Tugs (1989–1990) User Reviews

Very Good

[jfcmason · 10/10 · 14 February 2007]

Tugs is from the creators of Thomas the Tank Engine, which features the 2 main tug companies at the Big City Port, the Stars and the Zeroes. But just because it is was made by the people who made the adventures of the bright blue engine on the Island of Sodor, in my mind is for the slightly more grown up viewer and not as much for children as they might think. The adventures are odd at times but the series is a very good one. Unfortunately it is not shown on the TV anymore and they only made one series consisting of 13 episodes, but like Famlty Towers, because only a few episodes were made, that means that they will always live on and never get old, but instead become timeless classics

Every bit of my brain loves this

[rattiegurll · 10/10 · 6 February 2020]

Bit of a blast to the past. Even as a 14 year old this is one of my favourite tv shows along side Steven Universe and stranger things. The character designs and backgrounds design is amazing, voice acting is 10/10, and music is awesome. The ending episode is one of the saddest pieces of media I've ever seen, alongside Madotsuki's suicide in Yume Nikki. Screw Thomas the train, watch tugs.

A delightful little series!

[joemorgan-01462 · 10/10 · 8 April 2022]

If you enjoyed Thomas the tank engine, then you'll love this little series based around the 1920s of working tug boats. The characters are very relatable and their quirks are very spot on. Star Tugs Vs the Z Stacks is a perfect little rivalry where two companies fight it out to be the best around.

This whole series is a sheer delight to watch. One of my favourites is Warrior. He's almost like Joey from friends. A loveable guy who would do anything to help his friends, no matter the circumstances.

Classic Short-Lived ITV Animated Series from the 1980's Decade

[rebeccaajclarke · 10/10 · 20 January 2022]

I remembered this short-lived ITV animated series on VHS, Back When I was a little girl, It takes place in Bigg City Port, USA in the roaring twenties, It features the two tugboat rival companies are the Heroic Star Fleet (Ten Cents, Big Mac, OJ, Top Hat, Warrior, Hercules and Sunshine) and the Antagonistic Z-Stacks (Zorran, Zebedee, Zak, Zip and Zug), as well as the supportive characters are the Lovely and Kind-Hearted Lillie Lightship, the loveable Grampus, the demolition expert Billy Shoepack, the jinxed tugboat called Boomer, the misunderstood and sympathetic Sea Rogue, the stereotypical Lazy Mexican called Izzy Gomez, the smelly garbage barge called Lord Stinker, the dangerous Australian Gangster called Johnny Cuba and the Naval-Twit called Bluenose, Unlike Thomas The Tank Engine and Friends (1984) from seasons 1-12 are the characters voices are done the the narrator in the British English and the American English Dubs, TUGS (1989) on the other hand have the characters voices are done by the individual voice actors, The Storylines are surprisingly dark and edgy for the children's show, e.g. Pirate (Sea Rogue's Uncle is kidnapped by Green-eyed Pirates), High Winds (Johnny Cuba forces Zebedee to steal the coal barges), Ghosts Tugboats (Ghosts), Collapsing Railway Bridges (High Tide) and Explosions (Pirate, Trapped, Up River, Regatta and Munitions). I'm giving this short-lived animated series from the UK a 10/10.

One of the best shows... in the world... EVER!!!

[alexkravchenko · 10/10 · 19 January 2023]

It is no exaggeration for me to say that.

TUGS truly is one of the most well made kids shows I have ever watched. Although I was more into its more famous sister show Thomas & Friends and don't ever recall watching TUGS as a kid (though I do remember reading the book Nothing to Declare), I guess it's never too late to get into great shows as such.

A top notch show by far, with stunning shots and scenes, great voice acting, wonderful character portrayals, quality writing, Gerry Anderson-like explosions (some of you may recall that one of the show's creators David Mitton was a special effects technician for sci-fi shows by said creator, hence the explosions), enticing music score by Thomas composers Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell, action, drama, excitement, and plenty of maritime realism.

As for my favourites:

Characters: Warrior, Ten Cents, O. J., Hercules, Top Hat, Captain Star, Zebedee, Zorran, Zug, Billy Shoepack, Puffa, Lillie Lightship, Grampus, and Sea Rogue

Episodes (ranked from 6 to 1): Bigg Freeze, High Tide, High Winds, Trapped, Munitions, and Warrior (episode)

What a show!