Tygra

Last updated
Tygra
ThunderCats character
First appearance"Exodus"
( ThunderCats )
September 9, 1985
Created by Tobin Wolf
Voiced by Peter Newman (1985 series)
Matthew Mercer [1] (2011 series)
Patrick Seitz ( ThunderCats Roar )
In-universe information
SpeciesThunderian
GenderMale
FamilyJavan (father) in 2011 version
RelativesClaudus (adoptive father) in 2011 version
Lion-O (adoptive brother) in 2011 version [2]

Tygra is a fictional character from the ThunderCats franchise. [1] The character is portrayed by Peter Newman in the 1985 ThunderCats TV series [3] [4] and Matthew Mercer in the 2011 ThunderCats TV series. [5] In the first TV series, Tygra is known as the ThunderCat architect and scientist. In the second one, the writers modified some of the characters and Tygra became the adoptive brother of Lion-O. [2] The character also appeared in several comic book series and many various figures based on the character were produced by various manufacturers.

Contents

1985 series

Tygra is a staunch, level-headed warrior. Based on the tiger, Tygra is known as the ThunderCat architect and scientist. [6] He is the one Lion-O often turns to as second-in-command and for counsel. He is responsible for the design of ThunderCat structures on Third Earth—the Cat’s Lair and the Tower of Omens. Patient, analytic and calm, Tygra is the most quiet ThunderCat, and usually considers every part of the problem before making a decision.

He is gifted with "mind-power"—the ability to create lifelike illusions in other people’s minds; he used this for Lion-O's Anointment Trial, but it puts a great strain on him. He uses a whip-like bolas in combat, with which he can render himself invisible to the naked eye.

In the episode "All That Glitters", Lion-O instructs Tygra, "If I do not return, you will be the new Lord of the ThunderCats." This verifies that Tygra is second-in-command. Tygra's weakness is that he is not able to swim when not invisible; also, Tygra has shown to be easily influenced by external stimuli more than any other ThunderCat ("The Garden of Delights", "Turgamar the Tuska" and "Crystal Canyon"); he claimed to be shy as a kid. [7]

2011 series

In the 2011 cartoon, Tygra's reimagined as Lion-O's adopted older brother and the two of them often have sibling rivalries over speed and strength and Cheetara's attention until she and Tygra become an official couple. Tygra is a user of magic and an expert marksman. [8] Tygra was much less obedient to his brother (if at all) until the Trials of Lion-O parts 1 and 2, mainly because he felt that he should've been the Lord of the ThunderCats and not Lion-O. [9] But after Lion-O 'dies' and undergoes his trials, Tygra becomes the new Lord of the ThunderCats/King, he realizes the pressure and responsibilities of being in that position, and realizes that Lion-O's the true king. Tygra also develops a greater respect and appreciation for his younger brother as well.

ThunderCats Roar

In the 2020 iteration of ThunderCats, Tygra is a mentor to Lion-O. [10]

Analysis

Where creators Ted Wolf and Leonard Starr described Panthro's character as being based on "strength" and Cheetara's character as being based on "speed", Tygra's character was described as being based on "integrity".

In an interview with IGN , Michael Jelenic noted "I guess 'The Scientist' is what a lot of fans call him. He was someone we had a lot of concern about because he, unlike everyone else, was someone people might say didn't 'pop' as much. So the way we addressed that was to get away from him being the architect, or the scientist, of the series and tried to expand on his character. And the way we did that was we made him the adopted brother of Lion-O." [8] In this series, during his whole life, Tygra was in his younger brother's shadow and it created sibling rivalries. Reviewer noted that it is "potent seeds for an eventual villainous turn.". [11]

To add to Tygra's dark jealousy issues, creators used a love triangle between Tygra, Lion-O and Cheetara. [8] [12] Jelenic explained that "When we were very early in development, we pitched the show to Peter Roth, the President of Television for Warner Brothers, and the love triangle was the one thing he cued in on immediately. He said, 'Let's get a triangle going between these three characters' and he's obviously a guy who knows what he's doing. So that became a very important part of the story." [13]

