ThunderCats (2011 TV series): Difference between revisions

ThunderCats is an American/Japanese

The series began with an hour-long premiere on Cartoon Network on July 29, 2011,^[5] and received very positive reviews, with many praising the animation and storyline. But following the end of the first season, ThunderCats was not renewed for a second season, leaving the show in limbo.^[6] Currently the show is officially on hiatus.^[7]

Plot

On the planet known as Third Earth, the cats have lived and thrived for generations in the kingdom of Thundera. However, one night the kingdom is attacked by the Lizard army, led by the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra. With them, the lizards bring technology, a concept unfamiliar to the cats. Because of this, Thundera is destroyed, but a small band of surviving Thunderians, led by the young heir to the throne, Lion-O (who wields the powerful Sword of Omens), flee the destroyed city, in order to seek out the Book of Omens, which is said to have the knowledge needed to defeat Mumm-Ra. Once they find it, the ThunderCats realize that in order for them to defeat Mumm-Ra, they must unite all the different species living on Third Earth. The ThunderCats also find out that they have to find three stones of power which, if found by Mumm-Ra, will give him power to become the most powerful being in the universe.

Characters

ThunderCats

• Lion-O (voiced by Will Friedle) – The leader/Lord of the ThunderCats. The biological son of King Claudus, Lion-O was a misunderstood teenager in Thundera, being the only one in the kingdom who believed that technology and Mumm-Ra existed. Because of his beliefs, many found him unworthy to become king, often favoring his adopted older brother, Tygra, for the position. After the fall of Thundera and the death of King Claudus, Lion-O becomes the new Lord of the ThunderCats, leading the team to find a way to defeat Mumm-Ra. Even though Lion-O can be a bit of a hothead, he's by far the most patient and understanding cat, next to Cheetara. Lion-O also believes that the other races of Third Earth should be treated equally, as seen when Lion-O was defending two persecuted Lizards from some Thunderians. During the first half of season one, both he and Tygra had a crush on Cheetara, which only fueled the brothers' rivalry. In the end, Cheetara chose Tygra, which left Lion-O feeling bitter and betrayed. He eventually accepted Cheetara and Tygra's relationship, and began developing feelings for Pumyra. However, these feelings came to an end after he found out that Pumyra was working for Mumm-Ra the entire time she was with the ThunderCats.

• Tygra (voiced by Matthew Mercer) – The adopted older brother of Lion-O. Tygra was originally born to Javan, the leader of the Tiger Clan living in the mountains (the Tiger Clan was exiled because of their continued loyalty to Mumm-Ra). During this time, the Tiger Clan was stricken with disease, and in order to survive, the clan made a deal with the Ancient Spirits of Evil. In return for saving the Tigers Clan's life, the Ancient Spirits of Evil demanded that Tygra (who was just a baby at the time) be sacrificed to them. Unable to kill his own son, Javan sent him away in a hot air balloon and Tygra was eventually found/adopted by the royal family of Thundera. Originally, Tygra was the crown prince of Thundera, but after Lion-O was born, Tygra couldn't succeed his adoptive parents as the ruler of Thundera (he's still a prince, but he's next in line for the throne after Lion-O). This would later cause problems between the brothers, with Tygra being bitter about losing the crown (and their mother, who had died giving birth to Lion-O), and Lion-O being frustrated with his brother always outshining him. Tygra also possesses extreme xenophobia
  , a jealous streak, and an inferiority complex, all of which often cause friction between the two brothers and the rest of the team. During the first half of season one, both Tygra and Lion-O had a crush on Cheetara, which only fueled their rivalry. In the end, Cheetara chose Tygra. After the Trials of Lion-O (parts one and two), Tygra develops a greater respect and appreciation for his younger brother, after he realizes that Lion-O's a much better king than he is. Later on in the first season, Tygra also finds out that he's a natural at flying, due to his ancestors being fighter pilots for Mumm-Ra.

