ThunderCats (2011 TV series) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids ThunderCats |
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ThunderCats logo
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| Genre | |
| Developed by | Michael Jelenic Ethan Spaulding |
| Written by |
see list
Todd Casey (epi. 3, 7, 10, 15, 20, 22–23)
Tab Murphy (epi. 2, 5–6, 8–9, 17) |
| Directed by |
see list
Yoshiharu Ashino (epi. 1, 3, 5, 10, 12, 14–15, 22)
Sean Song (epi. 1, 3–8) |
| Voices of |
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| Theme music composer | Kevin Kliesch (Original Theme by Bernard Hoffer and Jules Bass) |
| Composer(s) | Kevin Kliesch |
| Country of origin | United States Japan |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 26 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Michael Jelenic Ethan Spaulding |
| Animator(s) | Studio 4°C |
| Editor(s) | Damon Yoches |
| Running time | 21–22 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Warner Bros. Animation |
| Distributor | Warner Bros. Television Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | Cartoon Network |
| Picture format | HDTV 1080i |
| Original release | July 29, 2011 – June 16, 2012 |
ThunderCats is an animated TV show created by Ethan Spaulding and Michael Jelenic for Cartoon Network. It's a new version of the popular ThunderCats show from the 1980s. This series was made by Warner Bros. Animation in America and animated by Studio 4°C in Japan. It mixes American animation styles with Japanese anime. The show first aired on Cartoon Network on July 29, 2011, with a special hour-long episode.
The story begins when the ThunderCats' home, the kingdom of Thundera, is destroyed. These humanoid felidae (cat-like people) are forced to travel across a planet called Third Earth. Their main goal is to find a way to defeat the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra. He wants to take over the whole universe! This new ThunderCats show is darker and more like a movie than the original. It focuses a lot on what the characters are thinking and feeling, and it explores more grown-up themes.
The creators originally planned for 52 episodes. However, the show was canceled after just one season. This was confirmed by the show's art director, Dan Norton, in early 2013. Later, Reruns of the show were shown on Adult Swim's Toonami block.
Contents
Story of the ThunderCats
On the planet Third Earth, the Cats lived for many years in their kingdom, Thundera. King Claudus led the Cats, and his son, Lion-O, was next in line to be king. One night, the Lizard army, led by the evil sorcerer Mumm-Ra, attacked Thundera. The Lizards used advanced technology, which was new and strange to the Cats.
Thundera was destroyed, and King Claudus was killed by Mumm-Ra. Most of the Cats were captured. A small group of Thunderians, led by Lion-O, escaped. Lion-O carried the powerful Sword of Omens. They fled the ruined city to find the Book of Omens. This book was said to hold the secrets to defeating Mumm-Ra.
When they found the book, the ThunderCats learned that they needed to unite all the different species on Third Earth to beat Mumm-Ra. They also found out about three special power stones. If Mumm-Ra found these stones, he would become the most powerful being in the universe!
Main Characters
The ThunderCats Team
- Lion-O (voiced by Will Friedle) – He is the leader, or Lord, of the ThunderCats. Lion-O was a teenager in Thundera who felt misunderstood. He was the only one who believed that technology and Mumm-Ra were real. Because of this, many people thought he wasn't fit to be king. They often preferred his adopted older brother, Tygra. After Thundera fell and his father died, Lion-O became the new leader. He leads the team to find a way to defeat Mumm-Ra. Even though Lion-O can be a bit impulsive, he is very patient and understanding. He believes all races on Third Earth should be treated equally. He uses the Sword of Omens, a powerful magical weapon.
- Tygra (voiced by Matthew Mercer) – He is Lion-O's adopted older brother. Tygra was originally the crown prince of Thundera. But when Lion-O was born, Tygra could no longer be the next ruler. This made Tygra dislike his brother. He often tried to prove that Lion-O wasn't worthy to be king. Tygra can be jealous and sometimes looks down on others. These feelings often cause problems between the two brothers. Tygra is skilled with many weapons, but he usually uses his bullwhip.
- Cheetara (voiced by Emmanuelle Chriqui) – She is one of the last remaining cleric warriors. Cheetara was like a teacher to Lion-O. She never made fun of his interest in technology and seemed to support his kindness to other races. As a cheetah and a cleric, she is incredibly fast and agile. She uses her speed and agility in fights. Both Lion-O and Tygra like her, but she chooses to be with Tygra because they have a deeper connection. Lion-O later accepts their relationship.
