Thundercats
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ThunderCats is an American animated television series developed by Rankin/Bass in 1983 based on the characters created by Tobin "Ted" Wolf. The animation was provided by Topcraft, a Japanese group who would later go on to form Studio Ghibli. was shown in 1985 (65 episodes), followed by a TV movie entitled in 1986. Seasons , , and followed a new format of 20 episodes each, starting with a five-part story. They aired from 1987 to 1988, 1988 to 1989, and 1989 to 1990, respectively.
On March 17, 1997, ThunderCats was the first series seen on Cartoon Network's new action-animation afternoon block, Toonami. In its early Cartoon Network airings, ThunderCats could only be seen at 3:30 A.M. EST on Sunday mornings; however, it would eventually move to a weekday timeslot of 4:00 P.M. The series would depart and return in various timeslots including Saturday mornings and late night marathons until 2002. A game was even created for [Cartoon Network's official web site] that allows visitors to play as Lion-O and rescue fellow ThunderCats while venturing Mumm-Ra's tomb.
There were also several comic-book series produced: Marvel Comics' version, 1985 to 1988; and two series by Wildstorm, an imprint of DC Comics, beginning in 2003. The Wildstorm-produced comics were created to tie-in with a wide range of merchandising which pre-dated the show. Items of clothing featuring the ThunderCats logo have enjoyed a resurgence in recent years.
Overview
ThunderCats offered a long-running battle between good (the ThunderCats) and evil (the Mutants/Mumm-Ra), set in a milieu that combined high technology and hand-to-hand combat. The ThunderCats are humanoids with distinct feline appearances, while the Mutants are a rag-tag group of uglies, all of them a form of Anthropomorphism.Throughout most of the series, the action is set on a planet called "Third Earth" (i.e., the third age of Earth). It is unclear whether this is meant to be our future Earth or an alternate reality version of the planet. However, both visual and verbal references to ancient Egyptian culture during the series seem to indicate that the planet is a future version of our Earth.
Both the ThunderCats and the Mutants are non-native. The ThunderCats fled their home planet, Thundera, as it was being destroyed by the Sword of Plun-Darr's magic; and the Mutants from the planet Plun-Darr pursued them. The ThunderCats bring to Third Earth their Code of Justice, Truth, Honor, and Loyalty, which threatens the evil dominion of Mumm-Ra, an ancient devil priest of First Earth.
The Mutants and Mumm-Ra seek to possess the magic Eye of Thundera, the source of the ThunderCats' power, embedded in the hilt of the mystic Sword of Omens. The battle for ownership of the Eye fuels the conflict between the ThunderCats and their enemies at first; but eventually, the Mutants and Mumm-Ra want nothing more than to retake Third Earth in the name of evil and do away with the ThunderCats entirely.
In later episodes, Mumm-Ra magically reconstructs Thundera in order to gain the Sword of Plun-Darr and locate the Treasure of Thundera, which harbors the ThunderCats' secrets. In these episodes, the ThunderCats' adventures alternate between New Thundera and Third Earth. Eventually, the ThunderCats return to New Thundera to rebuild their society, while still maintaining guard duty on Third Earth.
Characters
Heroes
- Lion-O - The Lord of the ThunderCats. During the trip to Third Earth, his body aged normally while in suspended animation due to a breakdown in the pod. While only 12 years old on Thundera, he arrives on Third Earth physically an adult of 22, though mentally still a child. Despite this problem, Lion-O is the wielder of the team's super weapon, the Sword of Omens. When unused, the sword is no larger than a dagger, but it can extend to full size in battle. Embedded in the hilt of the Sword of Omens is the Eye of Thundera, the jewel that is the main source of the ThunderCats' power. With the power of the Eye, Lion-O can call upon a variety of powers and abilities from the sword, including "Sight Beyond Sight" (the ability to peer at faraway goings-on and pierce the veil of the dimensional boundaries) and the "Cat's Growl" (a warning when danger is near and/or other ThunderCats are in trouble). Also, by pointing the sword in any direction and using a battle cry of "HO!", the sword is able to fire devastating energy blasts. With a cry of "Thunder, thunder, thunder, THUNDERCATS! HO!", Lion-O can summon the other ThunderCats to assist him in times of great danger, sending out a red beam of light that projects an image of the Eye of Thundera into the sky (similar to the Bat-Signal in calling for Batman's help). This also has the effect of focusing the team, giving them a temporary burst of strength, and breaking any mental control they may be under. The sword has a semi-sentient ego that will act on its own if necessary. For instance, when Lion-O first plays with the sword after awakening, he decides to hunt some deer despite the fact that there was no need for it. When Lion-O made the attempt, the sword flew out of his hand, embedded itself into the ground and refused to be removed until the spirit of Jaga appeared to tell the young ThunderCat that the sword will not cooperate in an act of evil. The scabbard of the sword is part of a golden gauntlet with claws and a built-in grappling line. Lion-o often uses this as weapon as well. (Voice actor: Larry Kenney.)