• Cheetara (voiced by Emmanuelle Chriqui) - One of the last remaining cleric warriors. When she originally tried to join the Order of Clerics as a child, she was initially turned down by Jaga, because even though she had the speed possessed by clerics, she lacked the patience. Despite being turned down, Cheetara decided to show Jaga she had the patience needed to become a cleric, and began to wait in front of the Order's doors. While waiting, she was given a flower by Tygra, which helped Cheetara sustain herself, until Jaga finally allowed her to join the clerics. In the aftermath of Thundera's downfall, Cheetara's possibly the sole surviving member of the Order, with the exception of Jaga, who lives on in spirit form. Cheetara initially served as counselor to Lion-O, since she never shunned him for his interest in technology and initially seems to support his kindness to other races. During the first half of season one, both Tygra and Lion-O had a crush on her, but in the end she chose Tygra, due to the kindness Tygra had shown her when they were young. As of New Alliances, Cheetara has since abandoned her duties as a cleric.

• Panthro (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) - One of King Claudus' most loyal soldiers. Panthro, along with his friend, Grune, were originally sent by Claudus to find the Book of Omens, but their attempted search resulted in Mumm-Ra's release and Grune betraying Panthro. While fighting Grune, Panthro fell down an abyss and was seemingly killed. However, Panthro survived and constructed the ThunderTank, which he later used to save Lion-O's group from Slithe's platoon in Song of the Petalars. Though he questioned Lion-O's ability to lead at first, Panthro eventually accepted him as the new king. Unlike the other ThunderCats, Panthro never learned how to swim and is very aquaphobic, and in part one of What Lies Above, Panthro also realizes for the first time that he has a fear of heights

• WilyKit and WilyKat (voiced by Madeleine Hall and Eamon Pirruccello) -
  pickpockets
  in order to survive the slums, with their aspirations being the only thing keeping them going. When the Lizards attacked Thundera, the two manage to escape during the chaos before eventually teaming up with the ThunderCats on their journey.

• Snarf (voiced by Satomi Kōrogi) - A creature of, as of yet, unknown origin and species. Snarf was originally Lion-O's personal caretaker when the young king was a baby. But now that Lion-O's fully grown and can take care of himself, Snarf's more of a pet to the young lord (but Snarf still cares very much about Lion-O and is very protective of him).

Villains

• Mumm-Ra (voiced by Robin Atkin Downes
  ) - The main villain of the series. A servant of the Ancient Spirits of Evil, Mumm-Ra is of alien origin, with the sole purpose conquering the universe. Centuries prior to the series, Mumm-Ra used advanced technology and magic to enslave all the animals into serving him. With them under his command, he sought to gather the Four Powerstones, which, if attached to the Sword of Plun-Darr, would give him ultimate power. By managing to take the Warstone (which would later be know as the Eye of Thundera), the ThunderCat known as Leo (with help from the other animals) was able to defeat Mumm-Ra and strip him of the other Powerstones. But when Mumm-Ra's spacecraft was pulled into Third Earth's atmosphere, he entered his tomb to escape the crash and leave everyone else to die. However, the controls were damaged and Mumm-Ra was trapped within his own spacecraft, as the stones and survivors spread across Third Earth. Many centuries later, Mumm-Ra manipulated Grune into releasing him, and was able orchestrate Thundera's downfall. Now Mumm-Ra not only plans to obtain the Eye of Thundera, but also regain the other three Powerstones and the Sword of Plundarr while gathering some allies to assist him.
  • Grune (voiced by Clancy Brown) - Grune was one of King Claudus' most trusted generals, and best friends with Panthro. Being very ambitious and power-hungry Grune attempted to prove himself to Claudus for a promotion, but instead Claudus chose Lynx-O, and assigned Grune and Panthro to find the Book of Omens. Grune felt betrayed and drove himself mad with his own paranoia. Eventually, his jealousy towards the king was used by Mumm-Ra to convince Grune to become his follower and serve a key role in Thundera's downfall.
  • Slithe (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) - One of Mumm-Ra's generals and the leader of the Lizards. Slithe serves Mumm-Ra in order for his kind to take revenge on the ThunderCats for generations of persecution. Succeeding in ransacking Thundera, Slithe pursues Lion-O's group before overseeing the search for the Book of Omens and later the Powerstones.
  • Addicus (voiced by Robin Atkin Downes) - Addicus is a bloodthirsty ape-like barbarian who committed crimes against the Bird Nation and was sentenced to a death drop from high up in his captors' domain. However, Addicus is rescued from the fall by Slithe and recruited to be one of Mumm-Ra's new generals. Accepting the proposal, Addicus is allowed to get his revenge on the Bird Nation as Addicus states that they "owe him a last meal." Because of this, he may be a cannibal. Addicus is the revived series counterpart to Monkian.
  • Kaynar (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) - Kaynar is a jackal-like psychopath, who is recruited as one of Mumm-Ra's generals. Kaynar was about to be placed in solitary confinement within a Dog Prison when he was recruited by Slithe to be one of Mumm-Ra's new generals. Though preferring his cell, Kaynar accepts Slithe's proposal when he mentions that he can slaughter ThunderCats while allowed to "say goodbye" to his jailers. Kaynar is the revived series counterpart to Jackalman.
  • Vultaire (voiced by Michael McKean) - Vultaire is a prefect of Avista. Like many of his kind, Vultaire is arrogant and sees himself above those who live on the land, especially the ThunderCats whom he considers to be manipulative barbarians. Though aiding the ThunderCats in fighting off Mumm-Ra's army, Vultaire betrays his fellow Avistans and aligns himself with Mumm-Ra upon witnessing his power firsthand. Vultaire shoots down Tygra and then quotes to Addicus "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Vultaire joins Slithe, Kaynar, and Addicus into fighting Tygra, Panthro, and Cheetara prior to the latter knocking him out before Tygra can get payback for the bird's treachery. After Mumm-Ra claimed the Tech Stone, Vultaire joined Mumm-Ra's forces into retreating from Avista. Vultaire is the revived series counterpart to Vultureman.
  • Pumyra (voiced by Pamela Adlon) - Pumyra's a cat who originally fought during the fall of Thundera before being wounded and left to die under rubble. In her final moments, Pumyra died disillusioned, hateful, and resentful towards Lion-O and company for leaving Thundera. Sensing her hate, Mumm-Ra resurrected Pumyra to serve him as his spy placing her among the captive Thunderian slaves to be sold to Ratar-O where she was later sold to Dobo. From there, meeting Lion-O and managing to keep her need for revenge in check when she is unable to finish off Lion-O, Pumyra earns his trust and love while serving as a beacon for Mumm-Ra to regain the Sword of Plun-Darr and track the Thundercats' movement. It was by during the siege of Avista that Pumyra reveals her true colors by giving the Tech Stone to Mumm-Ra. After taking hit from both Ro-Bear Bill and Dobo, Pumyra leaves with Mumm-Ra promising to kill Lion-O the next time they meet. Pumyra may have had feelings for Lion-O, but if she did, they were obviously outweighed by her murderous desire for revenge.

