I actually just watched the original Thundercats cartoon for the first time yesterday, so it’s interesting seeing the twenty-five year difference with the new show. Aside from the obvious–much better animation, storytelling, character designs, etc.–the new show also has a stronger anime feel (though the original show did too–anime just wasn’t as stylized back then).
The other thing that struck me was how similar this felt to the 2003 He-Man cartoon. We have a bigger, older-looking version of the main character, a la King Grayskull, for example. Even the art style, particularly the backgrounds, seems similar.
There’s also a LOT of the Battle of Helm’s Deep from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers, from the archers to the exploding wall. There are worse things to rip off, I suppose.
Is that voiceover at the beginning the same guy playing Hugo Strange in Batman: Arkham Asylum? (I think it’s Corey Burton, but while he’s listed for Arkham City on IMDB, I’m not sure that’s been confirmed.)
Thanks to Topless Robot for the link.
Mark
Hope Bandai make those big Mutant robots.
Mark
@ thrawn:
Also Grune The Destroyer is being voiced by Clancy 'The Kurgan' Brown. 😀
Mecha-Shiva
@ lbam:
Rankin/Bass produced the 80's Thundercats and this would be a great nod to it.
thrawn
Mark wrote:
The definition of cool must have changed and I wasn't aware of it. 🙂 I re-watched the entire series when it was relesed on dvd, and when I got to that thing I literally face-palmed.
A few too many if you ask me. 😉
Back on topic though, how cool is it going to be to see Mumm-Ra back in action?
Mark
@ thrawn:
The Black Widow shark was kinda cool. 🙂 Any show that can have a robotic shark/spider has got to be awesome LOL.
I liked the old MOTU but not as much as Thundecats. Thundercats had some messed up monsters but come on how many cursed or magical object of destruction can be on Eternia? 😉
thrawn
Reverend Elder wrote:
I don't think so. Merely commenting and letting our thoughts be known. This is only a teaser after all. I hate anime. It does nothing for me. That being said, there are some anime projects that I've liked.
I was commenting on the visual style specifically. The animation itself looks good.
I'm a Thundercats fan, and I will be checking out this show.
Ibam wrote:
I knew they were reminding me of something. I just couldn't put my finger on it. Thank you.
Clark wrote:
I agree. It took some getting used to at first, but I quite enjoy the visual design of the Star Wars the Clone Wars series now.
Mark wrote:
I respectfully disagree. I like both, but nothing compares to the utter stupidity of the Thundercats Black Widow shark monster. 🙂
Frogster
All I got to say is "WORD!" Going back to the 80's, baby. This looks badass.
Reverend Ender
You Debbie Downers are ruining it for yourselves. This looks AMAZING! I AM SO EXCITED!!!
THE PR0F3550R
MUMM-RA LIVES!! SHIT JUST GOT REAL!!
lbam
The enemy-jobbers look like Gollum from the Rankin-Bass animated movie. A whole bunch of Gollums. I don't give a fig for Thundercats one way or another; I just felt that resemblance needed pointing out.
clark
@thrawn-I'm not in love with the anime look, but the animation appears to be quality. If the stories are good then the character designs aren't going to bother me.
Same thing is happening with G.I. Joe Renegades (which I enjoy quite a bit), where I hate the designs but the animation is actually pretty good and lets me look past it.
Mark
Filmations MOTU cartoon was utter crap compared to Thundercats.
toyman2581
@ thrawn:
I'm with you 100%, totally not feeling the over-stylized anime look. Also, the main 'Cats appear to be teenagers or young adults and that bothers me for some reason. I just think they looked better as adults (ok, so Lion-O was a kid in an adult's body but you get what I'm saying).
The classic show still holds up well, better than Filmation MOTU anyway, so I'm passing on this. Can't wait for the Classics line though!
Baena
Still not a fan of the new toys, classics or the new stuff, but dang I like what I'm seeing with the toon.
Ripoffs welcome when they're rippin' off the good stuff. I know that makes me sounds cheap, but c'mon, Thundercats… Has always been a "successful ripoff". 😉
Mark
@ Poe:
Yeah I love the Classics but I am more excited about the new line overall.
Poe
I think the 6" toyline for the new show is going to prove as popular, if not more so, than the classic figures…
Mark
Thundera is now the name of the kingdom, the kingdom of Thundera. There is no planet Thundera in the new sow, its all set on Third Earth.
Look brilliant, I am so excited I just can't wait. 😀
HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Rinedog
Mecha-Shiva wrote:
I don’t think that they are even going to refer to Thundara in this new cartoon. The trailer opens with the voice over saying “These were days of peace and prosperity on third earth”.
Mecha-Shiva
Hopefully,the lord of the rings vibe ends if Thundera ever gets destroyed and everyone flees to third earth.
thrawn
I'm definitely not digging the strong anime look of the show. I'm hoping the writing and stories will be strong enough that I can get past the visual style.
It sounds like Cory Burton. He's also Count Dooku on the Clone Wars.