Dragon Flyz

Dragon Flyz

Company type	Animated television series
Industry	Entertainment, Animation
Founded	1996
Founder	Savin Yeatman
Area served	United States, Europe
Products	Animated TV series, Toy line
Parent	Gaumont Multimedia and Abrams/Gentile Entertainment

Dragon Flyz is an animated TV series developed by Savin Yeatman and produced through a collaboration between Gaumont Multimedia and Abrams/Gentile Entertainment. Inspired by a Galoob toy collection, the program was broadcast in syndication throughout the United States and Europe from 1996 until 1997, spanning two seasons with a total of 26 episodes.

The narrative takes place following a catastrophic event called the Cataclysm, focusing on the Dragonators—an elite team performing rescue and recovery operations while piloting dragons.

According to David Perlmutter's Encyclopedia of American Animated Television Shows, Dragon Flyz serves as "a rather overt commercial for a toy franchise," comparable to other Abrams/Gentile projects such as Happy Ness: The Secret of the Loch and Van-Pires.

Plot and setting

The storyline unfolds in the 41st century after a global apocalypse known as the Cataclysm, triggered by nuclear warfare that led to widespread extinction of flora and fauna. The planet's surface has become desolate and volcanic, with flowing lava rendering much of it unlivable. Humanity’s remnants inhabit Airlandis, a city suspended in the sky.

At the heart of the series are dragon-riders engaged in struggles for control over the world. These riders include humans and reptilian species resembling gargoyles or demons. Operating from Airlandis, the Dragonators descend to the planet’s surface to extract amber—a crucial energy source located in lava pools or subterranean deposits. Some humans survived the Cataclysm by escaping on a space station, where the protagonists’ mother currently resides. The hostile environment presents dangers such as electrical storms, turbulent air currents, and corrosive Warp Winds that can only be traversed through hollow mountain formations called Wind Pits. Life endures within protected sanctuaries preserving species from before the Cataclysm.

Airlandis itself contains five biospheres designed to replicate natural ecosystems in order to maintain rescued wildlife. Its power core is maintained by an engineer named Orac. Notable locations within the city include a Dragonator launch platform, a dragon aviary, governmental chambers, a Skywatch observation unit, and a detention facility.

Characters

Dragon-riders rely on dragons for transportation and combat purposes, equipped with exo-wings—dragonfly-inspired mechanical wings affixed to their armor that enable brief flights. The antagonist Dreadwing and his Dramen followers possess membranous wings attached at their shoulders; both types of wings disappear when not in use. The Dragonators utilize wrist-mounted Wind Jammers as weapons, whereas Dreadwing’s forces employ glove-shaped cannons.

Z'neth

• Callsign: Dragonator One
• Armor Color: Cerulean Blue
• Dragon Steed: Riptor

As the eldest sibling and leader of the Dragonators, he is distinguished by his strong sense of honor and principled nature.

Summit

• Callsign: Dragonator Two
• Armor Color: Forest Green
• Dragon Steed: Sky-Fury

The second oldest sibling, noted for his sharp intellect, quick temper, and physical prowess.

Apex

• Callsign: Dragonator Three
• Armor Color: Silver
• Dragon Steed: Blazewind

The third sibling who favors diplomacy over aggression; she possesses telepathic powers allowing communication with dragons and partial control over half-dragons like the Dramen, indicated by her silver-glowing eyes during activation.

Peak

• Callsign: Dragonator Four
• Armor Color: Orange and purple
• Dragon Steed: Wingstorm

The youngest sibling, known for daring aerial maneuvers on dragons. His arrogant and playful demeanor frequently leads to complications.

Amod

• Callsign: Dragonator Five
• Armor Color: Brown
• Dragon Steed: Titan

A proficient fighter and companion of Peak within the Dragon Flyz. Initially displays a lack of respect toward dragons.

Zarkan

• Callsign: Dragonator Six
• Armor Color: Black
• Dragon Steed: Thunder

A soldier aligned with the Dragonators as part of the Dragon Flyz team.

Nora

• Callsign: Dragonator Nine
• Armor Color: Light blue
• Dragon Steed: Unnamed

The second female member of the Dragonators, actively engaged in combat alongside her peers and admired by Peak.

Aaron

• Armor Color: Red

Patriarch to the four siblings and their mentor. Though unable to walk, he uses a staff embedded with an Amber crystal to hover. He is a prominent advocate on Airlandis's council for relocating their community.

Orac

Engineer tasked with upkeep and repair of Airlandis' energy generator.

Councillor Joshua

A high-ranking official in Airlandis' parliament who opposes Aaron’s relocation proposals. His impatience results in Summit’s imprisonment, allowing Dreadwing to seize control over Airlandis.

