Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Created by | Parker Simmons |
Directed by | Michael Moloney |
Voices of |
|
Theme music composer | Mint Potion Studios |
Opening theme | "I Love You Mao Mao" (performed by Kaho Kidoguchi) |
Composer | Mint Potion Studios |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 40 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producer | Laura Allen |
Editor | Todd Raleigh |
Running time | 11 minutes |
Production companies | Titmouse, Inc. [nb 1] Cartoon Network Studios |
Original release | |
Network | Cartoon Network |
Release | July 1, 2019 – July 17, 2020 |
Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart is an American animated television series created by Parker Simmons for Cartoon Network. A co-production between Cartoon Network Studios and Titmouse, it premiered on July 1, 2019. [1] [2] [3]
The show is based on the independent teaser short I Love You Mao Mao, which Simmons had initially produced for the annual Titmouse Inc. "5-Second Day" on February 21, 2014, and subsequently posted on Newgrounds. [4]
Mao Mao: Heroes of Pure Heart centers on its coming-of-age story, with the title character, Mao Mao, a daring cat who has high intentions for action and adventure. During one of his adventures, he gets stuck in a cute and cuddly town called Pure Heart Valley with his co-hero Badgerclops, a cyborg-armed badger, and meets Adorabat, a cute little bat. Together, the three go on adventures to protect the citizens of Pure Heart Valley from the forces of evil while they find a way to fix the Ruby Pure Heart to its original state.
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||
Pilots | 2 | March 6, 2014 | February 19, 2016 | |
1 | 40 | July 1, 2019 | July 17, 2020 |
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written and storyboarded by | Original air date | Prod. code |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "I Love You Mao Mao" | Parker Simmons | February 21, 2014 (Theatrical) March 6, 2014 (Online) | N/A |
Bearclops tries to get Mao Mao to meow like a real cat, only to cause an argument that starts to get heated, while Adorabat meows freely. Note: This is a teaser for the 7–minute pilot "Bao Bao's Revenge". | |||||
2 | 2 | "I Love You Mao Mao "BAO BAO's Revenge"" | Chris Ybarra | February 19, 2016 (Theatrical) | N/A |
When Mao Mao's old partner, Bao Bao, threatens the kingdom, his friends will need to learn about his past in order to protect the present. Note: An expanded version of this short serves as the basis of the season 1 episode "Bao Bao's Revenge". |
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Written and storyboarded by | Story by | Original air date [5] [6] | Prod. code [6] | U.S viewers (millions) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1 | "I Love You Mao Mao" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 1, 2019 [nb 2] | MM101 [7] | 0.44 (Sneak Peek) [8] 0.27 (Premiere) [9] |
Adventurers Mao Mao and Badgerclops accidentally damage the Pure Heart that protects Pure Heart Valley from the dangers of the world. Together with daring native Adorabat, the trio must protect the town from villains who plan to steal the Pure Heart including the sinister pirate, Orangusnake. | |||||||
2 | 2 | "Perfect Adventure" | Michael Moloney and Parker Simmons | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 1, 2019 [nb 3] | MM102 [10] | 0.26 [9] |
Adorabat fears that Mao Mao will give up adventuring due to the town's simplistic lifestyle so she makes up an adventure for Mao Mao and Badgerclops to follow. Things slowly start to get out of hand when Adorabat ends up leading the other two into more and more situations until she puts them all in danger. | |||||||
3 | 3 | "No Shortcuts" | Phil Ahn and Allison Craig | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 8, 2019 [nb 4] | MM107 [10] | 0.30 [11] |
Feeling that she is useless in battle, Adorabat has Badgerclops create a cybernetic peg leg dubbed the Mega-Mech to aid her. However, the weapon proves to be too much for her. When Mao Mao insists on getting rid of it, Adorabat races off to face Orangusnake on her own and ends up getting captured and used for his latest weapon. | |||||||
4 | 4 | "Ultraclops" | Griffith Kimmins and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 8, 2019 [nb 4] | MM106 [10] | 0.28 [11] |
Badgerclops is upset that Mao Mao and Adorabat always blow him off. When a giant monster wrecks havoc, Camille, the royal magic user, gives Badgerclops a necklace to turn him into a giant so that he can combat it. Badgerclops ends up liking being big as no one can ignore him and he can do whatever he wants, upsetting the Pure Heart Valley Sweetypies. | |||||||
5 | 5 | "Mao Mao's Bike Adventure" | Griffith Kimmins and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 15, 2019 [nb 4] | MM114 [10] | 0.38 [12] |
