Spirit Rangers

Last updated

Spirit Rangers
Spirit Rangers poster.jpg
Season 1 promotional poster; from left to right: Eddy, Kodi and Summer.
Created byKarissa Valencia
Directed by
  • Dominique Monféry
  • Dorothée Robert
Voices of
Theme music composer
  • Raye Zaragoza
  • Ehren Kee Natay
ComposerJordan Kamalu
Country of origin
  • United States
  • Italy [1]
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes39 (58 segments)
Production
Executive producers
ProducerPeeDee Shindell
AnimatorSuperprod Animation
Running time23 minutes (two 11-minute segments)
Production companies
Original release
Network Netflix
ReleaseOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10) 
April 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)

Spirit Rangers [2] is an animated preschool television series created by Karissa Valencia, a member of the Santa Ynez Band of the Chumash Nation. [3] [4] Co-produced by Netflix Animation, Laughing Wild and Superprod Studio, the series was released on Netflix on October 10, 2022, before Indigenous Peoples' Day. [5] On January 18, 2023, it was announced that the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on May 8. [6] On June 15 the same year, it was announced the series was renewed for a third and final season [7] which premiered on April 8, 2024. [8]

Contents

Premise

The show centers on Chumash and Cowlitz siblings Kodi, Summer and Eddy Skycedar, [4] who wield magical necklaces that enable them to enter a magical spirit dimension in their national park. All three can assume animal forms: Kodi a grizzly bear, Summer a red-tailed hawk, and Eddy a turtle. [4]

At the end of the second season, the Skycedars' necklaces are stolen by the Trickster Trio, a group of antagonistic animals. An otter spirit creates new necklaces that enable the Skycedars to transform into aquatic animals: Kodi a stingray, Summer an octopus, and Eddy an orca. The Skycedars later recover the original necklaces, which fuse with the second set and enable them to assume both forms at will.

The third season reveals that the Skycedars' mother and father were previously Spirit Rangers, but lost their magic after transferring it to them. The two later regain their magic, enabling them to reassume their respective spirit forms: a bear and an anthropomorphic tree.

Voice cast

Main

Villains

Recurring

Minor

Guest

Episodes

Series overview

Series overview
SeasonSegmentsEpisodesOriginally released
1 2010October 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
2 1910May 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
3 1919April 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)

Season 1 (2022)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboarded byOriginal release date
11"Thunder Mountain"Dominique MonféryKarissa ValenciaDominique MonféryOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"Snoozing Sun"
22"The Cuzzin"Dominique MonféryLucas Brown EyesMohammed LabidiOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"Totally Eclipsed"Story by: Karissa Valencia
Teleplay by: Jason Marcus
Benoit Phelippeau
33"Caterpillar Camp"Dominique MonféryKelly Lynne D'Angelo and Kent RedekerNicolas ReynaudOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"Coyote's Treasury Treasure"Story by: Joey Clift
Teleplay by: Shelley Dennis
Bich Pham
44"Rumble Mountain Rumble"Dominique MonféryJoey CliftFranck BonnetOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"Eagle Eye View"Jason MarcusMohammed Labidi
55"Trout Trouble"Dominique MonféryJoey CliftGaston JaunetOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"Sweet Dreams"Shelley DennisBernard Portier
66"The Three Sisters"Dominique MonféryKelly Lynne D'AngeloBenoit PhelippeauOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"The Lacrosse Boss"Dominique Monféry
77"Distracted by the Gecko"Dominique MonféryKelly Lynne D'AngeloBernard PortierOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"Belly of the Beast"Kent Redeker
88"Woe Is Wolf"Dominique MonféryKarissa ValenciaSébastien LurcelOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"The Big Bad Buffalo"Dorothée RobertShelley DennisDorothée Robert
99"Broken Tree-tys"Dominique MonféryJoey CliftGaston JaunetOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"Hoop Dance Off"
1010"Not Your Opossum Mascot"Dominique MonféryJoey CliftBernard PortierOctober 10, 2022 (2022-10-10)
"Prickly Pride"Carlee MalemuteNicolas Reynaud