Reception

The character has received a mostly positive reception from critics.[ citation needed ] Comic Book Resources ranked the character among 7th Best thing about ThunderCats. [14] io9 ranked Tigra 12th best thing about ThunderCats. [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>ThunderCats</i> (1985 TV series) American animated television series

ThunderCats is an animated science fantasy television series produced by Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment and Leisure Concepts. It debuted in 1985, based on the characters created by Tobin Wolf. The series, for which Leonard Starr was the head writer, follows the adventures of a group of catlike humanoid aliens. The animation for the episodes was provided by the Japanese studio Pacific Animation Corporation, with Masaki Iizuka as production manager. The studio was acquired in 1989 to form Walt Disney Animation Japan. Season 1 of the show aired in 1985, consisting of 65 episodes. Seasons 2, 3, and 4 each contained twenty episodes, starting with a five-part story.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Kenney</span> American actor

Larry Kenney is an American voice actor and radio personality.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emmanuelle Chriqui</span> Canadian actress (born 1975)

Emmanuelle Sophie Anne Chriqui is a Canadian actress. She is known for playing Sloan McQuewick on HBO's Entourage (2004–2011), Claire Bonner in Snow Day (2000), Dalia in You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008), Lorelei Martins on CBS's The Mentalist (2008–2015), and Lana Lang on The CW's Superman & Lois (2021–present).

<i>ThunderCats</i> (comics) Superhero comic book series

The ThunderCats a superhero comic book series was based on the original television series of the same name. It was originally published by Marvel Comics through its Star Comics imprint in 1985, lasting for 3 years and 24 issues.

<i>ThunderCats</i> (1987 video game) 1987 video game

ThunderCats: The Lost Eye of Thundera or simply as ThunderCats is a side-scrolling video game that is based on the original animated television series ThunderCats. The game was published in 1987 by Elite Systems Ltd for home computers including the Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum. An NES version was announced and advertised but was never released.

ThunderCats is a science fantasy animated television series, developed by Ethan Spaulding and Michael Jelenic for Cartoon Network. A reboot of the original 1980s TV series of the same name, ThunderCats was produced by American studio Warner Bros. Animation and animated by Japanese studio Studio 4°C, and combined elements of western animation with Japanese anime. The series began with an hour-long premiere on Cartoon Network on July 29, 2011. It is the final animated collaboration of both Arthur Rankin Jr. and Jules Bass, as Arthur Rankin Jr. died on January 30, 2014, and Jules Bass died on October 25, 2022.

Snarf (<i>ThunderCats</i>) Fictional character of the Thundercats franchise

Snarf is a fictional character featured in the ThunderCats franchise.

Thundercat or Thundercats may refer to:

ThunderCats is a media franchise, featuring a fictional group of cat-like humanoid aliens. The characters were created by Tobin Wolf and featured in an animated television series named ThunderCats, running from 1985 to 1989, which was animated by Japanese studio Pacific Animation Corporation, and co-produced by Rankin/Bass Productions.

<i>Warriors: Omen of the Stars</i> Fourth arc in the Warriors series

Warriors: Omen of the Stars is the fourth arc in the Warriors juvenile fantasy novel series about feral cats who live in Clans. It is made up of six novels published by HarperCollins from 2009 to 2012: The Fourth Apprentice, Fading Echoes, Night Whispers, Sign of the Moon, The Forgotten Warrior, and The Last Hope. The novels were written by Erin Hunter, a pseudonym that refers to authors Kate Cary, Cherith Baldry, and Tui Sutherland, as well as plot developer and editor Victoria Holmes. Omen of the Stars details the experiences of Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Dovewing, who, as part of a prophecy, have special powers. The arc's themes deal with forbidden love and the effect that being different can have on relationships. Though the Warriors series has appeared on the New York Times Best Seller list, none of the novels in Warriors: Omen of the Stars have won a significant literary award.