Mao Mao insists that "a hero is never wrong" which annoys Badgerclops and Adorabat when he refuses to listen to reason. His Aero-Bike gets stolen in the middle of the night and he immediately places the blame on the Sweetypies of Pure Heart Valley despite the fact that they cannot steal anything and evidence pointing to Orangusnake's own doing. | |||||||
6 | 6 | "Breakup" | Phil Ahn and Allison Craig | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 15, 2019 [nb 4] | MM104 [10] | 0.35 [12] |
Adorabat is upset at the fact that Mao Mao and Badgerclops have had numerous adventures together and she feels left out. After accidentally instigating a fight between the two, Adorabat gets her chance to hang out with them individually. Unfortunately for her, she realizes that spending quality time with each of them is annoying and tries to get them back together. | |||||||
7 | 7 | "Not Impressed" | Griffith Kimmins and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 22, 2019 [nb 4] | MM108 [10] | 0.41 [13] |
Mao Mao is perturbed when a Sweetypie in Pure Heart Valley named Ol' Blue does not find Mao Mao's abilities impressive. Mao Mao finds himself desperately trying to get some kind of validation from the mopey resident, unaware of the fact that his feelings are psychologically linked to his own father issues. | |||||||
8 | 8 | "Enemy Mime" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 22, 2019 [nb 4] | MM103 [14] | 0.39 [13] |
Pure Heart Valley is attacked by a giant pink blob that mimics whatever is in front of it. Mao Mao and Badgerclops find that they cannot directly fight it because it fights back and they cannot reason with it because it absorbs everything in its way. It is up to Adorabat to defeat it using the one thing she knows: magic tricks. | |||||||
9 | 9 | "Outfoxed" | Phil Ahn and Allison Craig | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 29, 2019 [nb 4] | MM111 [10] | 0.40 [15] |
Mao Mao and Badgerclops learn about "Takesgiving", a holiday where two thieving con artists, a fox named Rufus and a raccoon named Reggie come and take everyone's personal belongings. Mao Mao and Badgerclops set out to prove that the swindlers are up to no good, but Adorabat insists that they cannot be evil because they act nice all the time. | |||||||
10 | 10 | "Bao Bao's Revenge" | Emily Oetzell and Chris Ybarra | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 29, 2019 [nb 4] | MM109 [10] | 0.38 [15] |
King Snugglemagne gets a message that Bao Bao, Mao Mao's old partner, is arriving. Mao Mao is convinced that Bao Bao betrayed him and cost him his tail. However, Bao Bao turns out to be a regular dog, with Badgerclops stating that Mao Mao has a tendency to be hyperbolic, and that an actual monster they once faced together is coming to attack the town. | |||||||
11 | 11 | "Popularity Conquest" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | August 5, 2019 [nb 5] | MM115 [16] | 0.34 [17] |
King Snugglemagne reveals to Mao Mao that out of the entire sheriff's department, he is the least popular due to his short temper and abrasive personality. In order to become more likable, Mao Mao reinvents his look and tone, but the town soon begins to fall in disarray without his strict rules which starts to concern Adorabat and Badgerclops. | |||||||
12 | 12 | "Sick Mao" | Emily Oetzell and Chris Ybarra | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | August 5, 2019 [nb 5] | MM117 [10] | 0.34 [17] |
Mao Mao suddenly catches a cold that prevents him from being effective at fighting. Despite this, he insists that he is not sick as that would mean that he is weak. Adorabat and Badgerclops try to prevent him from spreading the disease which makes it even more difficult when a giant ice dragon appears to cause destruction in the town. Note: The episode was removed from Cartoon Network's website on March 20, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It still remained available on Digital Video-on Demand services such as iTunes as well as on HBO Max before it was removed from the service. | |||||||
13 | 13 | "Thumb War" | Emily Oetzell and Chris Ybarra | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | August 12, 2019 [nb 5] | MM112 [10] | 0.39 [18] |
The gang decide to compete in the annual Thumb War competition. While Adorabat is having fun, Mao Mao insists that there is no point in having fun if you are just going to lose. Soon Mao Mao begins losing hope in trying when he is forced to give up his gloves and use his actual stubby fingers while also going up against the champion, Big Thumb Pete. | |||||||
14 | 14 | "All By Mao Self" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | August 12, 2019 [nb 5] | MM105 [19] | 0.40 [18] |