- Panthro (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) – He was one of King Claudus's most loyal soldiers. Panthro and his friend Grune were sent to find the Book of Omens. But this search led to Mumm-Ra's release and Grune's betrayal. Panthro fell into a deep hole and was thought to be dead. However, he survived and built the ThunderTank. He later used it to save Lion-O's group. At first, he doubted Lion-O's ability to lead because he was so young. But Panthro eventually accepted him as the new Lord of the ThunderCats. Panthro fights with nunchucks and the ThunderTank. He later gets cybernetic (robot) arms after losing his own.
- Wilykit and Wilykat (voiced by Madeleine Hall and Eamon Pirruccello) – They are twin siblings from a poor family. After their father died in a tornado, their family struggled. The twins decided to run away to find the lost city of El Dara. They hoped to become rich and help their family. When they arrived in Thundera, they became street kids and pickpockets to survive. When the Lizards attacked Thundera, they escaped. They later joined Lion-O, Tygra, Cheetara, and Snarf on their journey. Wilykit uses a special musical instrument that can hypnotize enemies.
- Snarf (voiced by Satomi Kōrogi) – Snarf is a creature whose origin is unknown. He was Lion-O's personal caretaker when Lion-O was a baby. Now that Lion-O is grown, Snarf is more like a pet. But he still cares deeply for Lion-O and protects him. Snarf speaks in a strange language that only Lion-O seems to understand.
Main Villains
- Mumm-Ra (voiced by Robin Atkin Downes) – He is the main villain of the series. Mumm-Ra is an eternal servant of the Ancient Spirits of Evil. His only goal is to conquer the universe. Centuries ago, Mumm-Ra used technology and dark magic to enslave all animals. He wanted to collect four Power Stones to gain ultimate power. A ThunderCat named Leo defeated Mumm-Ra and took the stones. But Mumm-Ra was trapped in his spacecraft. Many years later, he tricked Grune into releasing him. Mumm-Ra then caused Thundera's destruction. Now, he wants to get back the Eye of Thundera and the other three Power Stones. He also seeks the Sword of Plun-Darr and gathers allies to help him.
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- Grune (voiced by Clancy Brown) – Grune was a trusted general and Panthro's best friend. He was very ambitious and wanted more power. Mumm-Ra used Grune's jealousy to make him a follower. Grune played a key role in Thundera's downfall. He later tried to betray Mumm-Ra but was sucked into the Astral Plane.
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- Slithe (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) – He is one of Mumm-Ra's generals and the leader of the Lizards. Slithe serves Mumm-Ra so his kind can get revenge on the ThunderCats. After destroying Thundera, Slithe chases Lion-O's group and searches for the Book of Omens and the Powerstones.
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- Addicus (voiced by Robin Atkin Downes) – A fierce ape-like warrior. He was about to be executed for crimes against the Bird Nation. But Slithe rescued him and recruited him to be one of Mumm-Ra's generals.
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- Kaynar (voiced by Dee Bradley Baker) – A jackal-like character who is a bit crazy. He was about to be put in solitary confinement in a Dog Prison. Slithe recruited him as a general, promising him he could fight ThunderCats.
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- Vultaire (voiced by Michael McKean) – A leader from the floating city of Avista. He is arrogant and looks down on those who live on the land, especially the ThunderCats. He helps the ThunderCats fight Mumm-Ra's army at first. But he betrays his people and joins Mumm-Ra after seeing his power.
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- Pumyra (voiced by Pamela Adlon) – A cat who fought during the fall of Thundera. She was badly hurt and left to die. In her last moments, she felt angry and betrayed by Lion-O and his friends. Mumm-Ra sensed her hate and brought her back to life to be his spy and lover. She pretended to be a captive Thunderian slave. She earned Lion-O's trust and love, while secretly helping Mumm-Ra track the ThunderCats. She revealed her true loyalty during the attack on Avista, giving the Tech Stone to Mumm-Ra.
- Ancient Spirits of Evil (voiced by Jim Cummings, Robin Atkin Downes and Kevin Michael Richardson) – These four dark spirits are the source of Mumm-Ra's powers and his eternal masters. They look like a Lizard, a Jackal, a Monkey, and a Vulture. They helped create the Sword of Plun-Darr and influenced the creation of the Sword of Omens. They also cursed the Tiger Clan in the past.
Other Important Characters
- Jaga (voiced by Corey Burton) – Jaga was the head of Thundera's cleric warriors. He knew many ancient secrets and had superhuman speed. He could also shoot lightning from his staff. At the start of the series, Jaga sacrifices himself to help Lion-O and his group escape. Mumm-Ra then captures and tortures him to find the Book of Omens. Jaga's spirit later lives inside the Book of Omens and guides Lion-O.
- Claudus (voiced by Larry Kenney) – He was the previous King of Thundera and Lion-O's father. He was a strict father to Lion-O and Tygra. Claudus was killed by Mumm-Ra (who was disguised as Panthro) during the attack on Thundera. His voice actor also played Lion-O in the original series.