- Jaga - The group's original leader, Jaga did not survive the trip, as he was forced to pilot the ship towards Third Earth while the other ThunderCat nobles went into suspended animation due to a malfunction in the ships navigation systems. He appears in the form of a spiritual apparition, providing Lion-O with counsel when needed, à la Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. (Voice actor: Earl Hammond.)
- Tygra - The second-in-command, Tygra is an older male and the intellectual of the group, acting as a foil to Lion-O's impulsive nature. Often referred to as "The Architect," it was Tygra who designed Cat's Lair. He is armed with a bolo-whip that can render him invisible. He is also able to use his "mind power" to create illusions, although he rarely demonstrates this ability. (Voice actor: Peter Newman.)
- Panthro - The strongest and most technically adept of the group, Panthro uses fighting sticks, or nunchucks which can emit various vapors. He is the designer/mechanic/driver of the ThunderTank and with Tygra's designs he builds the other ThunderCat vehicles - namely Feliner, ThunderClaw, HoverCat, and ThunderStrike. (Voice actor: Earle Hyman.)
- Cheetara - The only adult female, until the arrival of Pumyra. She has the ability to run extremely fast (in the episode "Pumm-Ra," while on her morning jog, she maintained a speed of 120 mph with no apparent difficulty) for up to two miles, as well as fight and vault with a collapsible quarterstaff, magnetically affixed to her gauntlet. Cheetara also has a budding sixth sense: by spinning rapidly in place, she can "see" past events, though the use of her ability is extremely taxing upon her strength. (Voice actor: Lynne Lipton.)
- Wilykit and Wilykat - Twin youngsters, Wilykit and Wilykat are constantly causing problems, getting into trouble, and needing rescuing. They are armed with a "utility belt" of sorts, filled with various capsules and globes that perform a wide variety of tricks, such as smoke bombs. They also wield lariats for ensnaring and the like. Their hoverboards are destroyed in almost every episode in which they are featured. (Voice actors: Peter Newman [Wilykat] and Lynne Lipton [Wilykit].)
- Snarf - Lion-O's nursemaid, Snarf is a small, fat, cat-like creature from the Valley of the Snarfs on Thundera. Not fond of his proper name, "Osbert". When Lion-O aged to maturity, the Lord of the ThunderCats didn't feel he needed a babysitter anymore. Still, Snarf is the most loyal of ThunderCats and their most underrated member. His relatives now live on the Planet of the Snarfs after escaping Thundera's destruction. Snarfs are the only creatures in the universe incapable of evil (except while possessed). (Voice actor: Robert McFadden.)
- Bengali - The white tiger blacksmith. Bengali knows the secrets of the master blacksmiths of Thundera and is able to use them to repair the Sword of Omens when necessary. He is fast and agile using a hammer in battle which acts like an energy pistol and also contains small smoke bombs. (Voice actor: Peter Newman.)
- Pumyra - The second mature female of the show. She is fast and agile like Bengali and fights using a sling. Pumyra is recognized as the healer of the Thundercats. She has access to a wide range of medicinal supplies on Third Earth, while she also combines these new resources with more of the ancient Thundarian knowledge of healing. Pumyra's compassionate nature sometimes offers a different perspective in battle, ending conflict through compromise and understanding. (Voice actor: Gerrianne Raphael.)