• Ancient Spirits of Evil (voiced by Jim Cummings and Kevin Michael Richardson) - Four dark spirits that are both the source of Mumm-Ra's powers and his eternal masters. They resemble a Lizard, a Jackal, a Monkey, and a Vulture. The Ancient Spirits played a role in the creation of both the Sword of Plun-Darr, possessing a Thunderian blacksmith to forge the weapon, and the Sword of Omens, due to the blacksmith retaining the spirits' knowledge to forge a weapon similar to the previous creation. In "Native Son," it is revealed that the Ancient Spirits have been worshiped by the Tiger Clan after their ancestors were driven off to the mountains due to their loyalty to Mumm-Ra. When the Tiger Clan was on the verge of dying out from an epidemic, the Ancient Spirits offer to cure them in return that the newborn Tygra (who would grow up to become an enemy to Mumm-Ra and themselves) be sacrificed. When Javan refused to honor his end of the pact, the Ancient Spirits bound the souls of the Tiger Clan to the living world as shape-shifting shadow monsters that obey their every command. Some years later, a fully-grown Tygra found his way back to his ancestral home and freed his kin of the curse.

Other characters

• Jaga (voiced by Corey Burton) - Jaga serves as head of Thundera's cleric warriors, possessing knowledge of ancient secrets, superhuman speed and the power to project lightning from his staff. In his prime, he used the "Sword of Omens" in an epic duel against Ratilla. At the start of the series, Jaga sacrifices himself to ensure Lion-O and his group escape. This resulted with him being tortured into revealing the location of the "Book of Omens" to Mumm-Ra, though doing his best to resist the villain's magic when sealed within a lantern, eventually his free will wavers along with his physical form. Though Jaga destroys the lantern that was keeping his soul intact to save Lion-O from Mumm-Ra, part of his soul took residence within the Book of Omens and becomes Lion-O's guide.

