Monster Rancher, Vol. 1: Let the Games Begin! (2000)

Synopsis
This home video release collects the first three episodes from this popular Japanese anime series. "In The Beginning" introduces Genki (voice of Andrew Francis), an 11-year-old boy who is a whiz at video games. When he wins a special tournament for game experts, he's awarded a unique CD-ROM for a game called Monster Rancher. Genki is playing his new game when he's magically sucked into the artificial world of the Monster Ranchers, where a girl named Holly (voice of Maggie Blue O'Hara) is being confronted by Suezo (voice of Scott McNeil), a strange creature who resembles a giant eyeball. Genki saves Holly from the monster, and they tame the beast, who in time becomes their friend. But now Genki has to figure out a way back to his own world. "I'm Mocchi!" finds Genki using his special discs to create a monster that he can keep as a pet: Mocchi (voice of Janyse Jaud), a furry creature who is playful and friendly but has a bottomless appetite. And in "Guardian of the Discs," Genki and Holly are searching for the Phoenix in hopes of finding a way back to Genki's home when they come face to face with Golem (voice of Richard Newman), a monster made of stone. Golem turns out to be their ally, as they encounter the minions of the evil Moo. In addition to the television series, the characters of Monster Rancher have also inspired a series of toys and, appropriately enough, a video game. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide