If there is any good news about the approaching future, it is that robots and machinery are stepping up to the plate to replace the need for manual labor, therefore giving humans more free time to pursue other interests. Or is it good news?

In the animated 1993 series, The Bots Master, viewers got a glimpse into the high-tech world of 2025. Robot engineer Ziv Zulander (ZZ) has developed the Androbots for The Robot Megafact Corporation (“The Corp”.) Unfortunately, the company has more sinister plans for Ziv’s invention, planting chips in the robots so that they can be used to take over the world. When Ziv realizes their plans, he resigns from the Corp and plots a counter-attack with his own army of personal ‘bots, The Brain Operated Young Zygoetopic Zoids (or BOYZZ, for short.)

Ziv’s boys include The Street Boyzz, construction-type bots that include Jammerzz and Toolzz, and the Sports Boyzz, including All Ball, Batzz, Bogey and Ace. Along with his robots and his impulsive sister, Blitz, it is up to Ziv to save the world from such evil entities as Dr. Hiss, Sir Lewis Leon Paradim, and Lady Frenzy (who secretly had a crush on Ziv.)

Perhaps the most memorable aspect to The Bots Master series was the incorporation of 3D effects. When young viewers heard the signal “Laser Time,” that meant that it was time to reach for the pair of 3D glasses so they could view a two-minute battle in all of its screen-popping glory. While it was an interesting idea, the 3D concept wasn’t compelling enough to keep viewers tuned in to The Bots Master, and after a mere 40 episodes, the futuristic cartoon was history.