ThunderCats is a classic 1980s animated series that follows the lives of feline anthromorphic beings trying to survive on a future Earth against all odds.

Productive inventor Tobin "Ted" Wolf composed the idea for the adventure series in 1981. Wolf's daughter, Janice, helped him flesh out the characters before he went to Telepictures Corporation to pitch the series. Rankin-Bass Animated Entertainment picked up its graphics development from Leisure Concepts, Incorporated. Jules Bass then called in cartoonist Leonard Starr to advance the project toward becoming a one-hour special, which debuted in January 1985.

Although ThunderCats had been introduced to TV viewers in such a late time slot, it brought in excellent ratings to justify a fall season nod. Bass again called on Starr, this time to write the first season bible. Starr even drew a map to mark all the places datelined in the stories in order to help the other writers familiarize themselves with the world of the Thundercats.

The series debuted in the fall of 1985 with the one-hour special edited to be the first two episodes. Like many U.S. cartoons of that time, ThunderCats was a blend of science fiction and fantasy. Martial arts and spaceship battles, magic and science, among other assorted elements, helped tell a timeless story of good and evil in a most kid-appealing way.

By 1986, the cartoon's popularity launched a toyline from LJN Limited which spearheaded a robust merchandise campaign. Kids had the chance to collect lunch boxes, curtains, bed sheet sets, clothing to comic books, magazines, and find-your-own-adventure books, among other items. But by 1987, ThunderCats was cancelled after its second season even though the show's popularity was gaining in the United Kingdom.

The cartoon's distinction brought on merchandise that not only mirrored products in the States but expanded the lines and created new ones. For example, where there were only 24 comic books issued in the U.S. the U.K. version of the comic line numbered more than 100 and inspired the publication of six annuals. Other examples of ThunderCats gaining more popularity in the United Kingdom included, among other things, coloring/activity books packaged with ThunderCats logo-labeled school supplies, and a Snarf plushie. But oddly the in-demand cartoon was filtered out of syndication due to censorship and constantly revised scheduling even before its second season was released. ThunderCats has yet to see a return to U.K. TV to finish out the series.

However, the show regained a foothold in the U.S. when Cartoon Network launched a new program called Toonami in March 1997. ThunderCats sustained in the retro-lineup for a time before it was plagued by unexplained scheduling issues and replaced.

In 2002, it was revived only in comic book form as five (5) mini-series and six (6) one-shots by DC Comic's Wildstorm division. A launch of a new comic line never materialized. However, ThunderCats paraphernalia started to be offered and bought on the international auction site eBay. Rare items such as original animation cels, scripts, and media kits sold along with used action figures, knockoff toys and other oddities.

In 2004, the first of four Region 2 DVD sets was released by Manga Distribution of CosmoCats, the French version of the series. European fans were also offered the chance to send away for an exclusive 176-page encyclopedia featuring articles on the show, an episode list, plus full-color model sheets and profiles which became a sought-after item to U.S. and U.K. fans on eBay.

A year later, rumors of a Region 1 release of ThunderCats on DVD were finally met by official word from Warner Brothers. It is not known if a pages-long online petition had anything to do with WB's decision. It is a fact that U.K. fans of the series took advantage of an opt-in field on an online poll to vote ThunderCats into 54th place for the TV countdown special " 100 Greatest Cartoons of All Time." WB enlisted New Wave Entertainment to develop special features for the four DVD sets of the series.

Season One, Volume One (S1V1) was released August 9th, 2005 with episodes one through 33 and a lone featurette called "Feel the Magic, Hear the Roar: ThunderCats Fans Speak Out." Season One, Volume Two (S1V2) became available to fans December 6th, 2005, offering episodes 34 through 65 and the feature "ThunderCats Ho! Creating a Pop Culture Phenomenon." Season Two, Volume One (S2V1) released April 18th, 2006 toting episodes 66 through 99 and the most features offered on one set: "The Music of Thundera," "The Rembrandts Thundercats Theme Song Music Video," and "Bernie Hoffer - Live!: Thundercats Theme Song Performed By Its Composer." Season Two, Volume Two (S2V2) was the final DVD set with an issue date of November 28th, 2006. It held the remaining 31 episodes and an interactive game that NWE developed with three fans as consultants. Larry Kenney was asked to reprise his vocal roles as Lord Lion-O and Jackalman, plus added Jaga and Mumm-Ra to his series credits. The rewards from the game were four featurettes of voice actors Gerianne Raphael and Peter Newman, Leonard Starr speaking about the map used in the series and in the game, plus a tribute to the late Earl Hammond, voice actor for the role of Mumm-Ra, among other characters from the series.

A Region 2 release of the DVD sets mirrored the Region 1 items, with the most obvious changes between the releases' cover art. Also, music and titlecard issues discovered by fans in the Region 1 sets were not present in the Region 2 items.

Series One, Volume One (S1V1) released January 15th, 2007 with episodes one through 33 and a lone featurette called "Feel the Magic, Hear the Roar: ThunderCats Fans Speak Out." Series One, Volume Two (S1V2) became available to fans August 13th, 2007, offering episodes 34 through 65 and the feature "ThunderCats Ho! Creating a Pop Culture Phenomenon."

In June 2007, Warner Brothers announced details about a CGI (animated) movie based on the cartoon series.

©2008 Celesta Johnston. All rights reserved.
This article may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted
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CLOSING EPISODE CREDITS

Executive Producers
Arthur Rankin, Jr.      Jules Bass

Animation by
Pacific Animation Corporation

In Charge of Production
Masaki Iizuka

Animation Staff
Katasuhito Akiyama +
Akihiko Takahashi +
Yukimatsu Ito +
Kazufumi Nomura +
Tameo Kohanawa + *
Yuji Yatabe + *
Tsugo Kubo + *
Minoru Nishida + *
Ryo Yasumura + *
Seok Ki Kim + *

Based On Characters Created By
Tobin Wolf (credited as Ted Wolf)

Project Development
Leisure Concepts, Incorporated

Music
Bernard Hoffer

Psychological Consultant
Robert Kuiss, Ph. D.

Voice Characterizations


--Robert McFadden--
Snarf
Snarfer
S-S-Slithe
Ram Bam
Grune
Mongor
Captain Shiner
Guardian of the Book of Omens
Captain Bragg and Crownan

--Earl Hammond--
Jaga
Mumm-Ra
Hammerhand
Vultureman
Ro-Bear Berbils
Snowman
Top Spinner
Captain Cracker

--Larry Kenney--
Lion-O
Jackalman
Wizz-Ra
Claud-Us
Ratar-O
Safari Joe
Tug Mug
Egbert
Ratar-O
Ratilla

--Lynne Lipton--
Cheetara
Wilykit
Mandora
Warrior Maidens
Mumm-Rana
Luna
Leah

--Earle Hyman--
Panthro
Red Eye
Cruncher
Ancient Spirits of Evil (last seasons)
Oswald

--Peter Newman--
Tygra
Wilykat
Monkian
Hachiman
Ben-Gali

--Doug Preis--
Lynx-O
Alluro

--Gerianne Raphael--
Pumyra
Chilla
Jagara
Mumm-Rana
(last seasons)

Recording Staff
John Curcio-Dialogue
Michael Farrow-Music
Tom Perkins-Editorial
Larry Franke-Editorial
Michael Unger - Editorial
John Crenshaw - Editorial
Pete Cannarozzi-Effects