- Lynx-O - The blind ThunderCat. Lynx-O is old and wise, his other senses have developed to the point at which he is able to defend himself in a fight. His ears along with a sixth sense (less developed than Cheetara's) allow him to pilot the ThunderStrike using a braille board designed for him by Tygra and Panthro. Using the board he is a better pilot than any of the other ThunderCats and he can also use it to monitor Third Earth when it is placed inside the Tower of Omens. (Voice actor: Doug Preis.)
- Jaguara - A powerful ancient Thundercat sorceress who guards the giant Gyroscope deep within New Thundera. She tends to hover and float to move about and uses such powers as teleportation and Psychokinesis.
- Snarfer - Snarf's nephew and technological genius. He is more energetic and aggressive than his uncle. (Voice actor: Robert McFadden.)
Villains
Opposing the ThunderCats are the Mutants, living in Castle Plun-darr, named after their home planet. The Mutants are the Thundercats' long-time enemies that have invaded Thundera. Their lineage is more diverse than the ThunderCats and includes a number of less well-regarded species. In common with most cartoon nasties, they are extraordinarily incompetent. Led by the sibilant Slythe the Reptilian, they include Monkian, Jackalman, and Vultureman. Occasionally Vultureman calls in Rataro for help. Rataro often assumes command of the mutants owing to the fact he captains the Rat Star, a large and powerful mutant spaceship.
The Mutants made a coalition with Mumm-Ra, an ancient native of Third Earth. Mumm-Ra serves as the undead focus for the Ancient Spirits of Evil: four god-like entities of nearly unlimited power, but who can only interact with the physical world through him. They provide him with eternal life, as granted through his sarcophagus; in exchange for perpetual servitude. Mumm-Ra usually resides in his Black Pyramid as a withered, corpse-like being; however, he can alter his form by reciting the following incantation: "Ancient spirits of evil, transform this decayed form to Mumm-Ra, the ever-living!" This transforms him into a muscular fiend who offers the ThunderCats an episode-long challenge before being driven back into his crypt. Later, Mumm-Ra was shown to have a blue bulldog named Ma-Mutt, capable of flight and supernatural feats of strength and speed. He is generally evil, though some episodes have shown him as having "good" qualities. Mumm-Ra also has a third form beyond "Mumm-Ra the ever-living", called "Mumm-Ra the all-powerful", it was only presented in the series twice. In this form, Mumm-Ra absorbs the entire power of the ancient spirits of evil, growing in size and strength exponentially. Also, the design patterns on his loin cloth changes, as does his voice. In one other episode, Mumm-Ra revealed a fourth incarnation, "Mumm-Ra the Dream Master," in which he was able to transcend into a spectre-like presence to subliminally influence the ThunderCats in their sleep as a form of mind control. Mumm-Ra is regarded as immortal, and when defeated or 'killed', he simply returns to his crypt. Among his few weaknesses is the fact he cannot stand to see his own reflection in his powered form; if he does so, he typically flees to his crypt and stay there to plan for his next scheme.
Sometimes other evil entities arrive on Third Earth, before being forced back into space. A longer-term threat are the Lunataks, a band of powerful villains. The Lunataks were ancient criminals who were imprisoned and encased in volcanic rock by Mumm-Ra after they attempted to take control of Third Earth from him. They were released by the Mutants on Mumm-Ra's orders, and enlisted in the fight against the ThunderCats. The Lunataks are led by Luna, a diminutive strategist. She is carried around by Amok, a large, silent servant. Tug-Mug, another member, comes from a high-gravity world and is thus capable of incredibly powerful leaps. Chilla comes from an ice world, and can both freeze objects with her breath and incinerate them with her hands. Red-Eye has super vision, which lets him detect Tygra while invisible and throw his discus with considerable accuracy. Alluro has a club which allows him to control other's minds.
Grune the Destroyer, was once a great former ThunderCat on ancient Thundera. He turned renegade, because of greed and lust for power, against his fellow ThunderCats and his former friend and ally, Jaga. They once fought a titantic battle that lasted for days, until finally Jaga defeated Grune, who was then banished and sent into exile in space. But he landed back on Third Earth and began terrorising its natives many years later. Centuries on, the now 'dead' ghost warrior turns his attention to the current ThunderCats whenever he is freed from his prison (A giant tree at the edge of a forest, with a secret underground tomb built inside. The tomb contains a magical symbol which keeps his ghost locked inside.)