Season 2 (2023)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboarded byOriginal release date
111"Tricksters Steal the Sun"Dorothée RobertJoey CliftNicholas ReynardMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"Spirit Kittens"Roland Sé
122"River Ruckus"Dominique MonféryJoey CliftGaston JaunetMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"Sailing Stones"Dorothée RobertLucas Brown EyesDorothée Robert
133"Spirit Rangers Blast Off!"Dorothée RobertCarlee MalemuteAbdel Raouf ZaidiMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"Lizard's Lost and Found"Shelley DennisSophie Krettly
144"Chief of the Day"Dorothée RobertStory by: Joey Clift
Teleplay by: Kent Redeker
Damien BarrauMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"Vulture Rock"Lizzie PrestelBrice Magnier
155"Moose on the Loose"Dorothée RobertCarlee MalemuteNicolas ReynaudMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"The Big Stink"Story by: Joey Clift
Teleplay by: Kris Crenwelge
Marianne Lebel
166"Slow and Steady Eddy"Dorothée RobertCarlee MalemuteSophie KrettlyMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"Salmon Where Are You?"Joey CliftChristophe Ollivier
177"Deuces, Gooses"Dorothée RobertCarlee MalemuteBernard PortierMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"Frog Concert Chaos"Joey CliftSophie Krettly
188"A Tale of Tails"Dorothée RobertCarlee MalemuteBernard PortierMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"Say It Don't Spray It"Shelley DennisMarianne Lebel
199"Rattle Trap"Dorothée RobertLizzie PrestelDamien BarrauMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)
"Home Squawk Home"Karissa ValenciaNicolas Reynaud
2010"Water Protectors"Dorothée RobertKarissa ValenciaDamien Barrau and Dorothée RobertMay 8, 2023 (2023-05-08)

Season 3 (2024)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byStoryboarded byOriginal release date
211"Spirit Park Secrets"Dominique EtchecoparKarissa ValenciaNicolas ReynaudApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
222"Crabs in a Bucket"Dominique EtchecoparJoey CliftBernard PortierApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
233"Surfing Shark"Dominique EtchecoparKris CrenwelgeBenoit PhelippeauApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
244"Kodi's Old Shoes"Ange La TorreJoey CliftJérémie BouetApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
255"Finding True North"Dominique EtchecoparKris CrenwelgeCéline PottierApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
266"The Great Swordfish"Dominique EtchecoparStory by: Karissa Valencia
Teleplay by: Lucas Mills
Basile ZumerApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
277"Digging Deeper"Dominique EtchecoparJhonTom KnightCéline PottierApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
288"Stuck On You"Dominique EtchecoparKris CrenwelgeBasile ZumerApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
299"Xutash Harvest"Dominique EtchecoparJoey CliftNicolette RayApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3010"Tiny But Mighty"Dominique EtchecoparBlake PickensNicolas ReynaudApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3111"Potlatch Problem"Dominique EtchecoparJoey CliftFrederic DybowskiApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3212"Finding Family"Dominique EtchecoparKris CrenwelgeBernard PortierApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3313"Summer's in Charge"Dominique EtchecoparJoey CliftJérémie BouetApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3414"Barracuda Brouhaha"Dominique EtchecoparKris CrenwelgeNicolette RayApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3515"Wild Flowers"Dominique EtchecoparStory by: Karissa Valencia
Teleplay by: Norma P. Sepulueda
Nicolas ReynaudApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3616"Sage Advice"Dominique EtchecoparStory by: Joey Clift
Teleplay by: Blake Pickens
Céline PottierApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3717"Facing Fears"Dominique EtchecoparJhonTom KnightBasile ZumerApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3818"The Great Oak Tree"Dorothée Robert Joy Harjo and Karissa ValenciaDorothée RobertApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)
3919"Blizzards and Blankets"Dominique Etchecopar and Ange La TorreKris Crenwelge and Joey CliftNicolas Reynaud and Basile ZumerApril 8, 2024 (2024-04-08)

Production

The series was announced in October 2020 [2] alongside Ridley Jones and Dino Daycare, with the latter's production being canceled in April 2022. [25]

Production of the series featured a writer's room that was staffed entirely by Indigenous Americans. Valencia also consulted Chumash and Cowlitz tribes around content. [4] Superprod Animation provided the animation services, alongside Netflix Animation and Laughing Wild. [23]

Release

Spirit Rangers premiered on October 10, 2022, globally on Netflix. [26] A trailer was released on September 23. [26] [27]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNomineeResultRef.
2023 Children's and Family Emmy Awards Outstanding Preschool Animated Series Nominated [28]
Outstanding Directing for a Preschool Animated ProgramDorothée RobertNominated
Outstanding Casting for an Animated ProgramRene Hayes, Elise Buedel and Allyson BoschNominated
Outstanding Voice Directing for an Animated SeriesAllyson BoschNominated
Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program Cree Summer Nominated
Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in an Animated or Preschool Animated Program Talon Proc AlfordNominated
Isis Celilo RogersNominated