While fighting the Sky Pirates in a junkyard, Mao Mao comes to the realization that he will not be able to achieve legendary status until he makes some changes in his life. To do this, he decides to add weights to his feet and carry scorpions while remaining blindfolded. Orangusnake next tries to convince Mao Mao that he does not need friends to be legendary. | |||||||
15 | 15 | "He's the Sheriff" | Phil Ahn and Allison Craig | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | August 19, 2019 [nb 5] | MM113 | 0.34 [20] |
When King Snugglemagne believes that the sheriff's department is more popular than him, he makes an impromptu day out with them as a volunteer deputy. However, Snugglemagne's constant politeness annoys Mao Mao and the crew and they look for a way to get rid of him. At the last moment, Snugglemagne faces a polite off with Boss Hosstrich. | |||||||
16 | 16 | "Bobo Chan" | Nora Meek and Griffith Kimmins | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | August 19, 2019 [nb 5] | MM119 [10] | 0.31 [20] |
Badgerclops discovers an egg that quickly hatches into a small blue dino-like creature that he names Bobo Chan. While he wants to keep her as his own, Mao Mao insists that he release her back into the wild and Adorabat wants to hunt and kill her. Eventually, Badgerclops releases Bobo Chan into the wild and three months later gets a surprise. | |||||||
17 | 17 | "Small" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 7, 2019 | MM120 [10] | 0.43 [21] |
When Shin Mao, Mao Mao's father, arrives at Pure Heart Valley to visit his son, everyone is put off by his "passive-aggressive" nature. He continuously puts down Mao Mao, despite his heroic endeavors and makes Badgerclops, Adorabat and even Orangusnake uncomfortable. However, Shin Mao changes his tune when Mao Mao is placed in a conflicting position. | |||||||
18 | 18 | "Legend of the Torbaclaun" | Phil Ahn and Griffith Kimmins | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 7, 2019 | MM118 [10] | 0.38 [21] |
Adorabat claims that there is a mysterious creature called the Torbaclaun that arrives when the no leaf clover is present. Mao Mao angrily denounces such a creature exists, but all the Sweetypies begin to give in to the obviously fake phenomena. While Badgerclops profits from the event with his flutes, Mao Mao seeks to expose the whole thing as a sham. | |||||||
19 | 19 | "Meet Tanya Keys" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 7, 2019 | MM121 | 0.37 [21] |
Mao Mao is reunited with Tanya Keys, a tanuki bounty hunter and former lover of his. She has come to kidnap Badgerclops and collect his bounty for a past crime he committed. While Mao Mao wants to stick to the law with rescuing his partner, Tanya tries to get him to be more abrasive with how he does things, all the while messing with him. | |||||||
20 | 20 | "Weapon of Choice" | Angelo Hatgistavrou and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 7, 2019 | MM116 [10] | 0.33 [21] |
When Mao Mao reveals the weapons and their abilities that his sisters received, he suddenly begins to feel demoralized that his own sword, Geraldine (which is basically a glorified glow stick), does not seem to be that impressive. Desperate to prove that his sword is worthy of its battle prowess, Mao Mao sets off to show its magnificent worth. | |||||||
21 | 21 | "The Truth Stinks" | Emily Oetzell and Chris Ybarra | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 14, 2019 | MM110 [10] | 0.53 [22] |
Badgerclops is convinced that his new purifying crystals keep him clean when in actuality, he has become incredibly stinky. Mao Mao prevents Adorabat from telling him the truth because of his inability to handle criticism. When the two's attempt at giving him a bath fails, they decide to tell him the truth outright, resulting in him becoming difficult. | |||||||
22 | 22 | "Trading Day" | Phil Ahn and Griffith Kimmins | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 14, 2019 | MM122 | 0.52 [22] |
Thinking the other has it easier, the Sheriff's department decides to switch places with one another. Mao Mao gets his own robot arm, Badgerclops attends elementary school and Adorabat tries to be the new sheriff. While fun at first, all three begin to have doubts about their respective new positions, made even more difficult when facing a new monster. | |||||||
23 | 23 | "Head Chef" | Angelo Hatgistavrou and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 21, 2019 [nb 6] | MM123 | 0.48 [23] |
Mao Mao and Badgerclops are cooking geniuses, but their methods are different. Mao Mao views cooking as an art while Badgerclops views it as a science. To settle their differences, they get on King Snugglemagne's cooking show Head Chef to prove who is really the best with Adorabat joining as well, even though she is cooking with plastic food. | |||||||