Natives of Third Earth
Besides Mumm-Ra, there are several other creatures who call Third Earth their home. The most notable are the RoBear Berbils, robotic bear creatures. Led by RoBear Bill (and his mate, RoBear Belle), the Berbils made allies of the ThunderCats by assisting Tygra and Panthro in building the ThunderCats' vehicles and technology, chiefly the Cat's Lair itself. Mumm-Rana, another native, is the female equivalent to Mumm-Ra, and his direct opposite, living in the White Pyramid and using her powers for good.Living beneath Mumm-Ra's Black Pyramid is the ancient lynx-god Maftet. His powers of divinity have diminished since it has been thousands of years since he was worshipped. Maftet even tells Lion-O that he could have been a god. The two collided during Lion-O's trials and Maftet mistook Lion-O for a treasure thief. (NOTE: While Maftet is male in the cartoon, the actual Egyptian pantheon portrayed this deity as female.)
Trivia
- The Christian rock band Relient K has a song about ThunderCats called "I'm Lion-O" on their 2001 album The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek.
- Several of the voice actors provided their tones for more than one character [link]:
- *Bob McFadden: Snarf, Snarfer, and Slythe
- *Earl Hammond: Jaga, Mumm-Ra, Vultureman, Tug-Mug, and Amok
- *Larry Kenney: Lion-O and Jackalman
- *Lynne Lipton: Cheetara, Wilykit, Mandora, Luna, and the Warrior Maidens
- *Earle Hyman: Panthro and Red-Eye
- *Peter Newman: Tygra, Wilykat, Ben-Gali, and Monkian
- A series of audio files is in circulation on the Internet, containing outtakes from the recording of the show's dialogue. Voice actor Larry Kenney ("Lion-O") has confirmed in interviews that the outtakes are genuine. The files are popular enough to be a minor Internet phenomenon, particularly due to the heavy use of profanity from voice actors on a children's show. One of the clips had Lion-O exclaim "What the fuck is a Samophlange?" From that, there is an Easter Egg in the popular MMORPG World of Warcraft, in which a Goblin sends your character to retrieve an item called a Samophlange.
- Fans have often debated as to which ThunderCat Cheetara favored romantically, Tygra or Lion-O, both of whom she tended to interact with the most during the course of the series. Some fans think she preferred the older, more mature Tygra, while others felt she preferred the younger, more aggressive Lion-O. In the end, when Wildstorm Productions bought the rights to the ThunderCats, they put Cheetara with Panthro. Additionally, many fans have speculated that Bengali and Pumyra may have been a couple, given their relative young age and often featured together as a team.
- In the recent comic series, although it is never specifically stated, the new ThunderKittens are hinted at as being Cheetara's. At one point, when the adult WilyKit (assigned to be their guardian) loses track of them, she bemoans "Cheetara will kill me!"
- Superman and the ThunderCats come face-to-face in the Wildstorm/D.C. comic book crossover, Superman/ThunderCats (2003).
- ThunderCats has often been compared to He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, resulting in more than a few fan fiction crossovers and fan polls as to which team of heroes would win in a brawl: He-Man & his Masters of the Universe, or Lion-O and his ThunderCats.
- The Family Guy movie, by Seth MacFarlane featured a ThunderCats parody with Larry Kenney and Lynne Lipton reprising their roles as Lion-O and Cheetara.
- In another MacFarlane series, American Dad!, the characters temporarily relocate to Saudi Arabia, Stan Smith adopts the custom of taking a second wife. When he begins to show affinity toward the new wife, he gives her the nickname "ThunderCat".
- In The Venture Bros. episode "Powerless in the Face of Death", The Monarch plans a prison break with an inmate named "Tigeriffic" whose hair and body type resembles that of Tygra. Tigeriffic was unable to help claiming that all of his powers "came from the suit".
- Grandson of famous scientist Hans Bethe, David Bethe, voiced Snarf in a guest appearance in the last two episodes of the series.