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References

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  2. 1 2 "Chris Nee Unveils First Slate of Netflix Animated Preschool Series For Kids Around The World". Netflix Media Center (Press release). October 15, 2020.
  3. Chan, Goldie. "Discovering Thoughtful Native American Stories With Showrunner Karissa Valencia". Forbes. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Calvario, Liz. "'Spirit Rangers' creator made the show she longed for as a Native American child". TODAY.com. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  5. "First Native woman created, long-awaited 'Spirit Rangers' debut on Netflix on Indigenous People's Day | Boreal Community Media". Boreal. Retrieved October 17, 2022.
  6. "Netflix Kids Dates Adam Sandler Movie 'Leo,' 'Magician's Elephant' & More for 2023". January 18, 2023.
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    #SpiritRangers"
    (Tweet). Retrieved April 8, 2024 via Twitter.
  8. "Spirit Rangers Renewed for Season 3 at Netflix – The Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter . June 15, 2023.
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    #SpiritRangers"
    (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2023 via Twitter.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Joey Clift [@joeytainment] (May 3, 2023). "Spirit Rangers Season 2 comes out May 8th and we just announced a bunch of our voice cast!! It was so fun working with all of these Native and Indigenous superstars and I can't wait for ya'll to hear them in the new episodes! #SpiritRangers" (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2023 via Twitter.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Joey Clift [@joeytainment] (April 3, 2024). "Spirit Rangers Season 3 comes to Netflix in FIVE DAYS so we're announcing a few of the Native geniuses joining the series! It was amazing working with all of these folks, and it's not listed here, but we brought in my mom to voice a Cowlitz elder and she absolutely crushed it!" (Tweet). Retrieved June 14, 2024 via Twitter.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 "Spirit Rangers (2022 TV Show)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved January 17, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  13. "Film/Acting". LITEFOOT. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  14. "BIO". Jayland. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
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  16. Ben Gonzales [@nativeben] (November 15, 2022). "I'm thrilled to be in this show as it will be my final performance EVER as I am retiring from the entertainment industry. Many thanks to Cozi Orlen & the @packtheater for the opportunity to bow out gracefully.🙏🏽❤️" . Retrieved September 15, 2023 via Instagram.
  17. Boutsalis, Kelly (October 12, 2022). "Why I'm excited my kids can finally see playful Indigenous representation in Netflix's Spirit Rangers". CBC.ca . Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  18. Q'orianka Kilcher [@qorianka] (October 10, 2022). "🫶🏽🦋🙏🏽 So honored to be part of #spiritrangers now streaming on @netflix 🥹 what a beautiful way to celebrate #indigenouspeoplesday" . Retrieved September 15, 2023 via Instagram.
  19. Burgandi Trejo Phoenix [@BurgandiPhoenix] (October 11, 2022). "Yesterday #SpiritRangers premiered on @netflix
    on #indigenouspeoplesday & it's at #9!✊🏽🪶I'm honored & overwhelmed with joy that I got to be part of this beautiful show-thank you for choosing me to be your Squash Sister Karissa!😭"
    (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2023 via Twitter.
  20. Javier Prusky [@JavierPrusky] (October 17, 2022). "SPIRIT RANGERS is officially out on @netflix !

    Thrilled to be a part of this momentous show playing Woodpecker, and I'm so grateful to creator extraordinaire Karissa Valencia, Chris Nee, and @joeytainment "
    (Tweet). Retrieved September 15, 2023 via Twitter.
  21. Ty Defoe [@tydefoe] (January 14, 2021). "🌸🌸 Spirit Rangers 🌸🌸
    Super excited to record some VO🎙 by the wonderful-always-cracking' me up niij, @joeycliiiiiift episode he wrote. 💝 youuuuuu Joey. Flower Spirit 🌸 is getting turnt in the sound booth!"
    . Retrieved September 18, 2023 via Instagram.
  22. Krizia Bajos [@kritzer] (October 10, 2022). "Whoaaa… meet Brad, Chad, and Shad (that's me). Shad thinks condor feathers are a cool costume… don't be like Shad.

    Legit never thought a voice I used as a joke with friends would turn into a job. And not just any job… a role on a sweet and inspiring series created by Chumash Native @karissavalencia__ and comprised of a myriad of talented Native cast and crew. Oh, and along animation royalty @chrisnee4660 - I mean COME ON"
    . Retrieved September 16, 2023 via Instagram.
  23. 1 2 White, Abbey (June 15, 2023). "How Netflix's 'Spirit Rangers' Is Rewriting Animation's Native and Indigenous Representation". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
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  28. Coates, Tyler (November 2, 2023). "Children's & Family Emmy Awards: Disney Dominates Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved November 7, 2023.