Time for more retro anime, dredged from the realm of semi-obscurity (unless you lived in Japan or the Philippines)!
Juuni Senshi Bakuretsu Eto Ranger ("Eto Rangers" for short) is the story of the 12 spirits of the Chinese zodiac, who pilot a time traveling Kirin Mecha to save world literature. The spirit of Cats (who in mythology was denied a place in the zodiac because of Rat's trickery) leads a horde of monsters that seek to ruin stories by entering them and corrupting them, usually changing the genre or time-period, with disastrous results for the story's characters.
(Click to Embiggen)
The Eto Rangers are led by Bakumaru the Spirit of Rats, who uses a magic mirror that can reveal the true nature of illusions. Other characters include Horus the Spirit of Oxen, a simpleminded guy who enters a rage whenever he sees something red; Nyorori the Spirit of Snakes, who serves as the team's mystic, and uses minor telekinesis to move and carry things; Tarto the spirit of Chickens, team tomboy and acrobatics specialist, who is self-conscious and has a strong protective streak; Monk the Spirit of Monkeys, an egotistical prankster, self-proclaimed genius, and rival to Bakumaru; and more.
8 episodes have English fansubs done so far, with more in the works. It looks like a cute show with an interesting premise, and it's funny to watch Japanese takes on European literature and folklore. I hope they eventually do something like The Great Gatsby or The Scarlet Letter or something... I could not begin to describe my joy at the thought.