I just wanted to share that I just saw a commercial for a new Thundercats series. It starts July 29th 8/7c on Cartoon Network. I’m pretty sure there are a few other dopers who would be interested in the new series.
I gotta say I’m pretty excited and I really like the new Lion-O. I much prefer him not being all Hulked out and actually looking like a younger cat.
Here’s a trailer:
Here’s a short wiki article:
Here is some pictures of what the new characters look like:
It’s fair to say that Thundercats and the Muppet Show were THE most formative things on my television screen as I was growing up. I was active in online fandom for years as well.
I’m really excited to see my 'Cats onscreen again with new stories, but terrified they’ll mess it up.
Then again, the original episodes are SO cheesy and terrible! I can’t stop laughing when I re-watch them, but I took them SOOO seriously as a kid.
Meh, anime. Not that the Thundercats are any sacred cow to me but I can’t imagine less inspired or more unoriginal “new versions” than a bunch of anime knock-offs.
According to Wikipedia “It is produced by Warner Bros. Animation with animation provided by Japanese animation studio Studio 4°C” so I’d call it anime from America
meh… I agree that the anime-ization makes them look too generic. Wilykit&Kat are ok. Tigra is fine. I’m not thrilled with the panthro that looks kinda like a plumber. What’s with the blocky face? Lion-o is pure fan-art anime. And worst of all, Cheetara, who fueled many a confusing inter-species dream in my youth is just missing something from the original. I can’t put my finger on it, but all the pizzazz is gone.
I might watch for nostalgia’s sake, but as I said… meh.
Yeah me too. It looks like they are doing a re-boot so after the first couple of origin episodes the writers can take it into their own direction, for the most part, you still need Mumm-Ra and his gang. Their is a ton of anime out there these days a lot of which is intelligent, emotional, funny and has good story at the same time so hopefully they’ll at least try to have a couple of those elements in it instead of trying to make it simple and dumb just for the kids.
I agree. CGI if used right can really add to a movie or cartoon but nothing really beats hand drawn animation.
When I was in the Marines I attended a BE&E class on a Navy base. Everyone morning before class started we would watch Thundercats. 30 or so sailors and Marines watching Thundercats, and enjoying.
The arm muscles. That’s like getting rid of the baroness’ glasses or putting Lady Jaye in a princess dress. To be fair, her Michelle Obama-esqe guns weren’t consistent, they toned down as the show went on and didn’t appear at all in some of the non-show material. (Like the poster, or whatever it is at the top of the ‘slices of life’ link) She also seems to be wearing a Eva Plug Suit, unless anyone can come up with a better explanation as to what’s up with her wrists.
Her other main distinguishing characteristic was her horrific voice actress. I note her new VA is a regular actress with no voice experience, so that may very well carry over.
Panthro looks like Jett Black at a furry convention. That’s not really a negative, it’s just an observation.
Thundercats was never about characters or writing, it as about Akiyama’s fairly awesome 80’s-anime action and effects direction. I’ll admit I’m a bit curious as to how they’ll try to build on that. (Though really, “fight like cats!”? Are you sure you want that line in the trailer?)
And most importantly, will there be BER-SERK-ER-s?
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The original Thundercats designs look a lot like late 60’s superhero costumes. So if we’re really going for authenticity, we should design them to look like 90’s superheroes. That would make everyone happy, right?
That’s exactly what he looks like! Maybe it’s something Ein dreamed up after eating the funny mushrooms.
IMO “fight like cats” isn’t any worse than “Thundercats are loose.” Especially given how often Tygra managed to get tied up, villains like the Enflamer, and that whole Luna/Amok thang.
Having never watched the original series (I was more into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles myself), the series premiere tonight was my first introduction to the show.
I have to say i’m thoroughly impressed and will be tuning in again next week. For a show that I assume is targeted at kids, it’s surprisingly dark and mature.
