is a computer-generated imagery

Computer-generated imagery

Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...

-based animated television series, based on Sony

Sony

, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....

's best-selling video game franchise

Media franchise

A media franchise is an intellectual property involving the characters, setting and trademarks of an original work of media , such as a film, a work of literature, a television program or a video game. Generally, a whole series is made in a particular medium, along with merchandising and endorsements...

 of the same name (known as "Ape Escape

Ape Escape

Ape Escape is a platform game published, produced and developed by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It was originally released in 1999. It was re-released for the Sony Greatest Hits and Best for Family line-ups in 2000; for the Platinum Range in 2001; and for the PSone Books...

" in the U.S.).

The anime, based on the games Million Monkeys, Saru Get You/Ape Escape 3 and Saru Saru Big Mission debuted as part of TV Tokyo

TV Tokyo

is a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...

's thirty-minute Oha Coliseum segment. Saru Get You episodes are approximately 10 minutes long; the remaining time-slot was originally filled with Rockman EXE Beast+

MegaMan NT Warrior

Mega Man NT Warrior or Mega Man Battle Network, known in Japan as , is an anime and manga series based on the Mega Man Battle Network video game series...

episodes but has since been replaced by Ryusei no Rockman episodes as of October 7, coinciding with the start of the second Saru Get You series (entitled Saru Get You -On Air- 2nd). The second series concluded on the 29th of September, 2007 and was replaced by Zero Duel Masters from the 6th of October, 2007.

The anime is a bit more light-hearted than the video-game series and is geared more toward younger audiences. It focuses mainly on Jake/Hiroki's romance with Natalie/Natsumi than Spike/Kakeru's romance with Helga/Haruka. Currently, there are no plans for an English adaptation.

Storyline

When Specter gets a hold of a Pipo Helmet, he becomes intelligent and starts using monkeys to spread chaos around the world. Using their teleporter and gadgets, Kakeru, Hiroki, Natsumi and the Professor work to capture the monkeys and stop Specter's plans, later joined by virtual girl Charu and mech genius Haruka. It is revealed that Specter's true identity is Natsumi's pet monkey, Kuuta, who was transformed into Specter by a group called the Pipotrons. They host a game in virtual space, challenging Kakeru and his friends for Specter's freedom, but Specter escapes before they get there. The Pipotrons then challenge Kakeru and co to a tournament. Specter eventually learned about the kind things humans have done for monkeys, protects Kakeru and returns to being Kuuta.

External links

• Saru Get You -On Air- XEBEC site (Japanese)
• Saru Get You -On Air- 2nd Shogakugan site (Japanese)