24 | 24 | "Orangusnake Begins" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 21, 2019 [nb 6] | MM125 [24] | 0.40 [23] |
Mao Mao continues to goad Orangusnake and the Sky Pirates with his constant insults and put downs. In an effort to beat him, Orangusnake combines with his minions to become Bossiraffeosnakurang. When this too fails, they get unexpected help from the energy of the Ruby Pure Heart and become powerful and Mao Mao must learn to not be so demeaning to others. | |||||||
25 | 25 | "Sugar Berry Fever" | Emily Oetzell and Chris Ybarra | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 28, 2019 [nb 7] | MM124 [25] | 0.48 [26] |
Mao Mao lives his life by the hero code, a book that gives him all the information he needs on becoming a true hero. However, there is one rule that he has trouble staying true to: no cobbler. Mao Mao tries to repress his love for the dessert, worrying Badgerclops and Adorabat, but when a monster threatens to steal it, Mao Mao must live by his own truth. | |||||||
26 | 26 | "Captured Clops" | Phil Ahn and Griffith Kimmins | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | September 28, 2019 [nb 7] | MM126 [24] | 0.42 [26] |
When Badgerclops gets upset over having to do many (actually just two) chores, he leaves HQ and finds himself captured by the Sky Pirates. Mao Mao and Adorabat go to rescue him, but refuses to go back to a life of doing chores and agrees to steal the Ruby Pure Heart. However, he soon learns the downsides of having a non-chore filled life. | |||||||
27 | 27 | "Flyaway" | Angelo Hatgistavrou and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | October 5, 2019 [nb 7] | MM127 [27] | 0.38 [28] |
Adorabat is afraid of going to the dentist, so Mao Mao teaches her about meditation to relax herself. Her spirit leaves her body and she begins to have fun, but also decides to escape so that she will not have to get her tooth fixed. Mao Mao and Badgerclops try to beckon her spirit back while she meets the spirit of Meditatin' Melvin. | |||||||
28 | 28 | "Baost in Show" | Emily Oetzell and Chris Ybarra | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | October 5, 2019 [nb 7] | MM128 [25] | 0.35 [28] |
Bao Bao returns to Pure Heart Valley and is immediately adopted by King Snugglemagne who wants to put in a dog show he is running. Mao Mao is still upset at Bao Bao's "betrayal", but ultimately decides to enter (with Badgerclops as his pet) to rescue Bao Bao. Eventually, Mao Mao and Snugglemagne fight over the right to be Bao Bao's owner. | |||||||
29 | 29 | "Fright Wig" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | October 12, 2019 | MM129 | 0.35 [29] |
King Snugglemagne has a terrible fright while getting a midnight snack. An emergency call is sent out to the sheriff's department, but when they arrive, Snugglemagne denies any wrongdoing. Mao Mao, Badgerclops, and Adorabat all decide to stay over for the night to discover what scared the king, who is overly determined to not discuss anything with them. | |||||||
30 | 30 | "Sleeper Sofa" | Phil Ahn and Griffith Kimmins | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | October 12, 2019 | MM130 [30] | 0.34 [29] |
An accident causes the sheriff department's couch, Sofia, to get destroyed and Mao Mao orders a new one. Catching on to their plan, the Sky Pirates sneak into the department inside the new couch in an effort to defeat them. However, they end up liking their new surroundings and decide to mooch off of their new benefactors with disastrous results. | |||||||
31 | 31 | "Mao Mao's Nakey" | Angelo Hatgistavrou and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 6, 2020 [nb 8] | MM131 | 0.45 [31] |
Mao Mao climbs the Ruby Pure Heart to prove his worth. Upon getting to the top however, the strong winds blow his clothes clear off leaving him "nakey". He resolves to use stealth to get to the center of town where his clothes ended up and to "rescue" Adorabat and Badgerclops, who are just back at HQ messing around and waiting for Mao Mao. | |||||||
32 | 32 | "Lucky Ducky Mug" | Emily Oetzell and Chris Ybarra | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 7, 2020 [nb 9] | MM132 | 0.24 [32] |
When Adorabat and Badgerclops break Mao Mao's favorite mug, he gives them the silent treatment. So, at a battle, The Sky Pirates become confused as to why they are not talking. Badgerclops tries to give a new mug to Mao Mao, but Mao Mao will not trust them. Adorabat and Badgerclops apologize to Mao Mao for breaking his mug and made a new one. [33] | |||||||
33 | 33 | "Lonely Kid" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 8, 2020 [nb 9] | MM133 | 0.26 [34] |
When Adorabat has trouble making friends at school, Mao Mao tells her the story of how he made his first real friend - Bao Bao. Mao Mao was searching for a friend, instead he met Bao Bao. After the pair defeated the Flimborg, everyone got angry at them and started to chase them, so Mao Mao and Bao Bao became partners through the chase. [33] | |||||||