- Lynx-O (voiced by Kevin Michael Richardson) – Lynx-O was a general under Claudus. He was seen as a lookout during the attack on Thundera. It's not known if he survived the fall of Thundera.
Episodes Overview
The ThunderCats series has 26 episodes in one season. The story follows Lion-O and his team as they try to unite the different animal species on Third Earth. They must find three powerful stones before Mumm-Ra does. Each episode shows them facing new challenges, meeting new allies, and fighting Mumm-Ra's generals.
The first two episodes, "Omens: Episode 1" and "Omens: Episode 2," show the destruction of Thundera and Lion-O becoming the new leader. They also introduce the main quest to find the Book of Omens. Later episodes like "Ramlak Rising" and "Song of the Petalars" show the team learning to work together and Lion-O growing as a leader. "Old Friends" and "Journey to the Tower of Omens" focus on Panthro joining the team and the ThunderCats finally getting the Book of Omens.
"Legacy" reveals the ancient history of the ThunderCats and Mumm-Ra, explaining the origin of the Sword of Omens and the power stones. "The Duelist and the Drifter" and "Berbils" show the team helping others and learning new skills. Episodes like "Sight Beyond Sight," "The Forest of Magi Oar," and "Into the Astral Plane" continue the search for the power stones, leading to big battles and personal challenges for the ThunderCats.
"Between Brothers" explores the rivalry between Lion-O and Tygra. "New Alliances" introduces Mumm-Ra's new generals. "Trials of Lion-O" (Parts 1 and 2) are a two-part story where Lion-O faces tests to prove his worth as a leader. "Native Son" reveals Tygra's family history. "Survival of the Fittest" focuses on Wilykit and Wilykat learning to survive.
"The Pit" introduces Pumyra and shows Lion-O's compassion. "Curse of Ratilla" and "Birth of the Blades" involve the search for the Sword of Plun-Darr. "The Forever Bag" is a side adventure for the ThunderKittens. "Recipe for Disaster" involves a strange elixir and a new monster. "The Soul Sever" explores technology and souls. The final two episodes, "What Lies Above: Episode 1" and "What Lies Above: Episode 2," show the ThunderCats fighting for the last power stone in the floating city of Avista, leading to a major betrayal and a big battle.
Shorts
The show also had a short episode called "Snarf: Butterfly Blues." This short shows Snarf trying to keep track of a baby Lion-O, who is chasing a butterfly and getting into all sorts of trouble.
Music from the Show
A two-disc album of the show's music, composed by Kevin Kliesch, was released in October 2012. It includes music from almost all the episodes.
Disc 1
- ThunderCats Main Theme - Jules Bass and Bernard Hoffer (:12)
- The Sword of Omens (4:58)
- Ancient Spirits of Evil (10:28)
- Ramlak Rising (9:11)
- Song of the Petalars (6:01)
- Old Friends (8:21)
- Journey to the Tower of Omens (6:47)
- Legacy (4:24)
- The Duelist and the Drifter (5:37)
- Berbils (3:13)
- Sight Beyond Sight (4:46)
Disc 2
- The Forest of Magi Oar (1:28)
- Into the Astral Plane (1:21)
- Between Brothers (6:52)
- New Alliances (3:45)
- Trials of Lion-O, Part 1 (2:52)
- Native Son (6:03)
- Survival of the Fittest (1:30)
- Curse of Ratilla (3:23)
- Birth of the Blades (2:56)
- The Forever Bag (2:02)
- Recipe for Disaster (3:01)
- The Soul Sever (2:30)
- What Lies Above, Part 1 (5:39)
- What Lies Above, Part 2 (6:31)
Why the Show Ended
After the first season finished, ThunderCats was not immediately renewed for a second season. This made many people think the show would be canceled. At the 2012 San Diego Comic Con, the creators said the show was on hold. They hadn't heard from Cartoon Network about its future. In March 2013, art director Dan Norton confirmed that it was unlikely more work would be done on the series. The show was officially canceled after just one season.
What Could Have Been
In interviews, the creators and voice actors shared ideas for a possible second season. They said it would have explored:
- Mumm-Ra's role in creating the Snarfs.
- Slithe's past with Lynx-O, which would explain why the Lizards joined Mumm-Ra.
- Mumm-Ra tricking the ThunderKittens into bringing him the Sword of Omens.
- Pumyra turning into a wicked insectoid monster, trying to capture the ThunderCats.
The name of the final power stone was also revealed to be the Soul Stone.
See also
In Spanish: Thundercats (serie de televisión de 2011) para niños