Dreadwing

• Dragon Steed: Blackheart

The primary villain commanding Dramen forces from his crashed vessel, Warnado.

Nocturna

• Dragon Steed: Unnamed

Dreadwing's deputy, overseeing territorial control. She accepts Oasis's offer of allegiance but betrays him after Oasis’s destruction. Occasionally allies with the Dragonators, possibly due to an infatuation with Z'neth.

Fryte

• Dragon Steed: Skunk

A devoted follower of Dreadwing; his dragon resembles a skunk.

Gangryn

• Dragon Steed*: Unnamed

A mutant scientist serving Dreadwing with personal ambitions, ready to change loyalties if advantageous.

The Gremwings

Bipedal insectoid creatures that serve Dreadwing in vast numbers, possessing significant strength. Other variants include one-eyed batlike scouts and blood-sucking types.

The Dramen

• Dragon Steed: Unnamed

Large gargoyle-like humanoids capable of wing growth. Dreadwing’s Dramen often back him and his commanders, sometimes riding dragons into battle.

Dram

• Callsign: None
• Armor Color: Dark brown
• Dragon Steed: Titan

Raised by Aaron after his village was destroyed, Dram’s allegiance to Aaron has caused other Dramen to brand him a traitor. Although he has a dragon steed, he prefers independent flight.

Vydak

Leader of a Dark Dramen clan responsible for destroying Dram’s village and enslaving another group. Dreadwing’s efforts to form an alliance with Vydak collapse when Dram frees the captives. Their forces later clash before jointly assaulting Airlandis, unaware that their leaders plan to betray each other.

Dragons

The series showcases three distinct dragon categories. The most prevalent are Airlandian dragons, characterized by their serpentine forms, elongated necks and tails, sharp needle-like teeth, and pterosaur-inspired wings that also serve as legs. Another type possesses a robust body with four legs and a short neck; these dragons are ridden by Fryte, Kreigo, and Nocturna. The third category, represented solely by Blackheart, merges features from both types and has the unique ability to consume lava and exhale fire. All dragons exhibit high intelligence, comprehend human language, and demonstrate unwavering loyalty to their riders. Airlandian dragons inhabit a vast hangar-like facility equipped with nesting zones and an environment that has been terraformed.

Riptor

Z'Neth’s blue dragon sports a nasal horn and two crests. As an Airlandian dragon regarded as the leader among his kind—highlighted by his larger nest and armored protection—Riptor competes in strength with Blackheart.

Sky Fury

Summit rides a green dragon adorned with two brown horns; she is the only female dragon among the heroes’ mounts. Sky Fury acts independently and decisively without requiring instructions.

Fury's Cub

This small green dragon was taken as an egg by Nocturna to be used in Gangryn’s genetic experiments. Upon hatching, it can release a paralyzing blast. Dreadwing attempts to exploit this power for weaponization but ultimately fails when Sky Fury convinces him to ally with her.

Wing Storm

Peak’s youthful steel-gray dragon features a spiky head and an elongated snout. Both rider and dragon are known for their recklessness, although Wing Storm tends to exercise more caution.

Blazewind

Apex’s white dragon is distinguished by its black mane. Their connection is deepened through Apex’s ability to communicate telepathically with Blazewind.

Blackheart

Dreadwing commands Blackheart, a colossal four-legged dragon with a long neck and red scales capable of consuming lava and breathing fire. Although Riptor matches him in power and serves as his rival, Blackheart was once bested by the leader of a pack of wild fire-breathing dragons.

Episodes

The initial three episodes were compiled into a standalone film titled Dragon Flyz: The Legend Begins, which premiered on December 3, 1996.

Episode	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date {{Episode list/sublist|Dragon Flyz	Title = The Mount Alayas ... Toy line Galoob introduced two primary Dragon Flyz toy collections. The first set includes main characters outfitted in diverse costumes, featuring rotating wings designed for flight, a dragon-shaped launcher device, and an accompanying DVD. The second collection omits the DVD and utilizes a launcher not shaped like a dragon. Variations include solo rider figures, dragons capable of flapping their own wings, and models that illuminate when launched. Most rider figures are equipped with weaponry resembling firearms. Additionally, Galoob marketed a related toy series aimed at girls called Sky Dancers. Home media Columbia TriStar Home Video released Dragon Flyz on VHS in four volumes containing individual episodes plus a compilation titled "Dragon Flyz: The Legend Begins." Two Region 2 DVD sets each hold three episodes, complementing those included with the toy releases. The series has also been officially made available for streaming on YouTube by Mondo World. Film adaptation In November 1995, Abrams/Gentile Entertainment was reportedly in discussions with New Line Cinema regarding the production of a live-action adaptation of Dragon Flyz. External links