34 | 34 | "Try Hard" | Phil Ahn and Griffith Kimmins | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 9, 2020 [nb 9] | MM134 | 0.27 [35] |
When the Sky Pirates take Mao Mao and Badgerclops hostage, it's up to Adorabat to save the day. Mao Mao wants her to try hard and save them through skill and bravery, but she keeps failing when she tries to rescue them. Eventually, Adorabat is able to save the day by being herself. [33] | |||||||
35 | 35 | "Scared of Puppets" | Angelo Hatgistavrou and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 10, 2020 [nb 9] | MM135 | 0.28 [36] |
Mao Mao is scared of puppets, so Badgerclops tries to scare him, but he keeps failing when Mao Mao pretends to be not scared. Mao Mao a birthday he had when he was a kid. At a Farmer’s Market, a Giant Elephant Monster comes to attack them, Mao Mao tries to prove to himself that he’s not afraid of puppets anymore. [33] | |||||||
36 | 36 | "The Perfect Couple" | Danny Ducker and Emily Oetzell | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 13, 2020 [nb 9] | MM136 [37] | 0.31 [38] |
When Mao Mao accidentally breaks up the most perfect couple in Pure Heart Valley, he has to figure out how to get them back together again. But at the wedding, Orangusnake steals Penny as a wife. [33] | |||||||
37 | 37 | "Adoradad" | Nathanael H. Jones and Alexandria Kwan | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 14, 2020 [nb 9] | MM137 | 0.31 [39] |
When Adorabat's dad, Eugene, forbids her from working with the Sheriff's Dept. because it's too dangerous, Adorabat sets out to prove that she can take care of herself. Later, Eugene returns to her childhood home and gets attacked by a Cave Dragon. Adorabat saves him and Eugene realizes that his daughter is big enough to continue to fight evil. [33] | |||||||
38 | 38 | "Badge-A-Fire Explosion" | Phil Ahn and Griffith Kimmins | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 15, 2020 [nb 9] | MM138 [40] | 0.28 [41] |
When Badgerclops comes out of a rare state of hyper-focused creativity, he may have made something that could destroy all of Pure Heart Valley. He tells his friends how he likes to make funny inventions, but his parents never liked it, which made him heartbroken. [33] | |||||||
39 | 39 | "Zing Your Heart Out" | Angelo Hatgistavrou and Nora Meek | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 16, 2020 [nb 9] | MM139 | 0.27 [42] |
When Adorabat starts to aggressively 'heckle' everyone with her new zing power, she threatens the entire kingdom. She thinks her jokes are funny, but she starts to go too far when her zing power starts to hurt people. [33] | |||||||
40 | 40 | "Strange Bedfellows" | Nathanael H. Jones and Emily Oetzell | Akira "Mark" Fujita, Michael Moloney, and Parker Simmons | July 17, 2020 [nb 9] | MM140 | 0.27 [43] |
After an insane battle, Mao Mao and Orangusnake end up in the same hospital room. But even in full body casts, the sworn enemies continue the fight. Dr. Cuddlestein wants them to follow her rules, but they start to ignore her policies. The two leaders weren't getting along very much until they ended up in a cement hole. [33] |
Cartoon Network announced on May 20, 2019 that they greenlit Mao Mao up for a full series alongside Tig n' Seek (originally titled Tiggle Winks). Eight new episodes were released on June 28, on the Cartoon Network app, website, and VOD. [44] [45] [46]
A second season was confirmed to be in production at the Cartoon Network Studios First Look Panel during the Comic-Con at Home event on July 23, 2020. [47] [48]
The series was animated by Titmouse, Inc. with additional animation from Inspidea in Malaysia and used Adobe Animate along with After Effects for compositing. [49]
The show debuted on Cartoon Network in the United States on July 1, 2019. [50] [51] [52] The series had also premiered in Belgium on March 2, 2020. [53]
On September 1, 2020, the first 30 episodes of the show were added to the HBO Max. [54] [55] [56] [57] The last 10 episodes of the first season added on January 1, 2021. [58] [59]
In August 2022 the show was removed from the HBO Max, as a result of the Warner Bros. Discovery merger. [60] [61] Cartoon Network subsequently removed all references to the show from their official websites, YouTube channels, and Twitter feeds. [62]
The series was well received from critics. Emily Ashby of common sense media gave the show 4 out of 5 stars; wrote that "Action scenes are loud and flashy, involving swords and axes, laser blasts, light beams that resemble bullets, lots of impact and overall a lot of violence. Death is implied in some cases, but the heroes always emerge unscathed." and that "The intensity of this show's action makes it a better choice for tweens than for younger kids, but the sharp writing and appealing heroes give the show cross-generational appeal." [63]
