Everything Action Theater: The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers

There were a number of shows in the 80s and 90s that sent the Wild West into space with things like Bravestarr and Cowboys of Moo Mesa but arguably the coolest was The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers.  Debuting in 1986 and running until 1989, Galaxy Rangers was one of the first American cartoons to take design inspiration from anime, as opposed to importing anime shows and translating (and usually butchering) them.  The series was still animated at a Japan studio, Tokyo Movie Shinsha, but it was a fully American project.  The premise of the series was that in 2086, two benevolent aliens arrive and gift humanity with a hyperdrive, that allows intergalactic travel and the establishment of colonies on far off planets.  The Galaxy Rangers are formed to patrol these new colonies and uphold law and order.  The Rangers have bionic implants that, when they activate their badges, give them some sort of special ability and they also utilize laser pistols and robotic horses as they battle the evil forces of the Queen of the Crown, who wants to control the galaxy.  One of the coolest and most defining aspects of the show is it’s rocking theme song, “No Guts, No Glory” which was performed by John Van Tongeren aka Johnny Vancouver, who also co-wrote the song.  You can check out the entire first episode, “Phoenix”, below.