be expecting them outside.

Outside, Gash and Kiyomaro meet Dr. Riddles and see that he carries a spell book just like them. Dr. Riddles formally introduces himself and claims that he knows all about them already. Just as Kiyomaro braces himself for a battle, he finds out from Dr. Riddles that he will be facing off against his other comrades that he brought with him; a mysterious American group with supernatural powers — The Majestic 12. After introducing each and every one of them, Dr. Riddles presents Kiyomaro with a question asking him who out of them all doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of them. Kiyomaro answers this by pointing out Big Boing who doesn't seem to have powers like the rest of the group. Kiyomaro's answer was revealed to be correct and they all celebrate this. Dr. Riddles then promptly admits defeat and both he and the rest of the Majestic 12 promptly leave. This strange turn of events leaves Kiyomaro and Gash confused for the rest of the day while they wonder if they will all return again.

In the early evening, Kid, Dr. Riddles, and the rest of the Majestic 12 head to the airport to enjoy a meal together before it was time for the Majestic 12 to depart on their flight back to America. While at the airport, Kid asks Dr. Riddles about Gash Bell and learns a little bit about him and his spell powers. Kid then wonders about his own strength in comparison to Gash and Dr. Riddles would suggest that they're one of the more powerful teams given how he supposedly knows everything about the spell book and the Demon World. The next day, the pair arrive at Kiyomaro's house again but this time wish to truly challenge him and Gash to a battle. While they boast about their strength, Dr. Riddles mentions to Kiyomaro about his extensive knowledge about demons and the spell books and even offers to tell him everything he knows if he manages to defeat him. Their battle would soon take place outside and Kiyomaro and Gash see for themselves how their current strength holds up against them. Their battle starts off with Gash's *Zakeru* clashing then being overpowered by Kid's *Zegaru*. While he recovers from the attack, Kiyomaro begins to wonder if Dr. Riddles' claims were true as he can clearly see that his spell book continues to glow bright. Dr. Riddles follows up their attacks by casting *Zerusen* which targets Gash and Kiyomaro. They attempt to defend themselves using *Rashirudo* but it would fail to hold up against Kid's spell. Trying a new strategy, Kiyomaro has Gash aim his next *Zakeru* towards the ground around Dr. Riddles and Kid to distract them while they try to close in on them for a direct attack. Their plan would soon fail however when Gash grabs Kid to attack him directly with another *Zakeru* only for Kid to avoid it by using *Zeburuku* to split his body in half. Dr. Riddles would then knock Kiyomaro's book out of his hands and Gash would be pinned to the ground by Kid.

Dr. Riddles would then begin quizzing Kiyomaro a series of questions in order to help him figure out the secrets of the spell book. While the first question was nonsense, the second question involves asking Kiyomaro about what the spell book is. Kiyomaro answers this correctly stating that it's something that converts human will into energy for demons to use spells. He then demonstrates this by casting *Zakeruga* which would once again clash with another one of Kid's spells, *Zegaruga.* While this is happening, Dr. Riddles presents Kiyomaro with his third question asking him where these spell powers are born from. Kiyomaro answers incorrectly saying it comes from the book and he and Gash would consequently be overpowered again by Kid's spell and Kid would then attack the two of them again using *Amuzegaru.* Kiyomaro would finally make the realization that the reason why new spells have yet to appear is because the spells themselves have yet to be written and it was not because of him simply not being unable to read them. The book itself does not create the spells but rather, spells appear when a demon's hidden powers awaken within them. Just as Kiyomaro begins to understand this, he would soon have to run and carry Gash to escape from Kid's incoming *Zerusen* attack. While he carries Gash, he tells him that in order for them to be stronger, Gash needs to believe in himself as there is great power deep inside him that has yet to be realized.

When Gash finally understands that the power he desires to protect Kiyomaro rests within him, a strong light suddenly emits from their spell book and within it, a new spell has appeared. Kid and Dr. Riddles witness this and admire Gash and Kiyomaro's sudden growth. Kiyomaro then casts Gash's sixth spell, *Rauzaruku*, which causes Gash's whole body to glow from a bright light surrounding him. Kiyomaro then sees that unlike Gash's previous spells, Gash is fully conscious while his spell is active. This episode ends as Kiyomaro is left to wonder what this new spell is and how it will help them in winning this battle.

## Features

### Characters by Appearance

* Kiyomaro Takamine
* Umagon
* Gash Bell
* Dr. Riddles
* Kid
* The Majestic 12
* Naomi
* Vincent Barry (Flashback)

### Locations

* Mochinoki City
	+ Takamine Residence
		- Kiyomaro's Room

## Spells by Appearance

* Zakeru
* Zegaru (Debut)
* Zerusen
* Rashirudo
* Zakeruga
* Zeburuku (Debut)
* Zegaruga (Debut)
* Amuzegaru (Debut)
* Rauzaruku (Debut)

## Manga & Anime Differences

* All appearances Umagon has in this episode is entirely filler and he has no involvement during these events in the manga.
* In the manga, after visiting the park, Dr. Riddles and Kid head to a nearby restaurant where they would eat and talk about Gash and Kiyomaro. In the anime, they meet with Gash and Kiyomaro instead. They would have their meal and talk about them at the airport along with the rest of the Majestic 12 later in the evening.
* In the anime, while in Kiyomaro's room, Gash sits on the windowsill while Kiyomaro sits on his bed. In the manga, both of them are sitting across from each other on the floor.
* In the manga, when Dr. Riddles and Kid show up again at Kiyomaro's house the next day, they're seen already inside of his home when they speak with him. In the anime, they were originally seen outside but let themselves in after Dr. Riddles caused the door lock to explode.
* During their battle, in the anime, Dr. Riddles knocks away Kiyomaro's spell book when he and Gash fail to unleash a direct *Zakeru* attack onto Kid. In the manga, he throws Gash back towards Kiyomaro instead.

## Censorship & Other Localization Differences

* Details such as blood from injuries are cleaned up from characters in the VIZ localization but other things such as scratches and clothing tears are usually left alone. All blood seen on Barry during a flashback and on Kiyomaro would be cleaned up in the VIZ localization.
* Scenes that originally focused on Big Boing were either removed entirely or replaced by scenes focusing on Kiyomaro instead.