Chou Dokyu Kaiju Donragon

Aired: 1993

A short anime aired inside the Sanrio-sponsored Tokyo TV slot 'Daisuki! Hello Kitty', featuring character designs by Hisato Inoue. Donragon, a clumsy soccer player whose home stadium floats somewhere in deep space, is repeatedly targeted by a 'Punishment Monster Squad' after being shown unjust red cards. Each episode he is rescued when his girlfriend Madonra gives him a kiss, unleashing one-million-horsepower strength and triggering monster-pro-wrestling-meets-soccer mayhem. Tucked inside a longer kids' variety show, this short turns its surreal premise and lovable goofiness into a cult favorite of early-90s Japanese television.