Dave Trumbore of the website Collider gave the show 3 out of 5 stars; (Good) saying that: "He'll be cautiously optimistic with this one. It's got a good start and great heart, it just remains to be seen how much original mythology will make its way into the narrative. Just like Adventure Time, Steven Universe, and OK K.O.! took some time to build up the behind-the-scenes drama, Mao Mao could benefit from a deeper storytelling well in the long run". [64]
Nick Valdez gave it 5 out of 5 stars; of ComicBook.com wrote: "Show has the potential to become a massive success for Cartoon Network". [65]
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Episode | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2020 | A Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program | Parker Simmons | Nominated | [66] [67] [68] | |
Outstanding Editing | Doug Vito, Todd Raleigh, Jocelyn Barkenhagen, Haley Gansert | Nominated | ||||
47th Annie Awards | Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production | Khang Le, Chris Fisher, Gael Bertrand, Deodato Pangandoyon, Howard Chen | Ultraclops | Nominated | [69] [70] [71] | |
2021 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program | Parker Simmons | Nominated | [72] [73] [74] | |
48th Annie Awards | Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for role as: Mao Mao | Parker Simmons | Won | [75] [76] | ||
Annie Award | Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television/Media Production | Michael Moloney | Mao Mao's Nakey | Nominated |
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Unikitty! is an American animated television series developed by Ed Skudder and Lynn Wang for Cartoon Network and produced by The Lego Group and Warner Bros. Animation. The series stars the character of the same name from The Lego Movie franchise, in which the series is part of.
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is an American animated television series developed by Ant Ward and Andy Suriano for Nickelodeon. Based on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles created by Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, it is a re-imagined series that has the Turtles go on new adventures as they seek to unlock the mystical secrets of New York City and their own powers to save the world from evil.
ThunderCats Roar is an American animated television series developed by Victor Courtright and Marly Halpern-Graser for Cartoon Network. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it premiered on February 22, 2020. It is the third television series in the ThunderCats franchise after the original series and the 2011 television series. It is Jules Bass's only solo work without his partner Arthur Rankin Jr., who died in January 2014, and Bass's last television production before his death in October 2022. The show's premise is similar to the original series; in which the ThunderCats escape their dying homeworld Thundera, crash-land on Third Earth, and face off against various villains led by the evil overlord Mumm-Ra. Like Teen Titans Go!, ThunderCats Roar sports a more light-hearted, comedic tone than previous incarnations. The series received a mixed reception from critics, while being panned by fans of the original show for its character designs, humor and characterizations, and it ended on December 5, 2020, being cancelled after just one season.
Bakugan: Armored Alliance is the second season of the Japanese animated television series Bakugan: Battle Planet. Like the first, Armored Alliance is directed by Kazuya Ichikawa for TMS Entertainment, Nelvana Enterprises and Spin Master Entertainment. It was formally announced on October 15, 2019 and consists of 104 eleven-minute episodes.
Tig n' Seek is an American animated television series created by Myke Chilian for Cartoon Network. Prior to the series, Chilian served as a designer on Rick and Morty as well as a writer and storyboard artist on Uncle Grandpa. The series is produced by Cartoon Network Studios. It was originally set to premiere on Cartoon Network, but was moved to the then-upcoming streaming service, HBO Max. The first season premiered on July 23, 2020, on the streaming service. The series was renewed for a second season which premiered on March 11, 2021. The series made its linear premiere on Cartoon Network on August 6, 2021, with some episodes aired out of order. The third season was released on September 16, 2021, only six months after the show's second season premiered. The fourth season was released on May 26, 2022. The show also was the last to feature the voice of Louie Anderson before his death on January 21, 2022. On August 18, 2022, the series was removed from HBO Max.