ThunderCats
Series, 1985, The '80s reruns, Set in Third Earth
ThunderCats is #2 of 16 in release order and #2 of 16 in chronological order in the Toonami Classics.
The story
The inhabitants of the planet Thundera evacuate just before it is destroyed. They were pursued by a band of mutants. All but one of their escape ships was destroyed. Only a small group of Thunderians (Thundercats) remained. With only half engine power, the group, which was led by Jaga, had to set a course for the nearest planet. Jaga commanded their ship while the other seven were in their stasis tubes. Jaga died on their journey to Third Earth and their ship crashed there. Soon they made friends with various groups in the area and they designed a fortress. Mumm-Ra the centuries-old embodiment of evil, along with the mutants that destroyed the rest of the Thunderians are a constant threat. But Lion-O, the new leader of the Thundercats, with his weapon the "Sword of Omens" will help the Thundercats to have a standing chance.
ThunderCats recap
When the planet Thundera dies, its noble cat-like people flee, and a ship carrying the young Lord Lion-O and his guardians reaches Third Earth. Lion-O's suspended animation fails, so he wakes as a boy in a man's body and must grow into his role as leader. With him are Tygra, Panthro, Cheetara, the twins WilyKit and WilyKat, and the fussy Snarf, while the spirit of the old leader Jaga advises him. Lion-O carries the Sword of Omens, whose Eye of Thundera lets him see danger and summon help. Their enemy is Mumm-Ra, an undead sorcerer, who teams up with the Mutants of Plun-Darr. Later seasons add new ThunderCats, Lynx-O, Bengali and Pumyra, a new set of villains called the Lunataks, and a rebuilt home world, New Thundera.
ThunderCats ending explained
In the final season the ThunderCats rebuild New Thundera and keep fighting a revived Mumm-Ra. The series closes with Mumm-Ra gaining control of the Ancient Spirits of Evil, the mystery of the Book of Omens solved, and Thundera at peace. A rebooted ThunderCats ran on Cartoon Network in 2011 but was cancelled after one season, and ThunderCats Roar followed in 2020.
Where to watch ThunderCats
ThunderCats is streaming on Hulu in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.
Ratings
IMDb 7.9/10
Where it fits
- Release order: after Voltron: Defender of the Universe, before Dragon Ball Z.
- Chronological order: after Voltron: Defender of the Universe, before Dragon Ball Z.
Cast
- Larry Kenney as Lion-O / Jackalman (voice)
- Peter Newman as Tygra / WilyKat / Monkian (voice)
- Earle Hyman as Panthro (voice)
- Lynne Lipton as Cheetara / WilyKit (voice)
- Earl Hammond as Mumm-Ra / Jaga / Vultureman (voice)
- Bob McFadden as Snarf / Slithe (voice)
- Gerrianne Raphael as Pumyra (voice)
- Doug Preis as Lynx-O (voice)
Created by Theodore Walter Wolf.