He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (2002 TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids He-Man and the Masters of the Universe |
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|---|---|
| Genre | Action/Adventure Sword and planet |
| Created by | Mike Young Productions |
| Based on | He-Man by Mattel |
| Developed by | Michael Halperin |
| Voices of | Cam Clarke Kathleen Barr Lisa Ann Beley Garry Chalk Brian Dobson Paul Dobson Michael Donovan Scott McNeil Nicole Oliver Gabe Khouth Richard Newman |
| Composer(s) | Joseph LoDuca |
| Country of origin | United States Canada |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 39 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Bill Schultz |
| Producer(s) | Ian Richter |
| Running time | 21-22 minutes approx. |
| Production company(s) | Mike Young Productions |
| Distributor | Mike Young Productions NBCUniversal Television Distribution (on behalf of DreamWorks Classics) |
| Release | |
| Original network | Cartoon Network |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Original release | August 16, 2002 – January 10, 2004 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows |
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He-Man and the Masters of the Universe is an exciting animated TV show from America and Canada. It's an updated version of the classic 1980s series. This new show came out when Mattel brought back the Masters of the Universe toys. It aired on Cartoon Network from August 16, 2002, to January 10, 2004.
Unlike the previous He-Man series, this version went back to the original story. It explored the characters' backgrounds and showed new things that were not in the first series. Many characters from the toy line appeared in animation for the first time. Some writers from the original show, like Larry DiTillio, also worked on this new series.
The show has many similarities to the original. For example, its opening scene is a tribute to the 1980s show. In this version, Prince Adam is a teenager. He is interrupted by an explosion and an attack by Skeletor. Prince Adam changes into He-Man by saying, "By the power of Grayskull... I have the power!" Later episodes even added a chorus singing He-Man's name during this scene.
Contents
About the He-Man Series
This section gives you an overview of the main story and what happens in each season.
Season 1: The Rise of He-Man
The story begins with an attack on the Council of Wisdom. Captain Randor and his soldiers stop it. Captain Randor fights Keldor, who tries to harm him with acid. Randor reflects the acid back, hitting Keldor's face. Keldor then retreats. A magical bird named Zoar tells Captain Randor that the Council has disappeared. Zoar says Eternia will now be a kingdom, and Randor will be king. Zoar also mentions that Randor will be responsible for a great hero.
Years later, King Randor rules a peaceful land. The people of Eternia feel safe. Their biggest enemies are trapped behind a barrier near Snake Mountain. However, Skeletor breaks through this barrier. He starts by capturing King Randor. Inside Castle Grayskull, the Sorceress senses the danger. She tells Man-At-Arms, Randor's trusted captain, that it is time for destiny to unfold.
Prince Adam is Randor's son. He is a bit spoiled and carefree. His best friend, Teela, trains him daily. Man-At-Arms takes Adam to Castle Grayskull. There, the Sorceress tells Adam about a coming evil. Only a warrior named He-Man can defeat it. Adam is shocked to learn he is the chosen one. He refuses the responsibility at first.
Adam returns home to find his palace in ruins. Skeletor's forces have captured his father. Adam, Man-At-Arms, and Teela chase the kidnappers. They are ambushed in the forest. Man-At-Arms covers Adam as he returns to Grayskull. His pet tiger, Cringer, and the magician Orko follow him. Teela is angry, thinking Adam is a coward.
Adam finally accepts his destiny. He receives the Sword of Power. He uses it to become He-Man. Cringer transforms into Battle Cat, a large, strong beast that He-Man can ride. He-Man returns to the battle and saves his father from Skeletor. As the first season goes on, more heroes join He-Man. The Sorceress is revealed to be Teela's mother. Teela starts to show signs of becoming the next Sorceress. Skeletor learns about Grayskull's power and tries to enter it. The season also hints at Hordak and the Snake Men, who become important later. The season ends with Skeletor capturing most of the heroes. He-Man and Teela must enter Snake Mountain. Adam loses his sword and has to protect Castle Grayskull without it.
Season 2: The Snake Men Attack
After the first season's ending, Orko returns the sword to Adam. The heroes are rescued. In season two, the Snake Men become the main villains. They were hinted at in the first season, trapped beneath Snake Mountain. They are freed by allies and a tricky character named Evil-Lyn. The Sorceress tells Adam about their return. When Adam transforms, his He-Man armor looks different. It is designed to fight the Snake Men, led by King Hiss. Skeletor still appears sometimes, but the Snake Men are the main focus.
This season was shorter than the first. Its episodes followed a strong story. Characters were developed more deeply. Old characters returned, like Fisto. He was Man-At-Arms' brother and a soldier who left his duties. One episode, "Out of the Past," shows how the Sorceress fell in love with a soldier who lost his memory. He left before she gave birth. His identity is still a mystery. The secret origins of Evil-Lyn, Skeletor, Snake Mountain, and Castle Grayskull were also revealed.
Meet the Voice Cast
Many talented actors gave voices to the characters in the show. Here are some of them:
- Mark Acheson - Fisto, Chadzar
- Kathleen Barr - Evil-Lyn
- Lisa Ann Beley - Teela
- Don Brown - Evilseed
- Garry Chalk - Duncan / Man-At-Arms, Whiplash
- Cam Clarke - Prince Adam / He-Man, King Grayskull
- Brian Dobson - Skeletor/Keldor, Buzz-Off, Webstor, King Hiss, Sssqueeze, Ceratus
- Paul Dobson - Man-E-Faces, Snake Face, Trap Jaw, Tri-Klops, Chief Carnivus
- Michael Donovan - King Randor, Count Marzo, Roboto, Hordak (1st Time), Tung Lashor
- Brian Drummond - Odiphus / Stinkor, Tuvar (Two of Two Bad), Belzar
- Mark Gibbon - Baddhra (Bad of Two Bad)
- Christopher Judge - Zodak
- Gabe Khouth - Mekaneck, Orko
- Scott McNeil - Beast Man, Clawful, Mer-Man, Ram-Man, Stratos, Kobra Khan, Calix
- Colin Murdock - Hordak (2nd Time)
- Richard Newman - General Rattlor, Lord Dactys, The Faceless One, Azdar
- Nicole Oliver - Queen Marlena, The Sorceress of Castle Grayskull
- John Payne - Sy-Klone, Moss-Man
Michael Donovan was the Voice Director for the series.
He-Man Comic Books
Along with the TV show, a He-Man comic book series was also made by MV Creations. Three different series were released between 2002 and 2004. These included two mini-series, a short-lived ongoing series, and some one-shot comics. Some of these stories were collected into graphic novels. The comics had a slightly different tone from the cartoon. They aimed to appeal to older fans who were buying the comics. The comic series ended when Mattel stopped licensing the Masters of the Universe relaunch.
MV Creations also made small comic books that came with some of the 200X action figures. They even created a comic for an episode of the cartoon that was never produced. In this comic, Skeletor takes back Snake Mountain. King Hiss recovers from his injuries. Man-At-Arms is turned back into a Snake Man.
Images for kids
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Season two title
See also
In Spanish: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe (serie de televisión de 2002) para niños
