The Powerpuff Girls

American animated television series from 1998–2005

The Powerpuff Girls is an American comedy-action satirical adventure superhero children's animated television series. It aired on Cartoon Network from 1998 to 2005.

The Powerpuff Girls
Pink letters reading "The Powerpuff Girls" against a black background.
the original logo of the show.
GenreComedy
Superhero
Action adventure
Created byCraig McCracken
Written by
Directed by
Voices of
Narrated byTom Kenny
Theme music composerJames L. Venable
Opening theme"The Powerpuff Girls (Main Theme)"
Ending theme"The Powerpuff Girls (End Theme)",
performed by Bis
Composers
  • Thomas Chase
  • Steve Rucker
  • James L. Venable
Country of originUnited States United Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons6
No. of episodes78 (whole)
136 (segments) (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerMike Lazzo
Producers
  • Chris Savino (seasons 5–6)
  • Genndy Tartakovsky
    (supervising producer, seasons 1–4)
Running time11 minutes (short-length episodes)
22 minutes (specials)
44 minutes ("'Twas the Fight Before Christmas")
Production companies
Original release
NetworkCartoon Network
ReleaseOctober 18, 1998 (1998-10-18)[2] –
March 25, 2005 (2005-03-25)[2][3]
Related
Powerpuff Girls Z[4]
What a Cartoon![5]
The Powerpuff Girls (2016)

It is about three superheroes named Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup live in Townsville, USA. They are kindergarteners and have superpowers, who use their powers for good by saving the world from villains.

The show is based on a short made by the series creator from 1992 originally called Whoopass Stew. The original show was created by Craig McCracken, and the 2016 revival series was developed by Nick Jennings and Bob Boyle. It was created and produced by Hanna-Barbera and Cartoon Network Studios, who also developed a theatrical film adaption in 2002 titled The Powerpuff Girls Movie by Warner Bros. Pictures.

A lonely scientist named Professor Utonium one day decided to create a "perfect daughter" using sugar, spice and everything nice. However, a special potion named Chemical X was accidentally added to the pot, creating the three Powerpuff Girls, who had superpowers and have dedicated their lives to fighting crime and evil in Townsville.

Characters

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Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup are 3 kindergarten superheroes who live with their father, Professor Utonium, in the City of Townsville. It is their job to use their powers to reduce crime and defend the town from evil villains who want to take it over while also partaking in normal activities like chores and going to school.

The Powerpuff Girls

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  • Blossom - the pink Powerpuff girl and the leader with a pink dress with a black belt, long white tights and black shoes.
  • Bubbles - the blue Powerpuff girl and the cutest with a blue dress with a black belt in the middle, long white tights and black shoes.
  • Buttercup - the green Powerpuff girl and the strongest with a green dress with a black belt down the middle, long white tights and black Mary Jane shoes.

Villains

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  • Mojo Jojo - a monkey with a high white helmet with purple stripes that protects his brain which has overgrown during the explosion of the X during the birth of the Powerpuff Girls on the outside of his skull, a white and blue headpiece, a white, blue and purple outfit and white gloves.
  • HIM - a demon so evil that people do not say his true name. He is the most powerful villain in the show and is often said to be the most frightening
  • Fuzzy Lumpkins - a strange beetle with pink fur who wishes to be left alone.
  • Princess Morbucks - a rich girl who wants to become a Powerpuff Girl, but became a villain after being rejected.
  • Gangreen Gang - a group of green-skinned teenagers
  • Amoeba Boys - three single-cell gangsters
  • Sedusa - a woman with a red suit and boots and black fishnet stockings

Others

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  • Professor Utonium - the father of the Powerpuff Girls
  • The Mayor - the mayor of Townsville who calls the Girls whenever there is trouble.
  • Ms Bellum - the mayor's secretary.
  • Ms Keane - a school teacher

Original Voice Cast

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Other media

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The Powerpuff Girls Movie is an animated film which serves as a prequel to the series. It tells the full story of how the girls were created, revealing that Mojo Jojo (the series' main villain) was partly responsible. The main cast of the series returns. It was released in 2002.

Video games

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Two video games were made featuring the main cast. They were:

Television special

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In 2009, a ten-year anniversary special was released titled The Powerpuff Girls Rule. The story centres around the Key to the World being brought to Townsville. The Girls and every villain who appeared in the series search for the Key. Eventually, Mojo Jojo finds it and reveals that he will use it to create world peace.

Anime adaptation

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In 2006, the Powerpuff Girls Z was released. Many major characters returned but personalities and appearances were altered. Instead of being superheroes from birth, the girls were teenagers who were struck by "Z Rays" which turned them into superheroes.

2016 remake

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The Powerpuff Girls is a reboot of the original series. Although it follows the same backstory and has similar characters, many things are changed.

Live action sequel

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A live action sequel was in development. It was said to depict the Girls now as adults returning to their superhero duties. However, it was cancelled.

Home media

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The show saw several VHS and DVD releases while it was on the air, and the entire series was released on DVD in 2009 to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary.

Similar television series

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  • Dexter's Laboratory, which shared similar production staff and voice actors as Powerpuff Girls also features a child with uncanny abilities fighting against his neighbor named Mandark.

References

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  1. "The Powerpuff Girls Episode Guide -Hanna-Barbera". The Big Cartoon DataBase. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015.
  2. "Octi-Gone (2005) The Powerpuff Girls Cartoon Episode Guide". The Big Cartoon DataBase. Archived from the original on April 12, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  3. "Powerpuff Girls Z". tv-tokyo.co.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved February 3, 2013.
  4. The Powerpuff Girls: Who, What, Where, How, Why... Who Cares?. 2009.

Other websites

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  Media related to The Powerpuff Girls (1998 TV series) at Wikimedia Commons