Kouchuu Ouja Mushiking: Mori no Tami no Densetsu

When a spacecraft attempting to return to its home planet crashes upon a dying planet, the powerful and enigmatic life forms controlling the ship cause an explosion of pure energy. This is how the story opens. This energy explosion gives the dying planet a force that can create life. Popo, the protagonist of the tale, resides contentedly with his mother on this planet in a distant area of the forest that is home to a wide variety of insects, including praying mantises, ladybugs, beetles, and many others. Popos most fervent wish is to mature and gain strength so that he can look for his father, who abandoned the family several years ago and hasn't been seen or heard from since. Because of his intense devotion to his studies of the earth and the forest where his family lives, his father was referred to as the Guardian of the Forest. One day, when Popo is strolling in the forest, he notices a concerning development. The forest is completely obscured by a mysterious, swirling mist. Passer, a strange and evil figure, also makes an appearance and accuses Popos' father of being an enemy of the forest people and the cause of all of their problems. Popo rushes home only to be shocked and amazed to discover that his mother has been changed into a half-plant, half-human creature. Popo, who is confused and horrified by what he has witnessed, determines that only his father will be able to change his mother back into a human and protect the forest. He makes the decision to leave his house and look for his father. However, Popo is constantly under attack from huge beetles as the villainous Adder and his goons attempt to stop him from reaching his objective. Fortunately, Popo has Mushiking, The King of Beetles, on his side. Mushiking consistently saves the young kid from defeat and sends him back on his mission with his immense strength and dominating fighting technique in the nick of time. Can Popo locate his father, save his mother, and save the forest? Popo's epic adventure to find his father officially starts now as he learns his fate as the following Guardian of the Forest and is accompanied by Mushiking who will guard him and lead him on his mission.