<i>He-Man/ThunderCats</i>

He-Man/ThunderCats was a comic book crossover that was released between 2016 and 2017.

<i>ThunderCats</i> (2012 video game) 2012 video game

ThunderCats is an platform game for the Nintendo DS developed by Aspect and published by Bandai Namco Games. It is based on the 2011 animated series of the same name, and was released in North America in October 2012 and Europe in November 2012. It is the first game in the franchise to be released since ThunderCats: The Lost Eye of Thundera appeared on various home computers in 1987.

<i>ThunderCats Roar</i> American animated television series

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Jelenic</span> American animator and director

Michael Christopher Jelenic is an American animator, storyboard artist, screenwriter, producer, and director. He is best known for co-developing the animated series Teen Titans Go! (2013–present) alongside Aaron Horvath for Cartoon Network, which lasted 404 episodes, as well as co-writing and co-producing the feature film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018) and co-directing The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023) with Horvath.

Sven Holgersson, known as Takashi "Shiro" Shirogane is a fictional character in the media franchise Voltron, and a member of the Voltron Force. The character's first appearance was in Voltron: Defender of the Universe. The character has received a positive critical reception, although his depiction as a gay man in Legendary Defender has been criticised as being poorly written.

Panthro is a fictional character of the ThunderCats franchise. He is the strongest and usually associated with strength of body and will. He wields a set of nunchaku given to him by Jaga before arriving on Earth. The role he plays for the team ranges from warrior to mechanic, and occasionally counsel for the young Lion-O. Normally exemplified by a cheerful disposition, he is, however, also quick to lose his temper and has a paralyzing fear of bats and a dislike of spiders.

Lion-O is a superhero and the main protagonist character of the ThunderCats franchise. Lion-O is the leader and the hereditary "Lord of the ThunderCats." Lion-O is based on the lion and wields the legendary Sword of Omens, which is able to fire bolts of energy and allows Lion-O to see across great distances with its power of "Sight Beyond Sight", as well as the Claw Shield, a gauntlet that launches grappling lines from its claws.

References

  1. 1 2 "Meet The New ThunderCats Cast!". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016.
  2. 1 2 "ThunderCats premiere review: Lion-O and Mumm-Ra were back... but different Review". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 2011-11-28.
  3. Hal Erickson, 2005, Television Cartoon Shows: The shows, M-Z, p.847-848
  4. "ToonBarn Interview: Thundercats Voice Actors and Writer – ToonBarn".
  5. "Mercer & Grant Give Voice To "Iron Man: Rise of Technovore"". CBR. April 16, 2013.
  6. Marshall, Rick (January 27, 2011). "EXCLUSIVE: 'ThunderCats' Producer On Redesigning The Cast, Absent Characters, Tygra's Whip, More..." splashpage.mtv.com. MTV. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  7. "ThunderCats: The Essential Episodes". Den of Geek. May 18, 2018.
  8. 1 2 3 Fowler, Matt (June 16, 2011). "Thunder Thursdays: Know Your ThunderCats!: Want some sight beyond sight? IGN has your info on the rebooted ThunderCats team, complete with exclusive character pics!". uk.ign.com. IGN . Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  9. "ThunderCats: "The Sword of Omens/Ancient Spirits of Evil" Review - IGN". 28 July 2011 via www.ign.com.
  10. Flook, Ray (February 14, 2020). ""ThunderCats Roar!" - Tygra: Team "Brains" & Lion-O's Teacher [VIDEO]". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors.
  11. "ThunderCats: "Into the Astral Plane" Review - IGN". 19 November 2011 via www.ign.com.
  12. "ThunderCats: "Between Brothers" Review - IGN". 26 November 2011 via www.ign.com.
  13. "Thunder Thursdays: ThunderCats Gets Dark! - IGN". 7 July 2011 via www.ign.com.
  14. "Thundercats NOOO: 8 Characters Who RULED (And 7 Who Were THE WORST)". CBR. October 11, 2017.
  15. "All 31 ThunderCats (and Their Foes), Ranked". io9. 25 March 2016.