"Thundercats" (1985) TV series 1985-1987

User Rating:

8.4/10   

Director:

Katsuhito Akiyama

Writers:

J. Larry Carroll (writer)
Sandy Fries (writer)

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

23 January 1985 (USA)

Genre:

Animation | Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Plot:

A team of humanoid cats fight evil in their adopted home world.

Plot Keywords:

Sword | Cult Favorite | Forces Of Evil | Magic | Surrealism

Cast

Larry Kenney

...

Lion-O (130 episodes, 1985-1986)

Runtime:

30 min | USA:30 min (130 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:G | Iceland:L (some episodes) | Iceland:LH (some episodes) | South Africa:PG (DVD rating) | UK:U (video rating) | Ireland:G (video rating) | USA:TV-Y7 | Argentina:Atp

Company:

Rankin/Bass Productions

Trivia:

The first season was actually completed in 1983, but was not publicly shown until two years later.

Quotes:

Cheetara: You're never trapped until you stop trying.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "I Love the '80s Strikes Back" (2003)

Soundtrack:

Thundercats

Definitely one of the best animated series ever produced.

When I was young, there were many television shows on air that I watched and enjoyed. They certainly don't make them like they used to. But there was one show in particular that made me excited. One show that never failed to entertain me and keep me quiet for a while. Thundercats. Even the title sounds intriguing. Thundercats was an original, inventive, dynamic series that was just impossible to dislike. The adventures of these heroic creatures, who resembled something in between a human and a feline, were enjoyable and addictive, and, most of all, great fun.

The plot was well thought out and complex. The planet Thundera is about to be destroyed, and a group of Thunderians are desperate to escape. Along with their leader Jaga, they manage to flee just as Thundera is obliterated. They set a course for the closest world, and all retire to chambers, which halt their ageing. Yet young Lion-O's chamber is faulty, and he ages at the normal speed. Jaga dies as their ship crashes on Third Earth, and Lion-O, now a grown man (or Thundercat rather) is anointed as Lord of the Thundercats. They set up home and build their headquarters, Cat's Lair. Although evil is never far away, namely in the form of Mumm-Ra, a decaying mummy that can transform himself into a fearsome adversary when he wants to conduct his evil deeds. Along with his inept mutants, he constantly attempts to capture the Thundercats. But Lion-O and the team strive for good against evil on Thundera, and their many escapades were chronicled in the ensuing episodes.

The characters in the series were memorable ones, and you could always find a little bit of yourself in one of them. Lion-O was the fearless, honourable leader, who used the Sword of Omens to help him fight his battles. Lion-O, still initially having the mind of a youngster, was guarded by Snarf, a hopeless, clumsy creature (think a cross between a rat and a cat) who thought he was a competent guardian. Obviously, he was useless at it, getting into trouble at every turn. There were many other Thundercats that resided in Cat's Lair. Cheetara, a statuesque woman who had the ability of great speed. Tygra, an agile Thundercat who possessed a deadly whip that made him invisible to his enemies. Panthro, a formidable Thundercat, and also an engineering wizard, having created the Thundertank, amongst other vital weapons. Wilykat and Wilykit, young twins with bags of tricks to deter their adversaries. Rounding off the group was Jaga, who, although dead, occasionally appeared to Lion-O to give him advice.

Looking back, Thundercats may not have been the most impressive television series of its time. The animation was good, but not perfect, and the dialogue could be a little too bland and literal at times. But if you look past these imperfections, you can see that it was a great show, with some remarkable characters and outstanding episodes. I'll certainly never forget it; in fact, I'm still a huge fan today. I doubt I'll ever see anything like Thundercats again, and I do miss it. But Ill always have the memories of coming home after school and being transfixed to the screen, watching Thundercats and having so much fun. Not many shows can do that. One of a kind, and unforgettable.