- ThunderCats action figures have appeared in segments on episodes of the television series Robot Chicken, which uses action figures and other toys to create stop motion animated shorts:
- * From "Toys in the Hood", Season 1 -- Villains riding in a carpool include Mumm-Ra, fellow 1980s toy/cartoon icons Cobra Commander and Skeletor, and perennial Superman foe Lex Luthor. Mumm-Ra seemed to be in the skit mainly as a foil to Luthor, denouncing the bald villain's claim of having a teleporter and poking fun when Luthor is humiliated by children in an adjacent car. Lion-O appears in another vehicle occupied by the villains' heroic counterparts, who cut off the villains, preventing Skeletor from turning their car onto the ramp for their exit. (Note: The Mumm-Ra figure in this segment was not quite one of the original line of ThunderCats toys; it appeared to be the head of an LJN Mumm-Ra The Ever-Living figure placed on a Mego-style body in a custom cloth costume. Presumably this was because the original figure was not poseable enough to fit in the toy car that the villains were placed in, in particular lacking working knee joints and enough range of motion to be posed in a proper sitting position. The Lion-O figure appeared to be intact.)
- * From "Toy Meets Girl", Season 1 -- In a "Whatever Happened To..." retrospective on 1980s cartoon heroes, Lion-O had apparently become a blue-collar worker, living in a mobile home with Cheetara and a litter of kittens (presumably ThunderKittens, though they were depicted as young housecats). Lion-O shared what he knew of the fates of the other ThunderCats, including Panthro being jailed for conning the elderly out of their money--and then eating them. Lion-O claims that no one knows what happened to Snarf; this comment is voiced over a scene showing Snarf being pulled into the kitchen of a chinese restaurant, implying that he ended up being used as meat.
- *From "Federated Resources", Season 2 -- A "space-time vortex" lands Lion-O in an animal shelter on modern-day Earth, where he is adopted by a little girl and re-christened "Mr. Kitty-Cat". However, Lion-O's violent tendencies and hair-trigger temper are more than young Vicki and her disciplinary spray bottle of water can control, and after a brief return to the shelter, Lion-O ends up as part of an elderly "cat lady"'s retinue of cats, unwillingly wearing a red bow and answering to "Ms. Prissypants". (The Lion-O figure used in this sketch appeared to be a "Mego-ized" custom done in the same manner as the Mumm-Ra figure used in the "Toys in the Hood" sketch.)
- Though uncredited, Larry Kenney reprised his role as Lion-O for the "Toy Meets Girl" and "Federated Resources" sketches.
DVD
Season 1, Volume 1 of the series was released on August 9, 2005 by Warner Brothers as a set of six discs containing the first 33 episodes.Season 1, Volume 2 (also a six-disc set), featuring the last 32 episodes of the first season, was released on December 6, 2005. It features extensive interviews with the show's voice actors and production staff.
Season 2, Volume 1 was released on April 18, 2006 containing the first 34 episodes of the second season, again as a six-disc set. Special features in this set include a music video of the show's theme song, performed by The Rembrandts of Friends theme song fame; as well as music-related interviews with composer Bernard Hoffer, Supervising Producer Lee Danacher, and The Rembrandts. As a bonus, Bernard Hoffer performs a great deal of the music from the series.
Season 2, Volume 2 is scheduled for release in December of 2006, and will contain the final 31 episodes of the second season. Planned special features for this set are unknown at present.
See also
- List of ThunderCats episodes
- Larry Kenney Voice actor for Lion-O & Jackalman
- Peter Newman Voice actor for Tygra, Wilykat, Bengali, & Monkian
- List of anthropomorphic animal superheroes
External links
- [ThunderCats DVD official web site]
- [Watch ThunderCats - Exodus (First Episode) here]
- [ThunderCats DVD official web site for Volume 2]
- [Interview with Larry Kenney I] - Audio interview (contains audio samples of ThunderCats Outtakes - adult language)
- [Interview with Larry Kenney II] - Text interview by Insomnia Mania.com.
- [ThunderCats Comeback Is For Adults Only] - Article on the second Wildstorm ThunderCats comic-book miniseries.
- [Return to Thundera] - Large and interactive ThunderCats fansite. Contains some scripts amongst other information on the episodes.
- [Eye of Thundera.net] - ThunderCats fansite with many forums, pictures, videos, games and more (contains audio outtakes and theme downloads).
- [ThunderCatslair.org] - ThunderCats' newest website. Includes toys, animation cells gallery, and forums to discuss everything ThunderCats.
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