• Claudus (voiced by Larry Kenney) - Claudus is a stern father to Lion-O and the adoptive father of Tygra. He had a wife who died giving birth to Lion-O. When Grune and Panthro had fought bravely to get promoted to general, Claudus told them that he has given the job to Lynx-O. He was the one who sent Panthro and Grune to find the Book of Omens. When Lion-O was fighting off some Thunderians who were beating up two imprisoned Lizards (where Lion-O was assisted by Tygra and Cheetara), Claudus arrived to break up the fight. He was convinced by Lion-O to let the Lizards go free and back to their homeland. When Thundera was being attacked by the Lizards, Claudus is murdered by Mumm-Ra (who had assumed Panthro's form). Lion-O, Cheetara, and Tygra later hold a funeral pyre for him after escaping with the Sword of Omens.

• Lynx-O (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) - Lynx-O is a general under Claudus. He first made a cameo as one of Thundera's lookout sentries. It is unknown if he survived Thundera's destruction or not.

Development

Despite being based on the original 1980's TV series, the 2011 version differs greatly from it, with many aspects of the original show's story and characters being different.^[8] When comparing the original series to the 2011 reboot, producer Michael Jelenic stated, that "the old show felt more like a Saturday morning animated series and this feels more like a movie".^[4] Jelenic also said, that their take "is definitely darker but we've put a lot more focus on the characters and the arc, and because of that, we might have a few more sophisticated themes going on in this".^[4] Michael Jelenic stated that before work even began on the series, the makers mapped out an entire beginning, middle and end for the show's storyline, which was then broken-up into 13-episode arcs.^[4] Some stories from the original show will also be seen in these arcs.^[4]

The animation for the series was done by Warner Bros. Animation and Studio 4°C. According to supervising director of Studio 4°C, Shinichi Matsumi, they were handed the basic concepts for the show by Warner Bros. and were assigned to adjust them into the Japanese anime design.^[3] Matsumi believed that they succeeded in pushing the style of anime in the show with a variety of visual elements, such as scene compositions, effects and colors, as well as the action scenes.^[3] Kevin Kliesch composed the music for ThunderCats, for which he took inspiration from John Williams, James Horner and Jerry Goldsmith, among others.^[9] Despite being orchestral, Kliesch also incorporated elements of electronics into the series' music.^[9]

Episodes

Reception

ThunderCats premiered on July 29, 2011 and attained a rating of 0.8, with over 2.4 million viewers. The highest rated show for that night received a 1.1, which makes the ThunderCats' 0.8 a successful showing.^[10] Following its premiere, ThunderCats received very positive reviews, with some calling it "amazing" and "epic".^[11][12]

One of the things the show was praised for, were its anime-inspired visuals. ComicBookMovies.com called the animation "beautiful" and "very fluid in motion",

ThunderCats also received props for the changes it made to its source material. Jeff Hidek felt that ThunderCats "successfully echoes the fun, wonder and all-around coolness of the original characters while ditching some of the dated trappings of '80s-syndication".[14] Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly called the show "a rather canny rethinking of a series that probably didn't take a lot of thinking to conceive in the first place",^[18] while Edward Adams also said that "where in the original series the environment was bright and colorful, in the pilot episodes [of the 2011 series], the tones are much darker".^[17] Despite the changes the show made to the original TV series, many still recommended the 2011 series to fans of the original. Both Kenneth Carter and Edward Adams called the show "a pleasant surprise",^[17] with Carter adding that "if you have fond memories of ThunderCats, then you’ll love what you see here".^[16] Matt Fowler felt similarly, saying that "if you have an affinity for the old series, then you'll find ThunderCats wildly entertaining".^[11]

Despite the positive response, some aspects of the show were criticized. ComicBookMovies.com called some of the characterization "a little cliché at times",^[13] while Kenneth Carter felt that the show was still a bit cheesy.^[16] Brian Lowry felt the series was designed as a marketing ploy for a new ThunderCats toyline, and that the show "represents a throwback to the drearily toy-driven 1980s, a period that seems destined to keep returning as much out of pragmatism as nostalgia".^[15]

Future

Following the end of the show's first season, ThunderCats was not renewed for a second, which led to speculations that the series would be cancelled.

External links

Look up Appendix:ThunderCats in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Wikiquote has quotations related to ThunderCats (2011 TV series).

Wikimedia Commons has media related to ThunderCats (2011 TV series).

• Petition to renew ThunderCats for another season
• ThunderCats on
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• ThunderCats at
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• ThunderCats (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
• Advanced Review at AnimationInsider.net
• Cartoon Network

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